Category: Politics

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has signed 20 bills passed by the House, including the Armed Forces of Nigeria Trust Fund Bill, 2021, for transmission to the Senate for concurrence.

Gbajabiamila signed the 20 bills at a brief ceremony in his office at the National Assembly on Monday, prior to their transmission to the Senate.

The 20 bills are among many other bills already passed by the House and forwarded to the Senate for concurrence before they are transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

The Armed Forces Bill seeks to establish the Armed Forces of Nigeria Trust Fund. It will provide special financial support for the Armed Forces, makes provision for regular training for personnel and the provision of security/defence equipment for effective defence of Nigeria’s territories and the fight against insurgency. The bill was passed by the House on October 13, 2021.

Another one is the National Agricultural Development Fund Bill, 2021, which seeks to establish the National Agricultural Development Fund to provide funding for agricultural development. It was also passed by the House on October 13, 2021.

Other bills the Speaker signed were the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Bill, 2021; Chartered Institute of Forensic and Certified Fraud Examiners of Nigeria Bill, 2021; National Biotechnology Development Agency Bill, 2021; South West Development Commission Bill, 2021; North Central Development Commission Bill, 2021; North West Development Commission Bill, 2021, and the South East Development Commission Bill, 2021.

Also on the list were the Federal College of Education (Technical) Ako, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Bill, 2021; Federal College of Agriculture Malumfashi Bill, 2021; Federal College of Education (Technical) Keana, Nasarawa State Bill, 2021; Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship Saki Bill, 2021; Federal University of Education Pankshin, Plateau State Bill, 2021; Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021; and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

There were also the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021; University of Maiduguri Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021; Federal University of Environmental and Technology Saakpenwa, Ogoni Bill, 2021, and Specialized National Dermatology Hospital Bill, 2021.

Once the 20 bills get to the Senate, the senators are expected to work on them and concur with the House before the National Assembly will forward them to the President for his assent, prior to the bills becoming laws.

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has suspended the Chairman of Ifedore Local Government, Mr Alex Oladimeji, over alleged anti-party activities.

This was contained in a letter signed by the party executives in the Ijare ward of the Local Government Area which was made available to our correspondent, on Wednesday.

Specifically, the executives alleged that Oladimeji’s activities in recent times were at variance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

The letter read in part, “We, the executive members of Ifedore Local government Area of Ondo state hereby today, November 3, 2021 suspend Engr Alex Akinyemi Oladimeji from our party, APC, as a result of his various anti-party activities in breach of the provisions of article 21 of the APC constitution and his several unwholesome conducts against the name and image of our party in the state, despite several warnings from the state”.

However, the state chairman of the party, Mr Ade Adetimehin, said there was no crisis in the party and if there was any internal wrangling in any local government, the party had a way of resolving it.

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“As we speak, Ondo State APC is one of the crisis-free chapters in the country. You could observe that in our last congresses, so we have a way to resolve our internal crisis in the state down to the wards. So, the Ifedore matter would be resolved.”

Efforts to reach the suspended chairman were unsuccessful as his telephone line was unreachable.

The drama surrounding the purported Saturday’s congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has refused to end as expected.

Source on Tuesday said that the leadership of the party has invited stakeholders in Oyo state to a meeting in Abuja where the party will chart the way forward in Oyo State.

“The meeting draws stakeholders across the party and would seek to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the party”, another source added.

Sources claimed invitees will begin to receive their invitation from Tuesday night

Meanwhile, one of the leaders in the state late Tuesday night confirmed that he has received his own invitation.

He said the invitation was e-signed by the party’s Director of Administration, Abubakar Suleiman slating a meeting for Thursday November 4th.

“I am directed by H.E. (Hon.) Mai Mala Buni to invite you for a Stakeholders’ meeting at the Party National Secretariat (Buhari House). The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 4th November, 2021 at 1pm prompt. Abubakar Suleiman
Director, Administration”, the message reads.

It however could not be confirmed how many of the party leaders and stakeholders from Oyo State have been invited, but a source assures that all the leaders would get the invitation.

Four members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) panel in Oyo State have dissociated themselves from the purported Congress held at the weekend.

They said the Congress did not meet the guidelines set by the National Caretaker Committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

The panel members-Diran Iyantan, Ralph Igbokwe, Olarewaju Edun and Abdullahi Kontagora urged the national leadership of the ruling party to correct the anomaly of the Congress of Exclusion to avoid losing future electoral misfortune.

