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Tag: Governors

  • Constitution amendment: Governors meet in Abuja

    Governors of the 36 states in Nigeria met on Wednesday evening under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

    The meeting, the first of its kind in 2018, was held at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The forum’s chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, presided over the meeting that started at about 9pm.

    Top on their agenda is a briefing from the constitution amendment committee headed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.

    The meeting was also meant to consider the health agenda for 2018 which is to get the commitment of governors to universal health care coverage, polio eradication and nutrition among others.

    Governors in attendance as of the time the meeting started were Kashim Shettima (Borno), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Umar Ganduje (Kano), Ibrahim Hassan (Jigawa), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Patrick Okowa (Delta), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe) and Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna).

    The deputy governors in attendance were those of Anambra, Dr. Nkem Okeke; Benson Abounu, Benue; Abubakar Alli, Yobe; Eze Madumere, Imo; Titi Laoye-Tomori, Osun; Ipalibo Banigo, Rivers; Yetunde Onanuga, Ogun and Enugu, Cecelia Ezeilo.

    Others were deputy governors of Niger, Katsina, Ekiti, Lagos, Sokoto and Bauchi States.

    The meeting was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

  • Convention: Why we supported Secondus as chairman – PDP Governors

    Some governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday explained why they supported the candidature and eventual emergence of Prince Uche Secondus as the chairman of the party in its December 9 national convention held in Abuja.

    The governors said they supported the new PDP chairman because of his strength, character and honesty.

    The governors stated that Mr. Secondus as National Deputy Chairman stood for the truth and ensured that rules were adhered to during party primaries.

    They spoke at the Thanksgiving Service in honour of Mr. Secondus, National Chairman of the PDP, at the Rivers State Ecumenical Centre in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said every governor gave testimony on how the National Chairman stood firm for the right thing to be done.

    He said as deputy national chairman, Mr. Secondus relegated monetary considerations and always ensured the promotion of PDP interests.

    Mr. Wike said that Mr. Secondus insisted on his emergence as PDP governorship candidate because he felt it was in the best interest of the party, even though other groups preferred an ethnic candidate.

    He said: “This position is an opportunity to give Nigerians what they want. I can’t understand why people are suffering untold hardship. Imagine the fuel scarcity with people buying a litre of fuel between N300 and N400.”

    He said that Mr. Secondus emerged through a credible process where all candidates tested their popularity. He said the governors and other stakeholders preferred Mr. Secondus because of his experience and track record.

    “For the first time in the history of our party, we had an election to elect a national chairman. It was not like the case before where the president and governors decided on a consensus candidate,” Mr. Wike said.

    The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, said that he encountered Mr. Secondus when they had a major challenge in the delegates list of the party, but the former deputy national chairman insisted on correcting the illegality without inducement.

    He said all the governors who worked for the emergence of the national chairman did so because of the unflinching support Mr. Secondus gave them in the past.

    The Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, said: “Secondus stood with me when the promise of man failed.”

    He said that all the governors resolved to work with Mr. Wike in canvassing for Mr. Secondus because of his character and content. He said that the governors turned their backs on those who took money in the past.

    In his remarks, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, commended the presence of mind of Mr. Secondus, which he said would be beneficial to the party.

    He said: “We are prepared to go the whole route with Prince Uche Secondus. He will be an exemplary party leader in Africa.”

    Also speaking, Mr. Secondus said that the PDP is poised to take over the leadership of the country.

    He said: “We are going according to the plans and purpose of God. This country will be returned to the PDP, whether you like it or not, it approved in heaven. You cannot do otherwise “.

    While thanking God for his grace and blessing that delivered the position of the national chairman, Mr. Secondus said God used Mr. Wike and his colleagues to bring the post to fruition.

     

  • Use Paris Club windfalls responsibly, Intervention Group advises Governors

    The Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM) has noted with interest, the release of the third tranche of ‘Paris Club Refunds’ to State Governments. It is particularly gratifying that this release is coming on the heels of a festive period.

