The All Progressives Congress ‘anointed candidates’ for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the 10th House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Benjamin Kalu on Thursday met behind closed doors with President Bola Tinubu.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, came on the heels of the inauguration of the 10th leadership of the National Assembly, slated to hold June 13, 2023.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Abbas expressed optimism that he would be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Kalu would be his deputy, come June 13.
He said that they were at the Presidential Villa to congratulate President Tinubu over his victory in the election and his inauguration on May 29.
He dismissed the insinuation that the 10th Assembly would be a rubber stamp, saying that nobody could manipulate the 360 members to make them do what will not be of national interest.
Abbas added that the independence of the legislature would not be compromised under their leadership.
He said, “My name is Hon. Tajjudeen Abbas from the National Assembly. And with me is my colleague, who, by the grace of God, come June 13, 2023, would be the next Speaker insha Allah and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Reps of the National Assembly.
“You may recall that just two or three days ago, Mr. President, the reign of power was handed over to him on May 29. And since then, we did not have any formal interactions.
”We felt that it is expedient as the candidates of the party for the number four and number six positions, there is a need for us to formally congratulate him on behalf of all members-elect of the 10th Assembly.
“But that’s just the reason why we’re here to basically congratulate Mr. President over his election and his inauguration as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”
Asked whether they had any discussion with the President on their aspirations to lead the House, he said:
“We didn’t have any discussion concerning our opponents who are also aspiring to be Speakers and Deputy Speakers. We restricted our discussions to the matters of the day.
“Issues that have to do with the challenges that this country is facing, particularly the economic and social challenges and what he intends to do within the next few days, beginning with what has been done on the issue of fuel subsidy.
”Issues of other candidates did not form part of what we discussed with Mr. President this afternoon.”
On speculation in some quarters that they were anointed so that they will remain rubber stamp to the executive, he said: “First of all, I would want them to go back to history.
”Let them tell us even in the few instances where the people who were ordinarily not endorsed by the government of those days have done better than the leadership of the ninth assembly, which we all believe was about the first time in 12 years that the thinking of the members of the National Assembly coincided with the thinking of the executive.
“The ninth assembly is by far and I say it with all sense of humility, the best national assembly that the legislature and the executive had a very mutually beneficial relationship.
”So many things were accomplished. So many things that ordinarily we would not have thought or contemplated would be achieved were achieved.
“So whoever is talking about rubber-stamp National Assembly does not know the workings of the National Assembly.
“Nobody, speaker or senate president, deputy speaker or deputy senate president, nobody can manipulate the 360 members of the House of Reps to make them do what is not in the best interest of the public.”
On his part, Benjamin Kalu said, “Yes, in addition to what the speakership candidate just highlighted, what we’re bringing on board is parliamentary sovereignty.
”Sovereignty that will ensure that the borders of the mandate of the various arms of government will be respected.
“But also recognizing that interdependence is key towards achieving any national objective.
”We’re going to ensure that though we are three arms of government, that we understand that we are one government.
”So the national objective of the executive, if it is what the people want, will remain the national objective of the legislature.
“We are bringing on board impartiality of this man that just spoke to you now holding the gavel that will ensure that sentiments and emotions will not control the direction of the gavel.”
According to him, the policies they will come out with will be a reflection of the needs of the people of Nigeria.
“We’re bringing on board institutional trust that will make Nigerians believe more in the institution of our democracy called the legislature which is the fulcrum of our democracy.
”Because, the more confidence they have in that institution, the more we will advance this democracy that people like Mr. President has fought for from the days of NADECO to sustain up to now.” (NAN)
The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has refuted claims that he is under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N4bn fraud.
A statement on Friday by the Head of the Fayemi Media Office, Abuja, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said during Fayemi’s visit to the EFCC, “no such allegation was raised during his conversation” with officials of the anti-graft agency.
It disclosed that all Fayemi did during the conversation with the officials of the EFCC in Ilorin, Kwara State, was respond to a frivolous petition from a group that was trying to soil his good name and image.
It reads: “We would like to address the concerns surrounding the invitation and subsequent visit of Dr Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, to the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“Last month, Dr Fayemi received an invitation from the Ilorin office of the EFCC regarding a money laundering petition against him. It was during the height of the preparations for the change of government, with many activities and programmes lined up as part of the event.
