₦airaland Forum

The last public appearance of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, was during the hasty presentation of the 2020 annual estimate in the House of Assembly. Since then the only evidence that the governor is still in office is his official portrait that adorns various public offices in the state.
Most Tarabans reckon that the last time the state was thrown into similar suspense over the absence of the state chief executive officer was in October 2012, during sallah tragedy in which the late Governor Danbaba Suntai, whose self-piloted aircraft crashed in the Adamawa State capital, Yola, and was flown to the National Hospital, Abuja, for treatment. Although Garba Umar and Abubakar Sani Danladi served as acting governors at brief periods inbetween before Governor Ishaku was elected in 2015, in the present circumstances the incumbent did not transmit any letter to the state House of Assembly mandating his deputy to fill the vacuum in acting capacity.

A mixture of suspense and tension has enveloped the state, not only because of the governance vacuum, but also because prior to his unannounced disappearance from public glare, there were some displacements and impeachments in the House of Assembly involving some principal officers, especially the deputy speaker, which forced the speaker’s resignation.

Meantime, the controversy surrounding the long absence of Governor Ishaku has begun to assume untoward dimensions even as the House of Assembly maintains that the governor has not erred. While calls on the legislators to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor mounts, the Assembly leadership has vowed not bow to the pressure, especially given that the pressures are believed to be coming from some persons and groups with vested interests.

The state lawmakers had in a resolution stated that they would tread all legitimate paths to resist being used by “unpatriotic persons or group of persons” who for selfish reasons are making unwarranted remarks and insinuations about the health status of the governor. But while the lawmakers accuse detractors of fueling the speculations about Ishaku’s whereabouts and state of health, nobody has cared to explain what might have befallen the governor whose long absence has continued to stir dust in the state.

Tarabans note that since December 19, 2019 when he presented the 2020 appropriation bill to members of the House of Assembly, Governor Ishaku has never been sighted in the state nor made any public statement regarding the direction of his administration.

In a motion of urgent public importance, which was sponsored by the Speaker, Mr. Joseph Albasu Kunini and 11 others, the lawmakers resolved to pass a vote of confidence on Ishaku, whose prolonged absence has been a source trauma and suspense among the people. The Assembly members, who said their decision was based on the “good work his administration is rendering in the state,” further resolved that no amount of pressure or carrot dangled before them would compel them to throw the governor out of office.

Presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hamman’ Adama Abdullahi, the vote of confidence was not only for the governor, it was also extended to the deputy governor, Mr. Haruna Manu, who many have described as the most loyal deputy governor the state has ever had. The members who affirmed their determination and readiness to rally round Ishaku and Manu in order for them to complete their tenure which is due to terminate come 2023, debunked any alleged claim of non-performance and dereliction of duty due to the absence of the governor.

In their argument, they said “this Honourable House will resist to be used by any unpatriotic person or group of persons who, for selfish reasons, are making unwarranted remarks and insinuations about the health status of our amiable leader and Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku and his administration.

“The governor and his deputy have performed beyond and above average within the present circumstances and that as representatives of the people the House deemed it fit to pass a vote of confidence on the governor and his administration till 2023.”

The strange decision of the Assembly, which did not go down well with the opposition parties, especially the All Progressives Party (APC) as observed by our correspondent, did not deter the parties from mounting pressure on the governor to return to the state or be dragged before the court alongside the Assembly members. Some opposition party members who spoke with The Guardian could not understand why the members have continued to heed the directives of the governor rather than that of the electorate “who are now disturbed about the absence of their governor.”

It’s sad that majority of the members have been “bought over”, a legal practitioner who would not want his name in print, observed that the political saga that erupted in the state in 2012 following the ill-fated plane crash involving late Governor Danbaba Suntai is at the verge of resurrecting its ugly head again. Rather than allowing such act to repeat itself, the lawyer called on the Assembly members to do the needful by advising the governor to “come around since the domestic accident they claimed he is involved in has not incapacitated him.

“I am saying this because we all know the situation we went through in this state in 2012 when our late former governor had an air crash. So, I’m begging all those in position of authority to put aside all forms of sentiments by doing the rightful thing, because whenever two elephants fight, it is the grass that is always at the disadvantage.”

“Vote of confidence”, according to the leadership of APC, “would not discourage us from putting pressure on the members to do the needful for the benefit and growth of our dear state.”

