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Tag: NEC

  • APC crisis: Fmr DG of Progressives Govs Forum identifies alleged ‘civilian coup’ plotters trying to destabilize convention

    APC crisis: Fmr DG of Progressives Govs Forum identifies alleged ‘civilian coup’ plotters trying to destabilize convention

    …points accusation finger at Govs Bello, Uzodinma, Abiodun

    …demands probe of their involvement

    A former Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman, has identified Governors Yahaya Bello, Hope Uzodimma and Dapo Abiodun of allegedly plotting with Mai Mala Buni in the destabilization of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls the ruling party has been in an oscillating mode to conduct a convention without end.

    To worsen the already not too good situation with the party, INEC on Thursday turned down an invitation to conduct the party’s NEC meeting declaring that only Buni and his secretary are qualified to conduct such an emergency NEC.

    But the ex-DG in a statement on Friday without mincing words declared there are identified collaborators with Buni plotting to bring APC to its kneels.

    He warned that the APC stands on the path of losing the next election because of the crisis already crippling its capacity to hold a national convention to elect substantive party officials.

    Lukman stressed that anyone who loves Mai Mala Buni should be more worried about protecting his honour as a political leader by ensuring that he doesn’t become a letdown who stands opposed to the majority decisions of party leaders and members.

    He said if Mai Mala Buni shares the vision of all the founding leaders of the party, he would be willing to make every personal sacrifice to demonstrate his support for the decisions of the party.

    Lukman contrasted Mai Mala Buni to ex-leaders of the APC including Chief Bisi Akande, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Chief Tony Momoh of blessed memory, Chief John Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole

    His words: “There are known collaborators of His Excellency Mai Mala who have colluded with him to ensure that all attempts to organise the APC National Convention are blocked.

    “Three Governors who are known and must also be called upon to account for their roles in undermining decisions to organise the APC National Convention are His Excellency Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and His Excellency Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

    “There are other party leaders, including Sen Uzo Kalu who have actively supported His Excellency Mai Mala to undermine the decision to organise the National Convention of the party.”

    Lukman stressed that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for March 17 should initiate processes of a disciplinary hearing in line with provisions of the APC Constitution to sanction all these leaders if found guilty.

  • ASUU to decide on continuation of strike weekend

    ASUU to decide on continuation of strike weekend

    The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will meet at the weekend to decide on whether to continue with the ongoing strike.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports ASUU embarked on the ongoing strike, which will elapse March 14, since February 14th.

    The union had vowed not to call off the one-month warning strike, standing on the reason that the federal government has consistently failed to keep its promises.

    The union said it no longer wants promises from the government side at this time but action.

    “ASUU National Executive Council, NEC, To Meet by Weekend to Decide on Continuation of Strike,” a tweet reads on the official Twitter handle of ASUU.

    https://twitter.com/ASUUNGR/status/1502339610374025216

    TNG reports ASUU is seeking improved welfare for university lecturers, revitalisation of public universities and university autonomy, among other demands.

  • APC holds emergency NEC meeting March 17

    APC holds emergency NEC meeting March 17

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed March 17 for an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

    This is contained in a notice of meeting signed by Gov. Abubakar Bello, the Acting Chairman of the APC CECPC, Sen. Ken Nnamani (South-East) and Mrs Stella Okotete (National Women Leader).

    Others are Sen. Aba Ali (North-West) and Prof. Tahir Mamman (North-East).

    The virtual NEC meeting will be held at 11 a.m.

    The decision to hold the meeting was taken at the 23rd meeting of the APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) on Tuesday.

    The APC National Convention is slated for March 26.

    The meeting, they said, is pursuant to Article 25B (i and ii) of the Party Constitution, and by the power vested on the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) via the NEC resolution of Dec. 8, 2020.

  • APM suspends BOT members

    APM suspends BOT members

    The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) on Saturday passed a vote of no confidence and suspended the entire members of its Board of Trustees (BOT) until further notice.

    The party disclosed this in a communiqué, issued by its National Executive Committee (NEC) after its meeting on Saturday in Abuja. The communique was signed by 30 members of the executive and read by APM National Chairman, Mamman Dantalle.

    The communiqué stated that the party officials met and considered the status of the state APM and the nation with respect to the frenzy being generated in the political ecosystem of the county.

    The NEC said that it met and reviewed the constitutional structure, duties and activities of the Party’s BOT as enshrined in Article 9 Section A2 (A-K) of APM Constitution.

    “After a thorough review, we resolved that the BOT of our Party as currently constituted is deficient, ineffective and cannot perform its official functions as clearly stated in our constitution.