“A key member of the APC, Dr Fayemi was already committed to playing important roles at these events and his non-appearance would have impacted them significantly. Understanding the significance of his commitments at that time, Dr Fayemi duly notified the EFCC of his willingness to cooperate but requested a more suitable date for his appearance.
“We firmly believe that Dr Fayemi’s visit has provided answers to the agency’s inquiries regarding the petition. However, should there be a need for further clarification, Dr Fayemi stands ready to cooperate fully.
“We wish to note, too, that contrary to the news that made the rounds about a purported N4b fraud case against Dr Fayemi, no such allegation was raised in his conversation with the EFCC.
“All he did was respond to a frivolous petition from a faceless group, the so-called Ekiti Patriotic Coalition, which we strongly believed is a front for some anti-Fayemi politicians, who are trying to soil the former governor’s good name and image.
“As governor, he consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the welfare of the citizens, driving notable advancements in infrastructure development and attracting valuable investment opportunities to the state.
“We affirm that Dr Fayemi will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity that he’s known for, and we trust that the truth will prevail in due course,” the statement said.
Mr Victor Akande, a Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing APC-Ojo I, has urged Nigerians to endure the pains of the recent announcement of subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu.
Akande made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.
NAN reports that Tinubu on May 29, 2023, announced the removal of subsidy during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Following the announcement to discontinue petroleum subsidy, petrol pump prices immediately skyrocketed to over N700 from N195 per litre.
Akande, also the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, noted that there were lots of benefits that Nigerians would enjoy with the removal of subsidy after few months of the pains.
He said: “The removal of subsidy will look like a disaster and pain to us at the moment but tomorrow we shall all enjoy the benefits it will bring to us.
“Truly, the price has gone up but by the time things start to stabilise, the price will come down. In short, in the next six months, everything will start coming down.
“It will be good if the subsidy is channelled towards salary increment than using it to pay subsidy to few people. The cost implication will be lesser if the salary is increased.”
Akande stressed further that continuous payment of subsidy by this government was like enslaving Nigerians by some individuals who smiled to the bank at the expense of the masses.
He said President Tinubu knew the magnitude of the job before him which prompted him to say nobody should pity him.
The lawmaker said the president had the blueprint of what he wants to do and that was why he told Nigerians not to pity him because he asked for the job and he was ready to do it.
According to him, Tinubu is a man of his words and it is good that the subsidy has been removed because it is a fraudulent means of acquiring wealth to people that are involved.
Akande added that this was the right time to start paying the country’s debt rather than paying some individuals. (NAN)
Former governor of Kano State and senator representing Kano Central, Ibrahim Shekarau, has decried Nigeria’s high cost of governance.
Consequently, Shekarau, who spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday night, advised President Bola Tinubu to cut down the number of federal lawmakers.
He said: “Left to me, we don’t need to have the two chambers, the two houses. It’s costing the country. I agree, a democracy means getting as many involved as possible, but the way it is going on now, it’s almost 500 legislators nationwide; I don’t think we really need this much at the moment.”
The two chambers of the National Assembly is made up of 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members, bringing the total number of federal lawmakers to 469.
He, however, expressed doubt if President Bola Tinubu could muscle the political will to do this and other constitutional amendments that would be beneficial to the country.
Shekarau argued further that cutting the number of parastatals would affect the number of oversight assignments, reducing the burden on the nation.
“Then you’ll discover that the legislative arm will also have to be downsized because if there isn’t much to do at the centre, you don’t need all of this sea of hundreds of people really to do oversight assignments.
“I have been subscribing to the idea of devolution of powers. The Federal Government should really cut its own costs by devolving a lot of these responsibilities down the line, to the states and to the local governments,’’ he said.
According to him, the Federal Government is spending “so much” at the centre and creating too many agencies and parastatals.
He said: “Unfortunately, we’ve not had leadership that has the courage. There was the Oronsaye report during Jonathan’s time, which has yet to be implemented.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan did not implement it; former President Muhammadu Buhari did not implement it.
“The moment you create a parastatal, you’re already talking of board members, chief executive, directors, departments, and the overhead cost of running all these agencies add quite a lot to the expenses of running the government.”
He said cutting down on the number of federal lawmakers and reducing the number of parastatals and agencies would save the country money to be ploughed into areas, including education, health and other social services.
