Politics
Alimosho: Embrace S’Court ruling on LG autonomy, CSOs tell Lagos Assembly
Alimosho: Embrace S’Court ruling on LG autonomy, CSOs tell Lagos Assembly
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has condemned members of the Lagos State House of Assembly over their suspension of Chairman of the Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon,
The groups comprising Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), Campaign Against Impunity, Center for Economics and Human Right Advancement and Ideal Society Advocacy Group, among others, at a briefing in Akoka on Thursday, asked the state legislators to ‘hands-off’ issues relating to the Alimosho Local Government Area.
They specifically urged the state lawmakers to embrace the ruling of the Supreme Court and ensure its effective implementation, thereby creating an environment where local governments could thrive.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, HURMA Executive Director, Comrade Isiak Buna, called on the assembly to allow lawmakers in the Alimosho Local Government Area to deal with issues relating to their council.
He said, “Alimosho and all other local governments in the state are not appendage of the state assembly. They are an independent tier of government enshrined in our Constitution and recently authoritatively pronounced by the Nigeria’s highest court.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as all governors and political leaders, to ensure that the autonomy secured through the ruling of the Supreme Court is implemented in full.
“It is imperative that all local government officials are empowered to perform their duties effectively, free from undue interference and control from higher levels of government.
“Political leaders, particularly the leadership of state assemblies and the governors with vested interests, must recognize that local governments are not mere extensions of state authority, but rather autonomous entities that are vital to fostering development, enhancing accountability, and improving service delivery to our citizens.
“We emphasize that respecting local government autonomy is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative that contributes to national cohesion and development as well as the enhancement of fiscal federalism that we have clamoured for decades.
“As we navigate the complexities of governance, we urge all stakeholders to prioritize the principles of democracy and local governance.
“It is time to reaffirm our commitment to local government autonomy and ensure that the rights and responsibilities of these vital institutions are respected and upheld.”
Buna said the groups hailed Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his swift intervention, affirming separation of powers of all the arms of government and the independence of local government.
According to him, if not for the governor’s proactive and timely intervention, the monumental abomination of Lagos State House of Assembly could have laid a bad and unforgettable precedent, given President Tinubu a bad name where ordinarily he should have claimed credit, and probably set Lagos on fire and created unnecessary distraction for Governor Sanwo-Olu that is busy thinking on how to move Lagos forward.
Also speaking, Comrade Shina Loremikan of Campaign Against Impunity, said the decisive action of Governor Sanwo-Olu in safeguarding the independence of local governance was commendable and reflected a commitment to democratic principles and the well-being of the people of Lagos State.
Loremikan said, “The attempted compromise of Alimosho’s autonomy posed a significant threat to the ability of local leaders to serve their constituents effectively.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s swift response has not only protected Alimosho but has also set a precedent for the protection of local governments across the length and brength of Nigeria, which we urge other state governors to emulate.
“We implore Governor Sanwo-Olu to continue his efforts in defending and promoting the hard-earned autonomy of local governments throughout the state. It is essential to create an environment where local authorities can operate freely and make decisions that directly benefit their communities.
“This commitment will empower local leaders and enhance service delivery, ultimately improving the quality of life for all residents.
“As an organization dedicated to promoting good governance, we call upon the governor to engage with stakeholders at all levels to ensure that local government autonomy is respected and upheld.
“By doing so, we can work together to build a stronger, more accountable local government system that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.
“Once again, we express our gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his leadership and commitment to local governance. “We look forward to his continued support in protecting the rights and responsibilities of local governments in Lagos State.
“We also call on the Speaker and the entire members of Lagos Sate House of Assembly to purge themselves of arrogance and give peace a chance.
“They were elected to serve people but not to pursue vested interest or settle scores.
“Therefore, the unnecessary threat they pose to democracy, good governance and independence of local government must come under control before it consumes the nation.”
Politics
Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election
Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that he does not know if he will contest the presidency in 2027.
Atiku made the remark in a yet-to-be-aired interview for a television show, Untold Stories, with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, scheduled for broadcast today but exclusively obtained by Daily Trust.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders to wrest power from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
However, there has been widespread speculation about who will lead the coalition and emerge as its presidential candidate, with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, being considered among its key figures.
When asked if he would be running for the presidency in 2027, Atiku said: “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”
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Atiku, who has run for the presidency a record six times, did not rule out the possibility of contesting again in 2027.
“I have not seen Nigeria in dire need of, you know, an experienced and credible leadership than this time.
“We had a similar, you know, what would I say, merger in 2014. About four of us or is it three? We all ran for president and one of us emerged, and we all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” he said.
He agreed with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s assertion that Nigeria’s democracy is deteriorating, saying the situation is “very dire.”
“No doubt about that,” he said.
Atiku also expressed his disappointment with the country’s political leadership.
“The next generation after me, many of them had been governors, had been senators. Instead of me to see an improvement in the level of governance at the state level and so on and so forth, I don’t see it. So I feel a little bit distressed.”
Atiku also questioned the credibility of the current legislative leadership, especially as it relates to the National Assembly’s ratification of the state of emergency in Rivers State
“I am not surprised,” he said, alleging that they are corrupt.
Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election
Politics
Africa’s democracy is govt by small for small number of people – Obasanjo
Africa’s democracy is govt by small for small number of people – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advanced reasons for what he called abysmal failure of democracy in Africa.
According to him, African presidents work with a clique and wield enormous powers with little or no resistance from perpetuating illegalities and abuse of office.
The ex-President said the democracy being practised in Africa does not aligned with the people’s values, culture, and way of life.
Obasanjo said spoke on Monday at a colloquium in Abuja to mark the 60th birthday of Emeka Ihedioha, a former governor of Imo State.
The former Nigerian leader, who chaired the event, referencing Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” said the system should work for all citizens rather than a privileged few.
He however wondered if African countries are practising true democracy or only adopting Western Liberal democracy.
He said, “If you are talking about democracy failing in Africa, democracy in Africa has failed. And why has it failed?
“Because in context and in content, it is not Africa. It does not have any aspect of our culture, our way of life, what we stand for, what we believe.
“Today, we have democracy, which is the government of a small number of people, by a small number of people over a large number of people who are deprived of what they need to have in life. That is not democracy that will endure.
“It is ‘I am because I can grab.’ What sort of democracy brings you, and you grab everything and then illegally, corruptly, and you say go to court? When you know that even in the court, you cannot get justice.
“It’s not that democracy is failing, democracy is dying and if we are going to make democracy not to die, we have to look at democracy in the context and in the content of Africa. I hope that we will get to that stage so that democracy which will deliver will be the democracy that we will have in Africa.”
Obasanjo was Nigeria’s military ruler from 1976 to 1979 and democratically elected president from 1999 to 2007.
Politics
Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau
Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau
Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has cast doubt on the ability of a newly formed opposition coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Shekarau described the alliance, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as a gathering of individuals with personal political ambitions rather than a structured and unified opposition front.
His remarks came just two days after the coalition’s formation was announced, with the stated goal of challenging Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Sule Yau, Shekarau remarked, “This is just a gathering of certain individuals with political ambitions; none of them has officially consulted their party leadership.”
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He further argued that a coalition featuring prominent figures does not necessarily equate to an effective political alliance.
“The coalition of opposition figures is a good development, as seen in their recent meeting under what they call an opposition alliance. However, none of the key figures involved represents their party leadership,” Shekarau stated.
Emphasizing the legal framework for political mergers, he pointed out that only registered parties could formally unite, making the recent gathering an informal arrangement rather than an officially recognized coalition.
Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau
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