The governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Enugu State during the 2023 general election, Barr Chijioke Edeoga has urged the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to expedite action on a constitutional reform towards towards scrapping State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIECs.
Edeoga said this in a statement he made available to TVN on Monday, days after the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to local government areas.
The LP chieftain had earlier last week while reacting to the landmark judgement, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, to closely monitor the finances of the local government areas.
He has now followed it up with an advice to the AGF, urging him to ensure that the SIECs were abrogated to allow for credible elections in the LGAs.
Edeoga said that an Executive Bill to excise Section 197 1(b) of the Constitution which created the state Independence Electoral Commissions should be initiated by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
According to him, the responsibility should be taken off SIECs and pushed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
His statement reads in full: “Following the July 11, 2024 judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which affirmed full financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas of the country, Nigerians from across political, social, and economic divides have praised the courage and vision of the Federal Government team, led by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, to take further steps towards rescuing Nigeria’s third tier of government from the stranglehold of many state governors in the country.
“The profound joy and palpable relief expressed by Nigerians were indicative of the belief people have about local councils as efficacious catalysts of local administration and also speak to the avoidable quiescence in grassroots development occasioned by the chokehold which state governors exercise on their political and financial autonomy.
“It must be stressed at this point that local government administration is to national political and infrastructure development what micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSME) are to national economic development – just as MSMEs represent the biggest employers of labour in most economies, council administration touches more lives on the aggregate than both states and federal government. In Nigeria for instance, where MSMEs are said to be capable of employing an equivalent of 84 percent of the population, the 774 local government areas in the country, if granted full financial and administrative autonomy, will have the potential to not just employ more people than all the 36 state governments, but also spike the incubation and growth of more businesses at grassroots level.
“The impact of emasculated local councils has been the subject of academic and developmental research for many years. In one, titled, “Causes and Consequences of Rural-Urban Migration in Nigeria” conducted by Omonigho T. Okhankhuele and Olaniyan Z. Opafunso, it was established that rural areas in Nigeria are being affected by several incapacities at various levels of severity such as: inaccessibility, seclusion, underdevelopment, poverty, drabness, boredom, ignorance, depopulation, hunger, and all types of sicknesses. It was also held that migration from rural to urban areas leads to a reduction in the number of rural populaces, with direct consequences on agricultural output and overall GDP of the communities in the area and thus hinders the pace of development in the rural areas.
“As a former Local Government Chairman, I am aware of the impact an empowered council can have on all the indicators of economic well-being, including income, unemployment, infrastructure, healthcare delivery, urban migration, and education. The autonomy as is now being fully restored to duly elected officers of local governments will spark off rural development in ways that have not been witnessed in Nigeria since 1999.
“While the Supreme Court judgement has been greeted with loud celebrations by a large segment of the population, it is important to note that only one in a series of steps towards the liberation of local councils in the country has been taken.
“For this reason, I am calling on the Attorney Generation of the Federation to initiate, without further delay the process that will secure this hugely reassuring autonomy to firmly cement the authority of local councils to develop to the full extent of the resources legitimately available to them.
“This is given the clear and present possibility that the intendment of the judgment which is transparency and accountability in the use of local government resources by duly elected officers of local governments might still be manipulated by governors in whose powers it still is to determine who gets elected as Chairmen of the councils.
“Riding on the wave of nationwide acceptance of the judgment of the Supreme Court therefore, the National Assembly should be made to initiate and fast-track amendments to the 1999 Constitution to delist all mentions of state electoral commissions and push the responsibility for this to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Thankfully, so many governors have pledged to comply with the Supreme Court judgement, but the National Assembly should note that while Nigerians welcomed the judgment, they have equally pointed out that the judgment would be ineffectual without a corresponding amendment that guarantees relatively fairer and freer council elections.
“Such pessimistic views should not be dismissed with a wave of the hand because, their public show of support for the judgment of the Supreme Court notwithstanding, it would not be out of place to find lots of Governors continuing to pressurize their respective state Houses of Assembly to withhold assent to any Bill for such important constitutional amendment to sustain the stranglehold on local councils and the resources due to them from the federation account. This is where the onus lies on the president as a notable deal maker, consensus builder and statesman to convince everyone to work together for the greater good of our country.
