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Tag: ECA

  • COVID-19: Should You Believe What ECA Is Saying About Africa? – Azu Ishiekwene

    Azu Ishiekwene

    In one of his bestsellers, The Zahir, Paulo Coelho said there are two major problems in life: knowing when to begin and knowing when to stop.

    If, for example, Nigeria had closed its borders early on and enforced quarantine for all returning Nigerians, whoever they are, things might have been different today. I’m sure many others would say the same for their own countries as well.

    In between knowing when to begin and knowing when to stop, however, an agency of the United Nations, which ought to help Africa find its way out of the present crisis, is bandying figures about COVID-19 that can only compound the continent’s collective misery.

    Last week, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) said between 300,000 and 3.3million Africans may die from coronavirus, and expected us to take the figures like gospel.

    The commission gave five different possible scenarios (from no-intervention to suppression using intense social distancing) that could lead to – or mitigate – this catastrophic outcome. It, however, failed disastrously to show the basis for its model on a country-specific basis. That’s unforgivable because no disease impacts a country the same way, much less a continent.

    Africa is not a country. Yet, the forecast is a parable that even institutions that are supposed to serve the continent are not immune to biases of how the West treats the continent like a country. It’s also a reminder that Africans can and do treat themselves worse, even without help from outsiders.

    How did the ECA arrive at its apocalyptic figures for a continent of 58 countries and a population of 600-750million people, with all its nuances, diversity and complexity, without providing details on a country-by-country basis of how its forecast might happen?

    When experts in the US predicted that between 200,000 to 1.7million people could die from coronavirus it was based largely on 1) the impact and profile of previous epidemics, especially the viral ones; 2) how quickly and effectively people respond to precautions, adjust and iterate, and 3) the capacity of the medical healthcare system to respond to the ongoing crisis.

    The forecasts in the UK (where 500,000 deaths were initially predicted) and other places also followed similar modelling patterns as those in the US, yet neither the forecast in the US nor that in Britain indicated a uniform impact across individual countries. There’s no European, North American or Asian model.

    Notwithstanding, we have seen that even these “informed forecasts” were exaggerated. Whether it was intended or not, the forecasts also helped the countries concerned to buy time to strengthen their healthcare systems while keeping larger and vulnerable segments of the populations on the straight and narrow.

    That, obviously, was what the ECA wanted to do with Africa: to sound a warning that we cannot treat with levity a virus that the world is yet to fully understand, much less tame.

    But the commission goofed, and we’re not obliged to be led by the nose. Its report, “COVID-19 in Africa: Protecting lives and economies,” showed little respect for the continent’s diversity or evidence about how it arrived at its far-reaching conclusions, at least for the potential hotspots. Yet, this is the same commission that should have been on the frontline with fact-based evidence, harnessing original thinking about how to help the continent find its way out.

    To be sure, the report highlighted the serious deficiencies in healthcare systems across the continent, which we know.

    It highlighted the fragile state of the economies, the danger posed by the pandemic and suggested that the continent’s growth may not only recess by nearly 2.6 percent, Africa may also need $200billion (for its healthcare systems and forbearance) to plug the hole. Again, not surprising.

    It reminded us that large segments of the continent’s populations reside in overcrowded urban areas, which increases the risk of transmission, and added that general poverty compounded by poor access to basic sanitary infrastructure and a broken global medical supply chain, could make the continent the world’s capital of COVID-19.

    Maybe? Improbable. Africa is not a country. According to WHO, parasite and vector-borne diseases, diarrhea, lower respiratory tract infections, HIV, and Ischaemic heart diseases claim three million African lives yearly. If ECA thinks that coronavirus alone would kill more Africans than the combined forces of these five top killers, then it is vitally important to show us country-specific data how this would happen, at least in the hotspots.

    Reliable data on the continent is difficult, but not impossible to find. The (Oxford) Journal of Infectious Diseases said in its September 2015 edition, “Many African countries have health and demographic surveillance sites where births and deaths are recorded.” Such data, for example, could have been a starting point.

    A one-size-fits-all picture is not good enough, because even as tough as things are, there are still differences in attitudes, disease profile and governance, from country to country that could significantly affect outcomes.

