News
May 29: Saraki Charges Newly Sworn-in Governors
In commemoration of the 2019 Democracy Day, Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged newly sworn-in leaders to work for the development of Nigeria.
Mr Saraki also congratulated Nigerians on the country’s attainment of 20 years of uninterrupted democracy and urged the people to use democracy to institutionalise peace and genuine development.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President described the commemoration of 20 years of democracy as a thing of joy in view of the many positive developments the country has witnessed since May 29, 1999.
He advised Nigerians to fully take ownership of democracy and its institutions and use them to “entrench peace, welfare and improved standard of living for all our people.”
He said democracy is about the people and the people should use democracy to achieve social justice, equity, inclusiveness and economic self-reliance.
While urging the followers to hold their leaders accountable and ensure they always act in the best interest of the people and country, he also urged the people to be good followers and be law abiding at all times.
“We should avoid conflicts and bloodletting as no country can develop in the midst of chaos. We should all steer clear of issues, comments, and situations that emphasise our fault lines.
He called on all newly-elected leaders who were being sworn in on Wednesday to work for the development of the country and the continued preservation of the nation’s democracy.
He noted that the benefits of a constitutional democracy far outweigh the challenges that have confronted the country since the return of democracy.
He said, “It is a thing of absolute joy and national pride that we are today celebrating two decades of sustained democratic governance in the country.
“It is my hope that every Nigerian will look back at how far we have come in the last 20 years and resolve to continue to preserve our democracy — not minding the observed lapses in the operation of the system.
“We should continue to strive to preserve the present form of democratic governance because democracy still remains the best system of government.
“We have a duty to translate this dream into measurable realities in terms of the security and welfare of the people as well as the socio-economic and political advancement of the country.
“I believe that all our newly sworn-in leaders are fully abreast of the present realities and therefore would spare no effort in working to turn the country around for the better,” Mr Saraki stated.
News
We don’t have power to determine tenure of IGP – Police Service Commission
The Police Service Commission, PSC, has said it has no constitutional powers to determine the appointment or removal of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP.
Gatekeeper recalls that the Police Service Commission had last week directed all serving police officers who have served for 35 years, or attained the age of 60 years, to proceed on immediate retirement in line with existing laws.
Since the directive several public commentators have argued that the directives should also affect the tenure of the IGP.
But Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the PSC, in a statement on Monday, said, “By virtue of Paragraph 30, part 1 of the third schedule to the Constitution, and clause 6 (1) of the Police Service Commission (Establisment) Act, 2001, the Commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police).
“The law is clear on the mandate of the Commission and it does not extend to the Inspector General of Police who is an appointee of Mr. President with the advice of the Police Council.
“The Commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers which the Constitution has bestowed on it and is not interested in shopping for more powers that obviously are not backed by law.”
News
Electricity, telecom tariffs increase unconscionable, should be stopped – Shehu Sani
Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has described the planned increase in electricity and telecom tariffs as unconscionable.
The statement comes after the telecoms regulator last week approved the increase in mobile tariffs.
The federal government also recently said that plans were ongoing to increase electricity tariffs “over the next few months.”
However, Sani, who said the government’s plan is unreasonable, insisted that it should be halted.
The ex-lawmaker also expressed his support for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the scheduled protest against the government’s proposal, calling it a welcome development.
“The planned increase in electricity tariffs in the midst of poor power supply and the proposal to increase telecom tariffs is unconscionable and should be halted. The scheduled labour union protest is a welcome development,” he posted on X.
News
Trump to cut off funding to South Africa, gives reason
The United States President, Donald Trump, has revealed his decision to cut off all future funding to South Africa, citing poor treatment of “certain classes of people.”
Trump made this known on Sunday in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.
According to Trump, South Africa was seizing land and mistreating some citizens without concern for the violations of their rights.
“South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.
“I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” Trump wrote.
Reports suggest that the American leader may be defending White South Africans, some of whom have alleged that the South African policy is unfair to them.
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