₦airaland Forum

Intrigues have continued to play out in many states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) where governors have received the green light to hold indirect primaries against the wishes of some members that felt they would be edged out.

The governors, with the exception of few who opted for direct primaries, now have absolute control of who would get what as the party begins its primary election series with presidential primary on Sept. 25, followed by gubernatorial primaries on Sept. 29.

The APC governors had at a meeting which rounded off late in the evening of Wednesday, promised to support the party’s leadership to ensure free and transparent primary elections to come out with the party’s candidates for the 2019 general elections.

But credible sources said the promise for the free and fair elections by the governors came after they had the commitment of the APC leadership led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for them to be allowed to organize various primaries through delegates’ votes.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues at the end of their closed – door meeting, said they discussed the mode of primaries to be adopted to pick the party’s candidates for all elective offices for the 2019 general elections.

Okorocha, however, said most of the APC-controlled states had resolved to adopt indirect primaries to pick the party’s candidates.

Asked to speak on how the party would handle the situation in states like Kaduna and Zamfara states, where there were still acrimonies over the mode of primaries, Okorocha said, “Like the NEC made it clear that the parties will decide at every state level what they want, either direct or indirect primaries.

“Normally you would know that our party is even a peaceful party. It is the most peaceful party in Nigeria right now where there are no skirmishes and scuffles. If you are looking at other parties, you would know there is no party at all. So these minor complains here and there is expected because even in a family you have it.”

Our correspondents report that some of the states that earlier endorsed direct primaries or consensus such as Edo and Ogun, yesterday made a U-turn and adopted indirect primary option in an apparent compliance with what the governors agreed during their meeting in Abuja.

Okorocha, however, promised that aspirants would be given equal opportunity to vie for various elective positions. But many APC legislators including senators and House of Representatives members had kicked against indirect primaries, heightening fears of revolt after the process which would most likely spell a dark cloud on their political future.

For now, with the free hand given to them coupled with the fact that they already have delegates from ward to state levels in their control, most APC governors would determine who gets what as most of the legislators do not control delegates.

“We have adopted both direct and indirect primaries, and most of the states are going for indirect primaries, but for the President, it is going to be direct primaries,” Okorocha said.

Okorocha assured that both APC governors and the National Working Committee (NWC) were working to ensure victory for the party in the 2019 general elections.

But speaking on the development, Gov. Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State, said it was not possible for all the party members to agree on a particular mode of primaries.

Daily Trust reports that Lagos, Kano, Niger among others had opted for direct primaries, while Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kogi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Plateau, Zamfara and many others in North Central, South East, South South and South West had opted for indirect primaries.

“And in Kaduna State where I am the governor by the grace of God, the majority of the State Executive Committee members decided on indirect primaries. If one or two members don’t agree, that’s off, that is not the decision of NEC,” he said.

Oshiomhole said the task before the party ahead of 2019 general elections was clear.

“We have a tradition as a progressive party to submit ourselves to the dictates of our party and we believe in internal democracy because we are democrats and democracy must begin from within the house before we can do it outside.

“All of us, governors, National Working Committee and even the President, agreed that this is the way to go and that is what we are going to do,” Oshiomhole said.

Ogun, Edo make U-turn

The Ogun State chapter of APC, yesterday, shifted ground on adoption of direct primaries for electing its candidates where consensus arrangement failed, apparently to douse tension and crisis which trailed the last exercise.

On September 5, the party adopted consensus arrangement/direct primaries and subsequently picked consensus candidates for all elective positions in the state, a development which created internal party squabbles.

However, at an expanded State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting of the APC in Abeokuta, the party reversed its earlier decision and adopted indirect primaries.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who is a beneficiary of consensus arrangement as Ogun Central senatorial candidate, was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga.

Out of 111 members present at the SEC meeting, 109 adopted the review following a motion moved by APC chairman, Sagamu Local Government, Segun Solarin and seconded by former Ogun Assembly speaker, Bolanle Gbeleyi.

The chairman of APC in Edo State, Aslem Ojezua, said the party adopted the indirect primaries in the state in order not to disenfranchise its new members.

There had been speculation that the national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, and Governor Godwin Obaseki, had allegedly disagreed over the method to use.

But the state chapter had denied any rift between Oshiomhole and Obaseki.

Buhari, govs wade into Ambode, Tinubu rift

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode over the protracted crisis in the Lagos State chapter of the party.

National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu had reportedly foreclosed a second term for Ambode on the platform of the party.

Although the reasons for the meeting between Buhari and Ambode were not made public yesterday, credible sources said the governor wanted the president to personally persuade Tinubu to ‘forgive’ him.

One of the sources said, “The meeting was about APC gubernatorial primaries and Ambode wants the president to talk; he wants the president to speak to Tinubu and settle the dispute.

“Maybe what President Buhari told the governor would come to the fore in the coming days; but for now, only Tinubu can say he has forgiven the governor or not.”

Another source said President Buhari would between today and early next week meet with other APC stakeholders in Lagos State to find a way out of the impasse.

Sources close to Wednesday’s meeting of APC leaders in Abuja said the governors had spoken in defence of Ambode and urged the party leadership to protect him.

A source close to one of the governors, said, “The chief executives believe that an injury to one of them is an injury to all of them; they therefore urged the leadership under Oshiomhole to talk to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on the matter.

“The governors believe that there is a problem but is not something that cannot be addressed; it is wrong to deny a governor his right to seek for a second term,” he said.

But Oshiomhole while speaking on the matter said Lagos State was at peace.

“I think our party in Lagos is at peace, there are conversations going on at the ward level across the 8,500 wards or there about and across the country.

He dismissed the notion that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was present at the meeting because he was in trouble with his state chapter.

“To say that you have never seen Lagos State governor in our meetings is to the extent that your lens is blurred. My records and minutes of our meetings will show the participation of Lagos State governor in all the meetings in which he has been invited.