APC state chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi, who expressed this view, urged the members to eschew sentiment by putting the interest and the integrity of the state ahead of their personal gains. The state, as observed by our correspondent, has known no peace since the crisis that erupted in the Assembly that finally led to the resignation of the former Speaker, Abel Peter Diah. The said upheaval, which has not only segmented members into two factions, was said to be giving the governor, who was alleged to be behind the Assembly crisis, sleepless nights. But how well the governor would respond to it depends on when he returns to the state.
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://m.guardian.ng/politics/new-twist-in-ishakus-prolonged-absence-from-taraba/amp/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiU0I2jmIDoAhXBy6QKHalFDzsQFjABegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw25P-3GwYjIk1IMxmm19iBA

The Police Command in Kano State has confirmed the killing of two persons by suspected gunmen in Bagwai town of the state on Monday night.

The command’s Spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the incident in an interview in Kano on Tuesday. Haruna said the gunmen attacked some shops and shot three persons two of whom died after they were rushed to Bichi General Hospital. “The gunmen shot sporadically with bullets hitting three persons. Two of them later died at Bichi General Hospital. “The remaining one is still receiving medical attention at the hospital,” the command’s spokesman said. He said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Habu Ahmad-Sani, had ordered deployment of personnel from the “Operation Puff-adder” team, to investigate and arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

The spokesman said security had been beefed up in the area to prevent future recurrence. (NAN)
https://dailytimes.ng/2020/03/03/gunmen-attack-police-confirm-killing-of-2-persons-in-kano-state/

Amidst controversy over who becomes the Chief Judge of Cross River State, the Governor Prof Ben Ayade has sworn in Justice Maurice Eneji as the acting Chief Judge.

Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme was rejected by the State House of Assembly because she is not an indigene of the state and also over allegations that she was Governor Ayade’s candidate but supported Justice Eneji.

Justice Ikpeme was appointed as acting Chief Judge by National Judicial Commission (NJC)

Her name was sent to the Governor for recommendation and also to the House for confirmation but the House rejected her.

However, Governor Ben Ayade on Tuesday at the state executive council chamber swore in Justice Maurice Eneji as the acting Chief Judge of the state.

In a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Ita and made available to DAILY POST, the appointed followed the non-confirmation of Justice Ikpeme,

“This follows the non-confirmation, Monday, of Justice Akon Ikpeme as the substantive Chief Judge of the state by the Cross River State House of Assembly.

“Ayade said the swearing-in of Justice Eneji was imperative as law and nature abhors a vacuum. He congratulated the acting Chief Judge on his appointment and urged him to dispense justice without fear or favour.

“I urge you to dispense justice without fear or favour; you have to have fairness of mind. The law is blind and should not be sensitive to religion, ethnicity, colour or any other affiliation.

“We ask that the leadership of the judiciary under your watch be very exemplary, such that every other state would like to emulate. We know your background and believe that you are competent and capable and worthy of this office,” he said.

The governor used the occasion to clear any doubts as to how receptive the state is to everyone, irrespective of where they come from.

“Cross River State is known for fairness, equity and what is fair. We are opposed to anything that is repugnant to natural justice. Our people are not known for bias and prejudices.”

He said as a governor, he has taken several decisions in the past to ensure equity and fairness in the distribution of government positions so as to have a balanced representation across the senatorial zones in the state.

The governor gave instances where he insisted the position of the Provost of the College of Education, Akamkpa be given to a southern candidate even when a candidate from the North had the highest scores.

He said he similarly overlooked a northerner in the choice of Head of Service when he assumed office, preferring a southerner instead just to avoid having a lop-sided government with key officials coming from a particular zone.

According to Ayade, “Currently, I have over 20 non-Cross Riverians holding various appointments in my government. Some of the appointees are from far flung states like Kano, Imo, Edo to as close as Akwa Ibom state, which has a commissioner in my cabinet. I am not known or given to sectionalism or tribalism. I believe in equity.”

In a vote of thanks, the new acting Chief Judge pledged to enthrone a number of reforms that will aide justice delivery in the state. He also promised to be a listening acting Chief Judge.

According to him, “My appointment came to me as a beautiful surprise. I am coming to the office with a mind to listen. The sacred duty of a judge is to listen before adjudicating. I will listen at all times to ensure that justice is served at all times.”
https://dailypost.ng/2020/03/03/gov-ayade-swears-in-actn-chief-judge-maurice-eneji-amidst-controversy/

Ahead of the Supreme Court review judgement on Tuesday, Barrister Olusegun Bamgbose, the National Coordinator, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, CAGG, has advised the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his legal team to withdraw their application and apologise to the apex court.

The Supreme Court is billed to rule on the application by Ihedioha against Governor Hope Uzodinma and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC on Tuesday.