    NIM, therefore, urges State Governments to seize the opportunity of this latest release to settle the outstanding emoluments of their workers and pensioners. Aside from giving these workers and pensioners a better lease of life and livelihoods, these payments would have the multiplier effect of a better life for the common man and businesses in our clime.

    We hold this position conscious of the fact that ours is a federation structured on transparency, accountability and good governance.

    We are equally, dismayed at the discordant tunes emanating from some governors to the effect that the release is not meant to settle outstanding emoluments but to settle only December salaries. This is worrisome and provocative, since the governors and their political appointees receive all their emoluments as and when due. There is therefore, no moral justification to owe the poor workers and suffering pensioners. “A labourer deserves his wages” There is no better time to settle the outstanding emoluments and pensions of our toiling workers than this festive period.

    Paying those outstanding salaries and pensions, at this time, would also go a long way in reflating the battered local economy of our country

    It is of note that the funds were released alongside the allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in order that Nigerians could have better festivities.

    NIM also, call on all relevant stakeholders to monitor the judicious disbursement of this fund for transparency, accountability and justice.

    It will be recalled that Paris Club refund is a partial settlement of long-standing claims by state governments relating to over-deductions from their federation account allocation committee (FAAC) allocation for external debt service arising between 1995 and 2002.

    Two tranches had been released earlier. Below is a detail distribution to each state:

    STATE/ AMOUNT

    1 ABIA 5,715,765,871.48

    2 ADAMAWA 6,114,300,352.68

    3 AKWA-IBOM 10,000,000,000.00

    4 ANAMBRA 6,121,656,702.34

    5 BAUCHI 6,877,776,561.25

    6 BAYELSA 10,000,000,000.00

    7 BENUE 6,854,671,749.25

    8 BORNO 7,340,934,865.32

    9 CROSS RIVER 6,075,343,946.93

    10 DELTA 10,000,000,000.00

    11 EBONYI 4,508,083,379.98

    12 EDO 6,091,126,592.24

    13 EKITI 4,772,836,647.08

    14 ENUGU 5,361,789,409.66

    15 GOMBE 4,472,877,698.19

    16 IMO 7,000,805,182.97

    17 JIGAWA 7,107,666,706.76

    18 KADUNA 7,721,729,227.55

    19 KANO 10,000,000,000.00

    20 KATSINA 8,202,130,909.85

    21 KEBBI 5,977,499,491.45

    22 KOGI 6,027,727,595.80

    23 KWARA 5,120,644,326.57

    24 LAGOS 8,371,938,133.11

    25 NASARAWA 4,551,049,171.12

    26 NIGER 7,210,793,154.95

    27 OGUN 5,739,374,694.46

    28 ONDO 7,003,648,314.28

    29 OSUN 6,314,106,340.62

    30 OYO 7,901,609,864.25

    31 PLATEAU 5,644,079,055.41

    32 RIVERS 10,000,000,000.00

    33 SOKOTO 6,441,128,546.76

    34 TARABA 5,612,014,491.52

    35 YOBE 5,413,103,116.59

    36 ZAMFARA 5,442,385,594.49

    37 FCT 684,867,500.04

    TOTAL: 243,795,465,195,20

    With the highlighted amount released, NIM expect a better deal for workers, pensioners and the poor masses of our country during this Yuletide.

  • Aftermath of Abuja meeting: Governors, State Assemblies agree to hold public hearing on 1999 constitution

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly have resolved to hold public hearing on ongoing efforts to amend certain sections of the 1999 constitution.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdul-Aziz Yari, and the Chairman, Conference of Speakers, Ismaila Kamba, made this known when they addressed newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting between the forum and the Conference of Speakers.

    The meeting was held on Tuesday at the old conference hall of the State House, Abuja,

    They stated that the meeting had agreed to approach the amendment of the 1999 constitution with maturity and the future of the nation’s democracy at the back of their minds.