    It’s telling that even though the commission’s report said pre-existing conditions in Africa are worse than in any other continent, and it even identified HIV as a serious problem in southern Africa, for example, it still didn’t think this “localised” profile made the case for country-specific data more compelling. The continent cannot be hostage to ECA’s apocalyptic scenario simply because mortality modelling has become the in-thing.

    Interestingly, at about the same time the ECA was releasing its 48-page report, the situation in some of the most populous countries on the continent did not show any significant divergence in the ratio between reported/confirmed and recorded deaths in these countries, and what is being recorded in other parts of the world.

    As of Tuesday, Nigeria and Ethiopia, whose combined populations is roughly half of the continent’s and which also have significant poor urban populations, had only recorded 665 and 114 confirmed cases respectively with combined deaths of 25, well below the current world average of three to four percent, with impressive rates of recovery in both countries.

    South Africa and Kenya which are not just among the continent’s top 10 populous countries but are also reasonably integrated into the global supply chain have, so far, managed to contain the spread of the virus with total confirmed cases of 3,761 (mostly from South Africa) as of Tuesday, 72 deaths, and 1,127 recoveries.

    Also, as of Tuesday, Africanarguments.org said the total confirmed cases in Africa were 23,720; recoveries 6,159; and deaths, 1,162.

    Egypt, Morocco and Algeria, which the report said have less crowded urban areas and therefore are potentially less vulnerable, constituted over 45 percent of the confirmed cases in Africa as of Tuesday, with higher than average mortality. That is precisely why a report that fails to supply the basis for a worst-case scenario for the continent’s hotspots, is quite frankly, irresponsible.

    I should not be mistaken. I know that it’s still early days and depending on how the pandemic is managed, things might get grim in some countries, with Nigeria still being a country of concern.

    I’m also not suggesting, for a moment, that Africa’s job is done, that the worst is over, or that the challenge of COVID-19 is not a clear and present danger to the continent. There is a need for better co-ordination and information sharing among countries as has been suggested in an open letter by some of the continent’s leading scholars including Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

    Research centres, scientists and universities must also step up to the plate. Two years ago, WHO held a simulation of a response to “a deadly global flu pandemic” involving 40 countries including 10 from Africa. Have the lessons from that simulation been any use in helping countries respond to COVID-19?

    The public deserves more from ECA. I simply refuse to accept data that treats the continent as a country just because such data is coming from experts who assume they would not be questioned.

    It’s also instructive that Africa’s poorest countries are finding ways outside the total lockdown models prevalent in Europe, US and Asia, to help themselves. We can’t always let others do the lifting for us or just be happy copycats.

    In Malawi, for example, civil society groups took the government to court last week and obtained an interim ruling that prevents the government from implementing a total lockdown without concrete measures on how to cater for the weak and vulnerable more of who may die from hunger than from contracting the virus.

    As more countries around the world embark on aggressive and rapid testing, while easing restrictions, it would be particularly helpful to look at steps barely mentioned in the ECA’s report that could be modified from country to country.

    Mandatory use of face masks; greater transparency about results from community testing; more information about how and where to get help by those who present symptoms; redefinition and expansion of “essential services” to include more of the informal sector (imagine that the US state of Texas included gun shops as essential!), may help.

    Also, smart curfews and continued restrictions on large gatherings; greater honesty about what is working, some humility about what is not and what is still unknown, might also be useful in the days ahead.

    It’s still a long, long road and the ECA should shine the light instead of beating us over the head with apocalyptic data. Perhaps it’s not the commission’s fault that the continent began late, but it’s time to stop mortality modelling not based on country-specific evidence.

    Ishiekwene is the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview

  • FG shrinks ECA, withdraws $1.68b in month

    The withdrawal of $1.68 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in one month by the Federal Government has left a balance of $631 million in the strategic Excess Crude Account as at December 19, it was learnt on Wednesday.

    The ECA is a buffer account held in trust by the government to cushion the effects of economic volatilities during hard times. However, the Federal Government said it swept the account of 72.7 per cent of the original savings to off-set the last tranche of the Paris Club obligations to states.

    Addressing reporters at the end of the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja yesterday, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa Dutse, disclosed the balance in the ECA as $631 million.

    When asked to clarify the figures, Dutse maintained that the balance in the ECA was $631 million. “The balance in the ECA is $631 million. The final payment for Paris Club refund to states was made and the figure was deducted and that’s what accounts for the difference.”