“But like some other governors, some meetings have coincided with some other activities. There is no governor including my humble self when I was a governor, I didn’t manage to achieve 100 per cent attendance. Even in parliament, there are minimum requirements so I don’t think it is fair to suggest that you have seen somebody here because of anything.”

In Lagos, sources said Ambode will know his fate in the next 24 hours.

Findings by Daily Trust at the APC State Secretariat in Acme road, Ikeja revealed that forces especially those within the Mandate Caucus of the party working against Ambode’s return ticket, were still pulling the strings as at yesterday afternoon.

A party chieftain said, “For now, we can all look towards Saturday, September 22 because by then, that would be exactly one week to the D-day when the gubernatorial primary would take place.”

But another chieftain of the party who is also a key stakeholder of the Mandate caucus, said they were not unaware of moves by the governor’s camp.

“We are aware that the Governor is in Abuja. But let me tell you, there is a limit to the extent that Abuja can help his case because we are the ones at the grassroots and we were the direct recipients of the governor’s actions or inactions,” he said.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-in-last-minute-effort-to-mend-rifts-in-states.html

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland and a founding member of APC, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, has said that he will remain with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Kwande also said he attended a rally organized for Atiku, a PDP presidential aspirant, in order to affirm his loyalty to the ex-VP.

Atiku was in Jos to lobby PDP national delegates from Plateau State ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

“I know you will be surprised to see me in the PDP Secretariat; I have never entered this secretariat but today I am in your midst; there is a reason for me being here,” he said.

“If today you think that I am not together with Atiku, you are already a mad man. I am fully with Atiku and my loyalty to Atiku is very certain. There are many people waiting for this day and the day has come. They were speculating on whether I will welcome him or not,” he said

He added that he never found himself in this kind of politics. “I have my son (Governor) Lalong in Plateau State and father at the centre who is Atiku Abubakar.”

Kwande, who said he is a member of the APC, added that Atiku remained the best choice to lead Nigeria.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/im-with-atiku-apc-chieftain-kwande.html

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has assured residents of Abuja and other cities of the country that there will not be any violence during its annual religious mourning procession, popularly known as Ashura.

The group gave this assurance in a statement signed by Ibrahim Musa, President of its Media forum and made available to PRNigeria on Wednesday.

We “vehemently discountenance some alarmist message that have gone viral on the social media insinuating that the Shi’a annual religious mourning procession, popularly known as Ashura will be violent in Abuja and other cities across the nation, with some saying people should stay indoors to avoid eminent clash with the mourners.

“This message, to say the least, is mischievous and is aimed at causing unnecessary hysteria among citizens…we have been holding these annual Ashura marches for decades here in Nigeria peacefully, and this year’s own won’t be an exception.

“For those who are hearing about Ashura procession for the first time, it is held annually on the 10th of the first Islamic calendar month, Muharram, to commemorate the martyrdom of the third rightly guided Imam, Hussein (as), and scores of his companions who were mostly members of the Prophet’s family at the hands of the despotic ruler of the time, Yazid (LA).

“Ashura mourning session has been happening in Nigeria since time immemorial in various forms. Most notable of which is the one marked by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, when mourners of Imam Hussein (as), the grandson of the Prophet (S), mostly clad in black, hold flags and banners to solemnly march in a funeral procession.”

While assuring that the group will not be violent during the ritual, the group said it will continue to “enlighten citizens on the injustice meted to the Grandson of the Prophet, Imam Husain (AS) in the year 61AH and also to remind the public of the oppression suffered by Sheikh Zakzaky since December, 2015, hence demand for his unconditional release along with hundreds of others still languishing in jail by this administration.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/procession-shiite-group-speaks-on-violence-in-abuja-other-cities.html

sai baba

hmmm

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday confirmed that the party is consulting on who to present as its flag bearer for the 2019 presidential election.

The PDP Board of Trustees had set up a panel to interface with the party’s presidential aspirants over the possibility of reaching a consensus or trimming the number to a ‘manageable few’.

Daily Trust reports that the PDP aspirants who had obtained forms for the presidential primary include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senators Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, David Mark, and Jonah Jang.

Others are former governors Ahmed Makarfi, Attahiru Bafarawa, Sule Lamido, Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo, Tambuwal, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed and Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

Tambuwal, who spoke yesterday in Birnin Kebbi after a meeting with stakeholders of the party, “Our party is still consulting the stakeholders on who to present to contest for the presidential position.”

“I deem it appropriate to start the visit with Kebbi State being my home as Sokoto and Zamfara. If the consultation fails, we will do the primary [scheduled for between Oct. 5 and Oct. 6 in Port Harcourt] and I will accept the outcome and support whoever emerges as our candidate,” Tambuwal said.

“I had left PDP for APC in view of the situation we found ourselves under PDP in the last government and joined APC for our conviction and presumption that the party would do the expected,’’ he added.

He promised to address the security challenges in Zamfara, Birnin Gwari in Kaduna, Benue, Taraba as well as Kebbi if elected the president. Earlier, the Deputy State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Musa Argungu, assured Tambuwal that party members would support his aspiration.

The PDP BoT is working to come up with a consensus to avert the looming confusion and possible crisis that may arise from a crowded exercise.

Chairman of the Board, Sen. Walid Jibrin in a statement on Sept. 10 said the BoT had constituted a committee to discuss with all the aspirants with a view to reaching a consensus.

“A committee has been set up to discuss with all presidential aspirants to come up with one of them as our candidate. There are now 12 contestants.

“The party has been warned to manage the situation of new defectors to the party and also consider the role played by old members.

“As provided in the party’s constitution, the board is empowered to regulate its proceedings and draw code of conduct for its members,” he said.

However, details about the composition of the committee set up by the BoT, including the time frame given to them remained secret amidst speculations the target is to trim the presidential aspirants to three.

Sources said the BoT and the PDP leadership, using certain variables, was trying to convince at least nine of the aspirants to shelve their ambition so as to manage the primary election with ease.

Findings by our correspondents also revealed that while some of the 12 aspirants are divided over consensus, with some kicking against the BoT’s move, describing it as an attempt to injure their ambition.