“While it is true that an amendment process of some critical sections of the Constitution is going on, the particular section that affects local government autonomy should be isolated and its amendment fast-tracked now that a national consensus is already in place.
“If this is not done, the judgment of the Supreme Court on that matter will be seen as inchoate, thus providing a lacuna that would be further exploited to the detriment of the functional financial fate of local governments.
“To this end, an Executive Bill to excise Section 197 1(b) of the Constitution which created the state Independence Electoral Commissions should be initiated by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. Section 153 (1) which created the INEC should also be amended to fully vest the national elections management body with the powers to conduct elections to local government councils.
“Efforts should be made to isolate the sections relating to local government elections from the basket of other amendments that have been proposed to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly and give it immediate attention to attain quick passage and Presidential assent.
“Speed is of the essence given that at least 22 of the 36 states currently run the local government areas in their respective states under undemocratic caretaker arrangements.
“This means that if the amendment is fast-tracked and approved by the President, elections in the local councils can be arranged to fall into a single calendar.”
LG Autonomy: Enugu LP ex-guber candidate, Edeoga seeks urgent abrogation of SIECs
LG Autonomy: Enugu LP ex-guber candidate, Edeoga seeks urgent abrogation of SIECs
Stand up against Nnamdi Kanu’s rendition – Ejimakor challenges Britain
Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, called on Britain on Monday to stand up against the rendition of the Biafra agitator.
He made the call in response to reports by United States lawmakers urging the U.S. State Department to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of Financial Crime Compliance.
Gambaryan was arrested on allegations of money laundering and tax evasion alongside his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, but Nigerian authorities dropped the tax evasion charges in June. The money laundering case is still ongoing.
The U.S. lawmakers are claiming that Gambaryan’s detention has become a hostage situation, citing concerns over his deteriorating health and human rights violations.
They demanded the immediate release of Gambaryan and urged the US government to declare him “wrongfully detained by a foreign government.”
Reacting, Ejimakor posted on X: “In 1984, Great Britain treated Buhari’s attempt to rendition Umaru Dikko as a hostage case. Now, US is doing the same for its citizen.
“What’s stopping Great Britain from standing up for her renditioned citizen: MAZI NNAMDI KANU? Whither the ‘greatness’ in Great Britain? #FreeMNK.”
Stand up against Nnamdi Kanu’s rendition – Ejimakor challenges Britain
US Secret Service under pressure after Trump shooting
Facing growing criticism over a massive security failure, the US Secret Service on Monday vowed to cooperate with an independent review after a shooter was allowed to open fire on Donald Trump.
The 78-year-old former president was injured but survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a brazen attack that shocked a nation already deeply polarised ahead of the November election.
“The Secret Service is working with all involved Federal, state and local agencies to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again,” the agency’s director Kimberly Cheatle said in a statement.
“We understand the importance of the independent review announced by President (Joe) Biden yesterday and will participate fully,” Cheatle added.
Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania when multiple bangs rang out.
He clutched his ear, with blood visible on his ear and cheek, then ducked to the floor as Secret Service agents swarmed onto the podium, surrounding him and rushing him to a nearby vehicle.
The shooter and a bystander were killed, and two spectators were injured.
Biden ordered a full review of security at the rally, as well as at this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump will be crowned the party’s presidential nominee.
Heightened risk
The Secret Service faces intense scrutiny over how a gunman aiming an assault rifle was allowed to take position on a roof some 500 feet (150 meters) from one of the most protected political figures on the planet.
And the questions grew louder when phone footage emerged of people sighting the gunman and trying to warn security before he opened fire.
With Trump set to star at the convention, Cheatle said the agency was working to toughen security at the event.
The Secret Service designs plans for major events “to respond to a kinetic security environment and the most up-to-date intelligence,” her statement said.
