Tag: governors

6Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2023: My Presidential Ambition Is Speculative ― Goodluck Jonathan

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan, Friday, said his intention to contest 2023 presidential election was speculative and pledged to continue to serve God, humanity, Africa and the world to the best of his ability and with all sense of commitment and sincerity. He called for synergy among President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors, Security Chiefs and other stakeholders, insisting that such would de-escalate tension occasioned by the challenge of insecurity in the country. Jonathan who stated this when he led a delegation of politicians from Bayelsa on a condolence visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at Government House, Asaba, over the recent demise of his father, Sir Okorie Okowa, said it was unfortunate that school children and many Nigerians were being kidnapped for ransom by bandits...

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5Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

COVID-19: Governors, Deputies To Be Vaccinated On March 9th

Governors of the 36 States of the Federation on the platform of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) have resolved to take the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, publicly next week Tuesday, March 9. This was one of the decisions taken at their emergency meeting to discuss the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines in the country. In the meeting were the the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Director-General , Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu and Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib as well as medical experts who play advisory roles for the NGF on the pandemic. The chair...

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4Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Food Blockade: I Have Spoken To Igboho, Buhari Is Next – Yahaya Bello

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said he had engaged with controversial Yoruba activist, Mr Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, over the demands made by Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria to lift their food blockade to Southern Nigeria. Bello spoke to journalists late on Wednesday in Abuja after the Union made up of cattle and foodstuff traders agree to resume foodstuff supplies to southern Nigeria, following his intervention, according to Kogi Flame. Bello who was in company of former aviation minister, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode commended the traders for calling off their strike. Aside Igboho, Bello said he would also engage with President Muhammadu Buhari, governors and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful co-existence among Nigerians to ...

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24Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Tinubu, Five Governors At Akeredolu’s Second Term Inauguration

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu led other progressive politicians on Wednesday to the second term inauguration of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu. Five Governors also attended the inauguration. They include: Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Dapo Abiodun(Ogun) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos). Also at the inauguration were former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; former Ogun Governor Sen. Ibikunle Amosun; former Senate President Ken Nnamani; new APC chieftain in Osun Sen. Iyiola Omisore and former National Vice Chairman (Southwest), APC Chief Pius Akinyelure. Guests applauded the presence of Obaseki at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, venue of the inauguration. ...

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22Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari, Governors To Discuss Fuel Pricing On Thursday

The President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and the state governors will discuss the issue of fuel pricing Thursday. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, disclosed this Sunday night after a bipartite meeting of the Federal Government and the organised labour at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Briefing journalists on their resolutions, Ngige said the labour had investigated the report of the Technical Committee on Premium Motor Spirit Pricing Framework as agreed at the last meeting and made their submissions alongside the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. The minister said, “The labour side saw that they were making some points and like I said, it is work in progress. Governors are going to discuss this on Thursday. ...

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21Feb By MosesianNo Comments

News

Miyetti Allah to Southerners: Be Ready to Leave the North

Alhaji Sadiq Ibrahim Ahmed, the Bauchi State chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Saturday, February 20 pledged that the association would resist any attempt by Southern governors to evict herdsmen. The MACBAN chairman said it would be tit for tat by the north should the herders be evicted from the south. According to Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, everyone has the right to live anywhere he or she wants. He said; “In fact, herdsmen, based on their activity of pastoralism, own every part of Nigeria. So why should anyone go against the constitution? ‘’If the southern governors insist on sending our people away, we will have no option than to send their people packing too. “We are no fools. We are only studying the situation. We are all human...

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20Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Lagos Has Been Fortunate To Have Visionary Governors – El-Rufai

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, says Lagos is the most fortunate Nigerian state governed by visonary men. Since the return of democracy in 1999, Lagos has been governed by four men — Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Speaking at the closing session of the 2021 Lagos ‘Ehingbeti’ Economic Summit, on Thursday, el-Rufai said Lagos has remains fortunate in terms of leadership. He said if Lagos were a country, it would have a higher gross domestic product (GDP) than many African countries. El-Rufai added that the south-west state is a role model for Kaduna, saying he looks to Lagos becoming a top state on the ease of doing business. “If Lagos were a country, it would have a bigger GDP than many African countries. F...

