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JUST IN: Senate Holds Emergency Meeting Over Financial Autonomy For LGs—-The Senate is currently experiencing a stalemate regarding the implementation of financial autonomy for the 774 Local Government Councils across Nigeria, a right granted by the Supreme Court in August.

The issue came to the forefront during Wednesday’s session when Senator Tony Nwoye of Anambra North, representing the Labour Party, raised alarms about state governments allegedly undermining the Supreme Court’s ruling by enacting counter-laws through their State Houses of Assembly.

Citing Senate Standing Rules orders 41 and 51, Nwoye introduced a motion addressing concerns that some governors are compelling local governments to remit funds into State/Local Government Joint Accounts—a practice that the Supreme Court has deemed unconstitutional. Nwoye, backed by nine other senators, emphasized that these counter-laws pose a significant threat to the full implementation of local government autonomy.

As Nwoye concluded his motion, Senator Adamu Aliero of the PDP representing Kebbi Central invoked Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the enforcement of Supreme Court judgments across the country. Aliero argued for the Senate to refrain from further debate on the matter, stating that the Supreme Court’s decision should be accepted as binding and not excessively debated.

The discussion has led to confusion within the Upper Chamber, with senators split on how to proceed. While some advocate for stronger measures to enforce the ruling, others are cautious about how to approach the matter legislatively.

Aliero said, “Supreme court judgement is enforceable across the country . There is no need for us to be debating anything that has to do with it here “, he said.

Agreeing with Senator Aliero, Akpabio raised another constitutional issue as he called on the attention of Senators to section 162 sub-section 6 of the 1999 constitution.

The section according to Akpabio, created the State / Local Government Joint Account, which has to be amended in paving the way for full implementation of the Supreme Court Judgement.

Akpabio said, ” I think what we need to do is to carry out required amendments of certain provisions of the constitution as far as local governments autonomy is concerned”, he said.

But before taking a final decision on the motion, the sponsor, Senator Nwoye hurriedly raised order 42 of the Senate Standing rules for personal explanation on the motion the same time, Senator Abdulrahman Summaila Kawu, NNPP Kano South ) raised a similar point of order.

The simultaneous points of Order brought confusion into the session with many senators rushing to the Senate President for a personal consultation, which eventually, made the Senate go to an emergency closed-door session at exactly 12: 46. pm.

Recall that the Supreme Court had in early August this year, barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds that are meant for the 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs, in the country.

The apex court ruled that it was illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.

The Supreme Court had maintained that the “dubious practice” which has gone on for over two decades, was a clear violation of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

In its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that no House of Assembly of any state has the power to make laws that could, in any manner, interfere with monies meant for the LGAs.

Stressing that the law mandated that LGAs must be governed by democratically elected officials, the Supreme Court ordered that forthwith, funds meant for the LGAs must be directly paid to them from the federation account.

The Supreme Court said, “Demands of justice require a progressive interpretation of the law. It is the position of this court that the federation can pay LGA allocations to the LGAs directly or pay them through the states.

“In this case, since paying them through states has not worked, justice of this case demands that LGA allocations from the federation account should henceforth be paid directly to the LGAs.”

It further declared unconstitutional the appointment of caretaker committees by governors to run the affairs of the LGAs. It held that the 36 states are under obligation to ensure democratic governance at the third tier of government.

The judgement was a sequel to a suit the Federal Government filed to secure financial autonomy for the LGAs.

More details to follow…

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Stop The Name Dropping To Stop Ogbia Brotherhood Inauguration” – Ogbia Group Caution Turner, Obordor, Others …Write Open Oetter To Gov. Diri

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Ogbia Brotherhood

Stop The Name Dropping To Stop Ogbia Brotherhood Inauguration” – Ogbia Group Caution Turner, Obordor, Others …Write Open Oetter To Gov. Diri

….says conflicting positions against Bayelsa Govt directive, suspicious

A progressive group of Ogbia people from all walks of life who believes in the Progress and Development of Ogbia Kingdom, under the aegis of the ENAl Ogbia Democrats have warned those involved in confliction calls and submissions on the suspended inauguration of the leadership of the Ogbia Brotherhood should desist and stop dropping the names of the Former President,Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to curry favour.

The ENAl Ogbia Democrats, in a letter to the Bayelsa State Governor,Senator Douye Diri, signed by its coordinator. AZIBOLANARI ORU and Secetary, JOSEPH DAPAR, expressed the concern over the suspicious and questionable conduct and calls made by some known politicians from Ogbia Kingdom on the suspended inauguration of the Ogbia Brotherhood executives.

According to the letter, despite the initial calls made by known personalities from Ogbia Kingdom under the Ogbia Mission Group including Azibola Robert, Chief (Hon.) Robert Enogha,Chief Barr. Jude Amiditor Rex-Ogbuku, Professor Teddy Charles Adias, Professor Allen A.. Agih, Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani CFR, Chief (DR) Samuel Ogbuku, Hon. Maxwell Oko and Professor Faith Owablel Robert that the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom to shift the date for the Inauguration to allow for wider consultation in their ward.

The radio announcement by the Ogbia “Think Thank” signed by Chief Savior Ibegi, Hon. Tonye Okio and Rev. Fr. Ikuli and actions of the duo of HRH A.J. TURNER, Obanobham of Ogbia Kingdom and the member of the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Mitema Obordor Is deemed at conniving to stampede the Inauguration of the Ogbia Brotherhood EXCO.

According to the group, “The ENAI Ogbia Democrats is a coalition of Ogbia people from all walks of life who believes in the Progress and Development of Ogbia Kingdom.”

