Urhobo News

My dear Lagosians,

I have found it necessary to address you today, following some event in our dear country. The currency exchange and the fuel situation have, no doubt, raised the tension in the land.

First, is to thank you, dear Lagosians, for your patience and understanding in the face of hardship that you have experienced in recent days. Your resilience has been remarkable.

On behalf of the Executive Council, I thank you most sincerely for standing firm, demonstrating your confidence in our ability to protect your interest in these difficult days.

We have taken some steps to cushion the effects of these measures that were announced at the Federal level but with telling effects on States.

There have been talks between the State Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on the lingering fuel shortage.

NNPCL demanded Ijegun Egba tank owners and operators unhindered access to the tank farms where about 40 per cent of petroleum products come from. We have been able to do that by rearranging the timing of the work on the Buba Marwa Road, the dual carriageway that leads to the tank farms. The road is over 50 per cent completed. Now, you would have noticed some improvement in the supply of petroleum products.

Also, we have given approval for 24 hours work at petrol stations around the State.

The CBN currency exchange deadline has, no doubt, caused some dislocation. Lagos is Nigeria’s business and financial engine-room. So, we have recently felt the effects of this measure.

Thankfully, the Supreme Court has made some pronouncements on this. I praise the Judiciary for its wise ruling on this matter.

To further support Lagosians to weather these stormy days, I hereby announce the following measures:

A 50% cut in fares on all our BRT buses, LAGRIDE taxi-scheme, First Mile and Last Mile buses, and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY). This will take effect from tomorrow for the next seven days.

We will push out more Cowrie Cards to enable more Lagosians get onboard our services.

I have directed that food banks be set up in various parts of the State to cater for the vulnerable. We will distribute food stuff to various communities.

I would like to thank our security agencies (the Military, the Department of State Services, the Police, the Civil Defence and Neighbourhood Watch) for their service and diligence in these days.

I would also like warn mischief makers who may see this as an opportunity to incite violence that this is not the way to go. I enjoin every law-abiding citizen to go about their lawful business without fear.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Governor, Lagos State

February 8, 2023

PRESIDENT BUHARI WELCOMES AJAERO’S EMERGENCE AS NLC LEADER, CHARGES HIM TO BE A PARTNER IN PROGRESS

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Joe Ajaero on his emergence as the new president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.

The President also hails the National Executive Committee of the NLC on the success of the congress that produced the new leadership.

“After many years of hard work and struggles, the selflessness with which Ajaero dedicated himself today paid off. His journey in the Labour movement has been a remarkable one, marked by many important milestones.

“This victory that emerged from a rancor-free congress,” the President notes, “is a mark of the strength of democracy in the nation’s labour movement.

“Today, as he rises to the highest position in the NLC, it is our hope and desire that he will use the position to write a new chapter of progress for all workers and the labour movement in the country and the continent in general.

The President also expresses the hope that Ajaero and his team will continue to be partners to the administration in fulfilling the aspirations of Nigerian people.

President Buhari also congratulates Comrade Ayuba Wabba for a successful completion of his tenure as the head of Nigerian workers, wishing him the best in his future undertakings.

He wished the new executive body a successful tenure.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 8, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

CASH SHORTAGE: SANWO-OLU APPROVES 50% REDUCTION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT, CREATES FOOD PALLIATIVE FOR VULNERABLE LAGOSIANS

• BRT, LAGRIDE, FMLM, LAGFERRY passengers to enjoy weeklong relief with Cowry Cards
• Governor permits fuel stations to operate 24hrs
• Governor hails Supreme Court ruling on currency swap

Following nationwide tension caused by persistent fuel shortage and the debacle of currency exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lagos State Government has announced palliative measures to cushion effects of the crises on residents.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, directed 50 per cent fare reduction in all State-owned transportation services, effective Thursday.

Passengers using BRT buses, LAGRIDE taxi-scheme, First Mile and Last Mile buses, and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) will enjoy the palliative for the next one week, using their Cowry Cards.

The Governor also gave express permission to all fuel stations operating within Lagos to commence 24-hour operations to allow residents buy fuel without having to stay in queues for hours.

The controversy over the CBN currency exchange deadline, Sanwo-Olu said, has had dislocation effect on Lagosians, limiting their access to cash for daily transactions and making their means of sustenance difficult.

The Governor announced establishment of food banks in various parts of the State for distribution of food items to vulnerable families hit by the lingering crisis.