The four chieftains said in a statement that they were not part of the Congress as stipulated by the guidelines.

The statement reads:” We arrived Oyo State on Thursday 28th October to conduct the rescheduled State Congress of the APC in Oyo State

“On Friday 30th October,we attended a stakeholders meeting of the party at the party secretariat in Oke Ado, Ibadan where we briefed stakeholders on the Congress Guidelines.

“The Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Lawan Gambo, among other things,handed over a Delegates List to the State Chairman of the party, which he said was handed over to him at the National Secretariat.

“There was controversy on the authenticity of the list at the meeting.

“We also wish to state that the instruction of the National Secretariat was for us to guide the process of election of state executives by consensus.

“On Saturday, 30th October, some protesting members of the APC who were complaining about alleged falsified Delegates list blocked access to the apartment in which we were accommodated in Jericho, Ibadan.

“After several hours of futile attempts to escape from the blockage of the protesters,the four of us successfully escaped from the apartment.

“We were however surprised to learn later that a congress was held in Ibadan sole-moto by the Secretary of our Committee who did not have our Authority to that effect.

“We further state without equivocation that none of us was present at the Liberty Stadium where the purported Congress took place.

“We are also aware that the Chairman of the committee and the seventh member, Mrs Peace Chikelue, could not attend the congress as well due to security reasons.

“We wish to clear the air that we were not part of any congress purportedly held in Oyo State by the APC on Saturday 30th October 2021.

“We urge the National party to take steps to address the acrimony in the party to avoid the mistakes of the last election.”

The female aspirant for the position of member, House of Representatives, Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2023 has congratulated the newly elected PDP National Deputy Chairman (South).

This was contained in a press statement signed and sent today to Oduduwa News by Ramata Agberemi.

Agberemi tasked members of the party to make sacrifices, noting that the only way to achieve the party’s goals and aspirations was to unite as members of one political family.
The statement reads:

“I use this medium to congratulate the newly elected executive members of the PDP at the national level, most especially our very own Ambassador Toafeek Arapaja, wishing them a successful tenure as they seek to reposition our great party”.

The emergence of Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja as the Deputy National Chairman is a validation of peoples’ confidence in our dear party, the PDP.

“Right from the commencement of the process, we never doubted that Arapaja would win the election based on his credibility and vast experience in politics.

“Ambassador Arapaja possesses requisite skills and knowledge that could be chanelled towards the repositioning of our great party.

“With the present crops of leaders at the helms of affairs, I am convinced that our great party, PDP remains a party to beat in 2023 general elections”.

She equally appreciated the Executive Governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for laying a solid foundation that oversaw the smooth transitioning of the party exco at both state and local levels”.

She therefore charged the newly elected executive members to be magnanimous in victory and use their offices as instrument of cohesion while embracing peace and tranquility towards the progress of the party.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has decried the abandonment of roads in the ancient city by the Federal and state governments, making transportation of persons and goods a herculean exercise within the Ile-Ife metropolis.

Ooni Ogunwusi made this known on Sunday during the commissioning of a 700 metres road at the popular Odo-Ogbe market (Oja Tuntun), Ile-Ife, facilitated by the Ife-born Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legislative matters, (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.

“I really do not know our offence in Ife to deserve the poor road network that surround us. It is not enough to call Ife the source, this city deserves to be treated as the true source of humanity that it is.

“It is so bad that the same government that has refused to fix our roads is the one denying us access to do what we can do ourselves. All we hear is that” it is a government road” so we have to keep waiting.

“We are aware that the government cannot do it alone, so, we want them to put up a scheme, like a form of concession on all major roads in Ife. We would look for able personalities within the community, they will fix the roads and they will give them task credit. It is the same.

“Let government give us that opportunity and see whether we will perform or not, we can now replicate it in other communities across the state and country. We are willing and able to do that on all major roads in Ile-Ife, all we need is a form of concessioning in that regard.

On the Odo-Ogbe market road facilitated by the President’s aide, Ooni Ogunwusi described the politician a committed Ife son, urging his political contemporaries to emulate the good traits and shun unhealthy rivalry.

“I am proud of you and I am sure that Ife sons and daughters especially those in politics have seen lessons to learn from his (Omoworare)’s conducts especially when it comes to developmental politics.

