The Federal Government has reacted to the uproar and castigation that greeted the Memorandum of Understand, MoU, it signed with Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited, a United Kingdom, UK, firm.
The MoU which was signed by the Ministry of Transport on March 13, 2024, was for the building of the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line.
The announcement of the MoU, has sparked widespread controversy and condemnation by Nigerians on social media, especially X.
They expressed concern over the decision of the government to sign such MoU with a company without palpable rail construction history.
Responding to the controversy, Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, disclosed that the project was still at its preliminary stage.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, the minister noted that the documents that were signed are not legally binding.
Parts of the statement read, “For clarity, a Memorandum of Understanding or MoU is a non-binding agreement that states each party’s intentions to take actions, conduct a business transaction or form a new relationship.
“It is not a legal binding agreement.
“It provides only a platform for further agreement, discussion, scrutiny and the provisions of required guarantees by the parties to reach agreement if the parties are satisfied.
“The MoU in question arose from an unsolicited proposal presented by the British African Business Alliance, BABA, an association based in the United Kingdom with interest in businesses in Africa. It’s proposal was initially submitted to the ministry on 27th August 2019.
“As required, the business, Outline Business Case was submitted to the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, ICRC, on 8th December 2023. The major attraction of the proposal is BABA/MPH’s initiative to achieve 100% private sector funding for the project with no loans or debt to the Nigerian government or any of its agencies as captured in the Article 3.3 of the MoU.
“The regulatory Commission on 27 December 2023 granted approval and issued a conditional OBC Certification. It is pertinent to note at this juncture that COVID-19 was a major contributor to the time lag between the initial proposal and the ICRC OBC Certification
The Senate has warned the executive against increasing the budget size through a supplementary budget, advising the government to use the excess savings that are expected to be made from the recent depreciation of the naira to fund deficit.
This came against the backdrop of the depreciation of the local currency against the United States dollar from N900/$r to over 1,500/$, following a series of moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria to unify the parallel and official market exchange rates of the naira.
The National Assembly had in December moved the 2024 budget benchmark exchange rate from N750/dollar sent by President Bola Tinubu to N800/dollar.
Giving reasons at that time, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Adeola, explained, “The current price of the dollar at the black market is between N1200 and N1300 and in the Central Bank of Nigeria, it is between N950 and N1000 and we have a budget which was pegged at N750, if you look at the gap, you’d realise that has covered a lot of gaps already.”
“Again, we did some external consultations, most especially in the area of oil benchmark and petroleum resources, if we had gone in that line, we’d have pegged it at N850/N900 to a dollar and we agree that we want to be conservative in our approach, so that nobody will think that we want to increase the budget for any ulterior motive, that was why we left it at N490bn out of which N44bn is for statutory transfer, so effectively, the increment is about N446bn that is going into the Federal Government pocket as consolidated revenue.”
“So, you can see that what necessitated our action is the economic reality and what is obtainable in both the black and open markets.”
However, following the depreciation of the naira from N900/dollar to over N1,500/dollar, the Senate has advised the Federal Government against increasing the budget size, saying the move could worsen the country’s already high inflation rate.
Rather, the Senate said the executive should use the excess savings to cut down on loans it would seek to fund the deficit in the budget.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Tokunbo Abiru, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, advised the Federal government to avoid increasing the budget size.
He also advised that gains from the budget should be spent on reducing the budget deficit.
He said, “My position will be to advise that the Federal Government not to expand the size of the budget, rather use whatever gains that come to moderate inflation excess; and even the appetite for contracting loans for deficit should be moderated.”
He also explained that it was too early to determine the workability of the budget despite the volatility of the naira.
He explained, “What you use in budgeting is average rate not spot rate. What you are seeing today in the forex market is still looking like a spot rate.
“And you can see all attempts, all efforts from the end of Central Bank of Nigeria and the federal government is to find a way to stabilize. I can’t tell what the stabilized number would be.”
Abiru added, “So it will be too hasty to begin to judge from the current spot performance, not until when we have something close to our average or stable position. That’s when you should not be thinking about any revision of the budget.”
Also speaking in the same vein, the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Ali Ndume, said the country would be saving over N600 on every dollar in the 2024 budget.
According to him, Nigeria earns over 60 per cent of its revenue in dollars and, as such, the fall of the naira against the dollar has created huge savings for the country.
Explaining he said, “We should be talking about budget excess not deficit. We spend naira, our budget is in Naira and we are spending in naira.
“The crude oil is our major source of income and it is being sold in dollars. So, if we are to analyze things, then we are making more money than losing money. The Federal Government pegged it first at N750 but at the National Assembly we jerked it up to N800.”
Ndume added, “So, we are selling our crude at about N1400 instead of N800, so we are making about N600 budget excesses. So, we have more money to spend.
“The budget is a dolarised budget so to say, such that our income is in dollars and expenditure is in naira. We are spending naira and earning dollars.”
On the increment in the prices of foodstuff, the lawmaker said that the hike in the prices was caused by Nigerians who were taking advantage of the volatility of the foreign exchange.
Ndume added, “The problem we have is in foreign exchange, but most of our foods are produced locally. So, the increment is on people who decide to take advantage of the foreign exchange.
“For instance, we don’t import corn, beans and other foodstuff, so why are the prices of foodstuff going up?”
Economists react
A professor of Economics at Babcock University, Ilisan, Ogun State, Segun Ajibola, said the rise in dollar would affect both the budget revenue and expenditure.
“You know budget is both sides – revenue and expenditure. The first thing we should realise is that if government earns dollar, the government will monetise that dollar at the exchange rate, then expenses will be incurred at that same exchange rate, so it will affect both the revenue and the expenditure,” Ajibola said.
He noted that foreign exchange accounts for about 60 per cent of total government revenue, stating, however, that there might still be a shortfall because this year’s budget is a deficit budgeting.
“So, the onus is on the government to drive supply. If the government can drive the supply of foreign exchange earnings, not just from the monolithic earning that we have, where we earn most substantially from crude oil; If we can drive non-oil foreign exchange earnings, then it will help. However, the important thing is to stabilise the economy.
“The Federal Government should see what could be done quickly, what we call quick wins. How can we redirect our exposure in the foreign exchange market? If our local refineries work, we can cut off importation of fuel. There are some items we need not spend foreign exchange on, like toothpicks,” the don said.
He, however, observed that there might be the need to review the budget later in the year.
Speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Economist of Analysts’ Data Services and Resources, Dr Afolabi Olowookere, said that the gap between the projected benchmark of the dollar in the 2024 budget and the current rate of the dollar had multiple effects on the government and the economy.
“Devaluation will help their budget in terms of revenue because money coming from abroad will now be changed at the rate of N1,400/dollar or N1,500/dollar.
