News

There’s No Alternative To Restructuring – Atiku

Published

6 years ago

June 27, 2018

A former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, countered President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance on the restructuring of the country, saying there was no alternative to restructuring if Nigeria must make progress.

Atiku stated that he remained resolute in his support for the restructuring of the country, positing that there was “too much power” in the hands of the Federal Government, a situation he said had made governance in the country less competitive particularly among the states.

President Buhari had on Monday told a delegation of Urhobo Traditional Rulers and Urhobo Progress Union, who visited him in Abuja, that the calls for the restructuring of the country was parochial and laced with self-interests, hence discussions and arguments on the matter failed to capture his attention.

But the former VP disagreed with Buhari, saying that the country must be restructured for Nigeria to rapidly move forward.

Atiku spoke in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, during his consultative visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state on his presidential ambition ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He stated that he had been in the forefront of the calls for the restructuring of the country since 2004 while still serving as VP because restructuring would bring out the best among the federating units and lead to economic development across the board.

The PDP presidential aspirant also called on the Federal Government to review the current security architecture to meet the emerging security threats in the country, adding that he would always support any cause that would move the country forward.

Atiku, who also vowed to tackle unemployment in the country when he becomes President, noted that he was in the presidential race because of his burning desire to ensure that Nigeria made progress and was united irrespective of its religious and ethnic diversity.

He decried the situation where security agencies didn’t take orders from the state governors, saying “as an individual, I don’t think this is true federalism, we must restructure the security architecture.”

He said, “I will have a very small Federal Government with powers and resources devolved to the states to manage the affairs while they pay taxes to the Federal Government. With this, each zone can survive on its own without leaning on oil money.

“I’ll create jobs; you must liberalise the economy, support the private sector, create incentives to make the private sector boom and open up the economy to foreign direct investments. The security architecture of the country must be reviewed and decentralised to meet modern-day security challenges.”

He, however, thanked the people of the Niger Delta region, particularly Okowa, for the return of peace which in turn had led to increase in oil production, appealing that the peace in the area should be sustained.

Also speaking in a similar vein, Okowa stressed that restructuring would help to resolve the myriad of challenges currently confronting the country.

“I strongly believe that the way out of the challenges of the country is to have stronger states, stronger federating units,” he stated.

Punch

Foreign

Decimated Hezbollah says it is ready for cease-fire talks with Israel

Published

2 weeks ago

October 10, 2024

lagoslately

Hezbollah said Tuesday it is now ready to engage in cease-fire talks with Israel, after suffering serious blows to its leadership and ranks in recent months.

The terror group in Lebanon made the announcement after firing more than 100 rockets at the Jewish state hours earlier.

Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general, Naim Qassem, publicly endorsed a truce with Israel, the first such time the terror group has proposed a cease-fire not conditioned on the war in Gaza.

“We support the political efforts led by [Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih] Berri under the banner of achieving a cease-fire,” Qassem said, according to a CNN translation.

“Once the cease-fire is firmly established and diplomacy can reach it, all other details will be discussed and decisions will be made collaboratively,” he added.

Qassem’s announcement came within hours of a massive barrage that sent more than 100 missiles soaring from Lebanon at Israel’s northern city of Haifa, the third-largest metropolis in the Jewish state.

News

Davido, Wizkid’s Songs Aren’t Selling Again, They Are Using Controversy To Stay Relevant’ – Portable

Published

3 weeks ago

October 4, 2024

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Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has reacted to the ongoing feud between his colleagues Davido and Wizkid.

We reported that Wizkid reignited the long-standing beef with Davido on his X page, marking their second major online spat in 2024.

Wizkid, who labelled Davido ‘wack with no talent,’ also threw tantrums at the singer’s family, including his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In a series of Instagram posts on Wednesday evening, Portable criticized both artistes, claiming their songs no longer sell and are using controversy for music promotion.

The ‘Zazzu Zeh’ hitmaker also said he is now more relevant and celebrated than Davido and Wizkid. However, the claims starkly contrast with the current happenings in the music scene.

News

Breaking: CJN Kekere-Ekun Issues First Warning after Swearing-in

Published

3 weeks ago

October 1, 2024

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The newly-inaugurated Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motomori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, vowed on Monday in Abuja that obedience to court orders will not be negotiable under her watch.

She said that no individual or institution, irrespective of their standing, would be permitted to treat judgments of the court with levity or disregard.

The CJN spoke on the occasion of the commencement of the 2024/2025 legal year and the inauguration of the 87 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) held at the Supreme Court.

Justice Kekere-Ekun stated that the judiciary stands resolute in ensuring that the sanctity of legal decisions is upheld in line with the rule of law.

To achieve this new narrative, the CJN canvassed that all hands must be on deck in fostering an unwavering commitment to the full enthronement of the rule of law.

“Disobedience to court orders or non-compliance with judicial directives is a direct affront to democracy and an invitation to anarchy.

“As such, it is critical that we respect and observe all the features of an enduring democracy, for in doing so, we maintain the delicate balance that sustains our society.”

“Let us, therefore, work together collectively and tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria continues to abide by the rule of law, upholds the best democratic practices, and remains vigilant in the protection of citizens’ rights.

“The rights of every Nigerian must be valiantly safeguarded against oppression and impunity, utilizing the full array of legal instruments at our disposal.”

Maintaining that a new dawn and a new era in the Nigerian judiciary has come with her appointment, Justice Kekere-Ekun assured Nigerians of her commitment to work diligently to improve public perception of the judiciary.

According to her, “Over the years, various factors have contributed to the negative image of the judiciary. However, we are determined to change the narrative and make the judiciary a source of pride for all Nigerians.”

“When the legal compass of a nation falters, everything suffers, including public and international perception.”

“The attitude of some of us in the justice sector is sometimes less than salutary, and that has contributed to the current image deficit of the country’s legal system.”

The CJN condemned the forum shopping by some lawyers, which she claimed has led to the emergence of conflicting orders by courts of coordinated jurisdiction.

To address this ugly trend, the CJN vowed that there will be consequences for any act of indiscretion that could bring the judiciary to disrepute