“I call on all politicians across Ifeland to join hands to develop our heritage regardless of political differences. Ife is bigger than us all, so we must place it above personal interests.” The Ooni added.

Earlier in his address, Senator Omoworare reassured the Ooni and everyone present of the government’s support towards the development of the ancient city.

The former lawmaker said, “I wish to authoritatively confirm to you that in the newly presented Budget by President Muhammadu Buhari, major projects especially road works will be done in Ife. I know of the Mayfair, Lagere, Iremo and Moore roads among others.

“Also, the proposed mini stadium in Erefe, Ile-Ife would be completed within the next six months while the much talked-about Naval Communication School would be completed soon in Ife. These and more are our lofty plans for Ife, all we need is prayers and support from all.”

Osun State Governor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola was represented at the event by the State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Tajudeen Eniafe Lawal, at the event that was heavily attended by prominent Ife indigene and members of the Ife Development Board(IDB) led by its President Comrade L.O. Awowoyin.

A group of chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has called for a new date for the party’s state congress.

The group made the call in Ibadan at a news conference on their positions regarding Saturday’s congress of the party.

The leader of the group, Senator Ayo Adeseun said the delegates’ list for the planned congress has been totally manipulated.

He explained that for the congress to hold, the national body of the party must produce the authentic delegates’ list for the exercise.

Senator Adeseun claimed a sitting senator and former Governor of Oyo State were behind the doctored list claiming the national leadership of the APC must ensure that the consensus list which is still in possession of the current leadership of APC in the state is considered for the election.

The party chieftains at the news conference include Minister for Youths and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare, Governorship candidate of the party in 2019, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Professor Adeolu Akande and Barrister Sarafadeen Aĺi.

Others are Mogaji Joseph Tegbe, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, Hon. Tolu Sadipe and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle.

Progressives Congress (APC) group in Oyo State named ‘New Era’ has fired that the outgoing Chairman of the Party, Chief Akin Oke is looking for illegal means to secure his chairmanship position for third term.

This is coming in reaction to the allegation made by Oke on Friday night that the delegate list to be hard for today’s congress has been falsified.

In a statement signed by Kazeem Olaosegba, “We are miffed by the allegation leveled against the outgoing chairman of our party, Chief Akin Oke. We are disturbed that a man who should have committed himself to how the party, especially in Oyo State, would be solidified, is the one looking for illegal means to continue as party chairman.

”We would not have honored the allegation with any reaction but for the general public who are in love with our party and may be affected by the turn of events. We want to first of all state that Chief Oke is the chief architect and engineer of the crisis within our party. This was a man who watched and our party, despite winning two out of three senatorial and nine out of fourteen house of representatives seats went on to lose the governorship poll and winning five out of thirty-two assembly seats.

“To unite the various interests within our party, the stakeholders within the party has agreed that we should contribute money to purchase forms and chose ward, local government and state excos jointly until Chief Oke went behind to purchase forms. Apart from working to get a third term at 83, this man is also working behind to bring someone who is yet to be a member of our party as governorship candidate ahead of the 2023 election. That is a discussion for another day.

“Chief Oke and his co-travelers would be put to shame tomorrow. The end has come for divisive elements within our party. We can’t continue to be held down by the minority. Chief Oke’s allegation has clearly shown where he belongs and what he wants. What informed his decision to allege that the delegate list was falsified? In the presence of everyone, the chairman of the congress, the respected Alhaji Gambo Lawan handed over the list to him. Why did he open it behind the stakeholders? How did he come to the realization that it has falsified? Has he sent it to the various wards and local government areas in the state?

”He has no such power to summon any meeting, not even for tomorrow. Tomorrow is congress date. Anybody who isn’t happy with the outcome of the congress has the right to approach the appeal committee. It is as simple as that. It is very absurd that the same Chief Oke who has been running the party like a sole proprietorship without consulting the 36 other outgoing state excos members is coming out to discredit a clean process. This is the same man who kept quiet when a falsified document was given to him last week before it was discovered. Nobody would be allowed to hold us back again. We must move forward,” the statement added.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday, presented the 2022 budget estimate of N100.703 billion, christened “Budget of Legacy and Consolidation” to the State House of Assembly.

The budget which according to the Governor was a product of wider consultation is made up of N60.686bn recurrent expenditure and N40.067 capital expenditure making a ratio reflection of 60:40 of recurrent to capital expenditures.

