Mohammed Shosanya

The National Executive Council (NEC) of Labour Party has withdrawn its presidential and governorship election tickets for the 2027 poll which it earlier gave to Peter Obi and Alex Otti (Abia State Governor) respectively.

The party had,at its national convention in Nnewi, in 2023, adopted its presidential flag bearer in the last general election (Obi) as its sole candidate for the office in the next poll. Same as it did with Otti, for the next Abia State gubernatorial election.

But,following a stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Otti on Wednesday, last week, in which Nenadi Usman emerged the party’s interim national coordinator, Labour Party at a NEC meeting on Monday noted that the Governor of Abia State “do not have the power within the party’s constitution as provided in Article 14(4) (B) which gives power to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of National Chairman.”

The NEC meeting led by the National Chairman, Julius Abure, also described the Abia summit as an “illegality and a nullity,” as it disassociated itself from the outcome.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting, and read by the Deputy National Secretary, Innocent Okeke, maintained there was no vacuum in the leadership of the party, as it urged the INEC National Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, “to stop aiding and abetting” Otti against the party.

It argued that the Governor’s position on the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) was informed by the INEC Chairman’s insistence that the Committee’s time in office has expired.

The party set up a disciplinary committee to checkmate anti party activities, even as it reviewed reconciliatory moves made towards other members.

Meanwhile, national chairman of the party (Abure) while addressing journalists, at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja, said, “I stand before you today with a heavy heart but with an unshakable resolve to defend the Party. I stand not just as your National Chairman, but as a guardian of the principles that hold our great party together, principles of unity, justice, and integrity.

“We are at a critical moment in the life of our Party. Recent events have shown that those who should stand with us in the fight for a better restructured, organized and united Party, have chosen a different path.

“A path not of unity, but of division. I speak, of course, of the illegal gathering that took place in Abia State, an attempt to create a rift within our party, led by none other than His Excellency Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti.

“This meeting, held without the authority or consent of the National Executive Council, sought to install a so-called “new leadership.” Let me be clear: this action was not just illegal, it was a betrayal of everything the Labour Party stands for: A reward for loyalty with ingratitude, a reward for support with insubordination.

“The Labour Party has always been a beacon of hope for the oppressed, the marginalized, and the voiceless in Nigeria. Our mandate is to unite this country, not divide it.

“Yet, here we are, faced with a situation where individuals who have benefitted from the trust and support of this great party now work to destabilize it from within. This is why I say the beautiful ones are not yet born in Nigeria.

“For those who have chosen to align themselves with this illegal action, I urge them to reconsider. The action of creating division is not just a political maneuver, it is a dangerous game.

“A game that, if allowed to continue, will dig a hole too deep for us to climb out of. Division within the Labour Party is division within Nigeria.

“And make no mistake, the consequences of such actions will not only affect the future of this party but the future of those who want to run elections under the platform of the party.

“The Labour Party was built on the backs of honest Nigerians who believed in the possibility of a better tomorrow.

“We are a party of vision, a party of unity, and a party that represents the true interests of the people. Those who seek to tear us apart with backroom deals and illegal meetings must not be allowed to do so.

“What message does it send to Nigerians when meetings meant to divide us are held in Abia State, a state that has become a symbol of resilience?

“At a time when this nation is struggling with ethnic divisions, such actions do not promote unity, they deepen the wounds of distrust. Nigerians are watching, and they will not be silent. We cannot afford to play politics with the future of our Party.

“I call on all true members of the Labour Party to stand firm. This is not the time for betrayal; it is the time for solidarity. We must reject the actions of those who, for their own interests, seek to weaken us. I remain committed to leading this party in the right direction, one that aligns with the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians.

“We have much work to do. The beautiful ones are not yet born in Nigeria, but they will be born through our collective effort. We must nurture this party, for it is the only true vessel that can deliver the change Nigerians so desperately need.

“I have watched with astonishment a viral video where the Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Otti stated that he was told by INEC That Edo and Ondo elections for Labour Party are in jeopardy due to my mismanagement of uploading polling unit agents.

