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Tag: Opposition

  • Paris Club Refund: Opposition tasks Oyo govt. on payment of workers’ salaries

    Paris Club Refund: Opposition tasks Oyo govt. on payment of workers’ salaries

    ….empathises with workers over current plight

    Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has been advised to use the latest Paris Club refund from the Federal Government to offset the salary arrears of the workers and also to embark on people-oriented projects that will improve the lot of the people of the state.

    A chieftain of the Oyo state branch of the Social Democratic Party, Mr. Seyi Makinde, said in a statement he issued in Ibadan, the state capital on Wednesday, that the state Government should be considerate about the plight of the workers and ensure the immediate payment of their wages, in order to ameliorate their suffering.

    To the workers in the state, Makinde, said that he feels what they are feeling and that his party when voted into power in 2019, shall make workers’ welfare its top priority.

    ”Even, the Bible and all the holy Books said that you should not make your labourers suffer for their wages. We feel with the workers and we shall wipe away your tears, when you vote us into office”.

    The Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in 2015, added that the state government should be aware of the fact that the workers would not in anyway tolerate stories or excuses that would preclude them from collecting the whopping five months salaries due to them, while the state pensioners, who are being owed for about five months should not be allowed to go their graves early, even when the resources are available.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Federal Government on Tuesday commenced the payment of the second tranche of the Paris Club refund on the orders of the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    According to a statement released by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Monday, the state government is set to receive about seven billion Naira from the latest tranche of the Paris Club Refund.

    Makinde, popularly referred to as ”Omi Titun (new spring)” by his supporters, opined that the latest additional funds from the Federal Government should be expended on projects that are palpable and beneficial to all the residents and not for the benefits of a few associates or cronies.

    His words; ”The latest tranche of about 7 billion Naira to the state by the Federal Government is a welcome development and it should be of benefits to all and sundry. The workers and Pensioners in the state, who are being owed months of salaries and pensions, should take priority, while other projects that would improve the lots of the people should also be taken into consideration.

    ”The era of government officials claiming phantom projects as their achievements are long gone. The people and rightly so, want their representatives to honestly render genuine accounts to them instead of fictitious figures and claims that are only figments of some people’s imagination.

    He also explained that the state government should take advantage of the benevolence of the Dangote group, who has expressed interest in partnering with the state government with the supply of improved rice, to ensure the mass production of the product in the state, adding that the state has the required resources like land, labour and technological know-how to make the project a huge success.

    The SDP chieftain disclosed that the state government needs to put in place the right infrastructures to accelerate the success of the projects, while also providing the residents the attendant benefits.

    ”I travelled to Iseyin last weekend and what I experienced on that journey, made me very sad. The trip that was supposed to last just over an hour took us about two and a half hours to accomplish.

    ”Residents of the area told us that we were able to do that because we had vehicles that are strong. They said it takes them between 3-4 hours to negotiate.

    ”Also, there is a land mass of hundreds of miles between Ido to Iseyin that can comfortably grow more rice that can feed millions in this country. Just last week, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, spoke about the plans of the Federal Government to stop the importation of rice into the country.

    ”States like Lagos, Kebbi, Sokoto, Benue and others are now keying into the vision of the Federal Government to grow enough rice for the country and even for export.

    ”Our dear state, that has the wherewithal to produce enough to feed its people and even export, should not lag behind in this regards. This is where the Paris Club Refund should be made to count. It is not supposed to be spent on ostentatious projects, but those that will wipe away the tears of our workers, pensioners and make our workers happy”. the statement said.

  • Police arrest vocal opposition leader

    Police arrest vocal opposition leader

    Mr Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, the vocal leader of the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP), in Sierra Leone has been arrested.

    The party of the opposition presidential hopeful has accused the government of intimidation and called for his immediate release.

    It said the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) was behind the arrest its leader, who faces two charges of unlawful possession of firearms.

    Mansaray was denied bail on Friday after being arraigned before a magistrate’s court in the eastern headquarters town of Kenema.

    The police say he committed the alleged offence in the nearby Kailahun District, where his party participated in a by-election at the end of last month.

    Mansaray, an outspoken politician, was arrested in Freetown and transported to Kenema, about a week after the elections.

    ADP described the police’s action as politically motivated, saying it was sanctioned by the ruling party to silence a critical voice.

    “We want the public to know that his arrest is nothing but a barbaric conspiracy planned by the ruling APC government and executed by the Sierra Leone police,” the party’s diaspora arm proclaimed in a statement.

    Mr Mansaray formed ADP after falling out with APC and he has since transformed himself into a Julius Malema-style opposition.

    ADP is most popular in the north, where much of its support is thought to be drawn from the APC base.

    Mansaray’s supporters say that, coupled with his consistent attacks on the APC leadership, have made him a target of political intimidation.

    ADP defended his carrying of a “stun gun” during the by-election, saying it was meant as protection after several reported failed attempts on his life by alleged APC militants.

    Lately, Mr Mansaray has been leading a wave of condemnation against an alleged Chinese interference in the local politics after news that the Communist Party of China was funding the construction of a seven storied office building for the APC.

     

     

    Africa Review

     

  • South Africa opposition sues Zuma, 11 ministers over corruption

    South Africa’s main opposition party on Tuesday sued President Jacob Zuma and 11 other people over corruption and influence-peddling by the wealthy Gupta business family.

    The news agency said the Democratic Alliance (DA) filed charges against Zuma, his son Duduzane Zuma, the brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta.