What the aspirants say

When contacted on the issue, Makarfi, a former Chairman of National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, said in a text message, “I was at the BoT meeting and that was not my recollection of the discussion.

“I believe what I heard was a Committee to interface with aspirants with a view to either prune down number based on free will of the aspirants or minimum promote togetherness in case all aspirants prefer to go through the convention.

“In any case, there are many other groups interfacing with the aspirants in similar directions but nobody is going to be forced to step down for anybody,” he said.

“It is up to aspirants and as far as I know the party is not forcing or even thinking of forcing anybody to step down,” he said.

He said if he eventually got the ticket, he would carry all other aspirants along.

For his part, the Founder of Baze University, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed, said, “I must not speak for BoT but BoT’s general disposition to issues is broadly speaking conciliatory and protective of the party’s Soul.

As an aspirant, all I can say is that I’m still contesting and I welcome any other aspirants for any consideration to step down for me. Chances of me doing so are, however, hardly possible as the only true representative of the new generation desired the world over, and due to other unique advantages.”

Similarly, Director of Media and Publicity, Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Segun Showunmi told, the Daily Trust that Atiku is not ready to step down for another aspirant.

The spokesman said the feeling of Atiku is that he should be the one to emerge as consensus candidate considering his track records of experience and political sagacity, if the idea of consensus must be implemented.

“In trying to do consensus, party leaders must be free, fair and transparent. They must also look at the chances of who they are presenting and the person’s relationship with stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones.

And in a telephone interview, Lamido told the Daily Trust he will not step down for Atiku and if anything, it is Atiku who should support him.

“While it is true he is older than me age wise, I am his senior politically because I was in the House of Representatives in 1979 when he was an employee of Nigerian Customs Services. And if age is the criterion for standing election, then he should drop out for Buhari,” he said.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-primary-what-well-do-if-consultations-fail-tambuwal.html

About 10 million illegal small arms and light weapons are in circulation in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has said.

The commission’s President, Jean Claude Brou, said this yesterday in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists at a High Level Meeting of Regional Organizations on the Sahel.

Brou, was represented by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Francis Behanzin, said about 100 million weapons are in circulation in Africa.

He said the proliferation of firearms in the region was among the major causes of terrorism and other armed conflicts in West Africa and the Sahel.

“The lack of development opportunities for the young and increasingly growing population is fuelling illicit networks and organized crime,” he added.

He, however, said ECOWAS is resolutely committed to solving all these problems through numerous regional initiatives.

“The ECOWAS Sahel Strategy is structured around three strategic axes to have (i) connection infrastructure, (ii) resilience and food security, (iii) education as well as two cross-cutting issues: peace and security. It is accompanied by an action plan comprising 31 priority projects whose overall cost is estimated at $ 4.75 billion,” he said.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohammed Ibn Chambers, said the security situation in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin remains fragile as increasing violence has bedevilled countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria.

“Violence and terrorist activities, as well as conflicts between nomadic herders and farmers take an alarming toll on the population and future generations. The violence related to pastoralism is particularly concerning as it increases in frequency, intensity, complexity and geographic scope,” Chambers said.

He said ECOWAS and the United Nations are working in concert with the Sahel region to bring lasting peace, stability and inclusive, sustainable development to the Sahel.

The high Representative of the African Union for Mali and Sahel, Pierre Buyoya, who spoke through a representative, called for a more sustainable strategy for inclusive economic development in West Africa and the Sahel to provide the needs of a growing population.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ecowas-10m-illegal-arms-circulate-in-w-africa.html

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki yesterday said Nigeria must rise beyond sentiment in 2019 and elect a youthful, energetic and digital president.

Saraki, one of the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s presidential aspirants, spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while meeting with party delegates as part of his ongoing campaign tour.

He said: “It time for us to say who’s the most capable? Who has the ability? Who has shown that anywhere he is, he will be able to carry people along? Today, there is a new order all over the world.

“From Asia, America and all over the Europe, what do we see? We see people bring in youthful, dynamic and energetic president. And more importantly, digital president. Out of all the aspirants, I believe I have the capacity, I have the ability. I am bold and I can stand for the right thing.”

The Senate president said Nigeria needed a courageous leader to fight insecurity and corruption, saying “you cannot give what you don’t have.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-nigeria-needs-digital-president-saraki.html

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Sule Lamido has attributed the spate of killings in the country to injustice and bad governance.

Lamido, who met with the Forum of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders yesterday in Abuja, told journalists at the end of the meeting that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government had failed on its mandate, hence the prevailing security challenges in the country.

The former governor of Jigawa State said, “The culture of governance is deteriorating because of absence of justice which should be the anchor of governance but is not in Nigeria anymore.

“That is why you are seeing all these kidnappings, Boko Haram, killings in Taraba, Adamawa, Zamfara, Sokoto and all over Nigeria. This country is not being run according to law and order; there is nothing like justice in Nigeria. Therefore, Nigerians feel that this country is not good anymore.”

He accused the APC government of also trying to bury the contributions of Nigeria’s founding fathers, adding that “Before Buhari there was integrity, there was Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu Kano, Azikiwe, these are people of honour and integrity. He has never for once paid tributes to our founding fathers.”

Earlier, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigo, John Nwodo, who spoke on behalf of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, said, “Our people are deeply upset by the state of affairs in the country. Our country is at a crossroad.

“We seek restructuring of Nigeria to address teething problems confronting us. We seek answers to how your policies will address all these.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/injustice-bad-governance-causes-of-killings-lamido.html

A former governor of Jigawa State and PDP presidential aspirant, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has said that he will defeat President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2019 polls if he secures the party’s presidential ticket.

Lamido said this, yesterday, when he addressed Nasarawa State Working Committee of the party in Lafia.

The aspirant said since he is also from the North, he has more to offer to reposition the country than President Buhari.

He added that since he had served the party and the country in various capacities, he understood the challenges and solutions.

