Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerian doctors to remain in the country and work with the current administration to improve the nation’s situation, rather than emigrating for better opportunities abroad.
Speaking during a visit on Wednesday by the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), led by its president, Prof. Bala Audu, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima appealed to the doctors to resist the allure of overseas opportunities amid the ‘Japa’ syndrome.
He assured the doctors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to their welfare and has deep empathy for those who choose to stay and serve their country.
Shettima praised the significant contributions and sacrifices of Nigerian doctors in advancing healthcare delivery.
He said, “Let us stay back and salvage this nation together. This is our country, the greatest black nation on earth, and a promising nation that we need to invest in.”
He also encouraged the NMA to motivate young doctors to specialise in key medical disciplines and to combat the activities of unqualified practitioners.
[DailyTrust]
The director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, has said the Supreme Court determined the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
Amadi blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for failing to prosecute the 2023 presidential election.
Amadi said the National Assembly should probe INEC’s expenditures during the 2023 general election.
He also charged INEC to explain why its server failed during the 2023 presidential election.
The public affairs analyst also noted that the electoral umpire should be able to explain to Nigerians why its results were not collated and declared electronically as provided in the INEC electoral Act as amended.
He spoke at an event organised by the Labour Party to mark this year’s Democracy Day and was contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
According to Amadi: “Nigerians and indeed the National Assembly should be courageous enough to probe INEC expenditure during the 2023 general elections.
“The failure of the INEC server during the presidential election with all the money given to them. It is appalling that no one spoke about the huge amount of money given Mahmood Yakubu and all the INEC commissioners to prosecute a failed election, failed because the Supreme Court has to step in to determine the result of elections.”
He noted that the ongoing electoral reform must reject the inconsistency of allowing the presidency to appoint the INEC chairman.
Amadi stressed that this gives room for election rigging before the votes are cast.
[DailyPost]
The former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Mohammed Lukman, has withdrawn his membership of the party.
Lukman disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Lukman, his resignation from the party stems from what he describes as a “lack of internal democracy” and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s alleged failure to implement necessary reforms within the party.
The APC chieftain had been a critic of the party’s leadership, and accused it of straying from the founding vision of the party and ignoring calls for reform.
He said, “It is possible to remain in APC if at all President Asiwaju Tinubu will allow internal reform in the party to return it to its founding vision, which as it is, is very remote.
“But my reality now in the party is that my membership has been rendered useless and there is no need for me to continue to impose myself.”
While expressing future plans he said, “I have therefore gone back to the trenches and will try to work with all committed Nigerians who agree and subscribe to the goal of actively campaigning for the survival and development of democracy in Nigeria.
“We must grow our democracy to the point whereby elected representatives at all levels are accountable to the party and it is possible for Nigerians represented by various interests to develop strong relationship with political parties and elected governments based on which policies of governments can be made to reflect wider interests of Nigerians.
“I am confident that a strong democracy with functional political parties is possible in Nigeria. I am also confident that in our lifetime we can produce governments that are truly capable of making the lives of Nigerians better.“
Lukman acknowledged that his decision might not be well-received by party leaders, adding that he remains hopeful for the unity among all who are dedicated to advancing democracy in Nigeria.
“I don’t expect party leaders will agree with my decision. I believe that eventually, we will be united will all party leaders and other Nigerians who are committed to developing Nigerian democracy,” he added.
The Federal Government on Wednesday admonished organised Labour to consider the broader economic implications of its push for an unrealistic higher national minimum wage.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who handed down the admonition, hinted that the N250,000 minimum wage demanded by labour could undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardise the welfare of Nigerians.
However, the labour unions refuted President Bola Tinubu’s claims during his Democracy Day broadcast on Wednesday that an agreement had been reached on the new national minimum wage.
Acting President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, said as of the time negotiations ended on June 7, no agreement had been reached by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage.
Adeyanju is acting on behalf of the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, who is attending an International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Tinubu drew the ire of the unions after stating that his administration would soon submit an executive bill to the National Assembly to codify the agreements reached in the minimum wage negotiations between Labour, the private sector, the states and the Federal Government.
The parties had engaged in prolonged talks for weeks with the unions insisting on N250,000 minimum wage while the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector offered N62,000.
However, the state governors said they would not be able to sustain any minimum wage higher than N60,000.
Dismissing the offers made by the Federal Government and the OPS, the labour unions said they would not negotiate what they described as ‘starvation wage.’