“It is also possible that the FG may also lose. There are two ways that they can lose. The first way is, if they need to import or travel, they have to look for N1,400, N1,500 to pay and most contractors, I know would have gone back to the government to say that they cannot execute their contracts at the previous rate.
“So, on one hand, the government will be making more money from the conversion, and on the other hand, the government will be paying more for everything it has to import,” he stressed.
Touching on the third impact, Olowookere said that the exchange rate was already affecting the local economy,
“Look at cement, which is largely produced here, has gone up. So, effectively, the government will benefit but not as much as it would have benefited,” he reiterated.
Similarly, the Managing Director at Afrinvest Securities, Ayodeji Ebo, told one of our correspondents that the devaluation of the naira was positive for the government, doubling revenue when converted to naira.
“However, in terms of capital expenditure or spending, it will affect the Nigerian government because the cost of those projects would have doubled. So, in that case, the government would have to channel more funds to achieve the targeted projects. For example, if they have budgeted N3tn for capital expenditure, it now means you would spend close to N6tn or more.
“Given the current situation, we need to focus on reducing oil theft. When we export oil, we earn in dollars. When you convert it to naira, it becomes a significant amount of money,” Ebo noted.
In the same vein, an economist, Dr Elias Aliyu, maintained that the government pegging the exchange rate at N750 to $1, and later adjusting it to N800 by the National Assembly, appeared to be an overly ambitious move.
Meanwhile, a professor of Economics at the University of Uyo, Akpan Ekpo, said the devaluation of the naira had rendered the government’s exchange rate peg in the 2024 budget infeasible.
According to him, the government would either have to readjust its spending or float a supplementary budget to cushion the damage the current exchange rate has done to its budget.
“The oil we are exporting now, we already got the money a long time ago through the future market. Knowing the government, they would have to borrow to implement the budget.
“The budget already had a deficit. We will now have a higher deficit. They will now have to go for a supplementary budget or adjust expenditure through what we call expenditure switching. But knowing the government. They will want to borrow,” he said.
Speaking further, Ekpo urged the government to consider reviewing some of its policies to attenuate the severe impact the economic reforms have had on the populace.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities and Allied Institutions will commence a nationwide strike today (Monday), to protest their withheld four months’ salary.
The National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, informed The PUNCH on Sunday that the two unions were set for their nationwide strike.
But the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said he was unaware of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike.
In a text message sent to one of our correspondents on Sunday, the minister said, “I am not aware of any planned strike. But I know the matter is receiving attention at the highest level of govt. I will get across to them.”
The Federal Government, implementing the no-work, no-pay policy, had withheld the salaries of university workers following a prolonged strike in 2021.
However, the Federal Government in February released four-month withheld salaries to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities but left out SSANU and NASU.
The two unions, in several letters, demanded that their withheld salaries be equally released and gave the Federal Government an ultimatum with a threat to embark on a nationwide strike.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, the SSANU leader, Ibrahim, said, “The Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU has inundated the Federal Government with the need to pay the withheld four-month salaries of our members in the federal universities and inter-university centres as done for our academic counterpart to no avail.
“As a matter of fact, the attention of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Education, was called to this injustice and unfair treatment of our members in our letter referenced JAC/NS/VOL.I/277 and dated 13th February 2024. We called on them to resolve the issue positively before it leads to an unnecessary upheaval in our university sector.
“In a similar vein, a press release was issued on 1st March 2024 and the Federal Government was given a seven-day ultimatum to do the needful in respect of the payment of the withheld four months’ salaries but nothing was done on the matter.
“Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without any positive response from the government, this is to direct our members in the universities and inter-university centres throughout the country to commence a seven-day warning strike effective Monday, 18th March 2024 in the first instance.”
Also, SSANU National Vice-President, Abdussobur Salaam, said the government had not made any offer to the union since it started the agitation for payment of its withheld salaries.
“We have not heard anything from the government; they are not saying anything about payment of the salaries, no promises, no negotiation. We are not saying they should pay everything at once, at least they should show commitment, talk to us, and tell us when we should expect the payment, but nothing from them, they have been silent even after our warning strike press statement, still, nothing.”
Nearly a year and a half after his inauguration, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has finally moved into the state’s government house in Osogbo, the state capital.
Naija News recalls that Governor Adeleke, who was sworn in on November 27, 2022, diverged from the norm established by his predecessors by choosing not to move into the state’s government house immediately.
His decision had drawn criticism, especially from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), but it was defended with the explanation that the Government House was undergoing renovations.
However, on Sunday, a statement from the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, announced the completion of the renovation works, paving the way for Adeleke’s move into the government house.
The renovation encompassed extensive work on the main house, completion of a previously abandoned multi-bedroom guest house, remodelling of several structures, and repairs to numerous facilities that had fallen into disrepair.
During the unveiling ceremony of the refurbished Government House, attended by top state officials, Governor Adeleke affirmed his administration’s commitment to upgrading state assets, regardless of their origin.
“I have upgraded the Government House just as I rehabilitated the Governor’s Office. We ensured the Government House was rescued from the open neglect we inherited,” Adeleke stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining state assets for future generations.
The Governor also highlighted that his administration is not only focusing on completing inherited projects but is also initiating new ones, aiming to fulfil the five-point agenda promised to the citizens of Osun State.
However, reacting to the development, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal criticized the project as a misplaced priority, especially in light of the economic challenges faced by the state’s residents due to the removal of the federal fuel subsidy.
Lawal accused Governor Adeleke of focusing on less impactful projects while his counterparts in other states were seeking ways to alleviate the economic burden on their citizens.
The lawmaker representing Delta South Senatorial District, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has called for a thorough investigation into the murder of 16 military personnel in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The lawmaker, in a statement on Sunday in Warri, condemned the act and described it as “a crisis taken too far”.
While calling for calm, he noted that the military operatives were on a peace mission to rescue one Mr Anthony Aboh, who was allegedly kidnapped in Okuama Community.
Thomas, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, commiserated with the military authority and families of the slain soldiers.
He called for a holistic investigation to unearth the remote causes of the crisis and urged both the state and federal governments to urgently intervene to prevent it from escalating.
“There is a need for the security agencies to go after the masterminds of the heinous crime.
“There is also the need for the military to tactically deploy intelligence in tracking the masterminds to avoid the killing of innocent people in Okuama Community.
“I commiserate with the military authority, families of the slain soldiers as well as others who may have lost their loved ones to the crisis.
“I urge the people of Okuama Community to assist the military to fish out the killers of the gallant soldiers,” Thomas said.
The Nigerian Army had in a statement issued on Saturday confirmed the death of 16 soldiers in the conflict between the military and youths of the community.