The apex court shifted hearing on the application from Monday to Tuesday following a request by Ihedioha’s lawyers.

This is the second time the former governor and his team of lawyers would be making such request.

Ihedioha and the PDP are seeking to reverse the Supreme Court’s judgment that sacked him as governor of Imo State and installed Senator Uzodinma.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN Tanko Muhammad-led seven-man panel of justices of the court adjourned the case at the instance of the lawyer to Ihedioha, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

Barrister Bamgbose said it is noble and necessary that the legal team of Emeka Ihedioha throws in the towel and forget about the review.

“They should have seen the handwriting on the wall, when the case of David Lyon was struck out,” the senior lawyer told DAILY POST.

“Applying for adjournments won’t solve the problem. One would have thought that the Supreme Court would respect the two great SAN, Afe Babalola and Wole Olanipekun but that never happened.

“Punitive costs were awarded against them personally. This should possibly be the first time such will happen in their many years of practice.

“One will therefore strongly advise Ihedioha to timeousely withdraw the review matter before the dagger of damocles will descend on them.

“All the review cases will be thrown out by the Supreme Court. Notwithstanding the intervention of US or whatsoever, it’s expedient and proper for the Supreme Court to refuse such a review to avoid floodgates of review cases in Nigeria.”
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://dailypost.ng/2020/03/03/apologise-to-court-bamgbose-tells-pdp-ahead-of-supreme-court-ruling/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjUg-69sv7nAhUCy6QKHfnKDk0QFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw3trtzf65XPikTPQ3uPdY75

Yes he always says the truth

But u don't but u work opposite to the truth

Hypocrite man

Hbd daddy

Aboki are on the beat this north people sef. Are practicing democracy or other thing, I pity Nigeria they have turn it to something else confused pipo
Make I run the zombies dey come see dem

Aboki are on the beat this north people sef
Are practicing democracy or other thing

TheTourist:
Omo white missionaries enter these South South people wella oh. Any small thing "God this" "God that" "Church here and there". Meanwhile they're going to steal public funds las las

U beta sharrap ur corona mouth if u think God nor dey bless u beta keep quiet. If u one serve anything that's not our business as for south south people we go worship our God so go sit lubbish. Because we worship him days why he bless us with so many natural resources the pray I always ask from God that he should give us a good leaders so that he can develop our region and Nigeria as a whole

CHRISDMANAGER:
What is the road master doing about the road Linking Ogwashi Uku,ubulu-Unor,Ashama-Ekelie, Egbudu-Akah to Ekuku Agbor?...
H/E should pay attention to this areas in his bid to develop Anioma and Delta in general...He is not called road master for nothing,his good work should touch this areas for they have suffered for too long without any devidend of democracy...

Audio master

Dats good one from chad. Whyy our government are planning how they can embezzle money and help those murderers that called there self retired boko boys that are waiting for there pension from there employees

tsephanyah:
Good in the interest of national security. Some things are too sensitive to be on paper

Sharrap childish talk

Members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, elected , Rt. Honourable Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani as the new Speaker.

The new speaker emerged following the resignation of the former Speaker Aminu Shagali on Tuesday morning.

It was gathered that the former Speaker has sent his handwritten resignation letter to the clerk stating that he resigned on personal grounds.

The House also elected Honourable Muktar Isa Hazo, representing Basawa constituency as the new Deputy Speaker.

Hon.Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani , who was sworn-in immediately by Clerk of the House ,Barrister Bello Zubairu, was the Deputy Speaker of the House until his elevation as new Speaker.

Meanwhile, the situation at the assembly as been calm even though there are heavy security mounted at the entrance of the assembly.

Also, workers were seen in groups discussing the change of leadership in the house.

The Federal Government may have bowed to mounting opposition from labour and other stakeholders against its plan to borrow N2tr from the nation’s N10tr pension assets to finance yearning gaps in infrastructure.

Fielding questions when she met with capital market stakeholders on Monday in Lagos during a visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed said; “we won’t borrow from pension fund assets.”

Recall that the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, had, while chairing a recent meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), said the Federal Government had concluded plans to borrow the said amount.

But Labour leaders like the President of the ULC, Joe Ajaero, was recently quoted as saying Nigerian workers do not have confidence in the sincerity of politicians to deliver on the area of safety of their life-savings when it is entrusted into their hands.

Also responding to the need for pension fund administrators to deepen their play in the stock market and act as a stabilizer, Mrs Ahmed canvassed the need for incentives that would attract PFAs to the market.