    The communiqué read: “We, all the governors of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the platform of the Nigeria Governors forum and the Speakers of the states houses of assembly, under the auspices of the Conference of Speakers at the end of a consultative meeting regarding the ongoing efforts to amend certain sections of the 1999 constitution resolved as follows:

    “The meeting agreed to approach this amendment with maturity and the future of our democracy at the back of our minds.

    “The meeting agreed that the State houses of Assembly should consult all stakeholders and hold public hearing on all the items transmitted to them by the National Assembly in a bid to promote our democracy and strengthen its institutions.’’

    They also disclosed that the meeting agreed to constitute a committee to look at all the issues pertaining to the constitutional amendment and revert to members within a reasonable time.

    Yari, who fielded questions on the recently approved one billion dollars by the National Economic Council (NEC) to fight insurgency in the country, said the State Houses of Assembly would soon back up the approval through appropriate resolutions.
    “We (governors) agreed to forfeit one billion dollars of our own share of excess crude which we are going to back up with state assembly resolution at a later time.

    “This is not the first time a decision like this is being taken. It happened during former President Jonathan’s era when they took two billion dollars.

    “We all agreed at that time collectively in the same chamber to withdraw the two billion dollars to procure equipment for the military and also for logistics for the military because they were telling us whether it was true or false that our soldiers were being killed.

    “Some (of the soldiers) were on the social media saying that they were being killed like rats because they didn’t have the training and the equipment, that was what generated discussions at the same Chamber and there was no controversy, there was no opposition to the decision at that time.’’

    Also speaking on the issue, Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, said he not in support of one billion dollars and will never be in support.
    “In my state we have agreed to go to court to contest this. It is our legitimate right, all accruals to the federation must be shared by the three tiers of government and for me to get justice I have to go to court,’’ he added.

  • Buhari, governors and workers’ salaries, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    By Ehichioya Ezomon

    As majority of Christians, and many non-Christians prepare to mark the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmastide, let’s spare a thought for the Nigerian workers and retirees at the state and local government levels, who may not join in the revelry due to non-payment of (arrears of) salaries and/or pensions.

    Their condition typifies what the legendary reggae maestro, Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley, describes as the “Rat Race” in which “In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty.” Although Nigeria’s workers are no fools, as those in authority may want to portray them, they, nonetheless, go hungry in the midst of plenty.

    So, in the sobriety of this season, we should think about them, considering the unbecoming attitude of some state governors, who blame the current economic crunch for their failure to meet obligations to workers, and yet continue to live a life that puts a lie to their cries of scarce resources.

    If not downright insensitivity, how could $86.5 million of the N522.74 billion refunds from the over-deducted London-Paris Club loan find its way into an account of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum; N19 billion paid to alleged governors’ proxies as consultancy and legal fees for securing the refunds; and some billions got to National Assembly persons, who are not members of the Governors’ Forum?

    And why did the governors give cold-shoulder to the gentleman’s agreement they had with President Muhammadu Buhari, that the states would use 25 per cent to 50 per cent of the refunds for payment of outstanding salaries and pensions? So many “hows” and “whys” and yet no answers!

    Since the Buhari administration was heralded by an economic recession that was only technically exited a few months ago, the Federal Government, to keep the states afloat, has practically been acting as Santa Claus (Father Christmas), doling out trillions of interventions, especially for the payment of salaries and allowances to workers, and gratuities and pensions to retirees.

    For instance, in his October 1 broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 57th Independence anniversary, President Buhari said that besides statutory monthly allocations shared by the federal, state and local governments, his government, as part of measures to stabilize the polity, had released N1.64 trillion to states and local governments between 2015 and 2017.

    These were in the form of State Excess Crude Account loans, Budget Support Facility, and Stabilization Fund Release to state and local governments, as follows: N200 billion in 2015, N441 billion in 2016 and N1 trillion in 2017, totalling N1.64 trillion.

    “This was done to enable states to pay outstanding salaries, pensions and small business suppliers, who had been all but crippled over the years,” the president said.

