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Chai...diaris... |
The accused, 50-year-old Oderinde Oluwatosin, was arrested by the operatives of the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.-SOURCE |
ok |
omenka:PDP |
LGs granted autonomy, INEC to conduct council elections •Health, housing, wages, land, others moved from Exclusive to Concurrent List •Immunity clause retained Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Senate on Tuesday approved the Conference Committee report of the National Assembly on the review of the 1999 Constitution by adopting 23 out of the 71 amendment proposals recommended by both chambers of the National Assembly. Chief of the proposed amendments by the National Assembly adopted by the Senate was that of Sections 174 and 211, which separates the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation or Attorney General of the State from the Office of the Minister of Justice or Commissioner for Justice. Similarly, Section 84(40)(a-f) creates the Office of the Accountant General for the Federal Government. Sections 82 and 122 also reduced the period within which the president or a governor can authorise the withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the absence of an Appropriation Act from six to three months. The Senate, in addition, retained Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which confers immunity on the president, vice-president, governors and deputy governors in contrast with the House of Representatives’ decision which removed it last week. The lower chamber, while voting on the report of the conference committee of both houses of the National Assembly last week, had rejected the retention of immunity in the constitution but the Senate retained it. During the voting, the House jettisoned the conference committee report and insisted on its earlier recommendation, which removed immunity for heads of the executive arm of government. The Senate did not adopt the report last week because it could not secure the required two-thirds majority to do so. However, the conference committee report which was presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, told journalists that whereas the House had recommended the removal of immunity clause, the conference committee rejected it and hence, immunity stays. The conference committee report made available to journalists yesterday also showed that the consideration of the National Conference report for the possible subjection to a referendum, which the House of Representatives rejected during its voting last week, was never listed for deliberation at the conference. Hence, subjecting the report to a referendum is still an option that could rear its head again. But the Senate upheld the full- fledged autonomy for the local government areas by “providing for their funding, tenure, elections, and to clearly delineate their powers and responsibilities to ensure effective service delivery and insulate them from undue and counter-productive interference from state governors”. Consequently, Section 124 of the bill altering the constitution confers on the local governments the power to become a third tier of government by providing for the creation of the Office of the Auditor General of the Local Government as well as the State Local Government Service Commission. If this amendment sails through, local government funds will be transferred directly to their accounts and only democratically elected councils will draw money from such accounts. The section also deletes from the constitution the existence of State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), implying that if the amendment secures the support of two-thirds of the 36 state legislatures, local government elections will henceforth be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with elected officers entitled to a four-year tenure. The National Assembly also stripped the president of the power to assent to the amended constitution before it can formally come into force, as according to it, doing so would “enhance the sovereignty of the citizens through their elected representatives”. It also moved to compel the president to address a joint session of the National Assembly once in a year. Whereas Section 285 of the bill upholds 180 days for the determination of election petitions, it added that in a situation “where a force majeure occurs, the period of the force majeure shall not be counted in the computation of the 180 days for the purpose of determining election petitions”. The lawmakers also conferred the exclusive jurisdiction to try electoral offences on the federal high courts, adding that a court or tribunal shall stay proceedings on account of any interlocutory appeal. While Sections 65 and 106 provide for independent candidacy during elections, Section 225 empowers INEC to de-register any political party for either a breach of registration requirements or failure to win elections from the local government level to the presidency. Sections 134 and 179 of the bill also extended presidential and governorship run-off elections from seven to 21 days. Sections 189 and 129 of the alteration bill seek to empower the federal and state legislatures to respectively punish anyone who refuses or neglects to appear when summoned by prescribing civil or criminal