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Lagos Assembly asks Buhari to address nation

– Commends southern governors for banning open grazing

…Says restructuring of Nigeria long overdue

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly resumed from the Sallah break on Tuesday with a call on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation over issues relating to insecurity and rising sectional agitations across the country.

The House also said it was standing by the decisions reached by the southern governors at their recent meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

Calling the attention of his colleagues to the communique released by the governors after the meeting, the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams, noted that the Lagos Assembly had always called for the establishment of state police.

Hon. Adams urged his colleagues to support the governors saying the latter had shown that they are alive to their responsibilities.

Adams, however, urged the governors to start restructuring in their states by implementing autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary.

He recalled how the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, as chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, led his colleagues to the president to seek autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary. He lamented that the governors had yet to implement it.

Speaker Obasa, who presided over the sitting, commended the governors for coming out at a period when insecurity had taken the ‘front seat’ of discussions. He also commended some members of the National Assembly for supporting the governors.

Obasa lamented the rise in the number of groups agitating for secession adding that Nigeria can be restructured if there is the will power.

“People are getting tired of the call for constitutional conference because nothing had happened to previous ones,” he said adding that Nigeria needs true federalism at this stage.

The Speaker said it was disheartening to know that two neighbouring states like Ogun and Lagos cannot unite to meet some of the needs of the people simply because such could be on the exclusive list.

Earlier in his contribution, Hon. Kehinde Joseph suggested that the National Assembly needed to amend the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Force for the creation of state police.

Speaking also, Hon. Jimi Mohammed, who supported the motion, said the decision of the southern governors boils down to insecurity adding: “We can’t clamour enough for the calls for state police.”

On his part, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon said the governors had made a statement by calling for the ban on open grazing which he described as archaic and has led to the death of many.

He said restructuring of the country is long overdue. He also commended the southern governors for their other decisions.

Hon. Ajani Owolabi supported the motion and opposed those arguing that the constitution makes provision for freedom of movement. According to him, people who move must be citizens and must not move with the aim to damage. He however lamented that the herdsmen had failed in these two areas.

Hon. Adedola Kasunmu, while supporting the motion, urged that some items such as power be moved from the exclusive list to concurrent.

“Our national grid is getting weak and if the opportunity is given to states, it would help. If you fix power, you have fixed everything,” he said.

For Hon. Sentonji David, the country urgently needs to act against insecurity. “This is the time for us to have a restructured country,” he said.

The leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade added: “A country cannot be drifting this way and the President is quiet. The President must address this country and assuage nerves.

“The National Assembly should come up with a bill to address the issue of state police. The bandits are multiplying like amoeba.”

Hon. Adewale Temitope noted that the issue of insecurity had progressed rapidly and sent shivers down spines.

He commended the governors but urged them to also establish autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary.

He also lamented that most of the police officers in Lagos are from a particular region of the country and as such, they hardly understand the terrain and the people they are meant to protect.

Hon. Abiodun Tobun noted: “Cattle rearing is a private business. So it is supposed that you cannot use your business to stop my progress or movement.

“If truly we are practising true federalism, then each state should be allowed to secure its area.”

Others who contributed included the Deputy Speaker of House, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, Hon. Rasheed Makinde, and Hon. Bisi Yusuff

Osinbajo denies declaring intention to run for 2023 Presidency, Says Such rumour unhelpful

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said he remains focused on operating in his present office and has not declared any interest in the 2023 presidential race.

Osinbajo made the clarification yesterday when he said his attention had been drawn to a website calling on Nigerians to join a volunteer group mobilising support for him ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Laolu Akande, the vice president said details of the website and the solicitation of the group are currently trending on WhatsApp with a suggestion that he had “quietly” declared interest in the 2023 election.

He said the Office of the Vice President is not in any way connected to this website or the group behind it, and considers such an enterprise an unnecessary distraction.

Akande said, “Prof. Osinbajo has not declared any interest whatsoever in the 2023 election, but he is rather focused on working in his capacity as vice president in the current administration to address all the compelling issues in the country and concerns of Nigerians, including finding effective and lasting solutions to the security challenges.

“Therefore, we ask that people desist from such unhelpful permutations while we all deal together with the challenges confronting us as Nigerians, and resolve them for the benefit of our people, and peace and prosperity in the land,” he said.

JUST IN: Lawmaker hints at Opposition plans to impeach Senate President Lawan

A member of the House of Representatives, Sergius Ogun, on Monday hinted that a groundswell of opposition has arisen against Senate President Ahmad Lawan and that the development may lead to his impeachment.

Ogun attributed the developments to what he termed loose remarks by the Senate President on the position held by Southern governors on the matter of the country’s restructuring and open grazing of cattle by herders.

