Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Caroline Ameh

  • Why LG autonomy can’t work — Fayose

    Why LG autonomy can’t work — Fayose

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has expressed concern over Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment affirming local governments’ right to receive monthly allocations directly from the federation account.

    The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party emphasised that despite the court judgment, state Houses of Assembly and the governors will always be a clog in the wheel of local government autonomy.

    Fayose said this when he featured as a guest on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

    While stressing that nobody from the grassroots can emerge as a local government chairman without the support of a governor, the Ekiti politician said both the court and FG ‘cannot take the baby from the mother.’

    He said, “I am not a lawyer. I am a politician and by God’s grace today, I am an elder statesman. While I love and do not believe that any government should take local government funds, may I say to you very clearly this evening that you cannot take the baby from the mother? There is nobody that can become council chairman without a governor. Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting his time.

    “Let me quickly remind you that the House of Assembly of every state controls the activities and checkmates the activities of the local government. While I was governor, I had the privilege of receiving money from Abuja. When you receive money from the account, some people manage the account. They are not politicians or the council chairman.

    “There is only one representative of the governor, which is the local government commissioner. All others are local government officials, workers, and pensioners of the council. And they appropriate the funds. But when you now come and say we are giving power to the local government, what power are you giving to them? No power.”

    Continuing, the PDP chieftain said aside from the state lawmakers frustrating the process, most council officials don’t take their work seriously.

    According to him, many workers don’t bother to come to work on certain days of the week.

    “Any council chairman who says ‘Money is coming to me, I will disrespect my governor’ the House of Assembly will tell you to go and disobey him inside your house. This is because you can never even be a council chairman without the governor standing up for you. The House of Assembly regulates your activities.

    “Go to the council meeting on Wednesday or Friday, you will not find 10 per cent of the staff of the local government in the office. They don’t come. My name is Ayo Fayose and I want them to dispute this. They don’t come to work. When you make moves to bring them to book, both NULGE and all leaders of the local government will go and beg the governor.

    “They will be telling you, we will not vote for you. This is the way we operate at the local government. The state is more effective in administrative performance than the local government. At the local government, everybody comes to collect money. Even people have left some states. They live somewhere else and money just hit their accounts,” he added.

  • Tension In Rivers As Seven-Day Budget Ultimatum Reaches Deadline

    Tension In Rivers As Seven-Day Budget Ultimatum Reaches Deadline

    Political uncertainty has returned to Rivers State as the deadline approaches for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit the 2024 budget, following a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.

    This ultimatum, set to expire this week, stems from a motion by Dumle Maol, Deputy Speaker of the Pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly, calling for compliance with a court ruling that affirmed the assembly’s current membership and leadership.

    The demand for budget resubmission aligns with a presidential peace pact from December aimed at quelling the state’s ongoing political crisis.

    Despite this, Governor Fubara, who had previously submitted the ₦800 billion budget to an Edison Ehie-led Assembly, announced plans for the 2025 budget, signalling a potential dismissal of the assembly’s demands.

    The ongoing crisis in Rivers began with a series of dramatic events, including a fire at the State House of Assembly and an attempted impeachment of Governor Fubara.

    The faction of the Assembly is now led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.

    The budget, which was passed and signed into law, is still being implemented, suggesting that the peace agreement has faltered.

    Meanwhile, a pro-Fubara politician from the same community as Amaewhule, Chijioke Ihunwo, has dismissed the 7-day ultimatum on the governor as laughable.

    Ihunwo, who was appointed by the governor as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, urged Amaewhule to accept his fate as a former assembly member, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

    He encouraged the people of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, comprising Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua Local Government Areas, to continue supporting the Governor under the leadership of former Senator John Azuta-Mbata.

    The politician, who was criticised for appointing 100 aides last week, said the decision, which other CTC Chairmen are also implementing, is aimed at bringing local government administration closer to the grassroots.

    He announced that more appointments would be made in the coming days, to demonstrate that the Fubara-led government is inclusive.

  • Stop Attack On Tinubu Or Lose Election In 2027 – North-East Elders Warn Ndume

    Stop Attack On Tinubu Or Lose Election In 2027 – North-East Elders Warn Ndume

    The Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Ali Ndume, has been warned by the Coalition of Northeast Elders Forum (CNEF) to stop attacking President Bola Tinubu.

