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Category: Politics

  • Delta Speaker assures Edo lawmakers of continuous partnership

    Delta Speaker assures Edo lawmakers of continuous partnership

    By Anne Azuka

    Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor has assured the leadership and members of the Edo State House of Assembly of continuous partnership in carrying out their legislative functions.

    Rt. Hon. Guwor gave the assurance weekend at a reception organized in honour of the lawmakers from Edo State House of Assembly who were in Asaba on a 3-day retreat.

    The Speaker, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo said the two states are bounded by common destiny and would ensure that the instrumentality of the legislature is being used to prosper the people.

    While assuring the Edo lawmakers of good hospitality and Security while in Delta State Guwor maintained that Delta State is known for its hospitality to visitors, even as he enjoined the Edo legislators to enjoy the conviviality and serenity in Delta State all through the period of their retreat.

    On his part, the Speaker Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku commended the Speaker and members of Delta State House of Assembly for the warm reception and hospitality accorded them since their arrival in the state.

    While maintaining that both Edo and Delta states share common history, Rt. Hon. Agbebaku disclosed that both legislative arms would continue to foster mutual relationship in the interest of the two states.

    Delta Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, accompanied by Principal Officers and some members had earlier in the day received the Edo State legislators at the venue of the retreat where he emphasized the importance of capacity building in legislative assignments.

    Guwor who is the National Treasurer, Conference of Speakers of States Houses of Assembly urged the Edo lawmakers to continue to work closely with their governor towards fast-tracking development in the state.

  • Sen Joel-Onowakpo commends Gov Oborevwori’s broad-mindedness to opposition

    Sen Joel-Onowakpo commends Gov Oborevwori’s broad-mindedness to opposition

    By Anne Azuka

    The Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his broad-minded approach in relating to the opposition.

    Senator Joel-Onowakpo applauded the governor for taking inspiration from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who appointed opposition party member Nyesom Wike as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Speaking in an interview yesterday in Asaba, shortly after the thanksgiving service to mark Governor Oborevwori’s first anniversary in office, Senator Joel-Onowakpo expressed his admiration for the governor’s inclusive mindset.

    He urged him to continue being open-minded and encouraged him to consider appointing credible members from the opposition party to his cabinet.

    The senator emphasized the importance of opposition parties working together for the overall development of Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.

    He suggested that federal government intervention programmes should not solely pass through members of the APC party but should be routed through various state governors, regardless of their political affiliation.

    When asked on his presence at the thanksgiving Service as an opposition senator, Joel-Onowakpo disclosed that he was invited for the event by the governor, saying that he represents all constituents, irrespective of their political leanings.

    He emphasized that the governor of Delta State serves all residents and not just those affiliated with the PDP.

    He added that as a senator, he is obliged to represent all and bring the dividends of democracy to all the people.

    The senator commended Governor Oborevwori for extending an invitation to all senators from Delta State, regardless of their political affiliations, adding ” I see it as a wise and inclusive gesture and I consider it disrespectful to turn down such an invitation based solely on party lines”.

    Joel-Onowakpo highlighted the need for politicians to move away from primitive politics, where the opposition is viewed as an enemy to be punished.

    He urged everyone to embrace a cross-fertilization of ideas for rapid development, emphasizing that their common goal should be the empowerment of the people and the progress of the entire region.

    Senator Joel-Onowakpo encouraged Governor Oborevwori to continue fostering a collaborative environment and stressed the importance of working together for the betterment of Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.