    ‘”Consequently, we have decided to unanimously pass a vote of no confidence and suspend the entire BOT until further notice.

    “That we have mandated the National Chairman and the NWC to henceforth continue to function in their stead.”

    The NEC said that the party also unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Dantalle-led the National working Committee.

    The NEC said that considering the paucity of funds at the disposal of APM, the party would not allow its leadership to conduct its National convention and State Congresses before the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    It added that the vote of confidence was passed in consideration of the diligent efforts, sacrifices and dedicated manner with which the Dantalle-led NWC is leading the party.

    “We have also considered the affairs of APM in all the States of the Federation and have decided to pass a vote of confidence on all the state working committees, ably led by all the State Chairmen.

    “In the light of the some crucial exigencies in Edo, Anambra, Yobe and a few other states, we mandate the National Chairman and the NWC to, as a matter of urgency, provide viable solution and way forward in order to strengthen the party in the affected States in the overall interest of our great party.

    “We mandate the national chairman and the NWC to initiate a process for the conduct of state congresses and national convention of our great party after the 2023 general elections ,” the communiqué read.

    It added that the NEC demanded free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive elections and urged INEC to publish all political parties and their candidates contesting elections.

    “NEC urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the amended Electoral Act, recently passed by the National Assembly, to enable INEC to prepare adequately for the 2023 general election crucial for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

    “NEC is alarmed by the spate of insecurity in the country and urged security agents to expedite action with a view to crushing these terrorists, insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors, and bring them to book.”

    Dantalle, fielding questions from journalists said that the BOT was supposed to be constituted by 13 members that spread across the geopolitical zones of the country.

    He said that presently the board has only five members against the number specified by the party’s constitution, hence the need to suspend them.

    “Article 7 of the APM Constitution empowers the NEC in an emergency meeting to make decisions on behalf of the general assembly,” Dantalle explained.

    However, the APM BOT Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Awiya, who was present at the meeting, in swift reaction during the press conference, said his suspension is illegal and cannot stand.

    He also accused Dantalle of running the party’s affairs like a one-man business entity.

    Awiya, who claimed that he brought Dantalle to be the chairman of the party, said his only offence was that he told Dantalle to carry every member of the party along.

    He also faulted the claim that the party has no money to conduct its convention, saying we have money but whenever money is paid into the party accounts, the party national chairman diverted it to his personal account.

    He also presented some unverified documents on alleged money supposed to be for the party that Dantalle diverted to his personal account.

    He said that Dantalle had already been reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover the party’s money.

    Reacting to the allegation, Dantalle said all the allegations are baseless and false, adding that certain money paid into Awiya account could not be accounted for till date.

  • No decision yet on fuel subsidy – NEC

    No decision yet on fuel subsidy – NEC

    The National Economic Council (NEC) says it has yet to take a decision on the issue of fuel subsidy removal as deliberations are still ongoing.

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo fielded questions from State House correspondents after the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to the governor, NEC has been deliberating on the issue of fuel subsidy for more than a year.

    “There was an ad hoc committee set up by NEC and headed by Gov. Nasir El-Rufai that included members of the executive arm of government and worked on recommendations as to what we should do about the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) locally.

    “Because as you realise, as it has been told us, the cost of PMS in Nigeria today is about N162 for a litre whereas every other country surrounding Nigeria is selling the product at more than 100 per cent of the cost in Nigeria.

    “The country, as at last year, spent in excess of …; we must have the exact figures — but we must have spent almost N2 trillion subsidising petroleum products.

    “That is money that could have gone into building roads; money that could have gone into healthcare and education.

    “So, for NEC, the argument has been put out; should we continue this regime of spending money that we do not have to subsidise the living standard of mostly those who have vehicles.’’

    He said that when NEC looked at some of the analysis last year, it realised that less than one-third of the states of the country consumed two-third of the subsidy.

    According to him, the issue of equity also comes up.

    “All of these findings were presented to NEC and NEC has deliberations still ongoing.

    “So, NEC has not come up with any decision yet and I think has also been made to the president,’’ he said.

    On his part, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State said Nigerians ought to know about the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as the NNPC had become a limited liability company.

    According to him, the NNPC will run differently henceforth.

    “So, if the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning provides for six months, you probably can understand part of the reason for the provision of six months before NNPC takes off.

    “At that moment, that is when decision will be made. But I want to make the correction that it is not governors who are making the recommendations.

    “It is actually a NEC committee that is looking at this and no decision has been made; probably a decision will be made; the PIA would have taken charge and it would not require any recommendation from anybody,’’ Sule said.

