TheNewsGuru

Tag: Governors

  • Why APC governors were absent from Buhari’s campaign council meeting – Oshiomhole

    Why APC governors were absent from Buhari’s campaign council meeting – Oshiomhole

    The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said the 24 governors elected under the platform of the party stayed away from the inaugural meeting of the Presidential campaign council simply because “they are governors”.

    Recall that none of the governors were present Thursday at the inaugural meeting of the council chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking on why the governors and some leaders of the party were absent, Oshiomhole said: “because they are governors, they are governing their states.

    “Don’t forget that elections are not defined in Abuja, it will take place in the 36 states and I am sure there are APC members who are campaigning for the House of Assembly, various federal house and senate constituencies, governorship constituencies.

    “So it will not be helpful to bring them to Abuja. Here, it is about policies, it will be consummated and translated to practice across the 36 states, 774 local governments and wards,” he said.

    Oshiomhole said Thursday’s meeting was convened to discuss the activities and calendar of campaigns capturing various interests group within the country.

    The APC chairman said Buhari’s constituency is “the whole country” and “he will have to visit each of the 36 states with appropriate messages”.

    “You know in the country today , given the challenges of survival, people tend to forget where we are coming from, they just look at where we are.

    “There is a saying that except you know and remember where you are coming from, you cannot appreciate where you are.

    “Even in the life of a man, those who look at those in their front will never thank God enough but when you look at your back and see those behind, then you will appreciate that you have made a lot of progress,” he said.

    He said the APC needs to constantly remind Nigerians of what happened in the last 16 years and what has changed over the past three and half years, even more what will happen over the next four years if given the mandate to continue.

    “You know that the business of construction is even much more challenging than when you are building a complete new house.

    “So when you are saddled with the responsibility of repositioning an economy that has been so battered. Even in the face of surplus budgeting, the government was borrowing money.”

    “If you look at budget of five, 10 years ago, you will find that almost the entire earnings of the government went into the current expenditure which is why this government with lower revenue is spending more on infrastructure.”

    Oshiomhole said the APC has “enough message” for Nigerians but are facing the challenge of communication due to the varyi varying degrees of literacy.

    “And in this business of ‘one man one vote’, whether you are a professor of economics or a stark illiterate, the vote is the same,” he said.

    “So the challenges, in terms of messages is how we make sure that Mr. President’s constituency, which is those are are economically and socially deprived, the masses of our people, the one you call ‘talakas’, that we assist them to recognise where we coming from and the fact that for once, we have a president that nobody can call a thief.”

     

  • 2019: Buhari talks tough, warns Nigerians against re-electing ‘salary owing governors’

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians not to re-elect governors who failed in their first terms, especially those who failed to pay civil servants salaries even after collecting bailouts from the federal government.

    Buhari, who is also seeking reelection on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said Nigerians’ votes should go for competence.

    The president, who spoke with the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA), which was aired Tuesday morning, said he saw no justification in governors collecting bailout funds from the federal government and still failing to pay wages.

    He was quoted as saying, “I wonder how these governors are able to sleep knowing that they have refused to pay workers their wages.

    “These workers have families to cater for, they pay rent, pay school fees, Hospital bills and food for their families.”

    Buhari said the Nigerian Constitution gives governors the independence to spend their funds without interference and that is why some are abusing that privilege by refusing to work for the people.

    The president advised Nigerians to use their voting rights to make sure that they only vote for people who would deliver.

    On the fight against corruption being undertaken by his administration, the president said unlike before, he now uses democratic means.

    He said being democratic in fighting corruption is slow but assured that the objectives will eventually be achieved.

     

  • 2019: APC govt using anti-graft agencies to harass our governors – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of harassing its serving governors with anti-graft agencies ahead of the 2019 elections.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan made the accusation on Monday Lagos.

    Ologbondiyan noted, however, that in spite of the harassments the governors had resolved to work for the success of the PDP in the election.

    Although he did not give the names of the specific governors that had been harassed, Ologbondiyan disclosed that the anti-graft agencies were blackmailing the governors.

    He said, “The All Progressives Congress is using anti-graft agencies to blackmail some of the governors. Our governors, in the last three and half years, have suffered untold harassments in the hands of the APC and its government.

    “They have been harassed and intimidated, but I want you to know that their willpower is very strong and as such, they cannot be intimidated into submission. The governors are determined to support the party and they will continue to do that.”

    Ologbondiyan also said the PDP was mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission to grant international and local observers access to its situation room during the elections.

    He said the move became imperative following the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the amended 2018 Electoral Act.

    The PDP publicity secretary also alleged that plans to create additional polling units for Internally Displaced Persons would not work as it is an avenue to rig the election.

    “We are saying that since President Buhari has refused to sign the amended 2018 Electoral Act where transmission of results was included, let observers participate in the process. We have not seen anything that is bad in that and we would insist on it,” he said.

    He said the PDP would not accept any plan to rig the 2019 general elections, alleging that feelers from across the country indicate that President Buhari might not win the presidential election.

     

  • London/Paris Club refund: EFCC to probe governors for allegedly diverting consultants’ fees

    London/Paris Club refund: EFCC to probe governors for allegedly diverting consultants’ fees

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is considering the probe of some state governors for allegedly diverting fees meant for payment to consultants who assisted states on the London-Paris Club loan refund.

    Some states may not be able to access the last tranche of refund of about $2,689,279,365 unless they allow the federal government to deduct the consultants’ fees at source.

    The consultants are insisting on the payment of their $350million before the $2.6billion is released to states.

    Investigation revealed that while the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) offered to pay its consultants about two per cent for services, most states promised their consultants between five to 10 per cent.

    The NGF had hired Biz Plus Limited and GSL Consulting Limited as its consultants

    Some governors that did not hire consultants are now alleged to have collected consultancy fees between five and 10 percent for themselves.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of N522.74 billion (first tranche) refund to states pending reconciliation of records following protests by states against over deductions for external debt service between 1995 and 2002.

    Each state was entitled to N14.5 billion or 25% of the amount claimed.

    The second tranche of N243.79billion was released in December 2017.

    The release of the cash was trailed by a huge controversy, including payment of N19billion consultancy fees and $86million into the accounts of the NGF.

    The EFCC in the last two and a half years had been investigating the alleged diversion of the N19billion under the guise of consultancy fees.

    About $183,000 out of the N3.5billion was transferred to a jewellery firm in Dubai bring patronized by some ranking Senators.

    About four suspects are already facing trial for alleged conversion of N3.5billion out of N19billion London-Paris Club refund to states.

    But investigation revealed that many governors and past governors are in trouble over the refund.

    Findings revealed that most governors have not paid the consultants they engaged to trace their loan records, repayment and their states’ share of refund.

    A reliable EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are still investigating the London-Paris Club refund because there had been issues on the cash. Some governors have diverted the refund and deducted consultancy fees without paying consultants.

    “Most governors have reneged on the agreement to pay the consultants engaged by their states.

    “While the NGF offered to pay consultants about two per cent, some states negotiated five to 10% with their consultants. Yet these governors have deducted the consultancy fees from the refunds made to their states without paying the consultants.

    “There is a case of state which got over N11billion. The governor of the affected state violated the agreement and paid only a pittance of N15million to the consultants.

    “Some state governors did not engage consultants but they paid consultancy fees to themselves through their cronies.

    “So far, about $350million is the accumulated consultancy fees. Despite the approval by the presidency NGF does not want $350million released to consultants at all.”

    The source said: “One of the governors who diverted N500million out of the London-Paris Club refund was uncovered and he has lost the cash to the Federal Government.

    “We have more instances. Some former governors, who had nothing to do with the refund, brought in consultants in order to benefit from the exercise.”

    A government source said: “The position of the presidency is that the $350million out of about $2,689,279,365 final tranche of London-Paris Club refund should be paid to the consultants.

    “In fact the presidency directed that the consultancy fees should be deducted and remitted into a dedicated in CBN.

    “The governors are opposed to deduction from source. They said since the cash belongs to states, the presidency should leave governors to relate with their consultants. They also claimed that the presidency was never part of any agreement between states and consultants.”

     

  • Include N30, 000 ‘new minimum wage’ in your 2019 budgets, NLC tells governors

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has informed governors of the 36 states of the federation to include the payment of the new national minimum wage in their 2019 Appropriation Bills.

    Labour said doing so remained the only to avoid friction and crisis in the New Year, adding that the state governments are buoyant enough to pay the N30, 000 being demanded for workers as minimum wage.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba said the minimum expectations from workers as the President presents the national budget “is for provisions to be made in the budget for the implementation of the minimum wage.”

    Wabba, who recently became the first African and the first black man to be elected President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), described as unfortunate that workers continued to bear the brunt of economic hardship, with nobody fighting their cause whenever the economy improves.

    He said that governors only say they cannot implement the minimum wage because of how they have handled the resources at their disposal, saying the issue has nothing to do with the availability of resources.

    Wabba said: “Legally, the minimum wage due and the President has openly told the world that he is committed to it. Our minimum expectation is that the minimum wage be accommodated in the budget and for workers to actually begin to benefit from it.

    “There is no two way about this because it is legitimately due. So, Nigerian workers should not be made to suffer the consequences of what they are not responsible for. When the economy is doing well, nobody bothers about workers. But when the economy is worse, the workers will be at the receiving end because in most cases, they are not paid.

    “So, when the economy is doing well and when it is not, we have not actually received the desired attention. So, our expectation is that since everybody mutually agreed, the minimum wage should be a priority.”

  • Buhari meets governors, challenges them on infrastructure development

    Buhari meets governors, challenges them on infrastructure development

    President Buhari has challenged state governors to redouble efforts in addressing infrastructure deficiencies in their respective states to revamp the nation’s economy.

    The Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, said the president stated this at a closed door with the 36 State Governors of the federation in Abuja.

    He said: “Mr President, as usual, responded by telling us that the economy is in a bad shape and we have to come together and think and rethink on way forward.

    “So, Mr President talked to us in the manner that we have a task ahead of us. So, we should tighten our belts and see how we can put Nigerian economy in the right direction and how we can address the nation’s infrastructural decay.

    “So, all of us as leaders especially those that are coming to the National Assembly and those coming back as governors and the president who will be re-elected by God grace we should not think that things are going to be easy.

    ”They are going to be harder than before, this was the message of Mr President,’’ he said.

    On the meeting of the National Economic Council, the governor disclosed that the Council deliberated extensively on new ways state governments could generate additional revenues for speedy economic growth and development.

    However, Yari declined to confirm on whether the meeting discussed the issue of the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, Governors resume talks on new minimum wage today

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will today meet with governors of the thirty-six states of the federation to resume talks on the labour’s demand for a new minimum wage.

    The governors had earlier on Thursday met in Abuja but refused to brief reporters on what they discussed.

    They are billed also to attend an extended National Economic Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for the Old Banquet Hall, State House. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will chair the meeting.

    A statement by the Office of the Vice President said that the extended NEC was in line with the Buhari administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) for inclusive growth and human capital development.

    The governors had argued that the states lack the required resources to pay the N30, 000 being demanded by Labour as minimum wage.

    The governors maintained that the only condition available to them, if they must meet the Labour demand, is retrenchment, an alternative the workers have kicked against.

    It was learnt the governors used their meeting yesterday to articulate their position ahead of today’s meeting with the President.

    They had proposed N22, 500 as what they can pay as minimum wage. The Federal Government proposed 24, 000. But Labour is insisting on N30, 000.

    NGF chairman and Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari did not brief reporters at the end of the meeting.

    However, NGF Head of Media & Public Affairs Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, told reporters that “the governors looked into the issue of the minimum wage as it will be part of discussion when they meet with the president today (Friday)”.

    He also said the governors will use the opportunity to thank the president on his handling of the economy.

    The meeting, he said also welcomed Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

    Oyetola had earlier praised the NGF meeting, describing it as a platform for members to peer review one another and also share best practices.

    The statement from the Vice President’s Office said: “The extended NEC comprising governors of all the states of the federation and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will focus on the human capital development programme of this administration hinged on investment in the people.

    “The human capital development programme is focused on three main thematic areas– Health and Nutrition, Education and Labour Force Participation.

    “The programme has identified seven outcome areas and a considerable number of interventions designed to drive change nationwide.”

  • NLC to place governors owing salaries, pensions on “watch list”

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is to liase with the International Trade Union Congress (ITUC) to place names of governors in the states where workers are being owed salaries and pensions for several months on a “watch list”.

    NAN reports that the ITUC is the world’s largest trade union federation.

    It was formed on Nov. 1, 2006, out of the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the World Confederation of Labour.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President of the NLC, made this known while addressing the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) at its 17th anniversary on Tuesday Abuja.

    He said that aside “naming and shaming” these governors, the NLC would soon direct Nigeria workers to monitor various airports in the country to stop such governors who may have completed their term from fleeing the country

    “We will instruct workers at the nation’s airports to disallow and disgrace any governors trying to leave the country in order to enjoy themselves overseas.

    “We have issued statements to these governors owing salaries, informing them that they cannot go anywhere to enjoy the monies they have carted away.

    “They will be disgrace and chases away,” he said.

    He said: “instead of using the money to make life good and build the country for the good of everybody, a few elites will embezzle what is meant for all for their personal use.”

    Wabba however assured pensioners that the NLC would not relent it its effort to ensure the issue of minimum pension alongside the minimum wage, was addressed.

    He said that if the government must address the issue of pensioners, it must address the welfare of pensioners, this he said would ensure that workers desist from looting.

    Wabba commended President Muhammad Buhari for the payment of pensions arrears for the Nigeria Airways workers and the 33 per cent increment the pension.

  • [Photos] Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Dangote, Governors others attend Anenih’s funeral

    [Photos] Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Dangote, Governors others attend Anenih’s funeral

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Peoples Democratic Party’s vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the national chairman of the All Peoples Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, on Saturday attended the funeral service of popular politician, Tony Anenih.

    Also at the funeral mass celebrated by the Arch-Bishop of Benin Diocese of the Catholic Church, Augustine Akubueze, were Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governors Godwin Obaseki and Seriake Dickson, Patrick Osakwe, Aliko Dangote, among numerous personalities.

    The Mass took place at St. Anthony Catholic Cathedral, Uromi where the Bishop in charge of the Diocese, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, urged Nigerian politicians to stop politics of mudslinging.

    According to the Bishop, Nigerians are tired of dirty politics, stating that as the 2019 general elections approaches, politicians should tell Nigerians what they can do to make their lives better.

    “Nigerians want hope, they want to be told what the candidates will do to make their lives better, they are tired of hearing rubbish from politicians,” he said.

    He emphasised, “Learn to go to church and have the fear of God; always know that there is a God who is ready to forgive when you come back to Him.”

    “Be generous, if you cannot spend what you can die and leave behind, how do you expect God to assist you? Heaven is real and we must work hard to enter heaven,” he said, noting that the late Tony Anenih was like a collosus.

    The Bishop stated, “Chief Anenih who helped to give solutions to many people’s problems, he was a man of integrity, he gave people opportunities to live.”

  • Again, Buhari meets governors over minimum wage

    President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with some state governors in his office at the State House in Abuja.

    Although the agenda of the meeting was not made known to journalists, however sources said the governors were at the villa to discuss the issue of minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

    The 36 state governors had met last week and announced they would not be able to pay the N30,000 per month minimum wage being demanded by labour unions.

    The governors threatened to carry out mass retrenchment if they are forced to implement the new wage.

    They subsequently set up a committee to meet with Buhari over the issue.

    Members of the committee include governors of Lagos, Kebbi, Plateau, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Enugu and Kaduna states.

    Also attending Monday’s meeting is the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, and Governor Abdulaziz Yari, the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

    After a series of meetings by a tri-partite committee comprising labour, state and federal government officials led by a former Head of Service, Ama Pepple, the committee recommended government should increase the minimum wage to N30,000.

    Buhari had while receiving the report of the committee said he would subject it to all processes after which a bill would be sent to the National Assembly for passage into law.