  • Group gears up efforts to revamp Sapele

    Group gears up efforts to revamp Sapele

    . Schedules reunion meet for September

    A non-political socio-cultural Group, Sapele Memories and Development Foundation has scheduled its maiden reunion meeting for September, 2024.
    Apart from those currently living in Sapele, Delta State, the Group is also made up of hundreds of people who are indigenes of Sapele and many non-indigenes who have had any reason to have lived, permanently resided or worked in the coastal town.
    The planned weeklong activty is spiced with activities designed to awaken the zeal and zest of the people of the town to the need to rally for the rehabilitation and development of the town. Apart from sessions on the investment potentials of the town, sessions like boat regatta, games, ensemble of diverse cultural shows as well as talk shows are scheduled to feature as well as a social night of old school music as it was in the Sapele of your.
    We are definitely going to stage a fruitful and succesful week of activities to revamp the memories of all to the good old days of Sapele and the need to revamp the town to not just its old glory but to greater heights of progress, prosperity and economic development, said the Chairman of the Publicity Sub-committee of the Foundation, Mr Godwin Dudu-Orumen.
    He continued, we all recall what Sapele meant to the economy of the old Midwest and Bendel states. What happened to that envious status of the town? Where are the industries and related businesses that make Sapele tick many years ago? Why are the ever vibrant youths of Sapele of yore no longer identifying with the place? We have PHCN facilities in Sapele; yet there is never public power in Sapele. Why is this so? Just why is everybody that should help keeping quiet and prefering to live with the problems; thus causing more poverty in the land? These are issues among others that we intend to address beginning from our first reunion meeting come September.
    Even as delegations from the Foundation are being despatched to identified leaders in the town to acquaint them of the forthcoming event, the Group, at its last general meeting held Sunday, May 19, 2024, via zoom, announced that several decisions were taken as to further galvanise members and stakeholders across the globe on further preparations for the planned historic event.

  • Again Rivers APC woos Wike

    Again Rivers APC woos Wike

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its desire for Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to join its ranks to bolster support for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027.

    Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the State APC Caretaker Committee, made this known during a one-million-man solidarity march for Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    Okocha described Wike as a pivotal political strategist in Rivers State, emphasizing his influence and the significant impact he had in securing Tinubu’s victory in the state during the last election. He highlighted that Wike’s political acumen and leadership are crucial for the party’s success in future elections.

    “Wike is the leader of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ in Rivers State. He was instrumental in Tinubu’s victory here. Wike is a reformer and a leader who can’t be ignored in our state’s politics,” Okocha said.

    Okocha explained the presence of Wike’s image on banners alongside President Tinubu’s, stating, “This is not solely an APC event but a show of support for the Renewed Hope Agenda. We continue to woo Wike to join the APC to ensure ongoing electoral victories for Tinubu, especially looking ahead to 2027.”

    Reflecting on past challenges, Okocha noted, “At one point, we couldn’t campaign for our presidential candidate through the APC platform due to threats from the party’s leadership in the state. They dismissed Tinubu as too old and unfit. However, we believe Tinubu is the best thing to happen to Nigeria.”

    Okocha acknowledged that rebuilding Nigeria takes time and commended President Tinubu’s efforts so far, especially his decisive actions on fuel subsidies and economic reforms.

    “We need leaders like Wike, who played a significant role in the 2023 elections, to continue supporting President Tinubu in his quest to transform Nigeria,” he added.

    The APC’s continued overtures to Wike underscore his importance in the political landscape of Rivers State and the party’s strategy to consolidate support for future electoral victories.

  • BREAKING: Kano Assembly Dissolves Four Emirates Created by Ganduje

    BREAKING: Kano Assembly Dissolves Four Emirates Created by Ganduje

    The Kano State House of Assembly has dissolved the four newly created emirate councils established under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

    Legislative Decision

    During a plenary session on Thursday, the Assembly deliberated on and passed the Kano State Emirates Council Amendment Bill after it successfully scaled through its second and third readings.

    Revival of Kano’s Glory

    Deputy Speaker Muhammad Butu explained that repealing the law would help restore Kano’s historical prestige. He argued that dividing the Kano emirate into five reduced the state’s capacity and dignity on a national level.

    Cultural Integrity

    Majority Leader Alhaji Lawan Dala emphasized that the creation of the additional emirates had distorted the cultural integrity that the original emirate council upheld.

