Politics

APC applauds S’Court ruling on financial autonomy for LGs

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has commended the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the right of local government councils to receive their monthly allocations directly from the federation account.

Justice Emmanuel Agim-led seven-man panel also upheld the position of the federal government that state governors lack authority under the law to arbitrarily dissolve democratically-elected local government councils and set up caretaker committees in their place as ubiquitously practised.

The apex court had in its ruling on Thursday said it was an act of gross misconduct paying local government allocation through states.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka in a statement issued Friday said the judgment constitutes the single most significant stride towards restructuring Nigeria since the country’s return to civilian democratic rule in 1999.

He added that it gives practical expression to the constitutional recognition of local government councils as the third tier of government.

Morka noted that the decision struck down the proxy system in which state governments received federal allocations on behalf of local government councils in the country.

The party also commended the ingenuity, vision and commitment of President Bola Tinubu towards deepening the country’s democracy and turning the local government councils into potential strongholds for development and more efficient service delivery to our populations at the grassroots.

Morka said: “This decision signifies a historic moment in the consolidation of democratic federalism in our country.

“It gives practical expression to constitutional recognition of local government councils as the third tier of government.

“We applaud the Supreme Court for justifying itself, and for its courage in rendering a definitive decision on this vexed national issue.

“The clarity that it brings will, no doubt, spur further reform for effectiveness, transparency and accountability of local government administration in the country.”

Politics

Rivers crises: ‘I look better’- Fubara not eager to return to office

Suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has insisted he is not desperate to return to office.

Fubara made this remark while speaking at the service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, in Port Harcourt, on Sunday.

“Can’t you see how better I look? Do you think I am interested in it?

“Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit had already left that place long ago,” he said.

Fubara is believed to have been responding to several speakers at the event, who referred to him as “Governor” and called for immediate reversal.

“Not everything is by Oshogbe, I want everybody to focus, there are some fights you don’t fight,” he said.

Fubara was also said to have urged the attendees to focus on the tribute of Edwin Clark who lived a selfless life advocating for the Niger Delta region and not make it about politics.

President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly after he declared a state of emergency.

Tinubu then appointed a retired naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the sole administrator of the oil-rich state.

Politics

APGA officially adopts Tinubu as candidate for 2027 presidential election

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has officially adopted President Bola Tinubu as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State made the announcement on Thursday in Awka.

He claimed that APGA and the All Progressives Congress, APC would work together during the election, as both parties share a common belief in progressivism.

The announcement was made at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka during the President’s working visit to the state.

Soludo said, “Progressives are working together.”

Politics

INEC yet to decide on LP, PDP leadership tussles – Oyekanmi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has yet to make any decision regarding the national chairman and national secretary crisis rocking Labour Party (LP).

The commission made the clarification in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, on Thursday in Abuja.

Oyekanmi also said that it had yet to take any decision on the national secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Our attention has been drawn to some media reports claiming that the commission has recognised certain persons as the national chairman and national secretary of LP.

“The reports also inferred that the commission has restored a particular individual as the national secretary of PDP, referring to the listings on the commission’s official website.

“However, the reports are false and misleading. The commission has not made any decision in respect of either the LP or PDP,” he said.

Oyekanmi said that the names of the national officers of LP had previously been uploaded to INEC website, following a court order, not related in any way to the latest judgement of the Supreme Court.

“In the same manner, the name of the national secretary of PDP on the same website was neither deleted nor reinstated.

“As a law abiding institution, the commission is carefully studying the judgment of the Supreme Court on the LP and will communicate its decision to the public in due course,” Oyekanmi said. (NAN