News
ECA: PDP Urges Lawmakers To Summon Buhari Over ‘Missing’ $1Billion
The Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has charged the National Assembly to invoke Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution to summon President Muhammadu Buhari to answer questions on the $1 billion withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account, ECA.
Recall that the Presidency had, in 2017, withdrawn the fund for the purchase of Tucano fighter Aircraft from the United States of America, USA, without the approval of the National Assembly.
In a statement Sunday by the Spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party specifically called on the Federal Lawmakers to set up an Ad hoc Committee to “recover” the sum, allegedly “missing” from the ECA.
“The party craves the National Assembly, as true representatives of the people, to be firm in invoking its powers under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to give account of the money, which was drawn from the ECA by his Presidency, without recourse to Legislative appropriation,” the PDP said.
According to the party, the call for Buhari’s interrogation is predicated on allegations of complicity in the public space against the Presidency, following its failure to address the matter since.
The PDP recalled a recent media report allegedly credited to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Gen. Babagana Mongunu claiming not to be aware of the status of the fund.
The statement further stated: “Whereas section 88 gives the National Assembly the overriding powers to conduct investigations to, among other things, expose corruption and inefficiency in administration of public funds, section 89 empowers it, among other things, to summon ANY PERSON in Nigeria to give evidence or produce any document under his possession or control, related to the issues under investigation.
“The PDP therefore urges the National Assembly to uphold the constitution by inviting President Buhari to produce documents that approved the withdrawal of the money, the terms of withdrawal, the channeling of the funds, as well as those involved in its handling.
“The party further implores the Federal Legislature to stand in the interest of the nation and resist all plots by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the cabal at the Presidency to sweep the matter under the carpet”.
The PDP urged the Legislators to reflect on the pains of Nigerians, particularly, victims of killings, bloodlettings, kidnappings and other acts of violence, which the party said, has continued unrepressed, while funds meant for security were reportedly being frittered.
“This is especially as allegation in the public space remains rife that funds meant for security in our nation were diverted to finance APC 2019 election campaigns, while insecurity festers in our country.
“The PDP notes that since the Buhari Presidency and the APC do not have any cogent clarifications, the National Assembly should exercise its investigative powers under the constitution to interrogate the issue as well as recover the money in the general interest,” the statement added.
News
Basketmouth slams filmmakers for failing to showcase Nigeria’s culture in movies
Popular comedian and filmmaker, Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, has accused some of his colleagues of not showcasing Nigeria’s rich culture in their movies.
The movie star alleged that most of the epic movies released recently do not promote the country’s culture.
In an interview with Hip TV, Basketmouth claimed that the filmmakers wasted opportunities to showcase Nigeria’s culture positively.
He said, “I believe that we still have the opportunity to get it right. But we had a great opportunity to showcase our culture and most of the filmmakers blew it up. They just ruined that great chance because I see epic movies and they look like stage plays.
“When I was seeing most of the epic movies, I was disappointed.
“You guys blew up a great opportunity but let’s hope we still have another chance to strike at it.
“I’m sorry, only very few movies have impressed me so far. I believe that we can do more.”
News
Gov Abiodun commiserates with Makinde, Soludo, Wike over stampede victims
The chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, SGF, and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has sympathised with the governments and people of Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, over the tragic loss of lives resulting from recent stampedes at food palliative distribution venues in the affected areas.
The stampedes reportedly claimed the lives of approximately 65 Nigerians, while others sustained varying degrees of injury.
Abiodun expressed his sorrow in sympathy notes to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and Nyesom Wike of the Federal Capital Territory, saying that the deaths of the victims were especially tragic because they were pursuing necessities for survival.
The SGF Chairman noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, together with other levels of government, is still working to improve the living standards of the populace, despite the current economic difficulties they confront.
To prevent further tragedy, Abiodun urged all Nigerians to exercise caution and follow security procedures when attending palliative distribution events.
He said: “Deaths such as these diminish us as a people. These disasters occurred at a time when families around the world are in a festive and joyous mood. It is indeed tragic.
“I, on behalf of my family and the good people of Ogun State, commiserate with my brother governors, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the families of the victims, and all Nigerians on these unfortunate incidents.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
News
Nigerian Govt lifts ban on mining in Zamfara after five years
The Federal Government has suspended the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State five years after the sanction was imposed.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
“The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state.
“Nigeria has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast gold, Lithium, and copper belts,” the statement read.
According to the minister, the previous ban, which was well intentioned, inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners to fleece the nation of its resources.
Alake also emphasized that the state’s potential for contributing to national revenue is enormous.
“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool.
“Since the beginning of the Tinubu administration, however, intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations have resulted in the neutralization of key bandit commanders, significantly reducing incidents of insecurity.
“A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara,” he added.
The minister further stated that the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.
He said this would enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources.
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