The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will on Monday start the sale of forms for the position of National Chairman and other elective party positions.
The National Convention Committee Chairman and governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, disclosed this when he held a meeting with the Electoral Sub-Committee on Saturday.
Details later.
Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu was reportedly arrested by Department of State Services (DSS) agents.
Agu was arrested by DSS operatives on Friday evening, according to Emeka Rollas, national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, and has not been released since.
However, according to Rollas, the AGN is currently working to secure the actor’s release.
Remember that Agu was detained by soldiers on Thursday for wearing an outfit inspired by the flag of the Biafra Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a banned separatist group.
President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged yesterday, for the first time since his government’s inception in 2015, how much petroleum subsidy had eroded national revenues, making it impossible for the country to adequately fund its annual budget despite significant increases in crude oil prices.
Buhari made the remarks while presenting a N16.39 trillion Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2022 to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja.
Dr. Ahmad Lawan, Chairman of the National Assembly and President of the Senate, however, criticized the rising level of the budget deficit.
Nonetheless, there was hope for an early passage of the 2022 budget proposal, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, assured the president of the National Assembly’s prompt consideration of the estimates.
Similarly, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that the proposed 2022 budget is intended to accelerate the government’s ongoing efforts to diversify the economy.
However, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called the proposed budget “another budget of sorrow and pain for Nigerians.”
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) slammed the president’s budget, saying that despite being his final full-year budget, it lacks items that will allow him to leave office with some sense of accomplishment.
The Appropriation Bill for 2022 was dubbed the “Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability.”
Buhari recalled that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) announced in March 2020 that the price of gasoline would now be determined by market forces.
“However, as the combination of rising crude oil prices and the exchange rate combined to push the price above the previously regulated price of N145 per litre, opposition to the policy of price deregulation hardened, particularly among labor unions,” he said.
“The government was forced to halt further price increases while working on the issue.” This gasoline subsidy significantly reduced revenues that could have been used to fund the budget.”
Buhari stated that budget allocations to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are guided by the strategic objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2025. He stated that the plan prioritized economic diversification through robust Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) growth, investment in critical infrastructure, strengthening security and ensuring good governance, enabling a vibrant, educated, and healthy populace, reducing poverty, and minimizing regional, economic, and social disparities.
The president emphasized that the security sector would continue to receive a portion of the budget in 2022, saying, “Defense and internal security will continue to be our top priorities.”
We remain steadfastly committed to ensuring the safety of people, property, and investments across the country. We will continue to ensure that our brave men and women in the armed forces, police, and paramilitary units are adequately equipped, compensated, and motivated.”
The president praised the National Assembly for its quick consideration and passage of the supplemental appropriation bill 2021. He stated that this demonstrated the federal legislature’s commitment to working together to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and address the country’s various security challenges.
He also praised the National Assembly for its prompt consideration and approval of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2022-2024.
“Our hope is that the National Assembly will continue to partner with the executive by ensuring that deliberations on the 2022 Budget are completed before the end of this year so that the Appropriation Act can take effect on January 1, 2022,” the president said.
Buhari stated that over the last few days, he met with the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and the leadership of the National Assembly to discuss how best to present the 2022 budget proposal while keeping in mind the deep-rooted tradition in place and the guidelines for safe mass gatherings.
He stated that it was decided that the most responsible and respectful approach would be to hold a smaller gathering while allowing the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to provide more detailed details of the proposals at a larger event.
According to him, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) for 2022 to 2024 set the parameters for the 2022 Budget.
He stated that the benchmark oil price was $57 per barrel, with a daily oil production estimate of 1.88 million barrels (including condensates of 300,000 to 400,000 barrels) per day projected.
Buhari stated that the exchange rate was set at N410.15 per dollar, with a projected GDP growth rate of 4.2% and an inflation rate of 13%. He went on to say that based on these fiscal assumptions and parameters, total federally collectible revenue in 2022 was estimated to be N17.70 trillion.
The president stated that total federally distributable revenue in 2022 is expected to be N12.72 trillion, while total revenue available to fund the 2022 budget is expected to be N10.13 trillion. This includes N63.38 billion in grants and aid, as well as the revenues of 63 government-owned enterprises.
