NEWS
Use PVCs Wisely, Vote Credible Leaders, Ortom Charges Christians at Christmas

David Torough, Makurdi
Governor of Benue state Governor, Samuel ortom has again charged Nigerians to arm themselves with their permanent voters cards, pvc, to enable them vote credible and trusted leaders in next year’s general elections.
ortom gave the charge on Christmas day at redeemed christian church of god, rccg, gboko road, makurdi while delivering his goodwill message at a church service to mark this year’s christmas celebration.
he stated that the country was going through pains, hardship, economic and security woes because those who were elected to lead the country at various levels have failed to leave up to their responsibility.
in his words, ” the 2023 elections is the only opportunity we have. so those who are yet to collect their pvcs, please, i beg you in the name of god to do so because that is the only way you can exercise your franchise and restore hope and dignity to our country by electing leaders that have been tested and trusted who you can rely on and work with”.
according to governor ortom, “one vote can make a difference. so if you want a change that will bring dignity and restoration to our country and promote economic development and add value to the development of humanity and restore security, that vote will count.”
he encouraged the people to ensure that they participate in the forthcoming elections, saying “this time, there is no snatching of ballot boxes because it will not be there for any body to snatch. bvas (bimodal voter accreditation system) will make a difference. and so your physical presence and participation is very important.”
governor ortom enjoined the people to remain firm and strong as they enter into 2023, pointing out that with prayers, faith and works, nigerians would experience the good life that they desire.
he said, “as i told you in 2020 the message that god gave me was that faith without works is dead. so whatever you want, it is important to ask god through prayers. through having faith, through worship, through whatever in church but you must also do something on your own. to accomplish the faith that you have you must also apply works and then he will perfect your ways”.
the governor added that, “as we move into 2023, my prayers is that all of us will enjoy. benue people will enjoy, nigerians will enjoy. and let us be strong, let us be firm and let us be committed to those things that are just and fair. those things that provide equity, fairness and justice. those things that will promote righteousness. those things that will make us truly children of the almighty god”.
governor ortom also prayed that, “as we move into the new year, god will give us a turn around that all our mind will be set to do the right thing so that together we can move our country forward.”
governor ortom was joined during the church service by the immediate past governor of the state, senator gabriel suswam and his wife, arc. yemisi suswam and family.
senator suswam is the incumbent senator representing benue north east senatorial district at the national assembly, abuja.
Foreign News
Philippine President Calls for Resignation of All Cabinet Secretaries

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked all of his Cabinet secretaries to submit their resignations on Thursday in what he called a “bold reset” of his administration following last week’s mid-term elections.
The elections saw more opposition candidates win crucial Senate seats, signaling shifting political tides.
Marcos, the 67-year-old son of the late Philippine dictator overthrown in 1986, won the presidency in a landslide in 2022, a stunning political comeback marked by a call for national unity.
However, his vice-presidential running mate, Sara Duterte, also widely popular, later distanced herself from Marcos in a falling-out that had sparked intense political discord.
Marcos had since emerged as one of the region’s most vocal critics of China’s aggression in the disputed South China Sea, bolstered by support from the United States and other allies. Domestically, he continued to face significant challenges, including high inflation, unfulfilled promises to lower rice prices, and growing concerns over kidnappings and other crimes.
“This is not business as usual,” Marcos said in a government statement.
“The people have spoken and they expect results, not politics, not excuses. We hear them and we will act.” (AP/NAN)
NEWS
Reps to Investigate Alleged Irregularities in Driver’s licence Issuance, Revenue Generation

The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate operational issues related to driver’s licence issuance, revenue generation and usage within the last three years.The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Victor Ogene (APC-Bayelsa) at the plenary on Wednesday.
Moving the motion, Ogene said that a tripartite arrangement between Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) led to the digital issuance or renewal of a driver’s license. He said that the approving signature on a driver’s licence typically comes from a designated officer at the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in the state where the licence application originated.He explained that a learner’s permit for driving a vehicle was first issued at a prescribed fee by Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in the relevant state before the release of a driver’s licence.According to him, FRSC operates a Very Important Person (VIP) centre, ostensibly for the renewal of a driver’s licence, which is reportedly being used for issuing fresh driver’s licences that are not preceded with a learner’s permit.Ogene said that the Joint Tax Board (JTB) reviewed the fees payable for a five-year and three-year driver’s licence to N21,000 and N15,000 respectively for a vehicle, N11,000 and N7,000 respectively for a motorcycle or tricycle since Nov. 1, 2024.“FRSC is alleged to use its Information Processing Centre (IPC) for warehousing data for driver’s licences and shortchange the state Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the collection and usage of fees for processing driver’s licences.“Worried that FRSC is reportedly controlling and receiving accounts for drivers’ licence fees, the yearly revenue generated from chargeable fees which amounts to hundreds of billions of naira, is also allegedly unaccounted for by the VIO and various state boards of internal revenue.“Disturbed that the processing of drivers’ licences is unexplainably being delayed for upward of two to three years after the biometric data capturing of applicants.“Also disturbed that the huge debts the FRSC owes Galaxy Backbone Ltd. and other system consultants who are the network providers and maintainers of the biometrics data capturing system are responsible for the system slowdown and the resultant long delay in the issuance of driver’s licences,” he said.Ogene also expressed the need to clearly ascertain which public agency had the legal responsibility of designing, producing and issuing a driver’s licence.In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen said that the committee, when constituted, would report its findings within four weeks for further legislative action. (NAN)NEWS
Those Waiting for Wike’s Downfall ‘ll Wait Endlessly – Aide

Mr Lere Olayinka, spokesman to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says those waiting for the minister’s political downfall will wait endlessly.Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, made the remarks while reacting to comments by former governor of Ebonyi Sam Egwu.
Egwu had in a statement on Tuesday, said that Wike was living on borrowed time, adding that the FCT minister’s influence would soon burn out. Reacting, the spokesman said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, that those waiting for Wike’s downfall would wait forever.He argued that Wike’s political progress was based on personal hard work, dedication, commitment and most importantly, God’s grace.Olayinka also faulted Egwu’s challenge to Wike to make it possible for the suspended governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara to return to office.He also described allegations that the FCT Minister now exercises the powers of President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly in Rivers as absurd.“This type of statement should not come from a former lawmaker,” he said.The Wike spokesman also dismissed the threats by a faction of the South East leaders of the PDP to withdraw their support for the party.According to him, it was illogical for people who could not deliver anything substantial in terms of votes to the PDP in the 2023 elections to be threatening to withdraw their support for the party.“The PDP constitution is clear as to who is the National Secretary of the party. His name is Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and anyone saying or doing anything contrary is only interested in the collapse of the party.” (NAN)