Politics
2023: Passion For Nigeria’s Progress Driving My Ambition – Atiku Tells Reps Caucus
As the race to the 2023 presidency begins to gather momentum among top politicians in the country, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has assured that his passion for Nigeria’s progress drives his ambition and not personal aggrandizement.
The 2019 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated this during a meeting with the party’s House of Representatives caucus in Abuja.
The Waziri Adamawa, who described the legislature as the most sensitive organ of democracy, commended the lawmakers for protecting the interest of the party and Nigerians at the National Assembly.
The former Vice President added that “I recognise your immense influence on our great party and my respect for you is beyond measure. That is why I chose you to be among the first set of people that I will be meeting to personally declare my intention to contest for the President of Nigeria in 2023.
“Therefore, I humbly present myself to you and seek your support to win our party’s Presidential ticket.”
He lamented that Nigeria was in trying times with the increase in poverty, joblessness, insecurity, inflation, economic recession and serious division, noting that “there has never been a time when Nigeria needs credible leadership than now”.
He also affirmed that the PDP was in a better position to offer Nigerians the desirable and competent leadership.
He stressed that he wants to offer a solution to Nigeria’s problems, but requires the support of the lawmakers.
“I have experience at the highest and lowest levels. As the Vice President of Nigeria, I ensured many progressive and national transformations and constitutional law. As a businessman, I have solved grassroots problems and provided jobs for thousands of people,” he said.
Atiku, who declared that he has the mental and physical energy to serve to the fullest, said “above all, it is my passion for the progress of this country that drives my quest for the Presidency of this country”.
“This is the last chance for this country to get it right. Any failure to elect the right leaders now means Nigeria is doomed. That is why this election is not for us or our personal interest, it is about salvaging the country and I want to seek your support to help me do that.
“Nigerians are in desperate need of us and that is why we have to offer them the best. And this time more than ever before, we need a leader with versed experience who will fight for the people and a President who can bring this country together. I guarantee you that I have what it will take to be that kind of President. Therefore, I seek your support.
“This victory of our party depends on the candidate we produce at the primary elections at all levels. That is why we must choose those that can easily win at the secondary election.”
In his reaction, the House of Representatives Minority leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu said the PDP needed to be united to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.
He said, “we do not doubt that you have the mental and physical capacity needed to drive the PDP to win the election.
“But what we have always said is that we are not happy with the way we are not trying to unite ourselves. What is important is that we must unite ourselves to take over from the APC led government.”
The minority leader stressed the need for all Presidential hopefuls to avoid any form of assault or attack on themselves, saying, “it will not help us”.
Elumelu lamented that “the APC came with all manners of lies, they came that they will turn one naira to one dollar, they came that they will give us quality education, they came that they will guarantee the security of lives and property, they came that they will write off all our debts. But today, they are trying to mortgage our country with so many loans.
“The hope for Nigeria in 2023 and beyond is in the PDP, and I believe we can make it happen”.
Politics
Crisis brews in Ogun Assembly over appointment of clerk
There is unrest among both career employees and political officials at the Ogun State House of Assembly regarding the appointment of a new Clerk.
The tension arose following the retirement of the House Clerk, Adedeji Adeyemo, in early March, and the assembly’s failure to announce a successor since then.
There are suspicions that the delay is part of a government strategy to appoint a non-legislative staff member as the clerk of the house.
Traditionally, the most senior career employee in the legislative branch holds a position akin to the Head of Service, operating under the executive arm’s control.
This position is subject to the governor’s appointment but must be chosen from the current senior civil servants.
Employees at the assembly believe that they should have the opportunity to ascend to this position, having dedicated many years to government service in the legislative branch.
Additionally, like several other states, Ogun State established a House of Assembly Service Commission during the 8th House of Assembly, as per a law signed by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
According to this law, the most senior legislative staff member should assume the role of House clerk at all times, subject to confirmation by the assembly through a resolution.
Investigations reveal that this law has led to the appointment of Deputy Clerks as clerks in several states, including Taraba, Zamfara, Delta, Osun, Bayelsa, Kaduna, Ondo, Kano, Cross River, Gombe, Lagos, Oyo, and Ekiti.
Current discussions with assembly staff suggest apprehension that the government might appoint a non-legislative staff member as the clerk, leading to discontent among the workers.
Several staff members have expressed their concerns to the Speaker, but his response was unsatisfactory, indicating a readiness to support whoever the governor chooses for the position.
However, they argue that adherence to the law is crucial, especially given a previous court ruling affirming the authority of the House of Assembly Service Commission in staff appointments and control.
The issue has caused divisions among legislators, with some advocating for the preservation of the House of Assembly Service Commission’s law, while others suggest that qualified civil servants from outside the assembly could also serve as clerks.
A court ruling in 2020 reinforced the importance of following the state’s House of Assembly law in staff appointments and related matters, emphasizing the authority of the House of Assembly Service Commission.
Efforts to reach the House Speaker and the Chairman of the House Committee on Communication for comments on the matter were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls or messages.
Politics
Alleged budget padding: ACF condemns Ningi’s suspension, says North’s interest at stake
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed disapproval over the suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi, the former Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, by the Senate, asserting that the welfare of the Northern region is at stake.
In a statement issued by Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, it was emphasized that the Senate should have conducted an investigation into the allegations raised by the senator to ascertain their validity rather than resorting to suspension.
The ACF urged the Senate to exercise greater caution when addressing criticisms of its proceedings.
Ningi had claimed that N3.7 trillion allocated in the 2024 budget was not earmarked for any specific project.
ACF acknowledged that the 10th Senate had refuted these allegations, deeming them unsubstantiated, and highlighted that the interests of various communities in Northern Nigeria are jeopardized.
Instead of hastily suspending Ningi, ACF advocated for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations by a committee established either by statute or ad hoc means.
It underscored that the allegations of budget padding, along with concerns regarding the inclusion of items benefiting particular communities of certain senators as “constituency projects,” remain unaddressed, with potentially adverse consequences for both the Senate and the executive branch.
Politics
Nigeria must be safe, secure before 2027 election – Atiku’s ex-aide, Bwala
Daniel Bwala, a former spokesperson for the now-defunct Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, revealed on Friday the essential condition for the 2027 elections to take place. He asserted that the general elections slated for 2027 could only proceed under the backdrop of a safe and secure Nigeria.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Bwala praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to rectify the shortcomings of previous administrations. Despite his acknowledgment of Tinubu’s initiatives, Bwala expressed no remorse for his decision to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He stated, “I have no regrets about my transition to the PDP or my support for Atiku. My actions are guided by personal conviction, and if they don’t yield the desired outcome, I accept the consequences.”
Bwala emphasized the pressing need for a stable and secure Nigeria, citing it as the fundamental prerequisite for holding the 2027 elections. He observed President Tinubu’s endeavors to address the country’s challenges and foster national unity.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s call for opposition cooperation in nation-building, Bwala recognized the importance of prioritizing the nation’s development over partisan politics. He stressed the imperative of a cohesive and functional Nigeria as a prerequisite for engaging in political activities.
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