According to the statement issued by the acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 other soldiers were affected.
Statement on the killing of Nigerian soldiers on a peace mission to Okuama Community in Delta State
AdminOn Saturday morning, the Nigerian people and I woke up to the dreadful news of the unprovoked killing of our brave military personnel during a rescue mission in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, March 14, 2024, when our troops, responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State, were ambushed. A Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and twelve soldiers sadly lost their lives. One civilian was also killed.
As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.
I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones. The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.
This incident, once again, demonstrates the dangers faced by our servicemen and women in the line of duty. I salute their heroism, courage, and uncommon grit and patriotism.
Asa nation, we must constantly remember and honour all those who have paid the ultimate price to keep our nation safe, strong, and united. The officers and men who died in Okuama community have joined the pantheon of great men and women who gave their all, with honour, in the service of our fatherland.
Members of our armed forces are at the heart and core of our nationhood. Any attack on them is a direct attack on our nation. We will not accept this wicked act.
The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people.
My government will not relent until we achieve peace and tranquillity in every part of Nigeria.
May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep members of our armed forces safe.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 17th March 2024
Niger’s government announced on Saturday that it was breaking off “with immediate effect” its military cooperation agreement with the United States.
The declaration came just a day after a senior US delegation left Niger, following a three-day visit to renew contact with the military junta that ousted the president and moved closer to Russia.
The statement said the government had decided to “denounce with immediate effect” the agreement relating to US military and civilian employees of the US Department of Defense inside Niger.
It was read out Saturday evening on national television.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington was aware of the statement, and that it came after “frank discussions … about our concerns” with the junta’s “trajectory.”
Miller said on X that the US was still in touch with the junta and would provide updates “as warranted.”
The Pentagon provided AFP with an identical statement.
The United States still stations some 1,000 troops in Niger at a desert drone base built at a cost of $100 million.
Movements there have been limited since the July 2023 coup and Washington has curbed assistance to the government.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid a rare visit to Niger a year ago in hopes of shoring up president Mohamed Bazoum, a stalwart ally in Western security efforts against jihadists.
Just four months later, the military deposed Bazoum and put him under house arrest.
The junta took a hard line against former colonial power France, forcing the withdrawal of French troops in place for nearly a decade.
Niger’s military had in the past worked closely with the United States.
But the junta has sought cooperation with Russia, while stopping short of the full-fledged embrace of Moscow by military-run neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso.
UK Universities To Sack Workers, Reduce Courses Over Drop In Enrollment Of Nigerians, Other Foreign Nationals
AdminThe UK higher education sector is grappling with a significant downturn in international student numbers, a situation that is compelling universities across the nation to consider drastic measures, including the termination of academic programs and staff layoffs.
Naija News reports that this alarming trend was highlighted in a recent report by The Times, which revealed the potential financial peril that educational institutions are facing.
University leaders have voiced their concerns, indicating that the decline in enrollment could lead to severe financial constraints.
According to The Times, the drop in foreign student attendance, particularly from countries like Nigeria and India, has been so precipitous that some universities might see themselves forced into making “really difficult” decisions to remain solvent.
The Executive Secretary of the University Chairs Committee, John Rushforth, shared his unprecedented concern for the sector, stating, “I have been in higher education for 30 years, and senior leaders are more concerned than ever.”
He elaborated on the gravity of the situation by mentioning that “bankruptcy is a realistic possibility” for some institutions, with one in ten universities already resorting to staff cuts this year.
The decline in international student numbers has been partly attributed to the economic challenges in their home countries, such as the significant devaluation of the Nigerian naira against the British pound.
Moreover, policy changes by the UK government, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement to restrict international graduate students from bringing dependents to the UK, have exacerbated concerns regarding future enrollment numbers.
Rushforth highlighted the dire need for universities to reassess their priorities and make tough decisions to safeguard their core functions.
“Universities have to think carefully about what they want to protect and make decisions about how to divest things that are not core to the institution,” he stated.
The implications for students could be profound, with fewer academic options and potentially compromised quality due to budgetary constraints.
In January, the Financial Times reported a significant decline in enrollment from key countries, underscoring the challenges UK universities face in attracting international talent. The tightening of immigration policies for students, including the review of the “graduate route” that allows them to work in the UK post-graduation, adds another layer of uncertainty for prospective students and the universities vying to attract them.
[NaiajNews]
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has condemned the unprovoked killing of officers and soldiers attached to 63 Brigade at Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
This is even as he said that his government will take all measures necessary to fish out all those behind the dastardly act and ensure they are made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Governor also condoled with the military and the families of officers and soldiers who died in the attack.
Oborevwori made this known in a statement by his chief press secretary, Festus Ahon, describing the act as alien to the culture of Deltans.
“The government of Delta State is gravely disturbed by the violence and unprovoked killing of the officers and soldiers, which he described as alien to the culture of Deltans.
“This incident is despicable and not in sync with the culture and tradition of Deltans. It runs contrary to the values and path of peace that the State Government is promoting as I have always emphasized in our MORE agenda to enhance peace and security.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Delta State, I wish to condole, in particular, the families of the killed gallant officers and soldiers, the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general, over this sad occurrence.
“The State Government shall take all measures necessary to fish out all those behind this dastardly act and ensure they are made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Delta State is governed within the tenets of the rule of law and human decency. Acts such as this incident cannot and will not be tolerated.
“Meanwhile, all citizens and residents of the state are enjoined to remain law- abiding and the State Government shall continue to take all measures to protect lives and property in Delta State.”
[DailyPost]
- CP talks tough, rallies vigilance groups, hunters
- PDP demands immediate release
Ahead of the April 24 date set for the commencement of Edo State governorship election campaigns, the state’s Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, has been kidnapped.
The election is scheduled for September 21.
Aziegbemi, a political ally of Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was abducted by gunmen on Osaro Street in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Benin, the state capital, at about 11 pm on Friday.
He was said to have been abducted at a section of Osaro Street where there were speed breakers
The Edo PDP chairman had earlier on Friday evening attended a meeting at the Government House in GRA.
His driver, Joseph Impete, who narrated the events that culminated in the incident, said: “When we left Government House, Benin around 11 pm on Friday, and headed for the private residence of my boss, I observed that two cars were trailing us, so I decided to divert.
“We never knew that they were kidnappers.
“Some minutes later, the same cars appeared behind us at a section where there are speed-breakers, and their vehicles were suddenly used to block the SUV of my boss in the front.
“The men then pointed guns at us, ordered him to enter one of their cars and drove away.
“The gunmen abandoned my boss’ car on Sapele Road, Benin.”