Lamido also called on the leadership of the party to reward faithful members ahead of the 2019 general elections.

While in Makurdi yesterday, the former governor of Jigawa State took a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that it thrived on falsehood and demonising perceived opposition.

Lamido spoke during a visit to Governor Samuel Ortom and other PDP stakeholders in Benue State in furtherance of consultations for his 2019 presidential ambition.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/lamido-i-ll-defeat-buhari-if-i-secure-pdp-ticket-268344.html

Sai baba

Youths believed to be supporters of Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla yesterday attacked some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) pushing for direct primaries in Adamawa State.

The youths chanting “Sai Bindow” reportedly attacked the Yola office of the former Secretary to the Government, Babachir David Lawal, during a meeting of Dimas Ezra faction, causing injury to one person and destroying several cars.

The spokesman of the group, Usman Ibrahim, said the group was attacked when its members were perfecting their position in favour of direct primaries as against indirect primaries.

Ibrahim said the police sent an inspection team after they were notified of the attack.

A stakeholder, Ibrahim Waziri, said the person who conveyed the thugs had been identified, adding that he believed the hoodlums were working for the governor. He further stated that if the governor thinks he is popular, he should test that notion in direct primaries.

But reacting, the Special Assistant to the governor, Dickson Martins, dismissed the allegation as baseless, saying it was aimed at smearing the governor’s reputation.

“It can’t be true. How can a governor send thugs to attack people. The governor is a responsible person, so it is irresponsible to make such allegations against him”, he said.

The Dimas Ezra faction believed to enjoy the support of APC bigwigs, including former governor Murtala Nyako, Babachir Lawal and former anti-graft chief, Nuhu Ribadu, had earlier filed a case in court challenging the congresses.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-primaries-thugs-attack-babachir-s-office-268593.html

‘Direct Primaries Tinibu’s 2023 Presidential Agenda’
We Set Rules, Not Governors – APC
It Has Nothing to Do With My Ambition – Asiwaju



Governors in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that states would exercise their rights to conduct indirect primaries in selecting the party’s candidates for the 2019 general elections.

This is in reaction to the statement of the party’s acting publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, saying that all the party’s candidates would be picked through a direct primaries method, which contradicted an earlier report that says states should determine the mode of their primaries.

There is a deep division in the party between those who favour direct primaries, headed by its national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and most of the governors who prefer indirect primaries.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party on Thursday reportedly attempted to resolve the division by directing for direct primaries in selecting the presidential candidate and giving states a leeway to decide their own mode of primaries.

This was countered by the acting secretary’s statement on Friday, which in turn prompted reaction from those opposed to direct primaries who insist that NEC’s original position was unchanged.

One of the APC governors who is also a member of the party’s NEC told Daily Trust on Sunday yesterday that, “The statement purportedly issued on Friday evening by the party’s acting national publicity secretary in order to ‘clarify’ the decision of the party’s NEC as announced on Thursday by the governors of Plateau and Kogi States was an exercise in futility. It was the national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; the APC deputy chairman, North, Senator Lawal Shu’aibu; and the deputy chairman, South, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, that called the acting publicity secretary and told him to go and make the so-called clarification in order to please their political mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. All these officials were members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

“It is Tinubu that has been aggressively pushing for direct primaries as part of his drive to take over the presidency from President Buhari in 2023. There is no way the party can impose direct primaries on us all since its constitution appreciates our diversity and provides for direct or indirect primaries or consensus. The APC has 24 governors. Twenty-two of them, including all the APC governors in the North, made it clear that they preferred indirect primaries. This position was not taken out of fear, but out of concern for possible repercussions of direct primaries. Direct primaries will be as costly as holding general elections because we must pay security agents and many others.

“Secondly, our opponents can also infiltrate our party and cause chaos. When Kaduna State recently held direct primaries for local government elections, some people lost their limbs during fracas. That was just local election. What will happen if it is primaries for all posts?

“An APC leader in Gombe State said the PDP-controlled state government would certainly infiltrate our party and cause confusion.

“Thirdly, many of our states have one insecurity problem or another, and trying to hold direct primaries in some states is a recipe for chaos. Also, is the party ready for it? Have we got a clean membership register? For example, the APC has got only 12,000 registered members in Zamfara State. Is that the kind of register you want to use for direct primaries?

“Finally, direct primaries could cause so much confusion that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to unite the party afterwards.

“Already, Friday evening’s so-called clarification has infuriated many party leaders, including many state governors. They feel that Tinubu is jeopardising party unity and stability in pursuit of his selfish interest. Even in the Southwest he controls only Lagos and Osun states, and we are not even sure APC will win Osun in the upcoming elections. That is why he is doing all the manoeuvre even though 2023 is still very far away. Some few people within the National Working Committee (NWC) must not subvert internal party democracy by seeking to upturn a decision taken by the overwhelming majority. The PDP was destroyed before our eyes due to lack of internal democracy. Make no mistake about it, the same could happen to APC,” the governor added.

Also clearing the air on the decision of the party’s NEC on the mode of primaries to be adopted, the APC’s national secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, said it was agreed that leadership of the party in states could decide on whether it desires a direct or indirect primaries in their domains.

Mala Buni told the BBC Hausa Service yesterday morning that the decision of the party’s NEC on direct primaries only affects that of the presidential primary but that states were at liberty to choose the kind of primaries they want to adopt, based on their peculiarities.

There has been confusion over the method of primary adopted by the party.

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong said immediately after the NEC meeting that they adopted direct method for presidential primary, other primaries would be conducted via indirect method.

However, the party’s spokesman, Yakeni Nabeni, said the decision of the NEC was that all primaries would be conducted through direct method.

But in the interview aired in the morning, Mala Buni said the party considered the cost of conducting every primary through direct method and other logistics; hence states were allowed to adopt indirect or consensus method.

“The NEC meeting approved the timetable for the party’s primaries and the amount to be paid for the various forms for each elective position.