    The coalition, which alleged that Ndume’s 20 years in the National Assembly have not helped Borno State, threatened to mobilize voters against him in 2027 if he keeps attacking the President.

    According to the elders, Ndume should rather support his brother from Borno, Vice President Kashim Shettima, instead of speaking against Tinubu.

    The Northeast elders who asked Ndume to render an account of his stewardship were angry at the Senator’s recent outburst about President Tinubu’s administration, which they described as unnecessary.

    The Coalition of North-East Elders Forum questioned the rationale behind such, when he is expected to support the President to tackle insecurity and other challenges caused by insurgents and bandits in Borno and the Northern region.

    The elders alleged, “Senator Ndume did attack the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying it’s run by kakistocrats—those deemed the least qualified and most unscrupulous citizens—and kleptocrats, who are merely in power to steal.”

    In reaction to the outburst, the group, in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Ali Ibrahim Sheriff, said what was “expected from Senator Ali Ndume now is to work closely with the President; Vice President, who is from same Borno with him and security agencies to address the unprovoked attacks by insurgents and bandits in the North.

    “As concerned elders from the Northeast geo-political zone, we wonder why during the days of President Buhari he chose to be silent amid heightened problems of insecurity; pervasive hunger, looting of public funds and bad governance.”

    While telling the Chief Whip of the Senate to be sensitive to the yearnings of his people in Borno and the entire North, they asked him to give an account of his stewardship over the last 20 years as a lawmaker.

    They said, “If leadership is as easy as that, we make bold to ask, all these years, how many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has he trained, educated and empowered with funds allocated to him?”

    “Ndume should come out boldly to render an account of his stewardship or we mobilise voters against him come 2027.”

    The elders, however, called on Northerners to shun what they termed, “Ndume’s divisive vituperations” and support the Tinubu and Shettima’s administration to tackle the security challenges in the North and in other parts of the country.

  • FULL LIST:PenCom, NSITF, ICRC… Tinubu makes spree of appointments in one day

    FULL LIST:PenCom, NSITF, ICRC… Tinubu makes spree of appointments in one day

       
    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new leaders for 10 federal agencies and a national project.

    On Saturday, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointments in a series of press statements.

    Some of the appointments are subject to senate confirmation.

    ADEYANJU TO HEAD NLTF

    Tinubu appointed Tosin Adeyanju as the new executive secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF).

    “Adeyanju is an accomplished administrator and good governance advocate,” the statement reads.

    “The President expects the new Chief Executive Officer to ensure transparency and efficiency in the operations of the agency to actualise the objective of the NLTF as a driver of good causes in Nigeria.”

    OLOWORARAN APPOINTED TO HEAD PenCom

    The president appointed Omolola Oloworaran as the new director-general (DG) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    Ngelale said Oloworaran’s appointment is subject to senate confirmation.

    “Ms Oloworaran is a finance and banking expert with many years of experience,” the statement said.

    “The President anticipates goal-oriented leadership to drive efficiency and superlative performance in the National Pension Commission as the prime regulator of the Nigerian pension industry.”

    AGARA APPOINTED NDE DG

    Ngelale said Tinubu also approved the appointment of Silas Agara as the new DG of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    Agara previously served as the deputy governor of Nasarawa state under Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and was also a former special adviser on sports.

    The presidential spokesperson said Tinubu anticipates an overhaul of the NDE under Agara for optimal performance in designing and implementing programmes to combat mass unemployment in the country.

    UMAR MOHAMMED IS NEW NIHSA DG

    Tinubu approved the appointment of Umar Mohammed as the DG of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    “Mr. Mohammed is an architect, and also, a construction technology and environment professional,” the statement said.

    “The President expects improved outcomes in the agency’s objective of operating and maintaining hydrological stations nationwide, as well as carrying out groundwater exploration and monitoring using various scientific techniques in order to provide hydrological and hydrogeological data needed for the planning, design, execution, and management of water resources and allied projects.”