The whereabouts of the Edo State PDP chairman remained unknown at press time while no demand for ransom had been made by his abductors.
CP talks tough, rallies vigilance groups, hunters
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the incident, saying that Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, had given a marching order to the tactical teams of the command to rescue Aziegbemi unhurt while his abductors should also be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
In a press statement he issued yesterday, Nwabuzor quoted Adegboye as having directed the command’s tactical team leaders to conduct a rescue party for Aziegbemi in collaboration with the vigilance groups and hunters in the state.
Adegboye said: “The command wishes to inform the general public that it is aware of the kidnap of Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the state’s Chairman of PDP on Friday, 15/03/2024, at about 2345hrs. The information of his kidnap was received from his driver, Joseph Impete, who reported the incident at the New Etete Division, Benin City.
“The driver, who is an eyewitness to the horrible incident, reported that on 15/03/2024, the victim of kidnap, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, attended a meeting at the Edo State Government House, Benin City, and on their way returning home from the meeting, close to his house, six armed men in a convoy of two white Toyota Corolla saloon car, registration number unknown, accosted them along Bishop (Dr.) J.O.E. Edokpolor Boulevard Junction, off Country Home Road, GRA, Benin City, and immediately, Dr. Aziegbemi jumped out of his ash Toyota Prado Jeep for the safety of his dear life while the driver also ran out of the vehicle and lay on the ground, but the hoodlums chased Dr. Aziegbemi and threatened to shoot him if he refused to stop.
“So, he stopped, and they seized him, threw him inside his Toyota Prado Jeep, and took him away to an unknown destination.”
Adegboye also said he received the report of the kidnap incident with shock, prompting him to immediately issue a marching order.
He solicited the cooperation of law-abiding citizens of the state, urging them to give useful and timely information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of Aziegbemi’s kidnap as well as his quick rescue.
PDP demands Aziegbemi’s release
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday urged government to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Aziegbemi.
In a press statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the party also demanded the release of all other abducted citizens, blaming the nation’s security challenges on the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC).
The statement reads in part: “The PDP expresses serious concerns over Dr. Aziegbemi’s abduction, which further points to the alarming failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Federal Government in its primary duty to ensure the security and welfare of Nigerians as provided under Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
“Our Party is distressed by the alarming spate of abduction of helpless Nigerians in various parts of the country, particularly the recent kidnap of about 286 school children in Kaduna State and others in Sokoto State, who are still being held in horrifying and traumatising conditions in their abductors’ den.
“It is heartrending that the APC administration continues to give false assurances while Nigerians are left at the mercies of kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and marauders without corresponding concrete effort to check the ugly occurrences.
“Our Party calls on the Federal Government to end its laidback attitude to security by immediately rejigging our national security architecture, especially in the areas of intelligence gathering, security command and control coordination in a manner that not only proactively ensure the safety of citizens, but also guarantees rapid response and effective rescue operations.
“The PDP commends our gallant security personnel in their patriotic effort to secure our nation and urges them not to relent despite the daunting challenges.
“While calling on Nigerians to be prayerful, alert and continue to support our security agencies, the PDP charges the Security high command to take urgent steps to secure the release of Dr. Aziegbemi and all other Nigerians trapped in abductors’ camps in various parts of the country.”
Edo govt on top of incident, says commissioner
Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, stated yesterday that the Godwin Obaseki administration was on top of the “unfortunate” kidnap of Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.
He said the government was working closely with security agencies to ensure his safe release and quick return to his family.
In an online statement, Nehikhare revealed that the state government had increased surveillance and beefed up security measures across the state in order to ensure that criminal activities were reduced to the barest minimum and the culprits were brought to book.
He said: “We encourage Edo State’s residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear, and urge them to call the state’s emergency numbers: 112 or 739, to report all suspicious persons or activities in their environs.
“Edo State Government reassures that it is committed to protecting the lives and property of Edo residents, and will spare no resources in ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are apprehended, and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
[TheNation]
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Deadly peace mission: Delta community deserted, DHQ orders probe as 15 soldiers’ bodies recovered
AdminMany residents of the Okuama in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and Okolaba in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, on Friday, fled the communities as soldiers took over the area and reportedly set some houses ablaze in reaction to the killing of 16 soldiers, including senior officers.
Channels Television reported late on Saturday that 15 bodies of the soldiers were recovered by soldiers of the Joint Task Force under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, at the Okuama community.
Some of the recovered corpses had their heads severed off, while the stomachs of others were ripped off with some of the vital organs missing.
At the NDDC jetty in the community, the bodies of the commanding officer and two Majors were seen floating by the river bank as others were separated on land.
Meanwhile, the entire communities in the Bomadi and Ughelli South local government areas were cordoned off by troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, who also oversees the 63 brigade in Asaba.
The neighbouring communities have been engaged in a communal land dispute since January 27, 2024 when some youths from Okoloba were said to have ambushed and killed three Okuama youths, Igho Meshack, Godspower Awusa and Okiemute Agbabuleke, over an age-long land dispute in the area as they were returning from Okwagbe.
The corpses of the deceased were said to have been hidden by the assailants.
Some Okuama youths on Wednesday reportedly ambushed one Mr Anthony Aboh, an indigene of Okoloba, and held him hostage.
The Chairman of the Okoloba community alerted the Divisional Police Officer, Bomadi Police Division, the Joint Task Force, the Department of State Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
It was learnt that the JTF swiftly swung into action and moved to Okuama to rescue the hostage.
However, the aggrieved youths of Okuama, on sighting the JTF personnel, allegedly opened fire on them at the waterfront and killed two soldiers with some others missing.
The situation degenerated to a gun duel between the youths and the military, leading to some soldiers sustaining severe bullet wounds.
In the ensuing melee, some of the soldiers reportedly managed to escape with the two wounded soldiers, who are said to be presently recuperating in an undisclosed hospital in Bomadi.
The Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion, Effurun, and Commanding Officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion, Agbor, could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bright Edafe, stated, “The Delta State Police Command is not aware of the incident.”
However, the Nigerian Army confirmed the killing of its officers and men, whom it noted were on a peace mission in the Okuama community.
In a statement by the acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Army said the commanding officer of the 181 Amphibious Batallion, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers lost their lives.
The statement read in part, “The troops of the 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on peace mission to Okuama community in the Bomadi LGA of Delta State, were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024. The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call regarding the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State.
“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.”
Gusau added that the military remained focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country, adding that some arrests had been made, while steps were being taken to unravel the motive behind the attack.
Community under siege
Sunday PUNCH gathered that troops had placed the Okuama community under siege as soldiers were said to have set fire on houses during which no fewer than three young men lost their lives.
