Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come under fire from former APC National Vice Chairman for the Northwest, Salihu Moh lukman, who accused him of turning the Nigerian Senate into a subordinate entity of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.

Advertorial

Lukman’s criticism follows the dismissal of Senate Whip Mohammed Ndume by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, led by Abdullahi Ganduje.

In a statement titled “Fanatical Mindset,” issued on Thursday in Abuja, Lukman urged Nigerians to stand up and defend the country’s democracy.

Lukman questioned the democratic values of the current leadership, stating, “Nigerians should not tolerate leaders who are intolerant of criticism and behave like military tribunal officials.”

Advertorial

He criticized the APC Senate Caucus for allowing such “illegality,” which he argued undermines the independence of the National Assembly.

The controversy began when the APC, in a letter to Akpabio, accused Ndume of making harmful and divisive comments about the government, particularly during a televised interview where he described the Tinubu administration as being run by “kakistocrats” and “kleptocrats.”

Advertorial

The letter suggested that Ndume should “honorably resign” from the APC and join an opposition party.

Lukman argued that the APC’s actions confirm Ndume’s allegations, suggesting that key decisions are being made by a small group of party leaders without proper consultation.

He lamented the lack of functioning party organs, which he said should address such issues internally rather than through public statements.

Advertorial

Lukman also echoed Ndume’s concerns about President Tinubu’s accessibility, alleging that influential figures within the party have effectively isolated the President.

He called for a united effort among opposition leaders and marginalized members of the APC to restore and rebuild Nigeria’s democracy.

LLukman condemned the APC’s treatment of Ndume and criticized Akpabio’s leadership, warning that such actions threaten the democratic principles of the nation.

He urged patriotic Nigerians to work towards ensuring the defeat of the APC in the 2027 elections if these issues persist.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that despite the Supreme Court’s judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils, the true liberation of local governments from the dominance of state governors can only be achieved through the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).

Advertorial

Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, the ADC National Chairman, emphasized that the control exercised by governors over state and local governments is a major hindrance to the development of democracy in Nigeria.

He made these remarks during a colloquium organized for ADC members in the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday.

Advertorial

Nwosu argued that for the political process to be credible, governors must not have the power to manipulate local government autonomy through SIECs.

He stated, “State governors have laid waste to our democracy. They have reduced our intellectuals to nothing. Commissioners are like messengers; it is shameful to be a commissioner in Nigeria.”

The National Chairman highlighted recent local government elections in Delta and Adamawa States, where, despite the Supreme Court ruling, the ruling parties in these states won all the chairmanship and councillorship positions.

Advertorial

He insisted that for genuine democracy at the local government level, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should conduct all elections in the country.

Nwosu urged ADC members to transform the party from a “government-in-waiting” to a governing party, stating, “ADC cannot continue to be a party in waiting while the country bleeds.”

He assured that the party would work to end the practice of making Abuja an “amorphous state” where appointed ministers threaten elected officials.

Advertorial

“Abuja is a melting point for all Nigerians and foreigners. It does not belong to anybody. ADC will remodel Abuja,” he said.

He also commended the FCT chapter of the ADC for their achievements and encouraged them to prepare for the upcoming Area Council elections, challenging them to be ready to take over power and form governments in the 36 states and 774 local government areas of the country.

The Borno State Governor’s Media Unit has denied reports circulating on some online platforms alleging that one of Governor Babagana Zulum’s sons has been arrested and sentenced to prison for the murder of Indian citizens.

In a statement signed by Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, and made available on Wednesday night, the Media Unit said “the attention of the Borno State Governor’s Media Unit has been drawn to rumors circulating that the son of the Borno State Governor has been arrested for the alleged murder of some Indian citizens.

“This misinformation was published on an online blog, Nairaland, under the title ‘Son of Borno State Governor Murders Someone In India—Politics.’

Advertorial

The blog falsely claimed that the Governor traveled to India, attempting to use diplomatic status to resolve the matter.

