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Oshiomhole Inaugurates National Peace And Reconciliation Committees To Reconcile Aggrieved APC Members

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Progressive Governors DG To Oshiomhole: APC Worse Off Under You

The All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, has inaugurated a National Peace and Reconciliation Committee for each of the six geo-political zones of the country to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Oshiomhole, while inaugurating the committees on Wednesday in Abuja, said its members were expected to help the party’s national leadership to find an in-house solution to the acrimony that followed the party’s primary elections.

He added that members of the committees were also to maintain peace and ensure internal harmony within the APC family before the elections.

He further added that the essence of the committees was to bring about lasting peace in the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“Help reconcile those who are aggrieved for whatever reasons; do everything that will help in your wisdom to bring peace in your zone,“ Oshiomhole said.

The national chairman said that members of the committees should meet aggrieved members and leaders of the party in their zones to reconcile them.

He explained that the party had to set up the committee in the six geo-political zones to fast track its reconciliation efforts.

He thanked members of the committees for accepting the responsibility, adding that chairmen of the committees could appoint secretariat staff in their zones to facilitate their work.

Oshiomhole, however, said that the party may not have been able to solve all the country’s problems but had done well in rebuilding the country’s economy.

He said that Nigerians who had good memories would recall that the APC had done better in the last three and half years than the Peoples Democratic Party which was in power for 16 years.

According to him, the only integrity the PDP has is looting the national treasury, saying that the APC is today delivering on the campaign promises it made to Nigerians in 2015.

Oshiomhole further said that the APC was today a bigger family because of its antecedence which made more Nigerians to join its fold.

“We have gone through a very crucial stage in the processes leading to the next Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“I think, from my own records of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, I believe we have done exceedingly well as it is impossible for the most gifted child to score 100 per cent in every subject.

“The more questions you have to answer, the more chances are that you will miss some of them.

“I believe that the house is bigger today than it was before, because those who have reservations, have since realised that President Muhammadu Buhari means business and APC is delivering on its promises,“ Oshiomhole said.

He maintained that the party’s accomplishment in the last three and a half years had enlarged it and brought in more quality political activists and leaders as well as huge electoral value across the states.

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State who spoke on behalf of the committees, thanked the party’s leadership for the responsibility and assured that the committees would deliver on their mandate.

“Be rest assured that we will put in our best to ensure the reconciliation of all aggrieved party members ahead of 2019 general election,“ Shettima, who heads the South West National Peace and Reconciliation Committee, said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the full composition of members of the committee for each zone is as seen below:

NORTH-WEST

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi – Chairman
Gov. Mohammed Abubakar
Gov. Yahaya Bello
Sen. Adamu Aliero
Sen. Danjuma Goje
Sen. Jim Nwobodo
Amb. Fati Balla

SOUTH-EAST

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje – Chairman
Gov. Samuel Lalong
Gov. Kayode Fayemi
Sen. Godswill Akpabio
Alh. Umaru Dembo
Alh. Nasiru Koki
Mrs. Ify Okoye

SOUTH-WEST

Gov. Kashim Shettima – Chairman
Gov. Nasiru el Rufai
Gov. Akinwumi Ambode
Sen. Ken Nnamani
Prof. Modupe Adelabu
Dr Dakuku Peterside
Sen. Seida Bugaje

NORTH-CENTRAL

Gov. Ibrahim Geidam – Chairman
Gov. Godwin Obaseki
Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu
Gov. Jibrilla Bindow
Chief Pius Akinyelure
Barr. (Mrs) Vivian Chukwuani
Chief Audu Ogbe

SOUTH-SOUTH

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola – Chairman
Gov. Atiku Bagudu
Gov. Abubakar Bello
Sen. Gbemisola Saraki
Mr Emeka Wogu
Mr Sullivan Chime
Mrs Aleluchi Cookey-Gam

NORTH-EAST

Gov. Tanko Al-Makura – Chairman
Gov. Aminu Masari
Gov. Abubakar Badaru
Chief (Mrs) Jumoke Anifowoshe
Mr Matthew Omegara
Hajia Hafsat Baba
Gen. Abdullahi Aboki

(NAN)

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APC Did Not Invite Me To Okpebholo’s Inauguration — Obaseki

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Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of planning the inauguration of a new administration without consulting the government and inviting him to the event.

Obaseki’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost in the Edo Governorship election held in September with the APC’s Monday Okpebholo beating Asue Ighodalo – the governor’s favoured candidate.

Days before the inauguration (set for November 12) of a new government, Obaseki claimed the APC was working without the involvement of his administration for the handover.

“We have a process in government, they stole our mandate, yes but we have laws, and there is a way things are done. We are inaugurating a new government in Edo State and the Edo State Government is not involved,” the governor said on Friday in Benin City during the inauguration of the caretaker committee of the PDP in the state on Friday.

“People behave as if there is no law, forgetting that we are guided by constitution and law; there are procedures to handle things. They are doing an inauguration and the governor is not even invited. It is like they are starting a brand new government and a brand new state.”

