Bauchi State Government has reiterated its commitment to the provision of adequate security of lives and properties of all the people of the state just as it commiserated with the family that lost its loved one and sympathised with all those who were injured in the unfortunate bomb blast that occurred at the Tudun Wadan Dan Iya popularly called Bayan Gari area of the state capital last Sunday evening.
A Press Release from the office of the Governor signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor indicated that the Governor, Isa Yuguda regretted the incidence and reassured the citizens that government is on top of the situation and will do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime against humanity to book.
The release which was made available to Journalists in Bauchi further contained that all noticed security lapses have been corrected with the aim of ensuring that o criminal was left unpunished just as he also called on the people to be vigilant of those around them advising them to immediately report to the security agencies any person whose movement looks suspicious.
Isa Yuguda according to the release also called for prayers by all irrespective of religious differences so that God will expose all those behind the rampant bomb blast across the country calling particularly the Muslim faithful to use the Ramadan fasting period to pray for divine intervention in the security situation of the country.
He then commended the efforts of the security agents in the state for their regular patrols which he observed has made the state a safe place to live in compared to other states in the country particularly neighbouring states calling on them to do more in order to ensure that the state remained peaceful.
The Governor then called on all traditional and community leaders to be full involved in neighbourhood vigilante in order to complement the efforts of the security agencies because according to him, security is supposed to be everybody’s business as is obtained in other parts of the world.
The State Security Service SSS, Monday invited convener of the Save Nigeria Group, SNG, Pastor Tunde Bakare for questioning over the content of his Sunday sermon asking President Goodluck Jonathan to resign from office. Pastor Bakare was invited to meet with the State director of the SSS at.
Its Shangisha office in Lagos for a 2 pm meeting. The fiery Lagos pastor and political activist yesterday delivered a sermon titled: ‘How to change government peacefully and make society better’.
In a telephone chat with Vanguard, spokesman of the Save Nigeria Group, Mr Yinka Odumakin confirmed the explained the invitation was “a friendly chat.”
As the Battle of impeachment against President Goodluck Jonathan takes the center stage, information available to 247ureports disclose that all may not be ease for President Jonathan who is reportedly running from pillar to Post to quench the impending impeachment threats coming against him.
Inside sources within the Villa disclose that soon after the threat issued by the House of Representatives on their resolve to commence impeachment Process against Mr. President on 18th September as soon the return from recess if he fails to implement the budget to 100%.
According to the Source; “Soon after that announcement by the House to commence impeachment process against President Goodluck Jonathan, knowing fully well that the country is bankrupt and there is no money in the treasure that will be used to implement the budget to 100% as demanded by the House.”
According to the source; “The President summoned the CBN governor asking him to release money from the CBN, a request which the CBN Governor turned down telling him there is no money, and he also made another request to him asking print more money, the CBN Governor this time told him if that is done the inflation will go up and the value of naira to a dollar will be up to N300 to one dollar.”
“He met with the Economic team, and told them that the Subsidy on fuel should be removed totally, the Economic team also disagreed with him, as they told him that if that happen the country will be thrown in flames as what happened in January will be little compare to what will happen if the subsidy is being removed totally.
At the moment the President is said to be in total confusion as the House is said to be adamant to his pleas even as the intervention of the Senate President and PDP top shots is said not to have done anything.
Reports reaching 247ureports indicates that President Jonathan is now facing the battle of his life as tries to quell the impeachment battle that is seriously coming against him. Soon after the threat of impeachment last week before their recess, it was gathered that President Jonathan swung into action in order to broker a peace with the enraged House of Representatives members, as he invited the Speaker of the House Aminu Tambuwal for a talk.
However, aside the meeting with Jonathan, the President of the Senate David Mark has also waded into the crisis, as it was gathered that Senator Mark and other Principal Officers have intervened in the unfolding scenario, but it seems all pleas have fallen on deaf ears, as the House has decided to commence impeachment process against the President this September in the event the President continues to go wrong in the implementation of the 2012 budget.
Sources within the Presidency said there were also indications that Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal has been under severe pressure from some political bigwigs concerning the House of Representatives resolution as it was also gathered that yesterday Senator Mark also visited the Presidential Villa with Speaker Tambuwal.
According to sources Senator Mark was said to be in solidarity with the House resolution as he highlighted the importance of the House member’s resolution.
“The Senate President noted that the executive had in the past complained that the National Assembly unduly increased the budget proposals presented by the executive but he told them that this time that the senate and the House passed the budget virtually as presented by the executive and that there was as such no reason not to implement the budget.
“The Senate President further noted the fact that all revenue generating agencies had virtually attained their targets for the year and that yet implementation was still standing at 30%,” a source revealed.
Meanwhile, another source also alleged that in their bid to also make sure that the executive listen to their warning, it was gathered that some House Members have began to articulate an article of impeachment if Mr. President fail to ensure implementation of the budget.