He said: “I have found it necessary to address the good people of Lagos, following some event in our dear country. The currency exchange and the fuel situation have, no doubt, raised the tension in the land. I commend our dear citizens for your patience and understanding in the face of hardship that you have experienced in recent days. Your resilience has been remarkable. You stand firm in demonstration of your confidence in our ability to protect your interest in these difficult days.

“The current situation has had telling effects on States and we have taken some steps to cushion the effects on your wellbeing. To support you in weathering these stormy days, I hereby announce a 50 per cent cut in fares on all our BRT buses, LAGRIDE taxi-scheme, First Mile and Last Mile buses, and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY). This will take effect from tomorrow (Thursday) for the next seven days. We will push out more Cowry Cards to enable more Lagosians get onboard our services.

“I have also directed that food banks be set up in various parts of the State to cater for the vulnerable. We have identified stakeholders and organisations that will help distribute food stuff to the vulnerable people in various communities hit by the current situation. By this, we are not out to solve the entire economic crisis created by the currency swap programme, but we understand this is a difficult moment for vulnerable individuals. The relief will help until normalcy is restored.”

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State Government had suspended the ongoing construction work on Buba Marwa Road, the dual carriageway leading to tank farms in Ijegun Egba from where 40 percent of petroleum products are transported to other parts of the country.

The Governor said the road, which is about 50 per cent completed, will give unhindered access to petrol tankers to transport products to filling stations, thereby increasing supply of petroleum products.

He said: “There have been talks between the State Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on the lingering fuel shortage. NNPCL demanded Ijegun Egba tank owners and operators’ unhindered access to the tank farms where about 40 per cent of petroleum products come from.

“We have been able to do that by rearranging the timing of the work on the Buba Marwa Road, the dual carriageway that leads to the tank farms. The road is about 60 per cent completed, but I have directed suspension of the construction work on the highway in order to improve supply of petroleum products.”

Sanwo-Olu hailed the Supreme Court for its pronouncement on the currency exchange crisis, stressing that the apex court’s “wise intervention” on the matter would help douse the nationwide tension.

The Governor also commended security agencies, including the Military, Department of State Services, the police, Civil Defense and Neighbourhood Watch, for being proactive and on alert to protect law-abiding residents.

He warned criminals and mischief makers, who may want to exploit the situation as an opportunity to incite violence, saying any attempt by criminally-minded individuals to breach the peace in Lagos would be counterproductive.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

08 FEBRUARY 2023

PRESIDENT BUHARI HAILS TEMS FOR WINNING GRAMMY AWARD

President Muhammadu Buhari joins fans and lovers of Nigerian music all over the world in celebrating new heights of recognition and appreciation as Afrobeat crooner, Tems, wins “‘Best Melodic Rap Performance” category at the Grammy Awards.

President Buhari extols Tems, Temilade Openiyi, for showcasing her talent to the world, with dedication and hard work, which, again, has placed Nigeria in the spotlight for excellence.

The President lauds all Nigerian nominees for this year’s Grammy, including Burna Boy, for pursuing their passion with vigour and continously reinventing global entertainment, with creativity.

President Buhari thanks the creative industry, particularly managers, producers and directors, for encouraging talents, like Tems, who have taken Nigeria’s culture and tourism to the world, further displaying the resourcefulness and potentials of a great nation.

The President wishes Tems, her partners, colleagues and well-wishers more years of glory.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 6, 2023

PRESIDENT BUHARI PAYS TRIBUTE TO HILDA ADEFARASIN

President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with the Adefarasins on the passing of the matriarch of the family, Mrs Hilda Adefarasin, at the ripe old age of 98.

The President recalls that the late Adefarasin’s passion for helping the vulnerable and less privileged which manifested early in her professional life as a Nurse, continued to resonate through her whole existence, using every resource at her disposal to further this worthy cause.

President Buhari notes that her roles as an activist and campaigner for the rights of women and their empowerment defined the National Council of Women Societies where she was President, among other positions, making the Council the most potent voice for women advocacy in Nigeria today.

The President urges the children, especially the Metropolitan Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, to build on the foundation laid by their mother in using their godly platforms to make positive impacts on humanity.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 6, 2023

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESENTS ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU TO KATSINA EMIRATE COUNCIL, URGES FULL SUPPORT FOR VICTORY AT POLLS

*President Buhari, APC Presidential Candidate Condole Governor, Emir Over Killings by Terrorists

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Katsina State pledged full support for Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling on the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman and Emirate Council to mobilise for the political leader.

“We are here to present our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the President said during a courtesy call in the palace.

“Asiwaju has been chosen by our party, and we are fully in support of his candidature, and we will work for his victory at the polls,” he said.

