News Agency of Nigeria
Politics

Joint states, LGs account fraudulent – Kwara NNPP governorship candidate

Prof. Abdulraheem Oba

By Razak Owolabi.

Prof. Abdulraheem Oba the governorship candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kwara State, has described the Joint Account System (JAS) between states and local governments in the country as fraudulent.

Oba a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, said that until 100 per cent autonomy is granted to local government administration in the country, development at the grassroots will remain a mirage.

“The first step in the theft of the people’s commonwealth begins with the Joint Account System while full visible autonomy of the local government is the first step towards dismantling this fraudulent arrangement that is being perpetuated relentlessly over the years.

“The state government should accept its supervisory role to the Local Government Areas.

“Each arm should be separately accountable for what it does. I think that is what the law of the land says,” the governorship candidate reiterated.

Oba alleged that there was rot in Kwara State and he was determined to stop it.

According to him, good people of conscience can not afford to close their eyes to rot in governance.

“We have systematic corruption going on here. Bad government is what is expensive, not good government. There is an urgent need for the true government of the people by the people and for the people,” Oba said.

He expressed his determination to block all existing loopholes in the administration of finance in the state and invest savings in sustainable development initiatives that will improve the GDP of the state.

Oba assured the youths of Kwara that one of his priorities, if voted into office, is private sector-friendly policies enabling an environment for corporates to set up in the state. If elected into office.

“I will also utilise my global network to attract global companies in ICT, the mining value chain and customer service that will create meaningful employment for the youths, women and professionals as major beneficiaries.

“Infrastructural development at the local government level is also a compulsory agenda if I am made the governor as with good governance, human capital development will be automatically arrested,” he asserted.

Oba promised that he would immediately put into effect modalities to ensure total autonomy for Kwara local governments if voted as the next governor.

NAN reports that the vexed issue of full autonomy for local government administration has been on the front burner of national discussion in the country for a long time, with concerned stakeholders accusing state governments of being the stumbling blocks.

Labour unions have been open in their condemnation of state governments on the issue with Tommy Etim, Deputy President of Trade Union Congress recently describing the development as saddening, and labelling governors as enemies of the country.

NAN also reports that the State and Local Government Joint Account system as a financial policy of the local government was introduced in Nigeria’s 1979 constitution following the nation-wide local government reforms of 1976.

The system was later abolished in 1989 during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida because of its wrong implementation by state governments.

In 1999, following the restoration of civil rule, it was reintroduced into the constitution. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Politics

Election: SDP senatorial candidate cautions youths against violence, thuggery

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Ahmed Wadada, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Senatorial candidate for Nasarawa Western Zone, has cautioned youths against involvement in all forms of electoral violence during the forthcoming general elections.

Wadada made the call while addressing his teeming supporters at Aso/Kodape Ward in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Tuesday.

He also enjoined the youths not to allow any desperate groups or politicians to instigate them to disrupt peaceful atmosphere in the state as the preparations for the forthcoming election gathered momentum.

Wadada, who described youths as the most important segment of every society, urged them to use their numerical strength to ensure the actualisation of the desired change in the senatorial district.

The former two-term member of the House of Representatives also admonished the youths to shun thuggery, hate speech and any form of action that could trigger violence.

Wadada said: “My usual appeal to the youths in Nasarawa West Senatorial district and the state in general is that they shouldn’t allow themselves to be use by desperate politicians to cause violence.

” Election is not a war. It’s like a sports and it’s also about dialogue, negotiations and exchange of ideas aimed at improving the living conditions of the ordinary citizens, thereby adding value to the society.”

The SDP chieftain reiterated his commitment to ensure better representation to the people of the district, if given the mandate.

Wadada added: “I represented Kokona, Keffi and Karu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives from 2003 and 2011 and my representation was felt not only in my constituency, but in the entire Nasarawa and the country at large.

” Therefore, my antecedents speak for me. I have added the needed value to the lives of my people and God willing, if I am giving another mandate, I will not fail my constituents.

“I will redouble efforts in ensuring that my Senatorial dustrict enjoy more dividends of democracy.”

On his part, Rep. Jonathan Gaza, who is seeking reelection enjoined the electorate not to sell their votes.

Gaza also promised to attract more constituency projects, if given the mandate for the third term under the platform of SDP.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wadada and Gaza led a delegation of their campaign teams and teeming supporters to pay homage to the Etsu of Kodape, Amb. Sabo Fyenu. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Politics

Naja’atu Mohammed sacked over incompetence – APC PCC

 

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) on Tuesday said Naja’atu Mohammed, its former Head of Civil Society Organisations Directorate, was sacked due to incompetence and for leaking vital information.

