News

Bill to provide power rotation suffers setback in the Senate

Published

2 years ago

September 28, 2022

A bill which seeks to provide for the rotation of power among the geo-political zones and districts in the country on Tuesday suffered a setback in the Senate.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Abba Moro (PDP-Benue South) was titled, “A Bill for an Act to provide for Rotation of Power and for other related matters therein, 2022.”

Senator Abba Moro was done with his lead debate on the bill before he requested to be allowed to step down the bill for further consultation, to avert an apparent situation in which the bill could have been defeated.

Presenting the bill before he withdrew it, Senator Moro said, “The one and sole intent of this bill is to enact a legislation that will make provisions for the rotation of political power amongst the geo-political zones, Governorship amongst the Senatorial Districts and Federal constituencies in general elections in Nigeria.

“This bill has become imperative considering the controversies trailing the nominations of persons for elections into various offices especially the offices of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governors if various states of the Federal Republic.”

Senator Abba Moro reminded his Senator colleagues the Federal Character Principle in the constitution which “requires fair and equitable representation of different ethnic and regional groups in the composition of all tiers of government.

“This was designed by the framers of the constitution to ensure that there is no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or sectional groups in running the affairs of the country.

“Certain zones and regions feel marginalised and denied political power and this has led to emotive violence and social unrest.

“The way forward to bring about political stability in the country and to give every section, zone or group a sense of belonging and inclusion is to embrace rotation of political power with open arms.”

The Benue Senator told his colleagues that the proposed law was not intended for the 2023 elections having realised that the 2023 polls would have been over by the time the bill runs its full cycle.

Senator Istifanus Gyang (PDP-Plateau North) was on the same page with Senator Moro when he said if passed, the bill would help in managing the diversity of Nigeria in such a way that feelings and perception of marginalisation could be addressed.

However, many Senators were opposed to the bill. They argued that the provisions of the bill contradict a section of the Constitution that grants everyone the right to aspire to contest for any office without any inhibition.

Speaking against the bill, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah said, “We never had a bill of this nature for Goodluck Jonathan to emerge as President.

“No matter how we try to allow our sentiments to drive our desire for a very united, equitable country, we equally have a responsibility to balance that with the oath of office that we have taken as Senators if the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Where the constitution has prescribed requirements for emerging into each of the offices created by the constitution, it may be difficult for this Senate to, by a way of legislation upset that provision of the constitution.

“This Senate cannot legislate on this matter without doing a great violence to our constitution.”

The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege argued in the same vein that the proposed legislation contradicts the provisions of the constitution.

“On a good day, I ordinarily would align myself with the intent behind this bill. But I’m taken aback. This is not a bill for constitutional amendment.

“The constitution is very clear. To deprive somebody of the right to run for an office through a provision of a piece of legislation enacted by the National Assembly, which is contrary to the provisions of the constitution, will render that very Act of the National Assembly null and void and of no effect,” Senator Ovie Omo-Agege said.

In his remarks, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan commended Senator Moro for coming out with the bill and withdrawing it in the light of the views expressed by his colleagues.

Lawan said Moro should feel free to represent the Bill in future if he feels strongly about it.

News

Nigeria’s money supply dropped to N92.3trn in March – CBN

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

Nigeria’s money supply dropped marginally to N92.3 trillion in March 2024 from N93.9 trillion in February.

This is according to recent data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Experts have linked the development to CBN’s hike in interest rates.

Demand deposits increased from N26.8 trillion to N28.8 trillion, suggesting a preference among depositors for more liquid forms of money.

Similarly, currency outside banks surged from N3.4 trillion to N3.6 trillion as more Nigerians moved towards cash following the end of the apex bank’s controversial new naira note policy.

The naira has continued to depreciate against the dollar despite the CBN’s policy intervention. On Thursday, it further dipped to N1533.99 per dollar.

News

Naira appreciates against dollar, ends week on good note

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

The Naira appreciated against the dollar at the foreign exchange market barely 24 hours after depreciation.

FMDQ data showed that the N1497.33 appreciated against the dollar on Friday

This represents an N33.66 gain against the dollar compared to N1497.33 traded on Thursday.

Similarly, at the parallel market, the Naira appreciated to N1475 per dollar on Friday from N1555 on Thursday.

This showed that the Naira ended the week well after days of depreciation.

The country’s currency continued to experience instability since mid-April when it recorded months of appreciation.

Meanwhile, the Bureau De Change Operators had blamed forex scarcity for the continued depreciation of Naira.

News

Police dismiss inspector for N29.8m theft, kidnapping

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed one of its officers identified as Adabo Mohammed for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, among others.

Mohammed, who was an Inspector, alongside five others was said to be a member of an armed robbery gang allegedly responsible for the stealing of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory.

This was disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

The statement, titled, ‘Police speak tough on indiscipline, misconduct,’ noted that in a move to uphold professional standards within the Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, stressed the Force’s intolerance to any form of indiscipline.

The statement read partly, “In a decisive move to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has emphasised his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indiscipline. He stressed that the mandate of the police is to serve and protect with honour and integrity, and as such all breaches of the core values of the NPF will be met with decisive action to maintain public trust and ensure justice.

“In line with this policy, all cases reported against personnel have been creditably attended to, and justice has been done appropriately. Many of the erring officers have been sanctioned, while some cases are still at the orderly room trial level, and will soon be concluded.

“For instance, a police inspector has been dismissed from service while three others were demoted to their previous ranks following thorough investigations which confirmed their involvement in various acts of indiscipline/crime.”

Adejobi added, “One Inspector Adabo Mohammed was dismissed for the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery/kidnapping, and corrupt practice. The dismissed officer, along with five others were members of an armed robbery gang responsible for the robbery of the sum of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, FCT as well as the kidnap of one Ikechukwu Emmanuel Okafor in Tunga Manje, and the collection of ransom sum of N4.4m. The ex-officer has been charged to court accordingly.

“Similarly, the trio of Inspectors Osagie Efford, Semiu Agbekin, and Francis Ahuen, attached to the Special Tactical Squad (STS), have been demoted to their previous rank of Sergeant for the extortion of some motorists in Abuja. The trio intercepted an unregistered Mercedes Benz at Gwarinpa, Abuja, and forced the occupants to part with the total sum of N29.4m.

“The matter when reported by one Harrison Gwamnishu (#HarrisonBBi18) via the social media platform ‘X’, was taken up and properly investigated. While the monies have been returned to the complainants, the officers were subjected to orderly room trial in line with extant laws, and have been demoted.”

The FPRO noted that some senior officers have “been subjected to the Force Disciplinary Committee hearings” to “scrutinise and address allegations of misconduct against higher-ranking officers of the Force.”

He assured the public that “these measures are taken with the utmost seriousness and are integral to restoring and maintaining their trust. He re-emphasised that the NPF is dedicated to fostering a culture of accountability and respect within all ranks to ensure that police officers serve with integrity.”