Trump added to the concerns on Monday, calling for Secret Service protection for independent presidential Robert F. Kennedy “in light of what is going on in the world today.”
“Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social website.
Kennedy, who has no chance of winning the election, comes from America’s most famous political clan.
His uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in Dallas, Texas in 1963. Five years later, the candidate’s father, Robert, was shot to death in Los Angeles.
The US Secret Service is responsible for the safety of the president, vice president and former presidents, and their families, as well as major election candidates and visiting foreign heads of state.
AFP
Oyebanji orders integrity test on Ekiti NYSC Camp buildings
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has instructed the state’s Bureau of Special Projects to conduct a thorough integrity test on all structures within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp located at Ise/Orun Emure Ekiti.
The directive was issued during a meeting in Ado Ekiti on Monday, where Governor Oyebanji met with members of the NYSC Governing Council, led by Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Gold Adedayo.
The decision comes in the wake of an incident where a wall of a bathroom collapsed, resulting in injuries to two corps members.
Governor Oyebanji emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of NYSC members by assessing the structural integrity of the camp’s buildings.
Following the incident, the governor had previously ordered the immediate construction of 45 units of toilets and bathrooms within the camp, with construction work commencing on Monday. Additionally, he directed the state electricity board to install solar-powered electricity at the camp.
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Governor Oyebanji stated, “The first step we are taking is to conduct a comprehensive integrity test on all the buildings in that camp. The results will inform our decisions on improving the camp facilities to enhance living conditions.”
He emphasized the urgency of upgrading the infrastructure at the NYSC camp, pledging ongoing support from his administration to improve facilities and welfare for corps members.
In response to the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Riko Shuaibu, expressed gratitude for the governor’s commitment to safety and welfare,
Gov Oyebanji assured swift action. He said, “Regarding your request, immediate steps will be taken. Solar lighting will be installed, and I will instruct the electricity team to assess and implement this without delay.”
The visit by the NYSC Governing Council aimed to highlight challenges faced at the camp and seek intervention from the state government to address them effectively.
The post Oyebanji orders integrity test on Ekiti NYSC Camp buildings appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Oba of Benin receives two looted artefacts from US
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II on Monday, received two artefacts, a mother hen and a bronze plaque from the University of Iowa Museum, United States of America.
The returned artefacts were part of the ones looted at the Benin palace when it was invaded in 1897 by the British.
The Oba, while receiving the items in his palace, said the immediate past president of the federation, President Muhammadu Buhari made the ownership of artefacts very clear through his recent gazette before he left office.
The monarch, who was elated over the return of the artefacts, referred to some of the earlier ones returned to the palace. He noted that his forebears started the process but he was able to accomplish the feat when he ascended the throne.
The royal father said that artefacts were not mere items, noting that they have spiritual implications which mere mortals cannot understand.
He further appealed to the political leaders to help preserve the traditions and customs of the land.
The Oba said, “I must commend the immediate past president of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari who made the ownership of artefacts very clear through his recent gazette before he left office.
“My forebears started the process of ensuring the artefacts are but I can accomplish the feat when I ascended the throne.
“The artefacts are not mere items, they have spiritual implications which the mere mortals cannot understand, he added.
He appealed to the political leaders to help preserve the traditions and customs of the land.
Earlier, Cory Gundlach, a curator from the African Art in the US Museum, on behalf of others lectures in the university apologized to the Oba of Benin for using the artefacts as teaching materials in the university.
He assured the monarch of his determination to ensure that others who were kept elsewhere were returned to their original abode.
Adamawa council chairmen elect officers
The newly inaugurated chairmen of local government councils in Adamawa State have elected officers to lead their association.
The chairmen who are to relate collectively as the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, picked their officials on Monday, hours after they were sworn in at a ceremony in the state capital, Yola.
The new officials include Suleiman Ahmed Gangkuba, chairman of Toungo Council who became chairman of ALGON,
Danbiyu Paul Tumba of Michika Council, who was elected the vice chairman, and Idris Yahaya of Song Council, who became the secretary of the association.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who has congratulated the new ALGON officials, charged them to ensure transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The governor told them that under him, council chairmen had enjoyed autonomy to run their various councils, stressing that his administration had allowed them the autonomy that the Supreme Court declared only last week.