N62,000 not acceptable
The Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, said Labour would not accept the latest offer of N62,000 and the N100,000 proposal made by some individuals and economists.
This was as the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the unionists were waiting on the President to consider Labour’s proposal.
But speaking at the opening of the 2024 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday, the information minister emphasised the imperative of a realistic wage system that safeguards against mass retrenchment while addressing workers’ needs.
Idris restated the government’s dedication to reassessing the minimum wage but cautioned against demands that could disrupt the economy.
He stated, “As I have repeatedly said, the Federal Government is not opposed to the increase of wages for Nigerian workers but we keep on advocating for a realistic and sustainable wage system for the workers – a wage system that will not undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardise the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians.
“We want the labour unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of an increase in wages.”
He highlighted the ongoing efforts to alleviate the cost of living, citing initiatives like the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas programme aimed at reducing transportation expenses by 50 per cent.
While advocating wage increases, Idris stressed the importance of holistic relief measures beyond salary adjustments, urging Labour to recognise the significance of programmes like the CNG initiative in enhancing citizens’ purchasing power.
“It will also come as an effort to reduce the cost of living and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians. And this is where programmes like the Presidential CNG initiative come in.
“By replacing or complementing petrol usage with CNG, that programme alone will cut transportation costs by as much as 50 per cent,” he claimed.
The minister called on religious leaders to assist in raising public awareness about government initiatives and efforts.
Religious leaders
He stressed the crucial role of the clergy in disseminating information about available opportunities and the government’s ongoing efforts.
“As a government, we need your support, advice, and feedback,” Idris stated.
“Very importantly, we need you to be aware of the efforts being made and the challenges being faced so that you can help us communicate these to your congregations and the general public,” he added.
The minister highlighted the influential platforms of religious leaders, noting their potential to enlighten Nigerians on their rights, responsibilities, and the economic opportunities provided by the policies under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The agenda, he noted, aimed to promote economic rebirth, strengthen national security, boost agriculture and food security, and transform infrastructure and transportation.
“Information and awareness are critical, and this is where our religious leaders come in. You have very influential platforms that can enlighten Nigerians on their rights, responsibilities, and the abundance of economic opportunities being thrown up by the policies and programmes being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” he explained.
In his remarks, the National President of the Charismatic Bishop Conference, Archbishop Leonard Kawas, reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering support for Tinubu’s administration, emphasising their commitment to collaborative efforts to realise the nation’s collective aspirations.
‘No agreement yet’
In their reaction to the President’s national broadcast, Adeyanju disagreed with Tinubu’s statement that his administration negotiated in good faith and with open arms with Organised Labour on the new national minimum wage.
Tinubu during his broadcast stated, “In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with organised Labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less.
“In the face of labour’s call for a national strike, we did not seek to oppress or crack down on the workers as a dictatorial government would have done. We chose the path of cooperation over conflict.
“No one was arrested or threatened. Instead, the labour leadership was invited to break bread and negotiate toward a good-faith resolution.
“Reasoned discussion and principled compromise are hallmarks of democracy. These themes shall continue to animate my policies and interaction with the constituent parts of our political economy.”
But Adeyanju in a statement dismissed the President’s assertion, insisting that he might have been misled by his advisers, noting that two figures- N250,000 from Organised Labour and N62,000 from the government and the OPS- were arrived at and ought to have been submitted to Tinubu.
According to the NLC official, anything to the contrary is not only doctored but won’t be accepted by Labour.
The congress maintained its stance on the N250,000 minimum wage, rejecting the government’s offer of N62,000 as grossly inadequate.
The statement read in part, “The NLC would have expected that the advisers of the President would have told him that we neither reached any agreement with the Federal Government and the employers on the base figure for a National Minimum Wage nor on its other components.
“Our demand still remains N250,000 only and we have not been given any compelling reasons to change this position which we consider a great concession by Nigerian workers during the tripartite negotiation process.
“We are therefore surprised at the submission of Mr President over a supposed agreement. We believe that he may have been misled into believing that there was an agreement with the NLC and TUC.
“There was none and it is important that we let the President, Nigerians and other national stakeholders understand this immediately to avoid a mix-up in the ongoing conversation around the national minimum wage.”
Adeyanju alleged that the labour leaders were intimidated by security agencies during the minimum wage talks.
“Fully armed soldiers surrounded us while we were in a negotiation with the government and despite denials; recent statements by senior officials of the government reaffirmed our fears contrary to the assurances by the government.