“We have formed a group to monitor the issue and prepare an article of impeachment should the President fail to comply. Our goal is to have an article of impeachment ready once the House resumes in September. For now nothing is happening. We are only watching and the ball is in their court,” the member said, yesterday, on the condition of anonymity. It was the House that agreed on the resolution and for a change to be effected it has to be done by the whole House. We carry out oversight functions; we know the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government far better than the Executive arm, a House member laments.
Source said the senators have joined forces with the Representatives because both chambers (Senate and House) must work together on impeachment in line with constitutional provisions. According to Section 143 (1): The President or Vice-President may be removed from office in accordance with the provision of this section. (2): Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less one-third of the members of the National Assembly: (a) is presented to the President of the Senate; (b) stating that the holder of the office of President or Vice-President is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.
“Some of us have met with some members of the House of Representatives to tell them that we are in support of their action. The battle is not that of the House alone, it is for the National Assembly. Let Mr. President take his time to gauge the feeling of all senators, he will know that they are not happy with his administration on the poor implementation of the budget.”
“As a chamber, the Senate has passed many resolutions too which the president has not implemented. We considered the reports on Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) and pension fraud but the government just kept quiet as if we are in the Senate as spectators. I can tell you that there are sufficient grounds to initiate impeachment process against the President,’’ said a Senator.
While another senator said: “The Presidency will be making a great mistake to bank on the Senate for reprieve if the House is adamant to actualise its impeachment threat. On security ground alone, the impeachment proceedings will succeed. We are all tired of the high-level of insecurity in the country. So, it is in the interest of the executive to implement the budget as directed by the House instead of glossing over last Thursday’s resolution of the House.”
Yet another senator said: “We will use this recess to consolidate our plans on what to do if the President does not address the budget implementation target.
“We all felt insulted that the president also recalled the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, in spite of issues surrounding her tenure. “Nigerians should appreciate that even if the Senate maintains a parallel position, senators and representatives will eventually hold a joint session where votes will count equally. With the numerical strength of the House, any motion can sail through at the joint sitting.”
According a Principal Officer of the House; “the overwhelming support for the ultimatum given to the President should be a signal that there is a communication gap between the executive and the House. Not even members of the House from the South-South could rally round the executive. That has confirmed that we all saw the Nigerian Project beyond ethnicity. It also showed the waning influence of the President in the National Assembly.
“As a matter of fact, the motion on the budget was drafted by a member of the House from the South-South. The member was determined to move the motion openly but for tactical reasons, the House leadership decided otherwise. The country is not moving forward, we are unhappy.
“We have opened up talks with some senators on the way forward. I think constitutionally, we can find a solution to the challenges at hand in the country. We have our game plan, some senators and House members are also meeting in the United Kingdom and United States during the vacation on this game plan.”
Meanwhile a member of the House who spoke to 247ureports on condition of anonymity said that a lot of issues are against the President which indicates that they House are fighting back against the President.
“The issue of Otteh who was recalled by the President is an insult to the House and entire Nigeria as we are not happy with that development, look at the way the President is handling the Farouk and Otedola issue and even going as far as setting up his own probe committee after the House has done a good job in their own probe and instead of prosecuting those indicted, he went on to set up his own probe committee again. Moreover we are not happy with the issue of security which President has not shown any act of seriousness.”
In his determination to make his administration more effective in service delivery to the people of Bauchi State, Governor Isa Yuguda has appointed a seasoned Banker, Adamu Alkali as his Principal Private Secretary, (PPS) with a charge on him to step up effectiveness in the pace of the administration as it enters the crucial stage of its tenure just as Engineer Aliyu Jibrin was upgraded to a Special Adviser on Due Process and Special Projects..
Swearing in the new appointee at the Conference Hall of the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja Monday, Isa Yuguda explained that the office of the PPS was reintroduced with the aim of ensuring that government machinery was reawaken to meet the demands of the present time as contained in a Press Release from the office of the Governor signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Ishola Michael Adeyemi..
Isa Yuguda added that as the PPS, “you are in charge of all correspondences of the Government and Governor both official and public, you are to bring in to administration your vast experiences so that the machinery of government will be reinvigorated to meet the demands of the present times.”
The Governor added that, “you must be patience and intelligent in the discharge of your official and private duties because you will come across many people both politicians and civil servants, deal with each with wisdom and diligence and i am confident that you will do it having excelled in your chosen career over the years.”
He however told the new PPS that in the discharge of his official duties he will relate with the offices of the SSG and that of the Chief of Staff as well as other principal officials and appointees of the government saying that, “you should all join hands to be able to serve the people well while the administration achieves its goal of effective service delivery to the people of the state.”
In his response, the new PPS to Bauchi State Governor, Adamu Alkali assured that he will not betray the trust and confidence reposed in him by the Governor adding that he will do his best to deliver pointing out that there is no way he will fail considering the much that has been done by the administration for the good of the people of the state.
He also assured that he will work harmoniously with all the people in the administration both civil servants and politicians because according to him, “the target is effective service delivery and whatever it takes to do that i will do with others so that the administration will complete its tenure on a sound note.”.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has enjoined the Muslim faithful to make supplications to Allah to heal the wounds of the nation and shower the people with His blessings.
In his Ramadan message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the Governor said the success of the July 14 governorship election in the state is enough proof that prayers are answered when the people pray as one.