“In my usual style, I would not have responded to the statement but for the records Following the controversies with the Edo Guber Candidate, the Access code for the uploading of polling unit agents was handed over to Barrister Olumide Akpata to enable him upload his polling unit agents. I was not and the Party was never involved in the uploading of polling unit agents for Edo election.

“The access code for uploading polling unit agents have equally been handed over by INEC to the Ondo Guber candidate.

“In the same video, Dr Alex Otti also referred to the flouting of a Supreme Court judgment which according to him may affect our Party Candidates in 2027. I am not aware of such a Supreme Court judgment. I challenge him to make available to the public the judgment.

“However, if he is referring to the so-called consent judgment being paraded by Femi Falana SAN and the Nigeria Labour Congress, then I need to school him as follows:

“The terms of settlement made judgment by the Court in 2017 have been fully complied with by the Convention of 2019. Moreover, the Court of Appeal in 2022 in Appeal NO CA/ABJ/CV/702/2022 Between Comrade Salisu Mohammed Vs Chief Callistus Okafor and 13 Ors described the consent Judgment as an abuse of court processes.

“The second agreement signed between the current leadership and NLC in 2021 is respected by the Party and we have almost 80 percent complied with the terms of settlement. It is the NLC who have not complied and fulfilled any part of the agreement.

“On the basis of the foregoing, I am wondering where Dr Alex Otti is getting his facts. However, I must urge him to double-check his facts before going to the media and moderate his desperation to take my office as the National Chairman of our party.

“I must seize this opportunity to make some clarifications on a few issues. I and the Party have been accused of being responsible for Peter Obi’s failure in the 2023 general election.

“They have stated that the campaign, Election donations, and funds for the payment of agents were mismanaged by the Party, hence Peter Obi failed in the election.

“Let me make it categorically clear that Campaign funds were disbursed, administered in the Southern States by the leadership of Doyin Okupe, and Secondly under the control of Akin Oshuntokun while the funding of the Campaign for the 19 Northern States was handled by the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Party Datti Baba-Ahmed. The funding of the election was done by Peter Obi himself.

“As per the donations, the Party was not involved in the donations. Donations to the campaign were channeled to the following accounts:

OBI/BABA-AHMED CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT
Zenith Bank – 1241950451
Sterling Bank – 0091657896
Heritage Bank – 1400234900
Globus Bank – 1000128194.

“The signatories to these accounts were Aisha Yesufu and Pastor Itua Ighodalo. They were equally responsible for the payment of Polling Unit Agents.

“Consequently, it is mischievous for any person to accuse me and the Party for mismanagement of these funds. At no time did the Party or its officials engage in any financial transactions as it relates to the presidential campaign.

“It will be safe for me at this point to conclude that I and my colleagues elected in the Convention of our Party held on the 27th day of March 2024 will defend the mandate given to us by Members of this Party. no amount of intimidation or harassment will make us surrender this leadership.

Together, we will continue to build this party into a formidable force, one that truly represents the interests of all Nigerians. The beautiful ones are not yet born, but their birth is near, and it will be through the Labour Party that they will rise to lead this great nation.”

Babatunde Solanke

Former Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Chibuike Amaechi, on Monday, cleared insinuation in some quarters that he has left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating categorically that his long silence does not mean that he has dumped the party.

He reacted to a fictitious report by an unidentified Ibeh, who claimed that the former Minister of Transportation has regretted joining the APC.

He attributed the malicious report to the handiwork of mischief-makers.

In a statement made available to newsmen, the erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, flatly disclaimed the report by one Ibeh.

Chief Eze noted that the concocted report was tactically embellished with summary issues to curry public validity, ans was deceitfully coined in a tone that suggests it emanated from Amaechi.

He stated that the writer has no link whatsoever with the South-South leader of the ruling APC.

Chief Eze, a close ally of Amaechi, said the his boss has never had any media audience with any faceless character neither did he authorize anyone anywhere to manufacture such falsehood as the report portrays, stressing that the ex-Governor does not entertain any regrets in building and nurturing the APC into a formidable political bloc.

