| Source | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Weblink/Page No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, November 30, 2020 | Governors Condemn Killing of Borno Rice Farmers | The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has condemned the killing of over 40 rice farmers in Garin Kwashebe, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday, November 28 by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. The forum, in a statement by its Chairman and the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday, November 29 in Abuja, described the attack as morally reprehensible. He stated that the attack brought back ugly memories of several dastardly attacks on soft targets in the State. Fayemi noted that the farmers were attacked while harvesting their produce totally oblivious of the danger that awaited them in nearby bushes. He stated that the method was consistent with the senseless bombings of busy markets, bus stations, schools, and abattoirs whenever the terrorists felt overpowered by the security operatives. According to Fayemi, “This sad narrative raises serious questions on the general security situation in the country and around the capability of the nation’s security architecture. It also raises questions on whether or not there are adequate arrangements to protect lives and property. Since insurgency engulfed the country more than a decade ago, each time it seems like the situation is coming under control, the enemy strikes again. This has happened consistently.” Fayemi expressed the governors' concern that the carnage was degenerating beyond explicable limits. He stated that the catalog of destruction had an adverse effect on everything in the State and the country at large. He added that the NGF would collectively review those issues at its next meeting to forge the way forward. | Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Borno killings | https://guardian.ng/news/governors-condemn-killing-of-borno-rice-farmers/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, November 30, 2020 | APC To Hold Emergency Virtual NEC Meeting December 8 | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, 2020. The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, November 29. He stated that in line with the COVID-19 public health protocols, the APC NEC meeting would be virtual. Part of the statement read thus: “In a formal invitation sent to APC NEC members by the National Secretary of the Party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, the meeting will 'review the party’s position and set agenda for the party’s next move.' In line with the COVID-19 public health protocols, the APC NEC meeting will be virtual. Login details will be sent to APC NEC members in due course. The meeting is slated for 11am at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja.” | APC, Emergency NEC Meeting | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/30/apc-holds-emergency-virtual-nec-meeting-december-8/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, November 30, 2020 | FG to Treat Fresh #EndSARS Protest as Attempt at Regime Change | The Federal Government would treat any fresh demonstration against perceived police brutality or any other issue, particularly if it threatens to disrupt peace and security of any part of the country, as high treason aimed at unconstitutional regime change, highly placed security sources told journalists on Sunday, November 29. Notice of a fresh protest, of alleged Federal Government’s harassment of promoters of the #EndSARS protests, scheduled for December 5 has been trending on social media in recent weeks. This has attracted a firm response from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, who warned, shortly before a meeting with the commissioners of police in the 36 State commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) last Friday, November 27, that the proposed protest would be resisted by the nation’s security agencies. | #EndSARS Protests, Federal Government | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/30/fg-to-treat-fresh-endsars-protest-as-attempt-at-regime-change/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, November 30, 2020 | House of Reps to Commence Consideration of Queries to MDAs | The House of Representatives Committee on Public Account has stated that it would commence consideration of queries raised on financial impropriety by the Auditor General for the Federation to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Wole Oke disclosed this in Abuja at its resumed hearing bothering on accountability by MDAs. He stated that the Auditor General of the Federation had laid his annual report part 1 in respect of 2018 financial year before the Committee. He also stated that the annual report came along with performance audit report on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on maintenance of federal roads. He added that the Auditor General had also presented his performance audit report on the budgeting process in Nigeria to the committee. According to Oke, having received these three documents, the committee shall commence considerations of the queries on issues raised by inviting the relevant MDAs of government, including on the spot assessment inspection of the projects where the Auditor General has cast doubt or aspersions on. He therefore called on the clerk of the committee to convey the queries on the issues raised to the affected MDAs and schedule a day for their appearances. | House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, Minitries, Departments and Agencies | House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, Minitries, Departments and Agencies |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, November 30, 2020 | Ondo Speaker, Three Others Face Contempt Charges over Lawmakers’ Suspension | For allegedly disobeying court order to reinstate four suspended members of the Ondo State House Assembly, the Ondo State High Court has summoned the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun, and three other persons to show cause why they should not be jailed for disobedience to court order. Other persons accused of alleged disobedience to the court order are the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. Bode Adeyelu; Parliamentary Secretary, Hon Abayomi Akinruntan, and the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi. Justice Ademola Bola of the State High Court had ordered the reinstatement of four members of the Assembly who were suspended for alleged gross misconduct during an attempt to impeach the State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi. The four lawmakers, Hon. Iroju Ogundeji, Hon. Favour Tomomowo, Hon. Tomide Akinribido and Hon. Wale William-Adewinle, however, approached the court to challenge their suspension. The court, after listening to the arguments of the parties, ordered that they should be reinstated and to be paid N5 million each for the unlawful suspension from the Assembly. Not satisfied with the court order, the Assembly presided over by Oleyeloogun, approached the Court of Appeal to halt the implementation of the orders of the lower court. However, the appellate court, in its judgement, upheld the judgment of the lower court, and ordered the reinstatement of the lawmakers to their offices and the payment of their entitlements from the day of their unlawful suspension. Apart from directing the reinstatement of the lawmakers, the Appeal Court judgement delivered by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye also ordered the appellants to pay the sum of N250.000 jointly and severally to the lawmakers as damages. Despite the orders of both the lower and appellate courts, the four lawmakers have not been allowed into the plenary session of the Assembly nor paid their entitlements. Dissatisfied with the action of the leadership of the Assembly, the affected lawmakers, through their counsel, Mr. Olabanjo Ayenakin, filed contempt charges against the Speaker and three others. | Ondo State House Assembly | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/30/2023-pgf-dg-tasks-apc-leaders-on-succession-plan/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, November 26, 2020 | APC Has No Authentic Register, 7 Years After Formation – Buni | The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni, has disclosed that since the membership registration exercise of 2013, the party has no authentic register in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Speaking at a meeting of the APC Senate Caucus on Wednesday, November 25, Buni stated that some members who left the party in 2018 and joined the opposition party still have their names on the ruling party’s register. He added that many others who joined the party from 2014 to date do not have their names in the register. Buni also stated that the revalidation of the party’s membership register has become imperative to expunge names of those who have left it and include those who joined it from 2014 to date in compliance with Article 9:4 of the party’s constitution. He also disclosed that the caretaker committee has set up a high powered committee made up of eminent party leaders, legal practitioners and other experts to study the reviewed constitution and make recommendations for necessary amendments. | APC, Register | https://dailytrust.com/apc-has-no-authentic-register-7-years-after-formation-buni |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, November 26, 2020 | Nigeria Approaches UK over Proposed #EndSARS Sanctions | The Federal Government on Wednesday, November 25, stated that it was in touch with officials of the British government to present its side of the #EndSARS story. This followed the resolution of the United Kingdom Parliament to impose sanctions on some Nigerian officials over their role in the “violent suppression” of the protests. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, told State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja that it was not within the purview of the legislators to impose restrictions but added that it was necessary to present the Nigerian government's position for an informed decision. Onyeama state thus: “The UK government has been briefed. There was a UK parliamentarian meeting and the UK government, which acts for the United Kingdom, has also heard the side of the (Nigerian) government regarding everything that has happened. “So, we have been in touch with them and engaging them. As in every democracy, members of parliament are also able to air their views. “What is important is that a balanced picture is made available to them before they take any decision.” | UK Parliament, #EndSARS Sanctions | https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria-approaches-uk-over-proposed-endsars-sanctions/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, November 26, 2020 | PDP Kicks as Senator Abbo Defects to APC | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Senator Ishaku Abbo (Adamawa North) to vacate his seat in the Senate following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement said the lawmaker “should be aware of the provision of the Constitution which made it compulsory for any member of the National Assembly who defected to another party to immediately vacate his seat.” According to him, the main opposition is not fazed by Abbo’s decision. “Abbo is fully aware of the constitutional implication of his decision to defect to another party, which is that he cannot continue to occupy the seat of the PDP in the Senate,” he clarified. The party said it would take immediate steps to ensure the senator does not remain in the upper legislative chamber. Ologbondiyan added that, “The place of any senator who changed parties except on the grounds provided by the Constitution is very clear, and the PDP will not allow Senator Abbo to run away with our mandate. It is impossible.” The spokesman explained that the party had “already commenced processes for Abbo’s replacement with a credible, stable and acceptable person to take over his seat in the Senate.” However, the Adamawa legislator, while submitting his defection letter to Senate President Ahmad Lawan on November 25, stated that his verdict was informed by the zeal to support what he called “unprecedented welfare programmes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.” He also claimed that his decamp was made inevitable by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s alleged polarisation of the PDP in Adamawa State. | PDP, Senator Abbo | https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-kicks-as-senator-abbo-defects-to-apc/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 26, 2020 | Senate Summons Communications Minister over Rising Insecurity | The Senate on Wednesday, November 25, mandated its Committees on Legislative Compliance and Communications to invite the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, to impress on him the need to implement its resolutions on security-related mandate of his ministry. The summon was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the growing insecurity in Nigeria moved by the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. Rising under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, Bwacha noted that “the rate of insecurity in Nigeria has not only increased astronomically but has reached a melting point.” According to him, the challenge has manifested in kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, assassination and other criminal activities in the country. He stated that, “The assassination of Nasarawa State APC chairman and other high-profile cases are still fresh in our memories. A Chinese national was recently abducted in my community; his whereabouts are still unknown. There is growing suspicion of complicity of officials of State saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of citizens, but compromised in the process. This is heightened by the arrest of several security operatives involved in armed robbery and kidnapping activities across the country. It is only in Nigeria that communication facilities can be used without a biometric process, no valid identification of passport details (in the case of foreigners) in place to check abuse.” He stated that bandits and terrorists negotiate for ransom using telephones and get away with it. According to him, “These evil intents can be easily achieved given the poor control over communication facilities viz the inability of our security apparatus and service providers to effectively manage this all-important sector.” | Senate, Insecurity | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/26/senate-summons-minister-over-rising-insecurity/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 26, 2020 | Lawan, Gbajabiamila Seek Improved Representation of Women in Politics | President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wedneday, November 25, advocated greater representation of the women in politics and all other sectors of the society. The lawmakers who spoke at a training workshop for female legislators in Nigeria, decried obstacles, which restrict the ability of women to reach their true potential and to contribute to their societies to the full extent of their abilities, talents and ambitions. Lawan, while declaring the workshop open stated that women have been outstanding, especially in their input to National development, stressing that concentrating on them is a reminder of their value adding roles. Represented by Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate President lamented that women incidentally are in an environment still dominated by men. On his part, Gbajabiamila, represented by House Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, underscored that women’s rights are the great unfinished business of the 21st century. stating thus, ‘’When, as is often the case now, we keep women from participating in politics and governance at the scale they ought to, society suffers. It does not matter whether these restrictions are legal or cultural, economic or religious; the end results are still the same. I support this workshop wholeheartedly and I encourage all efforts to improve women’s participation in politics and governance. I endorse all well thought out efforts to support women who are already in government so that they can be more effective public servants.’’ | Women in Politics | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/26/lawan-gbajabiamila-seek-improved-representation-of-women-in-politics/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 26, 2020 | CACOVID Plans 4m Jobs, N150bn Youth Development Scheme | The Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) has unfolded plans to commit over N150 billion to set up and implement a youth development programme to support the Federal Government’s job creation drive. The youth development programme is designed ti provide technical and vocational education to over four million Nigerian youths over the next five years. In addition, the private sector-led coalition unveiled plans to raise and spend N100 billion over the next two years to renovate and buy rifles, as well as other security gadgets for the Nigeria Police Force, with special focus on the 44 police stations destroyed by hoodlums in the wake of the #EndSARS protest against police brutality. Co-Chair, CACOVID and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at a media briefing in Lagos on Wedneday, November 25, outlined the organisation’s plans to assist the Federal Government in tackling issues that triggered youth restiveness, which ignited the #EndSARS protests. He also rendered account on the activities of the group. | CACOVID, Youth Development Scheme | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/26/cacovid-plans-4m-jobs-n150bn-youth-devt-scheme/ |
| ThIsDayLive Online | Thursday, November 26, 2020 | FEC Approves N40bn for Road Construction, Ecological Projects | The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, November 25 approved N40 billion for the construction of roads and ecological projects in different parts of the country. While about N22 billion of the fund was approved for road construction in Yobe, Edo and Taraba States, N17.7 billion was approved for the execution of ecological projects in various parts of the country. Briefing reporters after the weekly virtual FEC meeting in the State House, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated that N14.528 billion was approved for the construction of Gasamu-Hamshi-Gogoram road in Yobe State, N991.851 million approved for the construction of a link road connecting Uneme-Tusamu-Odoga to Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and N6.397 billion approved for the reconstruction of Mamabu-Donga road in Taraba South Local Government Area of Taraba State. In his own briefing, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated that the council approved N17.754 billion for emergency procurement of soil erosion, flood and pollution control for the first and second quarters 2020, as accelerated intervention projects of the Federal Government. | Federal Executive Council, Road Construction, Ecological Projects | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/26/fec-approves-n40bn-for-road-ecological-projects/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 26, 2020 | FCCPC: Senate Rejects South-West Nominee Akpata, Confirms Seven Others | The Senate on Wednesday, November 25, confirmed the appointments of seven nominees to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), just as it rejected Mrs. Yinka Osoba Akpata as Executive Commissioner to represent the South-West in the Commission. The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (PDP- Osun East), in his presentation, stated that the panel recommended Akpata’s rejection as a result of her failure to appear before the Committee for screening. The nominees confirmed are: Mr. Emeka Nwakpa, Chairman (South-East); AVM Wakili Abdullahi Ahmed, Non-Executive Commissioner (North-West); Adamu Ahmed Abdullahi, Executive Commissioner (North-East); Babatunde Irukera, and Executive Vice Chairman/CEO (North-Central). Others include Ben Obi Nwoye, Non-Executive Commissioner (South-East); Theophilus Oyebiyi, Non-Executive Commissioner (North-Central); and Ayang Francis Eyam, Non-Executive Commissioner (South-South). | Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Senate | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/26/fccpc-senate-rejects-south-west-nominee-akpata-confirms-seven-others/ |
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, November 23, 2020 | Recession Will Be Short-Lived — FG | The Federal Government has stated that the current economic recession will be short-lived. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed stated this on Monday, November 23 at the 26th Economic Summit which began in Abuja. According to her, “The current recession will be a short one as the government and key stakeholders are proactively working together to put in place sustainable measures to curtail and improve the situation.” The National Bureau of Statistics officially announced that Nigeria’s economy has gone into a recession on Saturday, November 21. Nigeria’s Gross Domestic product (GDP) recorded a negative growth of -3.62 per cent in the third quarter of 2020. The theme for this year’s Economic Summit is “Building Partnerships for Resilience”. The 26th Nigerian Economic Summit is jointly organised with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMFBNP). It is expected to be an earnest discourse for public and private sector stakeholders to reflect on the state of the Nigerian economy, rethink the country’s economic fundamentals, deliberate on the impact of the global pandemic and chart a path to rapid recovery. | Recession, Federal Government | https://dailytrust.com/rececssion-will-be-short-lived-fg |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, November 23, 2020 | #EndSARS: British MPs to Discuss Petition Seeking Sanction Against Nigeria Today | The United Kingdom (UK) Parliament has announced that a petition seeking sanctions against the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force over reported human rights violations during the #EndSARS protests would be debated today in a petition titled: “Implement sanctions against the Nigerian Government and officials”. The UK parliament made this known on its website, where it stated that the debate would be led by Theresa Villiers at the Westminster Hall between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. In the debate pack titled, ‘E-petition 554150, relating to Nigeria and the sanctions regime’, the Parliament referenced the shootings of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate on October 20, as one of its press articles. Members of the British Parliament had last month decried the violence that trailed the shooting of protesters by the military in the Lekki area of Lagos. Following the incident, the Members of Parliament stated in a report that they will wait for the outcome of investigations by the Federal and State governments into reports of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in Nigeria before taking a position on the matter. The petition was signed by over 220,304 individuals in the UK, requesting the UK government to sanction Nigeria for alleged violations of human rights. The petition, which was created by one Silas Ojo, sought to generate 100,000 signatures. According to information obtained from the UK parliament’s website, any petition signed by over 100,000 individuals will be considered for discussion. In a reply to the petition signed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Parliament stated that the UK government “is deeply concerned by violence during recent protests in Nigeria, which tragically claimed lives. Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected." | United Kingdom Parliament, #EndSARS, Petition | https://guardian.ng/news/endsars-british-mps-to-discuss-petition-seeking-sanction-against-nigeria-today/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Monday, November 23, 2020 | Buhari, Others Condemn Killing of APC Nasarawa Chairman, as Police Commences Investigations | The President, Muhammadu Buhari has stated that the nation’s security agencies must do more to end violence in the country. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, November 22 quoted the President as speaking while mourning the Nasarawa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Philip Shekwo, whose lifeless body was found on that day after he was kidnapped. The statement was titled: ‘President Buhari condemns killing of Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Chief Shekwo’. The presidential aide further quoted Buhari as welcoming the decision of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to send reinforcement to the State. The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, deplored the killing of Chief Philip Shekwo, the Nasarawa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the nation’s security system must do more to end the incidents of violence in the country. The President welcomed the decision of the Inspector-General of Police to send reinforcement of men and materials to the State. The late APC Chairman was shot twice leading to his death. Police investigation is expected to determine if this was an assassination or kidnapping-related murder.” Shehu further quoted the President as commiserating with the family of the deceased. | Nasarawa State, APC | https://punchng.com/apc-demands-nasarawa-chairmans-killing-probe-buhari-others-mourn/ |
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, November 23, 2020 | PDP, APC Bicker Over Governors’ Visit To Jonathan | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the visit by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to former President Goodluck Jonathan as an endorsement and acceptance of the opposition party and its administration’s giant strides. APC governors led by Yobe State governor and Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni, had on Friday, November 20, visited Jonathan in his Abuja residence on the occasion of his birthday. Jonathan was Nigeria's President between 2010 and 2015 on the PDP’s platform before he was defeated by the APC candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, in the 2015 general elections. The visit has, however, generated furore and anxiety in the PDP as many express fear that the APC leaders were wooing the former president to join the ruling party. However, the PDP in a statement on Sunday, November 22 by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the visit was a direct acceptance of the successes recorded by the PDP in building a strong nation with a virile economy that was rated as one of the fastest-growing economies of the world. Reacting to this, APC in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, described the PDP as being rattled and disoriented by the visit. According to Nabena, “At a time the PDP and its leadership are grappling with a crisis of confidence, one would expect the failed opposition to focus on picking itself up. As a party for all progressives, APC on its part will continue to consolidate its national appeal and acceptance.” | PDP, APC, Goodluck Jonathan | https://dailytrust.com/pdp-apc-trade-tackles-over-govs-visit-to-jonathan |