    Others are Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, three other cabinet ministers, two directors of Gupta-linked companies and a former executive of the state electrical utility Eskom.

    The brothers of Indian origin are suspected of obtaining lucrative state contracts and even influencing ministerial appointments because of their friendship with Zuma.

    However, the president and the Guptas denied wrongdoing.

    Former anti-graft watchdog Thuli Madonsela released a report on the so-called “state capture” by the Guptas in November, calling for a judicial inquiry.

    Zuma initially rejected the report, but his African National Congress party gave green light to the inquiry at a weekend conference.

    The “Zuptagate” scandal has done enormous damage to Zuma and the party, with calls mounting on the president to resign.

    The DA filed the charges after media reports quoted e-mails from Gupta affiliates allegedly revealing that the brothers had hosted cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned companies on luxury trips to their home in Dubai.

    They allegedly even planned to help Zuma set up a second home in Dubai, although the president denied the reports.

    “The e-mails show the extent of the rot within the government,’’ the DA said in a statement.

    Report says Zuma also faces a no-confidence vote in parliament and court action by the second-largest opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters to impeach him.

  • ‘PDP says it will win future elections…’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State on Sunday expressed optimism that it would win all future elections in the state.

    Some chieftains of the party in the state said at a zonal meeting in Awgu for Enugu West that the party would continue to control the state in spite of recent political realignments in the state.

    The Deputy Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Chief Donatus Uzogbado, said that the party was not envisaging any challenge from any of the opposition parties in the state.

    Uzogbado said that the faithful needed not fret over recent events where some members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that PDP was “still on ground”.

    “The APC challenge is no challenge to us. In fact, the 2019 elections is going to be the easiest for our party in the state,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Mr Chidi Ekwe, said that the unprecedented peace and unity in the party would be the tonic for its successful outing of the party in future polls.

    Ekwe hailed the exemplary relationship between Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, saying that the state had not had it so good.

    “We at the local government are trying to replicate the good works of the governor in our various councils,” Ekwe said.

    The Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Charles Egungbe, said that the PDP had a well-thought out secession plan which could not be thwarted by any of the opposition parties.

    Egungbe said that there was nothing to fear as the PDP was synonymous with the state, adding that the second term of the governor was assured.

    He, however, urged the party faithful not to rest on their oars or remain indifferent if the PDP must be successful.

    “Our loyalty is with Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and we shall keep supporting him,” Egungbe said.

    The member representing Aninri constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Toby Okechukwu, said that Enugu West was a no-go area for the opposition parties.

    Okechukwu said that politicians in the area were so focused that even without a political party they could decide where their allegiance stood and would not waiver.

    “However, we will do our best to make sure that the party continues to prosper. Our support for the governor is not in vain. We are with him because of what he is doing,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the party leadership in the zone received some members of opposition parties in the state who defected to it at the event.

    One of them, from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mrs Ijeoma Chukwu, said that her decision to join PDP was borne out of conviction that it was the party of the moment in the state.

    Chukwu, who was APGA’s candidate for the Enugu West senatorial election in 2015, said that her former party was dying.

    “We have decided to join the PDP because of some reasons. I love my former party, APGA, but it is unfortunate the party is gradually dying,” she said.

  • AD will provide credible, formidable opposition in Ondo – Oke

    AD will provide credible, formidable opposition in Ondo – Oke

    The Alliance for Democracy (AD) has vowed that it will build a strong, credible and formidable opposition party in Ondo State.

    Chief Olusola Oke, the governorship candidate of the party in the Nov.26, 2016 governorship election in the state, said this on Saturday at a stakeholders forum in Akure.

    Oke described AD as a “ movement of the people’’ committed to positive change in the state.

    According to him, the party will remain strong to ensure victory in subsequent elections.

    “We resolved that we will remain in AD, build a strong party so that we can win the election when the opportunity comes, ” he said.

    He dismissed the rumour of his defection to another party, declaring that AD had propelling factor to win elections.

    Oke commended the Federal Government over the achievements recorded in the fight against insurgency and corruption.

    “We commend the activities of the Federal Government in fighting Boko Harram and corruption.

    “We urge the government to renew its strength and efforts in ensuring total victory,” Oke said.

  • Gambia Presidential poll: Opposition candidate Adama Barrow in early lead

    Gambia Presidential poll: Opposition candidate Adama Barrow in early lead

    Opposition candidate Adama Barrow was in the lead after almost 75 per cent of votes had been counted in Gambian presidential voting, threatening President Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year-rule, the electoral commission said on Friday.

    Barrow, who has the support of seven political parties, had won 22 out of 53 constituencies or 138,148 votes in Thursday’s presidential polls.

    According to the commission, incumbent Jammeh won 14 out of 53 constituencies or 126,587 votes.

    Report says the election is won by a simple majority in the poverty-stricken West African nation, which largely relies on peanut exports for trade income.

    Gambians on Thursday voted amid a shutdown of all internet and telephone lines, which raised fears of Jammeh planning to hijack the election.

    Meanwhile, the lines were expected to remain disconnected until Sunday.

    Jammeh, a former army colonel who came to power during a 1994 military coup, has been ruling the Islamic Republic with an iron fist.

    He is running for a fifth five-year term against two other candidates.

    The two candidates are Barrow, a businessman popular with the country’s largely unemployed youth and Mama Kandeh, the leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress, the only opposition party that did not join forces with Barrow.

    Ironically, all three candidates were born in the same year, 1965.

    However, the capital, Banjul, remained calm on Friday, in spite of a heavy security force presence.

    NAN