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Category: Politics Lite

  • United Africa Royal Assembly Congratulates Rwandan President on Re-election

    United Africa Royal Assembly Congratulates Rwandan President on Re-election

    The United Africa Royal Assembly has extended its heartfelt congratulations to President Paul Kagame on his re-election as President of the Republic of Rwanda.

    The Assembly lauded the peaceful nature of the election, highlighting it as a testament to the unwavering trust and confidence the Rwandan people have in President Kagame’s 24 years of visionary leadership.

    In a statement, the President of the United Africa Royal Assembly, His Imperial Highness Prince Estifanos Matewos, commended President Kagame for the tremendous growth and development Rwanda has witnessed under his guidance. He noted that Rwanda has become a beacon of hope and resilience under President Kagame’s tenure.

    “Your tireless efforts to foster unity, peace, and sustainable development have set a commendable example for leaders across Africa and the world,” said Prince Estifanos. He also praised the elections for the special seats reserved for women, young people, and people with disabilities, calling them a shining example of promoting inclusive governance and the empowerment of all segments of society.

    Prince Estifanos expressed confidence that President Kagame’s continued leadership would further propel Rwanda towards greater heights of achievement. He emphasized the United Africa Royal Assembly’s eagerness to strengthen collaboration and partnership with Rwanda, working together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity across the continent.

    “May your tenure be marked by continued success and the fulfillment of your vision for a brighter future for Rwanda and a stronger Africa. May God bless you with wisdom, health, and strength to overcome,” concluded Prince Estifanos.

    The United Africa Royal Assembly looks forward to a fruitful partnership with Rwanda under President Kagame’s leadership, aiming for a prosperous future for the nation and the continent as a whole.

  • Peter Obi’s Ally Dumps Labour Party For APC

    Peter Obi’s Ally Dumps Labour Party For APC

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    A former National Deputy Campaign Manager for Obi/Datti in the 2023 presidential election, Isaac Balami has dumped the Labour Party (LP) and returned to his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Balami announced his decision in a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Speaking on his reason for dumping the party, the Nigerian Aviation expert explained that President Bola Tinubu has shocked him in just one year in office with regard to the Muslim-Muslim ticket which Balami himself was against.

    He explained that he dumped the APC ahead of the last presidential elections because of the ticket.

    However, he has now seen that it actually means nothing.

    The former number three man of Peter Obi’s campaign organization said he had thought that Labour Party had all it takes to take over Nigeria and restructure it on the path of progress but regretted that the leadership crisis in the party and some obvious leadership incompetence had destroyed the party.

    According to him, ” Tinubu has so far empowered more Christian Northerners and other Muslim ethnic nationalities since Nigeria returned back to Democracy. There is nothing that trips me like equity and fairness,”

    “No president has ever worked with the middle belt like President Bola Tinubu.

    “That was not what I saw when I left. I now see a better party and a better government. I can see a Nigeria that in a few years will thrive and I think it is only important for us to work with APC in its effort to rescue this country.

    “Consequently, after consulting widely with leaders across Nigeria, the middle-belt caucus, my parents and my immediate family, it becomes expedient that I resign from the Labour Party. I will now return back to the APC.

    Balami said he was happy with the level of inclusiveness under the current administration.

    Speaking on LP crisis, the politician said, “There is every indication that Nigeria cannot be redeemed through the Labour Party. As I move with my entire structure back to my former party, I urge them to join me in working with the APC to redeem our dear country.”

    Recall that the Balami, while moving to the Labour Party a year ago, said he was sacrificing for the good of the country and thousands of Nigerian youths who believed in him.

  • Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno Named New Senate Chief Whip, Succeeding Ali Ndume

    Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno Named New Senate Chief Whip, Succeeding Ali Ndume

     
    The Nigerian Senate has appointed Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno to replace Ali Ndume as Chief Whip. 
     
    The decision was prompted by a formal complaint from the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which was presented during a plenary session chaired by Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio.
     