..Stakeholders propose PMS caretaker c’ttee
MEN and officers of the Oyo State Police Command, again raided another house belonging to embattled Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Park Management System, PMS, Mr. Mukaila Lamidi, also known as ‘Auxilliary’ and recovered a rocketpropelled grenade, RPG, and other dangerous weapons, in the process.
The raid was in a bid to neutralise the state of criminal elements. Though Lamidi was not at home when police raided the house, located along Olodo end of Ibadan-Iwo road, dangerous objects recovered from the house include RPG, seven other weapons, ammunition, magazines, cutlasses, an axe and other objects.
The raid came hours after the police raided one of his hideouts located in the Isebo area of Alakia, where sophisticated firearms were recovered.
Auxiliary, Vanguard gathered, is still on the run for fear of arrest and possible prosecution.
Gunmen, suspected to be his men, last night, went around major garages shooting, in a possible bid to take over.
Stakeholders propose caretaker c’ttee
Following the dissolution of the Disciplinary Committee of the PMS, stakeholders in the transport sector have resolved to work together to promote peace and progress among the various transport groups just as the former deputy governor of the state, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and Senator Ayoola Agboola sued for peace.
This was the position reached by representatives of the various transport groups in their separate submissions at the Town Hall Meeting called on the instance of the state government to find lasting solutions to the Park Management System situation in the state.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, yesterday, the stakeholders comprising representatives of the state government, transport operators, civil organisations, community leaders and representatives of security agencies, suggested the establishment of an interim management/caretaker committee to be headed by a technocrat to be appointed by the governor.
The communiqué reads: “An interim management team/ caretaker should be established, the chairman should be appointed by the governor and should be a technocrat professional in transport planning and management but impartial (not a member of any group).”
The Free Nigeria Movement, a civil society group, has called for the immediate reversal of the Federal Government’s recent declaration on subsidy removal.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the convener of the group, Dr Moses Paul, expressed the organization’s disapproval of the move by the new government, describing it as unsavoury.
He, therefore, warned that if the government does not reverse its decision, the group will begin nationwide protests within the next seven days.
He said, “As a group, the Free Nigeria Movement, will continue to demand for good governance, responsible leadership and insisting on a credible route to power.
“We frown at this unsavoury pronouncement of subsidy removal by the new government, which is essentially a place holding pending decisions on all petitions at the Presidential Election Tribunal Court.
“We call for the immediate reversal of this pronouncement, the failure of which we shall begin national protests within the next seven (7) days. This is the lawful duty and right of every Nigerian.”
The group also called on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to remain steadfast in its opposition to the new pump price, despite ongoing talks and lobbying efforts by other actors.
“We are aware of ongoing talks with the NLC and the many actors lobbying for an acceptance of the new pump price by the NLC leadership.
“We call on the NLC to remain steadfast standing with the poor people of Nigeria and never compromising their position,” he added.
Dr. Paul also called on Nigerians to stand up to defend the country and their right to live with dignity in it.
“This is the only country we have. We will defend it with every stretch of our being standing on the law. This is the only way that Nigeria can stand for the good of all,” he added.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government has defended its decision to remove the subsidy, stating that it is necessary to address the country’s economic challenges.
However, the move has been met with widespread criticism, with many Nigerians expressing concern about the potential impact on the cost of living and the economy as a whole.
The Free Nigeria Movement’s call for national protests adds to the growing pressure on the government to reverse its decision.
The Social Democratic Party in Ondo state has raised concern over the secrecy in the health conditions of the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
It described the silence from the Governor’s camp and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State as concerning and alarming.
The state chairman of the party Stephen Adewale, in a statement in Akure, the state capital, said that his medical records needed not be shrouded in secrecy.
Adewale said in the statement that “In the past 24 hours, the rumour of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s poor health has dominated the media and spread like wildfire in Ondo State.
“While it is no longer news that Governor Akeredolu is dealing with health issues as this was made clear in the viral voice note that was released by Ondo State First Lady, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, in recent weeks, the governor’s rumoured battle with blood cancer, his bedridden condition, and his inability to sign documents have taken centre stage.
“While the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State had enthusiastically and eagerly anticipated that the Governor would refute such rumours by presenting himself to the public, the silence from the Governor’s camp and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is concerning and alarming.
“To us at Ondo SDP, therefore, their silence and failure to deny or confirm the information implies consent.
