Politics
Stakeholders commend Tinubu’s 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry highway initiative
…Kwara, Niger Govs laud superhighway project
By Saka Laaro Ilorin.
Stakeholders across Kwara and Niger States have commended President Bola Tinubu for the bold step to construct the 1,000-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, with Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Umaru Bago calling the project another evidence of the President’s commitment to drive phenomenal socioeconomic growth.
They spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where a stakeholders’ engagement was held to brief the public on the Kwara and Niger Sections of the superhighway as well as rally public support for it and other initiatives of the President.
At least 188 kilometres of the road cut through different Kwara communities, while 125 kilometres of it are on Niger land.
The stakeholders session was at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Works, and was attended by Niger State Governor Bago; Kwara Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; federal and state parliamentarians including Kwara North’s Sadiq Umar; Minister of Youth Development Dr. Jamilah Bio; state cabinet members; royal fathers; industrialists led by Dr. Kamoru Yusuf of KAM Holdings; party stalwarts; community leaders; transport unions; farmers’ associations; civil society organisations; marketers associations; and the youths.
AbdulRazaq said the proposed road project attests to the bold vision of President Tinubu to develop infrastructure, which enhances national connectivity and helps to grow the economy.
“What we are doing this afternoon is another testament to the bold vision of President Tinubu and another evidence that our country is in a race to align development priorities and population growth with commensurate infrastructure that connects every part of Nigeria.
“But much more important is the decision of the President to make the people the centrepiece of this bold vision,” Governor AbdulRazaq said.
The Governor, who was attending another significant event with the President in the national capital Abuja as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, was represented by Alabi.
“For the avoidance of doubt, 188 kilometres of the road traverse different towns and communities of Kwara State. The socioeconomic implications of this Renewed Hope Infrastructure Project for national connectivity and growth cannot be fully appreciated by this generation,” he added.
Governor Abdulrazaq applauded the Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi for the excellent job of combining the expertise of this critical terrain with the political skills of pushing through the different land mines.
“This conversation has helped our people to own the initiative, and I assure Mr. President and his team that our people will give all the support to see it through,” according to the Governor.
Governor Bago, for his part, urged the people from Kwara and Niger to support the federal government and take ownership of the road projects, saying they (projects) are for their own good.
“We need to talk to our people that the government is not grabbing your land; the federal government is bringing development to you. We are not going to pay one kobo for compensation because it is for your good,” Bago said.
The Governor said locals should support the project because of its accompanying benefits, cautioning communities against disturbing contractors or the government for compensation.
Umahi, who commended the supportive roles of Governors AbdulRazaq and Bago for the President, said the Ministry has 18 federal projects in Kwara State, saying more efforts will go into some of them that are deemed to be behind their implementation schedules.
The Minister appreciated AbdulRazaq and Bago for hosting the engagement and their hospitality in the course of the deliberations.
Umahi specifically commended the good works of Governor AbdulRazaq in Kwara and as the NGF chairman, saying, “Kwara is lucky to have Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. I have seen a lot of developments since coming to town. But he is not just doing great in Kwara, he is helping the President to properly create good relationships with the Governors. He is a very calm and humble man, and a silent achiever.”
Senate Committee Chairman on Works Barinada Mpigi, for his part, condemned the rate of abandonment of road projects by contractors after they have been mobilised, and said the Senate would not hesitate to sanction the erring ones if they fail to return to sites on time.
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has said that it did not suspend any member in any part of the state, as being reported by some online media.
APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Seye Oladejo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
“Our attention has been drawn to the fake news making the rounds about the purported suspension of thousands of party members in Alimosho Local Government by the State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.
“We wish to state unequivocally that there’s no truth in the allegation,” he said.
According to him, Ojelabi remains committed to the unity of the party and acts that will engender peaceful co-existence of all members.
“APC as a political party, made up of members with different aspirations, naturally has its fair share of wrangling and suspicions that can always be resolved within the framework of its constitutional provisions.
