POLITICS
Nigeria Needs $3trn Investment in 30 Years to Close Infrastructure Gap – Abbas

By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has disclosed that Nigeria needed to invest $3tr over the next 30 years to bridge the gap in infrastructure.
This was just as he pledged the support of the House towards infrastructure development in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).
He also said that the road network; power supply, housing, healthcare, and education sectors are some of the critical areas in urgent need of attention.
Speaker Abbas made the disclosure at the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the access road from ring road 1 by N16 to Judges’ Quarters in Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt.
Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Speaker said that the infrastructure deficit in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is more glaring as the city’s population continues to grow at an annual rate of 5%, thereby putting pressure on the existing facilities.He however commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development.
Speaker Abbas also assured that the House will give the necessary legislative backing to the FCT administration, more so, strengthen its oversight functions to ensure that the government delivers on its determination to elevate the status of Abuja.
He said: “It is common knowledge that Nigeria, like many other developing nations, has an infrastructure deficit. According to recent estimates, Nigeria needs to invest about $3 trillion over the next 30 years to close the infrastructure gap and achieve the level of development required for sustained economic growth. The road network, power supply, housing, healthcare, and education sectors are some of the areas in urgent need of attention.
“Here in Abuja, the infrastructure deficit is more glaring as the city’s population continues to grow at an annual rate of 5%. This puts pressure on existing facilities and highlights the need for more access roads, housing, and essential services to cater to the needs of residents.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, there have been commendable initiatives aimed at addressing this infrastructure deficit. These initiatives show that the government understands the role infrastructure plays in national development and is committed to making the necessary investments.
“As the legislature of the FCT, the National Assembly has an important role to play in supporting these development efforts. The 10th National Assembly, which I am privileged to lead, is fully committed to collaborating with the Executive to ensure that the FCT receives the necessary legislative backing to facilitate infrastructure development. We are ready to consider and pass laws that will further enhance the governance structure of the FCT and approve appropriations that will make meaningful infrastructure projects, such as this road construction, a reality.
“Additionally, the National Assembly will continue to exercise its oversight functions to ensure that projects are implemented according to standards and within stipulated time frames”.
Speaker Abbas also commended the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike for his transformative leadership since assuming office.
“The Honourable Minister has hit the ground running, initiating projects that address the critical needs of this growing city. From road construction to urban renewal programmes, his dedication to enhancing the infrastructure of the FCT is evident. We have witnessed several flag-offs, not just as ceremonial acts, but as milestones in the commitment to make Abuja a world-class city.
“The ongoing rehabilitation of major roads, the clearing of illegal structures, and the focus on environmental sustainability are all testaments to the Honourable Minister’s vision of an Abuja that is not only beautiful but functional and efficient. I am confident that with the completion of this access road and other ongoing projects, residents and visitors alike will experience the positive impacts of these developments”, Speaker Abbas said.
POLITICS
There Was Never a Peace Accord Between Gov Fubara, Wike – Former APC Chieftain Jackson Ojo

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo, has dispelled speculations that there is a peace deal between Rivers State Governor Simi Fubara and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.Jackson Ojo declared on Sunday that instead of a peace accord, what is presently on ground is akin to a political surrender agreement that will render the governor totally impotent politically.
According to him, all items on the agreement are one sided in favour of Wike who was on the negotiation table with his team whereas Governor Fubara was there without any supporter. He declared that Governor Fubara was overwhelmed and tired of the whole issue and simply surrendered to Wike.”I wonder why some people say there was a peace accord between Governor Simi Fubara and Nyesom Wike. There was never a peace accord between Wike and Simi. What we saw was Simi surrendered. “When you are talking about peace accord, let me go this way. Two communities are fighting and people say we want to settle it. What do you expect. You expect the King and the Council of Chiefs from community A and the King and Council of Chiefs from community B, they will talk and arrive at conclusion. “They will now work on that conclusion when they must have struck a balance.”But what happened between these people (Wike and Fubara)? It was Wike and his people. Fubara went there alone without any of his supporters. At the end of the day what happened?”Part of the condition is that out of 23 local government Chairmen we are going to select all 23; the already had members of the State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor could no longer come closer to the government again, your Secretary to the State Government can no longer come to the government again, there are some selected local government Chairmen that must not come to the government again. At the end of the day somebody agreed that you not run for another election again. They say that is a peace accord.”When they finished it they went to Mr President in the Villa for Mr President to affirm it. Is that a peace accord? That was not a peace accord.”I think Simi was tired of it and he surrendered without the consent of the people.”He chided Governor Simi for succumbing to all the demands of Wike, including the unceremonious dissolution of his grassroot support team, the Simplified Movement.”At the end of the day when they returned what did Simi say? He gathered his Simplified Movement and discouraged them. Those that printed solidarity caps, and other materials for 2027 he warned them that he didn’t send anybody.”Again, he dissolved the Simplified Movement, his political movement whereas the Zikist Movement of the early 1960s is still alive. The Awoist is still alive; the Ahmadu Bello is still alive; the People’s Redemption Movement is still alive. What are we talking about?”Wike’s Grassroot Movement is still alive but you went and dissolved your own movement. Today Governor Simi does not have any alternative political platform. “Today if he comes back he may not have any commissioner nominated by him, he might not have a single councillor loyal to him, today if he comes back he won’t have a single member of the State House of Assembly loyal to him.”Is that what you call peace accord? No.”Somebody has submitted to superior political firepower. “If a sitting governor was conquered with all the paraphernalia of office, with all the economic power, with all the financial and political muscles, and other things; if somebody outside the power in the State is able to suppress the governor who is there to challenge that authority?”It will remain like that till thy kingdom comes. That is my prediction.”POLITICS
There Was Never a Peace Accord Between Gov Fubara, Wike – Former APC Chieftain Jackson Ojo

