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Tag: Politicians

  • Tinubu Hasn’t Approved 114% Salary Increase For Politicians, Judges — Alake

    Tinubu Hasn’t Approved 114% Salary Increase For Politicians, Judges — Alake

    The Presidency on Thursday debunked the allegation that it has granted approval for the upward review of salaries for political office holders and judicial officers.

    This clarification was made by Dele Alake, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

    Recall that there has been a report that went viral to the effect that the government has approved a new payment template that has increased salaries for political office holders and judicial officers.

    But reacting to the report, Mr. Alake said, “We have followed with consternation the viral story of the purported 114% increase in the salary of the President, Vice President, elected Federal and State political office holders and judicial officers.

    “We state without any equivocation that President Bola Tinubu has not approved any salary increase, and no such proposal has been brought before him for consideration.

    “While we recognise that it is within the constitutional remit of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to propose and fix salaries and allowances of political office holders and Judicial Officers, such can not come to effect until it has equally been considered and approved by the President.

    “It is important to note that RMAFC, through its Public Relations Manager, has responded to this fake story being circulated and has already set the record straight.

    “However, that this unfounded story gained prominence on social media and in a section of mainstream media, again, brings to the fore the danger fake news poses to the society and our national well-being.

    “The misinformation was, obviously, contrived to create ill-will for the new administration, slow down the upward momentum and massive goodwill the Tinubu-led administration is currently enjoying among Nigerians as a result of its fast paced, dynamic and progressive policies.”

    Alake reiterated to journalists, media managers, and members of the public that stories on government activities and policy issues that do not emanate from approved official communication channels should be ignored.

    He said, “Media practitioners are enjoined to, at all times, cross-check their stories to ensure accurate reportage, which is the hallmark of responsible journalism.”

  • FG Confirms 114% Salary Increase For Politicians, Judges

    FG Confirms 114% Salary Increase For Politicians, Judges

    The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, said that it plans an upward salaries review for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kasim Shettima, governors, judiciary officers and other political office holders.

    According to NAN, the Chairman of RMAFC, Alhaji Muhammadu Shehu, disclosed this at the presentation of reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.

    However, Shehu did not state the per cent salary increment; he urged the 36 State Houses of Assembly to hasten efforts to amend relevant laws to allow the review of remuneration packages for political, judicial and public officers upward.

    Shehu’s statement comes amid speculations that Tinubu, Shettima, governors, judges and other political persons’ salaries had been increased by 114 per cent.

    The RMAFC chairman, represented by the Federal Commissioner, Mrs Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, said the proposed salary review is in line with the provisions of Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government (as amended).

    He said: “It empowers the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution of the federal government.”

    Shehu said the last review of the remuneration was carried out in 2007, which culminated in the “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008.

    “Sixteen years after the last review, it is imperative that the Remuneration Packages for the categories of the office holders mentioned in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) should be reviewed,” he added.

  • DSS Confirms Plans Of Interim Govt By Politicians, Identify Key Players

    DSS Confirms Plans Of Interim Govt By Politicians, Identify Key Players

    The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday said it has identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria.

    The secret service made this known in a series of tweets on Wednesday.

    It said the plot for an interim government is a mischievous way to set aside the constitution, undermine civil rule and plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.

    “The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace loving Nigerians.

    “This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country. The planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency.

    “Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the federal and state levels.

    The service, however, strongly warned those organising the plot to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations.

    DSS cautioned all stakeholders and Nigerians to be watchful and avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation.

    It added that it is monitoring and will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against the perpetrators.

  • 2023: Politicians Who Use Languages, Want To Win At All Cost Are Undemocratic – Onaiyekan

    2023: Politicians Who Use Languages, Want To Win At All Cost Are Undemocratic – Onaiyekan

    The emeritus Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdioceses, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has warned politicians against using “warlike language” and insisting on winning the forthcoming general elections next year.

    Cardinal Onaiyekan gave the warning while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

    The cleric, who is also a member of the National Peace Committee, said that candidates insisting on winning the next general elections at all costs are not democratic.

    The Archbishop noted that some politicians use combative language very often in their political campaigns, adding that such a campaign would not bring progress to the nation.

    “For politicians, I will beg them. Enough of lies, enough of insistence that we must win, because there are politicians who keep saying we must win this election, whatever it takes, we will win.

    “That kind of language is not democratic; it is the language of those who are going to war,” he said.

  • 2023: Politicians Buying PVCs to Rig Elections – INEC

    2023: Politicians Buying PVCs to Rig Elections – INEC

    Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented that politicians now purchase Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to rig and mar the credibility of the exercise.

    This disclosure is coming as voters across the 774 local government areas across the country troop out to collect their PVCs. This process commenced on 12th December and is expected to end on 27th January 2023.

    The Acting Chairman of INEC and National Commissioner overseeing the FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states, Mohammed Haruna, raised this alarm on Monday during the launch of #YourVoteMatters project by an election observer group, NESSACTION, in Abuja.

