The Trade Union Congress has warned the Federal Government to, with immediate, effect pay all federal civil servants their ₦35,000 wage award as agreed during a meeting that was held following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The TUC President, Festus Osifo, gave the warning in Abuja on Tuesday at an ongoing press briefing shortly after the congress’ emergency National Executive Council meeting.
The Congress specifically noted that it had it on good authority that workers had only received a one-month payment that was meant for September, adding that only a few workers had been paid for the second time.
Osifo also warned all the 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to “tighten their belt in assuaging the plight of workers” occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy to avoid a fresh crisis in the country.
Osifo said, “On the issue of the wage award, it is on record that the payment has been made just once for September, but as it is now, our members in the federal civil service have not been paid the ₦35,000 wage award since October. “We wish to call on the government to fastrack all the payments now. We learnt that they’re putting some things in place to ensure the payment, but people are not ready to listen to excuses.
“We demand that they immediately pay this ₦35,000 wage award to the bank accounts of the federal civil servants without excuses.
“We want the government to tighten their belts, governments at all levels – the Federal Government, the state and local governments because a situation where they are asking Nigerians to keep tightening their belt and they (government officials) are living in affluence is not acceptable.”
Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2024 budget proposal has sparked a clash between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.
The APC, labelling Makinde’s budget as defective, unrealistic, and fraudulent, called on State House of Assembly members to scrutinize the document thoroughly before rushing into approval. Olawale Sadare, the APC’s publicity secretary in the state, criticized various aspects of the N434.2 billion budget, branding it as “another dubious presentation” lacking innovation, policy direction, and accountability.
Sadare highlighted concerns about the allocation of N21 billion to the governor’s office without a clear breakdown and an additional N485 million for Cabinet and Security service. He pointed to the deplorable condition of public facilities, especially the Agodi State Secretariat, and questioned the governor’s commitment to education, citing neglect in public schools.
In response, Michael Ogunsina, the PDP spokesman in the state, defended the 2024 budget proposal, emphasizing the government’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and sustainable economic growth. He praised the transparent approach to revenue projections and accountability in financial matters as indicated in the budget document.
Ogunsina reiterated the Oyo State government’s commitment to serving the people and creating an environment conducive to growth and development. The clash underscores the differing perspectives on the budget’s merits and the ongoing debate over its allocations and priorities.
Villagers of Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State have sued the Federal Government and demanded N33 billion compensation over the recent army’s airstrikes that killed over 100 persons at the village.
The incident happened penultimate Sunday night during a Maulud celebration.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered an investigation into the massacre and warned that it must never happen again.
The suit was filed on December 8 before a Federal High Court in Kaduna by Alhaji Dalhatu Salihu on behalf of Tudun Biri villagers through their counsel, Mukhtar Usman Esq.
The villagers are also demanding an apology to be published in at least three national dailies.
They said the suit was to enforce the fundamental rights to life of the survivors of the incident.
Among the reliefs sought is “a declaration that the act of striking dead, by way of aerial bombardment of the deceased victims herein while celebrating the Islamic Maulud at their village of Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area on the 3rd day of December 2023 by the personnel under the command and supervision of the 3rd respondent (the Chief of Army Staff) amounts to a violation of the deceased victims’ fundamental rights to life as enshrined in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Article 10(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification Enforcement) Act (Cap 10) LFN 2010 and hence ultra vires the respondents, illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.”
No date has been fixed for hearing.
Says Politicians Seeking To Win At All Costs Difficult For INEC
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has said the attitude of politicians to win elections by all means is making the work of the Commission a difficult one.
Yakubu, who spoke yesterday when he swore in nine newly-appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), stated that every political actor who losses election blame INEC for his loss, “or even seek to deligitimise the processes and demonise officials.”
He, however, warned the newly sworn-in RECs not to engage in a puerile debate that adds no value to their work.
“At the same time, you must not be impervious to genuine criticisms,” he further advised, adding that they should maintain INEC’s tradition of regular consultations with critical stakeholders.
