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Senate Tackles Babalola over ING Call, Suspension of 2023 Elections

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.Call Invitation to Anarchy – Uzodinma

Reactions have continued to trail the call by the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUA), Are Afe Babalola, SAN, for the suspension of the 2023 election, and institution of Interim National Government (ING) for a period of six months after the expiration the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2023.

Nigerian Senate on Tuesday described it as unfortunate that such opinion came from a legal luminary.

Senate Spokesman, Bashir Ajibola while reacting to the development said, in as much as Senate will not join issues with him, it is very sad that such a comment is coming from a legal luminary that is so much respected by the people.

The Senate said the legal luminary might be offering his opinion against his knowledge of the law, but that the procedure for amending the constitution to accommodate his ideas, was clearly spelt out in the constitution.

Ajibola said: “Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution as amended clearly states the procedure for amendment and as a lawyer, Afe Babalola supposed to know all this.

“His comment is more political than legal and his suggestions cannot stand in line with modern reality. For instance, pegging the age of political offices is not in tandem with the provision of the Constitution as it stands today and even the America that we are copying doesn’t have such provision in its Constitution.

“The job of a president is not a bricklayers’ job, it involves intellect and vision for the development of the country.”

The Senate further countered Babalola’s belief that legislators do not have much to do, hence, they should be placed part-time, noting that legislators do not only make laws but do other legislative activities including oversight.

Speaking on the part-time legislators, he said the legal luminary appeared not to understand the workings of the legislature.

“We are not only making laws, but we carry out oversight functions. We entertain the views of our constituents because we are not in a military era where somebody with a military fiat will come out with a new system of government without following due process,” he said.

He advised the respected legal luminary to wait till the 10th National Assembly before coming up with his personal opinion for consideration.

“All these things would have been suggested during the call for memoranda preparatory to Constitutional amendment. Unfortunately, he did not come up with any suggestions during the ongoing Constitutional amendment.

“If he is so passionate about the suggestion he is making now, he should wait for the next Assembly where he will have opportunity to submit his personal opinion for consideration,” he stated.

Babalola’s Call for Interim Government Invitation Anarchy – Uzodinma

Similarly, the Governor of Imo State,  Hope Uzodinma, on Tuesday criticized legal icon, Afe Babalola’s (SAN) call for a six-month interim national government in place of election at the expiration of President Buhari’s term as an invitation to anarchy.

Uzodinma urged those who have alternative views to the constitution to go through the National Assembly rather than an interim government arrangement that can lead the nation to crisis.

The Imo Governor wondered how the interim government would be selected with no election to replace the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since the constitution did not make provision for an interregnum.

Uzodinma spoke to State House correspondents shortly after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, on Tuesday.

According to him, “By May 29, if there is no elected government, our constitution has not provided for an interregnum. There shouldn’t be a gap, otherwise you are creating room for anarchy.

“What will be the process of selecting the interim government because after May 29, the president may not have constitutional powers to function as a president anymore? So, I don’t think we will decide to abandon our constitution.

“Constitution is like the Bible. To some of us who are Christians, the Bible is the manager of our faith. So, the Constitution should be the instrument guiding our actions as a country.

“If you think there is an opinion that is worthy to be canvassed, superior to what is in the Nigerian constitution, such opinion should be taken to the National Assembly and they will through due process amend our constitution to factor in such an opinion.”

Uzodinma who also spoke on the increasing spate of attacks in Imo communities insisted that the killings were sponsored by desperate politicians.

He disclosed that he briefed the President on the unprovoked gunmen attack at the Continuous Voters Registration at Ihitte Uboma where an INEC staff, Anthony  Nwokorie, was murdered in cold blood.

The governor said that two of the gunmen who carried out the Ihitte-Uboma, are now in custody of the police and are assisting the police with the investigation.

According to him, the INEC registration Centre was attacked by gunmen whose attempt to attack the Okigwe Correctional Centre was frustrated with adequate intelligence and security arrangement.