  • IPMAN kicks against proposed inauguration of parallel NEC

    IPMAN kicks against proposed inauguration of parallel NEC

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has warned against the planned inauguration of a parallel National Executive Committee (NEC) on Jan. 18 in Abuja.

    Mr Tunji Adeniji, the Secretary, IPMAN Board of Trustees, gave the warning in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, describing the proposed .parallel NEC as an illegal.

    Adeniji said the warning was necessitated by reports of a plan to inaugurate new NEC members by some individuals.

    He said the BoT led by Alhaji Abdulkadri Aminu has notified the security agencies of the situation, describing the move as a flagrant violation of the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court in Abuja on Dec. 14, 2018.

    The BoT secretary said that the judgment read by Justice Musa Muhammad in suit No. SC15/2015 recognised Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo and Alhaji Danladi Pasali, as President and Secretary of IPMAN, respectively.

    Adeniji said that the tenure of the executive would expire on Dec. 14, 2023, adding that IPMAN had already zoned the next president of the association to the North-West.

    He said that any attempt to install another set of persons as NEC of IPMAN was null and void because the matter had been settled by the Supreme Court which was the final arbiter of justice in Nigeria.

    Adeniji added that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, have already directed that the judgment must be complied with.

    He called on the security agencies to apprehend those behind the move to forestall breakdown of law and order.

    According to him, IPMAN as an association has only one registered Board of Trustee (BoT) and registered constitution with the Corporate Affairs Commission

  • #EndSARS: Osinbajo-led NEC appeals organisers to shelve planned one-year anniversary protest

    #EndSARS: Osinbajo-led NEC appeals organisers to shelve planned one-year anniversary protest

    Organisers of the #EndSARS protests have been advised to reconsider their plan to stage any protest in commemoration of the one-year anniversary since the demonstrations were held in various parts of the country.

    The National Economic Council (NEC) made the call on Friday in an advisory on public protests, saying such a plan should be shelved considering the nation’s security situation.

    “While appreciating the role of lawful peaceful protests in the advancement of public discourse under democratic governance, the National Economic Council (NEC) strongly advise those planning public protests across the country to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS, to consider other lawful alternative means of engagement,” the council headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said in the advisory.

    “This is because of the current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues. Council, therefore, urges the organisers to reconsider their plan.”

    Thousands of young Nigerians occupied strategic places in parts of the country in October 2020, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over alleged human rights violations.

    While the protests held for several days, there was a shooting by a team of security operatives who stormed the venue of the demonstration in the Lekki area of Lagos.

    In a bid to address the concerns raised by the protesting youths, NEC stated that the government – at the federal and state levels – has already taken actions to address the grievances that led to the protests.

    It listed them to include the disbandment of SARS, broad police reforms, the establishment of judicial panels of inquiries to investigate allegations of human rights violations by members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, and prosecution of police personnel indicted by the panels.

    The council explained that recommendations of the panels were already at various stages of implementation, including the setting up of Victims Compensation Funds from which “several victims have received payments of sums awarded to them” by the panels.

    “These are commendable actions that ought to be taken to a logical conclusion in a peaceful atmosphere,” it said.

    “Organisers of the planned protests should explore the various channels of communication with governments at various levels to advance their positions and avert the breakdown of law and order that may result from such public protests.”

  • Only PDP NEC can suspend me – Secondus

    Only PDP NEC can suspend me – Secondus

    Mr Uche Secondus, National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says only National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has powers to discipline him or any member of the National Working Committee (NEC).

    Secondus stated this in a statement by his Media Aide, Mr Ike Abonyi, in Abuja while reacting to his suspension by his ward executives in Rivers.

    He said that Article 59(3) of the PDP Constitution stated clearly that only the NEC has such power to discipline NEC members of the party.

    “The media office of Secondus ordinarily should not be responding to every ‘noise’ in the media being engineered by those who set out to distract and destroy the PDP.

    “But it is our responsibility to guide those who are easily persuaded by news in the media hence this response.

    “Such action is a mere wish as Article 59(3) of the PDP constitution states clearly that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party can discipline the National Chairman or any other National officer of the party,” he said.

    He urged members of the public and the media to be wary of agents who were out to distract the PDP from its focus of rescuing Nigeria.

    The PDP ward 5 in Ikuru town, Andoni in Rivers on Wednesday suspended Secondus from the party.

    His suspension was announced by the PDP Ward Chairman, Mr George Christopher, at the party’s extraordinary meeting in Ikuru town, saying that 11 of the 17 executive members endorsed the suspension.

