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Southern govs insist on region producing next president

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reject PIB’s  3% oil profit share for host communities

The Southern Governors’ Forum rose from a meeting in Lagos on Monday with a resolution that no going back on rotational presidency and insisted that Nigeria’s president in 2023 must come from the South.
They also said security operatives should always inform the governor of a state before they carry out any operation, apparently referring to a recent raid on the Ibadan home of a Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo better known as Igboho, leading to the killing of at least two people.
These decisions among others were contained in a communique issued after the Monday meeting held at the Lagos State House in Alausa, Ikeja. The meeting lasted about six hours.
Top on the agenda of discourse was the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), constitutional review and security challenges.
Chairman of the forum and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who read the communique, said the forum gave a September 1 ultimatum for the anti-open grazing law to be promulgated in all member-states.
The forum, he said, also rejected the proposed three per cent share of oil revenue for host communities and supported the five per cent share as proposed by the House of Representatives.
The communique read, “The Southern Governors’ Forum at the end of the meeting held on Monday, July 5, 2021, reviewed the situation in the country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment and Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
“We re-affirm our commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and among its people. The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness, and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between the Southern and Northern Nigeria. We also resolved that the next president of Nigeria should come from the south.
“The Forum also reviewed the security situation in the country, and hails security operatives for their efforts in restoring security and safety in the country. We also commiserate with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty.
“We also re-emphasise the need for state police, and resolve that if, for any reason, security institutions need to undertake an operation in any state, the Chief Security Officer of the state must be duly informed.
“The forum frowns at selective criminal administration of justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the law and fundamental human rights.
“We have set a timeline of September 1 for the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law in all member-states, and resolve that funds deducted from the Federation Account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund be distributed among states and the Federal Government to combat security challenges.
“The Forum hails the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB and rejects the proposed 3 per cent share of the oil revenue accruable to host communities. We instead support the 5 per cent share to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives. We also reject the proposed 30 per cent share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins.
“We also reject the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Forum disagrees that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance, but be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of government have stakes in that vehicle.
“In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum rejects the removal of electronic transmission of election result from the Electoral Act, and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.
“The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciates Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the wonderful hosting of this meeting, and for his good work in the state.”
The meeting hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was attended by Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).
Others are Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Emeka Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom).
Deputy Governors Philip Shaibu (Edo), Ude Chukwu (Abia), Placid Njoku (Imo) and Kelechi Igwe (Ebonyi) represented their governors. Governors Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Ben Ayade (Cross River) were absent.

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Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit

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Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit

 

President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.

A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.

It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”

Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.

“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.

“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”

The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.

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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

 

A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.

The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.

He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.

This is  coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.

The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.

It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.

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Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct 

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Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct 

 

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.

Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.

The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.

Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency

The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.

Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.

“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively

“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.

Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.

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