    The complaint, conveyed in a letter signed by APC’s National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Bashir, cited concerns over Ndume’s public statements which were deemed detrimental to national interests. 
     
    Specifically, Ndume’s comments in a media interview where he criticized the administration and made allegations against prominent figures within the party were highlighted as reasons for his replacement.
     
    Following the reading of the letter by Senator Akpabio, the Senate conducted a voice vote to confirm Senator Monguno as the new Chief Whip of the Senate.

  • Court restores Philip Shuaibu as Edo State Deputy Governor

    Court restores Philip Shuaibu as Edo State Deputy Governor

    By Vivian Michael, Abuja

    Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Wednesday, nullified the removal of Phillip Shuaibu as Edo State Deputy Governor.

    The court, in a judgement held that Shuaibu’s impeachment and subsequent removal violated the provisions of the law.

    Having declared the removal as unlawful, the court subsequently ordered his instatement as deputy governor of the state.

    Besides, the court ordered the Inspector General of Police to restore his security details as deputy governor.

    Consequently, the Court ordered that his salaries, allowances should be paid to him from April.

    Details later.

  • Tinubu mourns Labour Party lawmaker 

    Tinubu mourns Labour Party lawmaker 

    President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the National Assembly and the Kaduna State Government over the passing of Honourable Ekene Abubakar Adams, a lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives.

    The President also extended his condolences to the family and friends of the late lawmaker, urging them to find solace in the Almighty and in the legacy of the deceased.

    President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed lawmaker and strength to his family.

    Ekene died on Tuesday morning after battling an unknown illness.

    He was 39 years old.

  • Ganduje faces Fresh Charges

    Ganduje faces Fresh Charges

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The Kano State Government on Tuesday filed fresh charge against former governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje.

    In the charge sheet with case No. K/143c/24, the state government accused Ganduje and erstwhile Commissioner for Justice, Musa Lawan, of Criminal Conspiracy, and misappropriation contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code (as amended) CAP 105, Vol. 2, the Laws of Kano State of Nigeria.

    The offence, the state government said, is contrary punishable under Section 97 and Section 315.

    The state government accused Ganduje and Lawan of abuse of office.

    In the charge sheet, the state government said it intends to present four witnesses.

    No date has been fixed for the arraignment.

  • Senate suspends legislative activities over Rep member Adams’ death

    Senate suspends legislative activities over Rep member Adams’ death

    The Senate on Tuesday, July 16, suspended all legislative activities for the day to honour the late Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, a member of the House of Representatives.

    Hon Adams who represented Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna state, reportedly died on Tuesday morning after a brief illness.

    He was the chairman of the House Committee on Sports.

    Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the death of Adams during the commencement of plenary.

    The Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the late lawmaker and thereafter adjourned legislative activities for the day.

  • Tension In Rivers As Seven-Day Budget Ultimatum Reaches Deadline

    Tension In Rivers As Seven-Day Budget Ultimatum Reaches Deadline

    Political uncertainty has returned to Rivers State as the deadline approaches for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit the 2024 budget, following a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.

    This ultimatum, set to expire this week, stems from a motion by Dumle Maol, Deputy Speaker of the Pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly, calling for compliance with a court ruling that affirmed the assembly’s current membership and leadership.

    The demand for budget resubmission aligns with a presidential peace pact from December aimed at quelling the state’s ongoing political crisis.

    Despite this, Governor Fubara, who had previously submitted the ₦800 billion budget to an Edison Ehie-led Assembly, announced plans for the 2025 budget, signalling a potential dismissal of the assembly’s demands.

    The ongoing crisis in Rivers began with a series of dramatic events, including a fire at the State House of Assembly and an attempted impeachment of Governor Fubara.

    The faction of the Assembly is now led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.

    The budget, which was passed and signed into law, is still being implemented, suggesting that the peace agreement has faltered.

    Meanwhile, a pro-Fubara politician from the same community as Amaewhule, Chijioke Ihunwo, has dismissed the 7-day ultimatum on the governor as laughable.