Emphasizing that leadership failure has little or nothing to do with political party in the Nigerian context, the APC Chieftain said Amaechi, like every other Nigerian, regrets the odious insensitivity of the ruling class to the plight of the ordinary people of the country and the difficult times the loud negligence of government holds as a consequence, but however maintained that the author of the vague piece in circulation is on the frolics of his own, as he did so on his own volition.

“As an outstanding stakeholder within the political family of the erstwhile Governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation, I read with great disdain, the fabricated falsehood by one fictitious Ibeh, that Amaechi regrets joining and expanding APC and all other rubbish he stated in his false report.

“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have joined issues with demented, unscrupulous and undemocratic merchants of satanic world on their ill-fated assumption concerning the political life of Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

“Doing so, definitely will amount to glorifying detractors, backstabbers, and habitual blackmailers like Ibeh, who are threatened by Amaechi’s silence in the affairs of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“However, as a progressive, humane and grassroots oriented politician, and considering the fact that Amaechi is one of the key political gladiators that formed APC and eventually wrestled power from the Peoples Democratic Party, I am constrained to set the records straight.

“For posterity sake, I have come to make this clarification in order not to massage the political ego of ungrateful allies as keeping quite will send a dangerous signal in the APC family and the country’s polity.

“Flowing from the above summation, I make bold to state that Amaechi’s silence in the affairs of our great party is purely a personal issue and based on self convictions. It has come to my knowledge of an orchestrated mischief and a deliberate but concerted effort aimed at maligning and placing Amaechi in public opprobrium” Chief Eze clarified.

The said report ascribed to Amaechi, “to say the least, is a handiwork of denigrated political charlatans and their sponsors who are hell-bent on destroying a hand that once fed them.

“Amaechi is a complete partyman, a strategist, a proactive and focused politician, who would not condescend so low to rant publicly on issues that would negate the growth and existence of APC and intra party politics” Eze stated.

He warned those peddling such devious reports to
stop wasting their time to force Amaechi to speak.

“I drew the attention of Amaechi to the false report, which he vehemently refuted claiming not ever encountered the diabolical Ibeh talk less of discussing anything with him about whatever he perceives as his trial in the hands of APC leadership, Eze explained.

Quoting Eze, Amaechi said, “I did not say that rubbish”.

“Let me state categorically that Amaechi didn’t utter or was interviewed by the mysterious Ibeh as he has no regret of joining APC and bringing it to power. He has no regret for whatsoever he did in making history by transforming the rail transportation in Nigeria or neither does he have any regret bringing Buhari to power.

“I counsel those behind the fabricated falsehood aimed at denting the hard earned political image of Amaechi, to leave him alone until such a time he needs to address the nation accordingly

“All these are acts by some undesirable junkyard snakes in green grass to attribute statements never made by Amaechi to him” the APC Chief said.

Eze restated that as a committed party leader and nationalist, Amaechi wishes to see a Nigeria that runs, mutatis mutandis, on the mantra of sincere change which is the fulcrum around which the ambition of the APC revolves.

Eze said they are fully aware that further evil reports are being prepared against Amaechi but assured that they are well prepared to attend to them accordingly.

Eze called on the reading public to disregard the mendacious publication in its entirety emanating from the conners of smear campaigners who derive pleasure in smirching the reputation of Amaechi as a format to gain publicity and attract patronage from his political adversaries and non-democrats.

After a painstaking and mutually beneficial reconciliation following the Edo APC Gubernatorial Primary Election, the three major contenders and the party leadership have reached a common ground.

Senator Monday Okpebholo is the flag bearer, Rep. Dennis Idahosa is the running mate, and Rep. Anamero Sunday Dekeri has agreed to work for the party and is committed to supporting President Tinubu and his team.

As the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election in Edo State approaches, the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign has received a significant boost from Anamero Sunday Dekeri, the member representing Etsako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Dekeri, known for his strategic political influence and deep connection with grassroots supporters, is playing a pivotal role in revitalizing the APC’s efforts to secure victory in the upcoming election.

Reports suggest that Dekeri has mobilized an extensive array of political and financial resources, with the primary objective of ensuring a sweeping victory for the APC.