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19Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governors Agree To Compensate Victims Of Herders, Farmers Clashes

State governors have agreed to compensate victims of herders /farmers clashes in their various states . The agreement was reached at a meeting of the National Economic Council held at the Presidential Villa , Abuja on Thursday. The meeting was presided by Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo . The council presided over by sitting Vice President has all state governors and relevant, Central Bank of Nigeria’ Governor and relevant ministers as members. The decision to pay compensation was part of the communique read by the governor of Ogun State , Dapo Abiodun, when he briefed State House Correspondents alongside his Kebbi State counterpart , Atiku Bagudu. Abiodun noted those who suffered loses in targeted attacks must be made to have a sense of compensation . He also said the council re...

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18Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governors Claim They Don’t Control Police But Do So During Elections – Shehu Sani

The Governors claimed that they don’t have the influence or control over the Police to enforce or ensure security, but you know that is not true during elections.

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18Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: Governors Meet In Aso Rock

Governors of the 36 states of the federation on the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum have arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for a crucial meeting over the worsening security situation in the country. The meeting chaired by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State , Kayode Fayemi, was scheduled for 8: 00 pm. A statement announcing the meeting was earlier issued by the Head, Media, and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello -Barkindo , said the meeting , which will be the first physical meeting since the coronavirus pandemic started in Nigeria in February 2020, has only one item on the agenda – security . Only last week , some members of the NGF, including Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, his Kano State counterpart , Abdullahi Ganduje, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara a...

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16Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Only Ill-Informed Nigerians Assume Nothing Is being Done About Banditry – El-Rufai

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, while speaking at the meeting, said bandits had become bolder and audacious to the extent that they now attack military tanks and ambushed security agents on patrol. El-Rufai, whose state had suffered recurrent banditry attacks said only Nigerians who were ill-informed would assume that nothing was being done to stop the killings in the region. Also speaking, the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari said in the North West, governors had been trying to address the issue of cattle rustling, which later developed into banditry, kidnapping, arson and then rape. Masari said urged everyone to return to their communities and build community relations. Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau Stat...

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12Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

36 Governors Agree To End Nomadic Cattle Rearing

The 36 Governors of the Federation have agreed to end the practice of nomadic rearing of cattle in view of its increasing adverse security effects on the country. The Governors came to this agreement at the 25th virtual meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held on Wednesday. They were however silent on the date they plan to put a stop to open grazing and movement of cattle by herders. In a communique at the end of the meeting, which was made public on Thursday evening by the NGF’s secretariat, the Governors also cautined against ethnic profiling upon being briefed about the posture of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the issue by their Chairman and Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong. It said: “Following an update from governors on the various initiatives taken by...

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4Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Fulani Eviction: Don’t Allow Anarchy In Your State – El-Rufai Warns Governors

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned in strong terms the eviction being issued to Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country. El-Rufai called on his colleagues, other Governors in the country, to make statements condemning and disavowing attacks and massacres of other Nigerians living in their states. The Governor spoke on Wednesday at a State-wide broadcast saying that indigenes of Kaduna State and other states residing in other parts of the country had reached out to him to lament the hostilities of their host communities in recent times. El-Rufai further called on members of the National Assembly to fast-track action on the constitutional amendments that would usher in state and community policing. The Governor began by calling on all Nigerians liv...

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31Jan By dthataNo Comments

Celebs

12 Governors & 40% Lawmakers In Nigeria Are Gay – Uche Maduagwu Says

Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu, who came out to recently to declare his sexual orientation as gay, made the claim in an Instagram post. He shied away from naming the people. He slammed the anti-gay law former President Goodluck Jonathan signed in 2014. The actor called on U.S. President Joe Biden to sanction Nigerian government over the 14-years jail term for homosexuals in Nigeria. Dear President Joe Biden i am proudly gay and i beg you to place sanctions on Nigerian government for its inhuman laws against law abiding homosexuals yet this same government pampers wicked fulani herdsmen who kidnap and cause trouble in southern part of Nigeria we are tired and scared despite the fact that more than 40% of current legislatures and over twelve governors are homosexuals in naija why t...

