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  • South West regional railway will connect 44 cities – DAWN

    South West regional railway will connect 44 cities – DAWN

    The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission has said South Western railway will connect 44 cities in South West region of Nigeria.

    The commission’s Chairman, State Focal Officers, Mr. Boye Ologbese, said the proposed integrated transportation network project was part of the blueprint of the commission as part of efforts to fast-track the development of the region.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Akure, Ondo State capital, by his media aide, Mrs Debbie Funmilayo.

    Ologbese, the Ondo State Commissioner, Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, who was recently appointed as the chairman, State Focal Officer of the commission, to evaluate, coordinate and maintain adequate relations trajectory to the region, explained that the proposal of a regional railway route to link 44 cities and towns would enhance the economic development of the region.

    He said, “DAWN has a mandate to effectively ensure sustainable development in the South-West region and the commission has a blueprint to fast-track development in the area of power and railway.

    “The integrated transportation network project aims to deal with the problem of transportation networks in the South-West region, providing succour to ease of movement of people, goods and services while opening up the hinterland.

    “The rail infrastructure will improve access to other South-Western states thereby aiding economic opportunities therein. We hope that improved mobility through the rail project will grossly aid in coping with Nigeria’s rapidly growing population likewise.”

    He also lauded the performance of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, saying the administration had presented the state and the region with opportunities for economic expansion and partnerships.

    According to him, Akeredolu’s efforts in ensuring the creation of a state security network also known as Amotekun corps, to add to the conventional security agencies to give adequate protection to the lives and property of the South-West people, was commendable.

    “Peace and security play a crucial role in strengthening the regional….economic integration of any society.

    ”That is why we are commending (Akeredolu’s) interventions in the region such as; establishing Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, the actualisation of Ondo Deep Sea Port; export-driven port for regional enhancement and mechanisms for farm production; boosting the agricultural capacity of the state has presented Ondo State with great opportunities for economic expansion and partnerships,” he noted.

    He called on all other South-West states’ focal representatives in the commission for more collective action towards the development agenda, promising harmonised efforts to ensure the mandate of the commission was optimally accomplished.

  • Appoint southerner as next EFCC Chairman – HURIWA tells Tinubu

    Appoint southerner as next EFCC Chairman – HURIWA tells Tinubu

    The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint a southerner as  the next Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    This is contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.

    HURIWA expressed concern over the consistent appointment of individuals from the Northern part of Nigeria as EFCC Chairmen since the establishment of the commission.

    This trend, the organisation noted, had led to the perception that the position is micro-zoned to the North, depriving equally competent individuals of the South the opportunity to contribute to the fight against corruption.

    The association described Tinubu as a prominent leader known for his commitment to fairness and justice and equity and urged him to exhibit same by appointing a candidate from the South as the next EFCC Chairman.

    “Such a decision would send a powerful message of unity and inclusivity, fostering a harmonious and balanced Nigeria.

    “We firmly believe that a candidate from the southern region should be appointed as the next EFCC Chairman to ensure a fair distribution of power and showcase the competence of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

    “It is essential to rectify the existing regional imbalance within the EFCC by appointing a candidate from the South as the next chairman, to address the perception of bias and create a more balanced representation within the institution.

    HURIWA further emphasised the need for national institutions such as the EFCC to reflect Nigeria’s diversity and promote inclusion.

    It called for the appointment of the EFCC chairman based on merit, competence, and a proven track record in the fight against corruption.

    It also called for the nationalisation of the EFCC Chairmanship to ensure equitable representation from all regions of Nigeria.

    By fostering transparency and credibility in the appointment process, HURIWA believes Nigeria can strengthen its fight against economic and financial crimes and promote a more inclusive and united nation.

  • N950bn Derivation fund: How South South govs short change states through banks-Sen Ita Enang alleges

    N950bn Derivation fund: How South South govs short change states through banks-Sen Ita Enang alleges

     

    …advise state assemblies to probe deeper

    The Directorate of Parliamentarians of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South- South geo-political zone, has alleged that the six governors in the region of misappropriated N950 billion that accrued to their states as proceeds of excess crude oil sales and 13% derivation.

    Director of the group and governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State, Sen Ita Enang who made the accusation at a news conference in Abuja, said the governors shortchanged their respective states through low rate discounting at various banks.

    Enang therefore, called on the Houses of Assembly of the affected states, to thoroughly investigate the action of their governors and commence impeachment proceedings against those found culpable.