    Despite the various interventions by the Federal Government, state and local government workers continue to grumble and protest over unpaid salaries and allowances, prompting President Buhari to wonder how state governors could go to sleep while their workers were unpaid.

    On October 17 in Abuja, in one of several visits by representatives of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to the Presidential Villa, Buhari queried: “How can anyone go to bed and sleep soundly when workers have not been paid their salaries for months? I actually wonder how the workers feed their families, pay their rents and even pay school fees for their children.”

    Noting that the challenge in payment of salaries in states “has taken a toll on the people,” the president said the Federal Government and state executives would “need to work closer together to ameliorate the situation of workers across the country,” a proposal an obviously stunned Governors’ Forum Chairman, Abdul’Aziz Yari, concurred with.

    The Zamfara State governor said the governors “are concerned with the situation in our states,” and that the bailout funds, and part of the London-Paris Club loan refunds “were judiciously utilized to alleviate the plight of workers,” even as he urged the Federal Government to do more to get the states out of the woods.

    Like the fabled Oliver Twist, who was never satisfied, the governors, this time, want full refunds of the over-deducted loan, employing subtle blackmail, such as reminding President Buhari about the agreement they reached with him for the balance to be paid after reconciliation; and for them to factor the refunds in their 2018 budget estimates, without specifically mentioning payments to workers and retirees – a point that didn’t escape the president, and which he noted when he finally approved payment of the refunds to the states.

    “This (refunds) should be done (applied) not only for next year’s budget, but for this Christmas,” Buhari said. “For Nigerians without sources other than their salary, I am concerned that workers should be able to pay rent, school fees, buy drugs and take care of their families. I am so much concerned that people should have something to eat at Christmas.”

    Well, I hope the president’s appeal, which now sounds like a broken record, will not fall on “deaf ears” once more because, no sooner the bailouts and the first tranche of the London-Paris Club loan refunds were released to the governors than they reneged on the promises made to the president to pay their workers and retirees.

    For once, let the governors spare a thought for their states’ present and former workers who, as labourers, deserve their wages (Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18).

     

    * Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

  • Protect women against abuse, Ambode Urges Governors

    …As Ajimobi, Aregbesola, Dickson, Others Underscore Women’s Role In Nation Building

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday acknowledged the resilient nature of women and their strategic role in national development, saying that it was important for concerted efforts to be made to protect them against abuse and anything that can inhibit their progress.

    Speaking at the 2017 National Women Summit of Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA) held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Governor Ambode said women are endowed with God-given abilities to get stronger no matter the circumstances and equally make positive difference in the lives of others even at their detriment.

    The Governor, who attended the event alongside his wife, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, said the least to appreciate women is for efforts to be made to create space for them and fight for their rights.

    According to Governor Ambode, “The least we can do to appreciate our women and reciprocate their resilience and sacrifice is to give them all the support they require to achieve their dreams.

    “As a Governor, I am strongly committed and determined to create the space for our women and protect them against abuse and everything that will inhibit their progress.

    “This is my commitment and I believe, it is the same for my other colleagues, including my brother, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State whose support for his darling wife has made this event a reality.”

    While describing the theme of the summit which is “The Resilient Woman: Making a Difference,” as apt, Governor Ambode said it confirmed the hidden strengths of women which keep them going even in the face of most difficult challenges.

    He added: “It is this resilience that has made the woman the warmth and bond that keeps the family together.

    “This is very graphically expressed in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt who said “a woman is like a tea bag – you cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water”. Our women have shown that they are not only strong but resilient, hardworking, gentle, loving and beautiful.

    “Over the years, the indispensability of women in governance has continued to be appreciated and recognized particularly in this part of the world. In Lagos, whenever I have the opportunity I always say this; if you want a job done well, give it to a woman. Women make the difference,” Governor Ambode said.

    Besides, Governor Ambode admonished women to positively deploy their skill set in any given position for the betterment of the country.

    In their lectures, former Vice President of Zimbabwe, Dr Joice Musuru and former First Lady of Liberia, Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor, who were the keynote speakers, said African women must be inspired to do more even when the challenge appears insurmountable and also have the desire to make positive transformation.