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29Jan By MosesianNo Comments

News

Northern Governors to take COVID-19 Vaccine in Public

Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum and Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong has announced that the 19 Northern States Governors will be publicly taking the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine when they arrive in the country. Lalong said this in his address at a webinar organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, where the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine were discussed. The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Danladi Atu, said the Northern Governors will be publicly taking the vaccine to dispel fears surrounding it. He said; “We – the Northern Governors – have agreed to take the first doses of the vaccines.”

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

12 APC Governors, Senators, Reps Want New Generation Chairman

A COALITION made up of 12 governors, influential leaders, Senators and House of Representatives members has emerged in the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the national convention of the party in June. The aim of the coalition, The Nation gathered, is to enthrone a new generation chairman for the party. The governors and other stakeholders involved are said to be opposed to anyone older than 65 years leading the party. The coalition is also seeking the understanding of APC leaders to concede the national chairman slot to the North-Central zone because both the North-East and the North-West have had their fair shares of political offices. Some of the aspirants who fall in this category include a former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and former Zamfara...

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7Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

SERAP Asks Buhari To Stop Governors From Borrowing ₦17Trn From Pension Funds

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to use his “good offices and leadership position to urgently instruct the Director-General and Board of the National Pension Commission [NPC] to use their statutory powers to stop the 36 state governors from borrowing and/or withdrawing N17 trillion from the pension funds purportedly for ‘infrastructural development.’” The governors last week reportedly proposed to borrow around N17 trillion from the pension funds after receiving a briefing from the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who is the Chairman of the National Economic Council Ad Hoc Committee on Leveraging Portion of Accumulated Pension Funds for Investment in the Nigeria Sovereign Investment...

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

“We are called chief security officers only in name” – El-Rufai speaks on killings and insecurity

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has commented on the widespread killings and insecurity witnessed across the country.   In an interview on Channels Television on Monday November 30, the Kaduna state Governor disclosed that he and other Governors are frustrated with the current security architecture.   El-Rufai who noted that the governors are only called chief security officers in name, stated that they have no control over the police. He also disclosed that he doesn't have a say in who gets posted to his state as Commissioner of Police, and those appointed can also flag his directive or get it cleared by the Inspector-General of police before carrying it out.   Watch the video below.....   View this post on Instagram ...

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24Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

South South Governors Meet Gambari, Table Demands (Photos)

Governors from the South-South region on Tuesday met with Chief of Staff to the President, Amb. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Rivers Government House, in Port Harcourt. We had earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari's Chief of Staff and other high profile dignitaries were expected in Port Harcourt later today. The meeting with the South-South governors and stakeholders of the Niger Delta region is coming after the initial meeting was called-off last week due to the absence of the federal government’s representatives. At the Presidential meeting on Tuesday were Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers). The Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Ibrahim Gamb...

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24Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Dino Melaye Blasts PDP Governors, Says They Practice “Greediocracy”

The tweet below was shared by the former Kogi State Senator who is renown for his rambunctious attitude and eccentric lifestyle. He said: PDP Governors practising Greediocracy: Govt of the greedy by the greedy and for the greedy will regret it. Draw inspiration from Dariye, Kalu, Shehu, etc. Demons don't repent. It is likely he could be looking for somewhere else to sow his oats given the ground upon which he had thought he would don't appear so fertile after all.

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9Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governors, Traditional Rulers Demand Special Protection For SW’s Economy

The threat posed by the recent destruction of key public assets to the economy of the Southwest has brought up a Peace Dialogue in which political leaders, traditional rulers and leaders of thought across the region came together to discuss the way forward. Lagos State Government hosted the dialogue, which was at the instance of all the six Governors of the Southwest states, to forge a common front with traditional institutions in addressing the issues that led to the recent nationwide youth demonstration, which ended in violence that shook the region to its foundation. President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari. Also, all serving members of the Federal Executive Council (FE) C) from the region and Inspector General of Pol...