| Vanguard Newspaper | Monday, November 23, 2020 | Recession: PDP Advises FG to Allow Free Market Economy | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to permit a free market economy that will allow Nigerians to actively participate in the economic space to boost productive sectors. Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, November 22, stated that this would bring Nigeria’s economy back from the recession. Ologbondiyan urged the government to bring in more competent, transparent and honest hands to effectively manage the nation’s economy, saying, this was the only way to save the economy. The spokesperson attributed the economic recession to restrictive trade policies, foreign exchange controls and monetary policies that impeded growth. According to him, these policies have led to an over-bloated public sector that encourages waste and corruption, looting and insecurity, which has destroyed economic activities in most parts of the country. He also listed lack of access to incentives, high taxes and levies as some of the factors that affected domestic production and competiveness, investors’ confidence and foreign direct investment, leading to the economic contraction. He added that presently, no fewer than 60 million hard working Nigerians had been affected by economic policies, including protocols and high taxes. He noted that insecurity had also led to closure of businesses, with millions of farmers abandoning their farmlands, while commercial activities in Nigeria’s trade corridors had been destroyed. Ologbondiyan also noted that the negative impact of the closure of Nigeria's borders, without encouraging local production, and its effect on food production was a contributing factor to the economic plunge. He urged the government to lift its restrictive policies, reduce taxes, state-imposed prices, and get more competent hands to tackle insecurity. | Recession, PDP | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/11/recession-pdp-advises-fg-to-allow-free-market-economy-2/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 19, 2020 | Supreme Court Affirms Diri as Bayelsa Governor | The Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 18, upheld the election of Senator Douye Diri as Governor of Bayelsa State. The court, in a unanimous judgment, upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which had earlier upturned the judgement of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that sacked the governor and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. The Supreme Court gave the verdict after it dismissed six appeals seeking the nullification of the election of Diri and Ewhrudjakpo, following the withdrawal of the appeals by lawyers to the appellants. Those that withdrew their appeals were the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), its governorship candidate, Owei Woniwei, Liberation Movement(LM), its candidate, Vijah Opuama, as well as the Accord Party (AP). Following the withdrawal of the appeals, the seven-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, dismissed the appeals and affirmed the election of Diri. The Court of Appeal, in a judgement on October 2, had upturned the judgement of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that nullified Diri’s election. | Bayelsa State, Governor Duoye Diri, Supreme Court | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/19/supreme-court-affirms-diri-as-bayelsa-gov/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 19, 2020 | FG Approves Draft Finance Bill 2020, Rules out New Taxes | The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, November 18, approved the Finance Bill 2020 conceived to enhance incremental changes in the nation’s tax laws but assured Nigerians that there would be no fresh levy. Briefing reporters at the end of the FEC meeting in the State House, Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, explained that the bill was not conceived to increase taxes as tax rates and the 7.5 per cent value added tax (VAT) remain the same. According to her, the objectives of the bill include improving extant tax laws, as well as reducing other forms of taxation, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She added that the bill will tow the pattern of previous finance bills, which reduced taxes, particularly for small and medium enterprises. According to her, its passage would also ensure the removal of two per cent education tax being paid by smallest businesses despite zero payment of company income tax. She stated thus: “Let me remind you that in the 2019 bill, we actually reduced taxes from 30 per cent to 20 per cent for medium enterprises and from 30 per cent to zero per cent for very small or macro enterprises. These reductions in taxes are being reinforced in the 2020 Finance Bill by further removing the education tax of two per cent that the smallest businesses still have to pay despite their zero payment of company income tax.” Ahmed explained that the bill seeks to make incremental changes to tax laws in relation to customs and excise and other extant fiscal laws to support the implementation of the Appropriation Act. She added that when President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2021 Budget to the National Assembly, he promised to send the 2020 Finance Bill that will support the budget proposals, to the lawmakers. | Finance Bill, 2020, Federal Executive Council (FEC) | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/19/fg-approves-draft-finance-bill-2020-rules-out-new-taxes/ |
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, November 19, 2020 | Police Accountability, Discipline Mechanism Weak – Gbajabiamila | The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila stated that the mechanisms that can make the police more disciplined and accountable are weak. He said this in Abuja on Wednesday, November 18 at the Legislative Agenda Public Policy Dialogue themed ‘Policing and Human Rights in Nigeria’. According to him, “The Police cannot be effective when the mechanisms for accountability and discipline are too weak to identify, remove and prosecute rogue officers as a matter of course." The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, represented by the DIG, Research and Planning, Adeleye Olusola in his response, stated that the Force needed time to study the Police Service Commission Bill and make its position known. | Nigeria Police, Legislative Agenda Public Policy Dialogue | https://dailytrust.com/police-accountability-discipline-mechanism-weak-gbajabiamila |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, November 19, 2020 | INEC Prosecutes Varsity Lecturer Over Alleged Electoral Fraud | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, November 18 arraigned Prof. Peter Ogban at the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Ikot Ekpene, for alleged involvement in electoral fraud during the 2019 general elections. According to INEC, Prof. Ignatius Uduk would be arraigned at a later date for a similar offence. The commission stated that the prosecution was in line with its determination and commitment to ensure that anyone entrusted with electoral responsibilities should be accountable and transparent. A statement issued by the Head, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, Akwa Ibom State, Odaro Aisien, disclosed that Ogban, who was accused of altering already declared results at polling units and collated ward results in Form EC8B delivered to him by ward collation officers, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail. According to the statement, “Ogban altered the election results by reducing the score of a leading candidate with 5,000 votes and increasing the losing candidate’s score by the same margin without altering the overall total valid votes cast. Unfortunately for him, there is no perfect crime as the early information trigger tracking system of the Electoral Operation Support Centre (EOSC), exposed him.” The statement added that in another deposition, Uduk stood as a witness against INEC to defend the election results that were collated by undisclosed persons. INEC pointed out that Uduk failed to honour all invitations to appear before an investigative panel of electoral offences involving the commission’s ad-hoc and permanent staff, adding that some of the offences had been dismissed based on the panel’s findings. Part of the statemnet read thus: “It is hoped that the arraignment of these calibre of individuals will deter others from reprehensible conduct of this nature and serve as a touchstone for the level of seriousness and integrity expected from personnel who may participate in future elections.” On the request of counsel to the defendant, Anthony Ekpe, the presiding judge, Justice Augustine Odokwo, granted Ogban bail in the sum of N300, 000 and adjourned the case to December 15, 2020 for further hearing. | INEC, Electoral Fraud | https://guardian.ng/news/inec-prosecutes-varsity-teachers-over-alleged-electoral-fraud/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 19, 2020 | APC Dissolves Ebonyi State Executive Committee | The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved the Ebonyi State Working Committee of the party. The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement issued on Wednesday, November 18, stated that the dissolution of the State executive was due to the refusal of factions to withdraw court cases as directed by the 8th resumed meeting of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) and submit to internal party resolution mechanisms initiated by the caretaker committee. However, the dissolution of the party’s executive in the State may not be unconnected with the recent defection of the State Governor, David Umahi, to the ruling party from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nabena stated that, “A 15-member caretaker committee has subsequently been appointed by the APC national caretaker committee to manage the party’s affairs and carry out the planned membership registration, update, and revalidation exercise in Ebonyi State.” Nabena stressed that as the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led comittee repositions the party, supporters, members and leaders in Ebonyi State and other chapters are urged to support and work towards the achievement of the peace and reconciliation mandate of the committee. | Ebonyi State, APC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/18/apc-dissolves-ebonyi-state-executive-committee/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | No Going Back on Diaspora Voting – FG | The Federal Government has stated its resolve to implement diaspora voting once the requisite legislation is made to that effect by the National Assembly. The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who stated this on Monday, November 16 at a media briefing preparatory to the 3rd Diaspora Investment Summit, expressed optimism that the bill would scale through at both chambers of the National Assembly. According to her, “I’m optimistic that Diaspora voting is not a question of if it's going to happen but when it’s going to happen. It’s inevitable, and it has to happen. She added that, “Professor Yakubu has said that INEC is ready, President Buhari has made it clear that the presidency is ready, so we are only waiting for the National Assembly to make this happen, and it will happen by the grace of God”. Dabiri-Erewa stated that diaspora voting is one of the issues that has been slated to be reflected in the amendment of relevant laws. She added that there will be a strong public hearing where stakeholders will come together and provide opinions on how best to embark on the exercise." | Diaspora Voting, Federal Government | https://dailytrust.com/no-going-back-on-diaspora-voting-fg |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | INEC Dismisses Claims of Crisis after Hand Over by Yakubu | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted reports of crisis within the commission over the reappointment and subsequent hand over by its National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. Yakubu had last week, pending the Senate’s confirmation for the renewal of his tenure as chairman of the commission, handed over to Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu (Rtd), a National Commissioner of the electoral body. However, reports that some powerful interests were bent on hijacking the leadership of election management body after Yakubu stepped aside sufficed earlier this week. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, told journalists on Tuesday, November 17 that the purported crisis in the commission was false, adding that INEC is in safe hands pending Yakubu’s return. According to him, there was no power tussle among the National commissioners; rather all hands were on deck to ensure the successful conduct of forthcoming bye-elections slated for December 5. Okoye noted that all constitutional and statutory requirements were met by President Muhammadu Buhari with regard to the appointment of the chairman, adding that Nigerians and the international community have expressed satisfaction with his reappointment. | INEC | https://guardian.ng/news/inec-denies-claims-of-crisis-after-hand-over-by-yakubu/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | PDP Reps urge Caution over Crackdown on #EndSARS Promoters | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to be cautious over the way it handles the crackdown on those perceived to have organised the #EndSARS protests in the country. Led by the representative of Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Kingsley Chinda, members of the caucus noted that it behoved on the authorities to maintain the rule of law in dealing with the masterminds of the protests. In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, November 17, they frowned on the seizure of passports and travel documents, freezing of bank accounts and deregistration of companies of those perceived to be supporters of #EndSARS demonstrations by the Corporate Affairs Commission, as well as arrests and prosecution of some of the protesters. The caucus observed that the development shows how desperate the authorities have become in muzzling the rights and freedom of citizens whose only offence was their courage to speak truth to power and a government that had refused to listen to the yearnings and sufferings of Nigerians. TPart of the statement read thus: “The Federal Government must free itself from fifth columnists bent on derailing the nation’s democracy. Although it is government’s constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order, this duty imposed by the Constitution must be discharged in a manner that respects rule of law and the rights of citizens.” | PDP, House of Representatives, #EndSARS | https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-reps-urge-caution-over-crackdown-on-endsars-promoters/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | Presidential Delegates Absent at South-South Governors, Leaders Meeting | Representatives of the Federal Government billed to attend a stakeholders' meeting with governors and leaders of the South-South zone at the Government House in Port Harcourt Rivers State, on Tuesday, November 17, shunned the meeting. The presidency had fixed a meeting for the said date with the governors and other leaders of the zone to discuss burning national issues affecting the region and the effects of the #EndSARS protests. However, Federal Government delegates, who were supposed to include all ministers from the geopolitical zone and other representatives failed to attend the meeting. The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva were absent st the meeting, while the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, came at the end of the meeting. Consequently, the governors and leaders of the region demanded an apology from the presidency for aborting a meeting it convened. Speaking at the event, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who presided over the meeting, said the botched meeting was convened at the instance of the presidency, through the office of Chief of Staff (COS) to the President, Agboola Ibrahim Gambari. He explained that the meeting time was adjusted twice from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. on the