Politics
Stop Receiving Funds From Foreigners, Presidential Candidate Tells INEC

To be able to objectively actualise its core mandate and serve as an independent and unbiased electoral Commission, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the February 25 presidential election, Barr Adewole Adebayo, has counselled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the urgent need to discontinue receiving subventions from foreign agencies.
While exchanging views with The Tide source recently, Barr Adebayo identified the receipt of funds from foreign agencies such as the European Union (EU) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by INEC as one of the factors hindering the conduct of free, free and credible elections in the country, stressing that it allows for undue interference in the country’s electoral processes.
He stated that such grants undermine the integrity of the electoral Commission and the electoral process, noting that both government institutions and Civil Society Organisations receive the funds, which he termed as a “Father’s Christmas gift.”
He however queried INEC’s receipt of such subvention when INEC has collected the sum of N305b from Nigerians through the Federal Government.
He said, “Nigeria is a collection of foreign agents and that is why the international community will come to supervise our elections. When I addressed a gathering at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, (NIIA), I wanted to know why INEC, after collecting N305b from Nigerians through the FG, would still collect money from such foreign bodies as the European Union (EU) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) among others.
“Almost 90 per cent of the Civil Societies we interacted with collected foreign funds, including the Peace Committee of Bishop Matthew Kukah and retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Many political parties too, including the ones calling for revolution and change, collected grants from foreign agents. This is not good for our electoral process.”
Assessing INEC’s conduct of the 2023 general elections, Barr Adebayo said INEC is a tool in the hands of politicians which they used for political succession.
He argued that in a situation where only the president has the power to appoint the chairman of electoral body, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, could not guarantee the conduct of free, fair and credible elections and produce credible leaders.
He therefore urged Nigerians to support an alliance of young political structures to wrestle power from the old structures that have dominated the political landscape of the country since 1999.
He stated that such an alliance with the support of the masses would ensure that the entrenched political parties and their candidates are consigned to the dustbin of history for good.
The presidential candidate stated: “We must be interested in the electoral process all the time. As it is right now, it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu that will choose the next INEC chairman. I can guarantee that the person that would be appointed will make you conclude that the current INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu is an angel.”
Politics
Lagos Assembly Commotion: Lawmakers Reject Obasa’s Return, Pass Confidence Vote On Meranda
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed a vote of confidence in Mojisola Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers expressed their confidence in her leadership at the plenary, which Rt Hon. Meranda presided over amidst tight security.
The Tide’s source reports that there was a growing tension at the assembly as legislative workers protested against the alleged plans to remove Rt Hon. Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The legislative workers also clashed with the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who, in the early hours of Monday, stormed the assembly and sealed Rt Hon. Meranda’s office alongside that of her Deputy and the Clerk.
Our source had reported how armed security personnel took over the complex at Alausa, Ikeja, leading to palpable tension among the lawmakers and workers of the assembly.
There are indications that the ongoing imbroglio at the assembly following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on January 13 has not abated.
The Monday’s drama came a few days after Mr Obasa, who was removed for alleged abuse of office and corruption, dragged the state lawmakers to court, challenging his removal as the Speaker of the Assembly.
There are alleged plans to return Mr Obasa as the Speaker, a development which has further heightened tension at the assembly.
The Tide’s source reports that when Meranda arrived the assembly complex amidst tight security around 11:15 am on Monday, many legislative workers showed solidarity with the first female Speaker over alleged plans to remove her.
“Meranda we want”, “Meranda We want”, the workers were chanting in a short video clip.
Rt Hon. Meranda visibly overwhelmed by emotion was surrounded by her security details amid the chaotic atmosphere.
Inside the chamber, officials of the DSS clashed with the legislative workers, leading to commotion.
The DSS officials, dressed in black jackets and helmets and armed with weapons, struggled with the workers at the door.
The Tide’s source gathered that, with support from the legislative workers, lawmakers had earlier forced their way into the chamber around 12:30 pm.
It was further gathered that Rt Hon Meranda and about 32 members were present at the plenary.
A short video clip of the plenary showed that all the lawmakers in attendance had passed a vote of confidence on Rt Hon Meranda.
“Madam Speaker, all members standing before you, I move a motion to say that we do pass the vote of confidence on Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda”, a lawmaker said.