One of our correspondents gathered that several residents of the community suffered life-threatening injuries, many of the women and children displaced in the ensuing melee had yet to be accounted for as of the time of filing this report.
When Sunday PUNCH correspondent attempted to visit the warring communities, he was turned back by stern looking and heavily armed soldiers, who had taken over the roads.
‘Soldiers carrying out genocide’
Speaking to journalists from his hideout, the Vice President-General of Okuama Community, Mr David Akata, expressed displeasure with “the lackadaisical approach of the state government and security operatives to quell the crisis between the two communities initially.”
“We entered into a peace accord with the state government and security operative in the state, and we stand by that accord, but often times the Okoloba people harass and assault our people. Our pleas to the state government to expedite action and caution the Okoloba leaders fell on deaf ears. Rather, they aided the Okoloba community and used their mercenaries to attack and kill our people,” he stated.
Akata also called on President Bola Tinubu; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; the National Assembly, Amnesty International and the United Nations to urgently intervene and reprimand the military personnel, whom he accused of carrying out acts of genocide, from annihilating the people.
He said, “Some armed men in military uniform invaded the community in the early hours of March 14, 2024, with a gunboat.
“The gunmen arrived in the community around 8am and started shooting at anyone in sight, thus leaving three killed while several victims injured are currently receiving treatment in a hospital in the state.
“Troops suspected to be men of the Nigerian Army on Friday, March 15, 2024, while chanting war songs, carried out what could be termed genocide on the innocent citizens of the community by setting their buildings ablaze.”
Another youth from Okuama, who did not want his name in print said, “Our people woke up on Wednesday to see our community surrounded by men in military uniform numbering over 60, and without provocation, they started shooting and caused the death of three promising youths of the community with several others sustaining gunshot injuries.
“The same military men repeated their genocide actions on innocent and law-abiding citizens of the Okuama community on Friday, March 15, 2024, bringing many buildings to rubble. As I speak, the number of persons who died in the barbaric attack cannot be ascertained as many aged men, women and youths fled into the nearby bushes and we suspect that some women and children might have drowned, because many ran into the river out of panic.”
A leader of the Okoloba, who begged to remain anonymous because of the tense situation, accused the Okuama people of being the aggressor and called on the federal and state governments as well as security agencies to beef up security in the communities to prevent an escalation of the crisis.
He also confirmed that many residents of Okolaba had fled the community for fear of reprisal from the military and the Okuama youths, adding that he was speaking from his hideout.
When contacted for a reaction, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, acknowledged the severity of the incident. However, he declined to comment, saying the Presidency would issue an official statement on the incident soon.
Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Mr Festus Ahon, directed our correspondent to the Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza. However, the commissioner did not his calls and had yet to reply a message sent to his mobile telephone as of the time of filing this report.
Senators call for calm
The senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Ede Dafinone, has called on those involved in the ongoing carnage at to “sheath their swords for the sake of humanity.”
He also called on the federal and state governments “to urgently intervene to de-escalate the crisis.”
The call was contained in a statement issued by Dafinone in Warri on Saturday.
Dafinone while reacting to reports of the death of the soldiers, three Okuama community youths and the alleged burning of properties in Okuama, described the incidents as “very unfortunate.”
While sympathising with the military over the loss of its officers and men, he called on the Army to “observe the military rules of engagement while dealing with civilians.”
He also called on the leaders and the people of Okuama to remain calm and urged the government to “expedite action to arrest the ugly situation from degenerating into another humanitarian crisis”.
The statement read in part, “I want to appeal for calm by the warring factions in the unfortunate incident that occurred in the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday and Friday, leading to the needless death of about 18 persons including soldiers.
“The Federal Government must, as a matter of urgency, set up a high-powered independent panel to investigate the remote causes of this crisis in order to bring whoever that may be involved in the killing of Nigerian civilians and soldiers to book.
“I wish to appeal to the authority of the Nigerian Army to act discreetly in this situation; they should not allow their emotions take better part of their professional judgment by toning down their operations and observe the rules of engagement while dealing with civilians at Okuama.
“I also wish to call on our people in Okuama to shun any act of violence that could further escalate this crisis, which could have been avoided if both parties allowed reason to prevail.”
Similarly, the senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ned Nwoko, condemned the loss of lives on the part of the military and the communities, and appealed to the military not to use the tragedy to descend on the communities and inflict pain on innocent people.
He told one of our correspondents on the telephone on Saturday, “The military should identify the culprits after a thorough investigation. They should not descend on the entire communities and molest innocent citizens. They should not invade the state or the communities. I want to particularly beg them not to treat anyone like criminals, but they should be circumspect.
“It is a tragedy and a national one for that matter. The killings should be condemned. Killings in Nigeria are unbearable. Just two weeks ago, some policemen were abducted in the same state and five bodies were recovered. What is happening is not something we should gloss over. It is sad that killings in Katsina, Zamfara and Plateau states are now spreading to the southern part of the country.”
Attempts to get the reaction of the member representing the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives, Nicholas Ebomo, were unsuccessful. Calls to his mobile telephone were unanswered while messages sent to him via WhatsApp were not acknowledged.
Ex-soldiers, others react
Reacting to the development, a security consultant and defence strategist, Col. Hassan Stan-Labo (retd.), said there was a need for the military to investigate the incident to ascertain what happened.
He added that although the military had become civilised compared to past years when retaliations would be carried out on the communities, the perpetrators would in no time be brought to justice.
He said, “There was a communal clash and of course the military was called upon and they were responding before the unfortunate incident that happened. The military will now have to investigate it to ascertain the actual position of things and that will show the way forward as to what line of action to take. We don’t foresee any retaliation on the part of the military. That was in the past and today we don’t do that.
“The military is more civilised today and it’s just that the youth involved definitely will pay for it. There are no two ways about it. Community leaders who took sides, engineered, and in one way or the other contributed, provoked or assisted it in any form or shape will pay for it.”
The Chairman, Rivers State Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Enefaa Georgewill, said, “The underlining factor should be understudied. Some have linked the attack to IPOB while some others have linked it to criminal gangs. But most of these crises are fallouts of the issues in the country. The government should wake up and begin to answer the fundamental questions of poverty, educational, economic, and food crises, among several others.
“My plea to the civilians is that we must know that soldiers are part of us. They are human beings like us. These soldiers have parents and children. We will call for calm and the military should act professionally and not allow the situation to degenerate to a killing spree.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, said, “It’s very unfortunate that civilians will kill military personnel. It is such a sad story but we are appealing to the soldiers to act professionally. As much as we condemn the killing of soldiers, we appeal that they should handle the situation professionally.”
[Punch]
•Programme gulps N2trn in 21 years
•Inside the ICPC damning report
21 years after senators and members of the House of Representatives forced the Executive to insert Special Intervention Projects (SIP), known as constituency projects, into the budget, it has been one problem after the other every year.