“However, we remain assured that the President’s democratic credentials will come to the fore in favour of Nigerian workers and masses,’’ he expressed optimism.
According to the union, the Democracy Day celebration was an opportunity for the President to demonstrate his love for Nigerian workers and the masses by shunning the advice that may be coming from ‘’those whose intentions were continuously focused on hurting Nigeria’s poor and struggling workers.’’
He appealed, “Mr President should not allow these individuals and groups to sabotage his promise of lifting Nigerian workers out of poverty.
“The President’s advisers obviously did not tell him the truth that the leaders of the trade unions were intimidated and harassed. It is therefore important that Mr President understands that we were threatened severally by his operatives perhaps without his consent.
“Series of media propaganda calculated to intimidate and harass us were, and, are still being waged against the trade unions by senior officials of this government."
The NLC noted that there was no agreement as regards the duration of the Minimum Wage Act.
“It is also important that Mr President should know that most of his officers are working round-the-clock to set up the leadership of congress and the trade unions.
“We never agreed on a five-year duration of the Minimum Wage Act, though we acknowledge that the President mentioned five years or less.
“We also agreed that inflation should be pegged at a level for a certain amount to be agreed as minimum wage. This is to bring clarity to what the report should contain.
“Once again, we reiterate that it will be extremely difficult for Nigerian workers to accept any national minimum wage figure that approximates a starvation wage. We cannot be working and yet remain in abject poverty.
“We seek justice, equity, and fairness for all Nigerians, and this we hope would also drive the actions of Mr President who promised a Living Wage to Nigerian workers. This is an opportunity to show that he listens to Nigerians as he promised,” the labour movement said.
OPS speaks
Also commenting on the presidential broadcast, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, stated that no consensus had been reached on the national minimum wage.
The NACCIMA President, Dele Oye, who is part of the 37-member tripartite committee, said the panel was still in the middle of negotiation, faulting the contradictory statements being made on the talks.
“No agreement has been reached with Labour; however, it is wrong to make a press statement in the middle of negotiations apart from appealing to all parties involved to work harder to resolve outstanding issues, as the impasse is already creating uncertainty in the ability of businesses to make decisions,” he admonished.
In January, the government inaugurated the tripartite committee on the national minimum wage.
The committee was tasked with the responsibility of recommending a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
Over the past few months, the federal and state governments, organised labour, and representatives of the private sector have been deliberating on a new minimum wage for workers.
However, the demand by organised labour regarding the minimum wage has yet to be met.
On June 3, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike to protest against the government’s inability to meet their minimum wage demand.
Twenty-four hours later, the labour unions “relaxed” the strike by one week.
[Punch]
THE Organised Labour has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s claims that an agreement had been reached on new national minimum wages in his nationwide broadcast to mark Democracy Day.
According to labour, as at the time negotiations ended on June 7, there was no agreement reached by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage.
Rather, two figures such as N250, 000 from labour and N62,000 from government and Organised Private Sector, OPS, were arrived at and ought to have been submitted to the President.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has urged labour, to be realistic in their demand for a new minimum wage for workers, saying that the relief Nigerians were expecting would not come only in the form of an increase in wages but from other packages lined up by the government.
In a statement by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, acting President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, labour noted that anything to the contrary was not only doctored but won’t be accepted by labour.
Reacting to the President’s speech, Adeyanju, said: “The NLC attentively listened to the Democracy Day presidential address delivered by Senator Bola Tinubu, especially concerning the ongoing National Minimum Wage negotiations. While the President may have accurately recounted parts of our democratic journey’s history, it is evident that he has been misinformed regarding the outcome of the wage negotiation process.
“We appreciate the President’s commitment to those fine democratic ideals, which allowed the work of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee to proceed unhindered despite some hiccups. However, we had expected Mr President to have used this understanding as one of those who were in the vanguard of the struggle with us around the nation to rescue Nigeria from the hands of the military to harmonise the two figures submitted to him by the Tripartite Committee in favour of workers and masses. It would have been a fitting Democracy Day gift.
“The NLC would have expected that the advisers of the President would have told him that we neither reached any agreement with the Federal Government and the employers on the base figure for a National Minimum Wage nor on its other components. Our demand remains N250,000 and we have not been given any compelling reasons to change this position, which we consider a great concession by Nigerian workers during the tripartite negotiation process.