President Buhari used the occasion of the visit to personally condole the leaders and citizens of the state following the recent terrorist attack on vigilantes in Bakori Local Government area of the state, in which many lives were lost.

President Buhari said his administration will continue to listen to wise counsels from experts, traditional rulers and political leaders on the economy, and will adopt best practices in safeguarding the interest of the people.

“I hope citizens of the country, and indigenes will remember what the Governor of Katsina State, and the Emir of Katsina said about the polity, and situation in the country. I will not want to add more,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor Aminu Bello Masari had commended the President for introducing a social security structure that directly impacted the lives of citizens, with direct transfer of funds to people, and a school feeding programme that encouraged more children to enroll.

“The President has approved more than N38 billion that went straight to improve the lives of citizens here, and we saw the difference.

“He didn’t put money in the hands of the rich and privileged so that they could undermine the poor and vulnerable. He reached out directly.

“The President has worked for the interest of the country and citizens. We cannot compare the opportunities he got with the previous administrations. And yet, we can see the difference in terms of results in infrastructure, and growth of the economy.

“It is unfair and uncharitable to compare someone who was given a N1000 with another person that got a N100. Yet, you can see the result” he added.

The Governor expressed sympathy to families of vigilantes who were ambushed and slain by

terrorists.

“The terrorists have behaved like animals. And animals are even better than them in many ways. Animals will only kill their kin when hungry, but terrorists have slain without purpose,” Masari noted.

The Governor said the ambush and killing of vigilantes in the state will be investigated, and those involved will face the law.

The Governor urged citizens to avoid politicians that have been flagging the ethnic and religious cards.

“Our God is a God of wisdom and superior power. If he wanted the entire world to be called Katsina, he would have done so. If God wanted all citizens black, white or red, he would have done so. He created a diverse world, and we must respect that,” he said.

Governor Masari presented the APC presidential candidate to the Emirate, noting that his record of service in Lagos State, and the nation remains commendable.

“Lagos State had a poor security record, with cases of attacks, robberies and dead bodies on streets, until Asiwaju took over leadership in 1999.

“The state has been transformed, with infrastructure and earned a reputation as one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The state is now a centre of excellence because of the vision of the APC presidential candidate, ” Masari added.

The APC presidential candidate condoled with President Buhari, Governor Masari and the Emirate Council over the terrorist attacks, promising that loved ones will be catered for, and efforts will be made to apprehend the masterminds of heinous crimes in the country.

“We will not forget them. We will not forget their children and the parents left behind. No leader will be happy to see citizens slaughtered or hear of it. It is sad, painful and tortuous,” the presidential candidate said.

Asiwaju Tinubu said the peace and stability of the nation remains a collective responsibility.

“Thank you for the prayers and support. You promised to be behind the President like a rock of gibraltar and you have done so. The President brought me here, and he has brought me home.

“I can say welcome home, because I am at home here,” he stated.

Asiwaju Tinubu thanked the Emirate Council for their support to the President, assuring that he will continue with the same legacy of discipline and fairness, when elected to office.

The Emir of Katsina thanked President Buhari for presenting the APC candidate to the Emirate Council and citizens of Katsina, assuring that they will pray and mobilize for victory at the polls.

He appealed to the President to look into the challenges posed by currency swap, adding that the “pain of the people, should be the pain of leadership.”

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 6, 2023

APC CANCELS KATSINA ROAD SHOW, HOLDS SUBDUED RALLY IN WAKE OF BAKORI TRAGEDY

*ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU DONATES N100 MILLION TO VICTIMS’ FAMILIES

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Road Show and programs of celebration were canceled in Katsina on Monday in the wake of the tragedy in Bakori Local Government where terrorists ambushed an army of vigilantes and eliminated many of them.

The mega rally in which the President, Muhammadu Buhari and the APC flag bearer in the Presidential contest, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were star attractions was tamed as speaker after speaker took to the microphone to express sorrow over the tragic killings.

President Muhammadu Buhari led leaders, members and Presidential Candidate of the APC in vilifying the evil of terrorism that has deprived many of loved ones, while prodding citizens to continue working collectively for the good of the state, and nation.

At a state and national rally of the APC held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, President Buhari presented the flagbearer of the party for the Presidency, Asiwaju Tinubu, and Governorship Candidate of the state, Dr Dikko Umar Radda, to indigenes and residents.

In his remarks, Governor Masari, who called for special prayers for repose of the souls of slain indigenes, more recently some vigilantes, thanked the APC Presidential Candidate for donating N100,000, 000 (Hundred million naira) to the families of all those who were affected by the attacks.