“Utilise this independence to build on what your predecessors have achieved and serve your communities effectively,” he told the chairmen and their new leaders.
Adamawa council chairmen elect officers
Nigeria will only succeed when we support the President
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that Nigeria will only succeed when the citizens support the President and ”that if Nigeria fails, everybody fails. The sub-nationals, like Rivers State, and any other state will also fail.”
This comes as he called for speedy investigation of suspects arrested for crime and taken through the unimpeded process of legal trials to ensure that they did not eventually get dumped in the correctional centres unduly on the awaiting trial list.
This, he said, will place more demand on the Nigeria Police Force and the Judiciary to rise to the challenge of ensuring that their institutions truly function effectively towards achieving the desired successes of decongesting correctional centres and dispensing justice.
Fubara insisted that such an approach will contribute largely to solving the incidences of overcrowded correctional centres with awaiting trial inmates across the country, including the attendant financial burden required for their upkeep.
The governor gave the charge when he received the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, led by its Chairman, Chinedu Ogah, on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, and sent to newsmen.
The Governor said: “I know that the State Government, from time to time, I mean, through the Chief Judge, had visited the Correctional Centres, and after evaluation, and I have seen a few letters he has written about what he saw on his visit, and having confirmed, and accessed a few of the inmates, he had granted them either bail or pardon.
“But this issue goes back to one major thing: institutions that we call the Police Force and the Judiciary. Most of these issues that we are talking about; overcrowding of the Correctional Centres, might be due to delay in the trial of their cases. That is the truth.
“The other aspect is that you arrest somebody wrongfully or whatever, and the process of investigation takes two, three, four years. So, we need to make sure that our institutions are functioning effectively. If they are functioning effectively, I strongly believe that most of these issues of over-crowding of the Correctional Centres won’t be there.”
Fubara added, “But, this is where we are, and we will continue to encourage our system to do it better. Maybe, if we had made these complaints earlier, some of the corrections would have been done.
“So, now that we are saying it, I believe they are hearing, and they will expedite action to make sure that some of these things are put to check.”
The governor said his administration is focused on the needs of Rivers people, adding that while addressing those needs, it is also mindful of the importance of properly integrating ex-convicts into the society.
Fubara, however, advised, “We also need to ensure that proper evaluations are done to ensure that we are not endangering our people.
“It is not just to say we need to reintegrate them. We also need to do the proper thing to make sure that when they leave the centres, they can fit into society.
“I think even in the Correctional Centres, they have vocational activities there. Some of them have the opportunity of running academic programmes online.
“So, first of all, they should also show this commitment that they want to change, that they want to be part of the system, coming back to the society, and we as a government, will do all we can make it possible.”
The Governor expressed delight that issues of the correctional centres attracted the attention of the National Assembly, which means that the government is alive and up to its responsibility.
Fubara also thanked members of the committee for the visit, and acknowledged the modest achievements of his administration so far, particularly in ensuring a reduction of crime in the State compared to what was inherited.
He said, “It goes to say just one thing: we know what the problem is, and we are tackling the problem from the root cause.
“What is the problem associated with crime: unemployment, insecurity. This insecurity is economic insecurity and that is what causes crime.
“It is a global issue, though but as a State, we will continue to do our best to see to it that our youths are engaged meaningfully, and are discouraged from associating with anything that will bring a bad image to our State.”
Fubara explained that his administration has continued to support the Controller of the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre with monthly subvention to assist in the day-to-day running of his office as well as other levels of assistance.
The Governor noted that most of the correctional centres were built over 80 years ago when nobody envisaged that the number of inmates would increase astronomically as witnessed now.
But he said that what the Federal Government is doing in the state by building new facilities to house inmates and the plan to relocate correctional centres in the city centre will be something to support.