“We are, therefore, surprised at the submission of Mr. President over a supposed agreement. We believe that he may have been misled into believing that there was an agreement with the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC. There was none and we must let the President, Nigerians and other national stakeholders understand this immediately to avoid a mix-up in the ongoing conversation around the national minimum wage. We have also not seen a copy of the document submitted to him and will not accept any doctored document.
“However, we want to reaffirm our belief that the President on whose table the Tripartite Committee’s report presently resides would prepare an Executive Bill, which content will reflect the true demand of Nigerian workers. We think that this is an opportunity for him to demonstrate his love for Nigerian workers and the masses by shunning the pieces of advice that may be coming from those whose intentions are continuously focused on hurting the poor and struggling workers of Nigeria. Mr President should not allow these individuals and groups to sabotage his promise of lifting Nigerian workers out of poverty.
“President’s advisers did not tell him the truth that the leaders of the trade unions were intimidated and harassed. It is, therefore, important that Mr President understands that we were threatened severally by his operatives perhaps without his consent.
“Series of media propaganda calculated to intimidate and harass us were, and, are still being waged against the trade unions by senior officials of this government. Fully armed soldiers surrounded us while we were in a negotiation with the government and despite denials, recent statements by senior officials of the government reaffirmed our fears contrary to the assurances by the government. “However, we remain assured that the President’s democratic credentials will come to the fore in favour of Nigerian workers and masses.
“It is also important that Mr. President should know that most of his officers are working round the clock to set up the leadership of Congress and the trade unions. We never agreed on a 5-year duration of the minimum wage Act though we acknowledge that the President mentioned 5 years or less.
“We also agreed that inflation should be pegged at a level for a certain amount to be agreed as minimum wage. This is to bring clarity to what the report should contain.”
FG to labour: Relief will not come only from an increase in wages
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke at the opening of the 2024 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria held in Abuja, said: “On the matter of the new minimum wage, which the FG is very committed to reviewing, realistically and sustainably.
“As I have repeatedly said, FG is not opposed to the increase of wages for Nigerian workers but we keep on advocating a realistic and sustainable wage system for the workers a wage system that
will not undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardize the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians.
“We want labour to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of an increase in wages.
“It will also come as efforts to reduce the cost of living and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians. And this is where programmes like the Presidential CNG initiative come in,” adding that the CNG programme alone, by replacing or complementing petrol usage with CNG, will cut transportation costs by as much as 50 per cent.
[Vanguard]
Christopher Musa, the chief of defence staff (CDS), says Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), must be arrested and prosecuted.
Musa spoke on Wednesday during a Channels Television special broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 2024 Democracy Day.
Ekpa is based in Finland and has continued to issue the sit-at-home order in IPOB’s and Kanu’s names.
Musa accused the government of Finland of shielding Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed prime minister of the IPOB.
In February 2023, Helsingin Sanomat (HS), a newspaper in Finland, reported that Ekpa was arrested by police at his residence located in Lahti but was released after hours of questioning.
In December 2021, TheCable profiled Ekpa as someone who uses disinformation to fight for the secession of the south-east from Nigeria.
In September 2021, the Biafra agitator denounced Nigeria and vowed to return the medal he won for the country at the 2003 African Junior Athletics Championships.
Musa called on the federal government to take decisive action, including exploring diplomatic options to curb the menace of the factional leader of the IPOB.
“We have repeatedly complained about the issue of Simon Ekpa. He is in Finland, and the Finnish government is giving him all the support, and he is doing what he is doing,” the CDS said.
“The comments he is making mean people are being killed and nothing is being done. This is democracy.
“If the European Union is supporting democracy and this is happening and they are not taking action, then they don’t mean well for Nigeria.
“We have said that in clear terms. We need to diplomatically find means of getting him out of whatever it is that he is doing. He must be arrested, and he must be prosecuted.
“Look at it from the other way, assuming he is in Nigeria, he is doing that to the Finnish government. Do you think the European Union will allow that to happen? They definitely will not.”
[TheCable]
We, the undersigned civil society organisations in Nigeria, received with serious concern the decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase. We note that the State House Press Release dated June 10, 2024 through which the removal was announced did not disclose any reason for the said removal. We are also concerned that this removal appears to have violated the established legal procedure for the removal of the PSC Chairman. Section 5, subsection 1 of the PSC Act provides:
“Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 of this Act, the Chairman and any other member, may at any time be removed from office by the President acting on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be removed for inability to discharge the functions of the Office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause of misconduct).”