“Leadership is not a joke. We should pray and support our leaders. The choice before us in the forthcoming elections is between light and darkness. We have a choice to move our state, and nation, or take it backwards.

“Separate yourselves from liars and jokers. We have seen this people and we know them; they gather people and deceive them. We would not be dealing with Boko Haram and bandits today if they had provided the right leadership in the past,’’ he said.

The Governor said the APC was committed to rebuilding all that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had destroyed.

The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, said the party would continue on the path of patience and steadfastness in growing the state and the nation.

“We are, indeed, in very peculiar times. We are facing many challenges that require wisdom, patience and steadfastness to overcome,’’ he added.

In his remarks, the Presidential Candidate of the APC condoled with President Buhari, Governor Masari over the attacks in Bakori local council.

“Yesterday, we discussed whether we should continue or cancel the rally. If we had cancelled, they will appear to have achieved their aim.

“Nothing happens in life without the will of the Almighty Allah. We will continue with our rallies, and ignore the killers. They have committed a heinous crime before God and against humanity. No religion or society will tolerate killing of the innocent.

“We share in the pain, and sorrow of loss. Only Allah can soothe the pains of the widows and widowers, and all the loved ones. The killers have not won, and they will never win. The wicked shall perish. We will defeat the troublers of Nigeria,’’ he said.

Asiwaju Tinubu said President Buhari abhors violence, unfairness and injustice, and would not tolerate the mayhem by the terrorists.

“President Buhari will never harm anyone. He wants peace, protection of citizens and progress. We will work with the President. He is a progressive leader.

“We will never allow the Poverty Development Party to return to power,’’ he added.

The Director General of the APC Presidential Campaigns and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, urged Katsina indigenes to continue their support for the governing party, while commiserating with families of the vigilantes.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 6, 2023

PRESIDENT BUHARI LAUNCHES 2ND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT, SAYS PEER REVIEW GOOD FOR STRONG LEADERSHIP IN AFRICA

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja called on member states of African Union (AU) to imbibe the culture of peer review and peer to peer learning for proactive and strong leadership in the continent.

The President made the appeal at the launch of the Second Country Review Report (CRR) and the National Programme of Action (NPoA) of Nigeria.

He expressed delight that electoral, pension, tax and monetary policy reforms undertaken by his administration have received high commendations from African policy experts, who have also recommended that such best practices are worthy of emulation.

He explained that his commitment to the Second Review of Nigeria was borne out of his ‘‘undiluted resolve to entrench democracy, and quality leadership in all aspects of governance, and further ensure that Nigeria does not lag behind other nations.’’

Describing the document as important to Nigeria as a country built on true Federalism and good governance, the President directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to implement the report.

He noted that the Report would strengthen the implementation of African Union Agenda 2063, the strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years.

‘‘It comes with a strong mandate on New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), especially now that the continent is gearing towards the implementation of the Second Ten Year Development Plan to consolidate and seek the acceleration of better society,’’ he said.

President Buhari pledged that Nigeria would continue to support Africa’s renewal and rebirth in line with the collective commitment to the principles and guidelines of the APRM in order to consolidate Africa’s path to healthy democracy, sustainable growth and development.

‘‘As a Government, we are proud of the steady progress being made in the country as stated by the Report and will continue to support the APRM Process and to ensure adequate monitoring and evaluation of the Report implementation.”

He, therefore, directed the relevant Agencies to coordinate the proper use of the Report, adding that it should be institutionalized at the Learning Centres for academic work and archived for future references.

President Buhari recognised the pragmatic role of the Panel of Eminent Persons of the African Peer Review Mechanism, led by Dr. Abdoulie Janneh, who doubles as the Nigerian lead panelist and the entire team members who in one way or the other lent their helping hands for the successful conduct.

‘‘I am very much aware of the five pillars of APRM: Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance, Socio-Economic Governance, Corporate Governance and Cross-Cutting Issues which are the nucleus of good governance and upon which the Second Review was conducted.

‘‘This process has further strengthened the values and gains of our democracy so far, while reporting on the gaps of which most of this administration’s reforms and policies including the Executive Orders signed into law are poised to address.

‘‘I am aware of the high commendations of Nigerian best practices worthy of emulation such as: Electoral Reform; Pension Reform; Tax Law Reform; Digitalization of Performance Management System; Judiciary Reform; Institutionalization of corporate governance; Monetary policy Reform and Fight Against Corruption.’’