The Minister said; “pension funds are very sensitive, so we have to be careful,” recalling that the enabling regulation allows them to invest up to 20% of their funds in stocks.

She said the government was already developing some long-term instruments to enable pension administrators to invest their funds without contravening provisions of the Pencom Act.

The Minister spoke of the government’s readiness to work with capital market stakeholders to create incentives capable of attracting government parastatals and large corporate organisations to utilize the capital market for debt and equity issuance.

Welcoming the Minister to the NSE, Oscar Onyema, the chief executive, said beyond supporting the “capital raising efforts of government through innovative products such as the Green Bonds, the NSE had also developed a framework that supports the issuance, listing, and trading of tax credits; in order to complement the Road infrastructure development and refurbishment investment scheme.

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) Senate has elected three new deputy vice-chancellors following nominations by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami.

Dr Benedicta Ehanire, the Public Relations Officer of UNIBEN disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Benin.

She said that the vice-chancellor made the nominations in accordance with the university’s miscellaneous provisions Act 2003, Section 4.

She said one of the newly elected deputy vice-chancellors were Prof. Adesuwa Osahon of the Department of Ophthalmology, who was elected Deputy Vice-Chancellor (designate) Administration.

Others are Prof. David Izekor of the Department of Forestry and Wild was elected Deputy Vice-Chancellor (designate) Academics and Prof. John Ogene of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts was elected Deputy Vice-Chancellor (designate) Ekehuan Campus.

Ehanire said that the names of the elected deputy vice-chancellors would be forwarded to Governing Council of the University for confirmation.

She said that the tenures of the current deputy vice-chancellors would lapse on Feb. 29. NAN)

haywire07:
Chopping off one's head is not a cure for headache

Is it only Fulani that owns cows?

Meat sellers are not even Fulanis. They are predominantly indigenes of that community. Are they going to render them jobless?

Shut up mehn there other animals that can provide meat by the way there are fishes in the river they can go and catch. U dey kill and I dey by ur marker think about it bro

helinues:
Head beheading is not the solution for an headache

But it will still affect them na d Fulani they our people u still expect them to help them in their market Lubbish

I always watch porn video and masturbate after finish doing that I always regret and I will promise God and myself that I won't do that in my life other day or week I now judge in my life that it is not a sin and go back to it again please I really need your help please

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading, a bill seeking to establish a polytechnic in the Orogun area of Delta State.

The reading was, however, marred with a protest by a member, Nicholas Ossai.

Ossai had earlier in February protested the first reading of the bill to ‘Provide for Establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State,’ which was sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, passed by the Senate and transmitted to the House for concurrence.

Ossai had also said a bill seeking to establish a polytechnic in his constituency, which was passed by the House, had been stepped down by the Senate.

The House had consequently stepped down the bill sponsored by Omo-Agege.

The bill was, however, considered for a second reading on Thursday, which Ossai protested.

The Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, who presided over the plenary, ruled Ossai out of order and the House passed the bill a second reading.

Ossai, who remained standing, alleging that it was a gang-up against him.

More details later

The Adamawa State House of Assembly has asked that the District Head of Madagali, Alhaji Bakura Yerima Iya, be removed from office.

The state House of Assembly based its decision on information before it indicating that the man was not appointed based on popular will.

It, therefore, directed the supervising Mubi Emirate Council, which advised his appointment in the first place, to reverse the appointment.

Members of the assembly arrived at their position following consideration and adoption of a report of the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Petitions presented before them by the Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Fufore Gurin Constituency, Hon. Shuaibu Babas.

The Committee had earlier told the Assembly that letters from the District Head of Madagali dated 21st September, 2019, and from the Mubi Emirate Council dated 23rd September 2019 confirmed that there was an election to fill the vacant traditional district office.

The Committee said both the Mubi Emirate and the District Head told the Committee that three persons contested for the seat, that the Lawans, who voted during the exercise were four in number and that three voted for the petitioner, Yerima Mustapha Iya; that while

Yerima Mustapha Iya polled three votes, the current District Head, Bakura Iya scored one vote.

The Committee added that the Mubi Emirate Council, in disregard to the outcome of voting by the Lawans, recommended the name of Bakura Iya for appointment as the District Head of Madagali to the state governor at the time, Sen Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow who went ahead to approve Bakura Iya as the district head.

Acting on the Committee report at plenary on Wednesday, members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly insisted that the result of the election was the will of the majority and should be respected and the appointment of Bakura Iya reversed.

The Assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas, directed the Mubi Emirate Council to reverse the appointment with immediate effect.

The Speaker also directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the resolutions of the lawmakers to the Executive arm of Government for implementation.

