NEWS : Current constitution cannot develop Nigeria – Okowa

 

Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State, has stated that the constitution of Nigeria was a major problem.

He spoke on Saturday in Asaba while reiterating his call for restructuring.

Okowa, at the launch of a book by Michael Tidi, Warri South Local Government Chairman, also repeated South-South’s demand for resource control.

The governor told the people of the region to stop playing politics with critical issues.

“Recently in Port Harcourt, we called for resource control and restructuring because the constitution as it is now, cannot develop the country.

“I hear people asking what the governors have done with the 13 per cent derivation? Give us 100 per cent, and we can pay you tax of 50 per cent,” Okowa told the federal government.

NEWS : You are aware of hardship in Nigeria – Aregbesola

 

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has divulged that President Muhammadu Buhari is aware of the hardship Nigerians are facing.

He said that COVID-19 pandemic and End SARS protest have caused suffering to the people, noting that Buhari is aware and on top of the situation.

“The President is aware of the hardship facing the citizens of the country. This was caused by the pandemic and the End SARS protest which erupted in many states of the federation. The president is doing all his best and I can assure you that very soon, all will be well and we will be happy again.”

Meanwhile, Aregbesola also urged Nigerians to go about the festive period with caution, saying that coronavirus pandemic is still very much on.

The minister made these known while speaking at the commissioning of a central mosque built by Ta’Awunu Islamic group in Iwo, Osun State, on Saturday.

Aregbesola cautioned that the country can’t afford to return to when the dreaded Virus was at its peak in the country, urging Nigerians not lower their guards at this point that cases are being recorded ona daily basis.

“My reasons for coming to the state is in two folds: End SARS and to remind us that Coronavirus is still very much with us. We can’t afford to return to when the virus was at its peak in the country. That is why we must observe social distance and we use our face masks always. Cases are still being recorded everyday.

“During this festive period, we must be cautious. We should obey the holy prophet’s teachings that say, ‘when there is an outbreak of epidemic somewhere, we should not leave there and those outside should not join until the epidemic is over. We must take responsibilities of our lives,” he said.

NEWS : governors planning to borrow N17trn from pension fund – SERAP

 

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to instruct the National Pension Commission (NPC) to stop state governors from borrowing N17 trillion from pension funds.

The governors had said the money would be used for infrastructural development.

They made the proposal after a briefing from Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Chairman of the National Economic Council Ad Hoc Committee on Leveraging Portion of Accumulated Pension Funds for Investment in the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

A letter dated December 5, 2020, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, warned Buhari that approval of the governors’ request would be detrimental to the fund beneficiaries, given the corruption in Nigeria, and transparency deficit in several states.

The organization said it is contrary to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the Pension Reform Act, and the international anti-corruption and human rights obligations for federal and state governments to use pension funds as an escape route from years of mismanagement.

The letter copied the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

SERAP noted that it would be very difficult to hold governors to account for the spending of pension funds, as states have persistently failed to account for the spending of public funds including security votes.

“Pension funds should not be used to make up for the failure of governments to cut the cost of governance, persistent refusal to reduce corruption, failure to obey court orders to recover life pensions collected by former governors and their deputies, and public funds collected by corrupt electricity contractors who disappeared with the money.

“Many state governors have repeatedly failed to pay workers’ salaries and pensions; several states are failing to pay contributory pension. Allowing state governors to collect a windfall of pension funds at the expense of pensioners who continue to be denied the fruit of their labour would amount to double jeopardy.”

SERAP gave the Buhari administration 14 days to indicate the measures being taken to instruct the NPC to stop the governors’ move.

The rights group threatened legal action if their demand is not met at the end of the ultimatum.

NEWS : Arewa Consultative Forum , 2023 is not the final hour – Sani to Igbos

 

Former Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, has advised the South-East not to consider 2023 as “the final hour”.

He said this while reacting to the pressure by the Igbos to produce a president from the region.

Sani told them to plan their game and stop issuing threats.

“I have said it several times that multi-party democracy allows the Igbo to design their winning game plan and use it to canvass the presidency across the nation instead of using threats and intimidation.”

Sani noted that democracy is not a bull fight in a sumo ring, but a contest of ideas and reasons.

