POLITICS
Creation of South East Devt Commission True End to Civil War- Deputy Speaker
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on Wednesday, said that the creation of the South East Development Commission, (SEDC), was a testament to a true end to the civil war in the country.Kalu, said at a press briefing in Abuja, that what the creation represented was the true Biafra that the Igbo people were clamouring for, which was the development of the South East and empowerment of the people within the Nigerian nation.
He said reconciliation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, that were promised at the end of the war, were abandoned after the war, which left the region with underdevelopment and conflicts. Kalu said that except for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, no other administration cared about the South East.He there expressed an extravagant gratitude to the President, for signing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill into law, thereby approving the creation of the commission.It would be recalled that the bill was sponsored by Kalu and all the lawmakers from the south east region from the House of Representatives.The bill sought to establish a commission that will be charged with the responsibility to receive and manage fund from allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war after 54 years.The commission would as well tackle the ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the Southeast States which include Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi.”On behalf of the great people of the southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the beating heart of the nation, the land of enterprise and entrepreneurship, let me express my deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law yesterday.”This is not just a legislative victory; it is a historic milestone for the South-East geopolitical zone. The commission will receive and manage funds from the allocation of the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone as a result of the civil war.It will also tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the South-East States, including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.”This particular bill failed to be passed into law in the 8th and 9th National Assemblies, but like always, we are relentless in our collective drive for people-centered legislation. As we all know from our history, Nigeria’s transition from the unfortunate civil war exactly 54 years ago was hallmarked by the three “Rs”: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. Nigeria has since carried out reconciliation and rehabilitation, however, this act been assented to by the President exemplifies the commencement of the complete reconstruction of our beloved South-East.”The bill assented to by the President amplifies the commitment to the real rehabilitation and reconstruction of the South-East. A 54-year-old jinx broken by the South East loving President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.“The act is a testament to our collective effort and commitment to rebuilding and revitalizing our beloved region. I am grateful to my colleagues in the National Assembly, to all Nigerians who supported this bill, and most especially, to President Tinubu for his unwavering support and leadership.I also want to convey the appreciation of all Ndi Igbo (Igbo people) from the South-East zone.”This is a momentous occasion, and we are filled with hope and determination. We assure you that this commission will work tirelessly to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of our people are realized. We will continue to push for more positive attention and development for our zone.”This year, in this moment, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality, and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations. And fellow Nigerians – I say to you today: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers who are struggling to find their footing in a rapidly changing economy, more to do for the parents who are struggling to provide for their children, and more to do for the young people who are striving to build a better future.”Aside from our legislative interventions and ongoing hard work in the National Assembly, my colleagues and I from the South-East have set the ball rolling with non-kinetic measures as remediation to the insecurity situation in the region through the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), a non-governmental special purpose vehicle with the thematic and programmatic leadership needed to execute this flawlessly.”To my fellow South-Easterners, I implore you not to join the planned looming anti-government protests. Instead, let us view the signing of the SEDC bill into law as a testament to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumors of the “marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone,” and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio-cultural renewal.”This is a time for unity and progress, not division and unrest.I also implore Nigerians from all walks of life and the entirety of the country to not heed the calls for protest but instead continue to trust in the process.The reforms of the current administration will take time but will soon start to suffice, including a reversal of inflation, stabilization of the economy, and the ensuing multiplier effects in a massive employment boom as a result of industrialization, and the outcomes of the work organizations like the SEDC will engineer.”With SEDC we will leverage to improve agriculture, entrepreneurial skills will enable industrialization of the region and our innovative mindedness will leverage the opportunities in the digital economy, our creativity will birth a greater cultural and entertainment platforms such as Igbowood, our youth and women demography will play a major role in the energy of our development. It is time to put our huge gap deposit in the region to use for industrial parks that will bring value to the nation.”Most of the radicalized youths will now have jobs to engage them productively among others.I therefore urge you to participate more in governance by following the right channels of engagement with your respective state governments and the legislators representing you in the National Assembly and the 36 state Houses of Assembly. It is through active and constructive engagement that we can make our voices heard and drive meaningful change,” Kalu stated at the press briefing.
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Northern Senators Forum; an umbrella body comprising the entire senators from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory yesterday denied orchestrating a plan to impeach the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio together with other principal officers of the Senate.
The Chairman of the Forum, Senator AbdullAziz Yar Adua who dismissed the reports as fake advised Nigerians to focus on issues bothering on national development and not baseless and unfounded reports,such as was yesterday reported by an online platform.
Senator Yar Adua (APC, Katsina Central) while reacting to the reports by northern Senators to impeach at the Senate Press Center, Abuja in company of Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South) said the Senate,under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio was conducting it’s proceedings without rancour and division, blaming the reports of Akpabio’s impeachment plot on mischief makers that means no good for the country.
“There’s no such plot,plan or an idea to impeach or topple the leadership of the Senate by anyone or group, especially the Northern Senators Forum who I’m their Chairman. Such reports should not only be discarded as baseless and unfounded but should be seen as the handiwork of mischief makers,who want to bring the name of Northern Senators Forum to disrepute.