His involvement in the campaign is multifaceted, involving the activation of various support networks, including youths, women’s groups, and key political figures across Edo State. Dekeri’s ability to galvanize these groups is expected to create a formidable force in support of the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

One of the core strategies that Dekeri is employing involves leveraging his strong grassroots support, built over years of consistent developmental work in various communities within his constituency. This includes initiatives that have significantly improved infrastructure, education, and healthcare services, thereby earning him widespread respect and loyalty among constituents.

In addition to his grassroots influence, Dekeri’s financial contributions are expected to be a game-changer in the election. Political analysts have noted that his substantial war chest could provide the APC with the necessary resources to effectively counter the opposition and sway undecided voters.

Political observers are unanimous in their assessment that Dekeri’s support is one of the most crucial factors that could tilt the election in favor of the APC. His ability to unite different factions within the party, coupled with his strategic approach to campaign mobilization, positions the APC for a potentially decisive victory in Edo State.

As the election date draws nearer, the impact of Dekeri’s involvement will likely become even more evident, with many anticipating that his efforts will be instrumental in shaping the outcome of the 2024 Edo gubernatorial race.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has declared that the local government council elections billed for October 5 will not hold.

Okocha,who made the declaration at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, during its expanded stakeholders meeting,explained that the development is due to ongoing litigation the electoral body was enmeshed in, instituted by the APC.

He said the APC was in court to stop the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC from conducting the elections because it failed to adhere to the legal stipulations that mandated it to conduct elections three months before the expiration of the outgone elected chairmen.

He said:“The topical issue to be discussed is the issue of is APC contesting elections on the 5th of October? We are in court and I won’t speak on any matter that’s in court. The much I can say to you and the course of action is to restrain the agencies that would conduct that elections that they announced behind us.

“My dear people, what they are doing now as we speak and 5th of October as they are talking about will not work. It will not work. You can’t go and conduct local government elections in Rivers State without a party like the APC, and am told too that PDP is not in the race.

“We were not part of the decision for an election on the 5th of October. We had gone on air on 19th of January to tell the RSIEC Chairman and the commission itself to commence the process of having elections. At that time, it was still within the ambits of the law of the state because the law says three months to the expiration of the tenures of the council that the electoral body should organise election, the process should commence, timetable released and all that and twenty one days inside that three months.

He noted that although the APC in the state had all it takes to participate and massively win in the proposed elections, it decided to shun it because the process was flawed to embarrass the APC.

“Let me tell you the reason we went to court, it’s not because we don’t have the number or we don’t have the strength. I can assure you and you know by yourself that we have men and women, caterpillars and bulldozers that can contest all the elections and win.

“We are saying that the processes should be seen to be transparent so that we don’t just go and work on hurdle thorns. That was why some of you were worried that something went viral even though it was a side talk but what do I care? I was only doing a whistle blower for that matter because I know that that election will not represent the interest or opinion of those who would vote. It is already stereotyped, the handout has already been written.”

He added:“We have been in party formations and party elections for many years in this state. They are just coming in and they need to learn from us how we succeeded. So if we want to go by good news, good approach. He would not succeed , we would not agree.”

“There was a day they said they had stakeholders meeting. I was not invited. The APC Rivers State was not invited to the stakeholders meeting where the decision for October 5th elections was taken. So we cannot participate in that because there was a deliberate plan to axe us and make us worthless. So we went to court.”

He stated that the party would only participate in the elections if the process made to be more transparent.

“We are not saying we won’t contest elections for those of you who they may have told you that, that’s not our contention. Our contention is until the processes that have been put in place or they want to put in place is in tandem with the law first and we are carried along in the entire arrangement as a party

“We won’t accept that. I won’t expose you to that kind of trauma where you go and spend your money even if we say we are going to assist you, some of you would sell land, some of you would sell house, some of you will do everything possible to generate funds and then we know that that fund you’re generating for that election will go into the dungeon, do you think that we should allow it?