According to him, “I urge all the Muslim faithful on the occasion of yet another Holy month of Ramadan to make supplications to Allah to forgive our sins individually and collectively and heal the wounds of our land.
“The remarkable success of the July 14 governorship election in the state is due to the prayers of the Ummah and it was enough proof that prayers are answered when the people pray as one.
“We must therefore renew our supplications to Almighty Allah to bless our collective efforts as we take bold steps to reposition our state and to grant her the peace and unity necessary for her prosperity and progress.
“I pray to Almighty Allah to grant our people the grace needed to excel in the Holy month.”
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha explained yesterday that the House resolution on budget implementation was informed by the House belief that appropriate and timely execution of the budget would critically fast-track infrastructural development in the country.
He noted the preparedness of the House towards working closely with the executive to ensuring that the 2012 Budget and the subsequent budgets are comprehensively implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians. The Deputy Speaker made these disclosures when members of Unity Forum led by its Chairman, Alhaji M.M Abdul paid him a courtesy visit, to submit the group’s memoranda for the on-going constitution review process.
He states: “our concern is when National Assembly appropriates funds for development such funds are supposed to be expeditiously used for that purpose by the executive “.
According to him, since there is no evidence of decline in national income, with regards to projected budgetary revenue what is expected is full and speedy implementation of the 2012 Budget in such a manner that it would drive infrastructural development.
Observing the challenges the nation has been facing in recent times, he noted that what the country was desirous currently are statesmen who would be courageous enough to pursue the nation’s unity, oneness and stability and not those prepared to play politics with the unity and future of the country.He stressed: “unity and oneness should be our focus now. We should stop playing politics with our unity and future. We should learn to manage our circumstances”.
He spoke of the urgent need for the nation to redefine its objectives, given the increasing spate of insecurity and infrastructural challenges.
Noting the commitment of the National Assembly to review the constitution, he pledged that by middle of next year substantial progress would have been made in the review process.
Chairman of the Unity Forum, Abdul demanded the restructuring of the National Judicial Commission, review of state creation process and 180 days stipulated for elections petitions and abolition of State electoral bodies to ensure fairness in the conduct of Local Council elections.
House of Representatives has agreed to partner with Africa Union Parliament to boost trade, investment, employment and parliamentary democracy in Africa
This was stated by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha when a delegation of African Union Parliament led by its President, Hon Bethel Amadi visited the House Leadership in his office.
The Deputy Speaker who observed slow pace of development in Africa informed the AU Parliament’s delegation of the preparedness of the House towards collaborating with the regional body to facilitate development in the continent.
He notes: “the House is prepared to give the leadership of African Union Parliament the necessary support to succeed. We will partner with the parliament to ensure that it achieves the legislative agenda which it has set out for itself and to ensure that trade, investment and employment are boosted in Africa.”
He extolled Hon Bethel Amadi for his emergence as the President of African Union Parliament, commending the regional body for making development-based issues centre-point of its agenda in the next 3 years.
President of Africa Union Parliament, Hon Bethel Amadi noted that the agenda of the regional body revolved around domesticating parliamentary democracy in Africa, increasing African trade and to tackle unemployment.
He regretted the low level of African trade account which he put at 10 percent; Europe 70 percent, Asia 56 percent and America 40 percent.
He expressed appreciation to the House leadership for their unassailable support in clinching the position of AU Parliament’s Presidency.
Gunmen suspected to be robbers on Friday night, attacked a bank and police station, killing a policeman at Iyara Community in the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi.
An witness said the robbers who invaded the town, divided themselves into two groups before they commenced operation at about 9.45 p.m., shooting sporadically into the air.
One group attacked the Iyara branch of a new generation ban, bombing the strong-room with explosives and carting away cash from the vault.
The robbers were said to have gunned down a policeman on guard duty at the bank before blasting the strong-room.
After robbing the bank, they were said to have headed straight to the Divisional Police Station, where they met strong resistance from the Police Anti-Terrorist Squad which foiled their plans to loot the armoury at the station.
Some residents of the town said the robbers held the town hostage for a long time, detonating explosives indiscriminately and shooting sporadically.
The Spokesman of the Kogi State Police Command, Ile Simon, confirmed the incident but could not give the casualty figure or amount stolen from the bank.
“We cannot say for now, all we got from there is that they attacked the bank and our station and there was exchange of fire,” he said.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of four persons in the vessel explosion at Abuloma Jetty in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Two other persons were injured in the jetty explosion that rattled the oil rich state.
The South-South Coordinator of the Nigerian Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Mr. Umesi Emenike, confirmed the figure in a statement on Saturday.
Mr. Emenike stated that a fishing boat, one tug boat and two barges were damaged by the explosion.
He also revealed that the vessel was still burning as at the time of filing this report, adding that efforts were on to put off the fire.
The coordinator noted that efforts are also being made to remove the burning vessel from the waterways to avoid further accidents.
The blast at Abuloma occurred about 9.30AM and it is reported to have occurred as a result of the maintenance work being carried out in the vessel by welders.
