National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has pleaded with aggrieved aspirants who lost out in last weekend’s governorship primary of the party not to dwell on the past for the victory of the APC in the general elections.
Ganduje made this appeal on Thursday at a meeting with the aggrieved aspirants and party standard-bearer, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo and leader of the Primary Committee had on Tuesday submitted his team report amidst protests at the party secretariat in Akure and petitions submitted to the Appeal panel by some of the aspirants.
Ganduje, who stated that the focus of the APC should be how to win the November 16 off-season elections, said he did not call the peace meeting to dwell on what has happened, but on how to make the party chieftains work as a team in the forthcoming elections.
He said: “I have to thank you for honouring our invitation in the shortest time and also considering the emotional distress as a result of the primary conducted in few days.
“The purpose of this dialogue is to appeal, it isn’t to dwell on what has happened or what hasn’t happened; what is correct and not correct
“If we dwell on that, it will lead to too much analysis leading to paralysis.
“If we dwell into that, there are professors amongst us and members of the learned community, SAN, even Engineers. We, who are less educated, the controversy won’t favour us considering the galaxy of people here.
“Our own is to appeal to you. For those of us insiders, it is our party that is the ruling party in Ondo State and we are managers of our party in Nigeria. So we are an interested party. Our prayer is that our party, your party should be the ruling party in Ondo State. It is already a ruling party our prayer is that it continues to be a ruling party in Ondo State.
“So, we are here to appeal to you, so that we succeed in maintaining the state as APC state. We are all practitioners, I remember that I once contested and after 16 years, I won. So, I can’t call you lost aspirants because you can win tomorrow.”
The meeting later dissolved into a closed-door session.
Apart from the Ondo State Governor and candidate in next November elections, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, aspirants at the meeting include the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim; Olusola Oke SAN; former President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; a mechanical engineer, Dr Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo.
Others are Dr Soji Ehinlanwo, Akinfolarin Samuel, Adewale Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Edema, Brig. Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide (retd), Oladiran Iyatan and Engineer Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, in a meeting with Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and aspirants of the last Saturday’s governorship primary election at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, on Thursday.
Accreditation of delegates from the 18 Local Government areas of Ondo State participating in the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is holding at the venue of the exercise, the International Culture and Event Center, the dome, in Akure, the state capital.
627 delegates are voting to decide who flies the party’s flag among the 7 aspirants jostling for the ticket.
The election committee chaired by deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo is superintending over the exercise.
Bayelsa State Deputy-Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo is to head Ondo Peoples Democratic Party pdp Primary slated for tomorrow at The International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome), Akure.
627 Delegates across the 18 council areas are to determine the candidate of the PDP in the November 16 ondo state governorship election.
The aspirants cleared for the election are Adeolu Akinwumi, ex attorney-general Olusola Ebiseni, Bamidele Akingboye and two-time house of representatives member Kolade Akinjo.
Others are Bosun Arebuwa, John Mafo and former deputy-governor Agboola Ajayi.
Meanwhile the Party’s congresses are billed to hold on July 13 in 25 states to elect new chairmen and other executive members.
States affected include Ondo, Ekiti, all South South and north west states as well as the federal capital territory.
Others are Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Gombe, Enugu, Imo and Abia states.
A NEC-approved timetable and schedule of activities show that the PDP National Working Committee would dispatch notices of party congresses to state chapters and notifications of the end of the executives’ tenure in the 25 affected states.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a notice of withdrawal to discontinue an appeal against an order of a Kogi High Court restraining the agency from arresting Yahaya Bello, former governor of the state. In the notice filed on April 22, and signed by its counsel, J.S Okutepa, SAN, the EFCC said the withdrawal is predicated on the fact that events have overtaken the appeal.
The commission also admitted that the appeal was filed out of the time allowed by law. “The appellant herein intends to and do hereby wholly withdraw her appeal against the respondent in the above mentioned appeal. This notice of withdrawal is predicated on the fact that; on the April 17, 2024, the application filed by the appellant herein was overtaken by the decision of the same high court of Kogi state.
The orders made ex parte by Jamil on the Feb 9, 2024 in the said suit which is the subject of this appeal, was made to last pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice which was finally determined by Jamil J. on the April 17, 2024. Furthermore, the notice of appeal was filed out of time and we, therefore, pray that the appeal be struck out for being filed out of time and incompetent” he stated.