sanctions or both against him. Also, the National Assembly resolved that because Part I of Second Schedule of the constitution is “congested, cumbersome and unwieldy”, it provided for the decongestion of the Exclusive List by removing items such as pensions, railways, stamp duties and wages from the Exclusive Legislative List, while items such as arbitration, environment, health, housing, railways, road safety, stamp duties, wages, land, agriculture and youths were transferred to the Concurrent List. Ekweremadu explained that labour was removed from the Exclusive List to enable each state determine its own wages, bearing in mind that each state has its own peculiar nature. The lawmakers also removed “force” from the “Nigeria Police Force”, renaming it “Nigeria Police”. However, Senator Ita Enang faulted the Senate's decision not to revisit some recommendations which were hitherto not considered or voted on by the Senate, arguing that the constitution provides for deliberation and resolution on each clause by a two-thirds majority. But Senate President David Mark ruled him out of order, citing Section 53(6) of Senate Standing Rules which prohibits a repeat of a concluded legislative work. After the adoption, he said the bill would promptly be sent to the state legislatures for their decision on the amendments. In the same vein, Ekweremadu described it as the end of a long journey and expressed hope that the state legislatures would expeditiously pass the amendments.http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/constitution-review-office-of-attorney-general-justice-ministry-to-be-separated/191929/ |
Good |
k |
The federal government has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to conduct a secret trial for Senator Aliyu Ndume, who is standing trial for terrorism charges. Ndume, a senator from Borno State is standing trial before Justice Gabriel Kolawole for failing to inform law enforcement agencies of the activities of the outlawed Boko Haram sect. Counsel representing the federal government in the matter, E.A. Orji, in a motion dated September 23, begged the court to protect the identity of the remaining witness that are to give evidence in the matter. “We urge the court to exclude members of the public from the trial. We also want the court to protect the identities of the remaining witnesses that shall give evidence in this case. The fundamental rights of the accused has not been violated because his counsel is represented and has not in any way been excluded from the matter. It is in the interest of national security and public safety that the motion should be granted,” he said. The accused’s counsel, Mr. I. Amaza, in his submission told the court that the request would violate his client’s right to fair hearing. He told the court to turned down the request of the prosecution and continue with the trial. After listening to both counsel, Justice Kolawole adjourned the case to October 24 for ruling.http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/terrorism-fg-asks-court-for-secret-trial-of-ndume/191914/ |
Politicians scrambbling for relevance at the expense of the gullible followers since 500BC ![]() |
The caption would have read " Mark and his Senate colleagues set to loot 20% of Ecological Fund". ![]() |
Disturbed by the porous state of Nigeria’s borders, the Senate on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to cede 20 per cent of the ecological funds to Border Communities Development Agency to enhance protection of the borders as well as the wellbeing of residents. Tagged: “A Bill for Act to Amend the Border Communities Development Agency Act Cap, B10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” the bill was sponsored by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (Oyo South). While presenting the bill for final passage yesterday, Senator Umaru Dahiru (Sokoto South), said the agency in collaboration with the office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, would identify settlements, villages and towns across 108 local government areas in 21 states of the federation that are 15 kilometres from the nation’s borders for the purpose of effective policing and massive development. The affected states are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara. The bill provides for the deduction of at least 20 per cent of the ecological funds to tackle infrastructure decay and as well provide health facilities, schools and adequate security arrangements in all the affected communities. According to Dahiru, the inhabitants of border communities will enjoy provision of basic amenities such as safe drinking water, electricity, medical care and other infrastructure that will improve their living standards. He said: “The bill also seeks to strengthen our borders, so as to reduce the porous nature of our territorial boundaries in order to check incessant incidences of security challenges as well as human trafficking in the border region. He said: “The situation is so bad now that when given opportunity to choose between their country and the neighbouring countries, it is our modest belief that the inhabitants would prefer to be citizens of those countries which have basic amenities required for decent living. “The right to security of life and property of a citizen is universally recognised as an inalienable human right. This is clearly indicated by different instruments of the United Nations. Security does not only refer to safety of lives and property but also applies to the ability of government to make available, basic necessities of life and job opportunities for its citizens.” After the passage, Senate President, David Mark, noted that other neighbouring countries attach more importance to their border towns and villages than Nigeria. “I see no reason why our own case should be different. I know with the passage of the bill, the federal government will pay adequate attention to the porous nature of our borders which had forced inhabitants to access basic social amenities in neighbouring countries,” he said. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/senate-cedes-20-ecological-fund-to-secure-nigeria-s-borders/191910/ |
The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to an interview granted to the Sun Newspaper on Monday, October 20, by Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and widow of the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, where she expressed shock and disappointment at the former governor’s leaving the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She said, inter alia, “It is undeniable that Obi made immense contributions to APGA. I remain proud of his achievements, as governor of Anambra State. His exit diminishes us, and many of his supporters and grassroots crusaders are disappointed and demoralised.” Mrs. Ojukwu also described the action of the former governor as a betrayal of her late husband and renowned Igbo leader, who had such great trust in him and his assurances that he, Obi, would always stand by APGA. In his reaction, Obi, who has so far ignored all comments made about his political decision, opened up by pointing out that Mrs. Ojukwu was not a frivolous person and that her comments must be taken seriously more so when she was the wife of his leader. But he reminded the public that loyalty to a cause does not change with a change of platform; and that there has not been any change of principles on his part. Speaking with journalists, Obi said this response would be his last on the matter to enable him channel his time and energy alongside other well-meaning Igbos to work for the re-election campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan and the place of Ndigbo in the Nigerian politics. He said: “Of all those who have spoken, and who continue to speak, on the issue of my leaving APGA, only Bianca spoke with sincerity. She does not fall into the class of those who are now displaying dated video clippings and presenting matters out of context for political reasons, without appreciating the sacrifice put into building the House they are now destroying.” Continuing, Obi said: “I want to have it on record that Bianca was right when she reported my exchange with the Ikemba when he called me and asked whether I would leave APGA, after the events of Abia State at that time, when the governor left APGA for reasons I believe to be genuine. I wish to reiterate that I am still loyal to our great leader, in terms of what serves the interests of our people and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Everyone knows today that APGA is not what it used to be. My assurance to our great leader did not imply that I would be loyal to a platform that some people have resolved to turn into an empty shell without an inner core of shared values. I remain faithful to those values and principles our great leader asked me to stand by and defend.” Obi insists that time would reveal whether the APGA of today is still propagating the late leader’s core principles. He said he had seen enough of violation of what APGA stood for, and therefore cannot continue to stay in a place which had departed from the original course and where clearly he was not wanted. Recounting the father-son relationship between him and late Ojukwu, Obi said he kept his promise to the leader and finished as an APGA governor and helped to enthrone another APGA governor. He also said he stayed with Ojukwu throughout his trying period and intervened in all possible ways to ensure that he was given a burial befitting for a leader and a hero. Speaking further, Obi said: “According to Mrs. Ojukwu, our political father, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ndi Anambra and Nigerians believed I was humble, hard working, honest, good mannered, among others and that I delivered on good governance. These were not primarily because of the political party I belonged to, but because of my belief that we must build a better society for our children.” Obi said Ojukwu advised him to continue to support Jonathan for reasons which he Ojukwu made clear to him. On his several discussions with Mrs Ojukwu, Obi said it was true that they discussed about APGA repeatedly, but that the last time he discussed with her in detail was after he held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the party with four venerated persons from Anambra State, after which he told Mrs. Ojukwu that based on what transpired at the meeting, which those people understood, he had had enough and needed to move on. “Like my leader and political father, Odumegwu Ojukwu, who was bitterly criticised for ignoring the Zik- led Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) to join the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), where he felt the interests of Ndigbo and the nation would be better served, I have moved out of a political party which in my own opinion has derailed. I have moved on to a place my contributions towards proper representation of our people would have the level of impact that would make Ikemba rejoice in his grave,” Obi Said Obi said Mrs. Ojukwu, whom he holds in high esteem would later be in a position to judge the propriety or otherwise of recent developments in the party and his actions. He concluded that time will judge all “our actions accordingly.” www.thisdaylive.com/articles/obi-replies-bianca-ojukwu-says-he-left-apga-because-it-had-derailed/191917/ |
