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APC Diaspora Forum Tasks NASS    On Inputs From Nigerians Living Abroad

APC Diaspora chairmen task NASS on collaboration Newsdiaryonline
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Diaspora Chairmen Forum has urged the National Assembly Committee on Diaspora to take up the clarification on inputs by  Nigerians in Diaspora to proceedings and other issues.
This was contained in a statement  jointly signed by Dr Philip Ideawor, Chairman of the forum and APC Chairman UK and  Mr Lawal Ayoola, Spokesperson of the Forum and  Chairman, APC Scandinavia.
The statement  was a communique of resolutions endorsed by the diaspora chairmen after an  emergency online meeting on Monday, on the issue of rights of Diasporas to send petitions to the National Assembly.
It could be recalled that controversy continued to trail a submission of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,    Ahmed Idris Wase  that Nigerians living abroad cannot submit petitions over some incidents which occurred in the country.
Wase stated this following a petition brought in by Mark Terseer Gbillah, a lawmaker representing Benue Gwer East/Gwer west Federal constituency.
Wase, who sat in for Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila during Thursday’s plenary, rejected a petition filed by “Mutual Union of the Tiv in America” on insecurity in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba.
Gbillah,  had presented the group’s petition bordering on resettling  Tiv people displaced from their ancestral land through various attacks.
Suing for calm, the diaspora chairmen   said the clarification was necessary to enable Nigerians in Diaspora know their limitations on presentations to the national assembly.
They emphasized  the need for Nigerians abroad to be heard in issues that affects them and their families in Nigeria.
“As Nigerians, there is no harm in making valid presentations to the national assembly if and when necessary on national or any issue.Diaspora inputs in discussions should not be jettisoned on grounds that those making inputs or suggestions do not reside in Nigeria.
“The National Assembly is made up of lawmakers representing all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora and their opinions should be listened to  and deliberated on.Making inputs is not tantamount to orders or directives. Petitions are looked into and suggestions from them can go a long way in resolving face offs and disagreements,” it said.
They  said that the National Assembly should take a stand on the issue as soon as  possible  and come up with a legislation that should empower inputs from Nigerians living abroad.
They added that Nigeria stood to gain more  if the assembly allowed inputs from Diasporas that would move the nation forward.
The communique was  endorsed by  Ideawor (UK) who chaired the meeting, Ayoola (Scandinavia)  Mr Stephen Tella (Chairman, APC Spain) Prof. Adesegun Labinjo (Chairman, APC USA) Mr Charles Micheletti (Chairman, APC Ghana) and  Barr Adefioye Hammed (Chairman, APC Ireland).
Others were, Mr Olalekan Ogunwede (Chairman, APC Germany) Mr Olanrewaju Balogun (Chairman, APC France) Mr Elias Ebone (Chairman, APC Canada) Prince  Chima Ibezim Italy (Chairman Italy) and its  Emeritus Chairman,   Tony Isama
Online Editor by — March 16, 2021 in Politics 0
Why MDAs Should Be Audited Quarterly-AGF 

AGF advocates quarterly audit of MDAs by Auditor-General
The Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris,has advocated for a quarterly audit of MDAs in order to make their duties simple and easy to tackle when financial reports are received from the MDAs.
Idris,who said this when the Auditor-General of the Federation Mr Adolphus Aghughu paid a working visit to the Treasury House,explained that the development will create cooperation, understanding and harmonious working relationship between Federal Auditors and MDAs.
He added that in order to curb the pile-ups of financial reports for Auditing, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation should carry out a quarterly audit of the MDAs and there is a need for renewed orientation on the concept and practice of auditing.
‘‘It is time we adopt modern Auditing techniques with ICT tools which make auditing quicker and most accurate. Auditors are not on a witch-hunt mission, they are to advice and give a positive opinion.
He noted that the OAGF and AUGF are two sister agencies with a similar mandate. He said: ‘‘we cannot have Audit without Accounts and we must sustain the cordial relationship for the good of the nation.’’
He spoke  on the submission of the financial statement for Audit, saying  his office has been able to reduce the four years gap of non-submission to only one.
He said:”As of today, the accounts for 2019 are ready for submission, except for the fact that we have been asked to wait till work is concluded on the 2018 report”.
He urged the Auditor General of the Federation to sustain the cordial relationship that existed between the two Agencies which he said is for the good of his office and the system; the good of the Nigerian people and the good of the Nigerian government.
 In his address, the AuGF, Mr Adolphus Aghughu, solicited  strong collaboration between the Treasury Audit Department of his office and the Consolidated Accounts Department of OAGF in order to timely resolve issues that may cause a delay in the completion of work on financial statements.
Online Editor by — March 16, 2021 in Politics 0
 It’s Unconstitutional For North To Seek Power In 2023 – Ndume

