POLITICS
Kogi East APC Stakeholders Pass Vote of Confidence on Ododo
The Kogi East All Progressive Congress (APC) stakeholders, have passed a Vote of Confidence on Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, appealing for an audience with him toward strengthening the party.
The stakeholders stated this at a media chat with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, saying that the interface was to provide feedback and seek for direction on ways forward.
This, according to them, is critical toward strengthening the party to continue its hold as the ruling party in the state.
Mr Isah Daniel, the pioneer state Vice-chairman of the party, however, expressed concern over the depletion of party members, particularly in Kogi East due to the activities of the opposition.
He stressed the need for a massive grassroots membership drive to swell the membership fold of the party.
“As critical stakeholders, it is necessary to come together to adopt what I described as an ‘operational political victory module’ so that we can come out victorious in subsequent and future elections.
“In achieving what is before us and to consolidate our party on ground, we need an interface with Gov. Ododo for possible directive and feedback.
“We will be doing this by consulting stakeholders at all levels for their contribution for the party to remain a winning party in the state,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Bala Zakari, a stakeholder blamed the depletion of the membership of the party on the crises that came with the victory of the party at the Nov.16 2023 governorship election in the state.
“There are a lot of defections from the party after the election.
“So, we are coming together to help our party; to help our government and remobilise, sensitise, and talk to our people.
“This is so that those who defected from the party will come back and for those who were not our members before to join us. This is because APC is a progressive democratic party,” he said.
Also, Sen. Emmanuel Ocheja, said that in spite of the membership challenge facing the party, Ododo has had performed beyond expectations.
Ocheja, who represented Kogi East at the Senate between 2011 and 2015, commended the governor for reaching out to stakeholders across different parties to come together to develop the state.
“Ododo has begun his stewardship on a very good footing.
“He has started visiting top political stakeholders across the different parties in the state, like the former governor Ibrahim Idris and former governor Idris Wada among others.
“He is bringing people together and reconciling even the warring factions in Kogi and we welcome and encourage him to keep on with what he has started.
“If he continues with what he is doing now, there will not be any other party in Kogi but APC,” he said.
Another stakeholder, retired Major-General Patrick Akpa, lauded the governor for addressing insecurity, in spite of sharing boundaries with 10 states.
Akpa described security as simply ‘safety and freedom from danger’, and commended the governor for establishing Forward Operational Based to make residents feel safe.
He also lauded the governor for supporting the state vigilance group with operational vehicles and motorcycles.
He appealed to the governor to extend the same gesture to the Kogo East Neighbourhood Watch, established at district level as a self-help approach to tackle insecurity.
On his part, a former Minister of State for Labour, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, said that Ododo was doing very well in addressing workers and pensioners welfare and urged him to continue.
Another stakeholder, Mr Moses Abdullahi, assured of the continued support of the party’s stakeholders in Kogi East for the success of the party. (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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