National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, said the launch of the report would pave the way for experience sharing, reinforcement of successful best practices in promoting good governance and sustainable development at the national, regional and continental level.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 7, 2023

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH SIR ADEBUTU KESSINGTON ON PASSAGE OF WIFE

President Muhammadu Buhari prays God’s comfort for businessman and philanthropist, Sir Kessington Adebutu, the Odole-Odua of The Source, over the death of his wife and matriarch of the family, Dame Caroline Oladunni Adebutu, aged 83 years.

As rites of passage begin for the departed, the President urges the family to take heart, and be comforted by the good life lived by a dutiful wife who was married to her husband for over 48 years, and the godly upbringing she gave her children.

He also says the good testimonies that trail Dame Adebutu should encourage the family to keep her good works going, so that her memory will remain evergreen.

President Buhari encourages Sir Adebutu, the widower, to be particularly thankful for the gift of a dutiful wife, who will continue to live in the hearts of all those who knew her, because of her good works.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

February 7, 2023

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES DR WALE OKEDIRAN ON LITERARY AWARD

President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with Dr Wale Okediran on the gold medal award at the V Eurasian Literary Festival of Festivals, recently held at Cairo in Egypt.

The President commends the writer, physician and current Secretary General of the PAN-African Writers Association (PAWA) for this accomplishment, which is a celebration of Nigerian literature and values at the international stage.

The President affirms that the outstanding literary productivity Award for Okediran is culmination of a lifetime devoted to writing, noting that it will inspire many young writers in the country to literary excellence, knowing that Nigeria is blessed with some of the best brains in the world.

Wishing the former lawmaker the best in his career, the President trusts that there are more laurels and honour for Dr Okediran who has excelled in literature, politics and medicine.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 7, 2023

SERAP sues Lawan, Gbajabiamila ‘over failure to cut unlawful N228.1bn NASS budget’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila over their “failure to cut the unlawful National Assembly budget of N228.1bn, including the N30.17bn severance payments and inauguration costs for members.”

The suit followed the move by the National Assembly to increase its 2023 budget from N169bn proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari to N228.1bn. The approved budget shows an increase of about N59.1bn. The country’s budget of N21.83tn is based on a N10.49tn revenue, and N11.34tn deficit.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/152/2023 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila to review and reduce the budget of N228.1bn the leadership and members of the National Assembly allocated for their own benefit.”

SERAP is also seeking: “an order restraining and stopping Ms Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning from releasing to the National Assembly the budget of N228.1bn, until an impact assessment of the spending on access to public goods and services and the country’s debt crisis, is carried out.”

SERAP is also seeking: “an order restraining and stopping Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila from demanding or collecting the National Assembly budget of N228.1bn, until an impact assessment of the spending on access to public goods and services and the country’s debt crisis, is carried out.”

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “It is a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the members of the National Assembly to increase their own budget at a time when some 133 million Nigerians are living in poverty.”

According to SERAP: “The National Assembly budget of N228.1bn is higher than the statutory transfer to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which is N103.3bn.”

SERAP is arguing that, “The increase is unreasonable, as it would substantially increase the cost of governance, and exacerbate the country’s debt crisis. It is unlawful, and unfair to the Nigerian people.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “Cutting the National Assembly budget would reduce the growing budget deficit, address the unsustainable debt burden, and serve the public interest.”

SERAP is arguing that, “by increasing its own budget, the National Assembly has unjustifiably and disproportionately reduced the budget for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).”

SERAP is also arguing that, “This is a travesty, especially given that Nigeria currently has over 20 million out-of-school children, and half of all poor people in the country are children.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Atinuke Adejuyigbe, read in part: “The budget should reflect national development priorities, and not serve as a tool to satisfy the lifestyle of lawmakers or provide them with severance payments or parting gifts.”

“Rather than exercising its oversight functions to check the persistent borrowing by President Muhammadu Buhari, and scrutinising the apparently unlawful overdrafts and loans obtained by the Federal Government from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Assembly is increasing its own budget.”

“The increase in the National Assembly budget, including the unnecessary proposed spending of N30.17bn on ‘severance payments’ and ‘inauguration expenses’ is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

“It is unjustifiable and unreasonable for the National Assembly to arbitrarily increase its own budget when the Federal Government and many of the 36 states are clearly in debt distress or at high risk of debt distress.”

“The National Assembly budget of N228.1bn would increase the country’s borrowing and debt crisis. Growing debt burdens and debt repayment difficulties will have negative impacts on the ability of poor and vulnerable Nigerians to enjoy basic socio-economic rights.”

