Peter Obi, Gov Wike Meet Behind Closed-door.
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi met with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in a closed-door.
The meeting took place at Rivers State Government House and pictures circulated showing Mr Wike and his guest exchanging a handshake.
Though the details of the meeting is still unknown, it comes as Mr Obi ramps up consultations towards forging a broader alliance with his Labour Party — and as Mr Wike has been seething over his loss at PDP primary and Atiku Abubakar’s decision not to tap him as vice-presidential candidate.
Mr Obi has been in talks with Kano politician Rabiu Kwankwaso about a possible merger of NNPP and Labour.
The talks have not achieved progress as both parties could not agree on who should be the presidential candidate of a successful alliance.
PDP Senator Joins Labour Party.
The Senator representing Imo East Senatorial District, Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi has officially announced his defection to the Labour party.
In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, Senator Onyewuchi said: “I wish to inform Mr President and distinguished senators of my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Labour Party.
“This is after due consultation with my family, constituents and supporters.”
Senator Ezenwa’s defection means that the Labour Party now have a Senator in the Red Chamber.
Similarly, Senator Haliru Dauda Jika, representing Bauchi Central announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress APC, to the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP.
In his defection letter, the senator cited lack of internal democracy as one of the reasons for his defection.
Suspected Herdsmen Kill Five In Benue Community
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed at least five people in a fresh attack at Mbagwen community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday in Makurdi, said 10 people had been declared missing while scores of others were injured in the attack which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Chairman of Guma LGA, Caleb Aba, who also confirmed the incident, said the gunmen stormed the community on Monday night and continued the attack till the early hours of Tuesday.
He added that they also fire to houses in the community.
Aba said: “The incident happened on Monday night into the early hours of Tuesday when some commercial timber dealers went to fetch their timber from the forest.
“They had loaded the timber and were on their way back when they were attacked. They were 15 in number.
“So far, five corpses have been recovered. 10 other people have not been seen. We don’t know whether they have been killed or taken away. They are being searched for as I speak to you.”
Insecurity: President Buhari Reveals Those Funding IPOB
President Muhammadu Buhari has accused foreign countries and international communities of funding the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
The Nigerian leader stated that the separatist group was being funded through international financial networks and other various means.
In a question and answer session with Bloomberg, President Buhari urged foreign countries to proscribe IPOB as a terrorist organization.
Buhari stated that the group is responsible for the oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the South East. He said the vandalism and oil theft carried out by IPOB is responsible for the shortfall of the daily production quota in the country.
The President claimed that IPOB leadership enjoys a safe haven in the West and broadcasts hate speech into Nigeria from London in the United Kingdom.
According to Buhari, the separatist group spends millions of dollars lobbying members of the US Congress and freely using international financial networks to arm agitators on the ground.
“Criminality and terrorism in oil-producing regions hamper production, and it would help if our western allies designated IPOB as a terrorist group, given their complicity in damage to pipelines and infrastructure.
“We urge those same international partners to take additional steps costing them nothing, by proscribing another group – IPOB – as a terrorist organization.
“Their leadership enjoys a safe haven in the West, broadcasting hate speech into Nigeria from London, spending millions lobbying members of the US Congress, and freely using international financial networks to arm agitators on the ground. This must stop,” he said.
Buhari Replaces Amaechi, Akpabio, Others, Sends Ministerial Nominees List To Senate
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent an executive communication to the senate with a list of seven nominations for the replacement of ministers who resigned to run for the Presidential election.
Recall that Buhari prior to the APC primary election issued a directive to all appointees contesting the Presidential election to resign.
While some ministers withdrew from the presidential race others like Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Ogbonnaya Onu, and others resigned.
In the letter sent to the Senate President Ahmed Lawan on Tuesday, Buhari said the nominees would replace the former ministers that resigned from his cabinet.
The letter read: “In accordance with Section 8 Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I hereby forward the under-listed ministerial nominees for your confirmation.”
The nominees are:
Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh – Abia State
Umana Okon Umana – Akwa Ibom State
Egwumakama Joseph Nkama – Ebonyi State
Goodluck Nnana Opiah – Imo State
Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub – Kano State
Ademola Adewole Adegoroye – Ondo State
Odum Odih – Rivers State
Again, APC Loses Three Senators To PDP, NNPP
At least three more lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) have ahead of the 2023 general elections, renounced their membership of the ruling party to join opposition parties.
