Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has explained that he attended an event organised by a labour party legislator from the state because politics is not enmity.Nwifuru said this on Monday at Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, during the empowerment programme of member representing Ohaoazara/ Onicha/ Ivo Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon.

Nkemkanma Kama. The governor said that he attended the event because politics should be about collaboration in the overall interest of the state and country. “Kama is supposed to be my enemy as he belongs to another party but he has turned out to be my friend.“After election comes governance. That is why I came with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, including its chairman,” he said.He said Kama had aligned with this ideology by also identifying with his administration.“Any time I am engaged in any activity even child naming ceremony, Kama is always there.“I advise him to join APC before the door is closed as I will campaign for the candidate of my party during elections.“He should also ensure that these items get to APC members so that they would speak good of him when he eventually joins,” he said.Kama in his remarks, thanked the governor and all the state’s leaders who attended the programme, saying that Nwifuru takes him as a brother and friend.“I also thank the leadership of the House of Representatives and stakeholders of the constituency as their selflessness and commitment testify to the communal spirit in us,” he said.The lawmaker said the items include tricycles, motorcycles, grinding machines, sewing machines, hair dryers, knapsacks, among others.“These items are designed to support our constituents in their various endeavours, whether in local transportation, commerce, personal development, among others.“We selected the beneficiaries based on the state governor’s detribalised approach of inclusivity and fairness, irrespective of political affiliation.“The beneficiaries are advised to use the items for intended purposes while those yet to benefit are assured of being captured in subsequent batches,” he said.Mrs Nnenna Okoroafor, a beneficiary, thanked the lawmaker for the gesture and called for more assistance from leaders.Report says that former Senate President, Pius Anyim, Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, among others attended the event (NAN)

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State says council election will hold in all the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in 2025.

The APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi ,made this clarification in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, following speculations about the status of the 37 LCDAs in the state.

“In recent times, the leadership of APC in Lagos State has been inundated by the media, party members and other stakeholders on information about the conduct of the forthcoming Local Government elections.

,most specially if elections will hold in the 37 Local Council Development Areas – LCDAs.

“It has become expedient to clear the air on the needless and distractive speculation.

“We wish to inform all and sundry that the Local Government elections will hold across the state in the 20 Local Government Councils and the 37 Local Council Development Areas in the year 2025,” Ojelabi said.

According to him, since their creation, the LCDAs have not only been the closest to the grassroots ,but also brought the desired developments across the state.

He said that the party had observed with keen interest the rdebates on the desirability of the existence of the LCDAs and the need to hold elections in their political offices.

Ojelabi added: “Our position as a progressive party is that we cannot discountenance the contributions of the LCDAs to the overall political and socio-economic development of the state.

“Our landscape is dotted by several infrastructural projects by the LCDAs which include road, drainage and market construction , school and housing projects, primary education and health facilities and various social service interventions among others.

“The various collaborative efforts with the state government on refuse disposal, drain clearing and security are also pointers to their continuous relevance.

“We hope this release will put paid to further speculations as regards the local government elections in order not to unnecessarily heat up the polity.”

He urged party members and all residents to continue to coexist peacefully “as we all strive to maintain the leading position of our state in the federation.”

The move by the  House of Assembly to create Area Administrative Councils in replacement of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) through the  proposed Local Government Administration Bill has been opposed by political stakeholders.

The bill  titled” A Bill for a Law to provide for Local Government’s System, Establishment And Administration And to Consolidate All Laws On Local Government Administration And Connected Purposes” is still being considered on the floor of the House.

The Assembly ,during a recent  public hearing, said the bill was being considered to replace the current 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state  (LCDAs) with Area Administrative Councils

According to the House, the bill to restructure local government administration in the state followed the Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for local governments. (NAN)

Northern leaders have voiced disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s comment that there will be no reversal on the controversial tax reform bills.

The leaders, comprising members of the National Assembly, the League of Northern Democrats, and the Northern Elders’ Forum, frowned at the President’s strong position, describing it as unilateral and devoid of inclusive consultations.

During his maiden media chat held last Monday in Lagos, the President noted that the bills might not be embraced by everyone, but maintained that there was no turning back on them.

He added that the tax reform bills were necessitated by the need to eliminate colonial-based assumptions in the nation’s tax environment.

The lawmaker representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Senator Mohammed Onawo, said the President must give room for National Assembly members to perform their duties without undue interference from other arms of government.

He noted the importance of following due legislative procedures, saying that, as a former legislator, the President should respect the established process.

Onawo stated, “If the President, who was once a legislator, is passing judgment on bills that are before the National Assembly, it is unfortunate.

“Be it good or bad, the President should let the bills go through the normal legislative process and get the approval of the legislators. If they get approval, they will become law, but if they don’t, they die.

“I don’t subscribe to a situation where a president introduces a bill to the National Assembly and doesn’t give the lawmakers a chance to go through it and says it’s here to stay. For a legislature as reputable as this one, I think that’s wrong.”

Also commenting on the issue, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, who represented Sokoto East in the 9th Assembly, accused Tinubu of playing “politics of tribalism” with the tax reform bills.

According to him, the President cannot unilaterally implement the bills without legislative approval.

He criticised the proposed allocation of value-added tax revenue, saying, “If the parliament agrees with the bills, that’s fine, but if they do not agree, what can he do? Will he do it without the legislature?