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August 14, 2023 SERAP Sues NASS Leadership Over Budget for Bulletproof Cars
IFMUYONEWS

SERAP Sues NASS Leadership Over Budget for Bulletproof Cars

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over what it described as unlawful plan to spend N40 billion on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials, and N70 billion as ‘palliatives’ for new members.

The suit came on the heels of a statement by Akpabio that the Clerk of the National Assembly had sent holiday allowances into various bank accounts of senators, “while some Nigerians are faced with extreme poverty.”

In the suit, number FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, filed last Friday, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to review and reduce the costs.

The organisation is seeking an order restraining Akpabio and Abbas from demanding or receiving the money until an assessment of the socio-economic impact of the spending on 137 million poor Nigerians is carried out in public interest.

SERAP is also seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to repeal the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2022 to reduce the budget for the National Assembly by N110 billion to reflect current economic realities in the country.

It said: “Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the lawmakers will spend the N110 billion, and the travesty and apparent conflicts of interest and self-dealing by members of the National Assembly would continue.

“It is a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for members of the National Assembly to arbitrarily increase their own budget and to use the budget as a tool to satisfy the lifestyle of lawmakers.”

According to the body, “while N70 billion ‘support allowance’ is budgeted for 306 new lawmakers, only N500 billion worth of palliatives is budgeted for 12 million poor Nigerians. N40 billion is also allocated to buy 465 SUVs and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials.”

In the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Blessing Ogwuche, the organisation said: “The plan to spend N110 billion is a fundamental breach of constitutional and international human rights obligations.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

August 14, 2023 Niger Makes U-Turn, Prepares to Dialogue with ECOWAS
IFMUYONEWS

Niger Makes U-Turn, Prepares to Dialogue with ECOWAS

A week after the expiration of the ultimatum it got from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the junta that overthrew Niger’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, on July 26, 2023, has justified the change of government in the country, while also stating its readiness for dialogue.

Leader of the junta, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who spoke in Niamey, capital of Niger at the weekend while receiving in audience Nigeria’s Intervention Team, led by Sheik Bala Lau, said the military intervention was informed by imminent threat to both Niger and Nigeria, which had to be averted.

Lau, who is the National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, in a statement he personally signed yesterday, quoted Tchiani as explaining the rationale behind the coup.

He said Tchiani, who accorded the team a warm reception, claimed the coup was well intended, adding that they struck to stave off an imminent threat that would have affected not only Niger Republic, but also Nigeria.

Lau said the junta welcomed the Nigerian team’s intervention, adding that their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.

According to the release, Tchiani, however, said it was painful to the coup leaders that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing ultimatum to quit office. He also apologised for not according the team sent by President Bola Tinubu, led by a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), the required attention because they were infuriated by ECOWAS ultimatum.

August 8, 2023 Edo State: Crisis Deepenes Between Obaseki and Philip Shaibu
IFMUYONEWS

Edo State: Crisis Deepenes Between Obaseki and Philip Shaibu

The rift between the Governor of Edo state and his deputy seems to be takins a different dimension as the  Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, stated that there was no plan to impeach his deputy,  Philip Shaibu, although his romance with the All Progressives Congress; APC is visible and worrisome.

The governor, noted that the move by Shaibu seeking a court order to stop his purported impeachment was preemptive ahead of his alleged plan to defect to the All Progressives Congress.

The governor, while briefing journalists in Benin City during a visit by the Edo North leaders, alleged that the deputy governor had been actively engaging with senior actors both at the national and state level of the APC, negotiating his way into their party, adding that he was on the verge of finalising moves to defect to the APC.

Obaseki said, “Let me put it on record that I am not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu. I have also checked and there was no such plan.

“So, the court action taken, for me, is a thing of shock and disappointment. I am trying to reflect on the move made by somebody that I have given a broad latitude to do his work as deputy governor. So, for him to take this kind of action is shocking.”

Obaseki said Shaibu never discussed his governorship ambition with him.

“The last time we spoke of my successor after the House of Assembly election, I did say that we should be patient and that our task is to try and finish well and conclude all our projects we started. It’s only when we do this right that we will have the support of the people for my successor.

“I believe that this action by him is a preemptive move to get a court order, keep his ticket and move to another party. I think it’s unfair for our party. We don’t need this sort of crisis. I have been getting calls all over the world and it’s rather sad that somebody who is part of an administration will do this to the administration because of his personal ambition.”

Obaseki said he was not angry “but naturally I should be disappointed.”

August 3, 2023 NLC/TUC Suspend Strike Action
IFMUYONEWS

NLC/TUC Suspend Strike Action

The Organised Labour Unions in Nigeria; Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC)  and Trade Union Congress (TUC), has suspended its proposed strike action. This is barely 24 hours after Nationwide protests held.

The President of Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo made this known during an interview with Newsmen on this morning.

He said the Labour leaders who had earlier met with President Bola Tinubu extracted some commitments to some of the issues raised during the meeting for immediate implementation.

He explained the suspension of the strike was based on the outcome of the meeting.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress had earlier announced that it would proceed with the nationwide mass protest as initially planned, following a meeting with the Federal Government.

The NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero noted that the outcome of the meeting with the government did not yield positive any changes or concessions that would alter their course of action. They stressed that they remained steadfast in their commitment to representing the Nigerian workers’ and people’s interests and desires.

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