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Category: North Central

  • Wike Dismisses Claims Of Building Homes For Judges To Curry Favours

    Wike Dismisses Claims Of Building Homes For Judges To Curry Favours

    As would be expected, FCT Minister, Wike, has refuted allegations that the construction of homes for judges is intended to curry favours.

    Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, Wike clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative but part of a welfare package designed by President Bola Tinubu to support judicial independence.

    Wike insisted that he is simply fulfilling his role by implementing an already approved project.

    Wike explained, “(Tinubu said) ‘Where are the judges living? They have no homes and are therefore open to political manipulation and for me, as a president who wants to guarantee the independence of the judiciary, judges must have their homes’.

    “I am not Mr President; I am only lucky to be appointed as a minister under this administration and who is in the position to implement his policies. And Mr President said, look, this is what he wants; come up and see what we can do.

    “It was approved by Mr President, sent to the National Assembly in the 2024 budget that there should be construction of judges and Justices quarters. That they should move judges from where they are renting houses, living among criminals.

    “A policy anybody should commend Mr President, it is in the budget of 2024, appropriated by the National Assembly, assented to by Mr President which is a law. What is the problem? I am only the implementor, go and implement this.

    “Federal Executive Council approved the contract and everything, it is not my policy, how will you now want to kill me that I am implementing what the Federal Government approved?”

    Wike insisted that there is nothing wrong even if it was his idea to construct homes for judges, adding that he had done something similar as the governor of Rivers State.

    The former Rivers State governor lamented the criticisms for this project instead of commendation, especially from those in the legal profession.

  • Police to grant security clearance to Abuja drivers from 2025 – Wike

    Police to grant security clearance to Abuja drivers from 2025 – Wike

    Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, says the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services will give security clearance to commercial vehicle drivers in the nation’s capital, effective from January 2025.

    Speaking at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja on Thursday, Wike stated that the move is to curtail kidnapping and cases of ‘one-chance’ robbery in Abuja.

    The minister disclosed that any commercial bus or taxi driver who is not cleared by the security agencies will not be allowed to operate with the FCT.

    He said, “Most of the Keke Napep and most of the motorcycles are informants. Everybody here who is a beneficiary is being profiled by security.

    “And so what we are coming up with is that from January next year, there will be nobody that will operate as a taxi driver or a bus driver without having approval from security, with security profiling you and without going about with Abuja colour. Nothing like using any vehicle on the road. No, we won’t allow that. We won’t allow that starting in January.

    “We will take the vehicle number, the names of the drivers, and the rest so everybody will have confidence that this is the vehicle I’m entering in case anything happens.”

    Wike also handed over some new cars to beneficiaries to use as taxis. He encouraged the beneficiaries not to be ashamed that they are being empowered to be taxi drivers.

    The minister stated that many Nigerians who reject taxi driving jobs at home gladly embrace such when they travel abroad.

    “They are not paying a dime. No, the government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city… Abuja should compete with other cities in the world,” he said.

  • Gov Alia suspends attorney general over EFCC legality suit 

    Gov Alia suspends attorney general over EFCC legality suit 

    Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday, suspended the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mynin.

    The commissioner was suspended for joining the suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission without informing his principal.

    The Apex Court had on Tuesday reserved judgment on the suit filed by 19 states of the federation.

    However, three out of the nineteen states challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were reported to have withdrawn from the suit.

    The three states, according to the report are; Anambra (9th plaintiff), Adamawa (16th plaintiff), and Ebonyi (18th plaintiff) separately submitted applications for withdrawal before the Court.

    The Attorney General of Anambra State, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, informed the court that she wishes to withdraw from the suit, having filed a motion for withdrawal on October 20.

    Similarly, the Attorney General of Ebonyi State, Ikenna Nwidagu, stated, “My Lord, I filed a notice of withdrawal dated and filed on October 21. My Lords, we pray this honourable Court strikes out the name of the 18th plaintiff.”

