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Tag: Governors

  • Conviction of ex-govs: Is it only Christians that steal? – FFK asks Buhari

    Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, believes that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has only targetted former governors of Christian faith for corruption charges.

    In this post he shared on his Facebook page, he wondered if it is only Christians that are stealing.

    His post comes days after a Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced ex-Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, to 12 years imprisonment for N7.1billion fraud perpetrated while he was governor of his state.

    He wrote: “Every former Governor and key former public office holder that has been CONVICTED of corruption since Buhari came to power from Jolly Nyam to Joshua Dariye to Bala Ngilari and now Orhi Kalu is a Christian. Make of it what you will but that is a fact. Is it only Christians that steal?

  • Governors reject FG’s planned deduction of N162m from budget support loan

    The 36 State governors have rejected the proposed plan by the Federal Government to extend the repayment period of its budget support to state government from 20 to 30 years.

    With the extension, state governments’ monthly repayment will reduce from N252 million monthly to N162 million monthly.

    The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed had briefed newsmen at the end of the National Economic Council meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, .

    She was with Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule and Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire.

    She said the Federal Government had made the first and second months, N252 million monthly deductions, in September and October, based on the twenty years repayment period.

    Following the outcry of state governors, another repayment schedule plan extending the year to thirty years and monthly repayment of N162 million was presented to NEC on Tuesday.

    But she said that the state governors were still not satisfied with the repayment extension to thirty years.

    “The budget support facility was initially for twenty years repayment period. And when we made the first deduction in September, the states had complained that the amount deducted, which was N252 million, was too harsh.

    “So, since then, the Central Bank of Nigeria, who is the lender, has revised the condition to make the repayment period longer. And so the new repayment period is thirty years. And this means that the states will be paying monthly N162 million. But again today, the states still were not satisfied with the condition.

    “So, we are expecting that the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, CBN and the states will engage again with the view of having the CBN further revise the condition to reduce the monthly repayment burden.” she said.

  • Buhari, governors, ministers depart Abuja for Russia today

    Buhari, governors, ministers depart Abuja for Russia today

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja today to attend a three-day Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia.

    The summit which begins on October 23rd will end on the 25th.

    It will focus on exploring and expanding opportunities in security, trade and investment, science and technology, and gas production between Russia and African nations.

    During the summit, President Buhari will meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to further strengthen relations in security, trade and investment, and building partnership that will enhance Nigeria’s huge gas potential, following Russia’s remarkable success in gas exportation.

    Buhari is also expected to sign some military agreement with Russia to boost war against Boko Haram terrorists.

    The summit, which will be attended by African Heads of State, will bring fresh perspectives on some global issues and challenges like nuclear technology, energy development, digital transformation, environment, technical security, mining and steel, education, agriculture, infrastructure and development strategies.

    An African Business Forum, which will bring together African and Russian business leaders, will be held during the event to enhance Russian investments in Africa, and promote African business interest in the host country.

    President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

    Others on the trip are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite and Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.

  • Financial autonomy: NFIU can’t dictate how we’ll handle LG funds – Governors

    Those referring to local government as the third tier of government get it wrong, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) said on Sunday.

    The NGF said the local government is not recognised by the 1999 Constitution as a tier of government.

    It said only the federal and state governments are recognised.

    NGF chairman and Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the guidelines by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) on the financial autonomy for local government were issued by an agency oblivious of the provisions of the constitution.

    Fayemi said only a constitution amendment can change the status quo.

    He said any Constitution review in that direction will also require the approval by two-thirds of the 36 Houses of Assembly.

    Fayemi told reporters in Lagos that the rift over the NFIU’s proposals and the controversy over government autonomy had shifted to the court, adding that parties in the dispute cannot take further steps outside the constitution.

    Rejecting the unconstitutional description of local council as a third tier, he said: “As far as we are concerned, the position of the NGF on the issue is the position of the law.

    “There is no law that has been passed in the country on local government autonomy. There have been several attempts, but it has never gotten 24 states Houses of Assembly out of the 36 in the country to make it happen.”

    Fayemi maintained that Nigeria is a two-tier federation, contrary to the erroneous belief in some quarters.

    He said: “Nigeria is not a three-tier federation; the talks about Nigeria being a three-tier federation is a distortion; it is just an aberration that we even have to go to Abuja to get approval on local governments.

    “If you want to create 200 local governments, it is your business because you and your people in your state should figure it out. It should not be the business of Abuja because that for me is surreptitious unitarism.

