Connect with us

Politics

Budget Padding: I am not responsible for Ningi’s suspension – Akpabio replies Falana

Published

on

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has declared that he was not responsible for the suspension of Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, over allegations of budget padding.

Ningi had, through his lawyer, Femi Falana, demanded the lifting of his suspension.

Ningi warned that if his suspension is not lifted within seven days, he will take legal action against the Senate President, as he contends that the process leading to his suspension was flawed.

Ningi, was suspended by the Senate on March 12 for three months after claiming that the 2024 budget was padded with about N3.7 trillion.

However, Akpabio’s counsel, Umeh Kalu, SAN, in a letter to Falana, titled: ‘Re: Request to Lift the Suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi’, stressed that the Senate President was not responsible for Ningi’s suspension.

The letter read: “We are solicitors to Sen. Godswill Akpabio and write you in respect of the above subject matter at his instance.

“Your letter of March 27, with the above caption has been referred to us with instructions to react thereto.

“We have carefully read through your analysis of the facts and circumstances leading to your client’s suspension from the Senate.

“We are unable to find reason in your verdict of our client’s sole culpability in the said suspension. We therefore plead non est factum for our client.

“In addition to the above and contrary to the contents of your letter under reference, our client was at no time your client’s accuser, prosecutor and judge.

“Our client’s role at the session of the Senate that led to your client’s suspension was and remains the statutory role of a Legislative House Presiding Officer.

“Which role equally includes pronouncing the majority decision of the Legislative House at the end of debate and voting.

“Permit us to mention your attempt at drawing our client’s attention to legal authorities and pronouncements of our Courts of record on the unconstitutionality of suspending members of Legislative Houses.

“Which attempt we dare say was unhelpful, due to your failure or refusal to make available, the relevant particulars of the said Court decisions in your letter.

“You may wish to provide these legal authorities which you have alluded to, bearing in mind that every decision of a court emanates from its peculiar facts, circumstances and extant laws.

“In as much as it may not be necessary to canvass herein all the remedies available to our client, in response to your threats of a court action and petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

“It is important we mention that legislative proceedings are guided by rules.

“We urge you to give due consideration to the legal issues raised in this letter and be guided accordingly in your further and future action in respect of this matter.”

Politics

Gov. Namadi inspects road projects, insists on timely completion

Published

on

By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse

The Jigawa state governor Malam Umar Namadi  has inspected 26 ongoing road projects across the state and insisted for timely  completion of the work.for the benefit of the public.

The ongoing projects inspected by the governor were mostly rehabilitation and reconstruction of the  roads and bridges damaged by the flooding in the last two years.

Speaking to various contractors, Governor Namadi expressed satisfaction on the quality of the job at the site and urged a speed  work rate for a timely completion.

The Governor told the contractors that Jigawa state is ready to continue patronising any company that demonstrates seriousness and sincerity in handling its work.

“We will not joke about paying your money as soon as you complete the work, however, we will not tolerate or accept any breach of contractual agreement particularly on quality and timely completion in accordance with the specification.”

Governor Namadi assured the Jigawa state people that his government will ensure the completion of all the ongoing road projects, and award new ones to facilitate the movement of goods and services for social and economic development.

While shading more light, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport Engineer Gambo S Malam said, the ongoing road projects have a total distance of 360 kilometers, while in some roads the works included rebuilding the collapsed bridges and provisions of new ones .

He added that so many measures were taken in the reconstruction of the roads and bridges damaged by the flood to prevent such problem In case of any flood in the future..

On their side, the contractors handling various road projects across the 27 local government areas of the state, assured the state governor that they will deliver a quality job and in a good time.

Continue Reading

Politics

Makinde appoints Atanda, Ige as Advisory Council member, chairman LG Pension Board

Published

on

Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has appointed Chief Adewale Atanda into the Oyo State Advisory Council.

This is just as a former chairman of Ibadan South-East Local Government and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, has been appointed as the chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board.

A letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, indicated that the governor has also appointed eight other people into various positions.

The other newly-appointed persons are as follows: Akeem Oladeji- Full-time member, SUBEB; Dr Monsura Mustapha- Full-time member, SUBEB; Mrs Agbejimi Oladoja Rebecca- Part-time member, SUBEB; Oyewo Oluwaseun Oyedele- Part-time member, SUBEB; Dimeji Ladapo- Part-time member, Civil Service Commission; Mrs Funmi Arulogun- Senior Special Assistant, Diaspora; Mrs Adebayo Omolara- Special Assistant, Culture I; Mr Bolanle Seyi- Special Assistant, Culture II.

Congratulating the new appointees, Makinde charged them to discharge their duties with dedication and loyalty to the state.

Continue Reading

Politics

Delta Governor tasks NIPSS on solutions to Nigeria’s challenges

Published

on

By Dave Okpogadie

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state has charged the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos, to provide a veritable roadmap for policies that would mitigate the challenges currently confronting Nigeria.

Governor Oborevwori gave the charge yesterday when he received participants of the Senior Executive Course 46 of the NIPSS led by Air Vice Marshal David Solomon, on courtesy call at Government House, Asaba.

He said, “The importance of your institute is anchored on fostering critical thinking that will encourage training and developing professionals in policy analysis, strategic planning and leadership.

“Being a high level center for informed research, reflection and dialogue, the country looks up to you to provide a road map for true policy initiatives and execution.

“The lnstitute remains our country’s foremost thinking cap in developing a group of high class technocrats. It has also contributed to deepening democracy both in Nigeria and other African countries by providing a platform for learning and sharing of ideas.

“You are, therefore, saddled with the responsibility of managing policies and strategies that will shape Nigeria and indeed, Africa.

“Delta is a state that believes in continuity and I have promised Deltans that I am going to do more for them.

“Your coming to Delta shows that the state is peaceful; not minding what happened on March 14, the Okuama incident.

“We have handled it and the Military had had a lot of restraints. As we speak today, the Military have pulled out of Okuama and we have established an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in that place.

“But that does not mean that those involved will be set free. It is just that the innocent people will not continue to have problems with the Military.

“I want to assure you that coming to Delta State is a good choice and all the information you need will be provided.”

Earlier, the team leader, Air Vice Marshal David Solomon, who spoke on behalf of the Director- General of the Institute, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said the lnstitute was conceived as a high level institution with the primary objective of serving as the nation’s foremost policy think tank and developing a crop of top class leaders of high intellectual capacity.

He commended Governor Oborevwori for consolidating the tempo of sustainable socio-economic growth and development of the state by continuing from where his predecessor stopped, just as he expressed appreciation to the state government for the warm reception accorded them since their arrival in the state.

Continue Reading

Trending