The motion was supported by all members in attendance.
Politics
PDP, APC Trade Blame Over Killings In Osun Local Councils’ Crisis
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Monday, traded words over the alleged killing of three persons.
Members of both parties were locked in battle for the control of some local government secretariats. While two persons were killed in Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, another was killed in Irewole Local Government Area.
There had been tension across the state over the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return.
Speaking with journalists in Iragbiji, Korede Ajeigbe, the commissioner for government affairs and protocol, claimed that two PDP members were killed while trying to prevent APC members from taking over a secretariat.
Mr Ajeigbe also said that six PDP members were seriously injured and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
APC, however, alleged that PDP members attacked its members while trying to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment.
Addressing a news conference in Osogbo, Bayo Adeleke, a chieftain of the APC, claimed that one of the party’s prominent members was killed during the crisis.
He also alleged that another member of the party, Remi Omowaye, escaped an assassination attempt in Ilesa.
Mr Adeleke, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the state government to allow peace to reign by allowing the APC chairmen and councillors to return to office.
Another chieftain of the party, Jamiu Olawumi, claimed that APC chairmen had resumed in 15 local governments of the state.
This claim, however, could not be immediately verified.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, CSP Yemisi Opalola, said she was yet to be briefed on the alleged killings.
Ms Opalola, however, said police officers had been deployed to all the local government secretariats in the state to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ademola Adeleke has directed workers as well as politicians to stay away from local government secretariats to avoid further bloodshed.
Mr Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said only security agents would be allowed to keep watch at the secretariats.
He condoled with families of victims of the crisis.
Politics
100 Days In Office: Lawmaker Passes Confidence Vote On Council Boss
Leader of the 8th Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Assembly, Barrister Samuel Nengia, has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, as he marked his first one hundred days in his second term in office.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on Dr Cookey-Gam and the celebration of his first one hundred days in office, among other people-oriented development projects and programmes, Nengia argued that the Chairman and his team have recorded unprecedented developmental strides, which includes infrastructure transformation, empowerment, security, human capital development, payment of the approved N85,000. 00 minimum wage to Opobo/Nkoro workers’, among others.
He pointed out that his commendation was apt as the activities of the Chairman had been monitored and discovered to reflect the expectations and yearnings of the people, especially, the promotion of council staff, the refurbishment of the Assembly Complex to standard, the construction of Corpers’ Lodge, the provision of effective transportation system for the well-being of the people in the area.
Hon. Nengia, representing Opobo/Nkoro Ward 6, averred that the people of the LGA could now sleep with their eyes closed owing to Dr Cookey-Gam’s achievements in in the security sector.
He added that the vote of confidence the Council’s number one citizen would strengthen him to deliver more democratic dividends to Opobo/Nkoro people.
He admonished Opobo/Nkoro people to rally support for the Chairman to perform creditably well for the well-being of the electorate in the area.
Meanwhile, Barr. Samuel Nengia, has thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for appointing three illustrious sons of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area into positions of trust vis former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, as Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission; former Secretary of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Engr. Edward Namiesimagha, as Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and Surveyor Peter Ogolo, as Surveyor-, General of the state.
Hon. Nengia, who described the appointments as well deserved, however, enjoined the appointees to bring their leadership wealth of experience to bear in the herculean tasks of reviving their various areas of jurisdiction.
Bethel Toby
-
Politics5 days ago
Alleged Free 2027 Presidential Ticket To Obi Misleading – ZLP
-
Business5 days ago
Diri Laments Revenue Deprivation …As Mutfwang, Abbas Unveil Projects In Bayelsa
-
Politics5 days ago
Osun LG Crisis: APC, PDP Lose Members As Adeleke Shuts Councils
-
Business5 days ago
Experts Predict Inflation Hike In N54.99trn 2025 Budget
-
Politics5 days ago
100 Days In Office: Lawmaker Passes Confidence Vote On Council Boss
-
Business5 days ago
NCS Hands Over Intercepted Arms To NCCSALW
-
Politics5 days ago
PDP, APC Trade Blame Over Killings In Osun Local Councils’ Crisis
-
Business5 days ago
Maritime Journalists Confer Iconic Award On Customs CG