“We are solidly behind the leadership of Godswill Akpabio,the Senate President. We have not had any rancour or division within our fold as Senators,so why should anyone think and align us with such information?”, the retired Army Colonel queried.
Speaking in the same vein, the Senate Committee Chairman on Media Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu expressed his displeasure with the online report, which surfaced in the early hours of yesterday claiming that the Northern Senators were aggrieved with the policies of the Federal Government, prompting the senators to move against the impeachment of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other principal officers.
For Senator Adaramodu, ” I came to the Press Center with the Chairman of Northern Senators Forum, my respected colleague, Senator AbdullAziz Yar Adua to tell Nigerians that the report were ill conceived and of no value, considering the fact that all the entire senators are solidly behind the Senate leadership.”
He however advised Nigerians to pray for the government at all levels, saying that its success is not limited to those in power but the entirety of Nigerians.
On the hardship Nigerians are passing through following the federal government petroleum and tax reforms, the Ekiti lawmaker said, ” we, as the people’s representatives, are not unaware and oblivious of the sufferings orchestrated by the recent tax and petroleum reforms. We feel it as well because we are also part of the society. If you recall, the Senate summoned the Chief Tax Officer (the FIRS BOSS) Tuesday to explain the situation to us. We are also engaging the NNPC, together with our colleagues at the House of Representatives. So, very soon we will be through with them. And afterwards, we shall make our position as the legislative arm of government known to Nigerians.
However, a national assembly publication, Order Paper had reported earlier yesterday that security was beefed up yesterday at the National Assembly to avert the possibility of a forceful change of the Senate leadership; attributing the plot to northern senators that were aggrieved by Federal Government policies.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The All Progressive Congress (APC) Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Sen. Sunday Stephen Karimi, has disbursed over N24 million to support LG electioneering campaign activities across all the seven local government areas in his constituency.The seven local government areas include: Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Yagba East, Yagba West, Mopamuro, Kontokarfi/Kogi and Lokoja.
According to a statement by the Senator Karimi media team (DSSK), the fund is meant to support all the Chairmanship Candidates and their Vice, as well as all the Councilorship candidates in over 70 wards across the seven LGAs of Kogi west, towards the October 19th LG elections in Kogi State. It said N1 million was disbursed to each of the seven Chairmanship candidates, N500,000 to each of the Vice chairmanship candidates, and N200,000 to each of the over 70 councilorship candidates across the 7 LGAs in Kogi west senatorial district.The DSSK media team described Sen. Karimi as true people-centric Lawmaker who is committed to championing good governance and improving the well-being of his constituents especially at the grassroots.The DSSK Media team said: “Distinguished Senator Sunday Karimi’s generous contributions to the 7 Local Governments in Kogi west are highly commendable, especially in preparation for the forthcoming Local Government elections on October 19th.”These donations demonstrate Senator Karimi’s commitment to empowering local leaders and enhancing community development in Kogi West.”As a lawmaker representing Kogi West, senator Karimi has promised good representation, good roads, good medical facilities, empowerment, and many other dividends of democracy ¹.”His leadership and philanthropy have made a significant impact in the communities, and it is very clear that he is dedicated to serving humanity.”May Almighty God continue to guide and guard Senator Karimi’s path as he serves the people of Kogi West”.It would be recalled that Sen. Karimi handed over a newly built and well equipped military base to the Nigerian Army in Egbe, Yagba West LGA, to address rising kidnapping and banditry, and improve security in Kogi and some areas in Kwara State.The military forward operating base (FOB) was commissioned on Saturday in Egbe, by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The leadership crisis rocking the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been resolved by the party’s Governors Forum and the Board of Trustees (BoT).This development was announced by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mohammed, who fielded questions from Journalists at the Private Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on his way to Ondo State for PDP governorship campaign, added that all members of the NWC have been directed to revert to the status quo before the crisis erupted last Friday. According to the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, “The crisis is over. The governors, Board of Trustees, and other organs have resolved that the NWC should revert to the status quo. They are now united.”The governor, accompanied by the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, while travelling to Ondo State for a PDP gubernatorial campaign rally, announced that suspensions from both factions had been lifted.Also speaking, Damagum confirmed that the crisis is over, adding, “The party is united, and no members of the NWC left before.”The mutual suspicion among PDP NWC members over alleged anti-party activities of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwun boiled over last Thursday when some member almost engage in physical fight during the NWC meeting.Few hours later the National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba announced the suspension of Damagum and his replacement with Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new Acting National Chairman.Damagum reacted by directing the National Publicity Secretary and the National Legal Advisor to “step aside” and to face a disciplinary panel.Daily Asset gathered on Tuesday that final decision in the leadership logjam in the party will be laid to rest when the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meet on October 24.The camp of the Acting National Chairman is believed within the PDP circle of working to ensure the meeting did not hold over possibility of NEC appointing a substantive National Chairman from the North Central.The PDP BoT at its meeting last Thursday advised the NWC to ensure the October 24 NEC meeting is held as earlier agreed by various organs and leaders of the party.
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