“If their chances of producing the president are brighter this time around using democratic tenets, then I wish them good luck. But as they do so, they should not imagine that 2023 is the final hour.”

The former ACF scribe dismissed speculations that the North is never favorably disposed to giving up power.

He stressed that those who hold the view were being unfair.

Sani recalled how the region voted for M. K. O Abiola against a northerner, Bashir Tofa in 1993.

He added that in 1999, the North agreed that the South-West should present presidential candidates.

“In 2003, President Obasanjo got 25 per cent in most Northern states when General Buhari stood for the elections. In 2011, President Jonathan got 25 per cent in most Northern states when General Buhari contested the elections.

“So, when some southerners allege that the North regards power to rule the country as its own patrimony, I begin to wonder the basis of such allegations”, Sani said.

NEWS : Trump has returned to the White House

 

Trump has returned to the White House

From CNN's Jason Hoffman

President Donald Trump returns to the White House on November 7 in Washington, DC. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

President Trump’s motorcade arrived back at the White House at 3:13 p.m. ET, after spending the morning golfing at his golf course in Virginia.

Trump waved to the pool reporters as he walked back into the White House.

The President was on the golf course when CNN and other networks called the race for former Vice President Joe Biden.

3:02 p.m. ET, November 7, 2020

Biden supporter in North Carolina says she is "so proud and hopeful for the next generation"

From CNN's Dianne Gallagher

Among the people celebrating President-elect Joe Biden's victory today in Raleigh, North Carolina, was Nina Simone, who called his win a "relief."

“Tears. Tears streaming down my face. I am so proud and hopeful for the next generation," Simone told CNN. “Last couple of days, we’ve been very anxious. A lot of stress eating! The last four years, have been scary. We’ve been fearful. Even traveling here with my shirt on... I was fearful. What if somebody tried to do something?”

Simone added: “This is just one step, and it’s a battle ahead ... but it’s a good one”

2:57 p.m. ET, November 7, 2020

Crowds celebrate Biden's win outside Philadelphia City Hall

From CNN's Lauren Moore, Kate Bolduan and Mark Morales

President-elect Joe Biden's supporters flocked to Philadelphia City Hall today to celebrate his projected win over President Trump.

Sherry Viggs of Philadelphia, who held a sign that read “Good things happen in Philly," was one of those supporters. She said Biden's win “was just a release from stress, to know that the country would get back to civility and decency.”

NEWS : We're Promised Juicy Appointments When Biafra Is Achieved"—IPOB

 

We're Promised Juicy Appointments When Biafra Is Achieved"—IPOB Members Arrested For Bombing Wike Father's Church

The Rivers State Police Command has said three suspects, who said they were members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, have been arrested for allegedly detonating explosives in Governor Nyesom Wike’s father’s church. 

The police claimed that the suspects confessed to have engaged in the act to get juicy appointments in the proscribed IPOB. 

NEWS : Bayelsa by-election: Gov Diri confident of PDP’s win

 

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri on Saturday said he was confident that his party’s candidates in the state’s senatorial by-elections would win the two seats.

Speaking to newsmen after casting his vote at Sampou, his country home, the governor expressed confidence that his candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were going to win the elections.

The Bayelsa by-elections took place in the Bayelsa Central and West senatorial districts, vacated by him and the Deputy Governor.

Diri said: “The candidates of PDP are incomparable. We fielded quality candidates, and you can see the difference between the PDP candidates and particularly the other candidates. I don’t want to mention the names.

“The Senate is not a place for jokers or people who were dismissed from the service.

“The Senate is for those with integrity and for those who can comprehend.

“It is for those who can bring an argument on the floor that can convince their colleagues, and I think the candidates of PDP have all that.

“I can describe the process as being smooth and peaceful. The accreditation and voting enhanced the process instead of waiting for hours,” he said.

Diri, however, pleaded with Bayelsa people not to give the state a negative image stating that “Our state is not a state of armed robbers.

“It is not a state of destroyers or a state of false people. It is not a state of thuggery. We work hard to earn a living.

“It is a state of integrity. I want to call on all our youths and women to conduct themselves in a manner that will bring a positive image to Bayelsa state,” he added.