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27Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

‘COVID-19: Governors Received N1bn Each From Buhari, N1.1bn From World Bank’ – Yahaya Bello

Governors of the 36 states were said to have received N1billion each from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The Governors were also said to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Bank to receive a sum of N1.1billion for the same purpose. Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State made this revelation on Tuesday while featuring on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily. According to Gov Bello, all the state governors have since received the N1billion from the Federal Government. However, Yahaya Bello said he was the only state governor who refused to sign an MoU with the World Bank. Asked why he received the COVID-19 fund from the Federal Government despite not believing in the virus, Bello said, “eve...

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27Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

EndSARS: Osinbajo, Six Governors To Engage Youths, CSOs, Others

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will be heading a committee that has six state governors as members to engage youths, representatives of Civil Society Organisations, religious and traditional leaders on the fallout of the recent #EndSARS protests. Members of the committee will be engaging the stakeholders on employment, social safety net programmes, and national unity among other key issues of concern. The decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the National Economic Council chaired by Osinbajo on Monday. The council, which is chaired by the sitting Vice President, has also state governors, relevant ministers, and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria as members. Members of the committee are six state governors representing the six geopolitical zones of the country. ...

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27Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Kept Palliatives Ahead Of Second Wave Of COVID-19 – Governors

Some Nigerians upon the recent discovery of undistributed relief materials have taken to carting them away, berating the governors for stealing items meant for the public. Nigerian state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors' Forum said the recent cache of palliatives discovered by citizens in warehouses across the country was kept in anticipation of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Some Nigerians upon the recent discovery of undistributed relief materials have taken to carting them away, berating the governors for stealing items meant for the public. Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the NGF’s Head, Media and Public Affairs, on behalf of the governors in a statement, said, “The NGF pleads with members of the public to desist from spreading rumour...

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27Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Palliatives Distribution: FG Never Asked Governors To Wait For Approval – Officials

There no time were governors of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) asked to await any further directive before distributing the palliatives given to them by the federal government to cushion the effect of the COVID- 19, credible sources have told Daily Trust. Since Wednesday last week, hoodlums across the states have been breaking into stores and strategic reserves looting food items and everything on sight in the wake of the #EndSARS protests. Besides donation by the federal government, groups such as the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and spirited individuals had also contributed food and non-food items even as much of such donations had not been distributed to the targeted people. The consignments were, however, looted...

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20Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps To Bar Courts From Sacking President, Governors

A law to bar courts and election tribunals from voiding the election of a President-elect and governors-elect, because of blemishes in the educational qualifications of their running mates, is underway in the House of Representatives. The Bill to that effect, obtained on Monday, by VANGUARD, is entitled: “An Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to Preserve the Elections of a Candidate to the Office of the President and Governor whose running mates are found to have Defected in their Qualification”. The Bill, sponsored by Rep. Solomon T. Bob (Rivers-PDP), seeks to alter ” Section 142 (1) of the Principal Act, by “inserting a proviso to the subsection as follows: Provided that a person who has been elected to the office of the Pre...

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19Oct By dthataNo Comments

Celebs

EndSARS: Falz Has A Message For Buhari And Governors (Video)

https://youtu.be/m5qslPe9_rw

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19Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

EndSARS: Governors Worried About Discontent, Anger In Nigeria – Fayemi

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said he and his colleagues in the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) were concerned about discontent, hunger and anger in the country and would be ready to work with other stakeholders to find a lasting solution. Dr. Fayemi, who is the NGF Chairman, said the raging nationwide ENDSARS protests resulted from years of pent-up emotion, anger and hunger in the land, adding that the governors are committed to larger reform of the polity not only much taunted Police reform. The Governor spoke on Sunday at the Special thanksgiving mass held at St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Old Garage, Ado Ekiti as part of activities to mark the second anniversary of his administration in office. Dr. Fayemi said he understood the frustration of the yo...

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5Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governors Back SARS Ban

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has backed the decision by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to ban with immediate effect the operations of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and a range of other Tactical Squads of the Force. The NGF Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in his reaction on Monday, lauded the IGP, saying the decision was received with “great relief and satisfaction”. Fayemi, however, expressed hope that the announcement this time would promptly be followed by action and that there would be no reversal to the “unorthodox enforcement practices being complained against.” He called for appropriate sanctions against law enforcement officers that had been “lawless and irresponsible” in the exercise of their duties...