On Feb 8, Mr Bello instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit, asking the court to declare that “the incessant haraSSment, thr£ats of arrest and detention, negative press releases, malicious prosecution” of the EFCC — “without any formal invitation — is politically motivated and interference with his right to liberty, freedom of movement, and fair hearing”.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has met with the National Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mahammed, in Abuja,
The purpose of the visit is to discuss partnership between the agency and the Ondo State Government towards community development and food security.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implored the nation’s Judiciary to embark on reforms that would ensure a functional justice system that will support a rapidly growing economy, guarantee basic human and political rights of individuals as well as provide security and justice to all Nigerians.
According to him, much can be achieved when institutions of government, including the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, unite to acknowledge their challenges and brainstorm with a view to proffering solutions to the problems bedeviling Nigeria.
President Tinubu gave the charge on Wednesday when he declared open the National Summit on Justice, 2024, held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.
The President who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged the judiciary to align its activities within the tenets of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly as they relate “to the priorities on inclusivity, fairness, rule of law, and anti-corruption stance, among other things”.
Noting that his administration had pledged to be impartial and adhere to constitutional principles, Tinubu said the Summit availed institutions in the justice sector “with an opportunity to push boundaries by identifying needed system changes and critical reforms that would allow Nigerians to reap the benefits of huge investments in the sector.”
Delivering the President’s address at the event, VP Shettima explained that the federal government is determined to implement its policies and promises made to Nigerians for a renewed hope, through the instrumentality of the “law and the dictates of justice to create opportunities for our people”.
Outlining the preliminary measures he took in order to reposition the Judiciary in the bid to support a just and rules-based Nigeria, President Tinubu recalled that his administration made funding for the third arm of government a top priority, doubling it in the Renewed Hope budget 2024 by more that 100 per cent from last year’s budget.
He listed other efforts his government has made to reposition the Judiciary to include full complement of 21 Justices of the Supreme Court as required by law for the first time after many years, and his approval of “a substantial increase in the salaries and emoluments of judges, which is currently undergoing legislative action.”
The President noted however that despite progress being made in the justice sector, there “is an urgent need for a functional justice system capable of supporting a rapidly growing economy, guaranteeing basic human and political rights of individuals, and providing security and justice to all.”
Observing that this is why continued reforms had become imperative, President Tinubu continued: “Justice sector leaders and professionals need to find the right responses to the challenges we face through policy innovation, citizen-centered reform, systems change, and legislative reform, where necessary.
“I accordingly urge the leadership of all justice sector institutions to seek a new direction and focus on outcomes by creating a justice system that truly responds to the needs of our citizens – one that serves Nigerians now and for generations to come.
“I demand informed and coordinated responses to the identified challenges plaguing the effectiveness and efficiency of the sector. I demand performance so that Nigerians can feel and acknowledge the impact of your reform efforts. Ultimately, the expectations are that law and justice should aim to ensure public safety, economic development, peaceful co-existence, and the well-being of our people.”
Earlier, the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio commended the commitment of all stakeholders in the justice sector in building a consensus that will ensure a more robust judicial system that guarantees justice for all irrespective of background and social status.
He undersored the commitment of the National Assembly for a more vibrant and transformative justice system, assuring that the legislature will play its part by deliberating on the outcome of the summit in a bid to enshrine the outcomes into law.
Maintaining that reforming the justice system is a moral imperative, Sen. Akpabio suggested that key recommendations for ammendment or review be clearly highlighted and sent to the National Assembly in the bid to ensure speedy and fair dispensation of justice, recommending a bottom to top approach in the proposed reforms.
On his part, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Okukayode Ariwoola, said given expectations from the judiciary, undertaking a holistic reform of the sector had become necessary, noting that “constitutional, statutory and operational reforms in the justice sector is imperative in meeting the aspirations and yearnings of the general public.”
The CJN attributed most of the achievements recorded in the judiciary to the support of Tinubu administration, particularly in the enhancement of the welfare of judicial officers and improvement in their working environment.
In the same vein, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, emphasised the significance of the revised draft national policy on justice, noting that building a national consensus on the advancement of the justice sector has become necessary.
On his part, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Maikyau, commended leaders in the justice sector for convening the summit and noted that reforming practices and mechanism for operations in the sector was critical to the overall economic transformation of the country.