    “You cannot go behind to do what the constitution does not allow you to do and that was what informed our position at the NGF over the ridiculous instruction to banks.

    “You know that you cannot confront us; you are now going to bankers. What is the business of the banks with the accounts maintained by local government as long as the accounts are funded and the proper persons run the accounts?

    “Besides that, what is the business of the NFIU on local government funds? When you read the NFIU law, NFIU monitors what is going on in the banking system, internationally and locally and if you have a specific case of money laundering, please bring it up. You cannot have a general rule to address a unique problem.

    “You can’t because you want to fight money laundering; you now say that states and local governments cannot run joint accounts, which is in the constitution of Nigeria. Section 162 and we have a case pending in court on the issue.”

  • Governors afraid of organising flamboyant parties – Magu

    Governors afraid of organising flamboyant parties – Magu

    Mr Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), has alleged that some state governors are afraid of organising flamboyant parties because of the commission’s eagle eyes.

    Magu, said on Monday during his working visit to the commission’s zonal office in Makurdi that some of the governors were now maintaining low profile.

    He said that the development was due to the fact that whenever the governors contravened the law, EFCC would come after them, as they were always on the commission’s radar, both within and outside the country.

    “EFCC is all eyes and ears; wherever and whenever they organise such ostentatious parties, they will be fished out and prosecuted, be it within or outside the country.

    The acting EFCC chairman stressed that the commission would not relent in its efforts at curbing their excesses, stressing that necessary strategic plans had been put in place and were expected to yield results in the fight against corruption.

    According to Magu, even though corruption is deep rooted in the country, the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government is yielding results.

    He said that the task of fighting corruption was very complex and sophisticated, as organised criminal gangs were daily devising new high-tech means of perpetrating fraud and other criminal activities.

    Magu said that the agency, in its quest for success, was always ahead of the fraudsters and criminals in their activities.

    He added that the commission had recorded tremendous achievements through its whistle blowing policy.

    “Whistle blowing is working very well and we are paying. What delays the payments sometimes are the rudiments of the courts,” he said.

    Magu further disclosed that the commission recovered millions of naira from members of the Eighth Benue State House of Assembly who were involved in strange car deals.

    He said that the commission was still investigating some of the legislators.

    The anti-graft boss, however, described corruption as a cankerworm that had eaten deep into the country’s fabric.

    He appealed to journalists to join the fight against corruption in the country, using their investigative expertise.

    Magu also added that EFCC had been intensifying efforts to clamp down on internet fraudsters, stressing that its joint operations with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation was yielding results.

    He said the massive crackdown on internet fraudsters (popularly called Yahoo Yahoo boys) nationwide was still ongoing.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that FBI and the EFCC had, at a joint press conference in September, announced that 167 people had been arrested in Nigeria and 74 in the U.S for internet fraud.

    Some weeks after, the U.S. officials released a list of Nigerians suspected to be behind online scams.

    The FBI’s “sweep” operation, along with EFCC, had since May focused on dismantling the cyber criminal enterprises.

  • Buhari, govs, ministers, others jet to New York for 74th UNGA Session Sunday

    Buhari, govs, ministers, others jet to New York for 74th UNGA Session Sunday

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja Sunday for New York, United States to participate in the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74) which opened on Tuesday, September 17.

    The President’s participation at this year’s gathering of world leaders is particularly significant as it coincides with Nigeria’s Presidency of UNGA.

    On June 4, 2019, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, was unanimously elected as the President of UNGA74 – an indication of the country’s high esteem in global reckoning.

    This marks the second time Nigeria would be occupying that prestigious position following late Maj-Gen. Joseph Nanven Garba’s election during UNGA44 in 1989.

    The theme for UNGA74 is, “Galvanizing Multilateral Efforts for Poverty Eradication, Quality Education, Climate Action and Inclusion.”

    The General Debates will kick off on Tuesday, September 24 during which leaders of delegations will present their National Statements as well as speak to the theme of the session.

    President Buhari is scheduled as Number Five Speaker on the first day of the debates – another plus for the country as most world leaders will be listening in the General Assembly Hall while the global audience watches on live television.

    The President is expected to underscore his administration’s commitment to building on the achievements of its three-point agenda following the renewal of his electoral mandate by majority of Nigerians. He will also reaffirm Nigeria’s position on salient global issues.