“Long-term unsustainable debt can be a barrier to the government’s ability to mobilize resources for human rights, and may lead to taxes and user fees that impact negatively on poor and vulnerable Nigerians.”

“The leadership and members of the National Assembly ought to properly discharge their constitutional and fiduciary duties to Nigerians by ensuring judicious spending of public funds, especially given the current economic and financial realities of Nigeria.”

“Nigerians have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials including lawmakers, as public officials owe a fiduciary duty to the general citizenry. All those who hold the strings of political power and power over spending of Nigeria’s commonwealth ought not to use their entrusted position for personal gain.”

“Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly has the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.’”

“Section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution makes clear that it is the constitutional responsibility of the President to prepare and present estimates of the revenues and expenditure of the country before the National Assembly and not for the lawmakers to unilaterally and arbitrarily allocate public funds to themselves.”

“Nigeria has also ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which recognize legally enforceable economic and social rights, such as the rights to education, health, safe food and clean water, security, and shelter.”

“Section 51 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act provides that, ‘a person shall have legal capacity to enforce the provision of this Act by obtaining prerogative orders or other remedies at the Federal High Court, without having to show any special particular interest.’”

Joined in the suit as Defendants are President Muhammadu Buhari; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

5/2/2023

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

Ndoma-Egba Hails Prince Otu’s Appeal Court Victory

Former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has hailed the ruling of the Appeal Court, dismissing the suit instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Sandy Onor, the party’s candidate for the 2023 Cross River State governorship election, seeking the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu.

The legal luminary and ardent supporter of Otu’s guber ambition said the judgement was not unexpected as, according to him, there is no ambiguity in the law regarding the fact that a non-member of a political party has no locus standi to meddle into the affairs of the party and challenge what happens therein.

“The Court of Appeal verdict dismissing the case filed against the APC governorship candidate in Cross River State by the PDP and its candidate was a welcome development. The judgement was not unexpected because the law is clear. The law is very clear. And so, we expected nothing less. If you are not a member of a political party, you don’t have the right to complain of what transpires in the party. For us, this is another irritation out of the way of victory for Prince Bassey Otu come March 11, 2023,” Ndoma-Egba stated.

Onor and PDP had appealed the judgement of the lower court that threw out the suit seeking the disqualification of Otu, the APC guber flag bearer and his running mate, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, on the grounds that Odey apart from not being a member of the APC was also a British citizen.

In a unanimous decision by the three justices of the Appellate Court, R.C Agbo, O.F Omoleye and B.B Aliyu, Justice O.F. Omoleye who delivered the judgement on behalf of others submitted that “The domestic affairs of a political party is an internal issue of that political party and the court will not dabble into the internal affairs of any political party.

“The issue of leadership and membership of political parties is an internal affair of a political party and the court will not interfere in it. The court therefore, cannot be dragged into the internal issue of if the 3rd defendant (Rt. Hon. Peter Odey) is a member of the 1st defendant (APC) or not. This therefore means that the action of the Appellants (Onor and PDP) is not justiceable. This matter is therefore struck out for lacking in merit and a cost of N500, 000 awarded against the Appellants.”

Prince Otu, believed to be the leading guber candidate in Cross River, was a member of the Green Chamber from 2003 to 2011, and represented Cross River South in the Red Chamber between 2011 and 2015, during which, he occupied different committee chairmanship positions, made valuable inputs to debates on national issues and meaningfully affected the lives of the people of his constituency with the execution of several projects and empowerment programmes

SPEECH DELIVERED BY H.E BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN AT THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF THE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT COMPLEX IN BUKAR SIDI, ALONG JOS ROAD , LAFIA, NASARAWA, STATE ON SATURDAY, 4^TH  FEBRUARY2023

Mr President, on behalf of the honourable Minister of State, Works and Housing, the Permanent Secretary and all the directors and members of staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing, I welcome you to the site of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Lafia, Nasarawa State and say with pride that we delivered on your mandate.

I also wish to state that we did not do it alone. It has taken the effort of an entire village to complete this project.

Members of this village include my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council, who voted for this project to be resurrected and completed, the Chairmen of the Senate and House committees on Housing and their members who oversighted the project and the National Assembly as a whole who approved the budget.

Other prominent members of that village include various permanent secretaries and directors of public building in a ministry who kept faith and pushed against the odds.

The village was large enough to accommodate the state Government actors to work with Federal Government actors; and the Governors of Nasarawa State from H.E Tanko Almakura and later, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the incumbent Governor, deserve acknowledgement and commendation for their contributions and support.

