Politics
‘Constitution Has Given Govs All They Need To Better Citizens Lives’
Former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Tax Fund (TETFUND), Professor Suleman Bogoro, has stated that the Nigerian Constitution has given governors all that they need to emancipate Nigerians and make a difference.
He stated this in his remarks at a reception organised for Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in Abuja on Saturday.
He said the governor had performed far beyond the expectations of the people of Bauchi State in the last five years, citing the massive roads and other infrastructure he provided across the state.
Prof. Bogoro added, “I listened to Mr President about two weeks ago speaking to Arewa Consultative Forum and he focused on the role of governors in emancipating the people of the North. It was in the Newspapers. It couldn’t have been otherwise.
“The governors are supported by the Constitution of this country to make a difference. And when a governor does not stop at the state Capital and go to all local government headquarters beyond that, some of the remotest part of the state with his transformation. What else do we say?
“Today, he is being honoured among 36, just about seven. Am I right? And this is being put up by the federal government of Nigeria that belongs to another party. I think it is an exceptional feat. It is for this reason that we are very proud to be associated with our governor. In fact, it is being said that, the standard that he is setting, other governors are envious, perhaps”.
In a goodwill message, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, said their governors have always made them proud by giving their best to make the lives of Nigerians in their states better.
He said, “Today, it is another milestone for us in the PDP family. I am very proud to say anywhere I go as a leader of this party, Nigeria has never had it best like when we were in charge. And this is another milestone, despite this government is not a PDP government, it finds him worthy to recognize one of us and the others, that means we have not relented, we’ve always given the best services wherever we are.To the people of Bauchi, today I will say congratulations!”.
In his address earlier, Governor Bala Mohammed stated that, the state was put on development pedestal by its first civilian governor, Late Abubakar Ali, and some of his predecessors like Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu.
“i sleep and wake up with work in my mind, because I know all the nooks and crannies of Bauchi and every part of it, I have an intricate connection with. I have brothers and friends far away from my ancestral home of Duguri where people feel passionately for me.
“So, I don’t have the luxury of excluding any section of the state. And I borrow from my late elder brother and father, Alhaji Tatari Ali, who really put us on this path of growth and development.
“Remember, of all the secondary schools that were great and viable in Bauchi before we came were done by him. All the roads in Bauchi, Misau, Azare and even in Gombe were done by him with small resources. All the general hospitals. And he had very little money.
“And he had a Deputy that is working very well, late Ajiyan Bauchi. And of course I remember what Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu did too in his own way, developing roads in all the rural areas, local government headquarters, he built five Kilometers in each local government headquarters. That was the beginning of transforming our rural areas to urban centers.
“Yes, we don’t have water in our local government headquarters. Very few have and this is a big challenge. Even Katagum has no water. And I believe it is a big challenge that I will conquer by the grace of Allah.
“Other projects and programs are being unfolded by the Special Duties ministry, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education and so on and so forth. And we have the support of the world Bank and the federal government. We must acknowledge one thing that the present administration said, this is time for governance.
“On behalf of Bauchi State people and the opposition, we thank the federal government for doing that and they should do more, because that will really put poverty away, put food on the table. We are not to politicize when we are doing governance and that is what we are always learning.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo has endorsed the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State.
Rt Hon. Oko-Jumbo said this on the floor of the House during its legislative sitting on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He said the House aligned itself with a recent Supreme Court’s judgement which directed all states in the country to ensure democratically elected councils in their respective states.
According to the Speaker, the forthcoming election is also in line with the recent Supreme Court’s judgment which outlawed unelected councils’ leaderships in the country.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo also said the election is also in compliance with the order of a Port Harcourt High Court that mandated the state electoral umpire to use the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter register for the election.
The Speaker said the House was also satisfied with the preparations so far made by both the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the state government for the conduct of the elections.
The number one lawmaker in the State urged security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the elections, while calling on eligible voters to turn out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice.
Professor of Political Economy, Prof Pat Utomi, has explained that Nigeria’s fortunes can change for the better if people of character are in positions of authority.
The Professor, who was a guest on a live television programme last Wednesday, said the country has the human capital required to achieve greatness.
“Ultimately, values shape human progress. When we have values and people of character and commitment to service (are) in positions of public authority, our country will turn around,” Prof Utomi said on the programme.
“We have the ingredients, the human capital that it takes to show the way”, he said.
Prof Utomi criticised the loss of Nigerian values and customs, attributing it to the breakdown of the nation’s institutions.
He stated that without robust institutions, such as the court and the electoral body, no nation can advance significantly.
“The biggest challenge we have is that culture is in collapse in Nigeria, values shape human progress. How do we get a values revolution? Institutions are critical for human progress if we can commit to building stronger institutions that push back on people who do not do right and the rule of law is fully in place.
“Look at our judiciary, it is a laughing stock – no country can make real progress without a judiciary that you can rely on. Look at our other institutions, whether it is INEC or others; they are weak.
“How do we ensure that we have strong institutions and that we have values that ensure that character matters and that people of character can show a light? We can do it, I am absolutely confident because I have seen it happen in human history,” he said.
He added that young Nigerians were contributing to the nation’s woes by helping to elect dishonest leaders, asserting that when leaders replace nepotism with competence, the nation will prosper.
Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, has promised that he would not interfere with the electoral process ahead of the Oct. 9 local government elections in the state.
Mr Mutfwang said this on Wednesday as the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southern and Central zones of the state held rallies ahead of the election.
He said that the State’s Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) had the task of conducting a free, fair and credible elections across the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
The governor, who urged the residents of the state to vote candidates of the PDP across board, said that his government had made significant impact in the last one year.
”We have pledged to restore the era of transparent elections in Plateau and this is why we are here to campaign for our candidates.
”Our government is making significant progress and will continue to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people, particularly those in the rural areas.
”So, I call on you to vote for all PDP candidates on Oct. 9; this way, development will spread to all parts of the state,” the governor said.
Mr Mutfwang, who thanked the people of the two zones for overwhelmingly voting him as governor, said that the party would not fail them.
Also, the PDP chairman in the state, Chris Hassan, thanked the people of the zones for their support.
He thanked them for coming out in their numbers to welcome the governor.
Mr Hassan reiterated that the PDP was committed to transforming lives and improving the living condition of the people across the state.
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