    While in New York, the Nigerian leader and members of his delegation are expected to participate in the Climate Action Summit with the theme, “A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win,” convened by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres; the High-Level meeting organized by the President of UNGA74 on Universal Health Coverage with the theme, “Moving Together to Build a Healthier World”; UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development; High-Level Dialogue on Financial Development as well as High-Level Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

    The Nigerian delegation is also expected to participate at the Side-Events organized by the country’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    These include: SDGs Integration – Bridging the Policy Planning – Budget Gap for the Achievement of SDGs, organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals; Promotion of International Cooperation to Combat Illicit Financial Flows and Strengthen Good Practices on Assets Recovery and Return to Foster Sustainable Development, organized by the Office of the National Coordinator/CEO, African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development/African Peer Review Mechanism (AUDA-NEPAD/APRM) in collaboration with the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption bodies.

    Seven European and African countries have confirmed their participation at this event designed to mobilize collective global action against illicit assets and their recovery and return for developmental projects.

    Moreover, the meeting will further boost the profile of President Buhari as the African Union anti-corruption Champion.

    The Federal Ministry of Water Resources is also organising a side-event on Sanitation and Hygiene Campaign for a Clean Nigeria: Sharing Lessons and Key Insights.

    This is crucial for Nigeria as donor nations and organisations are willing to support the country’s target to end open defecation by 2025.

    The Nigerian leader is also billed to hold bilateral meetings with some leaders of other delegations; chief executive officers of big companies keen to invest in the country; Aliko Dangote and Bill Gates on sustaining the polio-free campaign as well as issues on human capital projects and development.

    Before returning to Abuja at the conclusion of his engagements, President Buhari will meet with a select group of top America-based Nigerian businessmen and potential investors.

    The President will be accompanied to New York by Governors Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi and Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Environment, Dr Muhammad Mahmoud; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire are also members of the delegation.

    Also on the President’s delegation are: Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development, Sa’adiya Farouk; Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu; National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; National Coordinator/CEO, NEPAD, Princess Gloria Akobundu; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

  • JUST IN: Buhari meets APC governors in Abuja

    JUST IN: Buhari meets APC governors in Abuja

    Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with state governors elected under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The agenda of the meeting, which started at about 3 p.m., was unknown as at the time of filing this report.

    The governors were led by the Chairman of the APC Progressives Governors, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State.

    The governors, who were meeting the president for the first time since the Wednesday Presidential Election Petition Tribunal’s judgment which upheld the election of President Buhari, may use the opportunity to congratulate him.

    Others attending the meeting include the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari.

  • Buhari Vs Atiku: Court Room Filled, Seat Reserved For Governors as APC, PDP Supporters Throng A’Court

    The Court of Appeal Abuja, venue of the Judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal is already filled up as at 7am on Wednesday (today).

    TNG security correspondent who was at the venue early this morning report that the entire premises of the appellate court is filled with heavily armed security operatives made of the DSS and the Police.

    Attempts by supporters of the PDP and APC to gain entrance into the court rooms were marred by security operatives who claimed the court rooms have been filled up since early this morning.

    “You should have come since 6am a security man told our reporter”. A court official who pleaded anonymity said the seats inside the court was actually reserved for some politicians.

  • APC blasts Niger Delta governors over comment on NDDC Board

    APC blasts Niger Delta governors over comment on NDDC Board

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the opposition of governors of Niger Delta to the reconstitution of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was shameful and disgraceful, asking the governors to concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to their people.

    In a statement by the National Vice Chairman, South South of the party, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, the APC said it was unfortunate that the governors were opposed to the appointment of those it called qualified Nigerians into the board of the NDDC.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to various reports in the news and print media on the very shameful and disgraceful steps taken by South South Governors, on the recent appointments made by Mr. President, wherein very qualified sons of South South geo political zone were appointed into the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored such disgraceful steps by men we thought could have known better, but it has become imperative that we stand in the defense of justice and for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “It is sad that these Governors of the Oil rich states of the Niger Delta who should be highly concerned by the level of poverty and deteriorating state of infrastructures in the zone, are rather being parochial, selfish and exhibiting the highest form of ignorance in governance.

    “They are only interested in ensuring that their family members, cronies and stooges are appointed to strategic positions, to the detriment of the generality of Nigerians.

    “The steps by these self-serving Governors just goes to show that indeed their election into such high offices were just a direct product of the subversion of the collective wills of the people in the last general elections. We view these steps taken by these Governors as very dishonorable and it shows that governance in our zone is at the lowest ebb.