Also speaking,the former Chairman of the APC in the state, Ojukaye Flag Amachree, urged the dissolved executives of the party in the state led by Chief Emeka Beke to accept the decision of the National Working Committee that dissolved it in good fate, adding that no court order can reverse the decision of the NWC concerning them.

“You know, as once the Chief Executive of this Party, the head of this party (APC) in Rivers State and what is happening now happened to me. You know, as chairman of this party, we had crisis under my leadership as well, we had the Magnus Abe faction, rhen Tony Okocha was on the other side.

“So we had all those issues and at some point in time, the national working committee of our party looked at the whole scenario in Rivers State and decided that we can’t be having all of these problems and for that reason, they are going to dissolve my executives and appoint Caretaker Committee. Did it not happen? I took it in good fate and went to my house.

Ojukaye added:“You know that Emeka Beke was my secretary then, so I know him very well, he knows that the highest body in this party is the NWC, that is why when I was told that my executives have been dissolved, I supported the appointed caretaker committee as a true party man and somebody who loves this party. That is what I expect my brother and former secretary to do also, this his antics won’t work..

“So my job here is to encourage you people and to say you are on the right track, the national working committee of the party has said is Tony Okocha that is our chairman, there is nothing more to say, even if you like go to United Nations and bring a court judgment, it won’t work.”

Mohammed Shosanya

Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, visited President Bola Tinubu on Friday,at the villa where he and other leaders of thought went to sell the idea of a new Constitution for the country.

The group under the auspices of The Patriot said a new Constitution has become imperative to address the persistent challenges bedeviling the country.

According to Anyaoku, the existing constitution lacks capacity to take the country to the promise land, stressing that it was also responsible for the prevailing social, economic challenges.

The group addressed State House Correspondents after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House on Friday.

Others members of the group who accompanied Anyaoku to the Presidential Villa were, Senator Shehu Sani, Mike Ozekhome, Labaran Maku, Senator Ben Obi, Segun Osoba, among others.

They advocated that President Tinubu should immediately send a presidential bill to the National Assembly, so that a constituent assembly would be put in place and be mandated to produce a new Constitution that will put into consideration the plurality of the country.

The draft constitution should also be subjected to a National referendum that should give the people a new constitution, expected to tackle many of challenges in the country.

The group which said the new constitution can be put together in nine months, added that what we have presented was responsible for the challenges bedeviling the country.

Mohammed Shosanya

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt,Tuesday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting its forthcoming Congress in the state, billed for July 27, 2024.

Justice Sobere Biambo, issued the interim order against the PDP, it’s National Chairman, Financial Secretary and National Organising Secretary, who are defendants in the suit after hearing the submission of the applicants’ counsel, Eberechi Adiele, Esq. (SAN).

The applicants in the suit marked PHC/2282/CS/2024, includes; Hon. David Chinedu Omereji, Hon. Prince Solomon Abel Eke, Isoboye Tobin, Goddy Manfred Pepple, Okuah Precious Chigozirim and Hon. Orolosama Peter Amachree.

Others are; GoodFriday Nweke, Alfred Letem, Hon. Wechie Ndubisi Raymond, Mrs. Eberie Michael and Hon. Ogenma Idalunimulu.

The applicants in an originating summons and a motion ex parte, urged the court to restrain the defendants or their proxies from carrying out the party’s congress in Rivers State.

The order reads: “That an order of at interim order of injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the defendants and each of them, either by themselves servant, agents, assigns or otherwise howsoever from holding or carrying out the People Democratic Party (PDP) Congress in Rivers State scheduled to hold in Rivers State on the 27th day of July, 2024 or be rescheduled to he held on any other date or any other location pending the determination of the notion on notice already filed.

“That an order interim is hereby issued stopping or suspending the People Democratic Party (PDP) Congress in Rivers State scheduled to hold in Rivers State on the 27th July, 2024 or to be held on any other date or any other location pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.

“That an order interim is hereby issued restraining the defendants by themselves, servants, agents or otherwise howsoever, from taking any decision or giving any directive to further extend howsoever the already expired tenure of the last State, Local Government and Ward Executive Officers of the People Democratic Party(PDP) in Rivers State.”