    However, Alia, who was taken aback that the state joined other states to challenge the legality of the anti-corruption agency, was said to have ordered the suspension of the attorney general.

    Confirming the suspension to our correspondent, the governor’s spokesperson, Kula Tersoo, said, “It’s true, His Excellency today suspended the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order for joining the suit challenging the legality of EFCC without informing the governor.”

  • Supreme Court Judgement: Nasarawa State Moves to Reform LG Structure

    Supreme Court Judgement: Nasarawa State Moves to Reform LG Structure

    The Nasarawa State Government has introduced a bill to the State House of Assembly aimed at revising the local government system in line with the Supreme Court’s recent decision on local government autonomy.

    The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-enact the Establishment, Structure, Composition, Finance and Function of Local Government System in Nasarawa State, 2024,” seeks to update the current framework to reflect the new mandate.

    During a recent session, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, noted that the bill represents a move to reshape the local government structure to align with the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial independence for local councils.

     The House Leader, Hon. Suleiman Azara, presented the bill for the first reading, with the Minority Leader, Hon. Luka Zhekaba, providing support.

    The state government’s plan, as outlined by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Jonah Dizaho, includes the removal of the joint account system and the elimination of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. 

    The second reading of the bill is scheduled for October 16, 2024.

  • Plateau LG Election: APC Challenges Results

    Plateau LG Election: APC Challenges Results

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has formally rejected the results from the local government elections, describing the process as flawed and indicating intentions to seek legal recourse. 

    During a press conference in Jos, APC chairman Rufus Bature expressed the party’s dissatisfaction with how the election was conducted, specifically pointing to issues with the distribution and management of voting materials.

    Bature claimed that ballot papers were insufficient in many polling units, particularly those perceived to favor the APC, which received only a fraction of the necessary supplies. 

    He also noted that some areas did not receive any results sheets at all, despite numerous complaints to the electoral officers.

    In addition to the issues with election materials, Bature highlighted that faulty voting machines often malfunctioned early in the process, hampering the voting experience. 

    He alleged that this was a strategy to manipulate the election results and disenfranchise voters.

     There were also reports of irregularities, including ballot stuffing in areas dominated by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with some regions reportedly not holding elections at all.

    Bature urged party supporters to remain patient and assured them that the APC would take all necessary steps to reclaim its electoral mandates.

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  • FCT Teachers Call Off Strike After Wike’s Intervention

    FCT Teachers Call Off Strike After Wike’s Intervention

    The teachers are set to resume work today, October 8, 2024.

    Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called off their three-week strike following the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. 

    The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the FCT announced the suspension after an emergency meeting of its State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) in Abuja.

    The teachers had initially gone on strike on September 18 over unresolved issues related to welfare, including the payment of allowances, minimum wage arrears, and salary adjustments. 

    This recent action was part of ongoing efforts by the union to secure better conditions, following previous strikes in October 2023 and January 2024.

    The union acknowledged that Wike’s intervention included the release of 40 percent of the 25-month 2019 minimum wage arrears. 

    They also appreciated his commitment to settling the remaining 60 percent by directing the FCT Treasury to use a portion of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the area councils.

     The union emphasized that they will continue pushing for the fulfillment of outstanding entitlements, such as peculiar allowances and salary reviews, to prevent future strikes.

  • Governor Hyacinth Alia Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Interview

    Governor Hyacinth Alia Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Interview

     

    Governor Hyacinth Alia Mistakenly Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Intervie

     

    In a recent interview, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia mistakenly interchanged the ongoing crisis in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) with the Bonta-Ukpute conflict, leading to widespread criticism from local leaders.

     

    This marks the first public comment from the Governor regarding the Ukum crisis, which has persisted since July 5, 2024.

     

    Local leaders expressed concern that the Governor’s remarks indicated a lack of accurate information.

     

    In a statement signed by Chief Mike Ube the Ukpute youth leader of Uju LGA, it was emphasized that there has been no “relative peace” between Bonta and Ukpute since hostilities escalated. Continuous attacks from Bonta militia have caused significant suffering and displacement in the Ukpute community.