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31Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

774,000 Jobs: FG Retains 15% Slot Allocation To Ministers, Governors, Others

Minister of State for Labour and Productivity Festus Keyamo says the original formula for sharing the 774,000 jobs under the special public works (SPW) scheme remains unchanged. Mr Keyamo told newsmen that the Federal Government would retain the original plan of conceding only 15 per cent of the job slots to governors, National Assembly members, ministers and other interest groups. He spoke in response to claims by the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Nasir Ladan that the job sharing formula would accommodate more concessions. “The report on the sharing formula must have been a misapprehension of the instructions I gave to them to implement,” said Keyamo. “I did not give any instruction on 40 per cent rise for them to implement. We are sticking t...

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29Aug By dthataNo Comments

News

No Governor Has Denied Collecting Money From NDDC

Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, a Publisher and Founder of the advocacy group, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative speaks with Nseobong Okon-Ekong and other journalists on recent developments in the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Senate probe Your advocacy group has been in the news lately, what are you up to? We are more or less focused on leadership. We focus on leadership and try to use it as a standard so that others can follow that path. I think the bane of the country has been bad leadership. We have the resources, we have everything but unfortunately, we lack the right leadership and I think the reason is because we have not taken time to assess those who should be in positions of leadership. We have also not taken time to identify those who serve creditably a...

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13Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Give Us Bailout For Security – Governors To Buhari

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Tuesday requested for a security bailout in view of the enormity of resources they expend in support of the military and police. This was part of the governors’ submission anchored by their Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, during a three-hour virtual meeting coordinated by President Muhammadu Buhari from the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, heads of defence, security and intelligence agencies, and members of the Security Committee of the NGF, represented by one governor from each of the six geo-political zones. The meeting focused on security policies and approaches in tackling the internal security challe...

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22Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

APC Governors Back Ajimobi-Led NWC

All Progressives Congress Governors have declared support for Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. The Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) Dr. Salihu Moh’d Lukman said Ajimobi- led NWC will enjoy the fraternal support of APC Governors anytime. This was contained in a statement in Abuja. “For the avoidance of doubt, HE Sen. Ajimobi is a respected founding member of the Forum. Any day and anytime, H.E Sen. Ajimobi will enjoy the fraternal support of all Progressive Governors,” he stressed. The PGF boss maintained members of the forum have been so concerned about the leadership crisis rocking the party, stressing the Governors are all individually and collectively committed to the development of the party. Explaini...

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15Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

» Allow Buhari, Governors For Third Term – APC Member Tells Tells NASS, Attorney-General

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi state, Hon. Charles Oko Enya, has beseeched a Federal High Court in Abakiliki, Ebonyi state, to direct the National Assembly and the Attorney-General of the Federation and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to remove constitutional clauses hindering elected President and state governors from seeking a third term in office. In his suit with No: FHC/AI/CS/90/19, which was filed at the court last Wednesday and made available to Daily Trust by his counsel, Barr. Iheanacho Agboti, the APC member is seeking for possible expungement of section 137(1) (b) and 182 (1) (b) in the 1999 constitution (as amended). He insisted that the sections were infringement on the fundamental human rights of the likes of President Muhammadu Buhari ...

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12Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Are Probing Ex-Governors, Serving Governors, Fronts – EFCC Chairman

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu has said the anti-graft agency is investigating serving and former state governors for graft. According to him , suspects who connived with the governors were being invited for questioning. Magu, however, did not disclose the identities of those under probe , saying such would jeopardise investigations . Speaking at a press conference marking the 2020 Democracy Day in Abuja on Thursday, Magu said the agency had recovered assets in excess of N 980bn in the last five years. He also disclosed that the commission within the same period recovered a large array of non - monetary assets that include real estate, private jets, oil vessels , filling stations, schools, hotels , trucks, cars , jewellery , shoppi...