“Both direct and indirect primaries ýare contained in our party’s constitution. In the presidential primary, we are going to start with direct method at the various ward levels, then we’ll conclude everything at the national convention.

“Other primaries such as that of the National Assembly, governors and members of state houses of Assembly, depends on what a state wants. The party executive at the state level would sit down and decide, and then forward to us that this is the method they want to use for approval,” he said.

Asked about the kind of crisis the indirect primaries would create in view of the sour relationship between some governors and top shots such as members of the National Assembly, he said there was no way election would be held without raising dust.

“There’s no way we’ll say we have a leader that’s unpopular or somebody that has done wrong to the people. There’s no way people will vote in a place and there won’t be issues. Everything has a procedure.

“If you want to do direct primaries, it has to be done at every ward. What people don’t consider is the cost and all that for the direct primaries. If a state feels it can bear the cost, we’ll approve it,” he added.

But APC’s acting spokesperson yesterday insisted that it was in the powers of the party to decide the primaries method to be conducted and not the governors.

Nabena told Daily Trust on Sunday yesterday by phone that everybody would conduct direct primaries.

When asked about what would happen in states that have expressed preference for indirect primaries, which could put the chances of federal lawmakers who might be favourably disposed to direct primaries at risk, he said, “It is very clear now in our statement. Everybody will go for direct primaries. The party is the one that will set the rules, not the state governors. It is only a situation whereby we have logistic problem that the State Executive Committee, with critical stakeholders, and the critical stakeholders are those aspirants, will meet and everybody will sign.

“So, the majority in attendance at that meeting will carry the day. And they will send the report to the National Working Committee to adopt the decision. The governor will not set the mode of election for the party. It is the party that will set the mode of election for the governors in every state. The governor will not choose for the party.”

On whether Nigerians would witness serious issue between the governors and members of the National Assembly, Nabena said, “No, there is no problem.”

But Tinubu denied that his support for direct primaries had anything to do with a personal political ambition for 2023, saying alleged presidential bid was only the imagination of those spreading it.

In a reaction through his media adviser, Tunda Rahman, the national leader of the APC said: “Nothing can be farther from the truth. Whoever is saying Asiwaju Tinubu is not comfortable with the model is only spreading blatant falsehood. He is pleased that the APC NEC adopted the direct model for the conduct of primaries at federal and state levels because it’s the most democratic and most participatory. It wards off corruption in the process, something which the delegate system unduly promotes. The success of the direct model in Osun governorship primaries has even convinced many beyond all doubts that it is doable and workable. The argument of those opposed to it is that the model can be difficult to manage because all the registered party members constitute the electors. It was done in Osun and it was a huge success.

“For instance, the winner of that Osun primaries, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, garnered over 127, 000 votes in that primary. Those votes are already in the basket for him going into the real election later this month. So direct primary enables the party to test its strength before the real contest. Asiwaju is in the forefront of direct primary advocacy because it’s like giving power to the people, which has been the fulcrum of his politics over the years. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the alleged 2023 presidential ambition, which is in the imagination of those mouthing it.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/no-going-back-on-indirect-primaries-apc-govs-268585.html

Controversies have continued to trail the Senate’s approval of N488.7bn as reimbursements to states for federal projects they executed across the country.

The senators had, before proceeding on their annual recess in July, approved the money for 21 states through a promissory note programme requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Daily Trust reports that the approval was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the report of an ad hoc committee chaired by Senator Francis Alimikhena (APC, Edo).

The same committee had on June 7 this year recommended that N396bn be approved for the states. The recommendation was unanimously approved at the plenary presided over by the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

However, the Senate rescinded the earlier approval a month later when a new report was considered with an increase of N92bn, Daily Trust reports.

Ogun and Oyo states, which were not in the first approval, were allocated N59.2bn and N13.4bn respectively. Also, in the new approval, Zamfara State which was earlier allocated N39.9bn got N60bn.

A review of the approval showed that Lagos got the highest with N114bn. It was followed by Akwa Ibom with N78.7bn. Niger State got the least with N333.8m.

A further review showed that Adamawa got N4.2bn, Kwara N11.2bn, Plateau N12.1bn, Jigawa N10.7bn, Gombe N6.9bn, Ondo N4.3bn, Ekiti N11.6bn, Edo N10.4bn and Osun N13.2bn.

Others are Ebonyi N15.4bn, Kano N4.4bn, Enugu N13.5bn, Benue N3bn, Imo N2.8bn, and Anambra N37.9bn.

The panel said some states were not included in the first report as a result of incomplete document and failure to appear before it.

“The affected states were later invited to present the justification of projects executed in their states on behalf of the Federal Government. This is in line with the Senate determination in ensuring that justice and fair hearing is extended to all,” the panel said.

However, even the committee observed that the claims by the states were bogus, Daily Trust reports.

It said some states that appeared before it were faced with the challenge “of having an incomplete document to justify their outstanding claims.”

“States like Kwara, Adamawa and Lagos embarked on the highway project execution as far back as 2004, while others followed thereafter,” the committee said.

Why I made request - Buhari

President Buhari said he made the request for the establishment of the promissory note programme and a bond issuance to settle inherited local debts and contractual obligations.

In a letter dated March 8, this year, Buhari conveyed the resolution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), requesting the National Assembly to pass a bill to effect the promissory note and bond.

He said it has become imperative to clear obligations including; unpaid obligations to pensioners, salaries and promotional arrears to civil servants, and obligations to petroleum marketers.

The president also listed contractors and suppliers debts, unpaid power bills, Export Expansion Grants (EEG) scheme debts, Judgement debts and refund to state governments for projects undertaken on behalf of the federal government.

“As you may be aware, sections 41(1a) and 44(2b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) stipulates that the proceeds of borrowing by government at all tiers shall be applied towards capital expenditure.

“To provide legal backing to clear the recurrent expenditures component of the obligations, a request for the amendment of the FRA was sent to National Assembly,” the president said.