Mahmud Jega, Adviser Public Affairs Tinubu Media Office, said this in a statement in Abuja.

Jega described Mohammed’s resignation as hasty and preemptive after the campaign council had discovered her leakage of sensitive information to opposition political parties.

He charged APC supporters to ignore the antics of political jobbers like Mohammed and concentrate on delivering the Tinubu-Shettima presidential ticket in the coming presidential election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muhammed who claimed to have resigned from her position on Saturday also alleged that Tinubu is suffering from dementia.

“The Asiwaju/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council received with amusement the hasty resignation of Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed from her position as Director of Civil Society Organisations.

“This was just before she was sacked for incompetence, quarrelsomeness and after being uncovered to be a mole planted in the winning campaign council to leak sensitive information to our desperate opponents,”Jega said.

Jega said Mohammed had succeeded in deceiving the gullible public by claiming that she resigned, when her sack letter had arrived at her desk.

He added that her desperate, fact-free, machination-filled and imaginary utterances since her sack from the PCC had proved beyond doubt that she was unfit to serve in the first place, until it was discovered that she was actually a mole.

“Not being a medical doctor but one whose profession in the last three decades was as a political jobber and expert name dropper.

“She nevertheless issued a pseudo-medical report on our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, after a brief meeting in London.

“Even the association of native doctors would sack her for quackery and for reaching a medical conclusion without any test,”Jega said.

He added that in contrast to Mohammed’s claim; Tinubu had been running the most punishing campaign schedule than any of the presidential candidates.

According to Jega, Tinubu’s stamina had taken him to many parts of the country; with an almost non-stop schedule of political rallies, town hall meetings with business and cultural stakeholders.

On her claim that Tinubu has no plan for the north, Jega said “Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed claimed that when she asked Asiwaju what plans he had for the North, he answered that he had none, this is strange and questions the integrity of the woman and her story.”

He said that Tinubu had unfolded an action plan for the whole country, in which problems bedeviling the North got a very comprehensive attention.

The APC PCC Adviser Public Affairs recalled that Tinubu also attended the Arewa Summit in 2022 where he unfolded and elaborated on his action plan and programs.

“As conclusive proof of her unstable and unreliable character. Naja’atu said in her pre-emptive resignation letter that she was quitting party politics as the political parties have no ideological differences and her values and beliefs no longer align with party politics.

“Within a day, pictures surfaced in the media showing her meeting with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and declaring her support for him,” he said.

He added that Nigerians must be wondering what kind of values and beliefs she has apart from opportunism, selfishness and greed.

“We were least surprised about her dramatic exit, coming after she went on television to disparage our party and President Muhammadu Buhari, only a mole could behave in such a manner.

“We urge our supporters across the country to ignore the antics of this political soldier of fortune and concentrate on the job of delivering the Tinubu/Shettima ticket at the polls in barely a month from now,” Jega said. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

 

Politics

PVC collection: INEC cautions staff against sharp practices

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abia has cautioned its staff members to shun sharp practices during the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distribution.

The INEC’s Head, Public Affairs Unit in Abia, Mr Bamidele Oyetunji issued the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Monday.

Oyetunji said that the commission frowns at receiving or demanding gratification from the public while performing their duties.

”Our staff members do not need to search for anything on the internet.

“All they need to do is to give people their voter cards

”Anybody whose card is not found or those with challenges should be given a note to verify online by themselves,” Oyetunji said.

NAN reports that some residents of Aba have accused some INEC officials of collecting N500 from prospective voters before issuing them their cards.

Mrs Ijeoma Bernard said she was asked to pay N500 as “verification fee” before she was given her card.

Also, Nwanyioma Enyinnaya said that the INEC officials refused to attend to her because she could not pay.

Mrs Iheanaetu Roseline expressed worries that her card could not be found after the stress she passed through to get registered.

NAN reports that at Osisioma and Aba North Local Government Areas, residents turned out en masse to collect their cards.

The Abia Government declared Monday and Tuesday public holiday to enable workers to collect their PVCs ahead of the general election. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Azubuike Okeh/Sam Oditah

Politics

Prospective voters throng INEC office Umuahia to collect PVC  

By Leonard Okachie

Scores of prospective voters on Monday thronged the Adelabu Street office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Umuahia to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the exercise reports that the people took advantage of the public holiday by the State Government to go for their PVCs.

