POLITICS
Appointment of Yilwatda, Hounding of Opposition by EFCC Can’t Save Tinubu in 2027 – APC Chieftain
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A controversial chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has declared that the appointment Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman and harassment of opposition politicians cannot save President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
He alleged that President Bola Tinubu is having his eyes on electoral fraud in 2027 and the recent appointment of Prof. Yilwatda as National Chairman of the APC has further highlighted this.Chief Eze also noted that the sudden activation of EFCC’s attack mode against perceived political foes is highly condemnable and signposts an administration that is paranoid over the conduct of a credible, free and fair election come 2027 general elections.In a statement released to the media, Eze stated unequivocally that none of what he described as the devious plots being adopted by the Tinubu administration to retain power will come to fruition.“I wish to state that none of these acts, both unleashing the EFCC on opposition politicians and appointment of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as the National Chairman of APC, so that he can manipulate INEC, will save Tinubu from relocating back to Lagos come 2027,” Eze said.“The truth is that 2027 general elections are neither between APC and ADC nor any other political party, but emphatically between APC and Nigerians.“With the level of hydra-headed socio-economic and political calamities that have befallen this country due to Tinubu’s inhumane, clueless and anti-people policies, I know Nigerians will do everything humanly possible to free themselves from the circle of deaths occasioned by maladministration.”According to Eze, plans by the Tinubu government to intimidate the immediate Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), out of the coalition movement is an exercise in futility.For Tinubu to go after Malami, one of late President Muhammadu Buhari’s trusted ministers, a few weeks after the burial of the former president, according to Eze, is a sign of ingratitude and obsession to hold on to power by all means without minding whose ox is gored.“Report at my disposal is that Malami will be questioned over at least five suspicious transactions during his time in office as the AGF and Justice Minister,” Eze said.“Five of the transactions under investigation are: The mysterious payment of $496 million to Global Steel Holdings Ltd (GSHL) as settlement for the termination of the Ajaokuta Steel concession nine years after the Indian company had waived all claims for compensation.“His handling of the sale of assets worth billions of naira forfeited to the EFCC by politically exposed persons.“His role in the $419 million judgment debt awarded to consultants who claimed to have facilitated the Paris Club refunds to the states.“The strange agreement to pay Sunrise Power $200 million compensation in its dispute with the FG over the Mambilla power project; and the duplicated legal fees in the transfer of $321 million Abacha loot from Switzerland to Nigeria.”The APC chieftain stated that in as much as he is not against prosecuting public officials who are suspected to have corruptly enriched themselves while in office, making such action selective and targeting politically exposed Nigerians in opposition, to say the least, is unacceptable and stands condemned.“So, Tinubu wants Nigerians to believe and clap for him, that one of the former opposition governors serving presently in his administration as a minister is a saint, and has no skeleton in his cupboard?“I make bold to state categorically that going after Buhari’s minister (Malami) is a deliberate but calculated plot to send warning signals to leading coalition movement politicians that nobody, no matter how highly placed, will be spared by Tinubu in a bid to retain power in 2027,” Eze said.Eze contended that the strategy by sitting presidents to use security agencies like EFCC, DSS, Police, ICPC, etc. to hound opposition politicians prior to elections has become old-fashioned and no longer dreaded because of its selective aura.By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria spent a whopping N1.16trillion on fuel subsidy, losing N16.20billion to crude and product issues while deducting a total of N1.20trillion from the federation account as sales and proceeds in 2021.
Disclosing this in Abuja yesterday during his presentation to the Senate Public Account Committee (SPAC) probing the 2021- 2023 Audit Report on the Oil and Gas Industry conducted by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu added that pipeline repairs gulped N22.
05billion and strategic stock holding N6.75billion in that fiscal year.Speaking further, the RMFAC boss revealed to the Committee that during the period, the intention of the derivation objective was undermined by the way it was computed.
“The practice of computing 13% derivation on the balance of revenue after deductions from the total collections is contrary to the intention of the derivation objective “, he said.
However the Senate Committee Chairman on Public Account who was a former Accountant General of the Federation, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo stood down the reports of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) ‘s submission saying the measure was to offer members enough time to study the report while ordering the Agency to reappear midweek.
Senator Dankwambo who was visibly upset following the non – appearance of the Auditor – General of the Federation for the investigative session without any valid or representative however threatened that the Auditor General must unfailingly appear before the Committee on Tuesday next week or risk a forced appearance through the invocation of the powers of the National Assembly.
” The Auditor – General must unfailingly appear before this committee on Tuesday next week or risk invocation of powers of the National Assembly against him , which will lead to forced appearance”, he said.
The Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Akinola Idowu, has flagged off the disbursement of N100,000 monthly business support grants to selected residents.
The programme was held on Thursday at the council secretariat with 50 beneficiaries in attendance.
In his address, Idowu said that the initiative fulfilled his administration’s promise to improve welfare and promote grassroots economic development in Orile-Agege.
He reaffirmed commitment to people-oriented governance aimed at improving livelihoods, encouraging entrepreneurship and reducing poverty in the council area.
The chairman urged beneficiaries to invest the funds in productive ventures that would grow businesses and create employment opportunities.
He assured that the monthly empowerment would be sustained, with more deserving residents from every ward benefiting in subsequent editions.
“Governance is meaningful only when it directly impacts the lives of the people,” Idowu said.
He reiterated resolve to implement programmes that promote inclusive development, economic prosperity and shared progress across Orile-Agege LCDA.
Peju Owolabi, one of the beneficiaries, commended the chairman for the timely intervention to strengthen small businesses and support household incomes in the LCDA.
Another beneficiary, Miss Basanya Taofikat, thanked the leadership of the council for the support and prayed for a successful tenure for the chairman’s administration.
Adeshina Ademola, a shoemaker and a beneficiary lauded Idowu for contributions to grassroots development.
Ademola said that the grant would help expand his business.
Other beneficiaries described the initiative as a testament to the administration’s dedication to empowering residents and fostering self-reliance.
The City Boy Movement (CBM) has replaced its Oyo State Coordinator, Ahmed Ajibola, following allegations of gross misconduct, insubordination, and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the organisation.
This is contained in a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday by the Director-General of the Movement, Mr Francis Shoga.
Shoga said that Ajibola’s replacement followed allegations of making offensive comments about the Movement’s patron, Seyi Tinubu and derogatory remarks directed at President Bola Tinubu.
The movement’s D-G also accused Ajibola of engaging in conduct capable of bringing the image and reputation of the City Boy Movement into disrepute.
The CBM consequently announced the appointment of Adewale Oladiti as the new Coordinator for Oyo State.
Oladiti’s appointment, Shoga said, was due to his commitment, grassroots engagement, and willingness to contribute to the growth and advancement of the organisation in the state.
The City Boy Movement is a support group associated with the political interests of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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