Constituency projects, which have a yearly budget of N100 billion, were established by the Obasanjo administration with the hope of bringing government closer to the people, especially those in the rural areas, just as it was not designed for lawmakers to determine directly what projects should go to their constituents or to be the ones who should provide contractors.
With this in mind, it was agreed that the Federal Government should set aside the huge sum of money to finance constituency projects and to ensure implementation through the Office of the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in agreement with lawmakers.
N2 trillion spent
Records have it that at least N2 trillion has been spent on constituency projects from 2003 to date, even as Sunday Vanguard gathered that N95 billion and N100 billion had been allocated to the projects every year and shared among the 109 senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives.
In sharing the funds, however, they consider ranking like in the Senate where there are two presiding officers, the President of the Senate and the Deputy Senate President, and eight principal officers: Majority Leader; Deputy Leader; Chief Whip and Deputy Whip.
Others are Minority Leader; Deputy Minority Leader; Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip. All these get higher share than ordinary members. It could be N500 million multiplied by eight while presiding officers get higher than principal officers.
As gathered, while presiding and principal officers could get N500 million and above, no senator gets less than N200 million, especially those who have been around and not principal officers.
Question
Must senators be treated differently against the backdrop that they were all elected each to represent a senatorial district?
First, constituency project is not part of the roles assigned to lawmakers by the nation’s Constitution.
The constitutional mandate of the lawmaker is espoused around lawmaking, representation and oversight functions.
By way of expansion, other ancillary duties may be added but not constitutional.
Consequently, the lawmaker has no business engaging in project award or execution.
It’s the job of the Executive.
National Assembly members are constitutionally empowered to make laws for the country and to act as checks and balances on the Executive and not to execute constituency project.
One can assume that constituency project is a new convention but many have argued in this circumstance that it is organized fraud.
“Otherwise, how do you explain the disparities in the allocation of constituency projects?” a critic said.
Brick wall
Moves by the Senate to legalise constituency projects last year and to increase the vote from N100 billion yearly were jettisoned on the grounds that such venture will interfere with the provisions of Section 80 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended which vest the power of appropriations in the Legislature.
The contentious Bill, sponsored by Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC,Jigawa North-West), was stopped at plenary as it failed to move to second reading.
Hussaini had explained that constituency project is not peculiar to Nigeria as, according to him, it was an effective way of ensuring equitable distribution of development across the country.
He added that it helps to draw governance and dividends of democracy closer to the grassroots.
Bogus salaries, allowances
Recall that Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, had, in March 2018, spoken about alleged bogus salaries and allowances of lawmakers when he revealed that every senator gets N13.5 million monthly as running costs and about N200 million as constituency vote.
According to him, implementation of constituency project is an avenue “for theft and corruption employed by lawmakers”.
Sani had said at that time: “I think what we can say is that the running cost of a senator is N13.5 million every month”.
According to him, while there is no specific instruction on what the fund should be used for, lawmakers must provide receipts to back up their expenses from the running cost.
He added that the running cost is in addition to funds earmarked for each senator for constituency project.
“But what I am saying is that the money (N13.5 million per month) must be receipted for what you do with it. But what you are given to go and spend without accountability is N750, 000”, the senator said.
“The constituency project itself is given on a zonal basis and almost every senator will go with a constituency fund of about N200 million, but it is not the cash that is given to you.
“You will be told that you have N200 million with an agency of government for which you will now submit projects equivalent to that amount. And it is that agency of government that will go and do those projects for you.
“Now, corruption comes when the projects are not done and the money is taken. But right now, it is difficult to do that because NGOs and transparency groups have come into it. They track every allocation made to you and where they are being used.
“So, it’s becoming difficult for what used to happen in the past to happen now. But I can tell you that I would love a situation where we do away with running cost, constituency projects and leave senators and members of House of Reps with salaries”.
Obasanjo, Buhari, Jonathan take positions
Obasanjo himself who started constituency project in 2023 once described it as nothing but corruption, saying, “You and I know what constituency project means, it is simply corruption.”
Former President Muhammadu Buhari echoed similar claim in 2019 when he said the impact of the trillions of Naira voted for constituency projects could hardly be seen in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan had said “don’t put the goat where yam is because the goat will eat the yam” in apparent reference to corrupt acts dogging constituency projects.
N500m vs. N75m
On Tuesday on the floor of the Senate, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River North) alleged that senior senators got N500 million each in the 2024 Budget for constituency projects while other senators got only N75 million.
Jarigbe’s claim was made during a session on the allegation made by another senator, Abubakar Ningi, that the 2024 Budget had been padded to the tune of N3.7 trillion.
Speaking during the rowdy session, Jarigbe said, “I thought that when the Chairman of Appropriations spoke, it was as clear as crystals that there was a misunderstanding of the figures.
“When he came up with the GOEs and all the agencies on first line charge, there is no difference between the figure he reeled out and the figure purported to be padded.
“I thought with that, the allegation would have been rested by Senator Ningi saying that this N3.7 trillion was not part of the budgetary provisions printed out for us. That would have settled this matter.
“We are going forth and back on these issues and coming up with the issues of budget and individual issues concerning what came to our various constituencies.
“If we want to go into those issues, all of us are culpable. Some senators here, so-called senior senators, got N500 million each. I am a ranking senator, I didn’t get. Did I go to the press? Most of you got.”
Report
To buttress the claim that constituency projects for lawmakers were enmeshed in corruption, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, in April 2022, issued a report on how National Assembly members were diverting funds for constituency projects.
The ICPC alleged that senators diverted money meant for their senatorial districts to non-existing projects, thereby denying their constituents from reaping dividends of democracy.
The anti-graft agency said it uncovered how the National Assembly illegally added N20 billion to N100 billion annual constituency projects.
The ICPC, in its ‘interim constituency and executive projects tracking report’, revealed how the National Assembly embedded additional projects into the 2021 mandate budget of MDAs, which, in a long way, affected budget performance, as well as distorted developmental planning and implementation of the 2021 fiscal year.
In the report, the ICPC cited other areas of infractions where lawmakers allegedly awarded contracts to themselves, children or to proxy companies.
The report read: “Budget insertion remains one of the egregious, yet illegally acceptable phenomenon that has distorted the nation’s developmental planning and implementation of developmental programmes.
“In addition to the N100 billion appropriated annually for constituency projects, the National Assembly embedded additional projects into mandate budgets of MDAs. This is done to increase the project portfolios of concerned legislators and their influence on MDAs. The value of the insertion was in billions.