    They also advised women to be real, create their own stories, never give up and mentor the next generation of women leaders.

    In their goodwill messages, Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and the host Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) all underscored the importance of women to nation building, saying any society or organization that position women other than the frontline role is destined for failure.

    They also called on women to revive the tradition of productivity and responsibility to the country in their children, saying such would bring about a better society, better nation and better people.

  • Northern senators, governors converge on Katsina over restructuring, 2018 budget

    The Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF) and the 19 northern governors would on Monday converge on Katsina for a three-day retreat to deliberate on the agitations for restructuring of the country.

    The Chairman of the forum, Abdullahi Adamu, told newsmen in Abuja that the retreat would also focus on how to improve the security situation in the country.

    It would be recalled that for the same reason of agitations for restructuring and other challenges facing the country, Southern Senators met recently in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    Mr. Adamu, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District, said that the Forum had written letters of invitation to the 19 governors, leading traditional rulers, top politicians and ex-senators from the region to make presentations at the retreat.

    He said that the gathering would enable the senators, as the peoples’ representatives, to take a common position on restructuring.

    “It is expected that very important stakeholders will be attending. Northern governors will be attending in solidarity and very eminent traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, will attend.

    “Essentially, we will be discussing the impact of budget in the north, the issue of restructuring which is now the main issue in politics.

    “The issue of restructuring that the Senate can develop a position on. It is part of preparing ourselves to face that challenge.

    “The issue of security will also be discussed,” Adamu said.

    He pointed out that as representatives of the people, it would be expected that with the retreat, they would be better educated, better placed to consider issues related to the subject-matter.

    “We will be better prepared to face the matter and legislate and make laws over them for the good governance of Nigeria.

    “We believe we are there to educate ourselves to be better informed, to exchange ideas on the subject matter, because we make laws, we don’t make laws out of ignorance.

    “We have to be better informed on anything we are talking about,” Mr. Adamu said.

    He explained that meeting in Katsina was not necessarily because of the economic impact it would have on the city and state or how it would energise Nigeria’s politics, “but for some sort of our presence will make.’’

    “There hasn’t been this retreat over time. We are trying to bring back the culture.

    “It makes us have touch with our bases; people who elected us and feel our pulse, we will relate with them in a better way,” he said.

     

  • South east governors to meet on PDP chairmanship candidate: Umahi

    South East governors belonging to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party will meet soon to decide on a consensus candidate for the chairmanship of their party.

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state disclosed the planned meeting, but he did not indicate the date it would take place.

    He spoke in Abakaliki on Tuesday, during the vote-seeking visit of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, one of the candidates for the chairmanship post.

    The PDP will hold its convention on 9 December in Port Harcourt, and also fill party vacancies.

    Dokpesi who called upon Ebonyi people to support him, gave an assurance that as the chairman of the party, he would sustain the legacy of the party’s founding fathers and that of Governor David Umahi.

    He addressed the party’s 41st State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, held at the secretariat of the party in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    Dokpesi acknowledged PDP’s dominance in the state and endorsed Governor Umahi for a second term, to enable him complete his projects.

    “Based on our confidence, our faith is in the hands of God and the delegates,”Dokpesi said.

    Umahi who introduced Dokpesi to the meeting said he is qualified to be the party’s national chairman. But he gave no further commitment.

    “In the past we have voted blindly but now our eyes are open to seek negotiation with everyone aspiring, so as to agree on what he will do for us. What ever the zone comes up with, we will let you know”, Umahi said.

    “The commitment and zeal of the aspirant who is going round 36 States of the federation to ask for vote is highly commendable. I am one of the apostles who will not give power to anyone that is not prepared, “Umahi added.

  • Dokpesi wants PDP governors to play pivotal role at convention

    Dokpesi wants PDP governors to play pivotal role at convention

    A national chairmanship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi, said PDP governors had crucial roles to play at Saturday’s national convention of the party.

