News

Rep Aguocha to Deputy Speaker: Your comment on Abia govt condescending

Published

1 month ago

August 19, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Obinna Aguocha, has reprimanded the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu for his recent comments declaring Abia State an All Progressives Congress APC state in 2027.

Aguocha who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia state, expressed shock and disappointment over Rep. Kalu’s remarks, who called them condescending, denigrating, and disrespectful.

Rep. Aguocha questioned Kalu’s boldness to declare Vacant the seat of Abia State governor vacant by 2027, despite being a colleague and representing the good people of Bende Federal Constituency.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that Rep. Kalu represents Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State.

According to a statement by Rep. Aguocha on Monday in Abuja, he reprobates Kalu’s boastful claims and referrals to himself as No.6 in the order of leadership hierarchy of the Federal Government, and said it portrays him as “a man with brazenness and rabid indiscretion rather than a leader”.

He further reminded Kalu that his position as Deputy Speaker does not confer on him the authority to declare Abia State an APC state and therefore advised him to focus on his legislative duties, constituents, Abia State, and the Southeast.

Aguocha who is Chairman, House Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of all Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees also cautioned Kalu against hiding his ambition for the governorship stool of Abia State in 2027 behind a display of discontent and insincerity, and assured that Abians will repay Alex Otti for his achievements come 2027.

He further said that there is no vacancy in Abia State in 2027 and that anyone who doesn’t appreciate Dr. Alex Otti is an enemy of progress.

Rep. Aguocha also hinted that the Labour Party won Bende Federal Constituency in 2023 and could declare the seat vacant again.

Aguocha also admonished Kalu to elevate the noble ideals of demonstrable unity and stop chiding himself by dropping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name, reminding him that humility is a virtue.”

The statement reads “My dear colleague, your open vituperation and remarks against our Governor, Labour Party, and Abia State was very condescending, denigrating, and disrespectful in every sense of the word.

“Your personal opinion and partisanship aside. Your patently repeated boasting and referring to yourself as NO.6 in the order of leadership hierarchy of the Federal Government seen in the video clip portrays you less as a leader and more like a man with an open display of brazenness and rabid indiscretion. I would have advised you otherwise.

“My brother, we are distinguished colleagues with you representing the good people of Bende Federal Constituency. Whilst we elected you to be our Deputy Speaker, it does not confer on you an audacity to declare vacant the seat of the governor of Abia State in 2027.

“By your own striking admission that “Dr. Alex Otti is your friend, and that he has done very well, too, for our people, but that you, Hon. Ben Kalu owes your party, APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a duty to deliver Abia State, a Labour Party state to your party at the center as payback for the President’s political patronage to the Southeast viz; signing the Southeast Development Commission Act, etcetera.” What a brazen and uncontrolled outpouring of emotional fury.

“You went on to declare that the President’s party, the APC, will take over Abia State by 2027. I have known you to exhume boldness, which is often misconstrued as excessive arrogance but not this type of pugnacious instability.

“Lest that we are confused, especially in this season of significant economic hardship and high citizen expectations from those of us in government. Would it not have been advisable that we are seen focused on our legislative duties, our constituents, Abia State, and the Southeast at large. Sir, you must now use that all-important position as Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives to de-marginalize and reduce the agitation of our people and promote inclusiveness.

“My beloved brother, with due respect, your comments lacked introspection and reeks in recklessness, discernment, lack of humility, lack of rationality, and totally very unreasonable.

“If your ambition is to become the governor of Abia State by 2027, it is your right, but make it plain rather than hiding yourself in the shadows of discontent and display of insincerity and intemperate political culture. But I assure you that as you want Abians to repay Tinubu for his good works, so shall Abians repay Alex Otti for his mammoth achievements come 2027. Alex Otti will be reelected governor of Abia State.

“In your recent visits and encounters with His Excellency, “De Alley” as you fondly call him, you had seized every opportunity to debunk many tales of your ambition for the governorship stool of Abia state come 2027 and each time pledging loyalty and support to the demonstrable and visible achievements of governor Alex Otti.

“My Honourable colleague, you should be made to know that there’s no vacancy in Abia State in 2027. As you are aware, for almost 24 years, this is the first time Abia has awakened to great leadership and governance strides. Anyone that doesn’t appreciate Dr. Alex Otti is an avowed enemy of progress. Recall that the Labour Party also won Bende Federal Constituency in 2023. We can also be brazen enough to declare that seat vacant again.

“My Right Honourable, this is not the first time the Southeast was blessed with the position of the Deputy Speaker. Right Honourable (Chief) Emeka Ihedioha in 2011. The opportunity now ought not be wasted only in rubbing shoulders and chanting your No 6 position at every opportunity.

“Sir, may it please you to note: while we appreciate President Tinubu for signing the Southeast Development Commission into law along side Development Commissions for every geo-political zone in the country, We have not seen or heard our leader, the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Right Honourable Dr. Tajudeen Abbas cajoling and mocking his people of the Northwest with his own feat of including the Northwest in the Development Commissions as the No 4 citizen in the federation. Humility is indeed a virtue.

“Right Honourable, methinks we should elevate the noble ideals of demonstrable unity and stop chiding yourself by each time dropping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name in a manner suggesting that Dr Alex Otti is at war with the President. President Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti had known

Gloria Ikibah

Rep. Aguocha questioned Kalu’s boldness to declare Vacant the seat of Abia State governor vacant by 2027, despite being a colleague and representing the good people of Bende Federal Constituency.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that Rep. Kalu represents Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State.

He further said that there is no vacancy in Abia State in 2027 and that anyone who doesn’t appreciate Dr. Alex Otti is an enemy of progress.

Rep. Aguocha also hinted that the Labour Party won Bende Federal Constituency in 2023 and could declare the seat vacant again.

Aguocha also admonished Kalu to elevate the noble ideals of demonstrable unity and stop chiding himself by dropping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name, reminding him that humility is a virtue.”

“You went on to declare that the President’s party, the APC, will take over Abia State by 2027.

“Right Honourable, thinks we should elevate the noble ideals of demonstrable unity and stop chiding yourself by each time dropping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name in a manner suggesting that Dr Alex Otti is at war with the President. President Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti had known each other, spanning their various careers for at least 20 years of their personal relationships. You have just arrived on the national stage in the last one year. So what is all this talk about “APC must take Abia to Tinubu?”

“Lastly, my dear brother, please be reminded that the Labour Party under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti took Abia State by a landslide in an election in which APC scored less than 4% of total state-wide votes to come a distant 4th position while Labour Party secured at least 65% of the lawful votes rendered. Dr. Alex Otti has since coming into the fray shown overwhelming capacity in transforming the state and changing our once negative narrative. To dream of taking Abia under the Labour Party government to APC will take much more than mere grandstanding.

“Abia people are still safe and will remain so with a high performing Alex Otti by 2027 and beyond. In the light of this, my sincere advice for you, my worthy and esteemed colleague should be to try a new political project if the position of the Deputy Speaker and the No.6 in the country is now belittling to your status”.

News

Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs

Published

5 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.

The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.

President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.

“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”

“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.

Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.

Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.

News

Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election

Published

6 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.

The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.

The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.

A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.

The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”

He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”

“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”

The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.

News

Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls

Published

6 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.

In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.

However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.

Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.

The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.

In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.

Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.

The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.

Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.

The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.

The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.

He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.

Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.

He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.