Babatunde Solanke

Despite recent Supreme Court verdict which gives fiscal autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country, and the court verdict that nullified the creation of the Local Government Development Areas in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has told the appointed transition committees to assume office.

He had released the list of 357 members of the transition committees to run the affairs of the 33 LCDAs which reaction has been nullified by an Akure High Court and the existing 18 Local Government Areas of the state on Thursday morning few hours before the Supreme Court handed down its unanimous judgement on the autonomy of the 774 local government areas in the federation.

The apex court had ruled that the funds meant for the 774 local governments in the federation would be released directly to the democratically elected executives of the local governments henceforth.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, through the Attorney General of the federation filed the suit before the Supreme Court to determine the fiscal independence of the 774 local governments in the federation, but Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had through Ondo State Attorney General filed a reply countering the prayers of the president in the suit.

The Supreme Court granted the prayers of the President granting the 774 local governments of the federation financial autonomy.

But,Governor Aiyedatiwa had asked his appointed transition committees to assume duties immediately in the 18 local government areas and the nullified 33 LCDAs with immediate effect.

The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Amidu Takuro, had explained Ondo State was not the only state affected by the apex court verdict, saying the local government election could not be conducted in a hurry but had to comply with the Electoral Act.

He noted that the transition committees needed no there’s is no formal inauguration since their appointment reads that it takes immediate effect.

According to him, “No fewer than 21 states are affected and this is not peculiar to Ondo State alone. The governors will be meeting in Abuja during the week and there is still room for negotiations and there’s no need for rush.

“Judgement does not take immediate effect, even at that, we cannot conduct local government election immediately. There are procedures for election, so, we will study the judgement.

“Again, the Federal Government will not want to punish the local government workers by withholding their salaries or getting their allocation to them, though we have no option than to concur with the judgement, but it cannot be immediately.”

Mohammed Shosanya

Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde,on Monday constituted a special technical and legal committee to review the recent supreme court judgement on local government financial autonomy.

The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Ademola Ojo disclosed this at a press briefing after a consultative/advisory meeting.

Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier before the close door meeting berated the supreme court judgement and strategies by the federal government to usurp undue authority over the state and local government administration thereby causing tension within that nation’s polity rather than focus on other germane issues affecting the nation’s economy.

Makinde said,he had seen a lot of sensational headlines in the newspapers where people gave different interpretations to the issue.

He added:“Let me thank you all for joining this important consultative meeting. I want us to discuss the decision of the Supreme Court as it concerns financial autonomy of the local government councils.

“I believe a lacuna has been created between the decision and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We all swore to uphold the constitution but the law is the law. If the law is in conflict, it behoves on us to look for our own home-grown solution that can ensure that we have transparency and operate with our people. This is because when two elephants are fighting, the grass will suffer.

“Let me also recall that since the beginning of this administration, we have conducted two local government elections and When I was sworn in, I dissolved the local government. The Supreme Court just basically said to us that governors don’t have the right to dissolve the councils but why did I dissolve them then? It was because elections were held into the LCDAs and the same Supreme Court has basically now said that only 774 LGAs in Nigeria.

“So, there is confusion in the land, but when you have confusion, what it means is that the structure is shaking and we have to remove much of those confusions as much as possible.

“So, we will be outlining the major challenges we have at the local government areas so that we can develop our own solution. And the challenges of addressed, will ensure that we have seamless implementation of the process that can allow Oyo State to continue.

“So, on the issue of LG elections in Oyo State, we don’t have caretaker committees at the local level. We planned the elections in a way that not a single day was given out. We have a responsible government in Oyo State, we don’t need the federal government to tell us what to do. We know what is good and we know what is good for our people.

“Go back a little bit, what we inherited as an administration in 2019 was a local government system that was owing backlog of salaries, gratuities, pensions. I am saying this because Oyo State will get out of this even stronger. We are people that know what is good for our people.

“We can run our affairs by ourselves. The FG is not superior constitutionally to the state government though they have more resources than the states. So, we can do what is right in Oyo State and we have been doing what is right.

