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Probe: Buhari Won’t Shield Ministerial Nominees -APC …EFCC Commences Probe Of Nominees, Today
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike (middle), in a handshake with Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council, Bro Felix Obuah, during a courtesy call by members of IPAC in Government House, Port Harcourt over the weekend
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not stop corruption probe against any member of the party, including any of his ministerial nominees, saying the President is a strong believer in the rule of law.
Speaking in an interview with select journalists at the weekend in Abuja, APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawan Shuaibu, said if corruption investigation against any of the nominees lead to conviction in courts, the President will not intervene.
Recall that some former governors, who are being accused of corruption, are among the initial 21 ministerial nominees awaiting confirmation at the National Assembly beginning from tomorrow, Tuesday.
“You see the President has said several times that he believes in the rule of law, that he respects the rule of the law. Anything that is not in line with the Constitution and the extant laws of this country, he won’t go for it. When it comes to the issue of the choice of people who will serve as ministers in his administration, I believe that until one is convicted in the law court, we will be chasing shadows on the basis of suspicions and assumptions.
“I think quite frankly that he is not going to stop any investigations against any member of his cabinet. But should that investigation lead to conviction in courts, I assure you even before President Buhari ask them to resign, such a person would have brought a letter of resignation. The President cannot intervene and I assure you in a matter before the court on behalf anybody including his own child.
On the allegation that the ongoing anti-corruption fight is selective, Shuaibu retorted, “What did you expect the President to do? President Buhari has made it clear, even during his recent interview in New York, he said he would not be interfering with judicial process or procedures and he will wait to see when a court makes a decision on anyone, that is now when he will respect the decision of the court.”
“And when you are talking about people who have contributed to his emergence as President, I do not expect anybody who contributed to the emergence of President Buhari in the last general election to do so because they wanted cover from corruption prosecution. If anybody thinks that way, I want to say that President Buhari is not thinking that way,”
On the expectations of Nigerians now that ministers have been appointed, Shuaibu said, “as soon as the ministers are sworn-in, the business of governance will fully commence in earnest and actual implementation of the programmes of government will start off.”
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today begin investigations into petitions written against President Muhammadu Buhari’s 21 ministerial nominees.
It was gathered that a decision was taken by the leadership of the anti-graft agency last week to start the process of considering petitions forwarded to the National Assembly against the ministerial nominees.
As at last Friday, 25 petitions had been submitted to the Senate against the nominees.
Copies of such petitions were also said to have been sent to the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
A source privy to the development, said the Senate leadership had contacted the EFCC last week to assist in looking into the petitions written against the ministerial nominees.
The source who is a top official at the EFCC said, “The office would start looking into the petitions written against the ministerial nominees on Monday.
“The National Assembly contacted the commission on the issue and the decision is to start looking at such petitions on Monday.”
Similarly, an operative of the ICPC, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the press on the matter, said on Saturday that the commission was expecting an invitation from the National Assembly leadership to commence investigation into the allegations contained in the petition against the nominees.
The source said it was not possible for the National Assembly to carry out the investigation into the petitions against the nominees without involving the anti-graft agencies.
“It is true that the agency is expecting to be involved in the investigation of the allegations contained in the petitions against the nominees.
“The National Assembly also said it clearly that they were going to involve the anti-graft agencies in the issue of investigating the petition.
“For now, what is not very clear is to what extent they intend to involve the anti-graft agencies.” the source added.
The spokesperson of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said he did not know anything about the commission’s involvement in the screening exercise at the National Assembly.
Also, the Resident Consultant, Media and Events, of the ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said he would neither confirm nor deny the involvement of the commission in the investigation of the allegations contained in the petitions.
In the same vein, the Code of Conduct Bureau had also said the nominees were bound to declare their assets before the Senate.
The Senate had stated that as part of its guidelines for screening the ministerial nominees due to commence tomorrow, each of the nominees would be required to produce evidence of assets declaration to the bureau.
