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Fuel Subsidy Removal: Nigerian Government Accuses Edo Governor, Obaseki, Over Comment

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The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, has hit back at the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki over his criticism of the Federal Government.

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In the said publication, the Governor criticized the policies of the national government on subsidy removal and foreign exchange rates.

Reacting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris in a message issued on Thursday night, said the Governor’s comments were not strange rather the opinion was myopic

According to Idris, “The statement credited to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, which was used as the lead front-page story in Thisday Newspaper of Thursday, August 24, 2023, did not come to anyone as a surprise. However, it is essential to clarify certain narratives for a more informed public discourse.”

“Governor Obaseki has in recent times, shifted focus to the nation’s economic challenges as cannon fodder to divert attention from his poor performance at the state level since his move to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. While it is common for leaders to have divergent views, it’s crucial to align criticism with reality and to premise discourse on tangible results.

“Governor Obaseki’s comments regarding the APC-led Nigerian Government’s decisions on fuel subsidy and foreign exchange market reforms perhaps overlooked the broader economic picture,” the Minister said.

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Idris said; “It’s well documented that Nigerians, State Governors across party lines, and global institutions, including the World Bank and IMF along with various economic experts, have consistently advocated the removal of fuel subsidy because of the fiscal distortions and burden it has placed on the economy.

“This burden includes many months of zero accretion to the Federation account by the NNPC which left states and local governments with less money from FAAC, as a result of payment for fuel subsidy, which the national oil company regularly charged to the Federation account.”

The Information Minister said Edo State has benefited immensely from the gains of subsidy removal therefore; Governor Obaseki should utilize the resources to change the fortunes of his State.

He said; “For perspective, Edo State under Governor Obaseki’s leadership, has notably benefited from the fuel subsidy removal, which is evident in the more than doubling of the FAAC allocation between June and July 2023 to Edo State – more than it had ever received pre-fuel subsidy removal.

“Our advice? Rather than delving into narratives that do not provide the complete picture, the focus should be on how the Edo State Government will be using available resources to drive impactful projects that genuinely uplift the people of Edo State.”

Idris stressed that the decisions taken by the current administration led by President Tinubu were impactful and would engender economic development.

He said: “Nationally, decisions led by President Tinubu are based on foresight, with the primary aim of engineering a resilient and sustainable economy. This vision is consistently echoed within the National Economic Council, where significant economic decisions are made.

“We want to clearly state that Edo State, alongside other 35 States plus FCT, can access more FAAC revenue, due only to the bold and courageous economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu since he assumed office. These decisions have been applauded across the globe because they are the decisions that need to be taken to reposition the national economy for better output.

“We are still at a loss on what could be the trigger for Governor Obaseki to issue such blatantly false accusations against the Federal Government.”

The Minister drew the attention of the citizens of Edo State to the absence of Governor Obaseki at meetings of the National Economic Council (NEC).

He said; “Constitutionally, Governor Obaseki is a member of the National Economic Council (NEC) where far-reaching decisions were taken on the issues he talked about, in his media address by his colleagues, while sitting in-Council with the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.

“Even as Governor Obaseki will have an explanation to make to the people of his state on why he was absent at the two NEC meetings under the current administration, we will like to inform him that his colleagues praised President Tinubu for finding the courage to remove the ghost of fuel subsidy which crippled the finances of the 3 tiers of government for decades.

“It would be helpful if Governor Obaseki participated in these meetings to provide insights and align with the collective vision.”

The Information Minister noted that the Nigerian government is working very hard to address the challenges confronting the nation.

“The Nigerian Government understands the current difficulties Nigerians are facing and is working very hard with the states and local governments to bring succor to our people.

“President Tinubu is guiding our country through very challenging times. We are supremely confident that we will soon turn the corner into a prosperous future,” Idris said.

“What is required at this time is for leaders at all levels to cooperatively bind together to make life better for Nigerians, not to play cheap politics that serves no better purpose.

“As President Tinubu has admonished, the time for politics and politicking is over. We are now in the season of the serious business of governance to build a stronger, more viable, socially cohesive, and more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

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APC Suspends Rep Member Aminu Jaji Over Alleged Anti-party Activities

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The Zamfara Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has suspended Rep. Aminu Jaji over some alleged anti-party activities and the fractionalization of the party’s organs, among other irregularities.

