POLITICS
Senate Denies Recommending Creation of New States
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The senate has made clarification on the bills proposing the creation of new states in the country.
The story went viral at the weekend concerning the alleged recommendation by the Red Chambers for the creation of additional 21states across the country.
Recall that several bills for the creation of new states had been submitted to the Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution.
However, Spokesman of the Senate, Ajibola Basiru, in a statement on Sunday said contrary to the story, the Committee received the proposals but never made any recommendation on them.
“Far from recommending creation of any state, the Senate Committee, while acknowledging receipts of several Bills proposing creation of new states, decided that it is not in a position to recommend or propose the creation of any state unless there is compliance with the provisions of section 8 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic as amended,” the statement reads.
“(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives,(ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and(iii) the local government councils in respect of the area,is received by the National Assembly;(b) a proposal for the creation of the State is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area where the demand for creation of the State originated;
“(c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the States of the Federation supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly; and(d) the proposal is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly.”
Basiru added that the Senate Committee only decided to refer the requests received to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Constitution.
According to the news on the said new states, nine states were allocated to the South while the North had 11 with the FCT also having the upgrade to a state.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has dissolved his cabinet ahead of the Nov.12 swearing-in of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new governor of the state.
Report says that Obaseki who came into office on November 12, 2016 is expected to end his eight years tenure on November 12, 2024.
Obaseki dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House on Friday in Benin.
The motion for the dissolution of the State Executive Council for 2020-2024 was moved by his deputy, Godwins Omobayo, and was seconded by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osilama Okuofu.
At the valedictory session, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again.
Obaseki also commended citizens of the state for supporting, praying and collaborating with his administration throughout his tenure.
Members of the cabinet took turns to eulogise the governor and acknowledged his many achievements in various sectors.
They also commended the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.
The outgoing commissioners and Heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also took turns to present awards and gifts to honour the governor.
The valedictory session for the outgoing state executive council climaxed with a dinner in honour of the state governor. (NAN)
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has presented a budget of N549 billion for 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for passage into law.
Presenting the proposal tagged ‘‘Budget of Hope, Human Capital and Economic Development’’ on Friday in Kano, Yusuf said it was aimed at consolidating and improving the wellbeing of the people of the state.
He said that the budget consist of N312 billion for capital expenditure and N236 billion for recurrent expenditure.
According to him, the 2025 budget, when approved, is projected to have a ratio of capital to recurrent 57:43 per cent respectively.
The governor explained that most of the capital spending would be in the Social and Economic Sectors to the tune of N 461 billion.
He also said that the Education Sector got a lion share of N168 billion more than the UNESCO and UN recommendations, adding that the figure represents 31 per cent, while the Health Sector received N90 billion representing 16. 50 per cent.
He added that the fund would be spent on executing policies and programmes aimed at ensuring quality and education at all levels.
He also said that N21 billion representing 3.83 per cent was earmarked for the Agricultural Sector, while Infrastructure Development got N70 billion representing 12.87 percent.
“N23 billion representing four per cent was set aside for Security, Justice and Emergency Services, while Water Supply and Rural Development got N27 billion representing 4.96 percent,” he explained.
The governor urged the lawmakers to ensure speedy passage of the budget, to enable the government continue to provide dividends of democracy to the people.
The Speaker, Jibrin Falgore, assured the governor of speedy passage of the budget to create time for January to December budget circle.
The Speaker also commended the governor for his stride in infrastructure development, security, health and education.(NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A Youth Advocate on grassroots advancement, Andrew Ochika has urged the newly elected chairman of Dekina Local Government Area in Kogi state, John Ura Ikani to key into Governor Usman Ododo’s development agenda.Ochika in an interview with Our Correspondent, said that the call has become necessary to boost accelerated development down to rural communities in Dekina Local Government Area.
Ochika, a member of Okoyi Community Youth Development, lamented lack of basic infrastructure in Dekina Local Government Area saying that the new Chairman has all it takes to deliver on his mandate and correct the anomaly. The Youth Advocate, who described the overwhelming victory of the Chairman in the just concluded council polls as well deserved, called on him to strive to justify the confidence reposed in him through the provision of democracy dividends to all communities in the local government area.According to him “the new Chairman, John Ura Ikani was a tested leader who performed excellently as Care-taker Chairman. I believe that now that he is elected as executive chairman, he has the capacity to deliver better than before”He urged the Chairman to sustain his tempo in grading of rural roads, provision of health facilities, rural electrification and drilling of bore-holes to ensure potable water supply in the area.He called on the people of the local government to cooperate with the Chairman in his efforts to uplift their living standards.
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