Our correspondent reports that in the president’s letter, details of the federal projects and the amount due to states were not provided.

Yari speaks on Zamfara N60bn

Contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State on Media and Communication, Ibrahim Dosara said the Federal Government owes Zamfara State government over N50bn.

Dosara said the money was expended on the federal projects in the state over the years. He said the projects are mostly roads.

Executive, Legislature must come clean - CISLAC

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said both the Executive arm and the National Assembly must come out clean on the N488bn approved for 21 states as outstanding debts.

Rafsanjani told Daily Trust that the manner the money was approved left much to be desired, hence the need for accountability.

“Both the National Assembly and the Executive seem to conspire to undermine public financial openness and promote financial recklessness and dubious debts and spending without public accountability.

“There is a serious issue of integrity of governance going on under this government, which is worrisome and disturbing given the claims of moral superiority. We are witnessing too much compromise on ethics and principles.

“This is a setback because what the previous administrations were doing is being repeated under this government, making public accountability a caricature and mockery. Otherwise one would not expect this secrecy in approval to happen under a government that is supposed to be promoting public disclosure, especially financial.

“It’s clear even the so-called disagreement with the National Assembly principal officers was not for public interest but personal. We insist that governance is about people and that Nigerians must know and monitor government’s decisions as they affect Nigerians,” he said.

Why fund must not be released now - Senator

Speaking, a senator from Northwest said the money should not be released to the governors until after next year’s elections.

The Senator, who does not want to be named, said the governors will use the money to execute their campaigns if released now.

“I’m totally against the release of the money at this particular time because elections are around the corner. If it is released now, it would be channeled towards elections. And the aim the president made the request would be defeated,” he said.

He said the money was expected to be channeled towards fast tracking the development of states and not for execution of election campaigns.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/federal-projects-senate-s-approval-of-n488-7bn-for-states-raises-dust-267597.html

RIP

.

RIP

RIP

In his first tell-all interview since his sack as IGP in 2015, Suleiman Abba has revealed why he was given the boot by the then President Goodluck Jonathan. He gave Daily Trust on Sunday a rare peek into some of the dirty jobs he was asked to do and why he believes that the appointment of an IGP should not be the business of the Presidency alone, among many other issues.

You have maintained a very low profile since you were relieved of your duties during the last administration. What has informed your silence?

First and foremost, welcome to the headquarters of Fasaha Solicitors, which is a law firm I chair. It is also the office where Kany Computer Technologies is domiciled. We also have Kany Aviation International Limited all, of which I chair, with their head offices here. That can give you a bit of what I have been doing after service.

But before we come back to that for more details, I think you asked a very important question: Why the quiet? It is in our training and character as police officers to hear more and speak less; that is one of the guiding principles.

Furthermore, because of the very high sense of discipline instilled in me right from home, coupled with my training as a police officer, I have also learnt to go by my training. This is, perhaps, why I have been quiet, but that doesn’t mean that we are not interested in what is going on in the country. I have been following with keen interest. It is my hope that God will continue to give me the strength to be interested in the development of my dear country, which I served in the management of crime for good 31 years. Let me also say that perhaps until there is no strength in me, I will continue to serve my country.

The circumstances leading to your removal were rather controversial as the announcement was made on Twitter. How did you receive it?

Believe me, I have always counted myself lucky. I think because of the little background I gave you about the strength of discipline in me, both personal and professional, I received my sack as a normal development. I was not shocked for a reason that I knew it would happen. Right from the time I started work as Inspector General of Police, I knew that I may not reach the date of my retirement, which would have been 2019, by which time I would have been 35 years in service and 60 years of age. I am saying this because the very first week I took over, we had the elections in Ekiti; that was August 2014. Arrangements had been made for the election by my predecessor and I think it was the same team that also did the Osun election, it was the same AIG.

One of the leading stalwarts in the PDP then said to me: “IG (you know I was acting then) deliver Osun to us and we will confirm you quickly.” I was shocked! That was when I knew that I may not last long in the office. Immediately, I said to myself, “How could I deliver when I am not an electorate? The voters are the ones to deliver, my own was to protect the whole process.” Of course I said to myself that what happened to one of my predecessors (may his soul rest in peace), Adamu Suleiman, was going to happen to me, maybe I would never be confirmed. He was Inspector General of Police and till he left office he was not confirmed.

So that is my approach; I accept things the way they come. I said to myself that I was going to leave that office without confirmation; but then, I went to Osun and did what I was supposed to do. Of course, having made up my mind that I wasn’t going to take the dictates of someone on what I had been doing for decades, I went to Osun, addressed the police officers who were very cheerful because they were seeing their IGP for the first time. I told them to go and do what the law protect the electorate, all other stakeholders, INEC officials, observers, and of course, any other person that had the right to be around the polling areas, collation areas.

I also told them to go and protect the outcome of the election itself. I warned them also that if they allowed themselves to commit any offence against the electoral act, their punishment would be double because they would lose their jobs and may be charged to court. They heeded my warning and did exactly what was expected of them and the outcome was that a winner emerged. Apart from that, the then INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega and I addressed the stakeholders, including the contestants, and I assured them that this IG they were seeing had come to do the right thing, which was to tell my personnel to do the right thing and to assure stakeholders that the police would protect the process before, during and after the polls.

That was exactly what happened. From then on I knew that, perhaps, I was not going to get confirmed or last long in office. So it didn’t come to me as a surprise at all. I also think it was a blessing from the Almighty God, so I wasn’t shocked or disturbed.

I lost an office I should have held for four years, but that was my destiny. And that was why I refused to go to court, even when people were prompting me to do so.

Some of your associates were reported to have advised you to leave the country following your removal, for your own security. Were you under threat at the time?

I will say you are right. It wasn’t only my associates, anybody that had interest in my life and activities had expressed to me that I should be careful. In any case, there were threats, even from high places

How were you threatened after they were done with you as IGP?