    DAN AGUNDI TO LEAD NPC

    Also, the president approved the appointment of Baffa Dan Agundi as the new DG of the National Productivity Centre (NPC).

    Dan Agundi was a former majority leader of the Kano state house of assembly.

    He was also the principal registrar of the Kano high court of justice.

    Ngelale said the president anticipates the DG’s utmost dedication and patriotic zeal in driving the centre’s mandate of developing a national culture of excellence in operational efficiency.

    According to Ngelale, Tinubu also expects a performance-driven orientation toward measurable productivity in the citizenry for the overall enhancement of service delivery and quality of life across the nation.

    UMAR KOGO TO OVERSEE CCT

    Mainasara Umar Kogo was appointed as chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    “Kogo is a seasoned lawyer and analyst in the fields of law, security, economy, politics, and international diplomacy,” the statement said.

    “The President anticipates professionalism, integrity, and fidelity to the nation in the discharge of the functions of the Office of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).”

    EWALEFOH TO HEAD ICRC

    Ngelale also said Jobson Ewalefoh has been appointed as the new DG of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    “Ewalefoh is a professional with years of experience in government and development organizations, in addition to expertise in public-private partnerships, public policy reform, and development,” Ngelale said.

    The presidential spokesperson said the appointment is subject to

  • US Elections: An Assassination Attempt on Trump

    US Elections: An Assassination Attempt on Trump

    Hooliganism and thuggary reared an ugly head in America yesterday as a gunman identified as Thomas Mathew Crook in an assassination attempt shot at former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pensylvania.

    The assassination, which motif is yet to be established as at press time, got the former President, tearing off a part of his right ear with blood streaming down on that part of his face.

    The shooter, aged twenty was profiled as a Republican who donated to a group named as the Democratic-aligned.

    After the incident, Mr. Trump was harried into a waiting armoured SUV to a medical facility in the town.

    Security experts are currently working to put the bits and pieces together in order to arrive at the motive for the assassination attempt which happened from an unmanned rooftop close to the venue of the rally.

    Assassination Attempt: Biden, Democrats Condemn Attempt

    President Joe Biden and other top Democrats have condemned the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

    Mr. Biden, while condemning attempt, said that regardless of whatever the situation may be, Trump should be able to do his rally without any harm to his life.

    Trump, while reacting to the attempt, told his supporters via an email, “I will never surrender.”

  • Damning Report Reveals Nigerians Paid N721 Billion in Bribes in 2023

    Damning Report Reveals Nigerians Paid N721 Billion in Bribes in 2023

    A new report from the National Bureau of Statistics, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, has revealed that Nigerians paid a staggering N721 billion ($1.26 billion) in cash bribes to public officials in 2023.

    The report, titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” highlights the widespread nature of bribery in the country. On average, each cash bribe amounted to N8,284, up from N5,754 in 2019.

    Judges topped the list of bribe recipients, with an average bribe of N31,000. Customs and Immigration officials followed with N17,800, while members of the armed forces received N16,600 per bribe. Land registry officials and police officers received N11,700 and N10,400, respectively.

    The findings also showed that 46% of public officials admitted to offering bribes to secure their employment. This figure is 1.5 times higher than that reported in 2019. Additionally, six out of ten successful candidates in the public sector confessed to using nepotism or bribery to enhance their recruitment chances.

    The police were identified as the most prevalent in requesting bribes, with 9% of individuals who interacted with police officials reporting such demands. Nurses and doctors followed at 4%, teachers and lecturers at 3%, and public utility officials at 6%. Contact with Federal Road Safety Corps officials and vehicle inspection officers also resulted in bribe requests at rates of 4% and 2%, respectively.

    The report also noted that individuals with higher education levels were more likely to pay bribes than those with no formal education.

  • See List: JAMB Names 86 Universities, Making Illegal Admissions

    See List: JAMB Names 86 Universities, Making Illegal Admissions

    Analysis of data on the admissions conducted for the 2022/2023 academic session in Nigerian universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions of learning revealed that 88 institutions conducted admissions outside of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS.)

    According to JAMB, admissions conducted outside CAPS are illegal, null and void.