“On the incident that happened which involved the INEC staff, regrettably INEC was not the target. We had the intelligence that the Correctional Center facility in Okigwe was to be attacked by bandits.

“We recorded their conversation and fortified the Correctional Center for safety.

And true to it, the bandits, approaching Okigwe, saw how fortified the place was, tried to escape through Ihitte Uboma and ran into INEC staff when they were doing continuous voters registration. It was out of that anger and frustration, that they (bandits) attacked them.

“You must have heard that two of the bandits have been arrested and are helping the Nigerian police and Imo State Government to do a very thorough investigation and until that is done, I will not say much on that.”

Uzodinma further said that he was never in doubt that about those sponsoring the banditry in the country.

He dismissed the claim in some quarters that the ruling party might be behind the banditry wondering how many opposition states are under the kind of attack being witnessed in Kaduna every day.

“Then on the issue of the sponsor of banditry by APC, I want us to look at the issue of banditry in Nigeria holistically. If anybody is telling you that the government in power is sponsoring banditry, how and why?

“How can anybody even think of a government sponsoring banditry in a country that it is in charge. If that is correct, assuming that is a possibility, how many states governed by opposition parties are under this kind of attack that we hear from Kaduna every day; that we get from Imo state every day, that we get from Ebonyi state.

So, if we are the ones, why are we attacking our own states? Why are we going to be enemies and opposition to our own governments. Among those that have been killed and houses that were attacked, how many of those buildings belong to opposition party?

“Am I supposed to be attacking and burning down my own house? Or do you think Ebonyi governor will burn down his own house? Or the Kaduna governor will burn down facilities in his government?

“So, we should be able to ask questions, not only as media practitioners but as Nigerian citizens. I just use this medium to call on Nigerian politicians to play politics without bitterness and stop letting blood here and there in the name of looking for power. “I am no longer in doubt, as to who are the sponsors of banditry in Nigeria. Those who want to make Nigeria ungovernable cannot be the people governing Nigeria, currently.

“After all, we don’t have election this year. Election should start by next year. So, for complete one year, APC government is in power and will not encourage any disruption,” he said.

POLITICS

I Didn’t Call for Ganduje’s Resignation – Alia

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has denied calling for the resignation of Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Tersoo Kula.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CPS was reacting to some media reports that the governor has called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.

The Kula said the governor at no time called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.
He said the governor enjoyed a good relationship with the Ganduje-led leadership of APC.
“It is imperative to clarify that at no point did Governor Alia assembled, attended and sent a representative or participated in any meeting to discuss the removal or call for resignation of Alhaji.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
“The Benue State governor remains firm in his support and allegiance to the leadership of the National Working Committee of the APC, under the leadership of Alhaji Ganduje.
“Furthermore, at no point, whether publicly or privately, has the governor advocated or expressed any desire for the resignation of the National party chairman”, he said.
He said the governor was focused on positively changing the fortunes of the state.
“He is alive to his responsibilities as the leader of APC in Benue State and is doing everything legitimate to reposition the party for future victories.” Kula said.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benue State said it has withdrawn the only case filed by the embattled state chairman of the party, comrade Austin Agada that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
It said the said case has been consequently struck out by Justice T.A. Kume.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Daniel Ihomun,  said this was done in compliance with the directive of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its 146th meeting held on the 20th March, 2024, wherein resolutions targeting peace were made directing all pending cases filed by members of the party in Benue State against the party or concerning the party and its members be withdrawn within 7 days.
Mr. Ihomun in a statement, made available to newsmen in Makurdi, said the State Legal Adviser of the APC, Alyebo Mathew Esq, at the instance of the state chairman, filed a Notice of Withdrawal on the 25th March, 2024, in the only case filed by the chairman that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
The party urged all members affected by the directive to withdraw all matters in court to clear the way for proper reconciliation that will ultimately pave the way for peace in the party.