The Chairman of the CCB, Mr. Sam Saba, in his response to our correspondent’s enquiry through a text message on Saturday, said the ministerial nominees were required under Section 149 of the Constitution to declare their assets before being screened.
He said, “it is the usual procedure — or as you put it, the convention — for ministerial nominees to declare their assets before senate screening; and not only ministers but any would-be public officer, whether appointed or elected, so long as he or she requires screening by the Senate.
“Section 149 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that ‘the Minister of the Government of the Federation shall not enter upon the duties of his office, unless he has declared his assets as prescribed in the Constitution’.”
Saba could not confirm whether any of the nominees had initiated steps to declare their assets before the close of work on Friday, but he hinted that in the past, the Presidential Liaison Officer would usually collect the assets declaration forms from the bureau in bulk and distribute to the nominees.
He said, “The bureau would attend to the ministerial nominees on demand of the Form CCB1 from any of our offices in the 36 states plus the office in the Federal Capital Territory and in the Headquarters, Abuja. The forms are however submitted at the headquarters Abuja.
“In the recent, Presidential Liaison Officers collected the forms for such nominees; that is to say, request is made in bulk by the PLO for the forms and issued out individually to each ministerial nominee.”
When contacted, the Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang said, “I did not collect forms on behalf of anyone. The fact that your name is submitted (as a nominee) does not mean you are appointed.”
The leadership of the Senate will meet on Monday to review the modalities and procedures for the three-day screening of ministerial nominees scheduled to begin tomorrow.
Part of the conditions earlier agreed upon by the Senate in a closed-session on Thursday, included, among others, the submission of assets declaration proofs; approval of nominations by at least two senators from nominee’s states; while those who have petitions against them must have a clean bill of health from the Senate’s public petitions committee.
Our correspondent learnt on Saturday that the criticisms that greeted the Senate’s procedure for the screening made it to start making moves to review the modalities.
A principal officer of the Senate, said that wide consultations had been carried out among various segments of the society to get their input on how best the Senate can carry out the assignment.
He explained that the various inputs by Nigerians would be collated latest on Monday morning and presented before the leadership of the Senate, who would review it and make their final decision known to their colleagues before the screening would start on Tuesday.
The source said, “We are not claiming that we know it all in the Senate. Although we are the representatives of the people, we should not impose our decisions on people without finding out their opinions.
“The leadership of the Eighth Senate had vowed to carry everybody along in its decision-making (process) and that is why we have consulting widely because we would not want to be accused of witch-hunting any nominee or that we are using the screening to hit back at the presidency.”
The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, had been seeking the views of Nigerians, especially the media and other pressure groups, on the screening modalities adopted by the red chamber.
Olaniyonu said, “The media, the civil society organisations and other pressure groups are very critical to national development. Their views are therefore needed as a necessary guide to assist the Senate in the discharge of its responsibility, especially as far as the screening of ministerial nominees is concerned. “
The Special Assistant to the Senate President on New Media, Mr. Bankole Omishore, in a statement on Saturday, also confirmed that the screening and confirmation process of the first batch of ministerial nominees would be streamed live on the National Assembly website.
According to him, the websites, www.nass.gov.ng and www.senate.gov.ng, could be used by Nigerians to send in questions they would like to ask nominees by forwarding same to their respective senators using the hashtag #MinisterialScreening.
Omishore added that all questions must be received before 5pm today.
The statement read in parts, “The @NGRSenate Twitter handle will also be providing live tweets throughout the screening process.
“Nigerians would recall that the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, took office amidst a pledge to reform the Senate and make its processes more transparent, inclusive and visible by employing e-Parliamentary technology in the Upper Chambers.
“Since then, the Senate President has tasked the Committee on Rules and Business to develop an e-Parliamentary system that can be employed at Senate Plenary sessions.
“This screening will create an avenue for Nigerians from all works of life to partake in governance, as the bridge between representatives and constituents will be bridged; with senators asking questions sourced from Nigerians on Social Media.”
In addition, Omishore explained that the submitted resumes of candidates will be made available in the public space for Nigerians to examine.
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.