The development has thereby reduced the number of APC senators in the current National Assembly from 70 to 67.
The defecting lawmakers are revealed as Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), Lawal Yahaya Gumau (Bauchi South), and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North).
Their defection was confirmed in separate letters read during plenary at the Red chamber on Tuesday by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
Babba Kaita and Alimikhena are said to have defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Gumau on the other hand, defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Babba Kaita noted in his resignation letter that he dumped the ruling party due to marginalization.
He said: “As Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and registration declaration for the Peoples Democratic Party.
“My resignation from the APC was born out of the marginalisation of critical stakeholders by the State Government and Leadership of the Party in Katsina State, where small people like me do not have a chance.
“I have since been joyful and graciously accepted into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party in Katsina State.”
On his part, Senator Alimikhena, explained that his decision to resign from the APC was as a result of “continuing and multifaceted crisis that has bedeviled the APC”, especially in his Senatorial District, “that has created parallel executives that has undermined internal discipline, cohesion and focus.”
Plateau PDP Guber Candidate, Mutfwang, Unveils Female Running Mate
The Plateau State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Caleb Mutfwang on Tuesday, unveiled his running mate in the 2023 elections, a former local council boss, Josephine Chundung Piyo.
While presenting her at the State Party Secretariat in Jos on Tuesday, Mutfwang said his decision to choose Piyo as his running mate was a demonstration of her capacity for leadership and his ability at taking tough decisions.
“It is pertinent to mention that since my election, I have taken the responsibility of providing leadership seriously. I have begun by talking with and where possible visiting my fellow contestants. I am very grateful for their sportsmanship and solidarity thus far.
“The discharge permit to place on record the unflinching support I have enjoyed from the leadership of our party across the state, elders, stakeholders, and supporters since I emerged as our gubernatorial candidate.
“Today is a day of history. I must begin to demonstrate my capacity for leadership by taking a very tough decision, the choice of a Deputy Governorship candidate for our great party.
“Fortunately for me, I have an array of qualified men and women to choose from. Ironically it is a difficult one since it can only be one person.
“In making this decision, I have made far-reaching consultations with leaders of our party, stakeholders, and various caucuses before choosing my running mate in order to enhance the joint ticket going into the general elections.
“Some of you will recall that in the course of my campaigns before the party primaries, I made a commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless.
“I make bold to say that a critical segment of our society that is often neglected in leadership considerations is the women folk and yet they form a formidable percentage of our population. For me giving them a voice is a compelling necessity.
“I, therefore, have the honour and privilege of introducing to our party members and Plateau people a respected Plateau woman, mother, grandmother, daughter of Barkin Ladi, wife of the people of Riyom.
“Ladies and gentlemen behold the Honourable Mrs. Josephine Chundung Piyo, as my running mate”, he declared.
While responding, Piyo assured of her total loyalty to the gubernatorial candidate and the party.
“I will give you the maximum support, and will not betray this trust, by the grace of God”, she said.
Originally from Barkin Ladi local government area but married to a Riyom man, Mrs. Piyo, a trained healthcare worker and public administrator, was a one-time chairman of Riyom local government area and member of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
Before venturing into politics, Piyo worked as a nurse and a teacher.
Senate Names New Minority Leader, Minority Whip
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday named Senator Philip Tenimu Aduda representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the new Minority Leader.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan made the announcement while reading two separate letters signed by the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Lawan also announced Senator Chukwuka Utazi representing Enugu North Senatorial District as the Senate Minority Whip.
The seat of the Minority Leader became vacant following the defection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) from the PDP to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Meanwhile, Edo State politician, Prince Kassim Afegbua has renounced his membership in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Afegbua was a former campaign spokesman for Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Afegbua however has fallen out with the 2023 Presidential candidate of the opposition party.
Announcing his resignation from PDP in a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman, Ward 5 Okpella, Edo State, Afegbua said his decision to withdraw from the party was part of his protest that power should be shifted to the Southern part of Nigeria come 2023.
He said in the letter dated, June 20, 2022, that his decision was in line with the provisions of Article 7 of the party’s constitution.