    He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had paid the said money as arrears due to the oil bearing states between 2004 and 2019 as well as derivation arrears from deductions made by NNPC from 1999 to December 2021.

    Enang said that while Akwa Ibom State had collected a total sum of N133.5 billion, it had an outstanding of N277 billion to collect but had already discounted the fund at low rate in banks for ridiculous loans.

    According to the document circulated to journalists during the news conference, Rivers State Government has collected N116 billion from the arrears of oil monies and N229 billion as outstanding while Delta State State, collected a total of N125 billion but had an outstanding balance of N253 billion.

    Similarly, Bayelsa State has collected N104 billion and has an outstanding balance of N209 billion was also being discounted by the State Governor for ridiculous loans.

    According to him, Edo State has collected the sum of N13 billion so far and has N37 billion outstanding payment which is also being discounted through loans in some banks.

    He however, said that Cross River State Government was not in the fleecing game due to insignificant accruals the State had been getting.

    His words: “Total money collected by Cross River State from oil money arrears is N1.4 billion while outstanding payment is N1.2 billion. Exposures being made here today on how the Governors of the South South States , have been squandering oil earnings , are to get the people of the respective states informed ahead of the 2023 general election that they should reject their party , the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in the 2023 general election.

    “We want impeachment proceedings to be carried out against them by their respective State Houses of Assembly if their members truly loyal to the people. We however thank the Governors for their kleptomania which will surely make candidates of their party to lose elections next year.”

    END

  • 2023: Northern group appeals to Buhari to zone presidency to South

    The Northern Progressive Agenda (NPA) has appealed to the political elites in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the presidency to the South.

    The appeal was made known by the  spokesperson of the group, Mr. Dominic Alancha at a press conference held in Abuja on Friday.

    Alancha posited that the North as a whole must not display the sense of ingratitude which is not one of the traits of an average person from the North.

    He appealed to the Northerners to look in the direction of the South ahead of the All Progressive Congress (APC) primary election billed to hold between 6th and 8th of June at the Eagle square in Abuja.

     

    The group noted that while it recognized the call for the northern region to produce the presidential candidate of the APC, it was important to put into consideration, the spirit of nationhood and the need for fairness, justice, and equity especially considering that the incumbent president who would have spent eight years on the saddle is of the northern extraction.

    It added that the North must not allow its greed for power to cause unwarranted and irredeemable reputational damage in the eyes of other Nigerians.

    The group said some persons have clamoured for the APC presidential candidate to emerge from the northern region, while some others have maintained that it was the turn of the southern region to produce the president.

    It stressed that these agitations exist despite the fact that the sitting president is of the northern extraction and also that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has produced its presidential flag bearer from the north.

    The group pointed out that if being at the helm of affairs for two consecutive terms was not enough reason to consider supporting the southern region for a similar opportunity, then a look at how the north has fared with the years of political power in its hand would be another way to look at it.

    It said while one would expect that this tilt of power should have resulted in the drastic if not complete turnaround of the fortunes of the northern region, the reverse was sadly the case.

    It noted when former President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to put an end to the political career of his vice, who incidentally is the presidential candidate of the PDP today, it was the south that gave him a lifeline by offering him the ticket of the then Action Congress to contest for the number one seat in the country.

    The group emphasised that it was the south that offered the north in the person of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a presidential ticket, after the failure of the first merger plan between the Congress for Progressives Change and the Action Congress of Nigeria.

    It stated: “It was the same south, following the merger that produced the All Progressives Congress that supported President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner to clinch the ticket, win the presidential election and is now running out his second term.

    “The Northern Progressive Agenda (NPA) therefore calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to reciprocate the gestures of the south of which he is a great beneficiary by refusing to listen to the call for the north to retain power.

    “We also call on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, political elites from the north, especially the governors and delegates alike, to show good faith by ensuring that power shifts to the southern region. We must not allow our greed for power to cause us unwarranted and irredeemable reputational damage in the eyes of other Nigerians.”

  • 2023 presidency: We cannot be intimidated to give up our rights to South, Northern groups reject ‘unconstitutional’ zoning arrangements

    2023 presidency: We cannot be intimidated to give up our rights to South, Northern groups reject ‘unconstitutional’ zoning arrangements

    The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has opposed the zoning arrangement by political parties, describing it as unconstitutional and a plot to intimidate the north from contesting for the presidency in 2023.

    Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, CNG spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman said the group aligns with the position of the Northern Governors’ Forum, asking the political parties to jettison the idea of zoning the post to the southern region of Nigeria.

