Category Archives: Politics
Wamakko is on his own, we remain in PDP – Sokoto party elders
A group of elders within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has distanced itself from Governor Aliyu Wamakko’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC),
In a statement late Monday, signed by 18 chieftains and read to journalists by a former Communications Minister and first PDP state Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Arzika Tambuwal, the group reaffirmed its unflinching loyalty, support and complete faith in the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, Bamanga Tukur and the elected party officials.
All Enugu communities to have electricity before 2015 – Governor Chime
The Enugu State Government says it would provide electricity to the few remaining communities in the state before the end of the administration in May 2015.
The State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime stated this in an address at a workshop on community administration organized for councilors, Town Union Presidents and other stakeholders in the state at the Nike Lake Resort Hotels.
Governor Chime, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House Enugu, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo restated the administration’s commitment to providing the people with the essential amenities that would help make life better for them.
2015: We will oust APC from Lagos – PDP vows
As preparations are underway towards 2015 governorship election in Lagos state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has vowed to reclaim the state from the incumbent All Progressive Congress, APC.
PDP made this known at a seminar organised by the Alimosho Local Government chapter of the PDP with the theme: “Demystifying the power of incumbency”
Members of the party said they had all it takes to oust the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, but had unfortunately suffered electoral setbacks due to disunity amongst them.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of PDP in Lagos, Capt. Tunji Shelle, said the PDP was a party to beat in the 2015 governorship election.
He said, “PDP has been in Lagos since 1998, but we have not won the state. We are here to find the cause of the problem. We need to be focused and work together as a team. I believe APC is surmountable.”
Labour Party postpones convention
The National Executive Council(NEC) of the Labour Party(LP) has postponed its Third National Convention which was formerly due to hold on December 19.
The party in a communiqué jointly signed by its National Chairman, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu and National Secretary, Alhaji Abdulkadir Salam, at the end of its 17th NEC session held in Akure, the Ondo state capital said “the NEC-in-session noted that it would be apt for the date of the National Convention to be extended by not more than nine months from December 19, when the third Convention would have been due.
This is based on the need to build a stronger and more virile Labour Party at all levels of its organisation.”
Senators seek life imprisonment for rapists
ABUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, called for stiffer punishment like life imprisonment for perpetrators of sexual assault in the country.
Some Senators also canvassed for capital punishment in the Sexual Offence Bill sponsored by Senator Chris Anyanwu, which passed the second reading.
Senator Anyanwu, APGA, Imo had in her lead debate, said her bill chronicled incidents of high rate of immorality in the society and demanded the creation of a unit within the Nigerian Police Force where trained professionals would ensure the preservation of the rights of humanity.
She noted that sex tourism has been on the increase in the country and that it was imperative to create a unit in the Nigeria Police Force to handle such cases with good training, as she alleged that most times victims that take their matter to the police are always ridiculed by the police officers handling the matter.
London – INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega said on Thursday that the electoral body was not responsible for the arrest of some observers during the Nov. 16 Anambra governorship elections.
Jega, who was represented by Prof. Mohammed Kuna, stated this at a lecture entitled: “The Road to 2015 Elections; Prospect and Challenges” in London.
It would be recalled that some observers, including former FCT Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, were detained during the elections which INEC later declared inconclusive.
“I don’t know under what basis Mal Nasir el-Rufai went to Anambra State, and the commission has no hand in it.
“There are procedures for accrediting observers; they are usually briefed, trained ahead of the exercise.
“And after the elections, they submit their report,” Jega said while answering questions from participants.
He attributed challenges to free and fair elections to include the attitude of some political elite.
2014 budget: Reps, Senate disagree on oil benchmark
The House of Representatives on Thursday adopted a crude oil benchmark of $79 per barrel for the 2014 budget.
This is in sharp contrast to the position of the Senate which pegged it at $76.50 as announced on Wednesday. President Goodluck Jonathan had proposed $74 for the 2014 fiscal year.
The reps took the position when they considered and approved the report of the House Joint Committee on Finance/Budget/Loans and Debt Management on the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.
The MTEF/FSP must precede the budget of the incoming year in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
It sets out government’s spending projections and revenues for the next three years as the current financial year winds down.
Amosun Vows to Demolish More Houses, Schools
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has vowed to demolish more houses as well as schools to pave the way for its ongoing road expansion network in the state.
The governor, who spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, yesterday, during a stakeholder meeting in preparation for the 2014 budget, said the recent collapse of a school wall in Ifo Local Government Area had prompted his decision to demolish and build modern schools.
A student of Ketu/Adiye-Owe Local Government Primary School in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state was confirmed dead and four others injured, when the wall of one of the classrooms of the school collapsed.
With the report, Amosun, who lamented the collapse of the building, said the school building was built even before he was born, stressing further that the building did not meet the current building standard.
He, however, added that more houses would be demolished to pave way for development in the state, urging the residents to cooperate with his government by enduring with the temporary pains.
Why Obasanjo’s reform agenda failed
Excerpts from Olusegun Obasanjo: The Presidential Legacy (1999- 2000)
Okonjo-Iweala, Yayale Ahmed: The two arrowheads being blamed in the book for the failure of reforms
AS the earth remains and globalisation and political forces prevail over the affairs of men, it appears more controversial books will continue to roll out in the press about men of yesteryears in Nigeria. At the Abeokuta Presidential Library tomorrow, yet another book edited by a notable professor will be publicly presented. But the book entitled Olusegun Obasanjo: The Presidential Legacy (1999-2007) on the Obasanjo years that promises to raise more dust about men and women of yesteryears has identified two key arrowheads of the Obasanjo reform agenda whose actions and inactions actually paralysed the reform agenda that would have changed Nigeria’s fortune.
Ondo Bows to Pressure, Suspends Monarch
Last August, his people rose up in arms against him to demonstrate that power, be it political or monarchical, truly derives from the people. They chased him out of the community after what they considered as “overflowing sins” of a traditional ruler. Oba Pius Akinfesola, the Akamuja of Igburowo in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, then left the community with his family believing that with time, the anger of the people would simmer and he would return to the throne. But that does not seem likely, as the Ondo State Government has approved his suspension from office until further notice.
The suspension was contained in a letter dated February 7, 2013 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. A.O Adeola