We are worried that such a decision by the president further undermines the independence, effectiveness, and confidence of the Commission to discharge its mandate without undue interference as stipulated by the Police Service Commission Act.
Civil society is saddened that this is coming at a time when we are investing a lot of resources in support of the Federal Government towards police reform, which can be seen through various trainings supported by local and international partners and the recent recruitment of 10,000 police personnel.
While we welcome this recruitment, we are worried about the renewed and needless controversy associated with the power games around police recruitment, despite the Supreme Court‘s judgment of July 11, 2023, which affirmed the power of the commission under the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001 to handle police recruitment functions.
We also note that Section 6 (2) of the PSC Act stipulates that
“The Commission shall not be subject to the direction, control or supervision of any other authority or person in the performance of its functions other than as is prescribed in this Act”.
We believe that this controversy does not serve the interest of the NPF as an institution or the interest of the country.
Today, Nigerians are celebrating Democracy Day. One of the fundamental attributes of a democratic system is respect for the rule of law and due process, thus Mr President should holistically address this issue. We therefore call on the President to reverse this purported removal of the Chairman of the PSC and fully constitute the Board of the Commission. We also call for a conclusion of the police recruitment process, including training and deployment, considering that even the IGP stated recently that more than 20,000 police personnel needed to be recruited annually to boost police manpower requirements. The numbers for recruitment can also be boosted through the Cadet ASP short course.
We will use this opportunity to also call on the National Assembly to maximise its powers of checks and balances over actions by the Executive. The total disregard for the rule of law in this instance further fuels the fears of the Nigerian people about the vulnerability of the operations of the Nigeria Police by the political class. This is not good for our democracy and standing in the comity of nations.
We are looking forward to a quick and positive resolution of the situation for the good of a thriving democracy and the good of the country.
Signed:
1. Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center (RULAAC)
2. NOPRIN Foundation
3. Open Society on Justice Reform Project
4. Confluence of Rights, Nigeria
5. Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria
6. Justice for Peace and Development Initiative
7. Legal Resources Consortium
8. Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuiding - Kaduna
9. Rural and Urban Development Initiative
10. Dataphyte Foundation
11. Equity International Initiative (EII)
12. Centre For Youth Participation Dialogue and Advocacy (CYPA), Africa
13. Advocacy Hub International.
14. Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development IRIAD
15. Human Right Advocacy and Monitoring Group (HURAMG)
16. Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development (CM-CYCD)
17. Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS)
18. Kuyimiki Development Initiative (KDI)
19. Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights
20. Centre for Transparency Advocacy
21. Koyenum Immalah Foundation
22. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
President Bola Tinubu has admitted that his reforms have created hardship for Nigerians.
But he added that they are necessary to bring about the needed change the country had longed for.
Tinubu made this declaration in a national broadcast to commemorate the 2024 Democracy Day and the 25th year of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.
He said that as a beneficiary of the historic efforts of the heroes of democracy, he was morally bound to preserve the present form of government.
“I stand uniquely placed in this regard. I was among those who took the risk to midwife the birth of our democracy. I am now a direct and obvious beneficiary of the fruits of those historic efforts.
“As President of this nation, I am morally and constitutionally bound to preserve this precious form of governance.
“I vow to do my utmost best to protect your rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens of Nigeria.
“Even more than that, I pledge to do whatever is necessary to cement democracy as our way of life,” he said.
The President thanked Nigerians for the opportunity to lead the country and promised not to turn his back on them.
He called on Nigerians to beware of those trying to exploit the current challenges in the country to undermine and destroy the democracy for which so much had already been given.
According to him, as Nigerians, we must remind ourselves that no matter how complicated democracy may be, it is the best form of governance in the long run.
“We must also be aware that there are those among us who will try to exploit current challenges to undermine, if not destroy this democracy for which so much has already been given.
“These people do this not to make things better but to subject all other people and things to their control and dominance until the point that, if you are not counted among their elite, then your life will be small and no longer owned by you,” he said.
Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun has urged Nigerians to have faith despite the economic challenges they are facing, stressing that the country is “still at the baby steps of democracy”.
Abiodun, while emphasising the need to be steadfast and trust the democratic process, urged Nigerians to continue to support the government and its policies.