    According to him, the north will not be obliged to any zoning arrangement for elective positions in the forthcoming general election.

    “We find the renewed desperation by the south to threaten [the] northern people’s right to franchise a deliberate attempt to bastardise democracy, cause greater instability in the guise of contentious undemocratic power shift arrangement and therefore unacceptable,” he said.

    “The CNG after due consultation with stakeholders, leaders and elders has categorically resolved to firmly and solidly align completely with the position taken by the Northern Elders Forum as expressed by Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and that of the Northern Governors’ Forum that zoning of elective positions is unconstitutional, undemocratic and must be jettisoned.”

    The CNG spokesman further explained that the northern region is a major stakeholder in Nigeria, especially with respect to elections.

    The group’s comment came eight days after the governors of the 19 northern states opposed the call by their southern counterparts that the Presidency should be zoned to the south in 2023.

    After an emergency meeting with traditional rulers in the region at the Government House in Kaduna State on September 27, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, read out the communique containing the resolutions on behalf of his colleagues.

    According to the governors, zoning the office of the president as being agitated by southern governors is against the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    They stated that any president elected must meet the constitutional requirements which include scoring the majority votes, and polling at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in two-thirds of the 36 states of the federation.

    Governor Lalong noted that although some northern governors had endorsed the power shift to the south, the regional governors collectively fault such calls.

     

  • 2023: Ex-Kano Gov tells APC to zone Presidency to South, knocks southern governors for ‘gang up’

    2023: Ex-Kano Gov tells APC to zone Presidency to South, knocks southern governors for ‘gang up’

    Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, on Monday said there is nothing wrong if a Nigerian from the southern region succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    Shekarau urged hi s party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the presidency to the South.

    The former governor believes rotating the office of the President between the North and South will give citizens the sense of belonging necessary for the development of the nation.

    “I have said it before (that) as far as the party I belong to is concerned – the APC, my proposal is that now that President Buhari is from the northern part of the country, he has done his eight years, let’s beam the searchlight to the southern part of Nigeria.

    “Not because we don’t have enough competent people up North. If you say ‘let the other part of Nigeria produce the leader,’ that does not mean you are throwing to the dogs the issue of competence, the issue of credibility, and so on.

    “While I agree we should go for the best and, therefore, throw it open regardless of which side of the country, we should also be mindful of aspect of the sense of belonging. You see, we must be mindful of the perception to give some sense of belonging to every part of Nigeria,” he said on Monday on a monitored Channels Television programme.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the debate over the zoning of the presidency to the South has been ongoing for a while, and state governors are not left out of the controversy.

    By the time President Buhari completes his second term in office, the Southern Governors’ Forum wants his successor to come from the region.

    The Northern Governors’ Forum, in its reaction, says the provisions of the constitution have nothing to do with rotating the office of the President between the two regions.

    Although the northern governors are not against the call to zone the presidency, they faulted the approach by their colleagues in the South.

    “I subscribe to the view that we should be talking of the North and South, but where I disagree with the southern governors is coming together to gang up and say ‘it must be’; I think this is purely the party affair,” the ex-governor explained.

  • 2023: How zoning of PDP’s chairmanship to North signals return of Atiku, northern presidency

    2023: How zoning of PDP’s chairmanship to North signals return of Atiku, northern presidency

    The Peoples Democratic Party has zoned the national chairman’s office to the North – a clear signal of the region now holding sway in the oppositional party.

    The development has been falsely calculated by many observers as an indication that the party is considering a power shift to the Southern region – this line of thought is far from the politics at play as gathered by TheNewsGuru (TNG).

    Speaking with TNG under the condition of anonymity, an insider source disclosed how former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar backed by some Northern power brokers who are fixated on retaining power in the region elbowed the interest of southerners in securing full control of affairs in the PDP ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

    The aforesaid power struggle born of the fear to protect the northern interest and seal Atiku’s return to contest for the presidency dashed hopes of the former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who was earlier tipped by bigwigs in the Southern region to replace embattled, Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of PDP.

    “Ignore those who are interpreting zoning of PDP’s chairmanship to North as an indication that the presidency will be zoned to the South. The politics at play that brought this zoning pattern is one that tells more about party control and not about zoning as regards power shift.

    “The northerners and those in Atiku’s circle are no longer convenient with the party being under the control of the southern region; one of the ways they intend to arrest their fear is to firstly take control of the party by securing the chairmanship position. The decision of who becomes the presidential candidate of the party (a northerner) is a matter they have set aside for another date .”

