NEWS
Alia’s Aide Urges Security Agents to Charge Benue NASS Caucus for Diverting Palliatives
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ptv.jpeg)
From Attah Ede, Makurd
Senior Special Assistant to the Benue state Governor, on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment, Mr. Moses Mkeenem, has accused the national assembly members from the State of diverting the palliatives given to them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to distribute to their constituents during the last year’s Christmas celebration.
The SSA stated this at a press conference in Makurdi on Saturday.
The youth’s leader described the unpatriotic and perturbing attitude of the National Assembly Caucus from Benue state, saying it is unfortunate the members are not reaching out to the people that voted them into power.
It would be recalled that the National Assembly at a press conference in Abuja recently, accused Governor Alia of not taking the issue of security seriously, even when he is taking huge amounts of money from the federal government as security votes.
They also alleged that the unjustly removal of the executive chairmen of the local government councils from office may have triggered the insecurity in the state.
But the senior special assistant debunked the allegations, saying they are baseless.
“They’re national assembly members are accusing the Governor wrongly because he has vehemently refused to share state’s funds with them.
“The Governor cannot share monies that come to the state with NASS members because the monies are meant for the development of the state.
“Alia is welcome to developmental ideas and anyone is welcomed to contribute his ideas but sharing of money cannot be done under this government. The Governor has been emphatic about this.”
“The national assembly members should come out and deliver the palliatives meant for their constituents rather than accusing the governor of spending his security votes”, Mkeenem, stated.
He called on President Tinubu to investigate them and never to entrust them with such responsibilities anymore.
“I, on behalf of millions of Benue youths would like to yo also use this opportunity to convey to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the palliatives he gave to the National Assembly members for onward distribution to their constituents sometime last year have not reached them.
“Therefore, the President should be careful when entrusting NASS members from Benue with palliatives,” he said.
The Adviser also condemned the legislators for “politicizing the unfortunate insecurity bedeviling Benue state” which he said Governor Alia was having sleepless nights to quell.
He called on the security agencies to charge those politicizing the insecurity in the state for treason saying they are the enemies of the state.
He also expressed worry that reliable information was gathered that some persons suspected to be from the National Assembly “wrote a letter and dropped for herders at the Nigerien borders that the anti-open grazing law has been relaxed now for them to come and occupy the state.”
“Instead of supporting the Governor and contributing to quell it, they are checking figures; how much is sent to the state and how much is withdrawn.
“Since he assumed office, Governor Alia has been applying and deploying all that is humanly possible to nip insecurity in the board in the state.
“Since then, insecurity in the Sankara axis has dropped drastically and sooner, the expected peace would rest on the state.”
He called on the Benue people to support the Alia Government to develop the state saying the Benue youths would no longer fold their hands and watch those at the National Assembly continue to abuse power and endanger the future of the people and that of the state.
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ajuri-Ngelale-Special-Adviser-Media.jpg)
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/fuel-scarcity.jpg)
By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Demolished-Building-Ghana.jpg)
There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.