“These are the political parties, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions, religious bodies and the security agencies. You must always be very firm in ensuring fairness and transparency to all.
“Let me make it clear to you from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs and your good conscience,” Yakubu added.
He threatened that the Commission would not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any RECs.
The INEC chairman noted that new RECs were coming on board at a time the Commission was about to conduct court-ordered re-run elections.
He announced the plan by the Commission to release the timetable and schedule of activities for the re-run elections, which he disclosed would be combined with bye-elections in constituencies where vacancies have been declared by presiding officers of legislative houses, as a result of death or resignation of serving members of the national and state assemblies.
Yakubu stated that five vacancies had already been declared in both national and state assemblies, and assured citizens in six other constituencies in Ebonyi South and Yobe East senatorial districts; Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State and Khana II State Constituency of Rivers State, that INEC are liaising with the national and state assemblies for the declaration of vacancies so that bye-elections could be conducted as soon as possible.
According to him, nine out of the 10 RECs screened and confirmed by the National Assembly were sworn-in, and said the 10th REC-designate would be sworn-in next month on the expiry of the tenure of the REC representing Akwa Ibom State currently deployed to Delta State.
He noted that four of the nine new RECs are INEC career officers who rose to the rank of director in the Commission.” They have been involved in elections and electoral activities both in the field and at the headquarters.
“Their experiences traversed electoral operations, election and party monitoring and electoral litigation,” he said, adding that this is the first time that several INEC career officers are appointed as RECs.
“There is no learning curve for you. There can be no excuses for failing to hit the ground running and for making a huge difference to the quality and transparency of elections,” he added.
Says N81bn Needed To Complete Abuja 2nd Runaway
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has emphasized the urgent need to invest N81 billion in order to complete the construction of Abuja’s second runway.
Keyamo said the additional runway is crucial to meet the growing demands of air traffic and enhance the safety and efficiency of operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
This was as he disclosed that President Tinubu has approved the purchase of screening machines for the five international airports in the country.
Keyamo made the demand when he met with the 10th Assembly joint committee on aviation technology for the 2024 Ministry of Aviation budget defence, earlier today in Abuja.
Putting the performance of the 2023 budget at 40 percent based on the releases so far, and the 2024 budget for the entire Ministry and its Agencies at Sixty-three Billion, Keyamo said that critical projects such as Abuja 2nd runway, upgrade and rehabilitation of the old terminal of Lagos airport were vital projects that need urgent attention.
Affirming his five focus areas for the industry, the minister said there is a need to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and continuous upward movement of Nigeria’s rating by ICAO.
He called for support for the growth and sustenance of local airline businesses while holding them to the highest international standards in the aviation industry.
He stressed the need for improvement of infrastructure in the aviation industry, adding the development of human capacity within the industry would form a top priority.
Speaking further, Keyamo appealed to the 10th Assembly joint committee for the procurement of consultancy for the design of a master plan for major airports in Nigeria, stating the need to give more attention to the area of safety with the procurement of equipment.
Keyamo also assured that a list of airlines that delayed or cancelled flights would be published in the media on a weekly basis as part of the compensation scheme.
He said, “I have called the customer’s satisfactory commission regarding the treatment of Nigerians. In fact, I have gone back to the committee, that is how much concern I am concerned.
“And I have said at the last address that I gave during our stakeholders meeting in Lagos and our retreat in Warri. I said on a weekly basis, please publish the list of airlines that they do not fly as at when due, cancelled flights, delayed flights, how many hours it was delayed, was there compensation, and actions they took as regulators against these airlines. We are starting that in January.”
The aviation Minister also proposed that a discount should be deducted from the flight tickets of airlines that delayed passengers as part of the compensation.
“For every delay, there is a report, an actual report by the regulator, what did they do? Did they pay compensation? And if they didn’t pay compensation we have said that the other way to get compensation if they can return cash is that once the passenger is buying the next ticket it must be given a rebate. That passenger must be given a 50 per cent rebate or 40 per cent rebate because they must be a rebate”.