excuse that President Muhammadu Buhari was having a session with the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Inspector General of Police (IGP), who were supposed to be part of the delegation. Okowa, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, said he later received a call from Gambari in the afternoon, announcing the cancelation of the meeting, adding that he felt disappointed that the region could be treated with such disdain. He lamented that the South-South people have been embarrassed, disgraced and disrespected, insisting the region remained an important part of the country and that the governors felt insulted because the traditional rulers, who had gathered for the meeting, deserved some respect and better treatment. | South-South Leaders, Presidency | https://guardian.ng/news/presidential-delegates-shun-south-south-governors-leaders-meeting/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | House of Reps Commences Constitution Amendment Process, Call for Memoranda | The House of Representatives’ Special Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has commenced the process of further alteration of 1999 Constitution (as amended). The committee has, therefore, requested the general public, executive and judicial arms of government, civil society organisations, professional bodies and other interest groups to submit memoranda or proposals to its secretariat. The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the committee, Ahmed Wase, especially called for memoranda relating to the federal structure and power devolution, local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, revenue allocation, Nigeria Police and security architecture and judicial reforms. Others include electoral reform to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission to deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections; socio-economic and cultural rights as contained in Chapter 2 of the constitution; strengthening the independence of oversight institutions; immunity, state creation, National Assembly and others “that will promote good governance and welfare of all persons.” Wase, in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 17 by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Puma, titled ‘Constitution review: Reps commences process, calls for memoranda,’ noted that issues pertaining to immunity, state creation, National Assembly and other matters that will promote good governance and welfare of all persons, residency and indigenous provision, would top the agenda of the committee. The House had on October 15, 2020, inaugurated the committee to process all bills seeking alterations to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. Wase had at the ceremony stated that the panel had received 15 bills. | Constitution Review, House of Representatives | https://punchng.com/reps-begin-constitution-amendment-process-call-for-memoranda/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | Osinbajo Seeks Probe of #EndSARS Violence | Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, November 16 emphasised the need to thoroughly investigate deep causes of the chaos that led to the destruction of life and property in Lagos State amid #EndSARS protests. Osinbajo, who spoke at the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund, stated that the violence that took place portends a major economic setback for Nigeria. According to him, there are many ways that the future of the country is closely tied to the fortune of the State, stressing that the State leads in the collection of non-oil revenues. The Vice President, who disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari was awaiting the full report of the incident, added that the Executive was having a conversation with the National Assembly on the collaboration that must take place between the Executive and the Legislature to fast-track the reconstruction efforts. Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has stated that the House was ready to support the interventions of the Federal Government to rebuild Lagos and other States worst-hit by the protests. Gbajabiamila also tasked Lagosians to put efforts and resources together to rebuild the State in view of the destruction of property worth billions of naira in the State. | #EndSARS, Osinbajo | https://guardian.ng/news/osinbajo-seeks-probe-of-endsars-violence/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | Senate Kicks, as Army Fails to Tackle Insecurity | Amid worsening security situation across the country, the Senate has expressed grave concern over the inability of the Nigerian Army to rise to the occasion, noting that it was, unfortunately, “overwhelmed and overstretched.” The Senate committee on Army made the disclosure on Monday, November 16 during its visit to various Army formations in Kaduna State, as part of its annual oversight obligations. While deploring the challenges created by additional responsibilities for the Army from internal security, Chairman of the committee, Senator Muhammed Ali Ndume, who led the visit, bemoaned the stark reality of the Army having to operate in about 33 to 34 States across the country without having the required personnel to effectively man operations. According to Senator Ndume, “The Army we used to know is very different from the Army of today. But we are hoping that things will get better.” The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Usman Mohammed, had, in a meeting with the committee, disclosed that the Army was currently operating in at least 33, out of 36 States of the Federation. Mohammed noted that by constitutional design, the Army should nott be involved in internal security arrangements. Reacting to this, Ndume, who was accompanied by four other senators, stated that the Army must be supported to enable it to succeed. On the recent kidnappings along Kaduna-Abuja road, Ndume, he urged the Army to go after bandits and kidnappers in their various hideouts. | Senate, Insecurity | https://guardian.ng/news/senate-kicks-as-army-fails-to-tackle-insecurity/ |
| Punch Newspapers | Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | We will not allow Repeat of #EndSARs Protests, Security Council Vows | The National Security Council on Tuesday, November 17 has expressed its resolve to deploy more decisive measures with a view to averting a repeat of the #EndSARS protests while also dealing with the deteriorating insecurity in parts of the country. Addressing State House Correspondents shortly after a meeting convened by President Mohammadu Buhari in Aso Rock, Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi stated that the Council was worried by the emerging development and is determined to arrest the situation. According to Dingyadi, the meeting noted with concern the increasing cases of armed banditry particularly in the northwest and northeastern parts of the country and resolved to adopt a more decisive approach to tame the situation. Furthermore, the meeting noted the need to pay greater attention to the police in the discharge of its functions to maintain peace in the country, in the areas of equipment and modern technology. While commending the government’s efforts aimed to reposition the Nigerian Police to perform more effectively, the Minister stated that the Buhari-led administration was poised to support the security agencies to end all forms of protests so that peace could return to all parts of the country. | #EndSARs Protests, Security Council Vows | https://guardian.ng/news/we-will-not-allow-repeat-of-endsars-protests-security-council-vows/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | Government floats Petrol Price, NLC denies Endorsing Hike | There are indications that the Federal Government may have tacitly allowed the price of Premium Motor Spirit (popularly known as petrol) to be determined by market forces. The development is indicated in the new role by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), the trading arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). In the meantime, there could be a fresh round of protests against the hike in the price of PMS by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart. Organised Labour stated that it would be receiving updates from its unions in the petroleum and electricity sectors before coming up with a final decision in the coming days. According to the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, “The outcome of this engagement will determine our response in the coming days. But while we are at that, we condemn the recent price increase, and we call for its reversal with immediate effect.” He stated that fresh fuel price increase was not part of the agreement reached with the Federal Government in October. The PPMC, in the last three months, has been conveying the price of petrol to Nigerians and issuing memos to depot managers. | Petrol Price Hike, NLC | https://guardian.ng/news/government-floats-petrol-price-nlc-denies-endorsing-hike/ |
| Punch Newspapers | Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | Ogun PDP Faction’s Crisis deepens, as Chairman, Others are Suspended | The crisis rocking the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has taken a new turn as a faction loyal to the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, has split over the alleged suspension of its Chairman, Samson Bamgbose, and other party officials for alleged “anti – party activities.” They were reportedly suspended by a faction within the State Executive Committee of the party loyal to Kashamu at an extra-ordinary meeting held on November 9. Boladale Sanni from the Yewa North Local Government Area was subsequently appointed as the acting chairman of the party. According to the faction, other suspended Exco members are Chief Kehinde Oladeinde (ex-State Deputy Chairman), Barr. Kunle Bolujoko (ex-Ogun East Senatorial Chairman), Mrs. Bimbo Lanre-Balogun (ex-State Woman Leader), Hon. Sunmola Kayode (ex-Ogun West Senatorial Chairman), Alh. Kola Akinyemi (ex-Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman) and Hon. Alaba Adewunmi (ex-State Auditor). The faction stated that Bamgbose, has been referred to the party’s National Executive Committee for further disciplinary action. The other suspended exco members are to appear before a seven-man disciplinary committee headed by Dr. Remilekun Bakare. However, Bamgbose countered the group, dismissing the suspensions as a “nullity and unbelievable.” The embattled chairman stated that he had nine out of the 14-man State Working Committee of the PDP on his side, noting that the mastermind of suspension lacked powers to do so. | PDP, Kashamu | https://punchng.com/kashamu-pdp-factions-crisis-deepens-chairman-others-suspended/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, November 13, 2020 | Stakeholders Seek Zero Budgetary Allocation for Defaulting MDAs | Stakeholders in the anti-corruption crusade have urged the National Assembly to ensure zero budget allocation to Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) that fail to remit the revenue they generated to the Federation account. They also called for what they described as “state-to-state level” accountability process, which will ensure that public funds are used for the benefit of the populace. The stakeholders spoke at the presentation of a new report entitled: “Above the Law: How Ministries, Departments and Agencies are Getting Away With Corruption In Nigeria” by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Lagos. Leading the discussions during the event which was held virtually, Adesina Ayodele Fagbenro-Byron, a former governance adviser to the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), noted that for 43 years of Nigeria’s existence, many ministries and departments have no audited reports. According to him, the last audit report in June 2020 was presented because the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made it a necessity for the nation to access further loan. Fagbenro-Byron lamented the inability to hold the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) accountable. | Budgetary Allocation | https://guardian.ng/news/stakeholders-seek-zero-budgetary-allocation-for-defaulting-mdas/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, November 13, 2020 | Oyo Assembly Reinstates 13 Suspended Council Chairmen | The Oyo State House of Assembly has reinstated the suspended 13 Local Council and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) caretaker chairmen. The decision was taken after the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters read by its Chairman, Olusegun Popoola. It would be recalled that the Oyo State Forum of Caretaker Chairmen had in a letter appealled to the House to forgive the suspended caretaker chairmen and return them back to their various councils. The affected caretaker chairmen in the committee report stated that the #ENDSARS protests prevented them from gaining access into the House of Assembly to submit the report of earth-moving equipment as directed and consequently tendered their unreserved apology to the House. While lifting the suspension order, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, stated that the purpose of the request was for the House to know the condition of equipment as many of the roads in the council areas required grading. Ogundoyin added that, “The House will not relent in its resolve to ensure good governance, defend democracy and also support efforts of the State Governor to bring democratic dividends to the people." | Oyo State House of Assembly, Local Council Development Areas | https://guardian.ng/news/oyo-assembly-reinstates-13-suspended-council-chairmen/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, November 13, 2020 | Sanwo-Olu, Three Others Taken to Court over Panel of Enquiry Composition | Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chairman of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Enquiry and two others have been dragged before the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, over likelihood of bias in setting up the panel. The plaintiffs, Adekunle Augustine and Simeon A. Akogwu, are praying the court to disband the panel on the ground that the State governor, being a party in the matter, did not exercise his power in public interest by setting up the panel. Defendants in the suit included the Lagos State governor, the Judicial Panel of Enquiry, Chairman of the panel and the Attorney-General of Lagos State as defendants. The plaintiffs, in the suit, filed through their counsel, Samuel Adams, are asking the court for