“The chairman as an experienced individual in party politics and governance is always prepared to bend backwards to accommodate all opinions without trampling on the rights of others,” he said.
Oladejo said that the chairman, however, strongly believed that the interests of caucuses should not over-ride that of the party.
He said that the interest of the party remained cohesion among members and ensuring that party leaders act as checks to elected and appointed officials in government as regards service delivery.
Oladejo said: “There’s no provision in the party’s constitution that can be invoked for the chairman to unilaterally suspend a member.
“Members of the public are hereby advised to ignore statements that are designed to create an imaginary conflict and deliberate falsehood that are basically self-serving.”
Some party members in Alimosho had, during a protest at the party secretariat recently, attempted to manhandle and beat up the party chairman, before the intervention of security agents.
The protesters were allegedly angry that members of the caucus they belonged to were not recognised at a meeting convened by Ojelabi to reconcile disagreeing groups in the local government area.
By Aminu Garko, Kano
The Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hashimu Dungurawa in Kano State has praised the state government, led by Governor Abba Yusuf.
Noting that the Yusuf led administration has done a lot, the NNPP Chairman said Yusuf has achieved significant milestones in various sectors, including education, agriculture, health, women and youth empowerment, and infrastructure development.
According to the Dungurawa, the government has also demonstrated inclusivity by involving opposition parties and stakeholders in its decision-making processes.
He highlighted the allocation of N25 million to each of the 44 local government areas for minor repairs in primary and secondary schools, the provision of fertilizers to farmers, and the payment of retirees’ benefits, among other achievements.
Dungurawa also emphasized the government’s commitment to education, allocating 30% of the budget to the sector, and its efforts to empower women and youth.
He also praised Governor Abba Yusuf for his leadership and listening approach, which has led to significant progress in the state.
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused bitter individuals of circulating fake news on the candidacy of its Governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
In a statement on Sunday, Hon. Debo Ologunagba National Publicity Secretary of the PDP said that the party is aware of a well-oiled plot by certain egocentric and overtly ambitious individuals to orchestrate a series of coordinated smear campaigns against Dr. Asue Ighodalo being frustrated by his emergence as candidate, his overwhelming popularity across the State and the fact that he is already coasting to victory in the election.
According to Debo, “angry and bitter individuals have been going around the courts and reportedly attempting to induce certain judicial officers to procure damaging rulings against our candidate.”
“It has also come to the knowledge of our Party that these unscrupulous elements have been attempting to compromise the media to publish fabrications against our candidate and campaign.”
“Our Party have it on good authority that the intent of these individuals who have been holding clandestine meetings in locations in Abuja and Benin City is to cause crisis and derail the democratic process leading to the Edo State governorship election.”
“Information available shows that these politicians are behind the erroneous report that our Party’s Governorship Primary in Edo State was nullified by the Court when the Court indeed did not issue any Order to that effect.”
“These individuals have been going about brazenly boasting that they have the connection and capacity to compromise the courts.”
“Such barefaced boast is a direct assault on the sensibility and pride of the majority of the people of Edo State as well as the institutions of democracy where the Will of the majority of the people must prevail.”
“Our Party alerts the Institution of the Judiciary, the Media and Security Agencies to be wary of the antics and activities of these elements and take steps to resist their shenanigans which is a clear and present danger to the sustenance of democracy in our country.” The statement noted.
The PDP National Secretary further stated that the PDP is not deterred.
“Our Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo continues to enjoy the solidarity and support of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State; he remains focused on his issue-based campaign and will not be distracted from his vision and agenda of moving Edo State to another level of prosperity and development on the platform the PDP.”
“The PDP calls on the people of Edo State to remain at alert and resolute in their determination to ensure continued development by voting enmasse for the PDP and Dr. Asue Ighodalo in the September 21, 2024 Governorship election in the State.” He said.
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