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Constitution Review: Reps Will Engage Local Government, Devolution of Power – Kalu

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By Gloria Ikibah
The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and Chairman Committee on Constitution Review, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has stressed that enhancing the functionality of local governments, judiciary, electoral matters, and security is central to the ongoing constitutional review by the parliament.
The Deputy Speaker who stated this during a meeting of the House Committee on Constitution Review on  Thursday, called attention to additional key issues such as the devolution of power, gender equality, revenue and fiscal reforms, and human rights.
According to him, these topics will receive significant attention from the parliament throughout the review process, and that parliament aims to “bolster the autonomy and effectiveness of local government administrations, ensuring they serve as the grassroots foundation of governance”.
Kalu emphasised the importance of promoting judicial independence, improving access to justice, and streamlining the administration of justice for all Nigerians, while maintaining the integrity, transparency, and inclusiveness of the electoral processes.
On security, he said the constitution review will address the urgent need for a more robust and localized security framework to safeguard lives and properties, promote a more equitable distribution of responsibilities between the federal, state, and local governments and advance gender equity, ensuring fair representation and inclusion of women in all spheres of governance.
The committee chairman further stated that the Committee will produce a constitution that will enhance fiscal responsibility, equity in revenue allocation, and economic development across all tiers of government and strengthen the protection and promotion of fundamental rights, reflecting the aspirations of all Nigerians.
Kalu said: “These areas are not just pillars of our constitutional review; they are the foundation for building a more equitable, just, and functional Nigeria.
“As we all know, constitution amendment is a complex process, requiring the input, consensus, and sacrifice of diverse stakeholders across our federation. This committee has made remarkable progress, but there is still much to be done. I implore you to continue to double your efforts, maintaining the momentum necessary for the success of this national endeavour”.
Rep. Kalu reeled out the successes so far recorded by the committee to include successful engagement with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and attendance of the southwest zonal Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures – Southwest Zone.
He explained that “these engagements are a testament to our commitment to inclusivity, dialogue, and consensus-building as the bedrock of this constitution review process”.
He further revealed that the House was organizing a National Dialogue on Local Government and Constitution Amendment scheduled to be held on Monday, 2nd December 2024, in Abuja.
“This event is a vital platform to consolidate ideas and strategies for achieving a robust local government framework, which is critical to our constitutional review efforts.
“In addition, other engagements that we will be having include public engagement on tax reforms as it concerns the constitution amendment and a public engagement with political parties.”
“As we continue in this historic undertaking, let us remain guided by our shared commitment to strengthening our democracy, deepening our federal structure, and fostering unity and prosperity for all Nigerians.”

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Wike Dismisses PDP-APM Alliance Claim as ‘419 Politics,’ Hails Abuja Satellite Town Projects(Photos)

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday dismissed reports of an alleged alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), describing the claim as “Political 419.”

Speaking with journalists on Thursday, during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Gomani-Yangoje , Kwali Area Council, Abuja, Wike accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of misleading Nigerians with claims of a PDP-APM alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.

“When I say people are fraudulent, they thought I was joking. And that’s the 419 we are talking about,” Wike declared.

He said both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not aware of the existence of such alliance.

“There’s no alliance between PDP and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) or any other political party, as the case may be. INEC also knows that there’s nothing called PDP-APM alliance,” he stated.

According to him, ongoing political activities within the PDP, including the screening of aspirants, clearly showed that the party remained independent and had not entered into any coalition arrangement.

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“PDP has presented a presidential candidate and watch out who will be submitted to INEC and see whether there’s anything called PDP-APM,” he added.

Wike further alleged that Makinde was pursuing his personal presidential ambition through the APM platform.

“What you have is Seyi Makinde joining APM to be able to actualize his presidential ambition, which is already dead on arrival,” the minister said.

He insisted that Governor Bala Mohammed had never spoken of any PDP-APM alliance, adding that the narrative was merely a political imagination.

“It’s unfortunate. We know that has been his game plan and we would say he cannot fly the flag of PDP,” Wike said.

The minister also reacted to comments credited to the Governor of Rivers State concerning his continued membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the governor has not told anyone to pity him.

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“Sorry for what? Why are you saying problem when nobody has told you he has a problem?” Wike asked.

“The man has told you he still remains APC. So what is the problem now?”

He maintained that issues concerning the governor’s standing within the APC remained the party’s internal affair.

“Ask me about PDP, I will answer you. Because how will you ask me whatever happens? Assuming he has a problem, it’s their internal affairs,” he stated.

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2027: Blatant lies have expiry date — authentic PDP slams Makinde

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Authentic Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has slammed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, noting that propaganda has an expiry date.

This is as the faction publicly disowned a political gathering in Ibadan, Oyo State, accusing Makinde of using a purported alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement to advance his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

The factional National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, during a press briefing on Thursday, said the party had no involvement in the Ibadan gathering being promoted as a PDP/APM alliance meeting.

“We have called this briefing to address the misleading narratives and deliberate falsehoods being circulated concerning the social gathering scheduled to be held today in Ibadan under the guise of an alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement.

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“Let us state clearly and unequivocally that the PDP is not part of any alliance, coalition, agreement, or political arrangement with the Allied Peoples Movement or any other political party regarding this gathering or any related political activity.

“Any person or group claiming to be acting on behalf of the PDP in connection with this event is doing so without the knowledge, approval, consent, or authority of the party,” Jungudo said.

According to him, the Ibadan gathering had exposed what he described as Makinde’s real political direction.

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Peter Obi laments says “I wrote INEC chairman, he is acting Tinubu’s script

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Presidential aspirant of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has accused the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, of acting out a script allegedly written by President Bola Tinubu.

The former governor of Anambra State made the allegation in a yet-to-be-released interview with News Central TV.

Excerpts of the interview released by News Central TV, showed Obi disclosing that he recently wrote to the INEC boss, Amupitan, telling him that he will not be there forever.

Obi said, “If anybody had told me that we could use Professors to run our elections and it would be worse, I would have said a capital no.

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“I wrote to the present INEC Chairman and said, ” Remember, you will not be here forever”.

Asked if INEC is an agent of the president, Obi said, “Yes, completely. Whatever the INEC Chairman is doing today, he is acting the script written by the man who employed him”.

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