POLITICS
Kogi People Anxious to Re-elect Me Gov – Bello
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has said that the people of the state were eager to vote him for a second term in office on November 16, 2019 because of his achievements in the last four years.
The governor who said he was fully prepared to win the forthcoming governorship election in the state, added however, that he was not going to take anything for granted.
Bello spoke to State House correspondents at the weekend after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari along side the All Progressives Congress(APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
The Governor who is seeking reelection at the 16th November, 2019 governorship election in the state said he was prepared for the coming election even before the Presidential and National Assembly elections in February 2019 adding however, that he was not taking anything for granted.
His achievements, he said, were there for all to see and the people of his state were now anxiously waiting for November 16, 2019 to vote for him.
He said that his achievements included up-to date salaries payment, inspite of settling backlogs when he assumed office.
Nightlife in the state, he said, was back because of improved security situation .
The governor also said he was committed to free, fair and credible election.
“As regards level of preparedness, I am not just preparing now, I have been ready for this election even before the last general election that produced Mr. President, the National Assembly and the state houses of assembly.
‘So, we are well prepared for the election. As for victory, I think by the grace of God it is assured.
“Like the chairman has said, we are not going to take anything for granted. Whether the candidate of the opposition party is strong or not, we will approach the election with seriousness and ensure that it is conducted freely and fairly and we will become victorious by the grace of God. On November 17, we will be announced the winner.”
He denied PDP’s allegations that he planned to scuttle PDP primaries.
“If you monitor all the activities of the PDP in Kogi state, right from the Ward congresses to the local government congresses, to the state congresses, it has always been marred or characterized with violence, guns, maiming of each other and all kinds of attacks.
So the outcome of the last primaries they conducted shouldn’t take anyone by surprise.
“We have a larger number of delegates in Kogi state. We started our exercise early enough and finished early enough in peace. I am not a member of PDP, I wouldn’t go in there and conduct it for them.
“So it is their character, it is their stock in trade and that is what they are known for and so should rather look inward rather than pointing accusing fingers outside.
“You see, when you have a cancer and you don’t treat it but rather you are treating malaria, you will never get rid of cancer. So that is the problem the PDP has, they have cancer and should treat the cancer and shouldn’t look outside.
Asked what message he was taking to Kogi electorates for the next four years, he said “The citizens of Kogi State have actually seen my performance against the performance of previous PDP Governors. In less than three and half years, they have seen all my wonderful performances.
“In fact starting with even the issue of salaries, it’s just that all along, I have chosen not to speak about the issue of salary because it is a problem I inherited.
“And in any case governance is a continuum, you inherit both assets and liabilities. When you inherit assets, you make use of it, when you inherit liabilities or trouble you try to solve it, you don’t complain about it.
“So I refused to make comment about the issue of salaries.
As a matter of fact, the issues of salaries arrears I have already accepted by my immediate predecessor he inherited from Ibro’s administration.
“These past two PDP Governors couldn’t solve it, I have come to solve it. That already is a kudos to this administration that the people of Kogi State should vote for us.”
Bello also boasted that every local government in the state have various projects completed by his administration.
“Every local government in Kogi are dotted with various infrastructural development. The people of Kogi State have spoken before in the last general election, they will speak again.”
On security, he said “Lastly, if you look at Kogi State in the past, if you are a traveler you will hold your breath. The inhabitants as early as 6:30 they will only manage to pray their morning prayer and in the evening they will manage to pray their evening prayer and go to bed, but today, even along the streets of Kogi you will see people jogging, exercise, night life is back as a result of improved security situation in the state today.
“Kogi State is the second safest state in Nigeria today, I didn’t say it. We have various bodies that rate the performance of various government and administration, Nigeria Bureau of statistics and the rest of them, they said it.
“So if you look at it, we have performed so wonderfully that the people of Kogi state are eager that 16th November should come and let them speak with their votes and I know they will speak very well and re-elect me, the APC and we shall become victorious.” he said
Asked if he was going to carry along the labour leaders he proscribed, Bello said “Well, it is not a battle we are going into, we are going into a contest, one I know is going to be free and fair and I am going to win that election by the grace of God. The APC under the leadership of the national chairman, we are going to campaign vigorously well and we shall become victorious.
“The people who have decided to become rebellious to bring down the institution of higher learning at certain point in time have today seen the benefits of telling them to please give peace a chance.
“They have given peace a chance and you can see the last strike, Kogi State didn’t go on strike, we have very stable educational system in Kogi State. As per all the labour leaders in Kogi State, we are moving on harmoniously, you can confirm from the various chapters.
“If not because they are not politicians, labour leaders would have taken the fore front to campaign for my re-election.” he said.
POLITICS
Anambra PDP Chieftain ,Nwosu, Resigns from Party
Mr Samben Nwosu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra ,has resigned his membership of the party.
Nwosu, a foundation member of the party disclosed his resignation in a letter addressed to Otolo Ward 1, Nnewi secretariat of the party ,which was made known to newsmen in Awka on Friday. He said recent events had made him reevaluate his position within the party after several years of commitment and dedication to its ideals of promoting democratic tenets. “But recently a full swing has taken shape within the party, especially as it has to do with unfair treatment and orchestrated embarrassments by some political merchants within the party. “The most popular of such embarrassment was the pseudo signing of a suspension letter by an unknown organ of the party, without due process or proper notification to myself. “The next Senatorial elections rerun is an opportunity to showcase to the people that a “prepared mind Is better than a monetized nind” and hence, my resignation,” he said. Nwosu, a former Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commissioner , said his decision to resign from the PDP was not an easy one . He said he had been a member of the party since 1998 and had contributed immensely to its growth and development with all his might. ” I refuse to dignify these godfathers and their agents, who have indicated interest to monetising the next senatorial elections in AnambraSouth. “I am going to take a few days to evaluate all the available options ahead of the forthcoming election and thereafter I will notify the general public about it,” he said.(NAN)POLITICS
2025:INEC Seeks Increased Budgetary Allocation, Proposes N126bn
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)POLITICS
PANDEF Tables 3 Demands Before Tinubu
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.