The peaceful environment provided by the people of Nasarawa enabled the private sector, through our contractor, Messrs Faplins Nigeria Limited to operate within our village of development.

Interestingly, the Company is owned by one Chief Linus Ukachukwu, M.O.N, a leading light of the main opposition party in Anambra State.

Although your emergence as President threw Chief Ukachukwu’s party out of Government, you did not throw Chief Ukachukwu out of business.

Mr. President, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the fulfilment of your mandate has delivered, a built-up area of 6,756 m2 of 402 offices, 300parking spaces on 10.9 hectares of land.

In the process, 172 persons were indirectly employed and engaged during the construction process. The furniture was produced in Nigeria by an indigenous contractor in conformity with your Executive Order No. 5 aimed at promoting local content.

Since the completion, we have engaged a firm of facility managers to undertake scheduled and preventive maintenance in the spirit of Executive Order No.11 for the promotion and development of the maintenance economy, as part of our job creation and prosperity initiative to lift people out of poverty.

I am able to report that the maintenance economy is also spreading across Nigeria because we have, in addition to rehabilitating 28 existing federal secretariats, employed facility managers for them and each facility manager now employs at least 40 members in sustainable long-term jobs which were not available before the maintenance programme commenced.

Mr. President, my team and I are grateful for the privilege and opportunity to serve in this capacity and for your support throughout the period.

Thank you.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN

Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS, FIRS SIGN JOINT TAX AUDIT AGREEMENT 

• Sanwo-Olu: ‘Collaboration to check double taxation, widen tax base’

Lagos State Government has sealed a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government to harmonise tax administration, raise system efficiency and proffer solution to challenges of multiple taxation.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, presided over a ceremony where Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint tax audit system that will address duplication of efforts and facilitate exchange of data that are relevant to enforcement of extant tax laws.

Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Clem Agba, witnessed the agreement signing event held the State House in Marina, which also had Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, Lagos Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Hon. Sam Egube, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, in attendance.

Aside from offering joint jurisdiction in tax audit and bringing about an integrated system of tax compliance, the scope of the MoU also empowered both tax authorities to exchange information sourced under International Tax Treaties in line with global protocols, while creating a common tax collection platform to eliminate double taxation.

Sanwo-Olu described the collaboration as “epoch-making”, noting that the conversation for the harmonization of the two agencies’ mandates started about a year ago, based on the need to forge a common front in widening the tax net to raise the country’s tax to GDP ratio.

The Governor observed that Nigeria had maintained an unimpressive tax to GDP ratio of between 6 to 8 per cent, despite the yearly record-breaking turnovers by both FIRS and LIRS. This, he said, has mounted pressure on the nation’s resources and created an imbalance in Government’s expenditure. Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria must operate at the same level with other nations within sub-Saharan Africa doing between 14 and 15 per cent in tax to GDP ratio in order to support the Government’s development programmes and improve accountability.

He said: “We have just witnessed an epoch-making ceremony between the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Lagos Inland Revenue Service. This collaboration did not just happen by chance; it is a conversation we started about a year ago with the chairman of FIRS when both parties reviewed their successes and limitations. It was clear there was a need for a relationship to be consummated. Both FIRS and LIRS have been breaking records of their tax collection and administration yearly, but this is not enough. We have an unimpressive tax to GDP ratio, which ranges between six and eight per cent; this is totally unacceptable.

“Studies have shown that there would be better service delivery to the citizens and improvement in efficiency of tax collection when the two agencies work together. The cost of tax collection would be reduced, we would see better customer satisfaction and more resources would be generated for the Government to deliver more dividends of democracy. For us as a State, we are humble by this collaborative effort and we believe our citizens will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this initiative. The MoU is in the best interest of the public, as it affirms the reason why we need to come together and strengthen the cordial working relationship between the two agencies.”

Sanwo-Olu said the bilateral agreement was initiated not to overburden tax-paying citizens, stressing that the objective was to widen the tax base and bring more people to equitability. With a sustainable tax administration system, the Governor said more resources would accrue to the Government to reduce social burden and take care of the vulnerable.

The Governor observed that the sizes of Lagos’s budget were significantly lesser than what the State should be appropriating. He said the market study indicated a N5 trillion budget benchmark for the State, given the size of the State economy’s GDP. With the collaborative effort, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos may have been on the right track to raise its budget level to what it should be.

He said: “Our Government will continue to raise the bar, so that we can do a lot more with more resources. This collaboration is not to overburden our citizens; it is to widen the tax base and bring people to equitability. This will reduce social burden, because we would have enough resources to take care of the vulnerable.