This is serious |
Sheikh Gumi made this known while speaking with our correspondent, saying that Nigeria, as it is today, is seriously polarised along religious line with each of the two major presidential contenders having the support of either Muslims or Christian’s faithful. He said; “it is the bitter truth that nobody wants to hear.It is apparent that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has become a CAN party; whether we like it or not. Most Nigerian Christians, except if being hypocritical, would vote for Jonathan because they are enjoying what is happening now. “Muslims in the North are facing serious challenges and trauma over the killings of their innocent fellows and the deliberate destruction of their economic activities. Based on these, they believe that there is nobody they can trust except Buhari. But he is a Muslim and definitely they are going to vote for him overwhelmingly.It is not certain that Buhari would win, and if anything like rigging happens, there would be serious crisis, perhaps, more than that of 2011.” He added; “the analysis is simple. If most Nigerian Christians would vote for Jonathan, which they would do, with those die-hard PDP Muslims who may vote for him because of positions and other personal gains, he may have the chance of winning. And Northern Muslim would definitely revolt. The next thing is for them (government) to use their armed force to kill innocent lives. “As you know, they have succeeded in making Muslims to become minority in the armed forces.They have retired many of our people and the recruitment pattern in these few years always favours the Christians. The armed forces of today are not like the ones of 2011, because of its lopsided content and nature.” Sheikh Gumi said recently, an officer in the armed forces told him that the number of Muslims officers in the armed forces, especially the Nigerian Army, is not up to 15 per cent, while other ranks are not up to 25 per cent.(This claim has not been verified independently by Sunday Trust). Therefore, he explained, it would be easy for Jonathan’s government to use the armed forces to kill the innocent lives that may revolt against rigging in 2015. On the other hand, he added, if Jonathan fails to win, his kinsmen would not accept the result.Jonathan’s kinsmen, according to Gumi, have been threatening that if he did not win the 2015 election Nigeria would disintegrate. “With this scenario at hand, what would you expect in 2015? In whichever way it goes, Jonathan’s people would like it. If he continues, they would continue to dominate us and we would continue to face more hardships. And if he doesn’t win, they have been calling for the disintegration of the country because they have crude oil. “Our interest is to have peace and save the lives of innocent people. Therefore, peace of this country is paramount and superior to any other interest. We need to use our wisdom in our politics and push that these two men should not contest,” Sheikh Gumi said. Making reference with the companions of the Prophet of Islam (pbuh), Sheikh Gumi said most of them used wisdom and intelligence before they succeeded with their regimes. He said the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) that had played politics with intelligence had smooth running of their governments. He therefore advocated for the use of wisdom and intelligence in 2015 in order to preserve Nigeria. Sheikh Gumi advised both PDP and APC to consider Nigeria first in their choice of presidential candidates by stopping Jonathan and Buhari. “This is the only way to peace in 2015, because most Nigerian Christians are against Buhari and most Nigerian Muslims are against Jonathan. This is the fact unless if we want to deceive ourselves or want to be economical with the truth,” Sheikh Gumi said. www.dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/news/18491-why-buhari-jonathan-should-not-contest-sheikh-gumi |
madamoringo:Do you have a proof that he is an "illiterate" ![]() |
madamoringo:You can make for a professional jester ![]() |
Liar Mohammed peddling falsehood since 2013 |
madamoringo:See frustration. |
See Lamentation 101 |
Only a command from a black screen can change the entire votes ![]() |
AbdH:k |
hmmm... |
"This country is applying democracy with idiosyncrasies and our own peculiarities".-Sule Lamido |
What a wasted epistle!! |
Plagiarism !!! ![]() |
Maggirate Okadigbo should be banned from sinate |
Maggiret Okadigbo should be banned from sinate |
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