Moreover, Keyamo said that the best option to develop Nigerian airports was through concessions to investors.
“Private Partnership must come to the fore. It is not even negotiable, we don’t have the funds to do so.
“In concession, we will give the people what we want, not what they want. We have to decide what we want. It is the nature, the quality of the concession that all of us will agree on.
“We want to go ahead but I want every one of us to sit down, and look for the best hands, we should go to the end of this world to look for the best and the best thing for Nigeria and raise our offer to tier one, not tier two. Tier one investors to come to Nigeria and build our gateway for us”.
He informed the committee that he has written a memo to President Tinubu for a quality concession process for the Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Enugu airport.
Proposes 84% For Capital Expenditure, 16% For Recurrent
Education, Health Get Highest – 20%, 15% Respectively
Announces Wage Rise For Workers
Gov. Alex Otti has presented a budget of N567, 240, 095, 972. 00 for the 2024 fiscal year before the Abia State House of Assembly.
Presenting the Appropriation Bill christened “Budget of New Beginning” on the floor of the Assembly Tuesday, Otti said he deliberately structured the key items in the budget to reflect the priorities of the state.
This is as the Governor announced a wage rise for Abia workers, saying it has been captured in the 2024 budget estimate.
A critical analysis of the budget revealed N400 billion increase from the current budget of N160 billion.
“The above figure, in nominal terms, represents more than N400 billion rise from the 2023 estimate of N160.5 billion although when adjusted for inflation and fall in the value of the naira, the reality becomes starkly different”, Otti said.
The Governor said that over 84% of the budget would be spent on capital expenditure while 16% was appropriated for recurrent expenditure.
He said:”The key distinction in the 2024 budget estimate, however, is in the direction of spending. While the 2023 projection allocated 53% of the entire budget for capital expenditure, our target in the 2024 fiscal year is to spend 84% of the total expenditure on capital projects and commit 16% to recurrent expenditure, as against 47% in the 2023 estimates.”
“We target 20% and 15% of the aggregate budget spending on education and health respectively”, Otti added.
The Governor further gave the estimated revenue projection as N166 billion, adding that the deficit will be sourced through borrowings.
“Of the proposed figure, government’s estimated total revenue is N166,077,717,058 including earnings from our IGR channels, Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), grants from multilateral organisations and income from other revenue sources that will be available to the state government over the course of the accounting year.
“We plan to finance the deficit of N401, 162, 378, 914 partly by new borrowings estimated at N385, 271, 027, 214. 50% of this borrowing will be sourced externally, whilst the balance will be procured domestically.”
He promised judicious use of every loan obtained by the Government, insisting that it must be for capital projects alone.
“It must at this point be stated that all borrowing in the 2024 fiscal year would be committed strictly to capital development projects with direct impact on the economy of the state, especially roads, schools and medical facilities.
“The projection is that the impact of these projects on the general economy in the medium to long term would generate the sufficient returns that would enable the state meet her obligation to the creditors smoothly and ultimately pay off the loans in due course.
“The assurance I want to give Mr Speaker, Honourable members and to every Abian is that under my watch, not a dime shall be borrowed to finance recurrent expenditure. All borrowing will be negotiated on terms that are favourable to the state.”
He further explained that the need to rebuild the failing infrastructure for economic recovery had made it necessary for the state to borrow.
“Rebuilding the state’s public infrastructure requires the sort of targeted financing we cannot immediately access within the state so there is the need to borrow to fund the projects that would kick-start the economy and make us competitive on a global scale.”
“In the 2024 fiscal year, the state proposes to commit 44.76% of the budget on the economic sector with the larger chunk of the resources going into works, (16.97%), land and housing (9.9%), agriculture (5.12%), and finance, (5.23%). “
Otti said that the state would witness massive infrastructural development in 2024 as already captured in the budget estimate.
“We shall be committing major resources in the 2024 financial year to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of some of the most important roads along the major economic corridors of the state.
