POLITICS
Name the Terrorist in NASS—Rep Challenges Buhari
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday, reserved rulings on a petition brought before it against President Muhammadu Buhari, that he publicly called National Assembly legislators terrorists.
The decision to reserve its ruling on the matter followed a complaint of abuse of his privilege raised on the floor by Hon.
Ben Roland Igbakpa, under matter of privilege, who also asked the President to name the sponsors of terrorism in the National Assembly.Igbakpa said his point of order, was predicated on Order 6 Rule 2, and Legislative House Powers Act Number 17a.
He further cited Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which he said gave powers of lawmaking to the National Assembly, while Section 5, gave the Executive powers and 6, gave powers to the Judiciary.
He pointed out that no part of the Constitution said that any arm of government was higher than the other.
The lawmaker said that he listened to the Independence Day speech by President Buhari, and could confirm in paragraph 33, where he told the whole world that, “one of us is sponsoring terrorism.
“That means 469 members of this National Assembly are prime suspects”, he said, stressing that where he went for the burial of a colleague at the weekend, he was challenged over the statement by the President.
He said the worst befell him in the neighbouring Ghana at the weekend too, where he was quizzed for hours due to the statement.
Igbakpa said that the Ghanaian authorities told him that he was under watch, because there was a red alert that one of Nigerian lawmakers is a sponsor of terrorism.
The lawmaker who said after a long period of waiting, the officials came apologizing and asked him to proceed, worried that this was the kind of treatment the President’s statement was exposing them to.
He said the President should have been bold enough to name the lawmaker that is a sponsor of terrorism, rather than generalize, to expose them to hatred and disdain.
“My friends have been calling me to say, who among you is the terrorists sponsor? Stressing that the situation has become very embarrassing.
The lawmaker asked the House of Representatives and the Senate to redeem their image and ask the President to show boldness to name the lawmaker that is a sponsor of terrorism among them.
However, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, refused members to speak on the matter, even when it was obvious that they wanted to air their grievances over the President’s comment.
Gbajabiamila said it was a matter of privilege and should not be debated, telling the petitioners that, “I will get back to you.”
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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