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11Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governors Declare State Of Emergency On Rape In Nigeria

The Nigeria Governors Forum has agreed to declare a state of emergency on sexual and gender-based violence against women and children. They also renewed commitment to ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law . This was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman of the NGF , Dr. Kayode Fayemi, after the forum’ s 10th COVID -19 teleconference meeting held on Wednesday. The communique was issued in Abuja, on Thursday. Governors agreed to , “ Declare a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender- based Violence . Governors strongly condemned all forms of violence against women and children and committed to ensuring that offenders face the maximum weight of the law ; “Call on State Governors that have not already domesticated relevant gender- based protection...

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9Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Executive Order 10: Buhari Bows To Governors’ Pressure

President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to the delay of the process of gazetting of the Executive Order 10 for some concerns of the state governors to be sorted out. Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this to state house correspondents on Monday, after a meeting with representatives of the President. It would be recalled that President Buhari had recently signed the Executive Order 10, which sought to give autonomy to state Legislature and Judiciary. However, state governors, under the NGF platform, had kicked at provisions of the Order, citing constitutional concerns. However, on Monday, at a meeting organized by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, between representatives of the NG...

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8Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari, Governors Meet In Aso Rock Over Autonomy For State Legislatures, Judiciary

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with the Nigerian Governors Forum over the recent Executive Order 10 that gives autonomy to State legislatures and Judiciary. President Buhari at the meeting agreed to delay gazetting of the Executive Order 10 after listening to the concerns raised by Governors on the Executive Order 10. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said after listening to their concerns, about the constitutionality of the Executive Order, President Buhari agreed that the gazetting order would be delayed. He said that the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, and the Attorney General of the Federation, General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami were at the meetin...

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7Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

SERAP Asks Appeal Court To Order Release Of Asset Declarations Of Buhari, VP Osinbajo, Others

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos to set aside a judgment of a Federal High Court and to order public disclosure of asset declaration details submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, governors and their deputies and other politicians since 1999.” The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on Monday, May 11, 2020, dismissed the application filed by SERAP seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the CCB to make available to the public specific details of asset declarations submitted to it by successive presidents, vice-presidents, senate presidents, speakers of House of Representatives, state governors and their deputies since 199...

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1Jun By dthataNo Comments

News

Primary Election Crucial To Democracy – Tinubu To Governors

There may be no going back on transparent and democratic primaries for the choice of governorship candidates by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo and Ondo states, it was learnt yesterday. At a meeting with nine APC governors, National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said democratic primary as a core element of internal democracy should not be jettisoned. A source at the meeting held at the State House, Marina, Lagos, said Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos, emphasised the importance of primary to democracy, admonishing party leaders to safeguard it in the preparation for the choice of standard bearers. The Progressives Governors’s Forum, led by Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu, unfolded plans last week to mount pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to support their push ...

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1Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Obaseki, 7 Other APC Governors Meet Tinubu Ahead Of Edo Election

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki was on Sunday accompanied by seven other governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to a meeting with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over his second term ambition. Vanguard gathered that the meeting was held behind closed doors at the State House, Marina, Lagos. It was also gathered that apart Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, who is chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, other governors present at the meeting include Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano). Though the details of the meeting were not disclosed it was gathered that the embattled governor of Edo State, Obaseki, who was also at the closed-door meeting, approached Tinubu to prevail on his estrang...

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31May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

COVID-19: Governors Fume As Interstate Travel Ban Collapses

Some governors have expressed frustration at the apparent collapse of the interstate travel ban by many commercial drivers and commuters . They worried that this trend might increase the spread of the coronavirus and shoot up the number of COVID-19 cases. Fresh 553 cases were recorded on Saturday in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory . Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control showed that Lagos had 378 ; FCT , 52; Delta, 23 ; Edo , 22; Rivers, 14 ; and Ogun, 13 . Others were Kaduna, 12; Kano , 9 ; Borno , 7; and Katsina, 6. Jigawa and Oyo had 5 cases each while Yobe and Plateau had 3 cases each. Osun had 1. With the new cases, Nigeria had 9,855 COVID -19 cases. There were 273 deaths and 2, 856 recoveries. To curb the coronavirus spread , the President, Major...