While many stood in the queue under the scorching sun, many others took refuge under shades at the office complex.

Others also clustered around the different points of distribution of the cards, resulting in occasional pushing, shoving and shouting.

The INEC officials had hectic time trying to sort and distribute the cards.

Some of the electorate narrated their experiences at the venue to NAN.

Mr Eugene Egerue said he arrived at the office around 7:30 a.m., saying that he had not voted all his life but was determined to vote in the upcoming polls.

Egeruo said: “I chose not to go to my shop today so I came very early and I will not leave until I collect my card.
“The crowd is too much and it is quite frustrating, but I have already sacrificed today for it.”

Also, Mrs Gloria Maduekwe expressed sadness that she was not able to get hers, in spite waiting for hours.

According to her, this is my second time of coming to this place today but they have not been able to find my card.

A visibly excited lady, who identified herself simply as Mary, was seen displaying her PVC joyously.

“I got my card and I must thank INEC workers for their efforts, especially in managing this large crowd,” Mary said.

The Electoral Officer incharge of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Mrs Joan Onyeabo, said the collection centres were increased from 12 to 15 for the 12 wards in the area in order to accommodate the large population.

Onyeabo said that the commission put necessary crowd control measures in place to ensure orderliness.
She said, “We are prepared for the crowd.

“We started by 8:30 a.m. and we cannot close until we finish attending to all these people here.

“Our people like last minute rush and you can see that today, in spite of our appeals to them to come early and collect their PVCs.

“We have finished PVC distribution at the ward level, which lasted from Jan. 6 to Jan. 22.

“We are now at the local government level until Jan. 29,” Onyeabo said.

She appealed to those who had yet to collect theirs to be calm and patient.

She said that the commission was committed to ensure that every registrant got their cards.

NAN reports that the Abia Government declared Monday and Tuesday public holiday to enable workers collect their PVCs ahead of the elections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sam Oditah

Politics

No PVC, NIN, no membership registration —Zabarkano association

By Abdul Hassan / Bashir Rabe Mani

The Zabarkano Association of Nigeria says any prospective member who refused to collect his Permanent Voters card (PVC) and National Identification Number (NIN) will not be registered by it.

The National leader of the association, Alhaji Munkaila Hassan-Tela (Jagabna),disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

He said: ‘This is part of the plausible measures by the association to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections as appealed by the Federal Government.

”This invaluable move cannot come at a better time than now when the 2023 general elections are just around the corner.

”To this effect, we are mobilising no fewer than 20million of our members across Nigeria to ensure that they duly collet their PVCs and NINS.

”This is also to ensure that while non of our members is disenfranchising, we also contribute meaningfully contribute to the efficient growth of democracy in the country.”

Hassan-Tela also said that the association was working round the clock to ensure the prevalence of sustainable peace, unity and national cohesion.

In a related development, the National Legal Adviser of the association, Mr Aliyu Ishaq-Lolo said that it was aimed at fostering national unity and harmony, as well as the prosperity of the members.

”The association was formed in 1986 basically to create more awareness among its
members and non-members alike about the need for peaceful co-existence, tolerance, industry and productivity.

”On one hand and the need to promote unity, progress and development of their members
and the environments in which they find themselves.

”It is also to preserve the rich Zarma/Zabarmawa socio-cultural, educational, religious and linguistic values from extinction.

”This is with the ultimate mission and vision of making their motherland, Nigeria one of the greatest nation states in human history.”

Ishaq-Lolo, who is also the Legal Adviser to the Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs ( OSSAP-SDGs) said that the association was also building bridges of unity and giving all the members a sense of belonging. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Politics

FRSC to issue certificate to drivers for election duties

 

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will conduct the certification of drivers and vehicles to be used for the forthcoming elections across the the country, an official said on Monday.

“The responsibility is in line with the Standard Operating Procedures of Election in Nigeria”, Mr Oga Ochi, the Sector Commander, FCT command, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“We are already on board as far as this arrangement is concerned. So all the vehicles, whether they are engaged or temporarily used by INEC, will be fully certified by the FRSC.

“The checklist is already provided for every driver that is going to drive for the election.

“The driver must pass through that checklist and has to successfully pass the certification exercise before the driver can be used and the same thing with the vehicle.

“The vehicles must have met the standard that the checklist provided before they can be used for the election,” he said.

The FCT commander assured that the corps was fully prepared for any emergency before, during and after the elections.

“There are cases where people line up for election and collapsing as a result of the time they waited to cast their votes and things like that.

“We are going to deploy our ambulances to respond to such emergencies during the period.