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POLITICS

Mutfwang Meets PDP North Central Leadership Calls for Unity among Officials

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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has called for unity a purpose among officials of the North Central geopolitical political zone towards the growth of the party in the region.
He noted that the region has consistently remained a stronghold for the PDP since its inception, attributing it to the party’s ideologies and its developmental impact on the citizens at any given opportunity.


Governor Mutfwang made the commendation during a meeting on Wednesday with PDP officials from the North Central, led by the zonal National Vice Chairman, Hon.
Theophilus Dakas Shan, at Plateau House in Abuja the nation’s capital.

While applauding the dedication, patriotism, and steadfast support of the PDP officials in the region for their role in promoting unity and internal democracy in the party reiterated that such dedication will not be forgotten by the party.
Governor Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs expressed his gratitude to the zonal officials for their commitment during the 2023 general elections, an effort he said aligned with the party’s principles.
He reiterated that the party’s mission is to govern not for personal gain but for the people’s liberation, voicing his expectation that the PDP will continue to be the people’s party, deserving of significant involvement in its administration.
As the opposition party, the Governor emphasized the need to strive for the governance Nigerians aspire to, stating, “We must offer constructive criticism to the government and ensure the Nigerian people are not shortchanged.”
The Governor announced plans to reform the party into a robust, dependable, and credible political platform that enables Nigerians to run for elections and fulfill the promise of democracy.
The National Vice Chairman of the PDP North Central Zone, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, congratulated Governor Mutfwang on his election and Supreme Court victories.
He pledged full support to his administration, noting that the Governor’s unique position as the sole PDP-elected Governor from the zone will not be taken for granted.
He acknowledged the North Central’s role in electing the National Chairman of the PDP by consensus before the 2023 elections. However, recent political events in Benue State, has set aside the Chairman from office adding that the zone needs to address the matter as a family.
Hon. Shan said plans are underway to hold congresses of the Party and called for unity to ensure that the process is reliable, credible, and universally accepted, thereby minimizing potential litigation.

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POLITICS

FG Seeks Swedish Govt Support on Technical Education

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government is seeking the support of the Swedish Government to help drive its ongoing efforts of integrating technology and skills into the education sector.The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman who made the appeal while hosting the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englung, on a working visit to the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja, said it was important to leverage Sweden’s technical expertise.

The Minister also said the Federal government is seeking the support of the Swedish government in the development of indigenous languages to aid sound educational development in Nigeria.
He said: “The presence of (Swedish) tech companies in education and training is very important for us because one of the major things this ministry is focusing on now is to bring technology and skills into our education system right from the very early stage of education and we feel it is a very important mechanism tool for learning and teaching.
”And so we will be looking at your experiences to see how we can grow from that because what we want is right from primary school we want our students to be exposed to technology and skills so that at that stage they can grow with it and nurture critical thinking capabilities.“Right now education is not all about just providing training for jobs and skills of today, but preparing them to think about the skills of tomorrow and the best way to do that is by nurturing critical thinking capability right at the early stage.“So we will be leveraging your expertise and experience in order for us to develop our plans and integrate skills and technology into the curriculum at all the levels of our education system in Nigeria.”Mamman who noted that some agreements had been signed between Nigeria and Sweden in the past, however, stressed the need for both countries to deepen bilateral relationships by committing to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in several areas of partnerships.The Swedish envoy had earlier named some Swedish firms in Nigeria engaged in educational and entrepreneurship programmes.Hahn – Englung who expressed Sweden’s readiness to deepen existing relationships, especially in the area of education, noted Sweden’s desire to have more students study in the country’s institutions of higher learning.“We have quite a number of companies especially when it comes to EdTech but then also, we have ideas to see what we can do more together.“We have many Nigerian students going to Sweden every year. They are very competitive students we have noticed but we will like to see that expand more.”

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