The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sought an increase in its budgetary allocation to N126billion, against the N40billion earmarked for itin the 2025 budget estimates.

INEC Chairman , Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the request on Friday in Abuja at the budget defence session of Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters. Mahmood ,in his presentation ,said elections in Nigeria had become huge burden, requiring adequate funding. “Our proposal for the 2025 budget, the provision requires the sum of over N126 billion.” We have the document that has provided details ,line- by- line details ,on how we intend to spend the 126 billion.“We would like the support of the National Assembly to enable us achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.” In a nutshell, the N40billion budget envelope given to us for 2025 , will not cover one third of projected expenses which totally amounts to over N126billion .” Aside the off- cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through bye – elections and the Anambra Governorship election this year , personnel cost alone on account of new minimum wage , will gulp the N40 billion budgetary envelope”, he said .He said the inadequacy of the N40 billion budget envelope made the electoral body to receive intervention funds of N10.5billion for Edo and Ondo elections in 2024 and another N500million for bye – elections on affected constituencies in 2024.eMembers of the committee, in their individual submissions, assured that the proposed sum would be appropriated in the 2025 fiscal year.Sen. Ireti Kingibe, in her submission, said the situation was not about looking for the N126billion for INEC in 2025 fiscal year ,but providing it.The committee thereafter resolved into a closed-door session with the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners to deliberate further on how to source the funds and appropriate it in 2025 budget .(NAN)

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has tabled three demands before President Bola Tinubu, including a call for urgent assent to the South-South Development Commission bill.

The Forum wants the three issues to be addressed by the Tinubu administration in 2025. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows lgali, the Forum wants Tinubu to address the persistent issue of environmental degradation, the deplorable state of federal roads in the region, and the under-representation of persons from the region in the management cadre of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). Igali added that the federal government should announce the definite and measurable policies, programmes and steps it plans to take in the comprehensive clean- up of the polluted Niger Delta ecosystem.They demanded an immediate declaration of a state of emergency on the deplorable state of federal highways in the region and the under- representation of qualified sons and daughters of the region in top management positions in the NNPCL.Part of the statement reads: “Nevertheless, we also take pride in the significant strides made toward progress, largely due to the tireless efforts of our leaders, elder statesmen and grassroots organizations, who continue to make deep personal sacrifices for the progress of our region.“As we look ahead to 2025, the prospects for the Niger Delta are filled with promise and opportunities for greater peace and security, enhanced economic development, and political stability. “However, it is essential that we do not rest on our oars because in spite of progress made, there remains much work to be done to bring the quality of life of the average Niger Deltan in line with the level of natural resources we are blessed with.“Our region, despite contributing significantly to the nation’s wealth, continues to struggle at the very bottom of most of the recognized development indices and it is now time for us to redouble our efforts to ensure that the benefits of democracy and good governance get to every corner of our region.

“It is PANDEF’s top agenda to work tirelessly with our stakeholders to elevate the standard of living of our people, especially in our rural areas, most of which bear the brunt of disastrous environmental consequences of oil and gas extraction activities in the region.“It is noteworthy that beyond oil and gas, we are fortunate to be blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile soil, and ideal climatic conditions conducive to large-scale agricultural production.“Additionally, our extensive coast and shorelines present immense potentials to underpin a globally competitive blue-economy industry covering areas such as fisheries, silicon from river sand, sea salt industries, mining of rare coral deposits, mangrove roots for water desalination, water-based mud for drilling operations, miles of sandy waterfront for tourism, beaches, marine sports and coastal transportation, to mention a few.The group said to realize these lofty goals would require the collective efforts of all stakeholders up and down the leadership chain, with a very effective cross-sector collaboration from the National Assembly members to the state governors and the local governments, including the intervention agencies.

The Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA) has urged Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 President Candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) to stop attacking the reputation of  former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The Director of Communications of NYFA (Nigeria & Diaspora), Mr Dare Dada, made the call  in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Dada spoke against the background of a recent  media interview granted by Kwankwaso, in which he  accused Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of peddling lies at 80 years of age.

Kwankwaso,in the interview,had  claimed that  Abubakar’s camp had falsely told some Northern elders that the ex-VP  had reached  an agreement with him  and  the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, to take turns at the presidency from 2027.

Dada , who described the   claim  as untrue, said that the former vice president was not a problem to Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition.

“It is so sad that someone of Kwankwanso calibre will make frantic efforts to denigrate the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria, just to score some cheap political points.

“The former Vice- President needs no validation from him to be relevant politically as far as the Nigerian political space is concerned.

“Engaging in such level of falsehood just to make a point is not only ridiculous but demeaning,” Dada said.

He said that such attacks on opposition figures were not good at this time when opposition leaders were supposed to be strategising on an alliance to give Nigerians a better deal in 2027.

Dada said that opposition leaders must shun divisive tendencies and rhetorics, capable of undermining the unity and progress needed in the nation.

The youth leader urged Kwankwaso to rather dissipate energy on issues confronting the Northern Nigeria and speak up.

He added: “The youth of this nation are determined to stand for integrity and ensure that politics of deceit and manipulation are relegated to the past.

“It is our collective belief that politics of honesty and integrity will always triumph over self-serving lies.

“The NYFA remains committed to supporting visionary leaders like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who prioritise national development and the well-being of all Nigerians over personal ambition.” (NAN)