     

    Furthermore, the leaders challenged the Governor’s assertion of a prompt response to the crisis, pointing out that no actions have been taken to protect the community from ongoing violence.

     

    They highlighted the efforts of Deputy Governor Sam Ode and former Deputy Governor Benson Abounu in delineating boundaries between the warring factions, stressing the importance of government records dating back to before Nigeria’s independence.

     

    In response to the Governor’s comments about the Awajir-Oju road being open for traffic, local representatives claimed that the road has been abandoned due to constant harassment by militia members.

     

    They reiterated the need for improved security and the establishment of an IDP camp for displaced persons.

     

    Local leaders are calling on the Governor to prioritize resolving the boundary disputes and to provide essential social amenities to affected communities.

     

    They urge representatives in both state and national assemblies to ensure the Governor receives accurate information regarding the Bonta-Ukpute crisis.

     

     

  • Kwara LG Elections: Its a shame – Saraki

    Kwara LG Elections: Its a shame – Saraki

    Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has stated that it is a shame that the 16 local government areas in Kwara State now have chairmen and councilors who would be in office without legitimacy and people’s mandate.

    He said this while reacting to the announcement by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) declaring the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winners of the local government elections held in the state.

    The chairman of the KWSIEC, Baba Okanla, who announced the results, said APC won all 16 local government area chairmanship positions and secured all 193 councillorship seats.

    Speaking on the development in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Saraki argued that the people have sent a message to the government that it has not made any significant, positive impact on their lives after 64 months in office.

    The ex-governor maintained that the people mobilised themselves to the polling units for Saturday’s local government election but met the absence of electoral officials and shoddy preparations by the electoral body.

    He, therefore, hailed the people for standing firm against what he described as deliberately concocted frustrations.

    He wrote, “Last Saturday, in a manner that went beyond partisan consideration and gave expression to the protection of community interests, people from Kwara mobilised themselves to the polling units and met the absence of electoral officials and shoddy preparations by the electoral body.

    “Whatever results the electoral body eventually declared, our people have sent a clear signal to a government that has not made any significant, positive impact on their lives after 64 months in office. It is a shame that the 16 local government areas now have chairmen and councilors who would be in office without legitimacy and people’s mandate.”

  • FCT Police Take Custody Of Suspect In Alleged Kidnap, Attempted Murder In Abuja Hotel

    FCT Police Take Custody Of Suspect In Alleged Kidnap, Attempted Murder In Abuja Hotel

    The FCT Police Command says it has taken custody of a 30-year-old male suspect of Ondo State, Joseph Efe, from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Command.

     

    Joseph was arrested on 17th September 2024 in Abuja for the alleged kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder of the young lady, Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, a 25-year-old female of Abia State, whom he confined in a room at Top View hotel, Wuse, Abuja.

     

    A video which has since gone viral showed the Ijeoma confined in a room with her legs tied.

     

    Reports claimed she was kidnapped to be used for a money ritual.

     

    Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed the receipt of the suspect in a statement issued on Monday evening.

     

    “While discreet investigation into the matter has commenced, the FCT police command wishes to reaffirm its commitment to collaborate with other relevant security agencies in the effort against crime and criminality within the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement reads.

     

    The command had said it was waiting for the NSCDC to hand over the suspect to it for diligent investigation.

     

  • LG Elections in Benue state: Alia visits Tinubu

    LG Elections in Benue state: Alia visits Tinubu

    Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, says the forthcoming Local Government elections in the State will be transparent.

     

    Governor Alia said this when he briefed State House correspondents in Abuja after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.

     

    The Governor also noted that the relative peace in the State will be sustained before, during and after the Local Council polls.

     

    Fr. Alia explained that the State was prepared for any eventuality, following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

     

    The Governor told State House correspondents that his administration will hire about 100 teachers to ensure quality education in Benue State.