    Asked how the party will survive with the chairman and presidential candidate coming from the same region, our source replied ‘a party chairman is expendable, he can be removed at the right time’

    He cited President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration from 2007 to 2010, where PDP had southerners, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor; Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo who all took their shots at the job, before Haliru Mohammed, a northerner was brought in to balance the equation which marshaled Goodluck Jonathan’s victory in the 2011 election.

    “If PDP picks a northern presidential candidate, it does stop them from removing anyone who is in the office as PDP chair to align with new realities. A party chair can easily be replaced for equity reasons when the need arise” He said.

    Recall the Zoning Committee of the party headed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State had earlier said that his panel does not have the mandate to zone election positions such as the presidency.

    The silence of the zoning committee on which zone is to produce the presidential candidate is a clear signal that the national hierarchy of the party has thrown the presidential contest open to all zones.

  • 2023: El-Rufai clarifies Northern Governors’ position on power shift to South

    2023: El-Rufai clarifies Northern Governors’ position on power shift to South

    Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has clarified that the Northern States Governors’ Forum did not oppose the idea of zoning presidency to the south in 2023, rather it is against the language used in the resolution of the Southern Governors on the issue of power shift.

    El-Rufai said that northern governors were alarmed that their southern counterparts will use the word “must” in their agitation for power shift to the south after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure in 2023.

    According to the governor, the word ‘’must’’ is at variance with democracy which is characterized by negotiations and horse-trading by parties involved, often out of the public glare.

    The governor recalled that himself and “some other northern governors had earlier called for power shift in 2023 in their individual capacities in order to foster national unity and togetherness”, adding: “I was called names by our people for making that call.”

    El Rufai who made these clarifications in a media chat with select Kaduna-based radio stations on Tuesday night said that the media misrepresented the resolution of the Northern Governors’ Forum meeting which held on Monday, on power shift.

    The governor who spoke in the Hausa language, also stated that “the north has supported southern presidential aspirants in the past,” recalling that it “supported Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s aspiration in 1999 and his re-election in 2003”.

    According to him, southern governors should have reached out to their northern counterparts on the issue of power shift instead of playing to the gallery.

    He pointed out that the APC has no provision of power shift in its constitution, adding that even the PDP which has it in its constitution, flouted their own law during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2011, where the president stood for re-election.

  • [Trending Video] 2023: North must produce Nigeria’s next president – Northern groups

    [Trending Video] 2023: North must produce Nigeria’s next president – Northern groups

    …insist North must balance 14 years of southern ruler

    …say with over 160 million Northern population, South has no say

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Seventy five northern groups under the umbrella of Northern Consensus Movement, NCM have vowed to produce Nigeria’s next president by 2023

    The groups stated this in a trending Video where the leader declared that the South has ruled Nigeria for 14 years and by 2023 the North must have ruled for only 10 years .

    This imbalance must be rectified before the South can produce their own president, the spokesmen declares in the video.

    Watch video below:

  • 2023: Why Presidency should return to South; Borno Governor backs Southern colleagues

    2023: Why Presidency should return to South; Borno Governor backs Southern colleagues

    Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has reechoed calls for power to shift to the southern part of the country, backing the Southern Governors’ Forum’s resolution on the zoning of the presidential seat in 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the southern governors had during a meeting in Lagos on Monday agreed that the region should produce Nigeria’s next president based on the principles of equity, and fairness, an assertion Zulum also corroborated.

    TNG recalls that the Borno governor had earlier stated support for power rotation to the South. Restating this on Wednesday on a monitored Channels Television programme, Zulum said: “I have said it times without number that I, Professor Babagana Zulum, I am of the view that the presidency should go to the south in the year 2023 because the unity of our country is very important.”

    “Secondly, inclusivity is very important. Thirdly, I am in the APC. Six or seven years ago, APC had zoned the presidency to northern Nigeria based on the agreement that in the year 2023, the presidency should go to the south.”

    The governor admitted that the southern leaders have the right to call for power shift to the region but faulted those insisting that the zone must produce the next Nigerian leader.

    “But again, this is politics. We are supposed to meet and discuss this issue among ourselves, among the political class,” he explained, as he called for caution so as not to overheat the polity in the lead-up to the 2023 polls.

    “This statement that people are saying that the president must go to the south, I want them to remove the word ‘must.’”

    He also refuted speculations that his stance on zoning was due to his political interests.

    “And I have said it before, I am not interested in becoming the vice president of the country, neither the president of the nation but I want to say the right thing,” Zulum added, doubling down on his earlier stance.