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The State APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, announced the suspension at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday.

Jaji represents the Kaura-Namoda/Birnin-Magaji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the APC.

Idris said other allegations against Jaji include the engagement in dishonest practices and habitual absenteeism from the party’s meetings and other activities.

He said the sanction was sequel to the notice of confirmation of suspension of Aminu Jaji from the Birnin-Magaji ward APC executives over the alleged anti-party activities, among other irregularities.

Idris said, “The suspension notice was forwarded to the state APC headquarters by the APC executive committee of Birnin Magaji Local Government.

“The state executive committee of the APC held an emergency meeting at the State Party Secretariat, Gusau today, Friday 17th May 2024, where Jaji’s suspension matter was tabled to the state executive members.

“The state APC executive committee resolved and approved the suspension of Aminu Jaji from the party.

”This is based on the recommendations of the State disciplinary committee in line with his earlier suspension by the APC Birnin Magaji Ward Executive Committee and affirmed by APC Birnin Magaji LG Executive Committee.”

Reacting to his suspension, Aminu Jaji told NAN in a telephone interview that all the allegations against him were baseless and untrue.

Aminu Jaji said the state APC leadership has not followed the constitutional provisions of the party.

He said, “This is a clear indication that the party in the state has no focus and leadership.”

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INEC Distributes 373,030 Uncollected PVCs In Edo

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Ahead of the Edo State governorship election slated for September 21, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo office yesterday disclosed that it would begin the distribution of about 373,030 uncollected permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) on May 27.

Read Also: Governor Fintiri Shuts Schools Over Measles Outbreak In Adamawa

The state resident electoral commissioner (REC) Dr Anugbum Onuoha made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin on the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

Onuoha stated that the PVC collection exercise would be done together with the Continuous Voters Registration exercise scheduled for May 27.

Speaking further, Onuoha said that the statistics of registered voters in Edo was 2,501,081, while collected PVCs were 2,128,288, and uncollected PVCs stood at 373,030.

He said that the CVR and the PVC collection would be a 10-day exercise, from May 27 to June 5, 2024, from 9 am to 3 pm daily including weekends.

The INEC REC explained that the exercise would be conducted in the 192 wards and the state headquarters of INEC in Edo.

He also disclosed that each registration centre would be managed by two officials drawn from the commission and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

“In addition to the registration of voters, the commission will also make available the uncollected PVCs for collection during CVR.

“Also note that no PVC will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their voter cards

“There will be no pre-registration option because of time constraints,” he said.

Onuoha, however, appealed for the support of the media, CSOs, traditional rulers, and religious leaders in encouraging voters to locate and pick up their PVCs.

According to him, the commission has published the final list of candidates for the Edo governorship election following the conclusion of political party primaries.

A deputy director of Voter Registry, INEC Abuja, Mrs Doris kande-Wyom, who took stakeholders through CVR processes, appealed to stakeholders to mobilise prospective registrants for the exercise.

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Initiate Sustainable Policies For Poverty Elimination – Nigerian Speakers Tells Tinubu, Governors

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The Conference of Speakers of State of Legislative of Nigeria has urged the federal and state governments to initiate sustainable policies that will eliminate poverty and improve citizens’ standard of living.

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The speakers made this advocacy in a communique issued at the end of their general meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

The communiqué was signed by the conference’s chairman, Adebo Ogundoyin.

Mr Ogundoyin acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s courage regarding the economic policies made so far, such as removing petroleum product subsidies and floating the exchange rate.

He said, however, the unintended consequences of the policies were harsh on the citizens.

Mr Ogundoyin said, “The conference observed that in spite of the constitutional provisions that grant financial autonomy to the state legislature, the implementation has been observed in breach.

“We, therefore, call on all the relevant stakeholders to comply with all the provisions in the Constitution and not by breach.”

Mr Ogundoyin sued for peace as the political crisis in Rivers raged.

He stated, “We want to appeal to the relevant political leaders in Rivers to explore peaceful means to resolve the near impasse situation between the legislative and executive arms of the government of the state.’’

He said the conference was in support of establishing state police to combat the country’s deluge of security challenges.

“We also want state police to check the negative trend of insecurity in our country,” he said.

Mr Ogundoyin appealed to the National Assembly, Presidency, and other relevant stakeholders to use the ongoing constitution review to promote national cohesion and development.

(NAN)

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