News

President Buhari Is Breaking The Law – Femi Falana

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari is running a foul of the law in his decision not to terminate the current crop of security Service Chiefs, Femi Falana has said.

Femi Falana, who appeared on Sunrise Daily, argued that the laws regulating military officers require the retirement of military officers who have served for 35 years or have reached the age of 60.

He added that a lawsuit would be filed this week in respect of the matter.

In an interview that lasted more than 20 minutes, Mr Falana also said President Buhari “must be prevailed upon” to acknowledge the possibility of “internal sabotage” within the military in the war against insurgency.

Responding to statements from the Presidency cautioning against public protests against the government, Mr Falana said such comments should be “embarrassing” to the President who, before he took the country’s reins, had led public demonstrations.

What Falana Actually Said

“Under the public service rule, under the harmonised rules for military officers in Nigeria and under Section 6 of the armed forces act, which empowers the President to make rules and regulations for the military, there is no provision for extension of tenure (for Service Chiefs) beyond the period stipulated by law. It has been done in the past, but that does not make it right. There is equality before the law, so you can’t extend the service of certain officers while you ask others to go after 35 years of service or the attainment of 60 years of age.

“To the best of my knowledge, a suit will be filed during the week, in respect of this matter.

“The President must be prevailed upon to appreciate that we may also be undergoing what you might describe as internal sabotage (in the fight against insurgency) by many members of the armed forces who simply feel since these are the people who can stop insurgency or terrorism, let them go ahead. Because the Chief of Army Staff himself has had an occasion to accuse members of the armed forces of not doing enough.

“The Service Chiefs are retiring officers who have served for 35 years or have reached the age of 60 – it is their fault not to appeal to the President for them to go or to resign.

On Caution Against Public Protests

“Is the Nigerian state telling us that a protest by 2,000 people cannot be managed? What on earth is going on? We have to recognise the right of Nigerians to protest for or against the government. And just last week in Abuja sponsored agents of the government staged a protest asking the government to expel Amnesty International from Nigeria. Even against me, the government had sponsored some elements to demonstrate in Abuja. I have evidence. If the government can mobilise support and get its agents to demonstrate in favour of its own policies; Nigerians must also be given the opportunity to demonstrate against policies of the government considered inimical to their interest.

“I want to believe that some of these statements oozing out of the Presidency are meant to embarrass the government, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari. Because the case of ANPP and Inspector General of Police decided by the Court of Appeal in December 2007 on the rights of Nigerians to demonstrate without police permit, without the fiat of the government, was handled for the former leaders of the ANPP, who are now in the APC, by my humble self, from the High Court to the Court of Appeal; and that is the law today.

“Following that judgement, the National Assembly in 2015 amended the Public Order Act by imposing a duty on the police to provide security for Nigerians who wish to demonstrate. That is the law today.

“Whenever I have had cause to lead a demonstration or participate in one, we have always written to the police for protection, not for permit. And I must confess, so far, I have not had any case where we have been told not to demonstrate. The only time, I think, was last year when Professor Soyinka and I were supposed to address a meeting and the police said it won’t take place; I said no, call the authorities, this is the right we have fought for and won. And in fairness to them, we were allowed to have the program.

“What is particularly embarrassing is that on the 20th of November 2014, the Presidential Candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, now President Muhammadu Buhari, the then APC Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, two current Ministers, Dr. Sylvester Onu and Rotimi Amaechi, led others to demonstrate in Abuja against insecurity in the country, and they were more than 2,000. Heavens did not fall and heavens will not fall this time around.”

News

50% telecom tariff hike: NATCOMS backs decision as NLC bows to FG’s pressure

Published

6 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The Nigeria Labour Congress bowed to pressure to halt its planned Tuesday nationwide protest against the 50 percent telecommunication tariff hike.

Also, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers backed the decision by the organized Labour.

Gatekeeper reports that the NLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government after a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday night.

In the MoU signed by the SGF, Senator George Akume, NLC president Joe Ajaero, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, and the National Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, both parties agreed to set up a technical committee to resolve gray areas in the 50 percent telecom tariff approval.

However, NLC reiterated its rejection of the tariff hike.

“Arising from the meeting convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria on the proposed 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs in the country, which the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed strong opposition to, citing its potential negative impact on the Nigerian workers and the economy with a threat to proceed on a one-day nationwide mass protest, the following resolutions were reached: That there is a need for the parties to sit together in a technical group to resolve most of the thorny areas raised during the discussion; consequently, a 10-man joint committee was set up of five (5) representatives each from the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); and the committee shall conclude and submit its deliberations within two (2) weeks from this 3rd day of February, 2025.