Buhari stated that oil revenue was expected to be N3.16 trillion, non-oil taxes were expected to be N2.13 trillion, and FGN independent revenue was expected to be N1.82 trillion.
The president stated that the federal government has proposed a total expenditure of N16.39 trillion for 2022.
He stated that the proposed expenditure included the following items: Statutory Transfers of N768.28 billion, Non-debt Recurrent Costs of N6.83 trillion, Personnel Costs of N4.11 trillion, Pensions, Gratuities, and Retiree Benefits of N577.0 billion, Overheads of N792.39 billion, Capital Expenditure of N5.35 trillion, including the capital component of Statutory Transfers; Debt Service of N3.61 trillion, and Sinking
“We expect the total fiscal operations of the federal government to result in a deficit of N6.26 trillion,” Buhari said. This amounts to 3.39 percent of estimated GDP, which is slightly higher than the three percent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007. Countries all over the world must, by necessity, exceed their fiscal thresholds in order for their economies to survive and thrive. “We need to exceed this threshold considering our collective desire to continue tackling the existential security challenges confronting our country,” says one official.
Buhari stated that the federal government intended to finance the deficit primarily through new borrowings totaling N5.01 trillion, N90.73 billion in privatization proceeds, and N1.16 trillion in drawdowns on loans secured for specific development projects.
“Some have expressed concern about our reliance on borrowing to finance our fiscal gaps,” the president said. They have reason to be concerned. However, we believe that the federal government’s debt is still within sustainable limits. Borrowings are for specific strategic projects and are publicly verifiable.”
Buhari explained that the country had experienced two economic recessions during his presidency, emphasizing that in both cases, the country had to spend its way out of the recession, which necessitated an increase in the national debt.
“It is unlikely that our recovery from each of the two recessions would have progressed as quickly without sustained government expenditure funded by debt,” he said.
In terms of parameters and fiscal assumptions, the president stated that the country’s revenue-to-GDP ratio should be increased from around 8% now to 15% by 2025. He stated that at that level of revenue, the debt service-to-revenue ratio would no longer be a concern.
“To put it simply, we do not have a debt sustainability problem; we have a revenue challenge that we are determined to address in order to ensure our debts remain sustainable,” Buhari said.
The president stated that his administration had used loans to fund critical development projects and programs aimed at improving the economic environment and ensuring the effective delivery of public services to the people.
He stated that his administration was focused on completing major road and rail projects, effectively implementing power sector projects, providing potable water, building irrigation infrastructure and dams across the country, and critical health projects such as strengthening the national emergency medical services and ambulance system, procuring vaccines, eradicating polio, and upgrading Primary Health Care Centres across the six geopolitical zones.
Buhari stated that his administration will strengthen the frameworks for concessions and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in 2022, and that capital projects that are ripe for PPPs will be developed for private sector participation.
In terms of the performance of the 2021 budget, Buhari stated that in the 2021 Fiscal Framework, a total revenue of N8.12 trillion was projected to fund aggregate federal expenditure of N14.57 trillion (inclusive of the supplementary budget), while actual revenues were 34% below target as of July 2021, owing primarily to underperformance of oil and gas revenue sources.
Buhari stated that the federal government’s retained revenues (excluding Government Owned Enterprises) totaled $1.1 trillion.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) won the Nasarawa State local government council election on Wednesday.
Mr Ayuba Wandai, Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, revealed this when he announced the results in Lafia on Thursday.
Wandai stated that the APC candidates for chairmanship and councillorship won in all 13 of the State’s Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“In this regard, and in accordance with the authority bestowed upon me as Chairman of the Commission and Chief Electoral Officer of the State.
“I hereby declare APC candidates for Chairmanship in all 13 LGAs as winners, and they are hereby returned elected.”
“The APC candidates for the 147 electoral ward councillor positions are hereby returned elected.”
“It is on record that seven political parties participated in the exercise,” he said, naming the ADC, APC, LP, NNPP, PDP, SDP, and ZLP.
According to reports from the field, the election was peacefully conducted throughout the State, with the exception of a delay in the distribution of election materials in some parts of the State, which he blamed on logistics issues.