The lawmaker claimed that Lawan’s comments had betrayed his plans to scuttle the on-going constitution amendment project which has the key element of restructuring of the Nigerian state.

Ogun spoke while fielding questions on Arise Television.

Yahaya Bello’s 2023 Presidential Campaign Posters flood Bauchi [PHOTO]

2023 Presidential Campaign Posters of Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, has flooded parts of Bauchi particularly the State capital, Misau, Katagum towns on Sunday.

The Posters of Bello also carry greetings for Eid-el-fitr celebration. The posters had inscriptions that Bello was a fitting personality to be Nigeria’s next president.

The posters had the slogan “Yahaya Bello for President 2023 Barka da Sallah”.

The sponsors of the posters, the Nigerian Youth Awareness Group, ensured that they flooded very part of the three major emirates.

They were posted on electricity and street light polls, billboards, etc.

Yahaya Bello Can’t Rule Even A Pig Farm – Deji Adeyanju

The co-convener of Concerned Nigerian Advocacy Group, Deji Adeyanju, has mocked the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over his intention to run for presidency in 2023.
The activist said Governor Bello lacks the capacity to be president of a “pig farm,” let alone, rule Nigeria.

Recall that Bello hinted on running for the 2023 presidency when he pledged not to disappoint Nigerians.

The governor had said some Nigerians were asking him to run for President in 2023.

He had said: “Nigerians, the youth and women including very objective elites, are asking me to run for President in 2023.”

Reacting, Adeyanju said Bello cannot be Nigeria’s president because the governor has neglected the Kogi State civil servants.

The rights activist insisted that Kogi State remains the worst governed state in Nigeria.

In a tweet, Adeyanju wrote: “NEWS: All Nigerians are asking me to run for President in 2023, I will not disappoint – Yahaya Bello

“ME -Yahaya Bello is not fit to be president of a pig farm. Kogi State is the worst governed state in Nigeria. Civil servants are feeding from dustbins.”

Evil Forces Are behind Misfortunes plaguing Buhari’s Government – Femi Adesina

As bandits and unknown gunmen run riot across Nigeria, Femi Adesina has blamed evil forces (aiye) for the misfortunes plaguing President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime.

Mr Adesina, the president’s media aide, the regime, and the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, have often blamed the major opposition party for the country’s problems until now.

“When you are high-flying, the centrifugal forces will come against you, and it would only take the grace of God for you to attain,” said Mr Adesina. “Yoruba people call those forces Aiye. When Aiye is on your case, as it was against Man City, and it is against the Buhari government, you need God, and God alone.”

Expatiating his point, he stated, “Aiye (meaning ‘the world,’ if freely translated) is the negative part of mankind. The pernicious, baleful, sly and scheming part of humanity. If Aiye gets on your matter, you need God and God alone.”

According to the presidential spokesman, just as some forces worked against Manchester City last season, some forces are working against Mr Buhari regime’s success.

“Recall what happened in the 2019/2020 season. Man City was eyeing a treble. Three back-to-back seasons as champions, and a record in English football. But the adversaries knew the record that was to be set, so they arrayed themselves against the team,” Mr Adesina asserted.

“Just as some forces knew the record that was to be achieved by Muhammadu Buhari as Nigerian President,” he claimed, “and which he had begun to show since 2015 when he got into office, and they (adversaries) positioned against the government.”

Though Mr Adesina provided no evidence to back up his claim, in 2015, former presidential spokesperson Reuben Abati had in an article claimed that there were spiritual forces in Aso Rock.

If Buhari can’t secure Aso Villa, his capacity to secure Nigeria is in doubt —PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lamented the attempted burglary on the Aso Rock residence of the President’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, stating that this signals a total collapse of the security structure in the country.

According to the opposition, this recurring menace is due to the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the issues.

This was contained in a statement issued by the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, who said that the reported burglary is too close to home and has heightened apprehensions over the capacity of the Buhari presidency to secure the nation.

The PDP further expressed misgivings that “if President Buhari cannot guarantee the security of the Presidential Villa, then his capacity to secure the entire country is no longer assured.”

Read also: Buhari has been working, he does not deserve insults —Gov AbdulRazaq

The statement further read, “All over the world, the Presidential Villa, as the seat of power and national sovereignty, is the fortress of the nation that ought to have impregnable security.

“As such, any breach of security, particularly by outlaws and in sequence, sends a clear danger signal to the overall security of the nation.

“It is imperative to state that such security infraction, that gave way for outlaws to invade the Presidential Villa in sequence, in spite of its perceptibly secured ambience, can only happen under an absentee president, who have not demonstrated the required capacity expected of his office,” the party said.