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23May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari, Governors Strike 5-Point Deal For Opening Churches And Mosques

There were indications on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors reached a five-point agreement on containing the coronavirus disease while easing the lockdown nationwide. It was learnt that the deal addressed the apprehension of some governors on the observance of Sallah prayers and reopening of worship centres. A major thrust of the agreement is that gatherings in mosques or churches and the observance of Eid-el-Fitr prayers will not exceed 50 people at a time. Muslims are also not expected to go to any praying ground but they can use a neighbourhood mosque with only 50 worshippers. It was gathered that the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also had talks with the President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs...

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22May By dthataNo Comments

News

Trump Declares Churches & Mosques As Essential Asks Governors To Reopen Them

President Trump on Friday announced that new CDC guidance will classify houses of worship as “essential,” as he called on governors to allow them to open “right now.” Trump announced the policy for churches, synagogues and mosques, during a briefing at the White House. “If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less,” he warned.

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19May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

COVID-19 Not A Joke – President Buhari Tells Governors

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, told state governors not to take the raging COVID-19 pandemic as a joke. He asked them to step up enlightenment of their people on the seriousness of the infection by ensuring they stayed safe. Buhari also called on the governors to work closely with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to streamline the measures targeted at containing the spread. The President made the call during a virtual meeting he held with the governors. While he participated in the meeting via a video conference from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, led his colleagues to join from other locations. The President stated that having received a ...

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13May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governors Meet Today To Review COVID-19 Strategy

Governors of the 36 states of the federation, under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum, are set to hold their 8th teleconference to review the COVID-19 situation in states as well as develop strategies on how best to quickly overcome the effects of the pandemic. The Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Mele Kyari, is also expected to participate in the meeting scheduled to hold on Wednesday. This was contained in an invitation from the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru, to the governors. According to the invitation, issues to be discussed at the meeting include: “an update from the Presidential Task Force, on Covid-19, a new initiative code-named CACOVID – Volunteer Health Workers Support Scheme...

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25Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Covid-19: Governors Give Buhari Conditions For Relaxing Lockdown On Monday

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari, to scale down the total lockdown imposed in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja. This was contained in a letter dated April 24, 2020 and signed by NGF chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State. The letter was addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha. The Governors have asked Buhari to allow free movement in all the states, but with restrictions on large gatherings. The other things the governors want incorporated into President Buhari’s impending pronouncement on the lockdown are: “Inter-state lockdown, excluding movement of essential supplies- food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical, petroleum supplies and agricultural products;...

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23Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governors Agree On 14-Day National COVID-19 Lockdown

Governor Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governors of the 36 States of the federation on Wednesday “unanimously” agreed to the implementation of an inter-State lockdown in the country over the next two weeks to mitigate the spread of the pandemic COVID-19 virus from State to State. The governors, operating under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), reached the agreement after receiving briefing from the Governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Oyo and Ogun States who shared their experiences and lessons from the fight against COVID-19. A communique issued by the NGF chairman and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, at the end of the sixth COVID-19 teleconference meeting said only essential services would be permitted. State governors called for the decentralization of the COVID-19 r...

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21Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Coronavirus: FG Blocks Five Governors From Flying Out Of Nigeria

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has revealed that he has denied five governors flight approval, since the closure of the airports and the lockdown order by President Muhammadu Buhari to curb the COVID-19 outbreak. According to Sirika, three out of the four governors are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).Two of the governors are from the South-east, two from South-south, while one was from North-central.Sirika disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, at the daily press briefing by members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. “Every single flight that we approved and will be approved will be an essential flight and 98 percent of the essential flight will be connected to COVID-19. “A few of them, maybe 1 percent may be either repatriation, requests from th...

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11Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Attorney-General, Malami Asks Governors To Decongest Prisons Immediately

The Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami , SAN, has written to state governors on the need for speedy decongestion of custodial centres (prisons) in the country due to the COVID -19 pandemic . A statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations , Office of the AGF, Umar Gwandu, said the letters were dated April 9, 2020, and entitled ‘ Urgent need for speedy decongestion of custodial centres’ . Malami, in the letter, noted that from the available records, the inmate population at the various custodial centres across the country stood at 74, 127, out of which 52 ,226 inmates were awaiting trial persons . The AGF expressed regret that most of the centres were housing inmates beyond their capacities . According to him , the d...

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