Dr Fayemi disclosed that the major objective of the budget is to ensure that all ongoing legacy projects including the State Cargo airport and the new Ado-Iyin road and other new road projects were completed to consolidate his administration’s plan to transform the state.

He added that the budget was designed to reduce unemployment, attract more investors, ensure smooth transition to the in-coming administration, increase the state’s internal generated revenue, improve security architectures, contain the spread of covid-19 third wave and reduce its negative impact on the livelihood of the people, among others.

Dr Fayemi said: “Rt. Hon. Speaker Sir, Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I state that 2022 fiscal year is a watershed in the life of this administration on one hand, and in Ekiti State in general.

“It is a year of transition to a new administration. To this end, the primary objective of the 2022 Budget is to complete and consolidate on our numerous achievements and prepare a solid economic foundation for the in-coming administration.

“Therefore, only critical projects and programmes of short-term completion that will boost the economy of the State through attraction of more investors and mitigate against the risk of climate change have been considered in the 2022 Budget.”

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritizing worker’s welfare adding that adequate provision has been made in the budget to defray backlog of salary arrears inherited from the past administration.

The Governor also announced that the 2022 budget incorporated the budget proposal submitted by the two arms of government to the executive in accordance with the provisions of the fund management law.

Dr Fayemi further informed members of the house that adequate provision has been made for the completion of ongoing Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) channelization project at Oke-Ako-Irele and Oye-Ekiti as well as other on-going ecological projects in the State to safe guard from the effect of ecological degradation and mitigate the risk of climate change.

Giving a breakdown of the budget in accordance with the five point agenda of his administration, governance takes the largest chunk of N36.716bn representing 36 per cent, followed by Infrastructure and Industrial Development which take N28.056bn representing 28 percent.

Others included Knowledge Economy N19.716bn representing 20 per cent, Social investment takes N14.063bn representing 14 per cent while Agriculture and rural development takes N2.201bn representing 2 per cent.

Governor Fayemi who also commended the Speaker Rt. Hon Funminiyi Afuye and other members of the 6th State house of Assembly for supporting programmes and policies geared towards the development of the State, reaffirmed his commitment to sustain the harmonious relationship with the legislature and judiciary for the betterment of the State.

Earlier, the Speaker Afuye assured the gathering that the Assembly would work assiduously on the appropriation bill and ensure it’s passage to law before the end of the year.

He commended the Governor for translating the 2021 budget into reality, adding that the assembly would continue to identify with and collaborate with executives on matter that has to do with the development of the State.

Three of the many groups in the All Progressives Congress, APC, including the Unity Forum, ZLP, Adebayo Adelabu group and others have dissociated themselves from what the statutory delegates’ list in circulation. OyoInsight has learnt.

This newspaper had yesterday published a leaked delegates’ list to be used for Saturday’s state congress of the party.

Not happy with the leaked reportage of the document, a statement signed by Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Chief Sarafa Alli and Chief Olayemi Ariba, for the Unity Forum, ZLP and the Adelabu groups, the three groups claimed that the list which featured names of some members of the groups is fake and designed to confuse the members of the party and public ahead of the congress of the party scheduled for Saturday October 30.

The statement noted that the party national secretariat has stated clearly that the congress would be by consensus means because of the unresolved disputes on the delegates lists arising from the ward and local government congresses in the state.

The groups claim that “The National Secretariat of the party was clear last week when it met stakeholders from the state and even this week when it met the Minister for Youths and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare,that the congress would be by consensus.

” It is important to recall that stakeholders few weeks back had resolved that the election of party executives would be elected by consensus. The party mandated its seven zonal leaders to consult with the former governor of the state,the two surviving former deputy governors and party chairman to zone offices to the seven administrative zones of the state.

” The zones were mandated to fill the positions and submit their elected officials to the state party executive. The congress is to ratify the list from the zones by an affirmation.

“As responsible party members,we stand by the directives of the party. The purported list is designed to confuse party members and members of the public about the congress.

” We wish to state without any fear of contradiction that we know nothing about the list because the national secretariat of the party has stated clearly that the consensus method would be used for the congress. We advise member of the public and the media to be wary of fraudulent politicians who sponsor fake stories as this to prepare grounds for their evil plans within the APC”,the statement concluded.