“It is on record that Governor Babagana Zulum was on a one-month vacation in Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj and later traveled to Egypt to attend the annual ASWAN forum conference in Cairo.

“The Media Unit would like to clarify and set the record straight that Nairaland and other online blogs have mischievously spread defamatory content without any speck of truth.

Advertorial

“We hereby warn Nairaland and all those who have spread this false information to remove the misinformation from their websites and platforms within the next 24 hours and offer an unreserved apology to Governor Zulum, his son, and the entire family, or risk legal action. The Governor shall not hesitate to take legal action against any media outlet that continues to publicize this defamatory information.”

“We would like to inform the public that none of Governor Zulum’s sons was either arrested or charged with any crime, or involved in any unlawful activities anywhere.

Advertorial

“We urge the public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information, particularly from unverified sources and blogs instead of credible media outlets.

“We enjoin all media organizations to engage in responsible journalism of truth and factual verification while recognizing the potential harm and psychological trauma the spread of false information might have caused to the Governor’s family.”

Advertorial

The statement concluded by addressing the unverified rumors on social media that the Governor’s first son, who recently got married, had divorced his wife and committed murder abroad.

Our correspondent noted that these rumors have caused significant distress but reiterated the government’s firm stance that these allegations are entirely baseless.

At a crucial meeting held at the Government House in Enugu, key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed unwavering support for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amidst the ongoing political crisis in the state.

Advertorial

The gathering included PDP Governors, the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, and other party organs, who collectively pledged to ensure the resolution of the conflict and prevent any attempts to destabilize Fubara’s administration.

The communique issued at the end of the meeting highlighted the party’s commitment to backing Governor Fubara.

Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, emphasized the need for unity and wider consultations with stakeholders to achieve a peaceful resolution.

Advertorial

The communique warned against any actions that could distract the governor from delivering good governance to the people of Rivers State.

The forum also addressed several national issues, including the upcoming party congresses, the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, the implications of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, ongoing national minimum wage negotiations, and the current state of the economy.

Advertorial

The PDP leaders criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government for its handling of the economy, citing growing inflation, worsening corruption, and a declining standard of living.

Governor Mohammed highlighted the PDP’s past achievements, contrasting them with the current economic challenges.

He called for more pragmatic policies from the Federal Government to rescue the economy and provide relief to Nigerians.

The forum also commended PDP-controlled states for their innovative governance approaches and timely delivery of developmental projects.

On the issue of national minimum wage negotiations, the forum supported labor’s demand for a substantial salary raise, emphasizing the need for negotiations to consider the ability of various government tiers to pay.

The forum urged restraint in actions and utterances to avoid a complete breakdown of law and order.

Advertorial

Regarding the upcoming party congresses, the forum stressed the importance of internal democracy, transparency, and fairness.

It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a level playing field in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections and called on President Bola Tinubu to refrain from any statements suggestive of political interference.

The forum also expressed its commitment to supporting local government autonomy as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and emphasized the need for a balanced implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy to avoid creating a trust deficit between the federal and sub-national governments.

Advertorial

The meeting was attended by several PDP governors, including Governor Peter Mbah (host), Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Governor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Governor Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has embarked on a month-long vacation, temporarily handing over governance to his deputy, Malam Faruq Lawal-Jobe.

This announcement was made during a joint meeting with local government chairmen, legislators, and executive members in Katsina on Tuesday.

Advertorial

Radda stated, “I will be on vacation and undergoing a medical checkup starting Thursday until August 18. During this period, Deputy Governor Lawal-Jobe will act as governor. A formal letter has been sent to the assembly, and they have approved my leave as outlined in the constitution.”

He extended his best wishes to the acting governor, urging all members of the assembly, judiciary, executive council, and local government to provide their full support and cooperation.

“To the people of Katsina State, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve you,” Radda added.

In the same meeting, Governor Radda received the 2024 supplementary budget, which had been passed by the state assembly.