Stop allocating funds to caretaker committee-led LGAs, Senate tells FG – Newstrends
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Stop allocating funds to caretaker committee-led LGAs, Senate tells FG

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Stop allocating funds to caretaker committee-led LGAs, Senate tells FG

The Senate yesterday accused state governors of misappropriating funds allocated to local government councils in Nigeria, saying that arm of government was dead in the country

It also said the dream of achieving the objectives of the local government system has encountered harsh realities as successive governments have often eroded local autonomy, limiting their financial resources and control over decision-making.

Consequently, the Red Chamber asked the federal government to stop further allocation of funds to caretaker committee-led local government areas, LGAs, and urged President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, champion the cause of full autonomy for local governments in the country.

Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Suleiman Kawu, NNPP, Kano South.
The Senate resolved that President Tinubu should champion the cause of full autonomy for local governments in the country.
Presenting the motion, Senator Kawu said, among others: “The Senate notes that in the tapestry of Nigeria’s governance system, local governments are meant to be threads weaving development close to the ground.

‘’Envisioned as the closest tier of administration to the people, they hold the potential to address local needs directly and shape communities from inside out. But the story of Nigeria’s local government system is one of promise and paradox, woven with threads of hope and frustration;

“Also notes that the journey began in 1976 with local government reform, aiming to decentralize power and empower communities.

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‘’Envisioned as self-governing entities with elected officials, local governments handled critical aspects of community life – primary education, healthcare, sanitation, local infrastructure and community security. It was a dream of grassroots democracy, where decisions were made closer to the people they impacted.

‘’Aware that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when he served as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, demonstrated sincere passion for the autonomy of the local governments in Lagos State. This can be grasped when he purportedly established 37 LCDAs within LGAs in Lagos State and introduced reforms to strengthen them.

“Also aware that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, when he served as the governor of Akwa-Ibom Stated from 2007 to 2015, implemented various initiatives to improve service delivery at the local level, such as rehabilitating infrastructure, investing in healthcare and education, and launching poverty alleviation programmes, as well as deducting 10% of the IGR to LGAs which informed ground breaking achievements by LGA in Akwa-Ibom State local government administration.’

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FCT is not Rivers State where you write election results – Deji Adeyanju tells Wike

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Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju

FCT is not Rivers State where you write election results – Deji Adeyanju tells Wike

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Tuesday, said that the choice of who becomes senator in 2027 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should be determined solely by residents of the FCT, and not by the Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The former governor of Rivers State had dared Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT, stating that he would ensure she did not return to the Senate in 2027.

Meanwhile, Kingibe had earlier criticised Wike’s performance, adding that FCT residents were unimpressed as the FCT lacked essential amenities such as schools, hospitals, and potable water.

Meanwhile, Kingibe had earlier criticised Wike’s performance, adding that FCT residents were unimpressed as the FCT lacked essential amenities such as schools, hospitals, and potable water.

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Adeyanju, responding to Wike on X, said that the Minister could not decide for the people because the FCT was not Rivers State, where election results were written with guns.

The human rights lawyer said, “FCT is not Rivers, where people write results and shoot guns. Even incumbent presidents get defeated in the FCT.

“I know these folks have 100% control of INEC and other rigging mechanisms, but the arrogance is truly uncalled for.

“Nigerian politicians are like power-drunk Nigerian celebrities and pastors who can boast openly about getting the police to lock you up, and they will eventually do it,” he said.

FCT is not Rivers State where you write election results – Deji Adeyanju tells Wike

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I didn’t discuss Nnamdi Kanu’s release with South-East govs – Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

I didn’t discuss Nnamdi Kanu’s release with South-East govs – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says his talks with the south-east governors excluded the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

On Tuesday, governors under the umbrella of the south-east governors’ forum resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu to seek the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo and chairman of the forum, announced this the resolution at the end of a meeting of the governors held in Enugu, Obasanjo also paid a solidarity visit to the southeast governors forum in the state.

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In a statement on Wednesday, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo special assistant on media affairs, said the ex-presidentand Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth secretary-general, met with south-east governors to discuss regional development.

The statement said that the meeting did not include discussions about the potential release of Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government.

“The meeting with them was at my invitation and of Chief Emeka Anyaoku before their summit begins. The issue of Nnamdi Kanu was not on the agenda and was not discussed in my presence,” the statement said.

“The regional development issues include that of security and infrastructure, economic and cooperative collaboration, which was meant to complement the national economic development agenda.

I didn’t discuss Nnamdi Kanu’s release with South-East govs – Obasanjo

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Senate okays bill for foreigners in Nigeria to obtain NIN

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Senate okays bill for foreigners in Nigeria to obtain NIN

The Senate has advanced a bill to grant all residents, including foreigners, the right to obtain and use the National Identification Number (NIN) sponsored by Deputy Senate President Barau I.

Jibrin (Kano North), the bill also aims to replace criminal penalties with administrative measures to ensure compliance without severe legal consequences.

Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North) presented the bill’s principles, emphasizing the need to repeal the current Act and establish a new regulatory framework for the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to enhance its oversight and regulation of Nigeria’s ID system.

“The bill’s objectives include expanding the eligible registrants under the Nigeria ID System to achieve inclusivity and universal coverage,” Senator Fasuyi explained.

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“It allows all residents in Nigeria to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) for official identification purposes.”

Furthermore, the bill proposes streamlined sharing of personal data with robust data protection measures to safeguard privacy and foster public trust in data handling.

It also enhances administrative enforcement powers to ensure timely compliance with ID registration requirements.

Importantly, the bill advocates for replacing criminal penalties with administrative measures for non-use of NIN, aiming to encourage compliance without burdening individuals with severe legal consequences.

After debates, the Senate proceeded to pass the bill, marking a significant step toward potential reforms in Nigeria’s identity management system.

Senate okays bill for foreigners in Nigeria to obtain NIN

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