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Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang, has denied claims of the reintroduction of the on-shore/off-shore dichotomy in sharing formula of the Federation Account Allocation to littoral states. He told State House correspondents in Abuja on Monday that the issue has been politicised and being used to campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Enang, the misconception was due to the recommendations of the committee set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on re-structuring and true federalism. “Attention is drawn to the campaign against Mr President, the APC as a party and the Committee, chaired by Gov. El-Rufai on proposal for re-structuring of Nigeria Report.“It is alleged that the said Report is re-introducing on-shore-off-shore dichotomy intended to deprive the littoral states of Akwa lbom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Lagos among others of the derivation content of Revenue allocation.

“It is also alleged that the greater part of Akwa Ibom State revenue is from off-shore oil.“As preliminary, I want to state a forehand that neither President Muhammed Buhari, the APC as a ruling party nor the Report on re-structuring has reintroduced covertly or overtly or in any manner whatsoever the abrogated on-shore-off-shore dichotomy.“And that the statutory allocation to Akwa Ibom and other littoral States will not decrease.

“I speak and say again that the intendment of the (APC) Report is to allow the states control resources and devolve more powers to the states, and consequently increase allocation to the states, of which Akwa Ibom is among”. The presidential aide further stated that the APC’s committee in response to popular opinion, recommended an upward review of the present derivation formula and adoption of the said formula in favour of solid minerals and hydro power.

According to him, the recommendation will require the amendment of section of the Constitution, and no suggestion has been made for the abrogation of this Act in the recommendations, and no proposed Bill is drafted in the Report. “Finally, may l state that at no point has it recommended for on-shore-off-shore dichotomy to be re-introduced or enforced, and the Federal Government is not doing so at this moment?“May this be enough to allay the fears of the agitated or lay to rest the malicious issues raised by false alarmists.”

BIG STORY

Tinubu Meets PDP’s G-5 Members

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President Bola Tinubu is in a meeting with members of the defunct ‘G5 Governors’ at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The group made up of Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde; former Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Ifeanyi Ugwuwanyi (Enugu) and Samuel Ortom (Benue) are all members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The group is considered to have been friendly with President Tinubu and contributed to his electoral victory in February.

Although the reason for the visit is yet to be known, it is believed Makinde and the former Governors would be seeking to take advantage of their cordial relationship with the President to gain political capital.

Makinde and Wike have frequented the Villa a couple of times in the last few days

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

Nasarawa Assembly Sealed Off By Police Over Election Of Two Speakers

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The Nasarawa house of assembly complex has been sealed off by the police, following the election of two speakers for the seventh assembly.

Ramhan Nansel, the state police public relations officer (PPRO), said Maiyaki Mohammed-Baba, the commissioner of police, gave the directive after consultation with other security agencies in the state.

He said the action was taken to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

On Tuesday, the members-elect held two parallel proceedings resulting in the election of the different speakers for the assembly.

Ibrahim Abdullahi, the incumbent speaker, and Daniel Ogazi, member representing Kokona east constituency, were elected at the different proceedings.

While Abdullahi was elected at a sitting which took place at the ministry for local government and chieftaincy affairs by 11 out of the 24 members-elect, Ogazi was elected by 13 members at plenary at the state assembly complex.

Earlier report had it that the inauguration of the 7th assembly, which was scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed by Ibrahim Musa, acting clerk of the assembly who cited security reasons.

Reacting to the development, Abdullahi said his re-election followed due process and constitutional provisions.

Abdullahi spoke while inspecting the level of damage done to facilities at the assembly complex following the leadership tussle.

“During my swearing in and that of the deputy speaker, Hon. Jacob Kudu, the clerk of the house was seated, the deputy clerk, sergeant-at-arm and his deputy as well as management staff were all present,” Abdullahi said.

“But sadly, very sadly, some people went into the hallowed chamber under the leadership of a grade level 8 officer to administer oath of allegiance and oath of office.

“As far as I am concerned, they are not inaugurated and they remain members-elect of the state house of assembly as their inauguration was illegal because it did not follow due process.”

He said any inauguration other than the one conducted by the clerk of the house is invalid.

The speaker urged the people to discard any suspension given by the Daniel Ogazi-led camp as invalid “because the group acted unlawfully”.

“How can you suspend members that are not part of your inauguration?” Abdullahi asked.

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BIG STORY

Aregbesola Denies Apology Report, Says He Holds No Grudges

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Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the former governor of Osun State, stressed on Wednesday that he is not at odds with anyone and is determined to work with everyone to bring the progressives back into power in the state.

According to him, the reports in some sections of the media that he blamed the devil and seeking for forgiveness is untrue and misleading.

The immediate past minister of interior said irrespective of what happened in the past, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must heal and jettison personal gains for the reinvigoration of the party.

He spoke at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, at his homecoming reception after his tenure in the federal cabinet.

He called on stakeholders, true progressive, traditional, and social institutions who believe in the party’s development agenda to rally members for successive elections.

His words: “I hold no grudge with anyone in Osogbo or Osun. My hands are wide open to work and receive anyone. Anyone who has issues with me has their reasons, but I hold no grudge against anyone.

“It is never my desire to leave any of them, but now that they have gone the way they did, I beseech you, our royal father, to plead with them. I would always wish them well and always desire to work with them.

“Anywhere I am, please be rest assured that Osogbo and Osun interests are covered,” the former governor said.

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