Supreme Court: CJN Tanko Reacts To Petition Against Him By Justices
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad has reacted to the petition brought against him by Justices of the Supreme Court over his handling of judiciary matters.
The CJN in his response said the matters pointed out are already receiving attention and members of the public should disregard any thought or feeling of hostility among the judges.
He added that the issues raised by the Supreme Court justices are not peculiar to the judiciary alone but are a reflection of happenings in the whole country.
Tanko submitted that bringing such issues to the public domain amounts to dancing naked in the market but since the memo written by his colleagues has already made its way to the public, he also decided to respond publicly.
Naija News recalls the justices had in a leaked memo, among other things, stated that the budget allocated to the judiciary has not been increased in the past four years.
They revealed that they decided to write Justice Tanko in a bid to preserve the dignity of the Judiciary.
While stating that there was a failure to replace dilapidated vehicles, accommodation problems, poor healthcare services at the Supreme Court clinic and poor electricity supply to the Supreme Court, the justices express fears over a potential shutdown of the judiciary.
Responding in a statement on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, CJN Tanko said all raised issues are receiving attention but everything can’t be resolved at once.
The statement titled “Re: State of affairs in the Supreme Court and demand by Justices of the Supreme Court”, reads: “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, would wish to confirm receipt of letter written and addressed to him by his brother Justices of the Supreme Court bench.
“Judges in all climes are to be seen and not heard, and that informed why the CJN refrained from joining issues until a letter, said to be personal, is spreading across the length and breadth of the society. This was akin to dancing naked at the market square by us with the ripple effect of the said letter.
“The Supreme Court definitely does not exist outside its environment, it is also affected by the economic and socio-political climate prevailing in the country. Besides that, the apex court has to a larger extent, been living to its constitutional responsibility.
“When a budget is made, it contains two sides, that’s the recurrent and the capital, yet all the two are broken down into items. The Federal Government releases the budget based on the budget components. And it’s an offence to spend the money meant for one item for another.
“Take for instance, the Supreme Court budgeted this year to re-roof and rehabilitate its complex built over 30 years ago and that is being done. The work on the extension of the complex is near completion, the esthetic lawns and cleanness of the perimeters are being well kept, and security and water supply are adequately provided for his brother Justices in their offices and residences.
“During the period of pandemic, a profound and extra-care was maintained to avoid causalities among them as well as the staff generally. It would have amounted to an act of irresponsibility to divert money meant for the above for otherwise.
“The accusation so far, in summary is that more or all ought to have been done and not that nothing has been done; which is utopian in the contemporary condition of our country.
“Before eight new Justices were appointed in 2020 onto the apex court bench, there was no additional budget to provide new chambers with equipped library, legal assistance, residential accommodations and logistics for them. The apex court has to make do with the resources at its disposal to meet their needs over time. All the Justices of this Court have at least a legal assistant, except some may opt for more.
“One of the CJN’s legal assistants (now Justice Aina) was appointed to Abuja FCT High Court last month, while another (Barr Ramatu) died three months back. Generally, the judiciary is looking up to recruitment of more legal assistants and other supporting staff this year.
“Besides, two Supreme Court Justices died within the period under consideration. Both the four retirees and the two departed cost the court some funds in the forms of gratuities and allowances.
“Two weeks ago, eight Supreme Court Justices were nominated for a workshop in London as the court cannot take all of them there at once otherwise the job would suffer. They would be going in batches.
“Accommodations are being gradually provided for the few that are yet to get. There is none of the Apex Court Justices without SUV and back up cars. If any of them were purchased but refurbished, the external and internal auditors are here in the court to take those that bought them up over it.
“The high cost of electricity tariff and diesel are national problem. The Chief Registrar might have budgeted for N300 per litre but diesel is now selling for over N700 per litre and therefore has to find a way around it without even bringing it to the attention of the CJN. But there is no way the generator would be put off if the court is sitting.
“The amendment of court rules is on the process, it has to be critically reviewed to avoid conflict with the constitution and other extant laws. Not all the CJN has reviewed the rules in the past. Within the three years his brother Justices mentioned came the pandemic and the judiciary workers’ strike.
“The internet services have been restored to Justices’ residences and chambers, just as some allowances have been paid to them. The CJN held a meeting with his brother Justices last Thursday and another one is due to hold this week.