“This collaboration is a win-win for both agencies and our citizens. It means the Government can do a lot more for the residents and provide resources to take care of their needs in health, in education, safety and security, and in everything that makes life meaningful to our people. We are set to remove red tape in the entire tax administration. This is another beginning for a mutually beneficial relationship between FIRS and LIRS.”

Agba said the dwindling oil revenue necessitated the need to expand the nation’s tax base to fund development projects. The minister said duplication of efforts by both agencies would lower the efficiency of both Lagos and Federal governments in resource generation, while limiting both parties to collect tax.

The collaboration, the minister said, would not short-change each party, but rather bolster the parties to raise finance to bridge infrastructure gap in their respective domains.

FIRS chairman, Mr. Mohammed Nami, said the MoU would help both agencies to build capacity in respective areas of specialisation while helping Lagos and Federal governments to raise revenues for projects and development programmes.

“We will work together as a team during the investigation and have an automatic exchange of information. With this, we will be able to carry out our mandate seamlessly. As part of the joint operation, we will be able to implement presumptive tax as far as issues of tax administration are concerned,” Nami said.

LIRS chairman, Mr. Ayo Subair, said the collaboration would bring about quick solutions to tax disputes and incidents, thereby creating seamless reconciliation of issues. He listed other expectations to include reduced administration costs for both tax authorities and the elimination of hiding places for recalcitrant taxable persons and entities.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

06 FEBRUARY 2023

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU COMMISERATES WITH FUNKE AKINDELE OVER MOTHER’S DEATH

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sympathized with the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos, Ms Funke Akindele over the death of her beloved mother, Dr. RB Adebanjo-Akindele.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile on Tuesday said it is often hard to find the right words at a time like this for someone who has lost a beloved person, noting that losing mothers is one of the deepest sorrows for man.

The Governor prayed for peace, comfort, courage and love for Funke, his immediate siblings, the Adebanjo and Akindele families as they go through a most difficult period of mourning of the dead.

He said: “My heart goes out to Funke, friends of the Adebanjo and Akindele families on the demise of their daughter, mother and grandmother, Dr. RB Adebanjo-Akindele who answered the ultimate call today, Tuesday 7th of February, 2023.

“Death of loved ones, whenever it happens, is usually a very painful episode but we must be consoled by the good life lived by the deceased person. We should relish in the beautiful memories the dead left behind for us.

The Governor urged the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, to be comforted by the good life that her late mother lived and continue to pray for the repose of Dr. RB Adebanjo-Akindele.

“On behalf of my family and the good people of Lagos State, I hereby express my heartfelt condolences to the entire families and friends of Adebanjo and Akindele.

May God grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

TO THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE

7TH FEBRUARY, 2023

Rivers PDP 2023 Election Campaign Council Faults Allegation By Atiku’s Supporters

The Director-General of Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Campaign Council, Bro Felix Obuah has dismissed as hollow and baseless the allegation by Atiku’s supporters in the state against Governor Nyesom Wike as the mastermind of the arrest of some members of the group by the police.

Bro. Obuah who picked holes in the allegation said the statement contradicted itself with the differing positions of the spokesman for the group, Victor Moses and the spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in the State, Leloonu Nwibubasa who denied knowledge of the incident to a news outlet in Port Harcourt.

This shows, according to the PDP 2023 Election Campaign Council that the reason for the police arrest if there was any arrest at all, could be personal and had nothing to do with politics let alone involving the Executive Governor of the State who could not descend so low to get involved in infantile campaign groups.

Bro. Obuah, the immediate State PDP Chairman and frontline politician in Rivers State described as unfortunate the evolving culture of drawing attention to unfounded issues and inconsequential persons by mentioning the name, and pointing accusing fingers at the person of the Governor simply to make news.

He however, expressed joy that the security operatives and law enforcement agencies are not lost to this misnomer and will always bring their professional expertise to bear in handling such matters.

Bro. Obuah also warned those in this habit of fomenting trouble in the state for whatever motives to note that misinformation and disinformation remain a serious offence and breach of the Nigerian law.

The PDP Campaign Council DG, appealed to the supporters of the Rivers PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and all the other PDP candidates in the state to disregard such insinuations meant to distract their attention and remain vigilant and steadfast in their support for Governor Nyesom Wike and the State PDP-led government.

Signed

Jerry Needam

Secretary,

Directorate of Publicity & Communication

Rivers State PDP Campaign Council

Tuesday, February 7, 2023