    Christopher accused Secondus of not attracting development to the area in spite of his exalted political profile adding that his inability to manage the affairs of the party was also a bad reputation to the area.

    “The ward 5 executive of the PDP in Ikuru town on Aug. 31, discussed issues affecting the party.

    “The ward executive suspended Secondus after a duly constituted meeting convened by the Secretary on the instructions of the Chairman in accordance with the party’s constitution,” he said.

    Also former Chairman of Andoni local government council and chairman, disciplinary committee in the ward, Mr Benson Alpheous said that Secondus was suspended for disobeying the party’s decision to step down as National Chairman.

    “Until further notice, Secondus remains suspended. For now, until you hear from us again, Secondus remain suspended,” he added.

    A Rivers’ High Court had on Monday, Aug. 23 granted an interim order, restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman and member of the PDP.

    Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division, presiding over a vacation court in Port Harcourt, granted the order, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    This made the party on Wednesday, Aug. 25 to adopt its Deputy National Chairman (South), Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, as acting Chairman.

    In another twist, another court of coordinate jurisdiction in Kebbi on Thursday, Aug. 26 restored the embattled national chairman to his position.

    However, on Aug. 27, another High Court in Cross River granted an interim order restraining Secondus from resuming office as the national chairman of the PDP.

    Edem Kooffreh, the presiding judge, gave the order on Friday, while ruling on a motion ex parte marked HC/240/2021, and filed by Enang Wani.

    The court barred Secondus from presiding over any meeting of the party until the motion is heard.

    Meanwhile, the PDP NEC in an effort to resolve the leadership crisis approved Oct. 30 for the party’s elective national convention, scheduled for Abuja, to usher in new leadership.

  • APGA NEC sacks two factional chairmen, six others

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has sacked the two factional chairmen of the party and appointed a new acting national chairman, Chief Jude Okeke.

    Briefing journalists after rising from its 114th NEC meeting in the Abuja on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kabiru Yusuf, said six other members of the party were also sacked including Chinedu Obidigwe, Barr. Hamman Buba Ghide, Barr. Sylvester Ezeokenwa, Adamu Danjuma Musa, Chief Uchenna Okogbuo and Barr. Ifeanyi Mbaeri, who are suspended indefinitely from the party for anti-party activities, gross misconduct and conduct capable of bringing the party’s image to disrepute among others.

    Furthermore, the party NEC also resolved to nullify the disqualification of five aspirants for the governorship election in Anambra State, who were disqualified by the Victor Oye-led faction declaring that no person had been dsqualified and that any purported disqualification was done without the authority of the party.

    The disqualified aspirants include Nze Sullivan Akachukwu Nwankpo, Hon. Okafor Nonso Smart, Hon Chukwuma Michael Umeoji, Ozoka Odera Ifeanyi and Umeoduagu Nnamdi Dike .

    The party also extended the sale of its governorship forms to June 25, 2021, rescheduled the primary election for July 1, 2021 while cancelling the earlier fixed dates of June 23 and June 25, while warning aspirants who had picked the forms to keep away from those dates.

    The party also resolved to apologize to its members in Imo State who were defrauded by the party and denied opportunity to participate in the primary election of the party.

    In his acceptance speech, Chief Jude Okeke, who was sworn in at the event said: “it seemed over the years APGA was comfortable with having Anambra as our only State but that the fortunes of the party would grow under my leadership.”

    It would be recalled that APGA had been enmeshed in leadership tussle months ago ahead of the Anambra governorship election.

  • Obaseki’s claim of FG printing N60bn to augment March FAAC false – NEC

    Obaseki’s claim of FG printing N60bn to augment March FAAC false – NEC

    The National Economic Council (NEC) has dismissed claims that N60 billion was printed to augment the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for March.

    Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, briefed State House correspondents after virtual NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Governor Godwin Obaseki had recently alleged that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) printed N60 billion in March to support federal allocation to states.

    “Finally, council also affirmed that there was no N60 billion CBN money printed for March FACC; having heard presentations from the controversy generated regarding insinuations of alleged printing of N60 billion to augment March allocations.

    “The council affirmed that there is no truth whatsoever in the claim; the meeting reviewed the controversy and heard from the Finance Minister and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) as represented by Etiki State governor and the CBN governor.

    “Both the minister and the CBN governor stated categorically to the council that the allegation of printing of money to augment allocation is outrightly false.

    “The NGF also supported the conclusion and NEC affirmed same as the highest constitutional body tasked with economic affairs in the country,’’ Akande said.