    Asked him if money “from the ECA to settle Paris Club refunds?”, the permanent secretary responded: “A decision was taken to make this refund and part of that decision is that the refund should be funded from the ECA. Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the president approved the money.”

    At the November FAAC meeting in Kaduna, what was declared to be left in the ECA was $2.319 billion but by last night the account had been depleted by 72.7per cent to $631 million.

    Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) Mr. Ahmed Idris, when asked by reporters to shed more light on the depletion of the ECA, directed the inquiry be from the National Assembly if parliamentary approval was given for the withdrawal but insisted that they “followed due process” in depleting the account.

    With regards to the monthly FAAC disbursements, Isa Dutse disclosed that a total of N812.762 billion was distributed as Federal Allocation for the month of November 2018 between the Federal, States and Local Government Councils.

    The communiqué issued by the Technical Sub -Committee of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) at the end of its December meeting, indicated that the gross statutory revenue received was N649.629 billion. This sum is lower than the N682.161 billion received in the previous month by N32.533 billion.

    The breakdown of the distributable revenue of N812.762 billion, comprised the statutory revenue of N649.629 billion, Gross Value Added Tax of N92.079 billion, forex equalisation of N70.000 billion and an Exchange Gain of N1.055 billion.

    Therefore, from the Gross statutory revenue, Federal Government received N280.913 billion representing 52.68 per cent; states got N142.483 billion representing 26.72 per cent; local government areas received N109.848 billion representing 20.60 per cent; while the oil producing states received N47.882 billion representing 13per cent derivation revenue.

    The breakdown of distribution to the three tiers from Value Added Tax (VAT) showed that Federal Government received N13.259 billion representing 15 per cent; states received N44.198 billion representing 50 per cent while the local government councils received N30.938 billion, also representing 35 per cent.

    The Communique added that the revenue from the Company Income Tax(CIT) increased significantly while revenues from VAT, Import Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Foreign Oil and Gas, Domestic Oil and Gas Royalties all decreased.

     

     

  • Delta approves $1bn from ECA to FG as Gov. Okowa takes leave

    Delta State House of Assembly has approved and authorized the Federal Government to deduct the State’s share of the sum of one billion dollars from the Excess Crude Account for the procurement of military equipment for the fight against insurgency and other security challenges in the country.

    TheNewsGuru reports the approval was sequel to a motion to that effect move by Majority Leader of the House, Hon Tim Owhefere, who was seconded by Hon Johnson Erijo.

    The approval followed a request by the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in a letter to the House, read at plenary by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

    Governor Okowa in the letter informed the House of the Federal government plans to deduct the sum of one billion dollars from the Excess Crude Account for the procurement of military equipment to support the Armed Forces in its operations in fighting insurgency and other security challenges.

    He said procedurally, in addition to the approval of the National Assembly, the concurrent approval of the Houses of Assembly in the thirty six states of the federation was expected to be sought and obtained to facilitate the deduction from the Excess Crude Account.

    Governor Okowa noted that it would be useful for the resolution of the House to capture that the thirteen per cent derivation component accruable to Delta State as its share of the one billion dollars should be remitted to the State.

    The Majority Leader, who move the motion for the adoption of the approval, debated that security was classified hence discussions are not done in the open in order not to avoid compromise.

    The request was, thereafter, approved following a voice vote by the Speaker.

    Also at plenary, the Speaker welcomed members back from the two weeks break saying that all hands must be on deck to actualise legislative responsibility to the people.

    He said the fourth session of the sixth assembly commenced on the 19th of June, 2018 adding that there were a number of bills which were not concluded at the previous session hence the need to conclude them at the earliest possible time.

    The Speaker thanked members for the speedy passage of the Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Bill and thanked the lawmakers for their continuous support to the leadership of the House.

    Oborevwori on behalf of members and staff of the Assembly, congratulated the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who celebrated his 59th birthday on Sunday, July 8, 2018 and wished him good health.

    Meanwhile, the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa will proceed on a two weeks annual vacation from Friday 13th July to Wednesday 25th July 2018.

    The Speaker read a letter from the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to the House titled “Notice of Vacation”

    According to the letter, Governor Okowa said the twelve days leave will form part of his 2018 annual vacation.

    He said he will resume the function of Governor on Wednesday, 25th July, 2018 while the remaining part of his annual vacation will be enjoyed later in the year.