Tension in Agbado Oke-Odo as HRM Oba Jimoh Olawale-Cole Imposes his Candidate

The situation of things presently at Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA can best be described as calm howbeit uneasy just a few days to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for those that will be occupying different positions in the forthcoming local government elections.

The timetable for the elections was recently released and many people have been jostling for political relevance and opportunities to occupy one sit or the other and for most people of Oke-Odo, their councilors and Chairman are expected to be the people’s choice before the intervention of the HRM Oba Jimoh Olawale-Cole, who though now a king in Ojota area of Lagos, but will still want to keep political control of the area he had lived for many years and instead of allowing a free primary whereby party members will choose a candidate of their choice he decided to you his influence and money to force on the people one of his boys.

The person in question it was gathered was at a time a member of the local government legislative arm before he was kicked out for not been effective about 8 years ago, and the party members in the area have been clamoring for fresh mind but were shocked and angry that the party executives allow themselves to be bought or coerced by the king into selecting his boy again.

The information however is that the youths of the area may be planning a showdown with the party executives during the primary.

Rising insecurity: Lawmakers send message to Buhari, tells FG what to do

With the rising cases of insecurity in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari must take some bold steps including proper rejigging of the country’s security architecture as well as a consideration for state police, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have said.

The lawmakers made their positions known on Tuesday when the majority leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, raised the issue under ‘matter of urgent public importance’ at plenary.

They also urged the federal government to get assistance from international organisations if that could help curtail the increased violence, kidnappings and attacks on communities across the country.

Though, they commended the Lagos government for sustaining the security and peace in the state, they urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to provide Close Circuit Television (CCTV) across the state.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, noted that there was an urgent need for President Buhari to address the security challenges facing the country with policies that should be friendly enough to attract foreign investments which would help create more employment for the youths of the country.

“We should start developing policies that have human face. The situation that the country’s youth are passing through should be of concern. We have men and women roaming the streets without jobs or anything to keep them going.

“We should do something substantial beyond giving out N10,000 to youths,” the Speaker said adding that the country must not be run in a way that would make any of its component part feel alienated as this would make the people feel like true stakeholders and reduce secessionist thoughts.

The Speaker said the challenge is huge and necessitates a further call for devolution of power.

Obasa commended the National Assembly for speaking out but added that talking alone would not solve the current situation.

He further suggested that the Lagos government should look at the commercial motorcycle operations in the state in view of recent violent clashes and the fact that some of the riders are foreigners whose identities are not known.

“We should increase the number of our security outfits in Lagos State. We should have CCTV around us to prevent what we don’t want in the state. We must be ahead of every situation in our state,” Speaker Obasa said.

Also speaking on the issue, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, said security challenge was multi-dimensional, adding that there was need for massive recruitment into the security agencies.

“We need security summits which should start from states and then national. We also need massive recruitments into our security agencies. This will reduce the number of people the hoodlums are recruiting and also provide employment for the youths.

“We can purchase arms and weapons from foreign countries and let them give us security intelligence reports,” he suggested.

Earlier, Hon. Agunbiade had lamented the recent rise in violence saying that no zone of the country was free.

“The level of insecurity and violence in our country is deepening. Road travels have become nightmarish, students and academic institutions have become target and are attacked with impunity. Even, our military formations are under attack. Villages and towns have been sacked. Community heads are being kidnapped unabated. It’s as if Nigeria is at war with itself.

“As a House, we have to condemn this rising level of insecurity in its entirety. We commiserate with all the states already affected by these attacks.

“We should call on President Mohammed Buhari, Commander in Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria, to show more concern by overhauling the security apparatus in a manner that will bring us together as a nation,” he said.

Contributing, Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Somolu 1), said the county was in a troubled state. He added that Boko Haram insurgency has spread beyond Maiduguri where it started from.

According to Olowo, it would be difficult to attract foreign investors to the country with this high rate of insecurity. He suggested that the security architecture of the country should be rejigged without sentiments.

“Boko Haram started from Maiduguri and now they have moved to Kaure in Niger State. Several women were kidnapped in a place some kilometres from Abuja. It started in the north, it is now in the South East, South South and South West,” he lamented.

He also noted the violence that occurred in Lekki and Ojo areas of Lagos on Monday recalling that one of President Buhari’s promises was to tackle insecurity.

“Mr. President is experienced as a military man. We need to rejig our security infrastructure. Also, our neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad and Cameroun are porous,” he said.

On his part, Hon. Lukman Olumoh( Ajeromi Ifelodun 1) lamented the proliferation of firearms into the country.

“Section 14 (B) of the constitution talks about security and welfare. We should look at the roles of West Africa and African Union in all of these.

“There is insecurity in Chad, Niger and other countries. I want to call on African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations to look into these,” he suggested.