“So far, NASIEC has successfully conducted elections that can best be described as free, fair, and credible, in accordance with state electoral law,” he said.
Three former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have declared their intention to run for president in 2023.
The news came after the 94th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was present, as were PDP Governors led by Chairman and Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, as well as former and serving governors, ministers, and federal lawmakers.
The parley agreed to the zoning committee’s recommendation that the North produce the next National Chairman, led by Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwaunyi.
However, the presidential ticket was left open, allowing any eligible member to run.
Acting National Chairman Yemi Akinwonmi thanked Ugwaunyi and Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for chairing the Zoning and Convention Planning Committees.
Wali Jibrin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, assured that the party leadership will continue to promote unity among members in order to ensure that the PDP returns to power.
According to a source, the Northern Caucus of the NEC met at another location in the nation’s capital following the meeting.
The stalwarts gathered at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, where some advocated for the chairmanship to be zoned North-Central.
The proposal, however, was roundly rejected and made open to all aspirants wishing to run for office.
The meeting also discussed the distribution of posts among the 19 Northern states and gave all interested parties until Friday to indicate their interest.
Following the compilation of names and interested portfolios, the caucus is likely to micro-zone some positions to specific states.
Three ex-Northern Governors and a party official announced their candidacy for PDP flagbearer.
It was learned that two are from the North-East: Deputy National Chairman (North), ex-Senator Suleiman Nazif, and former Gombe Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo.
The other two are from the North-West: Ahmed Makarfi, ex-Kaduna Governor and former PDP Caretaker Chairman, and Ibrahim Shema, ex-Katsina Governor.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Dan Orbih, Zonal Vice Chairman, and Mr. Hillary Otsu, Edo State Secretary of the PDP, have been suspended from the party by party leaders in Edo North Senatorial Districts.
The suspension was contained in a communique read by a senatorial district leader of the PDP, Mr. Charles Erikhumhi, following a meeting of the zone’s leadership of the PDP yesterday in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.
In addition, the chairs of five Edo-north local government areas were suspended. Local governments affected included Owan West, Owan East, Akoko-Edo, Etsako Central, and Etsako East, as well as Senatorial Leader Mr. Samuel Saiki.
According to the communique, Orbih and others were suspended because they violated the party’s constitution and were also involved in anti-party activities.
Orbih was accused in particular of working against the harmonisation of the party structure across the state and of sponsoring some people to go to court against the party’s leaders.
Erikhumhi stated that their suspension was necessary to save the party from impending collapse and to instill discipline in its hierarchy.
“On Sunday, October 2, Mr. Governor called an all-important stakeholders meeting, which Orbih boycotted, including the Senatorial chairmen and the five local government chairmen in Edo North,” he said.
“Orbih also went on to incite other party leaders/members to boycott the same meeting.”
“As leaders of the party in the zone, we see this as gross misconduct and a violation of the party’s constitution, as well as anti-party activities.”
“In light of the foregoing, a vote of no confidence and suspension was passed on Mr. Dan Orbih, the Senatorial chairman, and the five Edo North local government chairmen.”
Mr. Chris Nehikhare, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, responded that the suspensions should be ignored and that it is of no consequence.
Hon. Mohammed Gudaji Kazaure, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi Federal Constituency, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has budgeted over N5.1 trillion to service stolen funds that have plunged the country into debt.
He bemoaned that the corruption battle’s bar had been lowered and that those who stole funds had escaped only for the country to pay off debts at the expense of ordinary citizens.
The Jigawa lawmaker, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), believed that the nation’s so-called debts were stolen funds, and that the appropriate thing for the Buhari administration to do was to pursue the stolen funds and assets stashed abroad and recover them for the nation.
He spoke with journalists on the sidelines of President Muhammadu Buhari’s presentation of the N16.4 trillion budget for 2022 to the joint sessions of the National Assembly lawmakers on Thursday.
“Nigerian money was looted and buried like dead bodies in the grave, and some people have stashed it abroad.” Why can’t the government form a strong investigative and interrogation Committee to summon these people?
“We need to stop borrowing because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, and that is my concern.” For example, the former female Petroleum Minister in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration walked away with $60 billion. This is the Nigerian budget for the next five years.