“There are now serious doubts about Governor Akeredolu’s capacity to continue to govern the Sunshine State as his medical conditions remain shrouded in secrecy.
“It is quite disturbing that the state of the governor’s health has become a topic of state curiosity and concern.
” This situation continues to undermine the ability of the State government to fulfil its obligations and commitments, including those requiring the government to provide economic pathways to millions of people facing absolute poverty and uncertainty in the Sunshine State due to the reckless and insensitive removal of subsidy by the APC-led federal government.
“Ondo SDP call on Arakunrin to respect the good people of Ondo State who have voted for him twice by presenting his medical records to the general public.
“We strongly believe that the good people of Ondo State have the right to know about the medical conditions of Arakunrin Akeredolu.
“In contrast to ordinary residents who have the right to keep their health state to themselves, high-level elected officials like Arakunrin, whose treatment is being paid for by the public, cannot hide behind personal rules.
“Similarly, because Governor Akeredolu’s position is that of a trustee, he is required, as the governor of Ondo State, to inform the residents of Ondo State accurately about his present medical conditions.
“Ensuring full access to his medical data would also assist and prevent instances and situations where the governor’s health is the daily subject of speculative interpretations, embarrassing commentary, and incomplete, vague, and erroneous reports.
” Ironically, Ondo SDP recalled that Arakunrin Akeredolu was one of the primary figures who actively and vocally criticised and called for late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua’s resignation when the latter suffered poor health condition in 2009.
” Now, Arakunrin Akeredolu has done the exact opposite by clinging to power and hiding the true state of his health from people as he battles with ill health.
Adewale added that “While we pray for the speedy recovery of Mr Governor, it is high time he did the needful.
LABOUR leaders are scheduled to meet today with the various organs of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the stoppage of petrol subsidy payment, its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said in statement issued in Abuja yesterday.
He said the congress has no plan yet to embark on industrial action to protest the upward adjustment in litre price of petrol as being speculated in some quarters.
The leadership of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will on Sunday resume talks with representatives of the Federal Government over the matter, The Nation learnt.
It promised to keep Nigerians informed on its next line of action after the meetings.
A parley between the parties on Wednesday ended in a deadlock.
In a pricing template released two days ago by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the litre price of petrol was fixed at between N488 and N557.
But Labour rejected the template, saying it was against the interest of deregulation.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to stories circulating in the social media space claiming that the NLC would commence protest action tomorrow (Friday, June 2nd) against the increase in the pump price of PMS.
“Inasmuch as we are outraged by this mindless price increase which is intended to bring untold hardship to ordinary Nigerians, we have no plan to start any action tomorrow (today).
“What we do have for now are organ meetings slated for tomorrow, Friday, June 2nd, 2023 to deliberate on the price issue.
“We promise to keep Nigerians informed on our next line of action after our meetings.
“In light of this, we advise the public to disregard these stories. They did not emanate from the Congress.”
Indications have emerged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to name the immediate-past Minister of Special Duties and former Governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, as the new Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF).
President Tinubu’s decision is to appease the North Central zone ahead of the race for leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
According to Western Post, Tinubu has decided on Senator Akume, his long-time ally, for the top job.
The President, according to available information, is expected to formally announce the appointment of Senator Akume alongside other personal aides between Friday and Monday next week.
Naija News reports that the North-central zone and All Progressives Congress members are reportedly unhappy about being taken out of consideration for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Since his inauguration on Monday as the 16th President of Nigeria, expectations have been rife among many political actors and Nigerians for the appointment of personal aides of the President, leading to many speculations on social and mainstream media.
Reports emerged yesterday that President Tinubu had appointed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as the Chief of Staff to the President.
However, Gbajabiamila denied the appointment, asking Nigerians to ‘allow the system to work.’
Payment of subsidy on petrol would have sent the country into bankruptcy,
Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, gave the indication yesterday.
He spoke the day after releasing the new petrol pricing template, which raised the price from N185 per litre to between N488 – N577.
In his inauguration address, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced that ‘fuel subsidy is gone’.
Following this, many marketers shut filling stations while others sold for between N600 and 900 per litre. Petrol queues returned to cities.
On Wednesday, a Federal Government team met with Labour leaders on the issues and palliatives. The parley will resume on Sunday in Abuja.
Kyari, who spoke during a visit to the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the Federal Government spends N400 billion on subsidy monthly, an amount that is too heavy for the economy to cope with.
