Category: Politics

The Plateau State Police have enforced road closures leading to the state House of Assembly in Jos, amidst a gathering of supporters from both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their rivals in the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.

Alabo Alfred, the spokesperson for the police command, confirmed that law enforcement officers were deployed to prevent any potential breach of peace and order in the state.

The uncertainty surrounding the fate of 16 PDP lawmakers, who were sacked by the Court of Appeal, has heightened tensions around the Assembly. The appellate court had declared APC candidates as winners of the March 18, 2023, House of Assembly elections, leading to the removal of both the lawmakers and Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

Although the Supreme Court overturned the governor’s removal, the 16 PDP lawmakers are seeking reinstatement.

Supporters from both parties have gathered at the Assembly complex, with tensions running high as they await developments. PDP supporters argue that the APC lawmakers, who have yet to be sworn in following the controversial court ruling, are attempting to forcefully enter the Assembly and impeach the Speaker and the governor. Meanwhile, APC supporters assert that the Speaker’s refusal to swear in the APC members, despite the Court of Appeal’s ruling, is unjust.

At present, neither the sacked PDP lawmakers nor the APC members have appeared at the Assembly complex. However, both factions have convened separate meetings to strategize their next steps.

As of the latest update, these meetings are ongoing, according to Timothy Dantong, one of the sacked PDP lawmakers.

By Daniel Edu

Amid the internal leadership crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, party stakeholders have outlined conditions for their support towards Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration. The discord revolves around the power struggle for control of the party’s structure in the state between Governor Alia and former governor George Akume.

Over the weekend, the crisis escalated as security operatives reportedly clashed with the State APC executive, led by the embattled party chairman, Comrade Austin Agada, and other stakeholders. Despite a directive from the state governor prohibiting political gatherings due to security concerns, the stakeholders insisted on holding their scheduled meeting to welcome Matthias Byuan, who recently secured a federal government appointment facilitated by Akume.

A meeting convened at the residence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Akume, in Makurdi, concluded on Monday morning with stakeholders unanimously pledging allegiance to Akume as the leader of the party in the state. The stakeholders declared that Governor Alia would not receive their support until he recognized Akume as the party leader in the state.

During the meeting, Matthias Byuan expressed disappointment with Governor Alia, alleging his involvement in the physical violence at the party’s secretariat on Friday. Byuan, who had just received a federal government appointment, recounted the incident, stating, “We were driving straight to the party office when some youths came and fought us, but our youths overpowered them and entered the secretariat before police started to shoot tear gas.” The ongoing power struggle threatens to further escalate tensions within the APC in Benue State.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D has rejoiced with Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamila, the mother of the Chief of Staff to the President, on her 94th birthday.

In a birthday message in Abuja on Friday, Speaker Abbas hailed Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamila for not only being a good mother but also a great philanthropist, whose service to humanity is uncommon.

The Speaker said in her 94 years on earth, Alhaja Gbajabiamila has demonstrated her determination as a politician and a consensus builder, who worked tirelessly for her community and the people.

He said she has been a blessing to Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole, having being the first female to be elected as a local government chairman in Surulere.

Speaker Abbas noted with delight Alhaja Lateefat’s devotion to Islam, as one of the pillars of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria.

“On this day, I salute Alhaja for her tenacity and determination over the years. Mama has been a blessing to this country in different ways. Having given Nigeria Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, whom she trained as a mother, disciplinarian, and a teacher.

“We remain ever grateful to Mama for her wise counsel over the years,”Speaker Abbas said.

The Speaker prayed for good health and more blessed years for Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamila, who turns 94 on Saturday, March 2.

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, has distributed food and Non-food items to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, Camps to cushion the hardship being experienced by the affected population.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr James Iorpuu, while briefing Journalists at the BSEMA’s headquarters in Makurdi said the distribution of items is part of Governor Alia administration’s efforts to ease the pains suffered by the displaced population in the 14 Local Government Areas across the state.

He said Benue State Government through BSEMA is committed towards partnering with humanitarian organizations both locally and intertionally to cater for the daily needs and proffer short and long term solutions to the displaced persons.

“I reiterate that Benue SEMA under my watch will continue to be transparent and committed to delivering on the mandate of the agency in line with Governor Alia administration’s commitment towards mitigating and responding to emergency related issues and resettling the IDPs to their ancestral homes.”

Mr Iorpuu disclosed that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, has moved to Benue State permanently to provide manpower to complement the state government’s efforts in addressing the plight of the Benue IDPs.

According to the Executive Secretary, the Intercommunity Development and Social Organisations, IDSO, in partnership with the Islamic Relief Worldwide, IRW, is currently distributing life saving items to the vulnerable groups in the state in Makurdi, targeting 210 households.

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

The 10th Sokoto House of Assembly has called on Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto to expand the Ramadan feeding centers from the metropolis to 23 local government areas in the state.

This followed its seating where Speaker to the House,Tukur Bala Bodinga and member representing Tambuwal East, Bashir Isah Jabo presented a motion which was supported by Kabiru Dauda of Gada East on the deer need for government to readjust Ramadan Feeding.

The motion which was supported by the whole House when read on the floor was said to be of tremendous importance especially during the forthcoming Ramadan considering the economic hardships experienced by the teeming population in the state.

The House consider that expanding the feeding to 23 LGAs in the state would ease hardship experienced by greater population looking at the present condition where majority would have nothing to break their fasting.

It is against this backdrop the House consider it necessary for the government to expand the feeding to the 23 LGAs in the state.

“By doing so, the state would discharge its statutory responsibilities in accordance with civil rights”, as this,would certainly reduce dependancy and criminal acts.

Urum Kalu Eke, a nominee for the Central Bank of Nigeria Board of Directors, has rejected the appointment, citing his current engagement with the World Bank.

This development surfaced during Thursday’s plenary session when the Senate commenced the confirmation process for the nominees.

President Bola Tinubu had nominated Urum and four others on February 13 for confirmation as board members of the CBN.

However, during the confirmation session, former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), informed the Senate that the nominee, who is his constituent, declined the offer, citing conflicts with his role as a consultant with the World Bank, Federal Government agencies, and private companies.

Meanwhile, the Senate has confirmed the appointments of four other CBN Board of Directors members forwarded by the President.

Confirmed Directors include Robert Agbede, Ado Yakubu Wanka, Professor Murtala Sabo Sagagi, and Mrs. Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.

This confirmation followed the consideration of a screening report presented by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions.

Senator Abiru noted that Urum Kalu Eke from Abia was not cleared by the Committee due to his failure to appear for screening.

By Daniel Edu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has issued a Certificate of Return to Asue Ighodalo, the winner of the party’s governorship primary election in Edo State. The certificate was presented by the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, at the party’s headquarters in Abuja. Ighodalo was declared the winner of the election conducted last Thursday by Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State. The PDP acting chairman emphasized that Ighodalo is the only candidate recognized by the party for the Edo gubernatorial election. Damagum called for unity within the party and urged Ighodalo to bring stakeholders together for victory in the November 21 election.