“The parties call on the Nigerian people to remain calm while this committee concludes its assignment,” the communique after the meeting stated.

Earlier, a civic society organisation known as the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, NCSCN, had announced the suspension of its planned protest against the 50 percent tariff hike.

Recall that last week, NLC announced Tuesday, 4th February, 2025, as a date for a one-day mass protest against the telecom tariff hike.

In a notice last Thursday by NLC National Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union had already asked the state congress and affiliate union to mobilise for Tuesday’s mass protest.

This comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission on January 2025 approved a 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike for operators.

The approval has sparked tariff hike controversy in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

NLC and other telecom subscribers had opposed the tariff implementation, citing the persistent economic hardship Nigerians already face.

Subscribers back nationwide protest suspension.

DAILYPOST

Politics

Edo tribunal: PDP, Ighodalo, close case against Gov. Okpegholo

Published

8 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

*As INEC opens defence Wednesday

After calling 19 witnesses at the Edo State governorship election tribunal, to attack the credibility and outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election that produced governor Monday Okpegholo, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, closed their case.

The decision was communicated to the Justice Wilfred Kpochi- led three-member tribunal yesterday by counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN.

In their petition, the petitioners who called 19 witnesses and tendered several documents and devices used for the disputed polls, urged the tribunal to nullify the election of Governor Okpegholo over alleged irregularities including over-voting and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, produced five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines that were used for the election.

The electronic devices, which were tendered by a Senior Technical Officer in the ICT Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Anthony Itodo, were admitted in evidence, amidst opposition from the camp of the respondents.
This is in addition to the 148 BVAS machines that had earlier been admitted in evidence by the tribunal for the conduct of the election in 133 polling units.
After the short proceedings, the tribunal then adjourned till Wednesday for INEC to open its defence.
The electoral body had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ighodalo of the PDP, who got a total of 247,655 votes.

However dissatisfied with the results, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, praying it to nullify INEC’s declaration of the APC and Okpebholo as winners of the election.

In the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the petitioners argued that Governor Okpebholo of the APC did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

Daily Sun

News

FG approves N4.8bn for HIV/AIDS treatment amid U.S. funding suspension

Published

8 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

…Okays $1bn HOPE programme to fix PHCs, others

Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved a significant allocation of N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs, aimed at supporting Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.

This decision comes in light of the recent suspension of U.S. government funding for HIV programs, which is undergoing a 90-day review period.

Addressing Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria, Wale Edun and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, explained that the approval underscores Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring continuous access to life-saving treatment for individuals affected by the virus.

The funding landscape for HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria has been heavily reliant on international assistance, particularly from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund. Historically, about 80% of HIV response funding has come from external donors, with domestic contributions lagging behind.

Under the Buhari’s administration, the government had admitted that since 2005, about $6.2 billion had been spent on HIV response in Nigeria, with approximately 80% of these funds contributed by external donors.

Pate, on Monday emphasised the importance of this funding: “This allocation is critical for ensuring that those living with HIV continue to receive necessary treatments without interruption.”

The approved budget will facilitate the procurement of 150,000 treatment packs over a four-month period. This initiative not only aims to provide immediate relief but also demonstrates Nigeria’s intent to build a more sustainable domestic financing model for health interventions.

The minister said FEC also set up a committee with membership drawn from the Ministries of Finance, Budget, Defence, Environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum to come up with a sustainability plan.

Responding to U.S. Policy Shifts on Development Assistance

Addressing recent U.S. policy changes affecting development assistance for diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, Pate highlighted Nigeria’s proactive approach to sustainability. “While we appreciate the contributions of the U.S. government over the last 20 years, Nigeria is now focused on transforming its health sector using national systems and domestic financing,” he said.

To ensure a seamless transition amid these policy shifts, a committee comprising key ministries and state governors has been tasked with developing a sustainability plan. “This is about ensuring that no Nigerian loses access to treatment during this period of adjustment,” he emphasised.

Pate said FEC approved the HOPE (Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity) programme, a $1 billion initiative designed to strengthen governance and primary healthcare systems nationwide. “This programme is very much in line with the direction of this administration—to focus on investing in the human capital of Nigerians. People are at the center of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Pate stated.

The funding, developed in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), allocates $500 million for governance improvements and another $500 million to enhance primary healthcare. The governance component will incentivize states to recruit and train teachers and healthcare workers, while the healthcare portion will expand primary health care services, improve quality, and boost resilience. “This is about accelerating transformation in the health sector,” Pate explained, referencing the ongoing Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) launched in 2023.

The programme also includes $70 million in grant financing from the Global Financing Facility to support maternal and child health services. “We are building on free emergency medical services for maternal and child health as part of this initiative,” Pate added