“If this government conducts a genuine investigation, there are thousands of them, and when we investigate, we can spend the next 20 years without borrowing.” We will implement the budget with the money we have recovered.
“Seriously, this government claims to be fighting corruption, but as a legislator, I never see the corruption fight because we claim to be fighting corruption while being slow and ineffective. I am confident that if there is a thorough investigation and interrogation in this country, we will not borrow money to pay off debts.
“Unfortunately, the issue of revenue, which they said has gone down; the oil, which has gone down in many countries around the world, and if we remember, before oil was discovered in this country, Nigeria was generating revenue from agriculture.” Cotton and groundnut money was used to discover and develop oil, and agriculture was eventually abandoned.
“Look at our throngs of unemployed youth. Consider our forests, which are currently occupied by criminals but could have been cleared and used for farming by our teeming youths. If we can do this across the six geopolitical zones, I am confident that the country will have more money than oil. We could fund the budget without incurring debt.
“However, the most embarrassing aspect is debt servicing, which was included in the 2022 budget.” We are paying off debts incurred as a result of stolen funds. Nigerians have never enjoyed the money that we are repaying as debt.
“In 2022, the funds that were supposed to be invested in education, railways, health, security, and other critical infrastructure would be used to service debts.” Individuals’ pockets are stuffed with debt.
“Go around the country and see the types of buildings in which some privileged people and government officials live, and they claim to be fighting corruption.” If you go to Maitama in Abuja, Lagos, or Port Harcourt, you will see people who live in mansions and are government officials.
“Did they buy mansions with their salaries, despite the fact that we said we were fighting corruption?” We will not borrow money if we are truly fighting corruption. “It’s humiliating,” he concluded.
On Thursday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported two COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the country’s death toll to 2,742.
On Friday morning, the NCDC announced this via its verified website.
In addition, the center reported 290 additional infections in 14 states and the FCT.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the 290 new cases reported on Thursday represent a decrease from the 297 cases reported on Tuesday in the country.
According to the NCDC, the FCT ranked first on the log with 127 cases, followed by Lagos, the epicenter of the disease, with 45 cases, and Kaduna in the north-west with 28 cases.
While the southern states of Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Akwa Ibom recorded 18 cases, 10 cases, three cases, and one case, respectively, the northern states of Kwara, Plateau, and Nasarawa recorded 17 cases, 13 cases, and four cases.
It went on to say that Zamfara in the North-West had ten cases, Imo in the South-East had six, and Ekiti, Ondo, and Oyo States in the South-West had five, three, and one case, respectively.
The NCDC also noted that Sokoto had reported no new cases.
The additional confirmed infections bring the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 207,210, according to the agency.
It went on to say that 194,796 patients had been discharged, while 9,629 were still active cases in the country.
The agency also stated that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre, activated at Level II, was still in charge of coordinating national response activities.
According to the NCDC, 3,043,321 million people have been tested out of the country’s roughly 200 million population.
Because all four COVID-19 variants of concern were circulating in Africa, it advised Nigerians to take prevention measures seriously.
“To prevent the spread, wash your hands, wear a mask, avoid crowded places, maintain a safe distance, and keep the space well ventilated,” it advised.
By David Onmeje
“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”- John Maxwell.
At keen observation of the approval and appointment of Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni as the new Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by President Muhammadu Buhari, following the retirement from service of Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, We can say so far that, the best man for the job was chosen.
Amidst the incessant spate of violations, rampant kidnappings, and the urgent need for NSCDC to continually work in synergy with other security agencies to immediately restore peace and security in the country, Audi emerged the best candidate out of those that went through the transparent selection process initiated by the Ministry of Interior through the Board to ensure that the most suitable among the top-ranking officers in the service was appointed to replace the out-going Commandant-General of the NSCDC.
Following multiple threats of attack by miscreants and bandits in different parts of the country, Mr Ahmed Audi gave a necessary directive to forestall and guaranteed a hitch-free living for Nigerian citizens by effortlessly making compilation of information on all forms of crime, for planning and orchestration of strategic action for security operations by the corps, and this was swiftly executed.