Clamour for a northern Presidency in 2023 is unconstitutional- Ali Ndume | Naija247news
Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) has said the clamour for a northern Presidency in 2023 would amount to the north seeking a third term in office.
He said such move is unconstitutional,just as he also faulted the call for amnesty for repentant bandits, insisting as criminals bandits should be made to face the full weight of the law.
He lamented while the nation was on the brink of collapse, many “Nigerians still trivilaise, tribalise and give the situation religious coloration. We are now in this sorrow state”.
He said no northern should be fielded in 2023 for the presidential poll.
According to him: “I am against APC producing its presidential candidate from the north. The APC presidential candidate should come from the south.
“If you have the presidential candidate of the APC from the north, it is tantamount to third term and to me, it is constitutional.The constitution says the President should serve two terms and we say the north should serve two terms.If you say the north should produce the President again, it means you are going for a third term which is not fair. I believe in fairness, justice, and equity.”
 “Let the candidate come from the south. However, you cannot say you want to be the head of the house, and at the same time, calling for the division of the House.That is what is giving the Northerners the opportunity to say they want to be the President again because if you want to be the President of Nigeria, you must believe in the unity of Nigeria.
“If you want the country to be divided, which Nigeria are you going to be president of? So, for me, I support a candidate from the south, anywhere in the south.
“If you ask me, I will say each of the three zones in the south should bring one or two candidates and let us go to the convention for Nigerians, especially the APC to decide and whoever emerges will be given the support to win the election”.
Online Editor by — March 15, 2021 in Politics 0
Dimeji Bankole Decamps To  APC

Former Speaker Dimeji Bankole set to marry Kebbi governor's daughter
Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker of the House of Representatives has  joined the ruling party,All  Progressive Congress.
He met Governor of  Yobe State  Mai Mala Buni and  Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee in Abuja on Friday  as a preclude to his grand welcome to the party
Jigawa state governor Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, also attended the meeting,a statement from
Mamman Mohammed Director of  Press and Media Affairs confirmed.
He said:”The three leaders discussed on a wide range of political issues including the movement of the former Speaker and his supporters into the party”.
He explained the entrance  of  Ogun state political heavyweights into the APC was a clear evidence that  opportunity is growing and widening for the party in Ogun.
Online Editor by — March 13, 2021 in Politics 0
Why We Agree To Work With Buhari-PDP Govs 