He added that no kobo has been made available by the government for subsidy payments since February.
The NNPCL chief also said there is no data on the volume of petrol consumed in the country but that of offloading from the depots is always available.
He advised Nigerians to accept the reality that subsidy removal had come to stay.
The NNPCL boss warned that reversal of the decision could cause a cash crunch for the company and consequently affect borrowings by the federal and state governments.
Last year, the Federal Government said payment of subsidy would stop by June 2023. It budgeted N3.36 trillion for the payments.
Admitting that the removal of subsidy would cause hardship for the masses, Kyari expressed optimism that the attendant high cost of living would fizzle out in due course.
“This is exactly where we are today. So, we no longer can bear it because of liquidity. If we continue we will run into defaults and the defaults of NNPCL are the default of Nigeria.
“Once NNPCL goes into defaults and liquidity, it affects every borrowing done by the country. Even the sub-nationals. Your lenders will come back to you and say your country can no longer pay.
“The only way you can stop this is to stop this conversation around subsidy as done by Mr President (Bola Tinubu) on May 29.
“We saw that within 24 hours after the announcement, the bond market appreciated. It is nothing else other than the statement around subsidy and balancing of the apex market.
“These two elements are major concerns of every investor all over the world. Every partner that we have is worried about what is your apex regime and how you deal with your subsidy. They know that this subsidy constitutes a huge amount of money and this country may not be able to survive and pay its debts.
“It is very clear that everybody understands this. Before today, the average subsidy level was N400 billion every month.
“There is this common argument that the masses will suffer; that we are going to have problems with them. I agree. Once you increase prices to this proportion, as it has happened, it will have an impact on inflation. There is no doubt about it. The market determines what happens next.
“There was a provision of N6.3 trillion in 2022 and N3.7 trillion in 2023 for up to half a year, but I can tell you that not a single naira of that has been funded and what did we do because by law, we are obligated to pay taxes and royalties and other obligations but we held back the fiscal obligations of our shareholders because there was nothing to do.
“The burden of subsidy must be financed because the provision in the law simply means that the government will write a cheque to NNPCL at the end of the month for the service that we’re providing to the nation. That cheque has not been written at all.
“Absolutely, there is a provision in the budget but you do not have the cash to back it up or you also don’t have the fiscal obligation that should have come for the NNPCL to settle for this and this definitely means that there is provision for the end of June, according to the Appropriation Act.
“We still have a net balance of over N2.8 trillion that the federation should have given back to the NNPCL.
“For any company, when you have negative N2.8 trillion, there is no company in the whole of Africa that will lend to you. You cannot have receivables. The provision of subsidy is there but there is no funding for it. It means it is only on paper. So, it doesn’t exist.
“The conversation today is not really about when you take off subsidy, you can do roads, build hospitals, education and etcetera. It is very true. You cannot give what you don’t have. The key issue is the country does not have the money to back subsidy.
“The inflation in very many countries, it goes up when you have the economic indexes becoming difficult. In many countries, there are very many factors that can make inflation go up. When it does, prices go up. We have to deal with it; live with it.
“You have to increase your production, consumption and balance. You have to change the conversation around GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth and so on. Mr President’s target is to have a seven per cent growth of GDP. You cannot have this if you have this distortion in your demands and consumption pattern.”
Pointing out that the elite is the main beneficiaries of subsidy, Kyari said that 38 per cent of fuel supply goes to the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.
He said: “Very many of us here have at least two cars in our houses. When you buy 100 litres of fuel, the government is subsiding every three litres with N100.
Read Also: Fuel subsidy not budgeted for in 2023 budget – NNPC
“Even consumption itself is skewed in locations and states where the level of economic activities are higher than the others. It is very understandable and that is why people can afford it in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.
“So, over 38 per cent of the total fuel distributed in this country ends up in these places. All the other parts of the country suffer.”
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Kyari said that rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries was progressing.
“There is an ongoing process of rehabilitation. One of them will come this year, the second one will come on stream next year and then the third one will follow thereafter,” he said.
APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, had at the meeting thanked the NNPCL chief for updating the party’s leadership on the subsidy issue.
Adamu, who noted that the party was better informed, promised to give the government the much-needed support for the full implementation of the policy.
Speaking on a television programme last night, Kyari explained that with the removal of subsidy, the NNPCL would only supply 30 per cent of the nation’s requirement.