“For the primary school teachers, the Chairman of NUT is here. Before we came in, leave bonuses were last paid in 2017 and we paid that of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Primary health care facilities, inner roads were all in bad shape. We have been working collaboratively with the LGs to deliver dividends of democracy to our people.

“We were able to clear those salary arrears. We paid N18bn in pension and gratuities over these period. We upgraded about 209 PHCs, equipped about 264, completed 60 model schools. We constructed and renovated hundreds of primary school classrooms and fixed some inner roads but there are still challenges that we have to address. We still have backlog of gratuities and pension.

“The local government is owing about N55bn in pension and gratuities. We are developing infrastructure that would push the economy and raise the living standard of their people and push their economy towards sustainable goals. But for us, at that time, our priority was not to deploy resources.

“What I am hearing right now is that our problem is not also money but how to share it. But I insist that our problem is not how to share money but how how to bake a bigger cake and bring our people out of hunger and poverty and stop the anger in the land.

“Our people do not care of the road is fixed by the FG or the state government or the LG. They just want to see good roads. An example is the Oyo-Iseyin road through Fasola, which is a Federal government road but the state government fixed it and I have the letter for the FG when I wrote it for approval. It is a critical road to Oyo State economy.

“I believe it is our problem irrespective of what they are doing at the federal level. We know what is important to the lives of our own people here in Oyo State. I learnt FAAC is tomorrow (Tuesday) and all of you can come. We will delay the implementation for the next ninety days, which is three FAACs from now. They will still pay the money into JAC account.

“You make the laws, you break it. So, the law is at your own. That is not how to run a country. If you make the law, let us all obey the law. For us in Oyo State, we can solve our own problem, deal with our situation and prioritize our people. Our pass mark is to discuss among ourselves and whatever we agree upon.

“I am not saying things should not be transparent at the local government level but it is a distraction to say this is the magic bullet that will wash away our problems. NULGE is here, NUP, NUT and others are here. So, let us sit down and discuss and fashion out our own way out of this issue.” Makinde said.

At the press briefing, Hon Ademola Ojo assured that Governor Seyi Makinde remained committed to the people’s well being and would protect and safeguard the interest of all stakeholders

Barrister Aikomo,whho explained that the terms of references which specifically hinged on review of the supreme court judgement, identifying challenges and proffering recommendations that would result in implementation plan for the benefit of all stakeholders, noted that the committee had been given a duration of 4 – 6 weeks

Mohammed Shosanya

A faction of Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule has ordered the suspension of all expenditure from the state consolidated revenue fund.

The lawmakers said the decision was taken following Governor Siminalayi Fubara flagrant violation of Sections 121 and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered by spending from the consolidated Revenue Fund of the State without an Appropriation Law.

The position of the lawmakers comes after they gave the Governor a seven-day ultimatum to resubmit the 2024 budget, which has now expired.

This was as the Governor on Monday, said his administration had started the process of preparing the 2025 budget, dismissing the ultimatum by the Martin Amaewhule-led faction as a mere joke.

Governor Fubara noted that the lawmakers having defected to the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party platform on which they got election, their seats remained vacant, hence their demands holds no meaning.

But,the pro-Wike lawmakers in a statement signed by Martins Wachukwu Special Assistant On Media to the factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule on Monday, quoted the lawmakers as insisting that they could no longer look the other way while the Governor consistently trample on the Constitution he swore to uphold.

The statement reads: “The Rivers State House of Assembly at its 4th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly, Monday, considered a statement by the House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, wherein he drew the attention of the House again to the fact that given the combined provisions of Sections 121 and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, Governor Siminialayi Fubara has flagrantly continued to violate the Constitution by spending from the consolidated Revenue Fund of the State without an Appropriation Law.

“Debating on the statement by the House Leader, members in unison and in strong terms condemned Governor Fubara’s wanton disregard to the Constitution, despite repeating reminders of the consequences of his actions; thereby expressing their support for the shutdown of expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state forthwith.