PDP governors pledge support for FG's fight against banditry, terrorism
The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal says no governor is considering  leaving the party.
He spoke in Abuja where he disclosed that the PDP governors have agreed to work with Federal Government to achieve peace.
 He added that Zamfara state governor, Hon. Bello Mattawale has agreed to the no-fly-zone by the federal government, if the aim is to ensure that there is security reestablishment of peace in the state.
He said: “As governors of the PDP have agreed and resolved to continue to work with the federal government with the sole aim of reestablishing peace in troubled areas of the Federation. We must not play politics with security and we must all work together to ensure that we bring back peace in our land. So we have agreed to continue to work with the federal government in that regard.
“And on the general economic well being of the country, we are appealing to Mr President, to reconsider certain measures, and we are appealing to him to actually bring more succor and relief to the people of Nigeria and support state governments in the discharge of their mandate, by making available resources to the States, so that we can execute our mandate and ensure that we engender good governance and good condition of living in our respective states throughout the country.
“And we also review the situation of our party. We have met with the NWC and will have commended  the initiative of NWC in coming up with Saraki led committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party across the country.As you can see, most if not all of the governors of the PDP attended this meeting. This is a very clear statement that no governor of PDP is contemplating leaving the party for any other party.
“We are brother and we have committed ourselves to the party and to ensure that we continue to deliver on our nnandate to the people of our respective states who have agreed to work together with the National Working Committee of the party for us to continue with what we started earlier on e-registration of members of the party.
“We’re appealing to the working committee to immediately set up machinery in motion for that to be actualised. So these are some of the highlights of what was discussed and agreed upon, and we have integrated our committees on finance on legal matters, on legislative interface.”
He spoke  on the protest by Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on the removal of minimum wage from exclusive list to concurrent list, Tambuwal said no governor attempted  same.
“The member who actually presented that bill did that on his own volition as a member of the House of Representatives. I am sure not with instruction of any state or any state government, so I believe that the acquisition of NLC is misplaced.”
Online Editor by — March 12, 2021 in Politics 0
Ladoja Group, ZLP Decamps To  APC

2023: Ladoja's ZLP, APC plan merger in Oyo - Vanguard News

Former Oyo Governor Senator Rashidi Ladoja yesterday  directed all his supporters and structure in the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) to dissolve into the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He also directed the supporters to partake in the ongoing membership registration exercise of the APC throughout the 351 wards and 33 local government areas of the state.

The decision was reached at the end of the stakeholders meeting of ZLP and Ladoja Political Group at Samonda, Ibadan on Tuesday.

The Nation had reported the leadership of the Oyo APC, ZLP and Senator Rashidi Ladoja Political Group met on February 12 at the Premier Hotel Ibadan to consider developmental issues affecting the state.

The meeting also considered the possibilities of the dissolution of the entire structure of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Ladoja Political Group in the state into the APC, a move that was widely applauded by stakeholders.

The Tuesday meeting gave approval to the proposals after long deliberations and consideration by the stakeholders.

The meeting also passed a vote of confidence in Ex-Governor Ladoja, other leaders and the executive steering the affairs of the ZLP, Ladoja Political Group and Ladoja loyalists.

The communiqué at the end of the meeting reads: “The entire existing structure of the ZLP and Ladoja Political Group in Oyo State immediately dissolves into the APC.

“All members of ZLP and Ladoja political group are hereby directed to partake in the ongoing membership registration exercise of the APC throughout the 351 Wards of the 33 local governments of Oyo State.All ZLP members and Ladoja Political Group joining the APC have been assured that they will enjoy the same rights, privileges and benefits accruing to existing APC members.

Online Editor by — March 3, 2021 in Politics 0
Senate Amends Child’s Right Act

 

Senate on Tuesday approved an amendment to the Child’s Right Act of 2003 making anyone convicted of sexual offence unfit to work with children.

The upper chamber also passed the Older Persons (Rights and Privileges) Bill 2020.

This followed the presentation of reports on the Bills by the Chairman Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Betty Apiafi, during plenary.

He  noted that the amendment to the Child’s Right Act would further give protection to the Nigerian child against any form of sexual violence and abuse suffered in the hands of caregivers and others.

The Bill provides that “any person who has been convicted of murder, attempted rape, indecent assault or sexual offences with the intent to do grievous bodily harm with regard to a child during the five years preceding the commencement of this amendment is deemed to have been found unsuitable to work with children.”

In a similar vein, the Bill on Older Persons (Right and Privileges) is aimed at addressing the social and economic challenges triggered by aging and the need for government to formulate policies that would incorporate the elderly and cater for their well-being.

The bill provides for a fine of N2 million or N200, 000 from organisations or individuals respectively found to have discriminated against older persons.