The governor gave the charge on Wednesday during the Democracy Day Celebration prayers held at the family home of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, Late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola in Gbagura, Abeokuta.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Abiodun expressed immense pleasure that Nigerians are celebrating 25 years of unbroken democracy which was laid by the late Abiola and appreciated the Federal Government for setting aside the day not just to honour his memory but also to celebrate democratic rule in Nigeria.
“We give glory to Almighty Allah that we are all here today and that democracy has continued to thrive. There are challenges, we are still at the baby steps of democracy but our call is that everybody works together to support ourselves, support our institution so we can succeed at this governance we are practicing now. We know that ultimately this is what will give us the best leadership,development and everything that we want.
“I also use this opportunity to commend the efforts of our leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for all that he is doing for us in Nigeria and seek the prayer and support from all of us for guidance and success. We should continue to pray for our leaders so that Allah will guide them and they will to lead us aright.”
Abiodun added that his administration would continue to honour the legacy of the Late Abiola particularly as he was a prominent son of the state.
He also pledged that his government would not relent in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Ogun State.
“We would continue to uphold and support this family as we continue to uphold the dividend of democracy across the state.”
Earlier In his sermon, Mufasir Agura, Alhaji Daud Toriola, described Abiola as “food and drugs” due to the role both played in the body system, saying though he is gone, the lives he touched while alive still speaks of his impact.
Mr Ameen Abiola, speaking on behalf of the Abiola family, thanked everyone for coming annually to remember the late MKO Abiola, particularly the state government for its unwavering support and the recent renovation of the family home.
He thanked the Federal Government for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day and honouring the late Abiola, saying the gesture goes a long way towards protecting the legacies he left behind.
The Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, says the country’s electoral processes have been monetized.
The party spoke in a statement signed by its acting national publicity secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, to commemorate the Democracy Day.
The statement said, “The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) joins Nigerians across the country to commemorate the occasion of our 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule. As we mark this milestone, we cannot help but reflect on the journey thus far and the state of our democracy.
“While we congratulate Nigerians on this achievement, we must also acknowledge that our democracy has not been as robust as we had hoped.
“Despite the return to civilian rule, we have not witnessed significant advancements in social democracy, and instead, we have seen a regression of civic rights and a deterioration of material wellbeing. It is a stark reminder that our democracy is still a work in progress.
“Furthermore, the last general elections serve as a stark reminder of the challenges we face in deepening our democracy. The monetization of the electoral process, lack of transparency, and disenfranchisement of voters have eroded the very foundation of our democracy. It is imperative that we take immediate action to address these issues and ensure that power truly resides in the people.
“We call on civil society organizations, professional associations, and community groups to rise up to the challenge. It is time for us to organize and mobilize the populace to demand better from our leaders and institutions. We must work together to reclaim our democracy and ensure that it serves the interests of all Nigerians.
“The PRP believes that a true democracy is one that is participatory, inclusive, and accountable. We urge all Nigerians to join hands in promoting a culture of transparency, accountability, and good governance. It is only by working together that we can build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.”
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President Lazarus Chekwara of Malawi has announced a 21-day national mourning.
This is to honour the country's Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other persons who died in a plane crash.
The President directed that all flags be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.
The body of Chilima and his co-passengers were found in the wreckage of the ill-fated plane on Tuesday, June 11, after the plane crashed earlier on Monday.
The deceased had left the country’s capital Lilongwe on Monday on a condolence visit to the family of a former cabinet minister, Ralph Kasambara, only for their own families to now become homes for condolences.
The Dornier 228 aircraft carrying them had gone missing, and searchers found on Tuesday that it crashed over the Chikangawa Forest Reserve in the northern part of Malawi.
Malawi is thus currently in a national mourning mood, which commentators see as reflecting the country’s respect and recognition of the contributions of the vice president and the other prominent victims of the air crash.
Chilima was reputed for having strong feelings against corruption, although he had himself recently faced corruption charges.
He was accused of receiving money in return for influencing the award of some government procurement contracts, but he denied the allegations, and prosecutors dropped the charges last month.
Chilima died in that ghastly air crash on Monday after he had just returned from an official visit to South Korea the day before.
He was in his second term as vice president after serving from 2014-2019 under former President Peter Mutharika.
Fully known as Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, the late vice president was a 51-year-old economist and politician who had earlier served as the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, as well as Head of Public Sector Reforms.
Born on February 12, 1973 in Ntcheu, Malawi, Chilima was the first child of Henderson Brown Chilima of Ching’anga Village, T/A Njewa, Lilongwe and Elizabeth Frances Chilima of Mbilintengerenji Village, T/A Champiti, Ntcheu.