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‘Misleading’: Remi Tinubu Refutes Claims Of Organising National Prayer

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The First Lady Remi Tinubu has refuted claims that she is organising a national prayer over the country’s economic challenges.


Claims were making the rounds on several platforms that the First Lady in conjunction with others was planning a prayer session for the country.

But Busola Kukoyi, the spokesperson to the First Lady, has described the claims as not only misleading but also unfounded.

“This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON is not organizing a National Prayer,” she said in a Saturday statement.

“The news making rounds in some conventional and social media platforms is unfounded and misleading. Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.”

Warning people to verify the authenticity of news about her principal, Busola, however, said the First Lady understands the importance of praying for the country.

“Whilst the First Lady, a Christian and strong advocate of prayer and praying for Nigeria believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously and correctly. She also believes that praying for Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious belief, political affiliation, tribe or tongue,” the media aide added.

“Members of the public are advised to verify the authenticity of any news or event involving the First Lady of Nigeria or her Office through Official channels.
Kindly be advised accordingly.”

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Probe Into UK Royals’ Private Estates Sparks Calls For Reform

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Britain’s royal family is facing calls for more transparency and reform of their private estates after an investigation alleged they have been profiting from public bodies while benefiting from major tax exemptions.

The UK media probe also accused the estates of King Charles III and his eldest son Prince William of making big profits from charities and individual renters while in some cases failing to meet environmental standards.

The centuries-old estates — the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall — have made millions of pounds (dollars) from lucrative deals with the publicly-funded National Health Service (NHS) and other cash-strapped ministries, according to the investigation.

 

Britain’s King Charles III and Jordan’s King Abdallah II inspect a Guard of Honour formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, during a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle, in Windsor on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP)

Both estates — portfolios of land, property and assets across England and Wales held in trust for the king and his heir — are exempt from paying UK corporation or capital gains taxes.

The extent of their holdings and commercial deals, such as lease agreements, is not publicly disclosed.

But the probe by UK television network Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and The Sunday Times claims to have uncovered them for the first time.

 

 

Britain’s King Charles III speaks with guests during a reception for medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace in London on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Yui Mok / POOL / AFP)

It has prompted calls for a review by parliament as well as demands by pro-republicans for the duchies to be abolished.

Norman Baker, a former lawmaker from the centrist Liberal Democrats party and longtime royal critic, told AFP the findings confirmed his view that the royals were “taking the public for a ride”.

“These are Crown lands which belong to the public… all that money should be going into the Crown Estate, which is a public asset,” he said.

 

– ‘Pursuing profit’ –

The royals have long maintained that profits from the duchies fund their public, charitable and private activities.

The duchies, owned by the monarchy since the Middle Ages, were not part of a 1760 agreement which sees the monarch’s Crown Estate profits surrendered to the government.

Fifteen percent of those profits are returned as a Sovereign Grant, which pays for official engagements, staff salaries and the royal palaces’ upkeep.

Next year the grant will total £132 million ($171 million).

 

Britain’s Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester speaks with guests during a reception for medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace in London on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Yui Mok / POOL / AFP)

 

Baker notes the vast private estates were not included in that arrangement because at the time they did not generate much income.

But two centuries on, their assets are worth £1.8 billion, with profits topping £50 million in 2023, according to their annual reports.

It has helped keep Charles on The Sunday Times Rich List, which ranks the 1,000 wealthiest people or families in the UK, with an estimated worth of £610 million.

Lucrative deals leasing land to the crisis-hit NHS, armed forces, publicly-funded schools, charities and renters have boosted his bottom line, according to the media probe.

In one example, Charles’ estate will earn nearly £12 million over 15 years storing a new fleet of electric ambulances owned by a London hospital in one of its warehouses.

 

Britain’s Princess Anne, Princess Royal (C) speaks with guests during a reception for medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace in London on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Yui Mok / POOL / AFP)

 

 

In another, William’s estate will net £37.5 million over 25 years from the Ministry of Justice for leasing the currently empty Dartmoor Prison.

Graham Smith, head of anti-monarchy pressure group Republic, said the investigation “shows how the duchies are doggedly pursuing profit at every turn, at huge expense to the public and charities”.

The duchies have denied any wrongdoing.

– ‘Within the law’ –

It is not the first time that they have stoked controversy.

In 2006, an influential parliamentary committee pressured the government over why they benefit from major tax exemptions.

Baker said the Public Accounts Committee should refocus on it.

“It’s only under pressure like that that they’ll change,” he added.

“Unless they’re forced into doing something, they won’t do it.”

The former MP believes the royals are “in danger of losing public support big time” over the issue.

But David Haigh, head of consultancy firm Brand Finance, argued the duchies are operating like “any large aristocratic family estate”.

“Is it really unreasonable for them to expect market rate rents when they rent properties to government agents and departments? In my opinion it’s not.”

Haigh added the estates were “simply acting within the law in the best interests of their private capital,” comparing them to successful entrepreneurs like James Dyson and Richard Branson.

 

AFP

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