    Abolishment of New Emirates

    With the amendment, all four newly established emirate councils were abolished, leaving only the Kano Emirate intact. The House also adopted a motion to establish a new second-class emirate council in the state.

    Background and Future Implications

    In May, it was reported that the House had initiated steps to amend the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, which could potentially facilitate the return of the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

    In January 2024, former Kano governor and Kwankwasiyya movement leader, Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, hinted that the issue of Kano emirates would be revisited. He suggested that the actions taken under Ganduje’s administration, including the division of the emirate and the dethronement of Emir Sanusi II, were executed with ill intentions.

    Looking Ahead

    Kwankwaso affirmed that the current administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf would review the previous decisions regarding the emirates. He expressed confidence that the appropriate measures would be taken to address the situation:

    “Honestly, it (the Kano Emirates issue) is one of the things that nobody has sat with me to discuss so far, but I am sure we are going to sit and see how to go about it. Is it going to be allowed, demolished, corrected, or whatever? It will be revisited, and what’s supposed to be done will be done.

    “There were a lot of things, and this was a trap. All these things were not done in good faith or intention. It was brought with some bad intentions which everyone here and our listeners are aware of.

    “Sometimes you come with things that are good and they turn out to be bad while sometimes you bring bad things and they turn out to be good. So, all I know is that I was not consulted as of now, but definitely, we will come to discuss and see what should be done.”

  • Cross River Assembly Speaker Asserts Authority Amid Impeachment Controversy

    Cross River Assembly Speaker Asserts Authority Amid Impeachment Controversy

    By Milcah Tanimu

    Despite facing impeachment by 17 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Elvert Ayambem remains adamant that he is the legitimate speaker of the legislature.

    In a statement released by his press secretary, Mathew Okachie, Ayamgbem asserted that he has not been removed from office and labeled the events surrounding his purported impeachment as a “ridiculous charade.”

    Ayambem condemned the disruption of the plenary session by Hon. Effiong Akarika, alleging that hoodlums were invited into the chamber. He emphasized that no impeachment notice had been served prior to the incident and urged the public to disregard any notion of a crisis.

    Insisting on his legitimacy, Ayambem declared himself as the authentic Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly. He affirmed his commitment to supporting the Executive arm of government in achieving the people’s aspirations.

    The statement further clarified that any removal of the speaker and subsequent election must occur within the Assembly Complex.

    Meanwhile, security measures have been heightened, with the Assembly complex sealed to prevent further disruptions and maintain law and order following the tumultuous events in the chamber.

  • Ex-Vice Chairman Threatens Legal Action Against APC Leadership

    Ex-Vice Chairman Threatens Legal Action Against APC Leadership

    Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has written to President Bola Tinubu, threatening legal action against the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for violating the party’s constitution.

    In a letter dated May 21, Lukman issued a two-week ultimatum to the NWC to activate all party organs in accordance with the APC constitution or face court action. He criticized the NWC for failing to comply with statutory provisions, which he claimed has led to the party operating without proper consultation or adherence to political agreements.

    Lukman, formerly the Director General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, expressed concern that mandated meetings of the party’s organs are not occurring as required by the APC Constitution. He accused the NWC of usurping the powers of these organs and allowing the national chairman to make unilateral decisions, violating both the party’s and Nigeria’s constitutional provisions, as well as the Electoral Act 2022.

    “As committed citizens dedicated to democracy’s development and protection, we must pursue all legitimate civil and legal measures to enforce compliance with laws regulating political parties and their leadership,” Lukman wrote. He demanded that by June 7, 2024, the APC must activate all its organs per the party’s constitution, or he will seek legal redress.

    “Democracy is meaningless without functional political parties,” Lukman concluded, emphasizing his loyalty and commitment to upholding democratic principles within the APC.

  • JUST IN: Cross River Assembly Impeaches Speaker Elvert Ayambem

    JUST IN: Cross River Assembly Impeaches Speaker Elvert Ayambem

    The Cross River State House of Assembly has impeached its Speaker, Elvert Ayambem. The impeachment motion was initiated by Effiom Ekarika, representing Calabar South 1 Constituency, and seconded by Omang Charles Omang, representing Bekwarra State Constituency.