Madagali is a prominent community in the northern part of Adamawa State after which Madagali local government area is named.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday accused the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of been responsible for the last Tuesday protest at the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili, a Justice of the Supreme Court.

Exonerating the ruling party from protest, APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on yesterday alleged that the opposition and a governor from the geopolitical zone sponsored the protest, warning that public should not be hoodwinked by the PDP.

The APC chieftain while cautioning the general public against what he described as PDP’s antics affirmed that the opposition party sponsored protesters who claimed to be “APC supporters” as a smokescreen to portray the Bayelsa APC Governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon and his APC supporters in bad light.

Condemning the protest, Nabena called on the judiciary to ignore the PDP’s antics and always side with the will of the people and rule of law in all matters.

The APC chieftain noted that “in recent time PDP is used to protesting from one Embassy to another just to blackmail the Judiciary.

“Nobody should be fooled by the usual antics of the PDP. Resort to extra-judicial tactics such as maligning the Judiciary and its officials is the PDP’s stock-in-trade. The same hired urchins the PDP Chairman, Uche Secondus has used for his senseless protests to the embassies of the UK, US and the European Union were used for Tuesday’s protests at Justice Odili’s residence.

“The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike aside being the main financier of the PDP must explain his inexplicable interest in the Governorship of Bayelsa state. The people of Rivers state must begin to ask their governor how and what he uses their money for.

“The APC National leadership is already pursuing all legal avenues to contest the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Duoye Diri as Bayelsa Governor, having failed to meet the mandatory constitutional requirement to become the governor.

“Also, our leaders have already told our supporters to avoid violent confrontations while legal avenues are sort to review INEC’s unconstitutional decision. Our people have listened and are confident our judicial system will ensure that the people’s will and justice is done.” Nabena said

Nigeria’s Federal, State and Local Government shared N647.353 billion as January subventions of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

This was revealed on Wednesday at the meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) held in Lagos.

The meeting, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, was part of activities of the 2020 FAAC Retreat.

The N647.353 billion comprised Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Exchange Gain, Non-Oil Revenue and Excess Bank Charges recovered. It was announced that as of February 19, 2020, the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $ 71.814 million.

The gross statutory revenue for the month of January 2020 was N525.253 billion. This was lower than the N600.314 billion received in the previous month by N75.061 billion.

For the month of January 2020, the gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N104.758 billion as against N114.805 billion in the previous month, resulting in a decrease of N10.047 billion.

Exchange gain yielded revenue of N1.044 billion, while the Non-Oil revenue was N16.298 billion.

A communique issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that from the total revenue of N647.353 billion, the Federal Government received N267.389 billion, the State Governments received N176.923 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N132.944 billion. The Oil Producing States received N46.197 billion as 13% derivation revenue and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N23.900 billion as cost of revenue collection.

A breakdown of the distribution showed that from the gross statutory revenue of N525.253 billion, the Federal Government received N243.704 billion, the State Governments received N123.610 billion and the Local Government Councils received N95.298 billion. Also, the Oil Producing States received N46.074 billion as 13% derivation revenue and the Revenue Collecting Agencies received N16.567 billion as cost of collection.

From the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N104.758, the Federal Government received N14.614 billion, the State Governments received N48.713 billion, the Local Government Councils received N34.099 billion and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N7.333 billion as cost of revenue collection.

From the Exchange gain revenue of N1.044 billion, the Federal Government received N0.485 billion, the State Governments received N0.246 billion, the Local Government Councils got N 0.190 billion and the oil-producing States got N0.123 billion as 13% derivation revenue.

From the non-oil revenue of N16.298 billion, the Federal Government got N8.586 billion, the State Governments got N4.355 billion, the Local Government Councils got N3.357 billion.

The communique confirmed that for the month of January 2020, there was a significant increase in Import Duty revenue while Companies Income Tax(CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Oil and Gas Royalties and Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) recorded decrease.

Former Minister of Aviation and the chieftain of the People Democratic Part, PDP, Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to the statement made by the EFCC chairman, Magu.
According to Femi Fani-Kayode, who made this known via his twitter handle, said that he's speechless to the statement made by the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Magu.
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, had said that corruption is major cause of Coronavirus.

The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly , Monday Bubou - Obolo , has stepped aside to pave the way for the emergence of a new Speaker.
The development followed the inauguration of Governor Douye Diri, who is from the same Bayelsa Central Senatorial District as Bubou -Obolo .
Members, therefore , elected the Deputy Speaker, Abraham Ngobere, as the new Speaker of the Assembly.