This, according to him, will leave room for anyone or company desirous of venturing into petrol importation to do so.
He said: “By law, there is competition and the NNPCL can only supply a maximum of 30 per cent of the commodity into the market. There will be no monopoly in the market.
“So the removal of subsidy means people can access FX (Forex) freely at the same level as NNPC. This is clearly a market-driven situation. The market-driven situation means that other players will come in.
“By the way, let me make this very clear, this is a very insignificant part of NNPC’s business.
“There is no benefit for us to monopolise except it is provided for by the law.”
Kyari cited an example with the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) diesel, which it supplies less than 30 per cent of the volume required by the country.
He pledged that once other marketers venture into petrol supply, NNPCL will reduce its volume to the market.
“We are already doing it. Today, the daily consumption of AGO (Automotive Gas Oil) or diesel is 12 million litres a day. Today, NNPCL brings less than 30 per cent of that volume to the market.”
He attributed the queues that greeted the removal of subsidy to panic and the fact that many depots did not operate for some days because of pricing.
The GCEO said although Dangote Refinery will become operational either in July or August, it may not immediately produce 100 per cent of Nigeria’s fuel needs.
He said: “I am not sure we will have all the volume we need immediately but that will happen when all the refinery is commissioned.
“It may be in July or August. Once that happens, we will have a significant volume of PMS.”
On another television programme, the NNPCL said the company had 41.8 billion litres of petrol that are enough to last 30 days.
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The 2023 Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore has berated former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, accusing him of doing nothing to make the country better during his eight years in office.
Sowore alleged that Osinbajo and his principal, former President Muhammadu Buhari only worked as a tag team to destroy Nigeria.
Taking to his Twitter account on Friday where he shared a video of Osinbajo’s flight after departing Abuja on Monday following the handover ceremony to a new government, Omokri knocked the former Vice President, describing him as a failure.
He wrote: “Failure Par Excellence! The end of an error! @ProfOsinbajo returned back from Abuja having done absolutely nothing to make Nigeria better than he met it!
@ProfOsinbajo and @MBuhari destroyed Nigeria as a tag team. As my secondary school Principal used to say: “Bose Lo, Lose Bo!” (BL,LB) -(He went Empty Handed and returned Empty Handed).”
Hold The N63 Billion Meant for Buhari, Osinbajo
Meanwhile, political analyst, Reno Omokri has laid out some demands for President Bola Tinubu-led federal government following the removal of fuel subsidy.
Omokri noted that he was in full support of the subsidy removal as it was part of the manifesto of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
He, however, insisted that civil servant salaries have to be increased and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates must be halted.
Omokri also urged the government to pay palliatives to the poorest of Nigerians.
The former presidential candidate demanded that the ₦63 billion severance package meant for Buhari, the former vice president, Yemi Osinbajo must be stopped until the above conditions are met.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly reveals that the total monthly salary and allowances for each senator amounts to N1,063,860.
According to the commission’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Mohammed, the entitlements which would be enjoyed by incoming lawmakers include a basic salary of N168,866.70, car maintenance and fuel allowance of N126,650, and salaries for personal assistants and domestic staff amounting to N42,216.66 and N126,650 respectively.
An entertainment allowance of N50,660 is also included.
Senators also benefit from allowances for utilities (N50,660), newspapers/periodicals (N25,330), wardrobe (N42,216.66), house maintenance (N8,443.33), and constituency (N422,166.66).
Mohammed explained that the allowances are divided into regular and non-regular categories.
He said, “Regular allowances are those paid regularly along with the basic salary.
“while non-regular allowances are those paid as at when due.”
Lawmakers elected during the February 25th National Assembly election will be inaugurated on the 13th of June, 2023.
The Lawmakers are expected to elect their principal officers who will guide them for the next four years.
There had been much attention on who will take over from Ahmad Lawan as Senate President, and Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Amnesty International Nigeria has stated that Nigerians are terrified about how the removal will affect their daily lives.
The Acting Director of the organisation, Isa Sanusi, made this known in a statement. According to him, the decision of the new administration has left millions of Nigerians concerned about how they would be able to meet the costs of education, food, and healthcare.
He said, “President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy has left millions of Nigerians terrified about the knock-on effects that it will have on their daily lives.