Hon. Femi Saheed ( Kosofe 1) said that the country is in a precarious situation.

“There is crisis everywhere. I used to travel from Lagos to Kaduna by road as a student many years back and the people there welcomed me,” Saheed recalled adding that the situation is no longer the same.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2), on his part, said: “Insecurity is everywhere, North, South, West, East. No place is safe. LASU/Iyana-Iba and Lekki were boiling yesterday. The Nigeria police is overwhelmed; they have also become victims. Even the Nigerian Army cannot cope.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria must find new ways, we cannot continue like this. Security and welfare of the people are the primary duties of the government. We are trying in Lagos State, but we need to do more. We need to increase the manpower of LNSC, we must give them more equipment.

“The private sector should donate to our security trust fund. We must motivate the security officers. We need to improve our registration agency. We should also have CCTV in strategic places,” he said.

Hon. Rauf Age-Sulaimon (Amuwo-Odofin 2) said to address the security challenges, government must redefine the national interest. He added that there was need to increase police personnel.

“The national interest must be redefined. The government ought to secure lives and properties. The interest of the state and national interest must be paramount.

“If we have enough police and the security institutions are empowered, it would be better. Security is the most important subject in Nigeria now,” he said.

Nigeria needs Tinubu – Obasa, Lagos lawmakers eulogise ex-governor

– Congratulate Oba Elegushi at 45 for role in peaceful coexistence

… Celebrate ex-IGP, Musiliu Smith, who recently clocked 75

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday described the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a man for whom Nigeria as a country currently yearns.

Members of the House said this at plenary as they took time to eulogise the former governor of Lagos, who recently celebrated his 69th birthday.

Speaking after Hon. Victor Akande (Ojo 1) urged his colleagues to join him wish Tinubu a happy birthday, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, noted that it had always been customary of the House to celebrate the Jagaban of Borgu on his birthday, but that this year’s celebration happened at a time the House was on recess.

The Speaker who said Tinubu had earlier been honoured by attendees at a colloquium organised in his honour, added that the comments by the lawmakers during the day’s plenary showed how the APC National Leader had impacted in the lives of individuals.

He agreed with the members of the House that Tinubu remains one man that can effectively steer the Nigerian ship to make the country attain greater success in the coming years.

“We all congratulate him and wish him all the good things of life.

“We believe strongly in him and we have the conviction that he is a worthy man that can steer the ship of this nation. It is not about religion or ethnicity, but it is about wisdom, knowledge, experience and the capacity to lead,” Speaker Obasa said.

Earlier, Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu 1) described Tinubu as a man who understands the country and has the needed experience.

Olowo said Tinubu is a man that no one can love to hate because of his role in the advancement of the country.

For Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe 1), Asiwaju Tinubu is “a father figure to most of us and we will continue to celebrate him for a long time to come.

“He is adjudged one of the most active politicians. As a father to us, we appreciate him. He recognises those who are loyal and brilliant. He is the only man that can lead this country to meet its goals.”

Supporting his colleagues, Hon. Rasheed Makinde called Asiwaju Tinubu a man of the moment who believes in hunting talents and keeping them to prosper.

He said even though Tinubu has not held office for a long time, he still remains relevant because of his large heart and spirit of forgiveness.

He urged Asiwaju to help lead the country in 2023.

Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja 2), said he was delighted to share the same birthday with Tinubu who he called an inspirational figure.

“The Asiwaju that I know is a builder of people, a stabiliser and one who loves selflessly. He is a man who loves other people’s progress. I can only wish him many more fruitful years, first as father and the National Leader of the APC,” he said.

In a related development, the House also celebrated Oba Saheed Elegushi, who was described as a monarch that has brought advancement to his Ikate land while preserving the culture and traditions of his domain.

Hon. Temitope Adewale, while moving that the traditional ruler, who recently clocked 45, be celebrated, said Oba Elegushi had kept the state proud.

The lawmaker was supported by his colleague, Hon. Desmond Elliot, who described the monarch as a 21st century Oba.

In his contribution, Speaker Obasa said the young monarch had endeared himself to the people because he has shown a strong passion for the peace and progress of the state.

While praying for the traditional ruler, Obasa added that Oba Elegushi was being praised for ensuring peace in the state.

He said the commendation should be a challenge to other traditional rulers in the state to play positive roles for its growth and progress.

The House further eulogised Alhaji Musiliu Smith, a former Inspector-General of Police, IGP, who recently clocked 75.

The House affirmed Smith’s importance noting that he has continued to serve the country as the chairman of the Police Service Commission.

Speaker Obasa described him as a man of peace, a quintessential Lagosian and one who often expresses his views and suggestions about the effective running of the state.

He thereafter directed the acting Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, to write a letter congratulating each of the celebrants on behalf of the Assembly.