POLITICS
Imposition Won’t Work in Ebonyi–Guber Aspirant
Chief Elias Mbam, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, says imposition of governorship candidate on the party will not work. Mbam, who is the chairman of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) stated this at a news conference on Sunday in Abakaliki.
Mbam was reacting to a statement credited to Gov.Dave Umahi, endorsing Mr.
Francis Nwifuru, Speaker of Ebonyi House of Assembly as his successor and APC candidate for the 2023 governorship election in the state. He said that Umahi’s endorsement and adoption of Nwifuru could cause an implosion in the party and mar its chances of electoral victory in the state in the forthcoming general elections.Mbanu noted that the Electoral Act, APC’s Constitution, and indeed other extant documents on elections in Nigeria did not make provisions for the imposition of aspirants on any political party. According to him, the unilateral decision did not receive the approval of critical stakeholders of the party, and therefore will not be accepted. “I heard the statement like every other person; I wasn’t at the venue where the statement was made, and I haven’t been communicated on that. “But, I’m concerned and worried as a critical stakeholder of our party because if the statement is correct, it means he has closed the political space against potential aspirants.
“Though forms have not yet been sold, I do not think it is good for our party.“INEC and the party have emphasized that there should be no imposition of candidates. “If in the disguise of anointing or endorsement, a candidate is imposed on the party, it will not be in the interest of the party. “And it will close the space against other aspirants, and we will run the risk of losing the 2023 election,” Mbam said.
The RMAFC chairman urged the governor, as the leader of APC in Ebonyi to allow a level playing field for all the aspirants in the race for the party’s governorship ticket.“I know the governor is the leader of the party in the state; and so, all of us who are members of the party in the state are his children.”
I expect, as the father of the party, he will give every child equal opportunity, and allow the people to determine who becomes their governor,” he added. The aspirant, however, assured that the alleged endorsement and adoption of the speaker would not deter him from pursuing his dream to become the next governor of the state. “The endorsement will not stop my aspiration, I’m still in the race, I’m consulting with stakeholders across the state. “I don’t think that, among those who have indicated interest, there is anyone who knows the state more than I do,” Mbam said. (NAN)
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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