a declaration that Lagos State Governor, being a party to the matter under investigation, cannot set up a panel to investigate himself, as the outcome of the panel may be in his favour, among others. | Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu | https://guardian.ng/news/sanwo-olu-three-others-taken-to-court-over-panel-of-enquiry-composition/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, November 13, 2020 | El-Rufai sues Omokri, Odinkalu, others for Alleged Defamation, Demands N2billion as Damages | Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai, has filed a N2 billion suit against former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, human rights activist, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and others for alleged character defamation. In the separate suits filed by his lawyer, A.U. Mustapha (SAN) at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, El Rufai also joined a national newspaper, Daniel Elombah, Elombah Communications, Joseph Onu and Auta Nyada, as defendants. In the suit against Omokri, El Rufai argued the statements in his publication titled: El Rufai’s E-mail Saying Southern Women Youth Corps Members Are Seen As Whores, published on June 14, 2020, was injurious to his reputation. He added that the publication was malicious, unwarranted and defamatory, and consequently demanded the sum of N500m in compensation and an apology published in national dailies. In the suit against Odinkalu, Daniel Elombah and Elombah Communications, El Rufai contended that the publication titled, ‘Litany of 25 critics who have suffered at El Rufai’s hands, compiled by Chidi Odinkalu’ and published in Elombah.com on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 was malicious, unlawful and without justification. He also demanded the sum of N500m for the damage and an apology for the defamation and damage to his reputation. El Rufai also steted that the letter written by Joseph Onu on August 19, 2020 and titled: Request To Withdraw The Offer Of Platform At The 2020 Annual General Conference of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and addressed to Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN) as Chairman, Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) of NBA and copied to Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Chairman, Board of Trustees and President of the association, Olumide Akpata, as published in the media, was defamatory and injurious to his reputation. El Rufai is also demanding an apology and the sum of N500m compensation. No date has been fixed for the hearing. | Kaduna State Governor, Defamation | https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/national/el-rufai-sues-omokri-odinkalu-others-for-alleged-defamation-demands-n2b/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, November 12, 2020 | We can’t Hold Elections Without Police, INEC Insists | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, November 11 declared that it could not conduct any elections without security officials, especially police personnel in the country. Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, told journalists and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that it could not conduct the Isi-Uzo state constituency bye-election earlier scheduled for October 31, 2020 due to the #EndSARS protests. INEC had declared the Isi-Uzo State Constituency in Enugu State vacant following the death of its former representative, Chijioke Ugwueze. Wife of the late lawmaker, Amaka Ugwueze, however, emerged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) picked Macdonald Ejiofor Okwor as its candidate. According to Ononamadu, “In INEC, we see elections as a national issue and so, we cannot fix any date on our own, because of the present situation in the country as a result of the #EndSARS protests. It is unfortunate that people are still in fear and the police personnel are yet to come back to their duty posts due to the incident and we cannot conduct the election without the presence of Nigeria police personnel.” Ononamadu, who lamented the low turnout of voters in the last general elections in the State added: “We don’t also want to experience another low turnout in the Isi-Uzo state constituency bye-election Meanwhile, stakeholders at the meeting expressed mixed feelings over the conduct of the election. While some argued that the conduct of the election was possible despite the situation in the country, others stated that the people should be allowed more time to overcome their fears and trauma. | INEC, Bye-elections | https://guardian.ng/politics/we-cant-hold-elections-without-police-inec-insists/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, November 12, 2020 | South East Demands Equity, Inclusion | A delegation from the Presidency led by the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, was in Enugu to meet with South East leaders, comprising State governors, religious and political leaders, women and youth group representatives in the zone. The meeting, which was actually in the aftermath of the recent #EndSARS protests across the country, was aimed at charting a sustainable path to development and possibly avert the threat of national disintegration. Leaders of the zone had in unanimity informed the presidential delegation that the zone had greatly been marginalised in the scheme of things, insisting that the Southeast should be allowed to produce the president of the country in 2023 as sign of inclusion and remediation. Further, they demanded the creation of two additional States in the zone as approved by the 2014 National Conference to bring it at par with other geo-political zones. In addition, they asked for inclusion in the security architecture of the country through the appointment of Service Chiefs from among them and rehabilitation of federal roads in the area that have become "death traps." Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers' Council, His Highness, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe stated thus: “Igbo presidency is very topical. That Igbo should be president in 2023 for unity of all parts of the country. We are asking President Buhari to do his part to actualise this. We have qualified persons who can occupy that office and we are eminently qualified, because other sections of the country have had a go at that office.” | South East, Inclusion, 2023 Presidency | https://guardian.ng/politics/southeast-craves-equity-inclusion/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, November 12, 2020 | Obaseki Assures Youths of More Opportunities, Seeks Support for MEGA Agenda | Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has assured that his administration will continue to provide opportunities for youths to thrive, saying he will pursue policies and programmes to ensure economic prosperity in the State. Obaseki gave the assurance on Wednesday, November 11 during the Edo Youth Summit, with the theme, “Our Youths And The MEGA Agenda,” at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City. The event was attended by Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu; Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ethan Uzamere and Commissioner for Youths, Damian Lawani, among others. The summit, which had 300 youths in attendance and over 2,500 others joining via virtual platforms from the 18 council areas of the State, is part of events for the 2020 Alaghodaro Investment Summit. The event featured a special question and answer session tagged ‘Fire Side Chat With Governor Obaseki,’ which afforded young entrepreneurs the opportunity to brainstorm with the governor on challenges and prospects in the State's economy, identifying workable strategies to grow businesses and drive productivity. | Edo State, Opportunities for Youths | https://guardian.ng/news/obaseki-assures-youths-of-more-opportunities-seeks-support-for-mega-agenda/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, November 12, 2020 | Okowa Canvasses Restructuring, Skills Acquisition for better Nation | Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has stated that the many challenges facing the country can only be addressed through restructuring its economic and political fabrics to engender a better polity. Speaking to journalists in Asaba, on Wednesday, November 11, Okowa stated that the Federal Government has a lot of responsibilities, but has been unable to deliver on most of them, which he said required restructuring the country. He stated thus: “Once Nigeria is restructured, I believe the governors will be able to strongly support the need to devolve more powers to the States and Local Government Areas.” Okowa pointed out that the outbreak of COVID-19, #EndSARS protests and the Yellow Fever currently killing people in some communities of the State were some of the major setbacks to his administration’s efforts at running the State effectively. He also underscored the importance of skills acquisition in the fight against poverty, stressing that skills acquisition was the way out of unemployment and abject poverty currently ravaging the country. Okowa stated this when the Delta State chapter of Police Officers' Wives Association (POWA), led by wife of the Commissioner of Police in the State, Aisha Hafiz-Inuwa, visited him at Government House, Asaba. He commended the association for its contributions to development of society through their philanthropic gestures and reaffirmed that his administration had continued to empower youths in the State to make them self-reliant. | Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, Restructuring | https://guardian.ng/news/okowa-canvasses-restructuring-skills-acquisition-for-better-nation/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, November 9, 2020 | FG is Addressing Job Creation For Youths – Lai Mohammed | The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Sunday, November 9 in Lagos States, stated that the Federal Government will continue to address the issue of job creation for the youth. Mohammed stated this while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the meeting of governors, ministers and traditional rulers of South-West States following the #EndSARS protest mayhem. According to news reports, the one-day meeting was also attended by a Presidential delegation, led by the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari. While speaking to journalists, Mohammed stated that the government would continue to engage the youths to address the issue of poverty alleviation. According to him, “It is not as if the government has not been addressing the issue of unemployment. The newly launched funds by the government were actually aimed at creating job opportunities. What the government has done so far is to provide platforms where businesses can thrive." He added that the purpose of the South-West meeting was to allow governors and other political leaders in the South-West to interact, while the Federal Government delegation used the moment to commiserate with the Lagos State Government following the attack it suffered recently in the #EndSARS protest mayhem. He also stated that, “It was a peaceful meeting and it was agreed that the State and the Federal Government response to the initial demands of the #EndSARS protest were appropriate." According to him, the government would continue to invest in the development of human capacity, with more implementation of economic policies that will engender development and building of more public infrastructure that would empower the teeming youths. | Federal Government, Job Creation | https://guardian.ng/news/fg-is-addressing-job-creation-for-youths-lai-mohammed/ |
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, November 9, 2020 | APC Explains Delay In Scheduling Convention Date | The Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained the delay in fixing a date for the national convention of the party. The Buni committee was sworn in, in June 2020 with the responsibility to administer the party’s affairs and organise a national convention within six months for a new crop of National Working Committee (NWC) members to emerge. This followed the dissolution of the Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party over alleged abuse of office. However, while the committee’s tenure elapses in December, it has not rolled out a programme of activities for the convention, leading to uproar and legal threats by party stalwarts and groups. Senator Kabiru Marafa has called on the committee to organise the party’s national convention in December, in line with the mandate given to it or get sacked. In a statement, he said the decision of the committee to conduct membership registration was clearly outside its mandate, describing it as diversionary and an attempt by Buni to perpetuate himself in office. Also, the Director-General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Alhaji Mohammed Lukman, in a statement on Sunday, November 9, stated that key players in the APC must work together to strengthen the ruling party for a better performance. Thee APC in a statement on Sunday, by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, stated that the interim committee was focusing on achieving and sustaining lasting unity, peace and reconciliation across party ranks before the convention. According to Nabena, “The APC must not go into a national convention, and indeed a general election in crisis. We should take it one step at a time and ensure that the ongoing national reconciliation process being undertaken by the CECPC is sustained, successful and continues to yield results." | APC, Convention Date | https://dailytrust.com/apc-explains-delay-in-convention-date |