    Dokpesi said on Tuesday night, while addressing members of the party in Abia at its secretariat in Umuahia, that as leaders of the party in their states, the governors exercised reasonable control of the party’s machinery.

    He said that the governors remained the leaders in their respective states and should be accorded the right to play prominent role in the party as was customary in the past.

    The aspirant commended the governors for their strong belief in PDP and for sustaining the party since it lost the 2015 election, and promised to work with them, if elected.

    He decried the formation of different groups of former political office holders, including the former governors’ forum and former ministers’ forum.

    He said that such unconstitutional bodies should not be allowed to hold sway in the party.

    In fact, Dokpesi alleged that the former governors were responsible for the electoral misfortune suffered by the party in the 2015 presidential election, when it lost to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said: “The former governors were the cause of the problem we are going through today.

    “While they were in office, they urinated on our heads.”

    He appealed to the Abia delegates to vote en masse for him, saying that if he became chairman, the position of the party’s presidential running-mate would automatically be zoned to the South-East.

    “As the chairman of the party, the position of the vice president for the South-East in 2019 is non-negotiable,” he said.

    Dokpesi cited “the imposition of candidates, impunity and lack of respect for zoning” as part of the problems that bedeviled PDP before the 2015 polls.

    He promised to return power to the people, and assured that justice, equity and fairness prevailed in the party, if elected.

    He said that the past leadership of the party failed to uphold the ideals of the founding fathers, leading to their abandoning the party they formed and nurtured.

    Dokpesi stated that he would restore the party to the path of glory, adding that he would “reposition, rebuild and rejuvenate PDP to win the 2019 presidential poll.

    He admonished the delegates to vote wisely at the convention, saying, “losing the 2019 presidential election would be a total disaster for PDP, but God forbid.”

    Speaking later in an interview with newsmen, Dokpesi said that during the last general elections, some of the former governors “abandoned PDP and could not deliver the party in their states.”
    “The time we were having elections in 2015, a lot of governors, who have the responsibility to deliver the party, went into prayers. They abandoned PDP,” he said.

    He said that contrary to the criticisms against PDP by the ruling APC, it had done a lot toward the development of Nigeria.

    Dokpesi, who is facing corruption charges, in respect of Dasuki’s alleged arms deal, declined comments on the matter, on the ground that it was in court.

    He threatened to sue the Federal Government for damages.

    Meanwhile, Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, in his response, assured Dokpesi of total support from Abia delegates.

    Onuigbo extolled Dokpesi’s immense contributions to the development and growth of PDP, saying that he had paid his dues and was eminently qualified to lead the party.

    He specifically recalled how Dokpesi deployed his mass media outfits, the African Independent Television and Ray Power, in projecting the activities of the party during the 2015 general elections, within and beyond Nigeria.

  • Paris Club Refunds: Senate queries Buhari’s approval of funds to governors

    Paris Club Refunds: Senate queries Buhari’s approval of funds to governors

    The Senate on Thursday resolved to probe how the Paris Club Refunds and other bailout funds to state governors by President Muhammadu Buhari were approved.

    The Senate’s decision followed a point of order raised by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu (PDP- Imo) during plenary, who afterwards, sought the leave of the Senate to move a motion on the matter during the next legislative day.

    He queried the legality of the funds given to governors by Buhari.

    The President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, sought and got the leave of his colleagues and approved that the proper motion be brought by Anyanwu, to the floor on another legislative day.

    The Federal Government had released the breakdown of payments to the 36 states as refund of “over-deductions on Paris Club, London Club Loans and Multilateral debts on the accounts of States and Local Governments (1995-2002).”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the latest payment was the second tranche of the refunds to the states with a total of N243.8 billion released to the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

    Buhari, while releasing the N243.80 billion as second tranche of Paris Club refund to states, urged the governors to use a major part of the funds to offset salaries, pensions and other allowances of workers.

    However, President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting with the governors on Wednesday in Abuja expressed sadness over the backlog of salary arrears in the states despite.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the governors have started mounting pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to release the last tranche of the funds to them.