“I will mandate the Secretary to the State Government to go and access what is going on there, and liaise with the appropriate authorities and see where we can come in to complete it so that this issue of having these Correctional Centres in the centre of the city which is not a good idea, at least, we can solve that problem once and for all.”
Fubara charged the committee to play its part effectively by making the requisite laws and securing the legislative backing that can eventually correct the mistakes that have been noticed.
He explained, “It shouldn’t be something we just put in our Constitution. It should be given all the strength of implementation or execution of those laws. So, you should help us do it right, and we will take it from there on the part of execution which is the duty of the Executive.”
Speaking further, Fubara said: “Let me thank you, more especially for coming to see us. Let me on behalf of the Government and the good people of Rivers State, assure you that you have not made any mistake.
“You have done the right thing, and you have taken the right step. I believe that by the end of your visit, you are going to come up with recommendations that are going to help us solve some of these problems.
“But in all, we all have to put hands together to support this administration of our President. Nigeria is a very big and complex society; with different ideologies, multi-cultural beliefs, and social differences, but we are all here as one because of the flag of Nigeria.
“So, what we need to do is to ensure that we work as one, on one common interest to make sure that we sustain this entity called Nigeria. If Nigeria succeeds, we all succeed. And Nigeria will only succeed when we support the President.
“If Nigeria fails, everybody fails. The sub-nationals, like Rivers State, and any other state will also fail. You can’t succeed just as a state. Your success must be extended to the centre,” he added.
In his speech, the leader of the delegation and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, explained that they are in Rivers State to oversight all the Correctional Institutions domiciled in the State.
Ogah noted the gross neglect that the Correctional Service has suffered in the country, particularly in the aspect of security.
He listed four Correctional Service centres in Rivers State including Port Harcourt, Ahoada, Degema and the Farm Settlement; with each housing about 4,000 inmates, adding that 91 per cent of such inmates are awaiting trial.
Ogah said, “And most of these people are not yet convicted, and some of them are not being justified: what the case is all about. The major issue, the negligence aspect of the security, is that they don’t care how to reintegrate, reform, and bring them back into society so they cannot indulge in crime.
“If we look into it, we find out that, that is the only way we can ensure the security of lives and property in this country, by making sure that those we feel have already committed crimes are reformed and reintegrated into the society by giving them skills and opportunity so that they can have something to feed, and not go back to crime.
“And Your Excellency, from our records, we found out that since you assumed office, there has been a reduction in crime rate in Rivers State because of what you have done by empowering the youths in all the local governments economically, in all the wards by giving them a sense of belonging too. We have to commend you for that.”
Ogah said further: “Rivers State is one of the places where the construction of 3,000-capacity centres is ongoing in Bori, and this construction has gotten up to 60 per cent.
“But Your Excellency, you know the truth: Federal Government cannot do it alone, and as a Governor who knows the problems of the people, that is our essence of coming to you to partner with the Committee on Reformatory Institutions to know what we can do together to relocate that correctional service centre.”
He, therefore, solicited the support of the State Government to make the initiative of the Federal Government succeed for the peace and development of Rivers State and Nigeria.
Constitutional amendment: We are focused on state creation, police – House of Reps
Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, has stated that the constitutional review process focuses on state creation, state police, and other key issues.
During an interview on Arise TV, Agbese lauded the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, for his exceptional leadership and innovative approach to constitutional review.
He noted that the Kalu-led committee has adopted a citizen-driven approach, engaging various stakeholders and soliciting input from Nigerians nationwide.
Agbese noted that these efforts have not only enhanced the review process but also fostered a sense of ownership and inclusivity among Nigerians.
“We consequently identified critical stakeholders in various sectors to interface with us, provide their insight and guide us through the process. These efforts have not only enhanced the review process but also fostered a sense of ownership and inclusivity among Nigerians.
“The committee has set a timeline for themselves and is aggressively working on areas of concern to Nigerians, such as state creation, state police, local government autonomy, and contradictions in local government election and autonomy and funding for the judiciary,” he said.
Agbese assured that the committee will keep its promise of concluding the process before December 2025.
