POLITICS
S/South APC Annul Suspension of Lokpobiri
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
South-South zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has annulled the purported suspension of the Minister of State (Petroleum) Heineken Lokpobiri by the party’s executive in his local government in Bayelsa State.
In a statement by the Zonal Legal Adviser of the, Chukwuemeke Ogbuobodo, the party said the APC executive in Lokpobiri’s Ward lacks the power to suspend him as the action runs afoul of provisions of the APC constitution.
The APC South-South Zonal officers described the action as “illegal, null and void,” contending that the local government area executive cannot be a judge in its matter.
Ogbuobodo referred the local government council party executive and “whoever that is sponsoring it, to see article 21.3 (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (a) (b) (c) (d) and (e) of the party’s Constitution and see the procedure for hearing and determination of complaints or allegations.”
He also warned the local council executive that they are not above the law and not to see any other person as beneath it; “APC is not a party for supermen but a party guided by rules of law.
Recall that the APC in Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor local government areas in separate press briefings had last week purportedly suspended Lokpobiri and the 2019 gubernatorial candidate of the party in Bayelsa State, David Lyon.
But Ogbuobodo warned the persons behind the purported suspensions to be mindful that the entire executives in the state were invalidated by the decision of the Bayelsa State High Court in Suit No YHC/16/2022.
“As a consequence, the decision by the so-called LG Executive of APC is unknown to both the party’s Constitution and the laws of the land.”
He stated that to avoid this kind of unwholesome intervention by imposters in the affairs of the party in Bayelsa State given the current vacuum created by the judgment of the High Court of Bayelsa State in suit no. YHC/16/2022 and as a law-abiding entity, party chieftains in the South-South zone would now move swiftly to get the APC National Working Committee, NWC to appoint a caretaker committee to help oversee the party’s activities in the state in the interim pending the election of a substantive state executive.
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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