“The budget has provided for completion of some of the projects we started in 2023 including Port Harcourt Road Aba, Ossah Road, Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abariba-Ohafia Road, Ozuabam-Ndi Okereke- Arochukwu Road, the dualisation of Umuikaa-Umuene-Omoba Road, Dualisation of Owerrinta-Umuikaa Road, Nunya-Eluama-Isuikwuato Road, Onuimo-Abia Tower Road amongst others as well as the commencement of new road projects in parts of the state.”
Otti promised to be transparent in the implementation of the budget estimate while urging the lawmakers to expeditiously consider and pass the budget for the good of the state.
“More importantly, the citizens and other stakeholders would have the opportunity to monitor how the funds are being spent and the impact of the projects on their communities, from inception to completion. This is very important to guarantee transparency and as a listening government, your inputs would always be very important in our decision making process.”
Responding, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, “the robust budget”, which he said would enhance the economy of the state.
The Speaker who noted that “this is the first time Abia will have a big budget”, promised that the lawmakers would “favourably and speedily” consider the proposal ” so that the state’s wheel of progress will not be stalled”.
Gov. Otti was accompanied on the budget presentation by many National Assembly members from the state including Hon. Obi Aguocha, Rep. Amobi Ogah, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe, Hon. Munachim Alozie, and Rep. Chris Nkwonta.
Members of the State Executive Council and top Government functionaries including former Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, also accompanied the Governor.
Says Ministry Has No Data On Balance Of Trade
Senators on Tuesday faulted the Ministry of Trade and Investment’s allocation of a N1billion budget proposal for a trip to Geneva.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Doris Nkiruka-Anite Uzoka, had disclosed the budgetary provisions in a document submitted to the Senate Committee on Trade while defending her Ministry 2024 Budget before the Committee.
In his response, former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole however dismissed the estimate as humongous and waste of public fund.
Senator Oshiomhole tasked her to shelve the Geneva trip and make use of experts in her Ministry.
He said: “I see that you intend to travel to Geneva next year and you have budgeted over one billion Naira for that. We can’t keep going on with over bloated teams on abroad trips. Use the experts we have in your offices in those country to save cost.”
Oshiomhole also accused the Minister of always abandoning her desk and on permanent visit to the Bank of Industry.
He said: “Madam, sit in your office and work for Nigerians. I have gone there twice. You are always in the BOI. If you preferred BOI, you should have declined the President’s nomination to be Minister.
The former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also picked holes in Nigeria’s balance of trade with other countries.
“What is our balance of trade? Especially with China. Those countries importing things to Nigeria are expected to build factories in Nigeria. We have to take advantage of our population to grow our industries.”
She could however not give a convincing narrative as she said that her Ministry has no record of balance of trade with other nations.
“Sir, I regret to say that we seem to have no record of our balance of trade.
“Or at least, it doesn’t exist in the Ministry and that is why we initiated a new unit called trade intelligence Unit to ensure that such data are generated and stored.”
Oshiomhole insisted that there was data at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies, which the Ministry has failed to access.
“No, Madam, I don’t agree that there is no data. Such data exists with the CBN, Customs and other agencies.”
Earlier in her presentation, the Minister told the lawmakers that her Ministry “remains committed to achieving its vision of promoting economic growth, creating jobs and generating wealth as well as formulating and implementing policies and programmes that attract foreign direct investments, boost industrialization, increase trade and exports as well as encourage the development of enterprises.”
She further disclosed that the “Ministry is currently implementing strategic policies, plans and programmes targeted towards economic recovery and growth for employment generation and wealth creation for the generality of Nigerians.
“Some of these plans, programmes and policies are the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), the Trade Policy of Nigeria (2023-2027) and the Nigerian Investment Policy (2023-2027). In addition, the Ministry has continued to play a vital role in facilitating the Ease of Doing Business which has led to a substantial increase in investments in the local economy and enhanced the industrialization efforts of government.”
The Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and state Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta have agreed to offer healthcare services to children in homes, rehabilitation and social services centres.
This indication emerged during a familiarisation visit of the Ministry's officials led by the Commissioner, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, to the Provost and Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Paul Agboola.
Speaking, Hon. Adeleye said the government was concerned about the well-being and wellness of all the citizenry, including those who need special care, adding that the Ministry would harness opportunities in relevant organisations to achieve its policy thrust.
The Commissioner, according to the Ministry's Press Officer, Mrs. Folake Ogunboyejo, appreciated the management of the Hospital for being a partner in progress, stated that the visit has created an avenue for a beneficial and mutual relationship that goes beyond clinical services but also provides social services in different forms, reiterating the state government's commitment to domesticate relevant social development laws for the overall benefit of the people.
On his part, Dr. Agboola, commended the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his choice of the Commissioner in the Ministry, saying the Hospital remained undaunted to give first aid treatment to mentally challenged people to reduce the danger posed by the society.
He added that the Hospital would ensure that victims of Gender-Based Violence get adequate care needed with a follow-up on psychological therapy and evaluation to keep them moving while assuring that it would assist in organising capacity building for social workers in the Ministry, as it continues to offer full clinical services for the immediate community and beyond.
Edo 2024: Ighodalo offers himself for service, reels plans to make Edo Africa’s leading economy
Admin…says we can creatively, collectively overcome our peculiar challenges in Edo
Frontline governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has said he is offering himself in service to Edo people as the state’s next helmsman, not for personal gains but his fervent desire to elevate the State to new heights, proffering innovative solutions to the peculiar challenges faced by the people of the State.
Ighodalo, who served as Chairman of Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/Gte and Founding Partner at Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading corporate and commercial law firm in Nigeria, also outlined his comprehensive vision for Edo’s future, emphasizing key initiatives to improve the lives of the people and reposition the State as Africa’s leading economy.
The PDP aspirant listed education, healthcare, job creation, infrastructure development, and sustainable economic policies as key areas of focus for his administration.
He said, “When I look at Edo State, for instance, how can we enhance the economic situation for our people? How can we improve agriculture, boost employment, and ensure that people have money in their pockets?
“There are also challenges with basic amenities like water, electricity, and roads. We need to address these issues. Edo State is blessed with abundant resources, both natural and human, and it has the potential to become the leading State in the country and Africa. To achieve this, we must take strategic steps and make the needed decisions.”
On leveraging Edo’s huge Diaspora remittances to drive sustainable economic development and growth, Asue Ighodalo further noted, “Many of our children based in the Diaspora send money home, but the funds are often used for immediate needs such as feeding and schooling. We should encourage them to invest in new businesses. However, this requires creating an environment that instills confidence in the success of such ventures.
“If we collectively think and plan, there are ample opportunities to make Edo State a thriving and prosperous place. It all boils down to creating an atmosphere where businesses can flourish, employment opportunities are abundant, and people have confidence in investing in new ventures. We must ensure that the citizens have access to essential services like quality education and healthcare.”
He added, “My vision for Edo State is to make it the number one State in Nigeria and a leading subnational in Africa. This involves ensuring that people have sufficient funds in their pockets, creating job opportunities for those who seek employment, and establishing a robust educational and healthcare system to cater for our people. To achieve this, we need to cultivate an environment that attracts investments and instills trust in the minds of those willing to contribute to the State's growth. I am committed to ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the people of Edo State.”
On Monday, December 11, the federal government expressed apprehension that the Naira redesign policy implementation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from December 15, 2022, to early February this year led to financial hardship for farmers, pushing them into bankruptcy.
In a similar manner, federal lawmakers declared that the rate of hunger and famine in the land has resulted into deaths of the poor in rural areas.
Lamentations on effects of the controversial naira redesign which later landed the initiator, Emefiele in detention since June this year and hunger arising from insecurity, came to the fore, during budget defence session the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari had before the National Assembly joint committee on Agriculture.