It added that “older persons have the right to social protection, including income security without discrimination on the basis of age, gender or health status.”

 

Other benefits sought in the Bill include: “Enjoyment of the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health and long term care without discrimination on the basis of age, including public health, preventive medicine, palliative care and rehabilitation free of cost under the aegis of the NHIS.

“Government shall ensure that older persons enjoy the right to adequate standard of living, including the right to food, water, clothing and housing and to improve their living conditions without discrimination on the basis of age.

“Government shall ensure the provision of seats in walkways, other public facilities specifically designed for the comfort of older persons.”

Online Editor by — March 3, 2021 in Politics 0
Okupe: I’ll Join 2023 Presidential Race if Insecurity Persists

A former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has vowed to contest the 2023 presidential elections if the spate of banditry, kidnapping and terror attacks across the country persists.

Okupe explained this in a statement issued yesterday.

He promised to submit a letter of resignation from office dated September 30, 2025, for himself and his vice president to the National Assembly, if he wins the election and fails to improve on the security of lives and property of Nigerians.

Okupe said, “I make this declaration with great and profound sense of responsibility considering the gloom and perplexity that the menace of banditry, kidnapping, herdsmen’s terrorism and Boko Haram terrorism had brought on the country nation while all Nigerians appeared helpless and hopeless.”

He condemned the internal war, insecurity, lack of safety, severe inter-ethnic hatred and strife tending to tear the nation apart.

He said: “I sincerely believe that things do not need to be the way they are. I have been a very close aide of two great Presidents and have been close enough to Power to know what can be done under these perplexing circumstances.

“I am convinced within myself that I have the knowledge, the intellect, the exposure and experience that will be required to lead this nation out of its present predicament , if no other seriously minded person is willing to offer themselves.

“As a teaser, I will elaborate briefly but not in too much details on what government can do to curtail this rampaging menace.

“As President I will declare a state of emergency in the affected states. I know politicians will not like this. But without security the nation and its politics will neither survive nor exist.

“Governors will not leave their political offices but their duties and functions shall be strictly limited to administrative matters while the state of emergencyis in place . The state assemblies will be on temporary holiday till things return to normalcy.

“I will appoint a senior military personnel to be the State Security administrator not lower than a Brigade General.”

He will be fully in charge and be responsible for the safety and security of citizens of the state. The National Security Adviser in consultation with the Service chiefs will coordinate these states commanding officers Nationally.

He added: “National security council meetings will be thrice weekly excluding emergency meetings. A daily report of security of all affected states shall be on my desk 8.00am daily.”

Providing a breakdown of his proposed security strategy, Okupe said: “I will deploy 2000 military troops and 3000 special police force to each of the affected states.

“Each state will have two transport helicopters, a surveillance helicopter with night vision capability and a surveillance helicopter.

“I will arrange with international private and commercial satellite companies to cover the affected areas 24/7.”

Main Admin by — March 1, 2021 in Politics 0
Commit to Rule of Law, Democracy, Jonathan Urges African Leaders

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on African leaders to adhere to the rule of law and prioritise equality and justice in order to build a continent of peace, prosperity and development.
Jonathan made the call during the Ninth African Leadership Magazine Person of the year award ceremony organised virtually during the weekend where he was awarded with the African Peace and Security Leader of the Year 2020.

In his acceptance remarks, the former president stated that for peace to reign, those who wield power should respect the rule of law, be fair to all and dispense justice in a manner that promotes equity and boosts the people’s confidence in their nation.
“When politicians undermine democratic principles and usurp citizens’ rights, it creates a situation that impacts negatively on peace and development,” he said.

Jonathan also underscored the importance of democracy, stable leadership and peace and development to national growth.
He stated: “In Africa, it appears we see the political process as a civil war or a fraudulent enterprise that has no rules. This is unhealthy for our polity as it impedes our development.”

Jonathan, in a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, said that leadership commands a great influence in the affairs of men, such that the fate of a nation is often interconnected with that of the leader.
According to him, leaders that promote peace and build institutions always focus on those deliveries that cater to the needs of our citizens and keep them safe.