    Governor Okowa said in accordance with section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro would perform the duties of his office as Acting Governor during the period of his leave.

     

  • Buhari can withdraw $496m from ECA without approval of NASS – Aide

    Sequel to the controversies generated over the withdrawal of $496 million by President Muhammadu Buhari for the purchase of some aircraft to tackle terrorism, a presidential aide, Ita Enang has said the president does not need approval of the National Assembly to withdraw such funds.

    Enang made this statement on Monday while discussing ‘the implications of bypassing the National Assembly’ in an interview on AIT.

    Enang is Special Assistant to President Buhari on National Assembly matters.

    Recall that the Chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Matthew Uroghide, last week, asked his colleagues to invoke the impeachment clause on Buhari over the withdrawal of the $496 million from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) without the lawmakers’ consent.

    His call came after the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read out the president’s letter which explained that he (Mr Buhari) gave an anticipatory approval to purchase of the aircraft from the U.S. government because of time constraint and with the hope that the lawmakers will raise no objection.

    Urhoghide had stood to condemn the act of the president on Wednesday but was asked to present his grouse as a substantive motion on another legislative day.

    Coming under Order 15, 42 and 52 on Thursday, Mr Urhoghide said the approval without National Assembly’s input was a violation of the constitution and should be punished with impeachment, adding that the objective of the expenditure is ”very well established but the procedure of approval was wrong.”

    He further asked the Senate to invoke Section 143 to start the impeachment process of the president.

    His motion was also seconded by Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North), who described the president’s act as “an impeachable offence.”

    Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), explained that what is pending before the legislature is a request to include the sum in the 2018 budget. He said the National Executive Council (NEC) had approved the expenditure in December.

    He further argued that it is legal to spend money from a budget that is yet to be passed, anticipating approval.

    “The law and the constitution recognizes contingencies. And when we finish collating what is needed for the balance of the $1 billion, after $496 million, we will bring a supplementary budget before the legislature,” he said.

    When asked if senators were right to call for the invocation of section 143 (which allows for a president to be removed from office if found guilty of gross misconduct), Enang said, “He is not guilty of gross misconduct and the question of section 143 is not what is pending before the legislature.”

    He argued that there is precedence of spending from the Excess Crude Account without the permission of the legislature from past administrations.

    “It is following due process. It is what I will call Internal Standard Proprietary Procedure in procurement in terms of security. The money has not even been appropriated.

    “This government has come to clear and clean every misconduct and in the course of it, every questions will arise as to every action and we are ready to justify them,” he said.

    When asked if he would applaud this act by the president, he said “applauding this act is like saying that something wrong has been done. Nothing wrong has been done. Mr President acted in good faith.

    “The executive, the judiciary and the legislature have what is called inherent powers, powers that inheres in your office especially in cases of emergencies.

    “The executive acted upon its inherent powers and this was a case of emergency.”

     

  • NASS should sanction Buhari for withdrawing $146m from ECA without approval – PDP

    Nigeria’s main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the National Assembly to commence constitutional processes to sanction President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly withdrawing $146m from the nation’s Excess Crude oil Account (ECA) without prior approval from it (the National Assembly).

    The party said the President violated his oath of office by “illegally” withdrawing and spending from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) without the constitutionally required legislative appropriation.

    A statement issued on Monday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said President Buhari was aware that his unilateral spending of $496 million (N151.374 billion) from the ECA, without recourse to the legislative approval of the National Assembly, was a gross violation of the laws and constitution of Nigerian and a direct affront to statutory order as a democratic state.

    “By this action, President Buhari has technically suspended the 1999 Constitution (as amended), plundered the inherent powers of the National Assembly as the principal institution of democratic rule, while re-enacting a sole administratorship in governance as if our nation is operating a military regime.

    “More disturbing is the revelation that President Buhari paid the $496 million for the purchase of military aircraft from the United States, ignoring allegations of overprice and issues concerning due process, just to achieve a political expediency of currying President Donald Trump’s support for his 2019 re-election bid,” the statement added.

    The party further stated that the President’s action amounted to a gross misconduct and betrayal of public trust, adding that in the bid to push a personal agenda, he deliberately side-stepped statutory legislative scrutiny and acted in clear breach of section 80 (3) (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “While Section 80 (3) states that “no monies shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation unless the issues of those monies have been authorized by an act of the National Assembly

    “Section 80 (4) provides that “no monies shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the federation except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.