    Haruna revealed that recently, the Commission convicted two persons in Sokoto and Kano states for illegally possessing PVCs.

    He emphasized that politicians now buy PVCs, warning voters not to sell their cards for any reason because it is a punishable electoral offence.

    He said, “Some of you are aware that only recently, INEC managed to convict two people who were found guilty of illegally possessing PVCs in Kano and Sokoto. So, I urge people to collect their PVCs, keep them safely, and make sure you go out there and cast your votes on the election day because you cannot vote without your PVCs.”

  • Misguided Politicians Recruiting Cultists, Ex-convicts to cause trouble – Gov Wike

    Misguided Politicians Recruiting Cultists, Ex-convicts to cause trouble – Gov Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said the state has obtained intelligence reports that some misguided politicians have started recruiting cultists, ex-convicts and thugs in furtherance of their political aspirations for 2023.

    The governor said the state government is aware that owners of hotels and entertainment centres are in the process of giving out their premises to politicians and political parties as a convenient base for the gathering of these political thugs across the State.

    Governor Wike, in a state broadcast on Sunday, emphasised that the state government is not taking intelligence reports at its disposal lightly, and will therefore not allow any politician, no matter his previous or present position, the chance or opportunity to upset the prevailing peace and security in Rivers State.

    “Similarly, we will not allow any political party, be it the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party or the Social Democratic Party to threaten the safety and security of lives and property during the campaigns with mayhem, thuggery or violence.

    “Accordingly, we have already alerted and set the security agencies on the trail of these misguided politicians and leaders of political parties and stop them in their tracks with the full weight of the law.

    “We also wish to warn owners of hotels and proprietors of relaxation centres to take notice and desist from releasing their facilities for politicians and party leaders to use to meet and plot against the peace, safety and security of our state.”

    The governor warned that the state government will pull down hotels and other entertainment places that are linked with such criminal political activities.

    “I wish to reiterate our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of lives and property throughout the State and to reassure everyone that we shall continue to spare no effort to keep Rivers State safe and secure.

    “We urge residents to be vigilant while going about with their normal activities and promptly report any suspicious gatherings or movements in your vicinity to the attention of the security agencies for necessary action.”

    Governor Wike commended the people of Rivers State for the overwhelming support and solidarity they have given to his administration since May 2015 till date.

    According to him, his administration truly appreciates the trust the people of the State have continued to place in his administration to advance the collective peace, security and progress of the State.

    “I wish to reiterate that our commitment to the shared covenant for a new, secure and prosperous Rivers State remains strong as ever and we will neither relent nor waiver in our determination to deliver all that we set out to achieve to advance our security, progress and prosperity before the end of our administration.

    “We have done so much and achieved a lot in the last seven years but there is still much more to be delivered. I can assure you that, and as you are witnessing, we will continue to deliver meaningful projects until our last day in office.

    “As you all know these are very turbulent times in the history of our country as the level of insecurity across all parts has never been this bad.

    “Nevertheless, we thank God Almighty for the prevailing high level of peace and security in Rivers State relative to the near calamity that has befallen most other parts of the country.”

    Governor Wike also applauded security agencies, for their efforts, courage and dedication to keeping Rivers State substantially safe and secure in the face of very daunting operational difficulties that they face, including the lack of adequate support systems and motivation from the Federal Government.

    “The government and the security agencies have laboured hard to secure the prevailing peace and security, which we are determined to sustain for the benefit of the progress of the State and the wellbeing of our citizens.”

  • NDLEA arrested some Politicians in Possession of Illicit Drugs – Marwa

    NDLEA arrested some Politicians in Possession of Illicit Drugs – Marwa

    Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says officers of the agency arrested some politicians in possession of illicit drugs.

    Marwa said this on Sunday when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Hard Copy’.

    The chairman said he was “somewhat disappointed” that the drive to have public officers undergo drug-tests before they assume office did not go through.

    “But the idea is not original. We are promoting what is going on already in Kano state. In kano state, all politicians under the governor’s party, aspiring for an office, must first demonstrate in the screening process that they are drug negative and I’m in full support of that,” he said.

    “We have arrested politicians who either are holding political office or have retired. Recently one of them was jailed in Lagos, he was trying to smuggle 1kg, maybe to use it to run for office.

    “As you know, the cartels also participate in political institutions, they actually fund candidates into the various levels so that the correct laws (that favour them) are enacted.”

    Speaking on the rehabilitation of drug users, the NDLEA chief said there is a dearth of rehab centres “and there are thousands if not millions of drug users who need help but there’s no where to go. And so they snuck back into their bedrooms and continue to take drugs”.

    “Right now we have just 11 model rehab centres in the country which is very low. The Presidential Advisory Committee on Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) recommended that there should be about three centres per state looking at the prevalence and the federal government already through the ministry of health, has agreed to build one more rehab centre in every state,” he said.