“More than in any other parts of the world, self-centred and egocentric contests for power by African politicians had, more often than not, unleashed widespread violence and insurgency on the African soil.

“Peace in our continent is mainly threatened by political instability, poor democratic practices and weak institutions. Many African nations that are today mired in conflicts, or just emerging from one, often have such crises rooted in the struggle for leadership.

“I always make the point that there is a clear link between a nation’s social and economic standing and its position in the global conflict index. Nations with fewer conflicts and more stable leadership tend to be richer and better off in the human development profile,” he added.

Jonathan stated that the nations with the lowest progress on the official United Nations Human Development Index, many of them in Africa, are those that are either poorly governed or embroiled in leadership struggles.

Jonathan thanked the publisher of African Leadership Magazine and the award committee for the honour, saying that “I am delighted that my little contributions towards peace and sustainable democracy in our continent are being recognised.

“Awards and recognitions are good because it reassures the recipients that their little contributions to the growth of society have not gone unnoticed. It also comes with a sense of responsibility which jolts the awardees to the fact that they can no longer go below a certain threshold. To all of us receiving the award today, it is, therefore, a nudge to do more.”

Main Admin by — March 1, 2021 in Politics 0
2023 Elections: ADC Rejects Creation of New Polling Units

As preparation for the 2023 general election continues, the African Democratic Congress ( ADC) has rejected plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create additional polling units in the country.

The issue of additional polling units, which was shelved ahead of the 2015 general election, seems to have taken the centre stage again.

In August 2014, INEC, under the leadership of Prof. Attahiru Jega, sought to create 30,027 additional polling units ahead of the 2015 general election, with 21,615 in the north and 8,412 in the southern part of the country.

Addressing a press conference on the state of the nation at the weekend, the ADC said creating more polling units in addition to the existing 120,000 would further increase the cost of electioneering in the country.

The ADC National Chairman, Chief Okey Nwosu, who stated this at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja at the weekend, urged public officials to exercise restraint while formulating policies that would affect the economy of the country adversely.

Nwosu noted that while the United States of America with a land mass of 9.8million square kilometres has 250,000 polling centres, Nigeria with approximately 923, 768 square km has 120,000.

According to him, “Recently, INEC has been on the offensive to create more polling stations in addition to the existing 120,000 in spite of the Nigeria budget limitations and economic struggles.

“INEC and the National Assembly have shown apathy to due diligence and efficacious financial management. The ration and rationale of election expenses to the GDP of the country is mind-boggling and sparks a sign of irresponsibility.”

The ADC chairman stated that the cost of electioneering in Nigeria is taking a heavy toll on the country, political parties and the citizens

Consequently, he said the National Assembly, INEC as well as political parties should be concerned about the cost of elections in the country and its effects on the economy.

“Our elections and democracy must not continue to sap the country because leaders are inept, corrupt and uncreative,” he added.

Also, Nwosu, while lamenting the level of insecurity in the country, said: “Today, Nigeria has become more divided than ever before. Leaders at national and state levels have learnt the art of designing and borrowing framework to source for money across the world to no end, while they leave the country and future generation in perpetual debts.

“For over two years now, Nigeria has maintained the shameful record of the poverty capital of the world. The insurgency and brigandage at all level across the country is mind bugling. Boko haram terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and dangerous activities of herders who have infiltrated the country from all over Africa countries have continued to leave the country in a state of depression, despair and death.”

He also lamented that despite the huge borrowing, the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria presently is beyond redemption.

On the National Assembly, the politician said: “The National Assembly has failed woefully. The former DIG of police, who got elected into the Senate in 1999, was embarrassed that the men in both the red and green chambers were persons that have criminal records, some of whom were on the wanted list of the force’s CID units. The Senate has become converted to chambers for ex-governors and a refuge where people with large fraud records go to hide to avoid harassment from security agencies in the country.”

Main Admin by — March 1, 2021 in Politics 0