Duplication
“Analysing the 2021 National Budget alone across key sectors of education, water resources, health, power, science and technology, environment, works and agriculture, we found duplication to the tune of over N20 billion.”
The report pointed out that the “contract for the construction and renovation of blocks of the classroom at a University Staff School in Taraba executed by a company owned and operated directly by a lawmaker”, a project ICPC alleged was “haphazardly nominated, appropriated and executed in locations that have no need for such projects.”
In another development, ICPC alleged another contract infraction in the supplies of water rigs by a particular company to be executed in Taraba.
The commission alleged that “just two days after the award of the contract, ‘the said company’, wrote to the executing agency, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, informing it that it was involved in some sort of arrangements with its sister company in respect of the execution and requested that the contract sum should be paid into the bank account of the company owned by the sponsoring legislator.
“Funding was, therefore, made to the said company owned by the sponsoring legislator.”
Children
In the report, the ICPC revealed that it was able to track a contract for the supplies of 686 water pumping machines to Kebbi awarded to a particular company owned by the children of a lawmaker.
The report read: “Various other projects were awarded and executed in Kebbi by three other companies owned and operated by the biological children of the sponsor.”
Similarly, the ICPC said that it was able to track the project for the supplies of 19 units of 500KVA transformer to Delta State, two of which “were stolen and sold by an aide of the sponsoring lawmaker, while one was found kept in a private house since 2018.
ICPC stated: “While the culprit is on the run, the lawmaker has agreed to an undertaking to purchase and deliver to the commission the two transformers”.
The commission also cited the project valued at N149m for the training and empowerment of women and youths in Abaji allegedly awarded to a relative of the sponsoring legislator.
It was also replicated in Katsina where the sponsor single-handedly executed the contract after which the project said to have been valued at N49m was changed from its form and devalued by the lawmaker.
In another case, the supply of tricycles to Rivers State was an empowerment project where the sponsor allegedly used one of her cronies as the contractor.
ICPC alleged that “while the contract was never performed, the sum (N30m) was fully paid and shared”.
Projects cited on personal properties
The agency also revealed that some sponsoring legislators sometimes site projects on personal properties, which technically vests legal possession and ownership to them.
An example was cited of the diversion of funds for an agricultural empowerment project in Osun State to a training programme on cattle rearing and the actual supply of cattle.
The Bill of Quantities, BOQ, according to the ICPC report, indicated procurement and distribution of 250 cattle to beneficiaries.
The report said: “While the intended beneficiaries were trained, no cattle were given to them; instead the lawmaker established a private ranch using the cattle procured with government’s fund.”
In Bayelsa, the commission alleged that the investigation led it to another youth empowerment scam carried out by the sponsoring lawmaker.
It alleged that some of the beneficiaries found in the list were randomly contacted, even as none of them acknowledged ever receiving any grant.
Rumble in the Senate over ‘N3. 7 trillion budget padding’
John Alechenu takes a look at what transpired during Tuesday’s plenary following the allegation that N3 trillion was inserted into the 2024 Appropriation Act.
“Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it” – George Santayana.
In the eye of the storm
The 10th Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio was in the eye of the storm last week following allegation of impropriety surrounding the passage of the 2024 Appropriation Act.
The allegation was made by the erstwhile Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi South).
In an interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC, Ningi, among other things, alleged that two versions of the 2024 Budget were in operation and that a whopping N3.7 trillion could not be traced to any line item.
As is to be expected, the media and the general public feasted on the interview and fingers pointed in the direction of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Senators who felt the integrity of the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general had been called to question plotted their revenge and prepared for a collective response.
Many Nigerians were expecting Ningi to produce evidence to pull the plug on Akpabio and his fellow principal officers when plenary resumed on Tuesday.
The Senate President and his backers equally waited for the opportunity to put Ningi in his place after establishing the previous night that he acted alone.
This is not the first time allegations of budget padding were leveled against the leadership of the National Assembly.
Recall, in 2006, during the 8thNational Assembly, then-Chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Abdulmumuni Jibrin, after falling out with then-Speaker Yakubu Dogara, accused the House leadership of padding then-budget to the tune of N40billion.
Jibrin was referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges; he refused to make an appearance. He was tried and convicted in absentia.
He was subsequently suspended from legislative duties for 180 days but was later pardoned and recalled before the expiration of 180 days.
Interest
Ningi’s allegation is the first of its kind in the Senate.
This, perhaps, partly explains the interest it generated.
The lawmaker, who is a ranking member as well as a leading member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spiced his allegation with regional flavour when he also alleged that the 2024 Budget was skewed against the North.
Undeterred by a rebuttal issued by a presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Ningi addressed the Senate Press Corps and insisted he had facts and figures to back his claim, adding for effect that threats of suspension do not scare him.
The stage was thus set for what many considered a testy moment for the Akpabio Senate presidency.
Session
Despite pressures from some of his colleagues for an executive session, convinced that he had nothing to hide, the Senate President opted for an open session which was beamed live on television.
One thing was missing, Akpabio’s trademark banter with colleagues. It was no time for jibes, a lot was at stake. Tuesday’s proceedings were watched across the globe.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Olamilekan, was recognised to present his motion under matters of privilege, and the motion was duly seconded, several senators were given room to speak for and against.
The provocateur, Ningi, was given ample opportunity to defend himself, substantiate his claims, and even level more if he had.
It was an anti-climax when he stood and recanted some of the things he was quoted to have said in the contentious interview.
He went on to say only he had details of the findings of the consultants hired by the Northern Senators Forum to review the budget.
After dramatizing and displaying a horde of files and documents, Ningi could not substantiate his allegation of padding or infraction in the budget; instead, he digressed and started talking about the number of aides appointed by the Senate President and his take-home pay. However, another matter stirred public debate.
Senator Agom Jaribe (PDP, Cross River), while contributing during the debate, alleged that some ranking senators received N500 million each for constituency projects while others were discriminated against.
The Senate descended into near chaos for almost 30 minutes before calm was restored.
Sentiments
One thing was however clear: Different sentiments were whipped into the debate on the allegations but the Senate was united in doing what it felt was the right thing in accordance with its Standing Order.
Hence, the prayers of Olamilekan’s motion were amended and subsequently passed.
Ningi was suspended for three months.
The emptiness of Ningi’s allegations and the prompt response of the Senate to tame the misinformation have spared Akpabio from public ridicule because, since the National Assembly is becoming synonymous with budget padding, many people were expecting the Senate President’s political career to be nailed based on his colleague’s allegations.
But Akpabio scaled the hurdle and this has once more amplified the confidence of his colleagues in his ability to paddle the canoe of leadership in the Red Chamber.The submission by the Senate that Ningi had no case and was clearly on another mission was enunciated by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele, who was blunt in his presentation.