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo, has dispelled speculations that there is a peace deal between Rivers State Governor Simi Fubara and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Jackson Ojo declared on Sunday that instead of a peace accord, what is presently on ground is akin to a political surrender agreement that will render the governor totally impotent politically.
According to him, all items on the agreement are one sided in favour of Wike who was on the negotiation table with his team whereas Governor Fubara was there without any supporter.
He declared that Governor Fubara was overwhelmed and tired of the whole issue and simply surrendered to Wike.
“I wonder why some people say there was a peace accord between Governor Simi Fubara and Nyesom Wike. There was never a peace accord between Wike and Simi. What we saw was Simi surrendered.
“When you are talking about peace accord, let me go this way. Two communities are fighting and people say we want to settle it. What do you expect. You expect the King and the Council of Chiefs from community A and the King and Council of Chiefs from community B, they will talk and arrive at conclusion.
“They will now work on that conclusion when they must have struck a balance.
“But what happened between these people (Wike and Fubara)? It was Wike and his people. Fubara went there alone without any of his supporters. At the end of the day what happened?
“Part of the condition is that out of 23 local government Chairmen we are going to select all 23; the already had members of the State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor could no longer come closer to the government again, your Secretary to the State Government can no longer come to the government again, there are some selected local government Chairmen that must not come to the government again. At the end of the day somebody agreed that you not run for another election again. They say that is a peace accord.
“When they finished it they went to Mr President in the Villa for Mr President to affirm it. Is that a peace accord? That was not a peace accord.
“I think Simi was tired of it and he surrendered without the consent of the people.”
He chided Governor Simi for succumbing to all the demands of Wike, including the unceremonious dissolution of his grassroot support team, the Simplified Movement.
“At the end of the day when they returned what did Simi say? He gathered his Simplified Movement and discouraged them. Those that printed solidarity caps, and other materials for 2027 he warned them that he didn’t send anybody.
“Again, he dissolved the Simplified Movement, his political movement whereas the Zikist Movement of the early 1960s is still alive. The Awoist is still alive; the Ahmadu Bello is still alive; the People’s Redemption Movement is still alive. What are we talking about?
“Wike’s Grassroot Movement is still alive but you went and dissolved your own movement. Today Governor Simi does not have any alternative political platform.
“Today if he comes back he may not have any commissioner nominated by him, he might not have a single councillor loyal to him, today if he comes back he won’t have a single member of the State House of Assembly loyal to him.
“Is that what you call peace accord? No.
“Somebody has submitted to superior political firepower.
“If a sitting governor was conquered with all the paraphernalia of office, with all the economic power, with all the financial and political muscles, and other things; if somebody outside the power in the State is able to suppress the governor who is there to challenge that authority?
“It will remain like that till thy kingdom comes. That is my prediction.”
End
POLITICS
Obi Personally Funded His 2023 Presidential Campaign — Ex-LP Treasurer

The former National Treasurer of the Labour Party LP), Oluchi Oparah, dismissed allegations that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, misused party funds during his 2023 presidential campaign.
Oparah stated that Peter Obi personally funded his campaign activities and also made financial contributions to the party.
She stated that Obi not only financed his own campaign activities but also played a key role in stabilising the party’s finances upon joining.
“There was nothing of such. Mr. Obi never spent any money meant for the party,” Oparah said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, when asked to react to the allegation by a chieftain of the LP, Abayomi Arabambi, that Obi spent party funds on his campaign.
“In fact, he lifted the party from zero level to where it is today,” she added.
She disclosed that before Obi joined the Labour Party, it was deeply in debt and struggled to pay its staff salaries.
She noted that Obi fulfilled all the financial obligations expected of him and went further to donate to the party from his personal resources.
“Mr. Obi fulfilled every righteousness financially towards the Labour Party. There was never a time he asked for a dime from the party, unlike other political parties will do,” she stated.
She also explained the campaign financing structure, stating that each candidate was permitted to operate a separate campaign account, independent of the party’s official accounts.
She explained that the Labour Party also maintained its financial accounts for party activities.
“He spent a lot of money on the Labour Party. We have programmes that Mr. Obi solely financed by himself. Obi spent from his money because the Labour Party did not have a dime,” Oparah said during the interview.
She also condemned what she termed the lack of accountability in the current APC-led administration and called on Nigerians to concentrate on holding the ruling party accountable instead of targeting Peter Obi.
She also challenged those accusing Obi of financial misconduct to come forward with proof of the payments they claim to have made to the Labour Party.
“As far as I am concerned, Mr. Obi was the only person who showed interest in contesting on the platform of the Labour Party.
“So, anyone claiming whatsoever should come out to show us the particular account to which they paid whatever thing they say they paid to the Labour Party,” she maintained.
Oparah praised Obi’s charitable nature, describing his charitable activities as a consistent trait long before his time as a presidential candidate, adding, “Anyone that knows Mr. Obi very well knows that his act of charity is five and six, like the air he breathes.”
End