    Ihunwo, who was appointed by the governor as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, urged Amaewhule to accept his fate as a former assembly member, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

    He encouraged the people of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, comprising Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua Local Government Areas, to continue supporting the Governor under the leadership of former Senator John Azuta-Mbata.

    The politician, who was criticised for appointing 100 aides last week, said the decision, which other CTC Chairmen are also implementing, is aimed at bringing local government administration closer to the grassroots.

    He announced that more appointments would be made in the coming days, to demonstrate that the Fubara-led government is inclusive.

  • Stop Attack On Tinubu Or Lose Election In 2027 – North-East Elders Warn Ndume

    Stop Attack On Tinubu Or Lose Election In 2027 – North-East Elders Warn Ndume

    The Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Ali Ndume, has been warned by the Coalition of Northeast Elders Forum (CNEF) to stop attacking President Bola Tinubu.

    The coalition, which alleged that Ndume’s 20 years in the National Assembly have not helped Borno State, threatened to mobilize voters against him in 2027 if he keeps attacking the President.

    According to the elders, Ndume should rather support his brother from Borno, Vice President Kashim Shettima, instead of speaking against Tinubu.

    The Northeast elders who asked Ndume to render an account of his stewardship were angry at the Senator’s recent outburst about President Tinubu’s administration, which they described as unnecessary.

    The Coalition of North-East Elders Forum questioned the rationale behind such, when he is expected to support the President to tackle insecurity and other challenges caused by insurgents and bandits in Borno and the Northern region.

    The elders alleged, “Senator Ndume did attack the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying it’s run by kakistocrats—those deemed the least qualified and most unscrupulous citizens—and kleptocrats, who are merely in power to steal.”

    In reaction to the outburst, the group, in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Ali Ibrahim Sheriff, said what was “expected from Senator Ali Ndume now is to work closely with the President; Vice President, who is from same Borno with him and security agencies to address the unprovoked attacks by insurgents and bandits in the North.

    “As concerned elders from the Northeast geo-political zone, we wonder why during the days of President Buhari he chose to be silent amid heightened problems of insecurity; pervasive hunger, looting of public funds and bad governance.”

    While telling the Chief Whip of the Senate to be sensitive to the yearnings of his people in Borno and the entire North, they asked him to give an account of his stewardship over the last 20 years as a lawmaker.

    They said, “If leadership is as easy as that, we make bold to ask, all these years, how many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has he trained, educated and empowered with funds allocated to him?”

    “Ndume should come out boldly to render an account of his stewardship or we mobilise voters against him come 2027.”

    The elders, however, called on Northerners to shun what they termed, “Ndume’s divisive vituperations” and support the Tinubu and Shettima’s administration to tackle the security challenges in the North and in other parts of the country.

  • LG Autonomy: Presidency Attacks Peter Obi For Not Commenting On Supreme Court Ruling 

    LG Autonomy: Presidency Attacks Peter Obi For Not Commenting On Supreme Court Ruling 

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga has slammed the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his silence since the Supreme Court gave its ruling granting financial autonomy to Local government areas.

    Speaking via his account on Friday Night, Onanuga claimed that Obi’s silence shows he is only quick to tweet unverified news about President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria.

    He insisted that a good opposition must be sincere enough to praise his political opponent when he carries out a great deed.

    Onanuga urged the former Anambra governor to break his silence and acknowledge Tinubu’s efforts in making Nigeria great.

    He wrote, “Why is Peter Obi silent?

    “More than 36 hours after the Supreme Court gave a landmark ruling, granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local councils, Mr. Peter Obi, the defeated Labour Party candidate, has yet to utter a word on the epochal judgment. His silence confirms the belief that he is always quick to tweet unverified news about the Tinubu administration or our country.

    “A good opposition statesman must be candid enough to applaud his political opponent when he has done some great deed. The Tinubu administration has succeeded in giving life back to our emasculated councils, using the instrumentality of the law. Even Atiku Abubakar has grudgingly admitted this. But Peter has been silent. He should break his silence and acknowledge that President Tinubu is making a great Nigeria possible.’’