“The recent development in the traditional institution is of great concern to every true Son and Daughter of the kingdom. The Ogbia Brotherhood has suffered smooth and peaceful operation for years, this could be traced back to the days of Late Justice E.J. Igoniwory as the then Ag. Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom.”

“The struggle for who will be in charge of the affairs of the great Ogbia Kingdom can be traced back to the that era and the Groups and Individuals who played different roles hither for bad or good is still very fresh in our memories. Before we go further, let us remind the high and mighty in Ogbia Kingdom and outside Ogbia that the ENAI Ogbia is taking records of all your roles and shall reward accordingly.”

“Now, fast-forwarding to Saturday 22nd of August, 2024 where Ogbia Kingdom gathered at the Sacred Hall of Ogbia Brotherhood and it was announced that all litigation stopping the election of New EXCO of the Brotherhood has been withdrawn and a later meeting was called and each of the clans where mandated by the Ogbia Brotherhood Congress to go and have their meeting to select from amongst them who will represent them in the New EXCO and to the best of our knowledge that was done and we were expecting the Inauguration of a New EXCO on the 28th September, 2024.”

“To our surprise, we heard a radio announcement from a body called the Ogbia Mission Group on the 24th of September, 2024 by nine great Sons of the Kingdom namely:

1. Azibola Robert

2. Chief (Hon.) Robert Enogha

3. Chief Barr. Jude Amiditor Rex-Ogbuku

4. Professor Teddy Charles Adias

5. Professor Allen .A. Agih

6. Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani CFR

7. Chief (DR) Samuel Ogbuku

8. Hon. Maxwell Oko

9. Professor Faith Owablel Robert

Calling the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom to shift the date for the Inauguration to allow for wider consultation. Though this action, many viewed as inimical to the process of Ogbia.”

“On the same vein, on the 26th of September, 2024 we heard another radio announcement by a group called the Ogbia “Think Thank” signed by Chief Savior Ibegi, Hon. Tonye Okio and Rev. Fr. Ikuli with a deferent view from that of the Ogbia Mission Group and suggested that the Inauguration should hold as scheduled because it was Ogbia Brotherhood Congress decision and that few person cannot stop it, which is reasonable. Few hours later, the Bayelsa State Government announced directing that the Inauguration of the Ogbia Brother-Hood EXCO should be put on till hold till further notice.”

“NOW OUR CONCERN; From the day Bayelsa State Government issued the directive for the postponement of the Brotherhood Inauguration to date is over one month and nothing reasonable has been heard from the State Government.”

“The Ogbia Mission Group that came up with the idea to shift the date of the Inauguration of the Ogbia Brotherhood EXCO to allow for further consultation have not also taken steps on the matter.”

“The Ogbia Think Thank is as good as helpless as their position differs from the above.”

“Based on the forgoing and many other reasons the above mentioned organization made up Ogbia people met at Otuoke to think the way forward and the following resolutions where reached:”

“That Bayelsa State Government, the Ogbia Mission Group made up of the above mentioned names, HRH A.J. TURNER, Obanobham of Ogbia Kingdom and others have connived to standpeed the Inauguration of the Ogbia Brotherhood EXCO.”

“That His Excellency, the Former President of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR should call his Friend HRH A.J. Turner to order. Who has been hiding under his cover to carryout his Agendas and Chief Mitema Obordor who is the Field person A.J. Turner his using to service is personal interest not minding the negative effect on the Ogbia people.”

“The request to call HRH A.J. Turner and Hon Mitema Obordor to order became imperative because almost all the crisis in the ogbia Brotherhood and by extension Ogbia Kingdom can be reasonably traced them. Anything that does not favour them should not see the light of the day. They should stop dragging the name of Former President Goodluck Jonathan to local issues, if they love him as they are claiming they should protect his name with all that they have including their personal interest.”

“We are appealing to the Bayelsa State Government, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, Former President of Nigeria, His Eminence Dumaro Charles Owaba, the Obenobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, the Ogbia Mission Group, HRH A.J. Turner, HRH Dogood Omiloli, should come together and solve the problems that they have created in the Ogbia Kingdom.”

“The ENAI Ogbia Democrats are appealing Bayelsa State Government not to allow friends of the Bayelsa State Government to use their powers to purnish the Ogbia people. Finally, we want to advise and at the same time warn that Ogbia Kingdom is bigger than any individual or group of persons.”

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Ministerial Nominees To Be Screened By Senate

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Ministerial Nominees

Ministerial Nominees To Be Screened By Senate—-The Senate is set to begin the screening of ministerial nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu for confirmation today.

These nominees have received clearance from the Department of State Services (DSS) and are ready for evaluation.

In a flurry of activity, the nominees flocked to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, yesterday to submit their curriculum vitae in order to meet the submission deadline. Among the early submitters were the Ministers of Education, Trade and Investment, and Livestock.

Senator Lado confirmed in a statement that the documentation process for the ministerial nominees has commenced ahead of their screening and confirmation by the Senate, which kicks off today.

The statement read: “He stated that the nominees were already submitting relevant documents as first in the series of procedures for the screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees.

“The nominees are expected to be screened and confirmed by the Senate in compliance with Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).”

Recall that President Tinubu had written the Senate, seeking for the screening and subsequent confirmation of appointments of seven ministerial nominees announced in Abuja on Wednesday.

President Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and read last Thursday during plenary.

According to the letter, the ministerial nominees were Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment and Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Others were Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Idi Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State, Housing and Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State, Education.

President Tinubu in the letter had sought expeditious consideration of his request by the Senate.
Accordingly as announced by Akpabio, the Senate immediately referred the presidential request to the Committee of the whole for consideration.

He said: “Distinguished colleagues , the presidential request is referred to the committee of the whole for consideration very soon.”

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