“The general public should be rest assured that there’s no hostility or adverse feelings amongst the Justices of the Supreme Court, as everyone is going about his normal duty” he concluded.
Dep Speaker Educates Lawmaker On How To Veto Buhari On Electoral Act
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday schooled a house member on the process to follow if he wants to move to override President Muhammadu Buhari on a Bill.
The lawmaker, Ben Igbakpa (PDP, Delta) had moved a motion to invoke Section 58(5) of the Constitution to override the president on Section 84(8) of the electoral act, which addresses the issue of statutory delegates participation at primaries of political parties.
But the deputy speaker who presided over primaries told him that was not the proper procedure to follow and that Igbakpa could not override the president through a motion.
Igbakpa had last week moved the same motion by raising a constitutional point of order that the House should commence the process of overriding the president on the bill.
However, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila told him Mr Igbakpa to bring a substantive motion on another legislative day.
But when he moved the motion on Tuesday, Mr Wase said, “You don’t come with a motion to override a bill. What you are supposed to do is to ask the rules. if you are interested write to the speaker seeking for that to happen, then we go through the normal procedure as enshrined in our standing order”.
Members stepped down after the Deputy Speaker stated that any move to override requires 2/3rd of members of the National Assembly.
He admonished Igbakpa, the mover of the motion, to step it down as it was at variance with procedure for overriding the President.
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives had some weeks ago requested President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the one-item amendment to the Electoral Act 2022.
In the aftermath of the President’s delay to assent to the bill, some reps members cited section 58 (5) which allows the National Assembly the power to override the president if he withholds assent.
The president’s refusal to assent to the bill had denied elected public office holders the chance of voting at the recently concluded primary elections of political parties in the country.
Buhari Speaks On Emefiele’s Interest In Running For President
President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken on the botched presidential ambition of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Recall that three support groups had bought the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Emefiele.
The CBN Governor who had earlier rejected the gesture, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, to ask for a ruling allowing him to contest the 2023 presidency and retain his job at the CBN.
Emefirle, however, withdrew from the presidential race after President Buhari ordered all heads of agencies, departments, parastatals and ambassadors with political ambitions to turn in their resignations.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, the Nigerian leader said he was bothered about the debate on Emefiele’s interest in running for president.
Buhari expressed a vote of confidence in the CBN Governor, adding that the apex bank’s independence was not in any doubt.
The President said the CBN’s board of directors are to determine whether Emefiele’s actions have fallen foul of the laws of the apex bank.
President Buhari, however, said Emefiele is following an alternative economic model that puts people at the heart of policy, stressing that Nigeria should be free to adopt it.
He said “CBN’s board of directors are to determine whether a CBN Governor’s actions have fallen foul of the laws.
“The CBN governor is appointed by the President. But this appointment is subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
“Ultimately, it will be for the CBN’s board of directors to determine whether a CBN governor’s actions have fallen foul of the laws in place to ensure he can most effectively carry out his duties.
“There is a subtext to the accusations against Emefiele and his involvement in politics, stating that the conventional model has failed in the past.
“Because the governor follows a model outside of the economic orthodoxy, he is labelled political. But the orthodoxy has proved wrong time and again.
“Instead, the governor is following an alternative economic model that puts people at the heart of policy. Nigeria should be free to choose its development model and how to construct our economy, so it functions for Nigerians.”
Reps Reject Motion Seeking To Override Buhari On Section 84(8)
A motion seeking to override President Muhammadu Buhari‘s veto on the amendment made to Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act 2022 has been rejected by the House of Representatives.
The Act did not provide for members elected into public offices and executives of the parties, known as statutory delegates, to participate and vote in the conventions, congresses or meetings of parties.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Idris Wase during sitting on Wednesday directed the lawmaker who moved the motion, Ben Igbakpa from Delta State to follow proper procedure.
Lawmakers after their party primaries condemned the amended Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The section of the electoral act hindered some lawmakers from clinching their return ticket to the house.
The loss in the party primaries made some lawmakers take steps over President Buhari.
In other news, the Nigerian Senate has named Senator Philip Tenimu Aduda representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the new Minority Leader.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan announced while reading two separate letters signed by the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Lawan also announced Senator Chukwuka Utazi representing Enugu North Senatorial District as the Senate Minority Whip.