  • Sokoto NUJ Chairman Challenge Politicians to Conduct Peaceful Campaign

    Sokoto NUJ Chairman Challenge Politicians to Conduct Peaceful Campaign

    By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

    The Chairman of the Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Comrade Dalhatu Abdullahi Safiyal Magori assured politicians in the state that Journalists will continue to remain apolitical.

    He gave the assurance during a visit to the state Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP along Ahmadu Bello Way, Sokoto.

    The Chairman also challenged all political parties to conduct their campaigns in manner devoid of any rancour.

    Responding the State Secretary of the PDP Alhaji Abubakar Zaki Bashire thanked the union for the visit and assured of the party’s support and cooperation to the union.

  • Reps Propose 7 Years Jail Term, N500m Fine for Politicians Seeking Foreign Treatment

    Reps Propose 7 Years Jail Term, N500m Fine for Politicians Seeking Foreign Treatment

    The House of Representatives has proposed seven years jail term and N500 million fine for any public officer of the government of the federation or any part thereof, for seeking undue medical check-up or treatment abroad.

    The proposal is contained in a Bill for an Act to amend the National Health Act, 2014 which scaled through second reading in the Green Chamber at plenary on Wednesday.

    Sponsored by Sergius Ogun, from Edo State, the proposed legislation seeks to amend the Principal Act (National Health Act, 2014) to make provision for sanctions against any public officer who violates the provisions of the law, especially Section 46.

    Section 46 of the National Health Act,2014 provides that: “Without prejudice to the right of any Nigerian to seek medical check-up, investigation or treatment anywhere within and outside Nigeria, no public officer of the Government of the Federation or any part thereof shall be sponsored for medical check-up, investigation or treatment abroad at public expense except in exceptional cases on the recommendation and referral by the medical board and which recommendation and referral shall be poop duly approved by the Minister or Commissioner of health of the State as the case may be.”

    Consequently, clause 2(2) of the proposed amendment provides that; “Any public officer of the Government of the Federation or any part thereof who violates the provision above shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000,000 or to an imprisonment term of seven years, or both.”

    In his lead debate Ogun said if passed into law, the Bill will curtail the excessive medical trips of public officers abroad and direct their attention to fixing the poor state of the country’s health sector.

    He said this will in turn lead to the development of the health sector, improved remuneration for medical Doctors, thus attracting Nigerian Doctors abroad to come back home.

    “This bill, when passed into law, will demonstrate government’s commitment to the welfare of her citizens in the sense that funds which were hitherto expended in foreign medical trips will be redirected into building an efficient and effective health care system in the country. This will in turn positively impact on the lives and wellbeing of the people.

    “This Bill will stop the export of cash abroad and redirect same to the development of our economy. This cash which flies abroad in the disguise of one medical trip or the other will be retained here in our country and be used to develop our nation,” Ogun stated.

    He further argued that the Bill would reduce the export of Nigerian medical Doctors abroad, which is among the many challenges facing the country’s health care sector.

    “The poor attention being given to the country’s health sector, accounts for this and has resulted in a shortage of medical Doctors in the country,” the lawmaker said.

  • 2022 Is A Year Of Reconciliation Among Politicians – Ganduje

    2022 Is A Year Of Reconciliation Among Politicians – Ganduje

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has said 2022 will usher in a new era of peace and reconciliation among political parties’ stakeholders in the state and the country in general.

    In a statement the state Commissioner for information, Muhammad Garba, issued on his behalf, Ganduje said the next few months should also be for internal democracy to flourish where political parties are expected to produce more credible representatives at various levels who have the capacity and ability to win elections and subsequently build on laudable programs and policies initiated by the past leaders.

    He added that from all indications, recent event in Kano is likely to bring a new dawn in political history of the state.

    “The event, which saw Kano political gladiators emphasizing on the need for reconciliation, elicited excitement from the people of Kano state who have been yearning for the much-needed peace and conciliation in order to advance the cause for proper development in the political terrain and the society at large.”

    He added that with the concern over the spate of insecurity across the country in addition to the ravaging poverty as a result of the economic hardship in the country.

    He, however, expressed delight that despite the challenges, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been making frantic efforts to see the proper implementation of its policies and programmes targeted at lessening the suffering of the people.

    Ganduje’s comment on reconciliation comes one week after he said he was ready to reconcile with his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

    The age-long relationship between Kwankwaso and Ganduje turned sour shortly after the latter took over the mantle of leadership in Kano.

    But in an interview with Radio France International, Ganduje said the feud between him and Kwankwaso was nothing but the handiwork of political miscreants.

    “You know there are people who are used to fueling issues. So we are working towards seeing that we beat their actions and reconcile.

    “These kinds of issues are normal in politics and God willing it will come to pass. Everyone knows that reconciliation is always the best. We hope God will help those who pledge to reconcile us to succeed.

    “From our part, we are ever ready to come forward and reconcile. It’s not like we are refusing. There are people from both parties who are driving this issue but as I said, everything that sense is applied into, I think we will get over it,” he had said.

    Kwankwaso and Senator Ibrahim Shekarau have also made moves to settle their political dispute.