Headline

Nov 11 Guber Polls: You Can No Longer Complain About Lack Of Resources, Kukah Warns INEC

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2023

The convener of the National Peace Committee, Most Rev Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Archdiocese, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to complain about the lack of resources ahead of the November 11 off-cycle elections.

Kukah, while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, said the substantial funds have been budgeted for the elections and INEC should not be experiencing resource insufficiency.

“We cannot spend the time in the classroom; we must graduate to a new class of consciousness. Nigeria must take full responsibility for how these processes are conducted.

“There is a size of this country and limited resources but INEC can no longer complain about lack of resources because we hear of the hundreds of billions that are being spent on INEC,” he said.

In December 2021, the Commission said it would require N305 billion to conduct the 2023 general elections.

The required funds were eventually approved by the National Assembly.

The electoral umpire will also get an additional N18bn for the conduct of the forthcoming Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi governorship elections.

In October, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, claimed the N18 billion for the conduct of the Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi governorship elections will be derived from the N2.1 trillion 2023 supplementary budget.

INEC had introduced biometric technology and IReV, a Central Database for uploading results in real-time, to ensure transparency.

The commission acknowledged unplanned glitches but dismissed claims that the vote was not free and fair.

Many Nigerians on the other hand, have criticised the technical problems and delays in uploading results, which they claim allowed opportunities for vote manipulation.

However, Bishop Kukah insists Nigerians need to take full responsibility for how electoral processes are conducted while INEC must reach a point where it is not anxious every election season.

“People must also get to a point in which INEC will not have anxiety every time they are about to conduct elections.”

He noted that to pave the way for a better future, errors of the past must be addressed.

“INEC took the heat; it’s having a legitimacy crisis; it’s having a confidence and trust crisis. We must also understand that at least the sins of yesterday have to be cured so that tomorrow can be better,” he said.

Kukah highlighted that trust is essential in the conduct of elections and institutions entrusted with this responsibility should function in a way that commands respect.

“It’s about trust, but we fail to trust ourselves to deploy trust to institutions and those who run those institutions, but they must also function in a way and manner that commands respect,” he said.

He called for greater focus on national issues and improving institutions in the country in light of the 2023 electoral process.

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Headline

Fubara: I Won’t Stop Rivers Assembly From Carrying Out Its Duties — Wike

Published

4 hours ago

March 16, 2025

The Pledge

LThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has again thrown his weight behind the Rivers Assembly in its tussle with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Fubara and the House led by Martin-Amaewhule have made claims and counter-claims over the presentation of the state’s 2025 budget. Their impasse followed a Supreme Court verdict, recognising the lawmakers as legitimate members of the Rivers State Assembly.

That move led the House to ask Fubara to re-present the state’s 2025 budget which he had presented to the sect of lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. Amid the dispute between the legislature and the governor who accused the lawmakers of frustrating his attempts to re-present the budget, Wike has backed the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Let me tell you, I’m not going to stop the Assembly from performing their constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to perform their constitutional role,” Wike said on Saturday during a Thanksgiving Service held in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.

“The Assembly people should do their work. Whatever they deem necessary and fit, that is constitutional, they should do. I’m not going to stop anybody from carrying out their functions. I will not do that,” the minister said.

The immediate past governor of the state accused Fubara of seizing allowances and other benefits accrued to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Wike claimed Fubara was deceived into recognising a group of lawmakers and was wrong assured that “Nothing would happen”.

“You went, and they told you to seize Assembly members’ salaries, and allowances for more than one year. These people have no income to pay their children’s school fees and feed their families, and you were jubilating. You were jubilating and people were encouraging you that nothing would happen. But something has happened,” the FCT minister who is also a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told the jubilant crowd.

“They will lead you to hellfire,” the minister warned Governor Fubara.

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Entertainment

Kiddwaya Meets Ambode, Seeks Leadership Advice

Published

12 hours ago

March 15, 2025

The Pledge

Reality TV star Kiddwaya, has shared his recent meeting with former Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

According to Kiddwaya, the discussion centred on how to utilise influence to empower his community and the essential qualities required to become a great leader.

Kiddwaya took to his Facebook page to express gratitude for the opportunity, describing the meeting as a “great discussion” with the former Governor.

“I had a great discussion with the former governor of Lagos state, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode.

“As someone who had a successful tenure with Lagos state, I was able to get great advice on how to use my influence to empower my people and the qualities needed to become a great leader,” he wrote.

For more Nigerian Breaking News in Entertainment, Politics, Sports and Crime, please visit our website.

Headline

Tinubu hails pharmacist, public health icon, Prof. Gabriel Osuide, at 90

Published

13 hours ago

March 15, 2025

The Pledge

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated an academic, pharmacist and public health icon, Prof. Gabriel Osuide, as he celebrates his 90th birthday.

Mr Osuide’s contributions to pharmaceutical education, drug regulation and public health in Nigeria are unparalleled, the President said in a statement on Saturday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

Mr Tinubu said that Mr Osuide’s work in establishing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and his role in developing the pharmacy education curriculum at the Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Benin were a few examples of his achievements.

The President commended Mr Osuide’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s drug regulatory framework, fostering excellence in pharmaceutical sciences, and mentoring generations of professionals.

He said, “Prof. Osuide has shaped the foundation of pharmacy education and drug administration in Nigeria. His unwavering commitment to academic excellence, institutional reforms and public service inspires all. His leadership in safeguarding the health of Nigerians through rigorous drug regulation remains a cornerstone of our national development.’’

According to him, Mr Osuide has helped to position Nigeria as a leader in pharmaceutical sciences and public health innovation.

“President Tinubu joins Prof. Osuide’s family, colleagues and the Nigerian health and education community in celebrating him, and expresses profound gratitude for his invaluable contributions. He wishes Professor Osuide good health and continued wisdom as he inspires and guides the next generation of health professionals.”

Mr Osuide attained 90 years on Saturday.

(NAN)