In his presentation before the joint committee chaired by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC – Kwara Central), the Agric Minister said the focus of the 2024 budgetary proposals for the sector is to achieve food security in the country which.
According to him, several factors like insecurity and naira re-design policy carried out about a year ago, impoverished the farmers and severely threatened food security in the country .
“The cash crunch caused by the Naira re-design , made most of the farmers sold their farm produce at give away price for survival , since buyers couldn’t access cash to buy the produce from them.
“The policy which coincided with harvest season , ended rendering the farmers empty financially,” he said.
In their separate remarks at the session, Hon Dahiru Ismaila Haruna from Toro Federal Constituency in Bauchi State and Hon Ademorin Kuye from Shomolu Federal Constituency , Lagos State, raised the alarmed on urgent need by the federal government to address the high rate of hunger in the country largely caused by insecurity.
Hon Haruna in his remarks said ”Hon Minister , being from the North East , the picture i’m about to paint shouldn’t be stranged to you at all.
“The pathetic picture of people dying of hunger on daily basis while majority of those surviving , feed once a day .
“Making it worrisome is the fact that even people from neighbouring countries like Chad, Niger, Benin Republic and Central Aftrica , are trooping in to mop up the little food , signalling total famine in the area if not urgently addressed by stockpilling the silos.”
But Hon Ademorin in his own remarks , wrote off the silos by putting it to the Minister that most of the silos built by President Jonathan administration, are alleged to be concession for N20million each.
The Minister however in his response , assured the lawmakers that all issues raised are being addressed and would be decisively addressed in the 2024 fiscal year.
Kyari said food security is the number one out of the 8- point agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration and that the Ministry has repositioned it self for actualization of the agenda.
According to him , some of the action plans already being implemented to ensure food security in the country aside securing of the farmlands by security agencies are ”certification of available planting materials for some food security crops in readiness for dry season farming.
“Reviewing the mechanisms and processes for delivering fertilizers and agro pesticides input to farmers under a transparent and accountable regime.
“Fast-track the take off and operations of the National Agricultural Development fund.
“Implement a joint action plan with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to unlock the huge irrigation potentials of the River Basins Development Authorities and other flood plains in the country to guarantee all year round food production etc.”
He earlier in his submission told the committee members that for the 2024 fiscal year, a total of N362.940billion was earmarked for the sector out of which n124.1billion is for the Ministry.
The breakdown of the N124.1billion according to him, shows that N10.6billion is for personnel cost, N1.34billion for overhead and N112.497billion for capital expenditure.
More...
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has asked his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to assume his responsibilities in an acting capacity while he proceeds on medical leave from Wednesday.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesman, Richard Olatunde.
The statement noted that the governor, who has been ill since January, will “prioritise his health and ensure a full recovery before resuming his official duties”.
Parts of the statement read, “A formal letter regarding the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power in line with the Nigerian Constitution will be transmitted to the House of Assembly.
“As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a widely respected Nigerian, Governor Akeredolu has consistently delegated power to his deputy during his annual vacations. This practice was observed on April 1, 2021, April 1, 2022, April 3, 2023, and July 10, 2023, when he embarked on previous vacations.”
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has visited victims of the recent accidental military airstrike on Tudun Biri village in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
During his visit to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital on Tuesday, Obi called for a thorough investigation into the incident and emphasized the need for increased funding for the military and other security agencies.
Obi stated that the nation has witnessed 16 accidental military bombings, resulting in over 500 casualties, yet decisive action has not been taken by the Federal Government to prevent recurrence.
He urged the government to allocate sufficient funds to enhance the operational efficiency of the military and security agencies.
The former governor of Anambra State stressed that robust support for the military is crucial in addressing contemporary and emerging security challenges facing the nation.
He called for accountability in the use of military force, emphasizing the importance of avoiding civilian casualties in operations.
Obi also proposed the establishment of a foundation to provide assistance to the victims of the Tudun Biri drone attack, particularly those who have been orphaned as a result of the incident.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, said the Labour Party, LP, was formed out of anger.