    Ayambem, who represents Ikom 2 State Constituency, was elected Speaker of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023.

    Details surrounding his impeachment remain unclear at this time. More information will follow as it becomes available.

  • Yiaga Africa Calls for Enhanced Transparency in Local Government Administration

    Yiaga Africa Calls for Enhanced Transparency in Local Government Administration

    By Milcah Tanimu

    Non-governmental organization Yiaga Africa has emphasized the need for greater transparency in local government administration in Nigeria. The call was made by the group’s Director of Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu, during an advocacy roundtable on legislative reform for improved local government elections held in Kaduna.

    Yiaga Africa, known for promoting democratic governance, human rights, and civic engagement, stresses that transparency will empower citizens to demand accountability both in daily governance and during elections. Mbamalu highlighted the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in developing robust accountability mechanisms and acting as watchdogs.

    Mbamalu urged collaboration between CSOs and local government bodies to educate citizens on the responsibilities of elected officials and the role of citizens in governance. This education should reorient the electorate toward community-focused demands rather than personalized requests from leaders.

    She also called for legislative reforms to clearly define the composition, finance, and functions of local government councils, suggesting that the National Assembly should prescribe these measures. By setting minimum criteria for the creation of local governments, state-level manipulation by governors and legislators can be minimized, thus enhancing the responsiveness of local councils.

    Furthermore, Mbamalu pointed out the increasing use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process to boost accountability and integrity, noting that this advancement is mostly seen at the national level. She advocated for incorporating technology into local government elections to simplify processes and enhance transparency.

    She acknowledged that while CSOs in Nigeria are recognized as vital watchdogs in the electoral process, their capacity to reform local government elections is limited. To address this, she called for systematic capacity-building programs to equip civil society actors with the necessary tools for effective engagement.

    Dr. Asmau Maikudi, a member of Yiaga Africa’s Working Group, highlighted the local government system as crucial to Nigeria’s governance. She pointed out that the legitimacy of local governments often comes into question, affecting public confidence and support for the democratic system. Maikudi stressed that legitimate and accountable local government elections are essential for effective governance in Nigeria.

    Kaduna State Government’s Secretary, Dr. Abdulkadir Maiyere, praised Yiaga Africa’s contributions to democracy. Represented by Ibrahim Sambo, Maiyere reaffirmed Kaduna’s commitment to democracy, noting that the state was the first to use electronic voting in local government elections.

    The event brought together representatives from political parties, CSOs, the legislature, and the state’s electoral commission, emphasizing the collective effort needed to enhance the quality of local government elections in Nigeria.

  • One Year In Office: Governor Abba Kabir Deserves Commendation-Ado Tambai.

    One Year In Office: Governor Abba Kabir Deserves Commendation-Ado Tambai.

    By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf deserves respect and commendation for actualizing his administration’s policies on human development without bias.

    This was expressed by the former chairman of Dawakin Tofa local government council, Honourable Ado Tambai Kwa in his message to the governor on his first year anniversary.

    He announced that from what is going on, governor Kabir would change the face of Kano state in every sector at both rural and urban areas for the progress of the people of the state with optimum results.

    “His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has shown that his administration is determined to bring more development in a democratic process, and we are certain that Kano would become more exemplary like what we have seen in just one year”. He emphasized.

    Honourable Ado Tambai Kwa reiterated his commitments to giving his utmost contribution to Abba Kabir Yusuf administration in order to actualize it’s blueprint which was well planned to makes Kano state more developed with all the vital rural and urban infrastructure according to the public demands.

    In conclusion, Ado Tambai kwa disclosed that he would shortly showcases the relevant achievements recorded by governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in only one year that has brought democratic dividends in his forthcoming programmes so as to share the real success stories of the people’s governor.