    In a statement titled, ‘Cessation of illegal/irregular admission’, JAMB reiterated that all applications of admissions to First Degree, National Diploma, National Innovation Diploma and the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) into full-time, distance learning, part-time, outreach, sandwich, etc., must be processed only through JAMB.

    The report tagged, ‘Compiled assessment of institutions on compliance with the 2022/2023 admission guidelines’, scored institutions who complied fully with admission guidelines 10 points; those with partial compliance were scored five points, while those institutions who failed to comply were awarded zero point.

    Under the section for the conduct of full admissions on CAPS, our correspondent observed that 88 institutions failed to comply.

    Some of the erring institutions are the University of Uyo, University of Abuja, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yaba College of Technology, Plateau State University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Coal City University, Crawford University, Crescent University, Ebonyi State University, Rhema University, Borno State University, Chrisland University, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University.

  • Many trapped as Abuja building collapses 

    Many trapped as Abuja building collapses 

    A section of a two-storey residential apartment collapsed in Abuja on Saturday morning, with several people trapped in the rubble.

    According to Vanguard, the building located beside the popular Cupid Hotel on Cupid Road (Sultan Dasuki Way) in Kubwa was formerly a hotel, Al-Hilal. It later became a hospital, but since the hospital owners quit the premises, it became a residential apartment.

    While emergency responders and security personnel were on ground, rescue efforts were hampered as the cranes needed for the rescue were yet to arrive as of 8:45 am, nearly two hours after the incident.

    Two persons had, however, been rushed to a nearby hospital, while a few others escaped on their own.

    One of the escapees who did not want to reveal her identity said that when she woke up around 7 a.m. and came out of the house, she began hearing some cracks and then ran out

  • Daniel Bwala Reveals When Tinubu Will Reshuffle Cabinet 

    Daniel Bwala Reveals When Tinubu Will Reshuffle Cabinet 

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    Lawyer and public affairs analyst Daniel Bwala has revealed that President Bola Tinubu plans to reshuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks. 

    Bwala made this announcement in response to remarks by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Ali Ndume, who had criticized the federal government for its failure to address security issues and other challenges.

    During an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume expressed frustration over the lack of access to President Tinubu for both ministers and members of the National Assembly, hindering discussions on important constituency matters. 

    He noted, “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President.”

    Following Ndume’s comments, he further told journalists that some forces at Aso Rock have isolated the president from reality.

    Bwala, in a piece titled “Ali Ndume, the rant of an expert in grandstanding,” argued that Ndume lacks the qualifications to critique Tinubu, questioning Ndume’s achievements for his constituents over his 21-year tenure in the National Assembly. 

    Bwala accused Ndume of benefiting from a flawed system without delivering substantial results for his district.

    He criticized Ndume’s continuous disparagement of President Tinubu and reminded him that the current administration is dealing with issues inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership. 

    Bwala emphasized that the financial mismanagement of Buhari’s appointees is a significant factor in Nigeria’s current challenges.

    Bwala noted that an evaluation of the current ministers had been conducted and President Tinubu would soon announce a new cabinet. 

    He pointed out that many of the current cabinet members were recommended by influential figures like Ndume, governors, and party leaders, stressing that Tinubu has always been open to reshuffling his team.

  • Full List Of States That Will Not Receive LG Allocations From July

    Full List Of States That Will Not Receive LG Allocations From July

    The Federal Government will from July withhold local government allocations to Cross River, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, and 16 other states in compliance with the Supreme Court judgement.

    The apex court on Thursday delivered a judgment in the local government autonomy suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on behalf of the Nigerian Government, barring the Federal Government from releasing allocations to local governments governed by unelected officials appointed by the state governors.

    In the judgment, Justice Emmanuel Agim barred the Federal Government from further paying LG allocations through the state governments, noting that the practice had been abused by the governors.

    Justice Agim accused the state governors of retaining allocations and utilising them as they please, to the detriment of the local government councils.

    Following the judgment, 20 states that have no elected local government chairmen stand barred from receiving local government allocations from July until they conduct elections.

    The states are Jigawa, Rivers, Anambra, Imo, Kwara, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau, Abia, Enugu, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Yobe, Ondo, Osun, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Benue.