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, November 9, 2020 | Bayelsa West Senatorial District Bye-Election: Court Not Fair To Us – APC | The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the last week’s judgement by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa that disqualified the senatorial candidate of the party, Peremobowei Ebebi from the forthcoming Bayelsa West Senatorial District bye-election was not fair to the party in any ramification. The State Secretary of the party, Mr. Alabo Martin’s while speaking with journalists in reaction to the judgement stated that the primaries that brought about Ebebi, a former Deputy Governor of the State as its candidate was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Justice Jane Inyang, in a judgement on a case of forgery filed by Richman Samuel, a former director of domestic matters, Government House, Yenagoa against the APC candidate, had upheld the plaintiff’s prayers and declared the APC candidate ineligible to contest in the bye-election. Inyang also held that the voter’s card which the senatorial candidate submitted to INEC, bears a different age and therefore contradicts his other documents and forms filed with INEC. However, the APC secretary stated that Justice Inyang could be playing the PDP’s card judging by her previous judgements to the party, insisting that since the judgement came from the court of first instance, the party will contest same at the appellate courts. | APC, Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Bye-Election | https://dailytrust.com/bayelsa-west-court-not-fair-to-us-apc |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, November 9, 2020 | Begin Debate on True Federalism Now, PGF tells National Assembly | The Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has enjoined the National Assembly to immediately commence deliberation on the clamour for true federalism in the country. Lukman stated that it would be in the best interest of the country if the Governor Nasir el-Rufai-led APC committee recommendations on the issue are subjected to debate for constitutional and legal amendments in the National Assembly. In a statement titled “Nigerian Democracy and Challenge of Interests’ Negotiation”, Lukman stated that it beats his imagination that the ruling elite found it convenient to mobilise support for electoral contests but impossible to consider matters that affect the wellbeing of the nation. He added that, “Both citizens and political leaders must take the urgent necessary steps to be on the same page and transform all our political structures into active platforms for interest negotiations. Why should we have political parties that are only platforms for electoral contests? Democratic development should be about the significant compromises brokered and the extent to which citizens, on account of the compromises, are able to feel a sense of belonging. Any democracy can be adjudged to be working well if through the different compromises it produces, citizens are able to feel a sense of belonging.” He blamed the ruling elites for the recent #EndSARS protests, stressing the need to negotiate with the organisers to chart the way forward on the governance of the country. | Federalism, National Assembly, Progressive Governors’ Forum | https://guardian.ng/news/begin-debate-on-true-federalism-now-pgf-tells-national-assembly/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, November 9, 2020 | South West Leaders Urge Buhari To Return Nigeria To True Federalism | South West Leaders, on Sunday, November 9 told President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently make practical moves to return the country to true federalism to avert resurgence of the mayhem that characterised the recent #EndSARS protests, and save the nation from disintegration. At a meeting held in Lagos at the instance of President Buhari over the protests that started in Lagos and spread to other parts of the country, the South West leaders also suggested ways the country can overcome some of the current challenges threatening its corporate existence. Traditional rulers who attended the meeting include the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Akinrutan; Oba of Lagos, Riwanu Akiolu; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi. Also in attendance were the ministers and governors from the South West zone. The federal delegation comprised of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari (leader); the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi. The monarchs also stated that the Federal Government must devolve more powers to the States, especially in the areas of security and economy; otherwise, the country would continue to sit on a keg of gunpowder with the possibility of another mayhem worse than what was witnessed in Lagos during the protests. In the 13-point communiqué signed by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and the Ooni of Ife after the deliberations, the stakeholders stressed the need to adjust and overhaul the security architecture of the country to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity. They also called for a comprehensive programme that will address youth employment and empowerment, which must be prioritised. | South West States, Traditional Rulers | https://guardian.ng/news/yoruba-tell-buhari-return-nigeria-to-true-federalism/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 5, 2020 | PDP Admonishes Buhari Over $1.2bn Brazilian Loan | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, November 4, raised alarm over what it described as a plan by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to further mortgage the country through an additional $1.2 billion loan from Brazil, despite the public outcry against the accumulation of loans from China and other foreign interests. PDP cautioned the presidency not to further weaken the nation, using nebulous agricultural programmes as justification for further accumulation of foreign loans, without clear terms and conditions, to the detriment of the poor masses and generations yet unborn. The party, according to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan further warned that the loan request, if approved by the National Assembly, will exacerbate the nation’s debt burden, mortgage the agricultural sector, weaken its investment capacity and worsen the food security challenge. APrt of the statement read thus: “Our party invites Nigerians to note that with the $1.2 billion (N459 billion) Brazilian loan, in addition to the N5.20 trillion borrowing already proposed in the 2021 budget, our nation’s debt burden will hit a disastrous N36.2 trillion which will plunge our economy into a devastating pitfall." The PDP therefore urged the National Assembly to save the nation by being circumspect in handling the loan request in national interest. Instead of this recourse to "reckless borrowings", the PDP urged Buhari to apply itself productively by looking inwards and finding ways to harness and create wealth with the resources abounding in the country. | Federal Government Loan Request, PDP | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/05/pdp-knocks-buhari-over-1-2bn-brazilian-loan/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, November 5, 2020 | INEC Ready for Early, Diaspora Voting | According to Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Commission is ready for early and Diaspora voting if the 1999 Nigerian Constitution is altered and the Electoral Act 2010 amended to allow for them. HE stated this while defending the commission’s 2021 budget estimates before the Senate Committee on INEC. Prof. Yakubu stated that the agency was eager to have Nigerians living in foreign countries participate in the electoral process. He added that early voting would enable essential service providers like the police, members of the armed forces, INEC’s ad hoc staff, journalists and others to exercise their franchise either before or during the elections. According to him, “The commission is desirous of giving Nigerians living abroad the right to vote, after all, all our neighbouring countries do so. But it requires the amendment to the Constitution and the Electoral Act for that to happen. And we have already worked out the document. Once the law is amended, we can roll out. We are ready. We have had several meetings with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) but we can’t go beyond what the law provides.” He also unveiled plans by the commission to spend N1 billion each for the conduct of the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), respectively. However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya, challenged the election management body to urgently work out a special remuneration package for its staff in view of their enormous responsibilities. | INEC, 2021 Budget Defence | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/05/inec-ready-for-early-diaspora-voting/ |
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, November 5, 2020 | Bye-Election: Court Disqualifies APC Candidate For Bayelsa West Senatorial District | A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, has disqualified the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Bayelsa West senatorial district, Peremobowei Ebebi, from contesting the forthcoming senatorial by-election in the State. The presiding judge, Justice Jane Inyang, delivering a judgment on Wednesday, November 4 on a case of forgery filed by Richman Samuel, a former director of Domestic Matters, Government House, Yenagoa against the APC candidate, upheld the plaintiff’s prayers and declared the APC candidate ineligible to contest the election. The plaintiff contended that the academic credentials and voter’s card which the defendant submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the bye-election were forged documents. Ebebi, who is a former deputy governor, emerged the APC senatorial candidate for Bayelsa West in the party's direct primaries conducted in September by the party’s primary electoral committee headed by retired General Abdulsalam Dahiru. INEC had fixed October 31 for the Bayelsa Central and West Senatorial bye-elections but the Commission, on October 22, announced the indefinite postponement of the poll and 14 others due to the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest. Counsel to the plaintiff, Reuben Iguaba, explained that in a similar suit filed by some members of the APC challenging the legitimacy of the party’s primary election, the court also gave judgment against the former deputy governor. | Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Bye-Election, APC | https://dailytrust.com/by-election-court-disqualifies-apc-candidate-for-bayelsa-west |
| Punch Newspaper | Thursday, November 5, 2020 | Court Orders Kogi Government to Pay ex-Deputy Governor N180m | The National Industrial Court, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, November 4, ordered the Kogi State Government, to pay the former Deputy Governor of the State, Simon Achuba, the sum of N180 million. The sum represents the amount of money due to him as outstanding security votes from April 2018, to August 2019. Delivering the judgement, Justice Oyebiola Oyewunmi, ordered the State government to pay the sum within 30 days or with a 30 per cent monthly interest following any delay. The court, however, dismissed Achuba’s prayers demanding for the payment of N328.32,000m as part of outstanding imprest payable to him. Achuba had instituted legal proceedings against the Kogi State government before the National Industrial Court, seeking a declaration that the decision by the government to withhold his allowances, amounted to unfair labour practice. He asked for the payment of N921,572,758 for security votes, monthly imprest, travelling allowances, outstanding memos, and statutory allocations due to his office, as then deputy governor. Achuba was impeached in October 2019 by members of the Kogi State House of Assembly. | Kogi State, ex-Deputy Governor | https://punchng.com/court-orders-kogi-to-pay-ex-deputy-gov-n180m/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Thursday, November 5, 2020 | INEC Tackling 1,700 Suits Over 2019 Elections – Yakubu | The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has stated that the Commission is battling with over 1,700 cases in various courts, 20 months after the 2019 general elections. Yakubu stated this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on INEC during the 2021 budget defence on Wednesday, November 4. According to him, “Each time anyone goes to court, INEC is joined. But we have to hire lawyers to defend us. We are not paying fantastic fees; we are applying the Federal Ministry of Justice scale of fees." He explained that the legal department of INEC had about 860 pre-election and 807 post-election cases it was dealing with at the moment but that the figure was still on the rise. Yakubu further stated that the Commission was planning to take N5.2 billion from the INEC fund established in 2010 to augment the shortfall in its 2020 budget which was slashed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. | INEC, Law Suits, 2019 General Elections | https://punchng.com/inec-tackling-1700-suits-over-2019-elections-yakubu/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | Ondo Tribunal Grants PDP Access to Inspect Election Materials | The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, to inspect materials used for the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the State. Justice Umar Abubakar, who gave the ex-parte order at the inaugural sitting of the Tribunal in Akure, on Tuesday, November 3, also granted an order for substituted service to the winner of the poll, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Jegede had sought redress at the tribunal, asking that the election be upturned in his favour. He premised his litigation on four grounds, ranging from electoral violence, intimidation, voting irregularities and discrepancies in the emergence of Akeredolu at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries. His counsel, Jamiu Makinde, had in the motion ex-parte sought an order to serve the defendants through substituted service by pasting the petition on the notice board of the tribunal. He also sought an order allowing access to materials used for the conduct of the governorship election. The counsel argued that the electoral materials in Owo, Ese-Odo, Ilaje and Okitipupa Local Councils, among others, must be scrutinised. Chairman of the tribunal, while granting the order, stated that the petitioner could advertise the served processes in any newspaper circulating within its jurisdiction. He also granted the petitioner access to the election materials in custody of the Independent NAtional Electoral Commission (INEC) within the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for a period of five working days. | Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal | https://guardian.ng/news/ondo-tribunal-grants-pdp-access-to-inspect-election-materials/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | Nigerians Tackle Northern Governors' Position on #EndSARS, Social Media Regulation | The resolution taken on Monday, November 2 by northern leaders regarding social media regulation and #EndSARS protests across the country has been met with criticisms and rejection. Nineteen northern governors, traditional rulers, legislators and other stakeholders had held an urgent meeting in Kaduna to discuss recent #EndSARS protest and insecurity in Nigeria. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Ministers of Information, Lai Mohammed; the Federal Capital Territory, Musa Bello; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari attended the meeting. The position of the governors was delivered by the Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum, Simon Lalong. They stated that “the meeting rejects and condemns the subversive actions” from the #EndSARS protests. It also noted that agitators and other change-regime agents “outside the ballot box” took advantage of the peaceful protests to push for their separate agenda. On social media, they stated that the meeting took note of the devastating effect of uncontrolled social media in spreading fake news and called for major control and censorship of social media in Nigeria. However, the leadership of the Arewa Youth for Development and Progress (AYDP) faulted the outcome of the meeting. The President of AYDP, Danjuma Sarki, on Tuesday, November 3, stated that the position of the leaders on social medial regulation showed the lack of commitment by northern leaders to development around the globe “and plans to keep the North and the country under perpetual subjugation”. Sarki argued that the position taken by northern leaders explained why the North had been backward, warning that “the attempt to trample on the rights of Nigerians through restriction of social media will fail and will be resisted”. He wondered what concern the region’s leaders have with the use of social media. Sarki said such vigour would have been used in addressing the backwardness in education and employment, stressing that the leaders had failed to take similar steps to address issues of Almajiri education and high level of poverty and insecurity in the region. He accused the leaders of dabbling into affairs over which they did not have jurisdiction. He insisted that restricting of social media amount to gagging the people. He added that it was an attempt by northern political class to gag northerners and other Nigerians and ensure the people would not be able to express themselves. He warned that the fact that northern youths were not strongly involved in the protest did not mean northern youths were ignorant of the malaise in the region. SIMILARLY, Southwest socio-political group, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, described the position of northern leaders as unfortunate, which showed some northern leaders and governors still thought they were custodian of political power and governance in the country. | Northern Governors, Social Media | https://guardian.ng/news/nigerians-tackle-norths-position-on-endsars-social-media-bill/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | Oyo Assembly Suspends 13 Council Chairmen Over Report | Oyo State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended five Local Council caretaker chairmen and eight Local Council development areas (LCDAs) chairmen in the State with immediate effect. The House, therefore, directed the affected caretaker chairmen to hand over to their secretaries forthwith. During its plenary on Tuesday, November 3, the House hinged the suspension on the failure of the affected officials to submit their reports on the state of earth-moving equipment in their respective councils to the House, as requested and directed. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, stated that the affected caretaker chairmen demonstrated their gross incompetence over their failure to bring a simple report on the state of earth-moving equipment in their different domains. He said that the Assembly was really disappointed in their action and that the House and the people had lost faith in their ability and competence. According to Ogundoyin, “It is not a witch-hunt of any chairman. The caretaker chairmen failed to honour and respect the directive of the House.” While presenting the report of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Segun Ademola, representing Ibadan South East II, stated that despite the grace of an additional two weeks given by the House to the councils to submit their reports, the chairmen still failed to oblige as directed. The Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Muhammad Fadeyi, commended the committee for doing a good job and described the action of the suspended caretaker chairmen as an affront and an insult to the Ninth Assembly. | Oyo Assembly, Council Chairmen | https://guardian.ng/news/oyo-assembly-suspends-13-council-chairmen-over-report/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | Senate Probes Lai Mohammed for N19m Travel Expenses | The Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation is investigating the claim by Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, that he spent N19 million on foreign trips in 2020. Appearing before the Committee to defend the ministry’s 2021 budget and review performance of the previous year’s appropriation, the Minister was asked to explain how N19 million of the N43 million vote for international travels was expended when the country was on lockdown for almost six months. He was also quizzed on N90 million expenditure out of the N96 million appropriated for local trips during the period. Responding, Mohammed submitted: “You will notice that N43 million was budgeted, but less than 40 per cent was spent precisely because of the COVID-19. And before then, remember that we had travelled to attend several international summits." He added that his ministry had also carried out advocacies in the United Kingdom during the period, adding that the expenditure covered January to March 2020. The Minister further clarified: “Before the lockdown, I think our last trip was to Addis Ababa where we accompanied the President to an African Union meeting that held around March. So whatever we spent was before the lockdown.” The ommittee also interrogated the minister over the “zero per cent performance” of a controversial constituency project that had been 100 per cent funded by the Ministry of Finance for the 2020 fiscal year. The Committee chairman, Danladi Sankara, maintained that the minister had a lot of explanation to make. The controversy reportedly followed Mohammed’s claim that the initiative was sponsored by a lawmaker as a constituency project in the 2020 budget. However, the senators, who disagreed, condemned the slow pace of work on the project. | Lai Mohammed, Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation | https://guardian.ng/news/senate-probes-lai-mohammed-for-n109m-travel-expenses/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | PDP Insists on 2014 CONFAB Report for Restructuring | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, November 3, stated that it had rejected what it called an attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the system and frustrate the widespread clamour for a genuine restructuring of the country. Specifically, the opposition party alleged that the APC planned to smuggle what it described as the partisan report of its committee on restructuring into the National Assembly to replace the 2014 National Conference Report. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP alerted the nation of a fresh ploy to blackmail the legislature and create an impression of commitment to restructuring, just to beguile the people and soften the ground for personal political and particularly, presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 elections. Part of the statement read thus: “Our party stands at the forefront of efforts for genuine restructuring, but we hold that the authentic materials for a genuine restructuring are contained in the 2014 National Conference report, wherein, Nigerians, across all the divides, collectively provided a road map out of our constitutional quagmires, and not a partisan report by the APC. We urge President Buhari to bring out the report, dust it up and present it as an executive bill to the National Assembly to guide the desired amendment to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with regard to restructuring.” According to PDP, Nigerians need a genuine effort towards a holistic amendment process that will restructure our country in the areas of true federalism, devolution of powers, electoral reforms and unbundling of critical items in the exclusive list. | PDP, Restructuring, 2014 CONFAB Report | https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-insists-on-2014-confab-report-for-restructuring/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | NEC Committee begins Work, to Engage Youths, CSOs, Others | The ad hoc committee set up by the National Economic Council (NEC) last week to engage youths, civil society organisations (CSOs) and different strands of leadership across the country has swung into action. At a virtual meeting on Tuesday, November 3, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), the committee decided to embark on zonal and state-based engagement processes. For the state-based engagements, each of the 36 State governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister would meet with the leadership and representatives of identified groups in their States. It will be followed immediately by zonal interactions featuring members of the committee. Aside youth groups and CSOs, traditional, religious and political leaders, the media and other opinion moulders would also be involved in the interactions that would touch issues around employment, social safety nets, security of lives and property, national unity, among others. According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, the committee adopted to also engage with the security agencies and develop ways of delivering more control to State governors who are the chief security officers of their States. Other terms of reference it adopted include recommending effective solution to the rising divisiveness and proposing ways of strengthening national unity; to develop a framework for the coordination of actions to be taken by both the Federal and State governments in response to the fundamental issues underlying the protests; to co-opt and/or invite any individual or corporate body that may facilitate the work of the committee; and report such recommendations to NEC as may be considered appropriate. | National Economic Council | https://guardian.ng/news/nec-committee-begins-work-to-engage-youths-csos-others/ |
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, November 3, 2020 | #EndSARS: Buhari Directs Engagements Across Geopolitical Zones | President Muhammadu Buhari has directed engagements with governors, traditional rulers, youths and other critical stakeholders across the geo-political zones in the country, following the #EndSARS protest and its aftermath. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday, November 2 in Kaduna after a close-door meeting of the Federal Government delegation with the 19 northern governors and traditional rulers. According to news reports, the Federal Government delegation to the meeting was led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari. The Minister of Information and Culture stated that the engagement was critical to reconciliation and national development. He stated that, “This is just the first leg in the series of engagements as directed by Mr. President. The Chief of Staff will also address governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in other parts of the country. The President has directed that the delegation should engage with governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the youths and others.” | #EndSARS, President Muhammadu Buhari | https://dailytrust.com/endsars-buhari-directs-engagement-across-geopolitical-zones |
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, November 3, 2020 | Presidency Raises Alarm Over Misinformation, Parleys With Int’l Media | The Presidency has again expressed concern over the circulation of fake news and misleading information occasioned by the #EndSARS protest, aimed at causing social discontent and disunity in the country. Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, at a media parley with international journalists organised by the Presidential Media Team at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, condemned what he described as deliberate misinformation and incorrect reports by some international media outfits who reported the protests in some parts of the country. According to Adesina, “There have been different kinds of reportage, particularly from the international media, some informed; some not quite informed and some downright incorrect. We just felt it was necessary to invite these international journalists so that we can share perspectives with them and it can condition their reportage positively, because if they have background information I don’t think journalists will set out deliberately to skew reports. At times, their reports end up being skewed because they do not have enough information. So, that is why we held this meeting, so that the get the necessary background information that they can use to condition their reportage. There should be no end to engagements. We should continue to engage – engage with local journalists and engage with international journalists.’’ | Media, Misinformation, Femi Adesina | https://dailytrust.com/presidency-raises-alarm-over-misinformation-parleys-with-intl-media |