    “It is shocking that President Buhari, whose administration prides on claims of transparency and zero tolerance for corruption, elected on a platform that lay claims to the height of progressivism, who boasts of the highest standards of integrity, can mundanely resort to a violent abuse of our constitution just to suit a desperate passion of seeking re-election.

    “It would be recalled that following the public outcry over the announcement that President Buhari had unilaterally approved the withdrawal of $1 billion from the ECA, the Presidency, through its Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Inang, on April 9, 2018, stated that no such approval had been made, adding that the President would never act in breach of section 80 of the constitution; yet they were aware that payments have been made,” the party added.

  • Buhari allegedly withdraws $462m from ECA without NASS approval

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the withdrawal $462 million from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to the United States for the procurement of 12 Super Tucano aircraft, without a formal approval of the National Assembly, This Day newspaper has reported.

    Investigations reveal that a new letter by the president to the National Assembly, says the U.S. government had given a payment deadline for the aircraft purchase, hence, the need for the hasty approval and payment.

    Recall that the president transmitted the letter to the National Assembly leadership on April 13 and it was received in the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives on April 17.

    The letter shows that the president had already given anticipatory approval for the withdrawal of $496,374,470 (N151 394, 421, 355) from the ECA for the purchase of the aircraft and was only seeking the inclusion of same in the 2018 Appropriation Bill that the National Assembly is currently finalising.

    The date on the letter indicated that the President had given approval for the withdrawal of the cash and paid before a public announcement of the approval, ThisDay reports.

    According to ThisDay, Buhari’s letter reads, “I wish to draw the attention of the House of Representatives to the ongoing security emergencies in the country. These challenges were discussed with the state governors and subsequently, at the meeting of the National Economic Council on 14th December, 2017, where a resolution was passed, with the Council approving that up to US$1 billion may be released and utilised from the Excess Crude Account to address the situation.

    “Subsequent upon this approval, we are preparing a comprehensive schedule of all the requirements for each of the security services for presentation to the National Assembly for consideration.

    “It would be recalled that, for a number of years, Nigeria had been in discussions with the United States Government for the purchase of Super Tucano Aircraft under a direct Government-to-Government arrangement. Recently, approval was finally granted by the United States Government, but with a deadline within which part payment must be made otherwise, the contract would lapse.

    “In the expectation that the National Assembly would have no objection to the purchase of this highly specialised aircraft, which is critical to national security, I granted anticipatory approval for the release of US$496,374,470.00. This was paid directly to the treasury of the United States Government.

    “I am therefore writing, seeking approval of this House for the sum of US$496,374,470.00 (equivalent to N151,394,421,335.00) to be included in the 2018 Appropriation Bill, which the National Assembly is currently finalising. The balance of the requirements for critical operational equipment is still being collated from the different security services and will be presented in the form of a Supplementary Appropriation Bill, in due course.

    “The Honourable Minister of Defence and other appropriate officers will be available to provide further details, as may be required.

    “While thanking the Honourable Members for the usual cooperation, please be assured Mr. Speaker, the assurance of my highest regards.”

    The letter also proved false several claims that Mr President did not give a final approval before the announcement.

    Recall that the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, while speaking with journalists at the end of a security meeting chaired by the president on April 4, announced that Buhari had approved the release of $1 billion to Nigerian Defence authorities for the purchase of security equipment to fight insecurity in the country.

    “Of recent, our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, gave approval for the purchase of more equipment for the military, worth $1 billion,” he said.

     

  • European clubs call for rest periods in international calendar

    European clubs want mandatory rest periods inserted into the international calendar to give players more time to recover from games and train, the head of their association said on Tuesday.

    “It is paramount to preserve and respect the main actors who are the players,” Andrea Agnelli, chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), told reporters.

    He said ECA would press for “an overall reduction of games, including mandatory rest periods” for the next international calendar, starting in 2024.

    “Preserving the game can only lead to enlarging the audience with the benefits this would bring for everyone,” added Agnelli, who is president of Serie A champions Juventus.

    The international match calendar, which is drawn up by world body FIFA, co-ordinates fixtures around the globe, allocating dates for international matches and tournaments to avoid clashes with domestic competitions.

    The current match calendar runs until 2024 and allows for eight to 10 internationals per year in addition to major tournaments such as the World Cup, European Championship and Copa America.