“Commenting on the House Leader’s statement, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, stated that, it is unfortunate that Governor Fubara now sees violation of the provisions of the Constitution and judgements of Courts as a way of governance; adding that as representatives of the people, the House would not look the other way while the Governor consistently trample on the Constitution he swore to uphold.

“The House therefore, resolved to write to the Governor, intimating him of the shutdown of all expenditures from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State.”

The lawmakers further noted that they have concluded modalities to notify federal government agencies and banks to stop forthwith any transactions with the state government, pending the resolution of matters relating to the 2024 Appropriation Law.

“The House further resolved to notify the Federal government, its relevant Agencies, banks, local and foreign donor agencies of the development, and to advise them not to have any transactions with the Government of Rivers State, pending the resolution of matters relating to the 2024 Appropriation Law.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The President of Kwara South Youth Development Frontiers (KSYDF), an umbrella of youth organization in Kwara South,Comrade Kunle Anifowoshe, has lambasted its sister organization, the Kwara South Development Forum, (KSDF) for abandoning the challenges and collective interest of the people of Kwara South.

He alleged that because of pecuniary gains, KSDF is prioritizing the agenda of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq to impose his anointed one,the incumbent Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi under the guise of supporting a Kwara North agenda in return.

In a statement signed by the KSYDAF president, the group declared that youths in Kwara South will not play parochi politics in 2027,but will only support governorship aspirants or candidates with impressive track records in service delivery, antecedents of good governance, and one with the interest of the Kwara South people at heart.

The KSDF, at its recent summit in Offa,had championed the interest of Kwara North producing the next governor instead of being concerned with burning issues in the state as it affects Kwara South.

The president can’t fathom why KSDF and its leadership failed to call out Governor Abdulrasaq on the abandoned KWASU Campus in Osi and his failure to site Kwara State University of Education in Kwara South since Kwara Central already has many tertiary institutions.

He said:“We cannot understand why the issue of Kwara North and other trivial matters is of importance to the KSDF when core issues are bothering the Kwara South that deserves urgent attention are neglected.”

He maintained that if KSDF is a serious organization that expects to be taken seriously, they should be highlighting critical issues that affect Kwara South like lack of government presence, uneven development, lopsided appointments, and total neglect of Kwara South when projects are being considered.

“I believe the leaders of the forum have lost touch with reality and they are not connected with the people they claim they are leading; we completely reject their resolution and we have distanced the people of Kwara South from it and we vowed to put an end to the actions of this older generation.

“It’s very disappointing that the KSDF has continued in their non-beneficent approach to political decisions, many of which have never benefitted the people of Kwara South.

“The elders failed to comment on the lopsided development in Kwara, the lack of government presence in Kwara South, the bad road networks, our security challenges, or how Kwara South was denied the University of Education.

“It is disheartening that the Osi campus of KWASU has not witnessed any development since Abdulrazaq came to power, despite the enormous fund at the government’s disposal.

“Disturbingly, our elders are more concerned about being part of the process of appointing a deputy governor, the same position we have had in the last five years which has attracted nothing significant to the senatorial district.”

They also accused the elders of being sponsored by Abdulrazaq, to actualize a northern agenda.
While indicating a preference for an alliance with Kwara Central, they vowed to strongly oppose the selfish interest of the KSDF, which is allegedly being sponsored by His Excellency.

“This gives credence to reports that the KSDF was established and is being sponsored by Governor Abdulrazaq, to galvanize support for the Kwara North agenda, especially the Governorship aspiration of the incumbent Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, who is his man-Friday.

“It leaves us dismayed that after collecting money from various stakeholders, our so-called elders are already plotting to sell us out with an agenda that has never been of benefit to our zone.

“If there must be an agenda, it must be with Kwara Central. Former Governors who hailed from the South – Cornelius Adebayo and Abdulfatah Ahmed – got into the Government House following an alliance with the Kwara Central.

“We, therefore, cannot be swayed by the decision of some elders who are not acting in the interest of Kwara South, but for their political benefit and pecuniary gains.

“We the youths of Kwara South will not open our eyes and watch those who had benefited hugely from previous governments to run us into a brick wall again. We will not allow some old men to destroy our future,” the statement read.