It is only a few people that can get annoyed by somebody’s action and forget it after, perhaps, taking whatever action they would have taken. I want to believe that for threats to have come, even after the action, was an indication that whatever reason that made them to remove me from office was out of annoyance. This is because I was not even given the chance to express myself, which to me is an act of injustice. In justice you listen before you act. Whatever white and dramatised lies that were said against me as an IGP, one would have expected that I would be called to defend myself before any action would be taken. But I leave it to the members of the public to judge whether there was justice or not. All those reasons I heard later on were nothing but white lies

What were the reasons then?

Well, the reason given to the public was that the police was undisciplined. That was the official reason. If I were only about nine months in office and I could lead the police to conduct themselves in the most disciplined manner ever, that can tell you whether or not indiscipline could have been a good reason to remove me from office.

But did you heed the advice of your associates to leave the country after leaving office?

No! I had time to sit down and reflect properly and decide what to do with my life. Remember, we had just finished the most tedious election; an election that everybody believed the country was going to disintegrate, but we successfully prevented that. Of course, I left the country a week thereafter.

Can one say you went on self-imposed exile?

I didn’t go on exile. I wasn’t a politician to have gone on exile. People who go on exile are those who commit an offence or people who the government was after or those who lost an election. I didn’t lose anything. In fact, I was the one offended, so there was no way the issue of going on exile would apply here.

Were you requested to compromise the 2015 general elections as you were asked in the case of Osun?

Absolutely. Let me put it to you in a way that you would understand and perhaps now see the justification for my action. As AIG, I chaired the committee that planned the security of the 2015 elections. In the report we came out with we emphasized that police officers should be sensitised enough to do what is expected of them, to distance themselves from experiences where the police get accused after every national election the police help the party in power to manipulate the result. So when I became the Inspector General of Police and with the elections about six months ahead, the first thing I did was to begin the implementation of that report, particularly the sensitisation of officers. In doing that, I addressed senior police officers and asked them to sensitise those within their commands, heads of departments, commissioners of police and others. down to the constable. A commissioner of police, for example, would go back to his state, address his DPOs, and the DPOs in turn would conduct lectures routinely. I was emphatic that every police officer should be impartial and non-partisan. In that address, someone went to the Villa and told them what the IGP was doing and one of the big shots there called me - and in a form of query - saying, “IGP why are you telling your officers to go and be non-partisan while you should be telling them to help us.” Of course, they knew there was no way I could do a thing like that. He even advised that if you cannot talk to them in general why don’t you call the commissioners one by one. Of course, we went ahead and did the right thing and the result was obvious; the police was impartial and non-partisan.


Are you implying that there were demands to make you look the other way while electoral malpractices were being perpetrated?

I don’t think there was any way for them to put it than the way they did. It is all encompassing.

The ruling PDP then accused you of working in the interest of the APC, which was then in the opposition…?

I am hearing this from you for the first time. What I heard was that after the election I became close to the president-elect and even went to the airport to receive him. In any case, the public could judge if there was anything like that.

Did you try to go close to the then president-elect?

The only time I met the president-elect was like all the other service chiefs did, to go and congratulate him. It was a common agreement that we were going to congratulate him. I attended the presentation of certificate to the president-elect. Let me tell you why I did that. One, it is only the police that had a seat at that function. Let me also draw your attention to the fact that if you check the electoral act, the police are clearly mentioned as the custodians of security of the elections. Now the IGP had a seat and I appointed at that time, according to tradition, an AIG to represent me in all the activities of the collation, but when it got to the peak I went. In any case, if it was the then PDP candidate that won, I am sure if I didn’t even go there a bigger query would have come. So if we are talking about an election where a candidate that wins legitimately should get all the support, then I don’t see any reason why anybody should query me for attending those functions. Secondly, I went because I wasn’t sure if the desperation shown by those who wanted to disrupt the election or the results of the election would also attempt again.

I wanted to be there personally to take over the command of what was happening because in earlier efforts I was giving directives from my office. So there were good reasons for me to be there, and that was why I was there. Even while I was there, I never went to the president-elect to say congratulations. He was sitting on the far right of the sitting arrangement while I was sitting on the far left. So as I said earlier, it was just a gimmick; lies that were properly dramatised to sway the minds of people to call me what I wasn’t. I have never been a traitor to anyone and at that age I couldn’t be a traitor. I only did what was expected of me and I will repeat it uncountable times if I get the opportunity to do so (to protect the law and do what is expected of me.)

Talking about people attempting to thwart the process, one is reminded of the drama that played out during the collation of the presidential result. There were also speculations that security agencies heard about something being planned to stop the results from being announced. Was the police in the picture of such a ploy?

Yes, the police was in the picture. And thank God the police were in the picture because it did what was expected of it. It disrupted the efforts.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-i-was-asked-to-deliver-osun-to-pdp-ex-igp-suleiman-abba-267499.html

RIP

RIP

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has raised another alarm over an alleged plot by herders to attack his convoy and kill him along the Makurdi-Lafia highway.

This is the second time within a month that the governor is alleging plans by herders to cause more unrest in the state and to kill him after calling the attention of security agencies on Wednesday, August 1, over alleged invasion of part of the state by herdsmen with more than 10,000 cows.

Ortom who raised the latest alarm yesterday at an interactive session between the church, traditional institution and other stakeholders towards peace building, organized by the Makurdi Catholic Diocese held at the Pastoral Center in Makurdi, emphasised that the alleged plot included his kidnap, torture and thereafter to kill him.

He told the gathering that the information was an intelligence report he got which indicated that the herders who are currently occupying part of his home Guma Local Government Area would laid a siege for him on the Makurdi-Lafia highway.

The governor further disclosed that the intelligence report indicated that all his security aides would be killed during the attack after which they would kidnap him, torture him before killing him adding that, he had reported the matter to the police and other security agencies.

He said based on the findings whenever he slept and wake up and his spirit doesn't allow him to travel by road, he would call flight operators but expressed worry that just a few days ago, the federal government issued a circular that no flight should land in Makurdi airport again.