    Top players can easily play 60 to 70 games in a season for their clubs and national teams and Agnelli demanded that clubs be consulted before the next calendar is drafted.

    “We clubs are the ones investing in the game, we are the ones running the risks on a daily basis both on and off the pitch. So, we want to make sure our voice is properly heard when decisions are taken,” he said.

    Agnelli explained that the rest periods would mean players could train, but would not play matches.

    “Players are playing two or three times a week at club level and international level.

    “We must take into consideration weeks when players can rest and train, and reduce the overall number of games,” he said.

  • Wike visits Buhari, insists withdrawal of $1bn from ECA to fight Boko Haram illegal

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Friday visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The governor after the brief meeting with the President disclosed to State House correspondents that the decision of his colleagues in the Nigeria Governors Forum to allow the federal government withdraw $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, is illegal.

    He, however, indicated that he supported the decision because the motive was that the money would be largely used to fight the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The government has said the money is to be used in the fight against Boko Haram and insecurity across the country.

    The decision by the NGF has generated controversy even among the governors with one of them, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, challenging the decision in court.

    In his words: “Even though for me it’s illegal, however, we are told we are fighting insurgency and no right thinking person in the country will say that he would not support the government in fighting against insurgency.

    “But on the other hand too, I believe that when you are talking about environmental issues in the Niger Delta particularly the Ogoniland, I believe that we can also take money from there (Excess Crude Account) to solve the problem of Ogoniland and other Niger Delta areas. That is my position,” he said.

    Mr. Wike said his meeting with Mr. Buhari centred on security matters in his state, adding that he was happy with the discussion.

    The governor, who described his relationship with the president as cordial, said their discussion also bordered on other developmental issues in the state.

    “I’m happy with the discussion and I believe that something has to be done about (security) it. It is nothing political just security issues that affects the state and things that may lead to the breakdown of law and order. We talked on security challenges and he received me very well.

    “We don’t have any bad relationship, I come here when he asked me to come,” he said.

    On the allegation that he manipulated the recently held National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to install his preferred candidate as chairman of the party, Mr. Wike said it was impossible for an individual to install a party chairman in Nigeria.

    “It is impossible for one person to own a party. The only thing is that people are vibrating and the ruling party is jittery about it,” he said.

  • $1bn ECA: FG replies Fayose; says funds not only for fight against Boko Haram

    The Federal Government has replied Governor Ayodele Fayose and other critics of the recently approved $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account that the fund was not meant solely for the fight against Boko Haram in the troubled northern part of the country as widely speculated.

    The planned expenditure was made public by Abdulaziz Yari, the chairman of Governors Forum, who said all the state governors had agreed to release the money to the federal government.

    Yari said although President Buhari and several administration officials, including military chiefs, had proclaimed victory in the eight-year-long battle against insurgency, a substantial amount of budget was still required to tackle pockets of terrorists around the northeast.

    However, Governor Fayose had initially alleged that approval of the fund from the ECA was solely to fund President Buhari’s 2019 presidential ambition as against being used to fight Boko Haram.

    While acknowledging the viciousness and urgency of the dreaded sect, Fayose said the ECA had already been overdrawn with barely $2 billion left in it.

    He also argued that other states across the country require attention for economic situations that are nearly as severe as those afflicting the people of northeast.

    The governor also said the timing and the circumstances surrounding the $1 billion indicate that Buhari intended to warehouse it for his reelection bid in 2019, saying he was never a part of the discussion to earmark it.

    The planned withdrawal has also been a subject of political bickering between the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

    While the opposition party alleged attempted fraud on the part of the administration, the ruling party said all governors, including 11 from PDP, approved the fund.

    However, in a direct response to the several questions regarding the controversial $1 billion on Tuesday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the money was not meant for Boko Haram war alone.

    “It was on account of the security summit that the governors at the Governors’ Forum subsequently decided that they would vote a certain sum of money, which has become somewhat controversial, the $1bn, to assist the security architecture of the country.

    “It was to assist all of the issues in the states, including policing in the states, community policing, all of the different security challenges that we have,” Osinbajo said at the ongoing retreat of secretaries to the government at state and federal levels in Abuja.

    This is the first time the administration would be explaining that the money is not intended for anti-Boko Haram efforts alone.