To this end, George said LP lacked the structure to win national elections.
Addressing journalists, he called on the 2023 LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to return to the PDP.
According to George: “The Labour Party doesn’t have the root. I have traversed every state in the country, there is nowhere you will not know or hear about our party, because it carries the full colour of Nigeria.
“The LP was a movement; they don’t have a solid root. LP came out of anger, it doesn’t have the kind of root we have. LP is a wind. Where was Obi? We can still talk to him, if he wants to.
“I have no iota of tribalism in my blood. I stand to fight for inclusiveness for all Nigerians in the political process of this country and especially in this party where some of us have suffered great injustice for the fight of equity and justice for all.
“As leaders of the party, we must not pander towards ethnic affiliation because PDP is the only true national party.”
[PRESS STATEMENT] Rivers State Politics: PDP NEC’S Interventions and Comments Are Confirmation of Its Continued Anger Against Wike for Supporting Tinubu’s Election as President - Igbini Odafe Emmanuel
AdminMy attention has been drawn to the Press Statement issued yesterday December 11, 2023, by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as its swift reaction to the purported defection of twenty-seven Legislators of Rivers State House of Assembly from PDP to APC.
It was a rude shock and disappointment in the superlative sense of the word, to read that the NEC of PDP rather than intervene to help resolve the minor political disagreement between the immediate past governor Nyesom Wike and his beloved successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for the overriding interest of the good and united people of Rivers State and continued Peace and Progress of the State, the NEC of PDP would rather be more interested in declaring that the Seats of these twenty-seven Legislators be declared vacant and calls on INEC to immediately conduct bye-elections to fill them. Is this an attitude of a leading political party that cares about the Peace, Unity, Progress and Democratic advancement of the people of Rivers State and by extension, that of over two hundred million Nigerians it sought to rule over again? The answer is an obvious, NO!
It is not anymore in doubt that all some leading Chieftains and members of the NEC of PDP care about is to continue in their anger against former governor Wike for supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC to become the elected President of Nigeria in 2023 even after the Supreme Court had delivered its Judgment on the 2023 Presidential Election. As a result of this continued anger against Wike, they are so committed to seeing the collapse of the Peace, Unity, Security and Economic Progress that existed in the Rivers State in the past eight years under Wike and his successful and peaceful handover of leadership to Mr Fubara whom he supported to emerge as elected governor, also against the wish of these members of NEC of PDP.
If I may ask; are these not the same Chieftains and members of the NEC of PDP who supported and approved of the worse form of disregard and desecration of our 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, when from June 2019 to June 2023, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State chased away majority of elected members of Edo State House of Assembly and ran the affairs of the State without constitutionally recognized members of the House of Assembly? Is this what they seek to reenact in Rivers State to have governor Fubara run the affairs of the State without the Legislators or with only four or five legislators out of the total of thirty-two Legislators? Nigerians must not allow PDP reenact such in Rivers State and any part of Nigeria as such constitutes the worst threat to our Constitutional Democracy, good government, Order and Peace.
In conclusion, I call on President Tinubu and well meaning Chieftains of PDP to urgently intervene to help resolve the minor political disagreement between Wike and his political son, governor Fubara and the return of all thirty-two legislators of Rivers State House of Assembly to the hallowed Chamber as one united elected members under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. President Tinubu’s laudable intervention in resolution of the political crisis in Ondo State must be replicated right now in Rivers State
It is pertinent for me to state as this point that all actions taken so far by the twenty-seven legislators to commence impeachment of governor Fubara and their declaration of defection from PDP to APC, and the proclamation of the four or five other legislators as leaders of the House of Assembly, are unconstitutional, vexatious, mockery of Democracy and complete nullity that must not be tolerated and accepted by Nigerians. They are actions that offend the express provision of section 4 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, which clearly states the functions and duties of the Nigerian Legislature.
Comrade Engr Igbini Odafe Emmanuel.
National President,
Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD)