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Tag: Governors

  • Killings: Masari blasts North-West governors for failing to attend region’s leaders meeting

    Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Saturday expressed disappointment with the failure of governors of the North-West to attend a meeting on the security of the region held in Kaduna.

    Masari, who is the chairman of the security committee inaugurated by the Northern Governors Forum, said the governors must separate politics from security that affects the generality of the people.

    The meeting, attended by the deputy governors of Sokoto and Kaduna states, also had in attendance Secretaries to the State Governments of the two states, and that of Katsina, as well as various consultants on security.

    “The issue of security is more important than politics as it affects life,” Masari said at the opening of the meeting which later went into closed door session.

    He said it was important to fine ways of sustaining attendance not only by the governors, but also their deputies and SSGs.

    “It will not however hinder the discussions or delay the meeting; we must devise means of continuing with the meeting even when the governors are not in attendance,” he said.

    Masari added: “Before we leave, we should have a programme that we can brief our governors, we should not allow this laudable initiative rely only on the availability of governors.”

    The meeting will also discuss regional integration and economic cooperation among the seven states in the North West.

    Meanwhile, the Zamfara police command, has confirmed that unidentified gunmen killed Ibrahim Madawaki, the District Head of Kucheri in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muhammad Shehu, made the confirmation in a statement in Gusau on Saturday.

    Shehu said some unidentified gunmen invaded Kucheri town at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday and killed the district head in front of his house.

    He said when the police visited the scene of the crime, they discovered that nothing was removed from his house.

    According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Ebrimson, has ordered investigation into the incident with a view to apprehending the perpetrators.

    Shehu also called on the public to report the activities of suspected hoodlums promptly, so as to enable the police to effectively tackle the security challenges facing the state.

  • Governors query payment of N800b fuel subsidy by NNPC, meet in June

    The Chairman of Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State says the National Economic Council (NEC) will soon take decision on whether to allow the continuation of payment of petroleum subsidy by NNPC or not.

    Yari, who stated this while responding to questions after the meeting of NEC which was chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, Abuja on Thursday, said the governors would next month (June) take decision on whether to take responsibility for the subsidy in their states or not.

    He said the governors’ position was informed by the huge amount of money being spent by the NNPC as payment for fuel subsidy annually.

    He described as outrageous the N800 billion being expended by the NNPC as subsidy.

    “Our problem is the volume, the quantity of consumption which is not acceptable.

    “Working with the governors so many decisions were taken but by next month, we are going to adopt that position either for the governors to take responsibility for the subsidy in their states based on the consumption or we look at other ways.

    “For instance, if you say we paid N800 billion subsidy, you will ask who are we paying the subsidy to? And if you look at infrastructure development and capital programme of the federal government, it is about N1.1 trillion, almost 70 per cent of what you are spending on developing the economy.

    “If there is no infrastructure development then you cannot talk about development of the economy. N800 billion is a huge amount that we must look at it, who is benefiting from it.

    “So we are coming up with a strategy, we are going to meet in the month of May and June. By next meeting, we will definitely come up with a position of the government at both level of volume of what is being brought into the country and what the state and federal government collaborate to check,’’ he said.

    The governor revealed that the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment briefed the NEC on the establishment of the Nigerian Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council which was approved by Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2017.

    “The Industrial Council recognises that there is need for collaboration between the Federal Government (FG), State and Local Government to drive the industrialisation agenda.

    “The briefing today was to present the eight initiatives and recommendations from the Industrial Council that requires State Governments intervention,’’ he added.

    Yari said the Advisory Council requested NEC to approve the proposals to address the bottlenecks identified in order to drive the Industrialisation agenda.

    He, however, said that the Council while welcoming the prayers resolved that the Nigeria Communication Commission should go and outline its plans and communicate same to the state governors in the next meeting.

  • World Bank officials to meet Osinbajo, Govs, Adeosun over projects in Nigeria

    World Bank officials to meet Osinbajo, Govs, Adeosun over projects in Nigeria

    A World Bank Mission, comprising of 10 Executive Directors, is expected in Nigeria on Wednesday to hold high-level discussions with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and some Governors over the Bank’s projects in the country.

    In the World Bank Mission are the Bank’s Executive Directors for Switzerland, France, Italy, Nordic, Peru, Germany, South Africa (representing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa), Burkina Faso (representing Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa), Zimbabwe (representing Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa), United Kingdom and Indonesia.

    The delegation will discuss ongoing World Bank projects and the country’s development priorities with the Vice President, Minister of Finance and the Governors.

    The officials will also meet the organised private sector in Lagos as well as undertake a tour of LAPO Microfinance project in Lagos and Azura Power Plant in Edo State.

    The visit is expected to provide a first-hand impression of the challenges that both the Federal and State Governments face in implementing development projects as well as ensuring good governance overall.

    It will further enhance the goal of the Bank for member-countries and the effectiveness of the Executive Directors in providing the necessary support.

  • APC reacts to allegations that its governors are contribute N6bn for party’s convention

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied that governors elected on its platform are to contribute N6 billion for its forthcoming congress and national convention.

    Malam Bolaji Abudulahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary in a statement in Abuja on Saturday said the story was misleading.

    “The APC denies the story and wishes to state that the story is misleading and has misrepresented our party.

    “We, therefore, wish to make the following clarification.

    “At the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the governors of the party held at the party secretariat on Thursday 26th April, it was pointed out that many of the governors had fallen behind in the payment of their party dues.

    “While some of the governors have been up to date with the payments, a few others have not paid at all.” he said.

    He added that those governor’s that were not up to date in payments were, therefore, requested to pay up, especially in view of upcoming party activities.

    Abudulahi said it was, therefore, possible that a governor that fell in the category of those that had not paid since inception could owe up to N250 million.

    He said it was, therefore, grossly misleading, if not downright malicious, for a report to simply apply this sum to everyone and multiply by the number of governors.

    “For the avoidance of doubts, party dues are paid by all members of the party holding positions, either by election or appointment.

    “Therefore, members of the National Assembly as well as cabinet ministers also remit a percentage of their earnings to the party.

    “It is, therefore, false to say governors are expected to pay up with state money,” the APC spokesman said.

  • Chairmanship race: Buhari, governors’ choice of Oshiomhole subject to ratification – APC

    Chairmanship race: Buhari, governors’ choice of Oshiomhole subject to ratification – APC

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said despite the support for former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole to succeed the incumbent, John Odigie-Oyegun by President Muhammadu Buhari and the 24 governors of the party as the next party chairman, the choice would still be subject to ratification.

    The party also said it will review its timetable for congresses and convention set for May 14.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known to journalists in Abuja.

    Oshiomhole is expected to challenge incumbent chairman John Odigie-Oyegun for the position although the latter has not formally announced he would seek reelection.

    Whoever emerges is expected to lead the APC into the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking on the issue of Buhari’s choice of Oshiomole as national chairman for the party, Abdullai said the president’s choice was not binding on the party.

    “What we were told at the meeting was that he was asked who he wanted and he told them his preference which has nothing to do with the meeting today,” he said.

    He said the review of the timetable was because some governors at the ongoing National Working Committee meeting said dates for the congresses/convention ”are too close”.

    About a week ago, the party released the timetable showing the schedule of activities from ward congresses to the national convention.

    The official also said the meeting addressed the need to hold transparent, free and fair elections, ”so as to avoid issues that trail congresses and conventions which was the reason the party gave for wanting to extend the tenure of party officials.”

    “It was a technical meeting that was organised to review our preparedness towards the congresses and convention. It is also to have the opportunity to emphasise to the state governors the need to ensure the congresses were held in a very transparent manner and ensure the processes were free and fair. Because we are aware that some governors have been making statements that we believe have given the impression that we don’t intend to have congresses in some states.

    “If you recall, one of the major concerns of the party is that we should try as much as possible to avoid rancour that could be generated from congresses. So, it was acknowled that the one major way to avoid rancour is to ensure the congresses are transparent and acceptable to a majority of the persons concerned.”

    Abdullahi also said the list of members of the congresses committees will be ready by Friday.

    Speaking on some of the issues raised by the governors, he said the initial timetable was set ”with Ramadan in view so as not to conduct any political activity during that period.”

    “There were also observations from the side of the governors about the timetable for the congresses and convention, and the observation was that the timetable was closely packed and that it doesn’t leave much room for errors but the observation was that the timetable as it is currently composed was determined because of the Ramadan. We want to be sensitive to the feelings of Muslims who will be fasting in the month of Ramadan. Therefore, we tried avoid conducting any political activity during the month of Ramadan.

    “There were also other arguments. Therefore, there is a possibility the timetable will be reviewed. So it’s not decided yet, we agreed that the NWC will take a second look at the timetable and see the possibility for adjustment.”

    Meanwhile, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, said another issue raised concerning the timetable was that the congresses were set to hold on weekdays ”which will be a problem as they use schools and secretariats which will not be available on weekdays so they suggested they be conducted on weekends”.

    He also hinted that if the timetable is changed, the convention might be after the Ramadan.

    ”In that respect, the NWC has been mandated to go and fashion it out. Also, it may fall within the Ramadan time, we will make consultations to see if only one congress can be held during Ramadan then after Salah we hold the national convention. I think that will be sorted out and the national committee is working on that.

    “Also, we all agreeed that the NWC will organise the congresses from the ward, local government and states while the the committee for the national convention will organise the national convention. We also agreed that zoning will be maintained for the officers but also that those governors within that zone should go and discuss but the post(s) will reamain as it is.”

    Governors present at the meeting were: Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara; Rochas Okorocha of Imo; Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano; Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger; Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo; Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun; Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa; Minnir Yakubu, deputy governor, Katsina State and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State.

     

  • Buhari, governors reject Oyegun, back Oshiomhole for APC chairman

    Buhari, governors reject Oyegun, back Oshiomhole for APC chairman

    …as 24 governors support President’s second term bid

    President Muhammadu Buhari and governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed their willingness to support former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole to become the next national chairman of the ruling party.

    At a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa last night, the governors, led by Progressives Governors Forum Chairman Rochas Okorocha, proposed to the President their interest in the former labour leader.

    Sources at the meeting said the President did not object to the request.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari also attended the meeting.

    Seventeen governors attended. Two were represented by their deputies.

    Seven governors: Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), were absent.

    The issue and the endorsement of the President for second term by the governors were the only isues discussed at the meeting held at the First Lady’s Conferemce Room, sources said.

    The party’s national convention to pick members of the National Working Committee (NWC) will hold in Abuja on May 14.

    After the meeting, Okorcha said all the 24 APC governors were backing President Buhari’s second term bid.

    The President at the last APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, declared his intention to seek another term.

    Okorocha said governors communicated their support for the President’s reelection.

    He said: “We came to welcome him back and to commend him for his boldness and courage to declare his intention to run for second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which we the 24 governors of the APC duly support.

    ”And we have come to encourage him that he must go ahead with his vision,” he added.

    According to him, the meeting also addressed the coming convention and congresses to make it hitch-free.

    ”We also agreed that we will not allow the issue of many contestants to destroy our party.” he said.

    Asked if Oshiomhole’s endorsement came up, Okorocha said the public would be “duly briefed in due course”.

     

  • Osinbajo, Governors, others attend launch of Kumuyi’s multi-billion Deeper Life headquarters [Photos]

    It was an atmosphere of fanfare on Tuesday as Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo led other dignitaries to the official launching of multi-billion Deeper Life Bible Church headquarters in Gbagada area of Lagos.

    Over 20,000 worshippers thronged the massive edifice meant to accommodate 30,000 worshippers at a single sitting to witness the ceremony.

    Leading Osinbajo into the massive edifice was the General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi.At the event were the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, Dr. Lola Akande; wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Feyisetan Fayose; wife of the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; representatives of the Governors of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Osun State.

    There were also the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship, Red. Felix Omobude; founder, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, among others.

    In his opening address, Kumuyi said the construction of the building began in June 2005, saying that the building was meant to sit 30,000 at a sitting.

    He said the church took a leap of faith when it began the construction in 2005, adding that the inauguration was an indication that God had surpassed the expectations of the church.

    Kumuyi said a new and larger auditorium became necessary as a result of the need to accommodate more people, adding that it was givings from Deeper Life members that the edifice was completed.

    He added that the church was mindful of its corporate social responsibility to the community, which informed the construction of a bridge and car park in the area.

    He said the task of developing the society should not be left alone for the government, but that private bodies and churches should assist the government, adding that the churches must intensify the preaching of the gospel to bring about a change in the country.

    The man of God stated that when the preaching of the gospel was carried out effectively, it would help to eradicate social ills in the society.

    According to him, righteousness exalted a nation while sin is a reproach to any nation and her people.

    Also speaking, wife of the General Superintendent, Esther Kumuyi paid tribute to Kumuyi’s late wife, Biodun Kumuyi.

    She said many people looked with nostalgia to the old edifice, but noted that the glory of the latter house shall be greater.

  • PDP governor affirms ‘Buhari is father to all 36 governors’

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State on Friday shocked his fellow party stalwarts when he described President Muhammadu Buhari as ‘father to all the 36 governors’ in Nigeria.

    The governor, who was speaking on Friday in Uyo during the closing ceremony of the third edition of the Nigerian Air Force combat sports competition, was full of praise for the president.

    “I must thank the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, our own President Muhammadu Buhari for being such a good general to all of us (the governors), including myself,” Emmanuel said.

    “I am not afraid to say this anytime anywhere, he is a father to all of us. I really want to thank him,” the governor said.

    Coming from a governor elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel’s remarks is in contrast with the constant criticisms of the president by the PDP and its leaders.

    Recall that the governor had in December last year stopped short of sacking his media aide, Essien Ndueso, for accusing the president of according more care to his cows than ordinary Nigerians. The governor disowned the aide and forced him to apologise to Mr Buhari.

    At the air force event, Emmanuel said President Buhari has taken the Nigerian Air Force and other armed forces to a new height, by providing the needed resources to them.

    He thanked the Chief of Air Staff, Sadiqque Abubakar, whom he said has repositioned the air force with the capacity to deploy its air power timely and effectively to secure the nation.

    During the competition’s opening ceremony on Tuesday, the Chief of Air Staff, Mr Abubakar, urged Nigerians to reject the call to take up arms to defend themselves, saying such would lead to “anarchy and return to Hobbesian state of nature where might is right and everybody is to himself.”

    Abubakar also urged the officers of the Nigerian Air Force to “continue the good work and resist the distractions of politicisation of security issues that is awash in social media platforms.”

    He said to the officers: “Your performance in various theatres of conflict within and outside Nigeria is a clear testimony of our commitment to ensuring Nigeria and its citizens are secured.

    “The Nigerian Air Force remains fully committed to the successful execution of its constitutional roles and will continue to meet its statutory responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.”

    Seven teams drawn from the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Tactical Air Command, Special Operations Command, Mobility Command, Air Training Command, Ground Training Command, and Logistics Command participated in sporting events like combat swimming, combat relay race, taekwondo, tug of war, and obstacle crossing.

    The Ground Training Command picked six gold and one silver medals to emerge the winner, followed by the Logistics Command, Lagos, with five gold, six silver, and nine bronze medals.

    The Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, took third position, with five gold, six silver, and three bronze medals.

    Governor Emmanuel, who presented trophy and medals to the winning team, said the essence of the competition wasn’t just to win medals or trophies but also to promote esprit-de-corps among personnel.

    He donated N2 million to the winning team, the Ground Training Command.

     

  • Looters’ list: FG compiles fresh names of former governors, ministers, others

    Indications emerged on Saturday that the Federal Government may release fresh names of people who allegedly looted Nigeria’s treasury under the former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    Investigations revealed that the fresh list might contain names of those who have yet to be arraigned in courts for corruption.

    The list may also include names of former governors, ministers and even bankers.

    Recall that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had in the past said 55 persons stole N1.34tn under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Last week, he released 29 names, who he said took money from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.).

    Many of the names he released were, however, those already undergoing trial for alleged corruption while the names of members of the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, who had defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress were conspicuously omitted from the list.

    The two lists contained names of those in the main opposition party, the PDP. The PDP had subsequently criticised the government, accusing it of being biased and diverting attention from its alleged incompetence.

    But a source close to the Presidency, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the government, through the Ministry of Information and Culture, would soon release another list.

    He said that the next batch would be more comprehensive and would contain the names of those who either took money from the office of the former NSA or directly from the Federal Government before the 2015 elections.

    He said the government was aware of the controversy that surrounded the release of the first two lists, adding that the names of some persons considered to be close to the government could be in the third list.

    The source said, “Between you and me, I can authoritatively tell you that we are compiling a fresh list. We won’t release it until we are satisfied with it. We want to be thorough. People will be shocked when we release the fresh names.

    “Those who accused us of being biased will know that we know what we are doing. The first list was a fraction. When the second one came out, people were surprised. As for the next one, people will be shocked. I won’t say more than that,” the source explained.

     

  • APC govs back Buhari, kick against tenure elongation for Oyegun, others

    Some state governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress again met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday morning.

    This time, they have resolved to support the President’s position that election of new party officials should hold at the expiration of the tenure of the current ones instead of extending their tenure.

    Those who met the President on Wednesday included governors of Zamfara, Abdulazeez Yari; Plateau, Simon Lalong; Imo, Rochas Okorocha;Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje and Ogun, Ibikunle Amosun.

    “We will abide by party constitution and hold world congress,” Yari told reporters at the end of the meeting.

    Okorocha on his part said, “There is no crisis in the APC. We met with Mr. President to fine-tune issues. The convention committee will be set out.

    “Let me correct the impression that those whose tenure has passed are free to contest. We are all one.”

    “I’m submitting my report today. There is no crisis in our party,” Lalong who heads the party’s technical committee that was inaugurated on Tuesday said.