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, November 3, 2020 | Electoral Act Amendment: Stiff Penalties Proposed for Electoral Offenders | Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a bill to amend the Electoral Act currently before the House of Representatives has proposed stiff penalties for electoral offenders, including officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties, among others. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu had, at a function at the House of Representatives, called for the introduction of electoral reforms that would change the electotal process in the country. Specifically, Yakubu advocated for stiff penalties for election offenders. The bill, a consolidation of various bills on Electoral Act amendment is titled ‘An Act to Repeal the Electoral Act 2010, to regulate the conduct of Federal, State and Area Council Elections and for related matters, 2020’. It was observed that new provisions have been incorporated into the bill, while others were either expunged or amended. Prominent among the proposals in the bill was a clause to restrict the qualification for elective office to relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The bill which has passed second reading, seeks to strengthen the use of card readers and other technological devices in elections and political party primaries. It also seeks to provide a timeline for the submission of list of candidates, criteria for substitution of candidates, campaign expenses and address the omission of names of candidates, political parties or their logos. | Electoral Act, National Assembly, INEC | https://dailytrust.com/electoral-act-amendment-stiff-penalties-await-inec-staff-parties-others |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, November 3, 2020 | Nothern Governors Call for Social Media Censorship in Nigeria | Governors in Nigeria’s northern region have called for the censorship of social media in the country. Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Solomon Lalong stated thst the use of social media during the #EndSARS protests threatened the unity of the country. Lalong, the Governor of Plateau State, announced the position of the governors in a communique after a meeting of the forum on Monday, November 2. The document read thus: “The meeting took note of the devastating effect of the uncontrolled social media in spreading fake news. Therefore, calls for major control mechanism and censorship of the social media practice in Nigeria. The meeting rejects and condemns the subversive actions of the #EndSARS protest. The superlative agitations and other change-regime actions outside the ballot box soon take advantage of the peaceful protests to push for their separative agenda. The meeting endorses the indivisibility, indissolubility and oneness of the Nation." The governors vowed to contend with anything that suggests an undemocratic change in government and stated that the unity of the country was non-negotiable. The Forum urged the Federal Government to keep a “strict watch on the Federal Capital Territory, to guide against unwarranted and destructive protests to safeguard critical assets of the Nation." The communique further read that, “(The) Meeting commends the National Assembly and the Presidency in being proactive in addressing the issues of #EndSARS protests across the country. The meeting resolves to support the Nigerian Police Force to serve the country better and calls for the strengthening of trust between the people and the Police. The meeting expressed concern over the low-level involvement of relevant of stakeholders in the implementation programmes of Government and calls on the relevant Agencies to review implementation strategies to make for maximum impact and benefits.” | Nothern Governors, Social Media Censorship | https://guardian.ng/news/nothern-governors-calls-for-social-media-censorship-in-nigeria/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, November 3, 2020 | EFCC Re-arraigns Suswam, ex-Finance Commissioner, Okolobia | The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, November 2, re-arraigned former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Suswam was re-arraigned alongside the Commissioner of Finance during his administration, Omadachi Okolobia, on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering. The duo were initially arraigned before Justice Mohammed in 2015 on a nine-count charge before the case was transferred to Justice Okon Abang of the same jurisdiction. The defendants were being prosecuted on N3.1 billion money laundering charges. The anti-graft agency had accused them of diverting the money which was said to be part of the proceeds of the sale of some shares of Benue State in a company. Justice Mohammed had recused himself twice from the case before a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Adamu Kafarati. Mohammed withdrew from the case due to allegations from a publication that he received bribe in order to give Suswam a “soft landing.” The case was then reassigned to Justice Abang. However, the Court of Appeal had, on February 19, ordered that the case be returned to Justice Mohammed who initially presided over it. The development followed the defence counsel’s dissatisfaction with Justice Mohammed’s action, leading to the reassignment of the case to Justice Abang. Justice Mohammed, who adjourned the matter until December 15, ordered the prosecution counsel to transfer all the exhibits in the case before Justice Abang, to his court registry. | EFCC, Gabriel Suswam | https://guardian.ng/news/efcc-re-arraigns-suswam-ex-finance-commissioner-okolobia/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Monday, November 2, 2020 | APC Faction Renews Protest Threat Over Convention Date | Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Concerned APC members on Sunday, November 1, renewed its threat to embark on a nationwide protest should the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extra-ordinary National Convention Planning Committee fail to announce a convention date within seven days. This was contained in a press statement titled, ‘Concerned All Progressives Congress group extends ultimatum to seven days’, signed by the group’s Spokesman, Abdullahi Dauda, in Abuja. Dauda announced that members of the group met and agreed to give the Buni-led committee an extension of one week following the suspension of its earlier 14 days ultimatum, which expired last Monday, October 26. The statement read in part, “The Concerned All Progressives Congress group has extended the ultimatum given to Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee to fix party convention date for November. The group in a unanimous decision decides to extend its earlier 14-day ultimatum by seven days as a result of the party’s publicity secretary’s statement that they are working on the convention timetable last week. We want to authoritatively warn that if no timetable is released within the next seven days, we will have no option than to embark on daily protests to draw the attention of Mr. President and party members on the elongation plot that will destroy the party we have labored for.” When contacted, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena stated that, “The invitation to all aggrieved party members to come forward to meet with the party leadership is still open. This group or any other within our party is free to come for discussion. Our doors are open.” | APC, Convention Date | https://punchng.com/apc-faction-renews-protest-threat-over-convention-date/ |
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, November 2, 2020 | PDP, APC Trade Words Over US Forces Rescue Of Abducted American | The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stated that the swift operation by the United States to rescue her citizen held hostage by bandits on Nigerian soil has further confirmed that the Buhari Presidency can neither secure the territorial integrity of the nation nor arrest the wave of insecurity ravaging the country. The party in a statement on Sunday, November 1 by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan described the situation where the US forces had to embark on a rescue mission in Nigeria, as an international embarrassment. According to the opposition party, the development showed how low the Buhari Presidency had “fallen in its failure” to guarantee the safety of lives and property in the country. Ologbondiyan further stated thus: “Moreover, the fact that under President Muhammadu Buhari, bandits and abductors from neighboring countries now freely cross into our nation to use our soil as detention camps further shows the failure of his administration to secure our national borders and territorial integrity. It also shows that contrary to claims by the Buhari administration, parts of our country are still under the control of bandits and insurgents." However, reacting to the statement, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena challenged the PDP to explain to Nigerians how its administration handled the 2014 abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls. According to Nabena, “The PDP again chooses to play politics with our national security in its tired, baseless and dull attacks of the President Muhammadu Buhari government. It is on record that that PDP government did nothing for two weeks after the Chibok schoolgirls abductions, dismissing it as a grand political conspiracy while the schoolgirls were continually held and their families suffered in anguish. While the PDP still refuses to take responsibility for the tragedy up till now, the same PDP government rejected the British offer to help in the rescue of the Chibok schoolgirls. As Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, President Buhari swore a constitutional oath to protect lives and property of citizens. The President has consistently demonstrated that resolve throughout his administration. President Buhari’s reactions and actions after the similar and unfortunate Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping is a pointer to how a responsive government should act.” | PDP, APC, United States | https://dailytrust.com/pdp-apc-trade-tackles-over-us-forces-rescue-of-abducted-american |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, November 2, 2020 | SERAP, 261 Others Sue NBC, Seek Reversal of Fines on Media Houses | The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), alongside 261 groups and individuals, have sued the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, over the N9 million fine slammed on three television stations in the country. The plaintiffs are also seeking an order setting aside the N5 million fine and any other sanction imposed by the NBC on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM, Lagos, for carrying out its professional and constitutional duties. In the suit filed on Friday, October 30, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the fines imposed on Channels TV, AIT and Arise TV over their coverage of the #EndSARS protests illegal, and to stop the NBC from collecting the money. Some of the co-plaintiffs in the suit are Premium Times Services Limited, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, HEDA Resource Centre, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, Media Rights Agenda and other 255 groups and individuals. The acting Director-General of the NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, who is joined in the suit as a defendant, had last week slammed fines of N3 million each on Channels, AIT, and Arise for “unprofessional coverage” of the protests across the country. The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by their lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Adelanke Aremo and Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part: “A fine is a criminal sanction and only the court is empowered by the constitution to impose it. Fine imposed by regulatory agencies like the NBC without recourse to the courts is illegal and offends the sacred principles of natural justice and fairness. It is the duty of government to allow the legal and judicial powers of the State to function properly. Imposing any fine whatsoever without due process of law is arbitrary, as it contravenes the principles of nemo judex in causa sua (one cannot be a judge in his own cause) and audi alteram partem (no one should be condemned unheard). | NBC, SERAP | https://guardian.ng/news/serap-261-others-sue-nbc-seek-reversal-of-fines-on-media-houses/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Monday, November 2, 2020 | Youths will Feature Prominently in Obaseki’s Government - Edo State Government | The Edo State Government has announced that youths will feature prominently in the inauguration and the new cabinet of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, as he assumes office for a second term. According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, who disclosed this in Benin, on Sunday, November 1, the inauguration scheduled to hold on November 12, 2020, would be held alongside the annual Alaghodaro summit. He stated that the governor was committed to ensuring that youths formed the bulk of his new cabinet. Osagie stated thus: “The governor acknowledges the role of youths in the actualisation of his second term bid. Youths make up more than half of the State’s population. So, it is only right that they determine what works best for them in government. The 2020 Youth Summit will enable the State government to assess the impact of the administration’s policies and programmes on job creation, youth empowerment, basic and technical education and youth participation in governance, among others.” | Edo State Government, Godwin Obaseki | https://punchng.com/youthsll-feature-prominently-in-obasekis-govt-says-edo/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Monday, November 2, 2020 | Lagos APC Kicks as PDP Demands Sanwo-Olu’s Resignation | The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for demanding the resignation of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over violence in the State. The Lagos PDP in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, had stated that the governor was overwhelmed by the current challenges facing the State, asking him to resign. According to Gani, “This counseling is in good faith and for the overall interest of the State. If this State continues to experience the collapses in next 72 hours, it may suffer a declaration of state of emergency, a step that would likely deprive all. The PDP is even more expedient for the governor to welcome the counsel to step aside now that the Nigerian Army has revealed him as the person who invited the soldiers to go and quell the Lekki protests. Obviously, Lagosians can no longer trust a governor who denies his conspiracy actions in government.” Reacting to the statement, the Lagos APC in a statement by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, described the PDP as attempting “to govern Lagos State through the back door after persistent rejection at the polls.” Oladejo further stated that, “The call for resignation remains the wish of a frustrated opposition battling its permanent implosion. The PDP in Lagos State that suddenly came to life in the past week owes the innocent members of the public detailed explanation about its ignominious and condemnable role in the mayhem. The intermittent falsehood about governance in the State fed to the unsuspecting public fanned the ember of the unprecedented violence which has left in its wake sorrow, tears, and blood." | Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, APC, PDP | https://punchng.com/lagos-apc-kicks-as-pdp-demands-sanwo-olus-resignation/ |