In his keynote address, a former Chief Justice of Kenya, Dr Willy Mutunga, looked at constitutional and overall justice sector reforms in Kenya and Nigeria and repositioning for an African justice system.
Analysing issues in the Kenyan and Nigerian justice sectors, specifically citing the sharia law system in Nigeria, Dr Mutunga said the development of a jurisprudence that is African-based will go a long way in reinstating confidence of the people in the judiciary.
Also present at the event were the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq; Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin; Ministers of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris; Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede; Chairman of the NDLEA, Maj.- Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), and Chief Judges from the states, among others.
Stanley Kingsley Nkwocha Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President) 24th April, 2024
To guarantee effective power supply in Ekiti, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has ceded its regulatory oversight of the electricity market to the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EERB).
NERC said that while it exercises regulatory oversight of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) as the major regulatory agent in accordance with powers conferred by the Electricity Act 2023, its current ceding was part of the legal requirement to decentralise the operations of Gencos and DisCos in Nigeria, as well as even the single Transco.
The new arrangement has been announced so far for Ekiti and Enugu and Ondo States, which have existing Electricity regulatory Bureau established through laws enacted by their respective Houses of Assembly and who have met other constitutional provisions.
Under this lofty power distribution decentralisation policy, the electricity tariffs that will be payable in Ekiti shall be subject to ratification by EERB and all relating protective policy for customers shall be the responsibility of the Ekiti State Government.
The NERC explained that the decentralisation policy was achieved when presidential assent was granted to the amendment of relevant portions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) on 17 March, 2023.
With this power concession move, which shall be effective from May 1, 2024, the EERB will now regulate electricity market in the state, while also working in synergy with NERC being the statutory national body to oversee power distribution across the nation.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the takeoff of the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme, aimed at empowering Nigerians to improve their quality of life through access to goods and services.
Announcing President Tinubu’s approval in a statement on Wednesday, his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said “Consumer credit is the lifeblood of modern economies, and every hardworking Nigerian should have access to social mobility.
“This scheme will facilitate crucial purchases, such as homes, vehicles, education, and healthcare, essential for ongoing stability to pursue their aspirations.”
The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) will strengthen Nigeria’s credit reporting systems, ensuring every economically active citizen has a dependable credit score.
This score will serve as personal equity, facilitating access to consumer credit. CREDICORP will also offer credit guarantees and wholesale lending to financial institutions dedicated to broadening consumer credit access.
“This initiative promotes responsible consumer credit as a pathway to an improved quality of life, fostering a cultural shift towards growth and financial responsibility,” Ngelale said in the statement.
In line with the President’s directive, CREDICORP has launched a portal for Nigerians to express interest in receiving consumer credit.
Working Nigerians interested in receiving consumer credit can visit www.credicorp.ng to express interest before May 15, 2024.
The scheme will be rolled out in phases, starting with members of the civil service and cascading to other members of the public.
“This is a significant step towards empowering Nigerians to enhance their quality of life. We encourage all eligible citizens to take advantage of this opportunity and join the journey towards financial stability and growth”, the statement said.
It further said the Consumer Credit Scheme is expected to stimulate local industry and job creation, as increased demand for goods and services drives economic growth.
“Through responsible repayment, individuals will build credit histories, unlocking more opportunities for a better life”, the statement said.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been directed by Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation, to suspend the operations of Dana Air, TheCable understands.
The directive followed the incident involving a Dana Air plane at Lagos airport on April 23, which veered off the Lagos airport runway.
This forced aviation authorities to divert flights from the local airport to the international terminal.
In a letter to the NCAA director general dated April 24, signed by Emmanuel Meribole, permanent secretary, ministry of aviation, and seen by TheCable, the ministry said Keyamo’s attention has been drawn to the “serious concerns” that followed the incident.
The ministry said the incident has raised concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of Dana Air operations.
“In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travelers, the Honourable Minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted. This audit should encompass all aspects of safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure full compliance with our aviation regulations,” the ministry said.
“The recent incidents have underscored the urgency of this matter, and it is imperative that swift and decisive action be taken to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved. I trust in your expertise and diligence in carrying out this audit thoroughly and expeditiously.”
On April 23, Dana Air said all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare.