    “Whereas, responsible leaders would have rolled out the drums in celebration and appreciative of Mr. President’s magnanimity in appointing eminent and qualified Nigerians of the South South extraction into the board of NDDC, Governors of the South South geopolitical zone, most of them from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, went on rampage, asking Mr. President to review the appointment, for whatever reasons. What a shame!

    “For us, we view this as crass irresponsibility, shameful display of ignorance, and opposition politics carried too far.

    “For the benefit of doubts, for those who may not be familiar with the trend of events in the South South (Niger Delta) region, irrespective of the humongous amount of monies the Governors of the zone receive from the federation account and security votes on a monthly basis, there is nothing to show in terms of development.

    “Under the watch of these Governors, there is high rate of unemployment, youths’ restiveness and its ugly consequences, kidnapping of innocent citizens for ransom by criminals, poor primary health care facilities or none existent in some areas, poverty, insecurity of lives, banditry and all vices are on the increase in the zone.

    “There is total decay of infrastructures in the zone and these Governors are doing nothing about it nor have a workable template on how to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians of the South South zone.

    “It is very shameful that these governors have not exhibited capacity to govern the people, but just engaging in fanning the embers of their deflated egos, self-aggrandizement and getting involved in selflsh politics, while the people wallow in abject poverty and penury.

    “Our only consolation is that our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging the charade that brought these darks of unreason to power at the various legal platforms.

    “We wish to use this medium to join millions of respected leaders and stakeholders nation-wide in thanking our amiable leader and President, President Muhammadu Buhari, for reconstituting the NDDC board; and for also appointing qualitied indigenes of the South South zone and qualified Nigerians into the board.

  • Security: South East Governors approve joint air operations to flush out bandits from all forests

    Security: South East Governors approve joint air operations to flush out bandits from all forests

    …Commend Gov. Ugwuanyi for pioneering establishment of Forest Guards

    …As Aviation Minister assures standard reconstruction of Enugu Airport

    Governors of South East geo-political zone, on Saturday, rose from an expanded meeting with the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, representative of the Minister of Works, heads of security agencies at the national, zonal and state levels, Managing Director of FAAN, the President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Prof Barth Nnaji, among others and resolved to commence a joint air operation to flush out bandits from all forests in the zone, “and to make it a continuous one”.

    The governor also restricted inter-state movements of herdsmen and their cattle as well as foot movement of cattle and herdsmen from communities to communities across farmlands in the zone.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting which was attended by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, David Umahi of Ebonyi State/Chairman of the Forum, Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, the forum commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for being the first to commence the operation of Forest Guards in the South East and encouraged the remaining states to launch theirs.

    The governors “banned herdsmen who move about with AK-47 guns and cutlasses” and asked security agencies in their various states to ensure the implementation.

    On Operations Python Dance, the South East Governors Forum, through its Chairman, Gov. Umahi, who read the communiqué said they “never invited the Army nor were South East Governors informed of their Operations Python Dance until the operations were already started in the states”.

    The governor agreed to write President Muhammadu Buhari for a meeting with him and all the Service Chiefs on security to douse tension in the region.

    On the closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the governors disclosed that the Minister of Aviation assured them in the meeting that the airport would be reconstructed to meet the Abuja International Airport standard, adding that the runway repairs and other renovation works will be completed by December this year.

    The governor further disclosed “the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, will be given face-lift to accommodate flights that would be diverted from Enugu Airport to Owerri Airport”.

    While acknowledging the safety reasons given by the aviation minister for the closure of Enugu airport, the governors stated that “we support him for closing the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu to save the lives of our people and our visitors”.

    They therefore agreed that “palliative and security measures to be worked out between FAAN, Ministry of Aviation, South East State Governors, Security Agencies and FMoW to ease out inconveniences and make the routes safe through a joint committee”.

    “South East Governors and security agencies to patrol all routes leading to where flights will be diverted from Enugu and also provide escorts to all travelers to the airports,” the communiqué added.

    Consequently, the governors constituted two committees to interface with Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, Security Agencies and Federal Ministry of Works, while Maj. Gen. Abel Obi Umahi (Rtd.), Capt. Awa Agwu (Rtd.), IGP Ogbonna Onovo (Rtd), CP Ikechukwu Aduba (Rtd.) and Mr. Raymond Nkemdirim, were inaugurated as chairman and members of the joint security committee, respectively, to be located in Enugu State.