“Our ambulances will be strategically located in the parts where we expect people to move en mass for voting in order to respond to any emergency.

“At the same time, our tow trucks will also be deployed to remove whatever obstruction that could be created during the period.

“This is to ensure that people move freely to their polling booths and all election materials are moved freely to their locations,” Ochi added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Politics

APC receives more defectors in Kano

By Aminu Garko

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State on Sunday received more defectors ahead of the February and March general elections in the country.

The latest defection was another set of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) members from Minjibir and Ungogo local government areas of the state.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje received scores of the supporters who defected to the APC in Minjibir and Ungogo areas.

The defecting supporters removed their symbolic Kwankwasiyya red caps and threw them over to the campaign podium amid thunderous ovations from the crowd.

They said that they embraced the APC as the only party that would satisfy their yearnings and aspirations for a better Kano State and Nigeria.

Receiving the defectors, led by the leader of the Kwankwasiyya faithful in Minjibir, Ibrahim Hamza, Gov. Ganduje who is also the APC leader in the state, welcomed them into the party and congratulated them for taking such a wise decision.

He then commended the large turnout of people at the rally, describing it as unprecedented.

The governor, therefore, urged the people to vote massively for all the APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

He then presented the APC flags to the candidates for House of Representatives and the State Assembly from the area.

Earlier, the state Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Abbas, said the APC had always won elections in Minjibir and Ungogo, and would sustain the winning streak in the forthcoming general elections.

Abbas commended the mass turnout of APC supporters at the rally and urged the people of the area to continue to vote for the APC for their growth and development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Politics

Atiku promises to complete Baro inland sea port

By Obinna Unaeze

The Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has promised to complete the Baro inland sea port in Niger.
Abubakar also pledged to tackle insecurity across the country, if elected in the upcoming general election.
He made the promises on Saturday in Minna, while inaugurating his presidential campaign in the state.
“I promise to tackle insecurity and complete the uncompleted Baro inland sea port in Niger state, if you vote for me in the presidential election,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Baro sea port in Agaie Local Government Area of the state started under the PDP administration of late President Umaru Yar’adua from 2007 to 2010, but has not been completed.
Besides, Abubakar promised to accord priority to federal road infrastructure and education sector of the country, if given the mandate.
The PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu urged the people of the state to vote for the party in the polls based on developmental strides of the former PDP governors of the state; late Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure and Dr Babangida Aliyu.
“You have to call the people of Niger state to come out en masse and vote for the PDP because of the massive development you witnessed under past administrations of our party,” he said.
Also, Alhaji Liman Kantigi, the PDP governorship flagbearer in the state, promised to tackle insecurity and give priority to the education sector.
Dr Babangida Aliyu, a former governor of the state, said that a vote for Abubakar in the presidential election is a vote for a better Nigeria.
Aliyu, therefore, appealed to the people of the state to vote for the PDP in the election to ensure a secured, united and a prosperous Nigeria.
Earlier, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Tanko Beji assured the party that the people of the state would vote for the party’s candidates in the general election. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Politics

Tinubu set to transform Nigeria into Africa’s first smart nation

By Aderogba George

The APC flag bearer in the 2023 presidential election, Bola Tinubu has outlined his plan for a digital revolution that will transform Nigeria into Africa’s first smart nation.

Tinubu’s plan was made known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja issued by Mr Josh Audu, the Director-General of “Youths In Technology Support Organisation”.

He said the APC standard bearer had set up a smart nation programme office and website to lead the change in reviving the nation with the initiative.

“This is a continuation of my plan and policies for a new Nigeria. I am in charge of the national rebirthing agenda, which aims to champion the new Nigeria of our dreams.

“This is aimed at establishing goals, such as becoming Africa’s first world-class tech-driven state and a transformation plan to become a smart nation, utilising technology to transform how our families, businesses.

“We must lead the way in envisioning, imagining and innovating in Nigeria if we are to fully appreciate the boundless opportunities that come with the smart nation and digital realities,” Audu quoted Tinubu as saying.

Audu said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Centre for Smart Nation Initiative confirmed Tinubu as a master builder and visionary.

He said the APC flag bearer would take Nigeria to a new height, with his love for technology and creativity.

Audu disclosed that a website had been built for volunteers to sign up to become smart nation ambassadors and learn soft skills as well as help spread smart nation awareness in their neighbourhood.

He urged volunteers to register for their preferred role at www.batcentre.org to help make Nigeria a better place in 2023 and beyond. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idowu Ariwodola

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