Ortom also alleged that some Benue indigenes were conniving with other forces in Abuja to kill him even as he stressed the need for the federal government to urgently address the killings across Nigeria by herders militia to pave way for peaceful election in 2019.

Meanwhile in an interview with newsmen, the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, maintained that over 306 traditional rulers, youths, members of both Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) and Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) and other stakeholders were invited for the meeting to educate them on a violence free election ahead of 2019.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ortom-raises-alarm-over-plot-to-kill-him-267375.html

hmmm

Former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu says President Muhammadu Buhari is currently executing major road projects in the South East.

Speaking on the AIT morning programme, Kaakaki on Thursday, Kalu said the President has commenced work on some key roads in the South East in accordance with their discussion before he joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

"I asked Mr President what will you do for my people and he said whatever I do for other parts of the country, I will do for them. Now Mr President is doing all the major roads," he said.

He identified some of the projects to include: Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt road, Owerri-Umuahia road, Enugu-Onitsha road, the Second Niger Bridge among others.

Kalu, who is eyeing the Abia North Senatorial seat, said he left the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) to the APC because he couldn’t have returned to the PDP, which de-registered him and rendered him without a political party for 10 years, adding that he wanted Ndigbo to be closer to the president.

Kalu, who is facing trial before a Lagos High Court on allegations of money laundering, dismissed suggestions that he joined the APC because of the case, explaining that he has never discussed it with the president or anybody in the APC because he believes he is innocent.


While affirming his confidence in the judiciary, he criticised the Federal Government for disobeying court orders for the release of forner NSA, Sambo Dasuki and the arrest of judges.


Kalu also dismissed claims by his successor in office that he pressured him to sell Abia guest houses in Lagos to his company, Slok Group, explaining that he bought those properties during his tenure as a governor and maintained free education in the state throughout his tenure.

The convener of Njiko Igbo, a socio-cultural and political association, also reiterated his earlier statement that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is alive and is presently in a foreign country.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-is-working-in-the-south-east-kalu-267355.html

Up PDP

The ruling All progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from a primaries’ timetable said to be for states Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential positions published yesterday in a national daily.

The APC, in a release by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, described the published timetable as fake.
Nabena, who urged that the timetable should be disregarded, said the party is yet to announce its official timetable for the listed primaries.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/we-ve-not-released-timetables-for-primaries-apc-267278.html

The federal government will present the 2019 budget to the National Assembly in September in a bid to restore the January to December budget cycle.

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, confirmed this in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust in Abuja,

The minister said the federal government had consulted widely with members of the National Assembly in that regard.

The presentation of the last two budgets could not achieve that threshold. The president presented the 2017 fiscal document to the lawmakers in the second week of December 2016 while that of 2018 was presented in the first week of November, 2017.

Speaking on the current effort, the minister said: “Our aspirations is that we want to meet the requirements of the law to submit it by September but as you know the National assembly is itself away on recess and they resume by September.”

She said the law encourages the executive to submit the budget by September and the idea is that by December, the budget is passed.

The Minister also said the N1.56 trillion spent by the federal government on capital projects was the highest amount ever spent on capital projects in the history of Nigeria.

She said the federal government released 60 per cent of the total N2.2 trillion budgeted for capital projects in 2017, being the highest value ever spent in the country.

The Minister said the 2017 budget did well as the country executed 100 per cent of the personnel component, ensuring that salaries and pensions were paid, including pension arrears.

She said Nigeria’s projected revenue was about N5 trillion, but was only able to generate N2.7 trillion, or 54 per cent of the total.

The underperformance in the revenue was not in the oil and gas sector, she stated.

She said despite the fact that production did not go up to the 2.3 million barrels per day projected for the year, oil and gas sector revenue hit 95 per cent largely due to increase in oil price in the international market.

“Non-oil revenue performance was not as high as we had expected,” the Minister said.

She revealed that revenues from Customs stood at 29 per cent of what was projected while the Federal Inland Revenue Service achieved about 60 per cent.

She said where Nigeria had significant shortfall of 25 per cent was in independent revenues generated by government owned enterprises such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that were supposed to remit operational surpluses.

She said the government also planned to sell some equities to raise N700 billion but that transaction did not happen.

“In general, 2017 budget performed reasonably well and all the debts we were supposed to borrow, we were able to do 100 per cent,” she said.

On why non-oil revenues did not perform as expected the Minister said: “The taxes you collect are also indicative of the performance of businesses in the economy. Because of the recession, a lot of businesses were struggling and couldn’t perform as they should and getting taxes will be as a result of the profit declared by companies.”

She said FIRS in 2015, when this government came into power, had a tax payer base of about 13 million and has been able to push that up by 17 per cent now.

Budget cycle inconsistency bane of economic development – Experts

The inconsistency in Nigeria’s budget cycle has given room for speculations and poor implementation, experts had warned recently.

Also according to data obtained from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) 2016 Annual Report and Audited Accounts, from 2011 to 2017, the time of approvals of the budgets is well into the New Year.

The earliest was that of 2013 which was submitted to the National Assembly on Oct. 10, 2012 and assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan on Feb. 26, 2013, indicating a five month time lag.

All others were presented to the National Assembly in December and assented to in April, May or June.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), experts said that the inconsistency does not augur well for the economy.

Mr Atiku Samuel, Head of Research, BudgIT, said the economy depends on fiscal, monetary and trade policies to power it.

“Monetary authorities look closely at the budget for direction and that is why the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was reluctant at its first meeting in 2018 to take action.

Mr EzeOnyekpere, Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), said the fact that the nation no longer had a fixed budget calendar had introduced inconsistency and uncertainty into the economy.

He said this trend had influenced poor economic performance in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth and ability to meet sectoral objectives.

Mr Victor Muruako, the Acting Chairman FRC, also said the trend reduces predictability and affects planning even within the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and with those doing business.

The FRC report also said that a strict budget timetable should be incorporated into the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fg-to-submit-2019-budget-in-september-267246.html

Sai baba