“Many are concerned that they will be unable to meet the costs of education, food, and healthcare. The government is yet to suggest any ways to mitigate the impact of this decision for people on low incomes.”
Sanusi noted that while all countries are required to eventually remove all fossil fuel subsidies to meet their human rights obligations in the context of the climate crisis, they should not do so in a way that undermines the ability of people on low incomes to secure their right to an adequate standard of living.
He said it is important for the removal of subsidy to be accompanied by social cushioning and protection measures.
He argued, “Nigerians should not have to pay the price of decades of political and economic mismanagement of the subsidy scheme.
“The authorities must finally respond to longstanding demands by civil society and parliamentarians to investigate the fuel market chain and hold accountable all those involved in smuggling, hoarding and ‘subsidy scams’ — regardless of rank or status.”
Sanusi stated that the new administration must urgently create measures to protect the rights of people most affected by the removal of the fuel subsidies.
Since President Bola Tinubu announced, during his inaugural speech, that the government wasn’t going to pay for fuel subsidy again, the price of fuel has risen astronomically. Queues have returned to filling stations, with the cost of transportation rising by about 100 per cent.
The House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring has approved that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency can continue the disbursement of $700m from the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund.
The House had on May 2, 2023, asked the NIMASA to stop its plan to disburse the sum from the Fund.
Members of the House had resolved to direct the Committee on Local Content to “immediately commence investigations of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund to determine all monies that have accrued to the fund since its establishment in the year 2003 and report to the House within 14 days.”
The House had also directed the committee to engage an external auditor to audit all contracts that have been entered into in the cabotage regime and report the same to the House within 14 days.
The lawmakers had also resolved to “direct NIMASA to immediately stop the planned disbursement of $700m to Nigerian citizens and companies,” asking the agency to and lay before the House, an audited statement of account “showing all monies that have accrued to the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund not later than seven days from the date of this resolution.”
Furthermore, the House resolved to invite the Minister of Transport, Muazu Sambo; and the Director-General of NIMASA, Bashir Jamo, “to report to the House Committee on Local Content on the state of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund and how the funds have been applied over the past 20 years.”
These resolutions were sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by a member of the House, Henry Nwawuba, titled ‘Urgent Need to Stop the Planned Disbursement of $700m Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund, and Investigate the Total Accrual of the Fund.’
However, the committee, in its report, a copy of which our correspondent obtained on Thursday, recommended that the $700m be disbursed.
In the report, the committee said it requested NIMASA and the Federal Ministry of Transportation to provide detailed information on the total amount accrued to the Fund and disbursements since inception.
According to the report, the committee met with the Minister of Transportation and the Director-General of NIMASA on May 11, 2023, to find out about the details concerning the matter.
It partly read, “After a thorough analysis of the various submissions on the matter, coupled with the explanations given by the Ministry and NIMASA, the committee discovered that due process was followed in the planned disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund.
“The committee notes that the CVFF is a fund that was set up in 2003 by the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act. The Fund was established for the purpose of developing indigenous ship acquisition capacity, and to provide financial assistance to indigenous shipping operators.
“The committee further notes that there is a lack of capacity amongst indigenous/domestic coastal operators in Nigeria, thus the reason Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited still awards contracts to foreign shipping companies, in contravention of the Cabotage and Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act. Some of these awards have been previously investigated by the Committee which led to their cancellation.
“It was also discovered that the total funds of $360m in the CVFF account with the Central Bank of Nigeria represents 50 per cent, while the remaining counterpart funds of 50 per cent is from stakeholders and banks, which is 15 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively.”
The committee said in view of the findings during the investigation, it recommends that “NIMASA should go ahead with the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund in compliance with the extant laws and laid down guidelines for the said disbursement.”
The committee also said to ensure the disbursement does not violate any of the extant laws made by the National Assembly, “the following persons were nominated to supervise the disbursement process: Legor Idagbo – Chairman, Henry Nwawuba – Member and Kehinde Bolade-Olaiya – committee clerk.”
According to the report, the committee appointed an audit firm, Stratford Hill and Co., as the coordinating enforcement auditor for the CVFF.
The report partly read, “The committee applauds NNPC for its commitment to awarding the shipping contracts to indigenous companies that have built capacity to the level where they can successfully execute these contracts.
“The committee is grateful to the leadership of the House for the confidence bestowed on it to carry out the investigation.”