“We are trying to amend the constitution and not create further problems for the nation.
“We want a constitution that is as flexible as possible and would strengthen our institutions. We strongly believe that we can have a constitution that will not only unite us but will also give a sense of nationhood to our citizens,” he said.
Constitutional amendment: We are focused on state creation, police – House of Reps
Jaiz Bank targets N70bn capital base December
Jaiz Bank is set to increase its capital base to N70 billion by the end of 2024.
This was as the bank restated its commitment to become the centre of Islamic banking in Africa.
This disclosure was made by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mustapha Bintube, during a send-off ceremony held in Abuja for 11 retired board members, including the bank’s pioneer chairman, Alhaji Umar Abdul Mutallab.
Jaiz Bank operating since 2012 is a pioneering non-interest bank in Nigeria, providing ethical services to individuals, and corporate and government entities.
In a statement on Monday, Bintube highlighted the bank’s financial performance and its new banking system, offering people alternatives in banking operations.
He noted that Jaiz Bank achieved a profit of N11 billion in 2023.
He revealed that as of June 30, 2024, the bank had already surpassed this profit figure, indicating robust growth and operational success.
With the recapitalisation exercise, We have banks sourcing funds, but today Jaiz already met up that minimum recapitalisation and we plan to hit N70bn capital base by year-end.”
Jaiz Bank and other non-interest banks hoping to achieve national status have till 31st March, 2026 to record N20bn capital base as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria under its ongoing banking system recapitalisation.
However, the bank currently has a paid-up capital base of N18.6bn which falls short by N1.4bn.
Bintube also revealed the bank’s expansion plans from its initial three branches in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano to a current total of 54 branches, with plans to reach 60 branches by year-end.
“Our major dream is to expand our presence globally,” Bintube stated, reflecting on the bank’s humble beginnings in 2012 with an initial capital of N6bn.
He attributed the bank’s success to its dedicated team and strategic partnerships, which have enabled it to grow and thrive in the competitive financial sector.
Former Chairman Dr. Umar Abdul Mutallab, in his address, expressed his pride in Jaiz Bank’s achievements as Nigeria’s first non-interest Islamic bank. He commended the efforts of various institutions, particularly the Islamic Development Bank, which played a crucial role in the bank’s establishment.
Dr Mutallab recounted the challenging early days when Jaiz Bank’s promoters had only N4 billion, and it was the timely intervention of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who provided N1bn to meet the N5bn required for registration, that saved the venture from collapse.
Dr. Mutallab also praised the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, for his encouragement and support in realizing the dream of Jaiz Bank.
He took the occasion to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of other individuals and institutions, both living and deceased, who have supported the bank’s journey.
“Jaiz Bank sees itself as a major Islamic bank in Nigeria,” Mutallab asserted, urging the current management to continue striving for excellence and expansion. He expressed confidence in the bank’s future, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and strategic vision in achieving its goals.
“Jaiz Bank’s commitment to non-interest banking principles and its focus on ethical financial services have positioned it as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s banking sector.
“As the bank looks forward to reaching new heights, it remains dedicated to serving its customers with integrity and innovation,” the statement concluded.
Hardship: Southeast youths will not protest against Tinubu – Gov Uzodinma
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has assured that Southeast youths will shun the intending national protest against President Bola Tinubu.
Uzodinma said those behind the planned protest are enemies of Nigeria who wants to destabilise the national government.
He spoke in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State during the grand finale of the campaign for local government election by the All Progressive Congress, APC.
According to Uzodinma: “To the youths of Southeast, because we are on the path of growth, our enemies are trying to disorganise national government.
“This government is our government, the government of President Bola Tinubu is our government. So nobody from Southeast will protest. We are not aggrieved, we have hope.
“Whatever they say, this government is barely one year in office. Yes, we are aware of the hardship, we are aware things are hard, but I promise you that the president is working so hard to release money to the people, to deliver infrastructure to the people and to release and increase food security to the people. Follow your leaders, work with your leaders.”
Hardship: Southeast youths will not protest against Tinubu – Gov Uzodinma