Coup
Bamidele likened Ningi’s allegations to a failed civilian equivalent of a military coup.
He expressed the view that some senators were yet to put behind their electoral defeat in the race for top leadership positions hence the scheming to truncate Akpabio’s tenure.
To his credit, the Senate President didn’t betray emotions as he allowed his colleagues express themselves during the session. Even when the session temporarily became rowdy, a practice which is common with democracies across the globe especially in the developing world, Akpabio stood up, cited Order 6. 3 of ‘The Senate Standing Orders 2015 (As Amended)’, which reads: “Whenever the President of the Senate or the Chairman rises during a debate, any Senator then speaking or offering to speak shall sit down, and the Senate or the Committee shall be silent so that the President of the Senate or the Chairman may be heard without interruption.”
The rule also empowers the Senate President to order the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort a senator out of the chamber if he/she chooses to be disruptive after this intervention.
It is worthy of note that Senator David Mark, as Senate President, invoked this rule only once in his eight years on the exalted chair.
Akpabio’s handling of the allegations of budget padding sent a message to watchers of the Senate that the era of using trumped-up charges to commence impeachment proceedings against presiding officers better known as the era of the infamous “banana peels” has been confined to the dustbin of history.
As a trained lawyer and firm believer in the rule of law, Akpabio allowed the Senate Rules to take their course in attending to Ningi’s allegations, which were ab initio dead on arrival.
A former senator who represented Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, recalled how he was almost suspended during the 8th Senate for revealing his earnings and that of his fellow senators.
While reacting to Ningi’s suspension, he said all senators are equal in the eyes of the law but that this was not the case in reality. He told Sunday Vanguard there are written and unwritten laws and conventions senators are expected to abide by. He described suspension as a not too pleasant experience because it literally means “being shut out of the National Assembly and your legislative functions and denied your emoluments, rights and privileges for the period of the suspension”. He noted that, as a nation, we need to set out priorities right in order to move forward.
Akpabio as presiding officer of the 10th Senate didn’t mince words when he described the incalculable damage being done to the National Assembly as an institution each time allegations, which lack basis in fact, are made especially by fellow lawmakers whom he believes ought to know better. Nigerians are hoping that the 10thNational Assembly will grow beyond petty politics and settle down to making laws that will improve the security and welfare of citizens.
[Vanguard]
‘It amounts to insensitivity’ — Peter Obi slams accountant-general’s office for holding workshop in London
AdminPeter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has condemned the financial management workshop held in London by the office of the accountant-general of the federation (OAGF).
The workshop was held from March 4 to March 9 at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington, in London.
Speaking on the development, Obi said the “function abroad amounts to insensitivity on the part of the government.”
He said government officials should not be indulging in luxury and extravagance at the expense of the common citizen amid the economic hardship in the country.
The former Anambra governor said the initiative by the OAGF entrenches a culture of elitism and detachment from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“Given the prevailing hardship in the country and the pitiable state of our national currency, any public function abroad amounts to insensitivity on the part of the government and any agency or individuals involved,” he said.
“First and foremost, it represents a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility and prudent expenditure of public funds. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic challenges, including inflation, currency devaluation, and a widening budget deficit, it is utterly irresponsible to squander taxpayer money on extravagant overseas workshops.
“The resources allocated for such purposes should be directed towards addressing pressing domestic needs, such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation.
“Furthermore, holding a workshop in London sends the wrong message to the Nigerian people and the international community. It perpetuates the perception of government officials indulging in luxury and extravagance at the expense of the common citizen.
“It fosters a culture of elitism and detachment from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, who struggle daily to make ends meet amidst rising living costs and limited access to essential services.
“Additionally, holding a workshop in London raises concerns about transparency and accountability in government procurement processes.”
The politician said there must be full disclosure and justification for why London was chosen as the venue, as well as how the selection of vendors and contractors was made.
Obi said any hint of impropriety or favouritism in awarding contracts for such events “must be thoroughly investigated and addressed”.
[TheCable]
There are indications that the Defence Headquarters is preparing to release the names and pictures of the new set of wanted terrorist and bandit leaders.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that this was following the elimination of top terrorists and bandit leaders on the watchlist of the military and the emergence of a new crop of leaders.
The DHQ had in November 2022 declared no fewer than 19 bandit leaders wanted with a bounty of N5m on each of them to encourage Nigerians to volunteer information that could lead to their arrest.
Prominent among those declared wanted were Bello Turji from Fakai village, Zamfara State; Ali Kachalla, aka Ali Kawaje, from Kuyambara village in Danaadau Maru LG of Zamfara State; Ado Aliero, from Yankuzo village, in the Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State; Halilu Sububu from Sububu village, in the Maradun LGA, Zamfara State.
Also on the list were Sani Dangote from Dumbarum village, Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State; Leko (Mozoj village, Mutazu LGA, Katsina State); Dogo Nahali (Yar Tsamiyar Jno village, Kankara LGA, Katsina State); Nagona from Angwan Galadima in the Isa Loa area of Sokoto State; Monore from Yantumaki village, Dan LGA, Katsina State; Gwaska Dankarami from Shamushele village in the Zuri LGA of Zamfara State; Baleri from Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State and Mamudu Tainange from Varanda village in Batsari LGA, Katsina State and others.
A source told our correspondent that the military was planning to release a new list of wanted terrorists.
The source noted that work was ongoing on that.
“The authorities are working on a new list of another wanted terrorist and bandit leaders. It will also contain their pictures. Their lists are being compiled.
“We will urge Nigerians to cooperate with us to enable us to neutralise them as we have done in the past. There should be a bounty on them but I can’t say how much. Don’t worry; it will be released to the public very soon,” the source hinted.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed that work was ongoing on the new list.
“We are working on the list. It will be out soon,” he said.
Sunday PUNCH reports that the military had during several operations across the various theatres of operations killed many terrorist and bandit leaders.
This includes a notorious bandit kingpin identified as Boderi who allegedly orchestrated many high-profile kidnappings, including those of Yauri schoolgirls, Greenfield University, and the Nigerian Defence Academy attacks.
Boderi was said to have been killed alongside another kingpin, Bodejo in February 2024.
Between February 1 and 28, 2024, the troops killed 10 terrorist kingpins.
The terrorist kingpins are Ashiru, Kachambi, Dogon Rakumi, Sulen Nagala, Laushi, Bangis, Alhaji Kabiru, Alhaji Baldu, and Baban Yara.
In July 2023, a bandit leader in Zamfara, Dogo Gudali, was killed by the troops.
Similarly in January 2023, a bandit kingpin, popularly known as Alhaji Shadari, and some of his gang members were killed in Zamfara State.