Chilima spent most of his early life in Blantyre, where his parents were working.
After his primary and secondary schools, he proceeded to the University of Malawi where he graduated with a degree in social sciences in 1994.
He returned to his alma mater to pursue a master’s degree in Knowledge Management, graduating in 2006. On 10 August 2015, Chilima received his Ph.D in Knowledge Management from the University of Bolton, United Kingdom.
The Tinubu-led Federal Government has opened up on why it decided to obtain a $2.5 Billion loan from the World Bank to fund the 2024 budget.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, has mentioned that the upcoming 2024 budget will be partially funded by the ₦50 billion Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) managed by the National Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority (NSWIA).
Nonetheless, the minister highlighted that the ₦50 billion would not suffice to support the “Renewed Hope Transformational Projects”, leading the federal government to request a $2.5bn loan from the World Bank.
Bagudu disclosed this during a briefing with the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on National Planning and Economic Affairs regarding the proposed Supplementary Appropriation Bill.
The Minister further mentioned that the World Bank’s management would soon convene to make a decision on the loan’s approval.
Bagudu explained that the entire supplementary budget, still in the process of being formulated, would be directed towards four specific transformational projects.
These projects consist of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the proposed Sokoto-Badagry Road, the completion of ongoing railway projects lacking counterpart funding from the federal government, and the rehabilitation and expansion of dams and irrigation schemes to enhance agricultural production.
Additionally, Bagudu mentioned that the budget plan would provide increased financial support for projects related to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to boost the country’s energy market position.
The head of the Senate’s Budget Committee, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, observed that making changes to the budget for 2024 could be a more effective approach than creating a new spending bill, considering the significant expenses involved in its preparation.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recent June 12 Democracy Day speech
The rights activist described the President’s speech as a mere historical narrative devoid of addressing present challenges.
Adegboruwa, while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, expressed his disappointment, noting that the speech did not address the critical issues plaguing Nigeria’s democracy.
He argued that despite the commemoration of June 12 and its significance as the day of the annulled 1993 presidential election won by MKO Abiola, the government’s commitment to democratic values has not translated into tangible progress.
The Senior Advocate emphasized that greater expectations are placed on someone like Tinubu, who played a pivotal role in the democratic struggle and now holds a position of leadership.
Adegboruwa said, “I listened to the speech of the president, unfortunately, I am unable to agree that anything has changed.
“I am sorry, I am not impressed in anyway at all by the speech of the President, in the sense that it is just rehearsing history.
“For me, looking at the past one year and indeed, our collective history from the time we started agitating for democracy, things have gotten worse, nothing has changed at all.”
The Human rights lawyer highlighted the significance of the June 12 struggle, emphasizing the need for recognition of the annulled 1993 election and true federalism in Nigeria.
He expressed disappointment that the dream of better elections and democratic principles remains deferred, citing unanswered questions in recent polls.
Adegboruwa called for the release of wrongfully detained Nigerians and engagement with constituent units to ensure true federation.
He criticized the president’s speech for lacking a roadmap to achieve true democracy, reflecting a broader sentiment among citizens and activists for substantial changes beyond ceremonial gestures.
A former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro has demanded a review of the budget of Senate and House of Representatives as a strategy to reduce cost of governance.
Obanikoro lamented that democracy has become expensive.
He stated this while speaking with newsmen in commemoration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
He urged the government to make the budget of the National Assembly more transparent.
“It is expensive because we have made it so. Let me give you a good example because we borrowed this system from America.
“In America they don’t provide accommodation for lawmakers, they fend for themselves when it comes to that, they live basically on salary and very small fringe benefits.
“Democracy doesn’t have to be this expensive, that is one thing we don’t get right,” Obanikoro said.
Speaking further, he argued that if the budget of the two legislative houses would be made transparent, the recent calls for a parliamentary system of government would have been avoided.
“When the budget is more transparent, and people can go online and see what is allocated to every member of the National Assembly and can also input into the process, I do believe that will make the process or the institution less expensive.
”This clamour that the bicameral system of legislature should be jettisoned will reduce if the budget is reduced, because the idea is that there are some budgetary provisions that should never be in our books and we must be bold enough to expunge them.
“We cut the budget size of the National Assembly to a reasonable level that an average Nigerian can live with,” Obanikoro, added