Meanwhile, the C-G also ordered the 15 Zonal Commanders of NSCDC across the country to beef up security in states under their jurisdiction, and directed them to constantly deploy improved tactics to maintain security across the Nation. This is a man that have been making tours across the country in order to make sure that all plans are well executed.
“The peace and stability of a country leads to its economic growth and development, therefore, it is the responsibility of every citizen to see Nigeria as a collective project that must not be allowed to fail.’’-Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni 2021
The incumbent Commandant General of the NSCDC is truly a man who has successfully adjusted the sails of the NSCDC ship in order to sail smoothly through the tumultuous tides rocking the state of security in the country. Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi has indeed proven to be an outstanding leader and the man for the job to which he was appointed. In barely over 200 days in office, he has achieved and recorded quite a lot of success in the NSCDC.
Like many other good men appointed by the current administration, Dr. Audi’s appointment was met with criticisms and opprobrium by many irate individuals and those who oppose the decisions of the present administration in order to fuel their political propaganda. However, his appointment didn’t come as a surprise to many including the officers and other members of the corps. This is because he is a man known for his immense wisdom and experience. He has served in different capacities in the corps, including intelligence, administrative duties and operations. It goes without saying that a man with these qualities is expected to perform up to par, but Dr Audi has not just done that, but he has also manage to surpass the expectations of many.
Dr Audi is a well-educated man. He boasts of a doctorate in Public Administration, a master’s degree in criminal justice from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, a master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Calabar. It is thus not surprising that he is able to perform effectively as the Commandant General of the NSCDC.
In addition to his sagacity and intellectual prowess, Dr Audi has also done well to include a number of professional experts and officers to help him in not only the administration of the corps but also the digitalization process of the corps.
From the time Dr Audi took over from Alhaji Mohammed Gana till present, the NSDC has undergone changes and restructuring to ensure the body achieves all its mandates in the country especially protecting the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens.
It is never easy to hold any office involving security in Nigeria as the country continues to battle terrorism and banditry. Due to the president’s dedication towards tackling insecurity, the war against insecurity is gradually being won by the government, and thus, anyone appointed to such an important position as Dr Audi’s has a lot of responsibilities and expectations to satisfy. The Commandant General is faced with performing his job and leading the NSCDC to achieve its mandates despite the many challenges it is faced with.
Since his appointment, the NSDC has worked effectively with other sister agencies in protecting lives and properties. Just recently the NSCDC strengthened its partnership with the NYSC in ensuring adequate security for Corps members, NYSC farms across the country and other infrastructures of the NYSC scheme. The resuscitation of the farms is in order to train corps members with a passion for agriculture and these farms need to be adequately protected.
The NSCDC Commandant General has also led his men in tracking and arresting cybercriminals in the country and smoking them out from their hideouts. Government facilities and other important infrastructures in the country have never been more secure than they are today. Agro-rangers have been introduced to protect Agro-allied investments in the country including farmers. There has since been a recent decline in the number of attacks by bandits and terrorists on agricultural assets and farmers. These achievements were all made possible because the CG has put in place several facilities for the gathering of credible intelligence that has helped the corps in the discharge of its duties and execution of its mandates.
Just a few weeks after his appointment, Dr Audi being aware of the importance of women in the corps introduced the first-ever formidable women corps that would help complement their male counterparts in the efficient execution of the mandates of the corps. Since then, several efficient Female Corps Officers have been trained, commissioned and positioned for carrying out their duties.
The CG of the NSCDC has since his assumption into office helped remodel and restructure the NSCDC. He has also successfully boosted the morale of all the Corps members in all the states in the country. He was able to achieve this by motivating his men by clearing backlogs of arrears that had accumulated before he assumed office and promoting certain personnel who are due for promotion.
Dr Audi is indeed an outstanding leader. His hard work, dedication and fairness have been vital to the many recent successes of the NSCDC. He is a focused man that has remained unperturbed by false accusations thrown at him by many political miscreants. He is indeed a honourable, transparent and honest man. He is the type of leader who is a rare gem to come across. His many qualities and vast knowledge and experience have been instrumental in propelling the NSCDC as one of the best paramilitary organizations in the world. Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi is indeed worthy of his position as the CG.
We sought for a Boss, but we found an outstanding Leader.
Onmeje is an international public affairs analyst and commentator.