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Nigeria achieved in 24 years what took US 185 years – Akpabio

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said Nigeria achieved in 24 years a feat that took the United States 185 years to achieve.
In his address during the 2024 budget presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the joint session of lawmakers at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 29, he said, ex-Senators occupy strategic positions in the executive which made the two arms to foster a healthier relationship.

Akpabio said with former lawmakers running the executive, a cordial relationship between the two arms would not only be a must, but they will continue to walk hand in hand and see eye to eye.

Akpabio said: “Mr President, the United States of America has started democracy for about 247 years. But it was only when it marked its 185th anniversary that it succeeded in producing two former senators John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson as president and vice president respectively.

“But within 24 years of our democracy, we have achieved what took the United States of America 185 years to achieve.

“Not only do we have two former Distinguished Senators serving as the President and Vice President of our dear country; we also have other alumni of this Assembly in positions of public trust: Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and other Senators in the Cabinet.

“Mr. President, Distinguished and Honorable Members, maintaining a cordial relationship with the Executive Arm has always been a requirement of the law, but now, given that our Old Boys now run the Executive, a good relationship with the Executive is a must.

“Never have we had so many bridges and connection points between these two arms of Government.

“So we will continue to walk hand in hand and see eye to eye with the Executive Arm while ensuring that the principles of separation of powers, as well as checks and balances as enshrined in our Constitution are observed in the overriding public interest.”

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Politics

Akwa Ibom LG poll: PDP wins 30 out of 31 chairmanship positions

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 30 of the 31 local government chairmanship seats, leaving the All Progressives Congress with one seat in the October 5, 2024 election in Akwa Ibom State.

The Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) made this known on Sunday.

The commission, which released the results of the October 5 Local Government election, also indicated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won one local government area.

Following the successful conduct of the election, all is now set for elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to be sworn in on Monday, October 7, 2024, by 8 am at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, in the State capital.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Enobong Uwah.

The statement indicated that Governor Umo Eno would perform the function in the presence of guests.

Meanwhile, Governor Eno has announced plans to swear in the elected chairmen on Monday, October 7, 2024.

Eno, who made this known while speaking at the All Nations Christian Ministry in Eket, said it was important to immediately inaugurate the democratically-elected officials to position local government area in the state for rapid development.

“Election was concluded yesterday. Results are trickling in. We are swearing in new chairmen tomorrow by 8 am. We want to thank those who have served. They have done well.

“The window we negotiated with the Federal Government was till October, and this is October. So we need to quickly swear in those chairmen so that they will start receiving their allocations and work for their people,” he said.

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Ondo guber: REC confirms receipt of BVAS, non-sensitive materials ahead of poll

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, has disclosed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and the non-sensitive materials have arrived in the state ahead of the November 16 governorship poll.

According to the REC, INEC is not leaving anything to chance towards ensuring that the commission conducts seamless and flawless polls in the state.

Babalola, who disclosed this during a media briefing with newsmen, maintained that security agencies are also prepared for the off-cycle governorship election and stressed that vote-buying would be tackled during the election.

The REC added that Registration Area Technical Support Staff (RATECH) will be deployed to all Registration Areas (RAs) to provide technical assistance in case of any issue with the functioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“INEC is fully committed to conducting a credible, transparent, and inclusive election in Ondo State.

“We call on the good people of Ondo State to come out en masse on election day, exercise their franchise peacefully, and contribute to the democratic process.

“We assure you that every vote will count, and what we can do about the issue of vote buying is that we will continue to sensitise people to desist from this. So we are working assiduously to succeed in the forthcoming governorship election.”

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‘I am not thinking about 2027 election- Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu said he is not thinking about the upcoming 2027 general elections but instead dedicated to restructuring the economy for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

This is coming as several prominent figures from the All Progressives Congress, APC, including former national chairman. Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and governors from Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti states—Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Biodun Oyebanji, respectively—expressed their support for President Tinubu’s re-election and the success of all APC candidates in 2027.

Tinubu and the party leaders made these comments at the 2024 South West Assembly of the APC, held on Saturday at Victoria Island, hosted by Governor Sanwo-Olu, who serves as the zonal coordinator of the party.

The event had in attendance party leaders and stakeholders from the South-West including senators, members of the House of Representatives, State House of Assembly members, local government officials, and top party representatives.

At the event, former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, delivered the keynote address, praising the president as a “listening leader” with a strong determination to succeed.

Tinubu, who was represented by his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, urged Nigerians to be patient with his administration, which is committed to the genuine progress of the populace.

“Mr. President has asked me to tell you that he is not thinking of the next election but the next generation,” Gbajabiamila said.

“He has asked me to convey his message, that he knows he has taken a very tough decision. He sees the light at the end of the tunnel. The time will come when we will all thank him for the decision,” he added.

Gbajabiamila reiterated Tinubu’s focus, stating, “Mr. President said I should let you know that he is not thinking of the next election but the next generation. For every moment in a country, a particular leader is produced for that time. This is the time to produce a leader that is courageous.”

He added that Tinubu remains deeply committed to the well-being of Nigerians, especially the masses and that despite the difficult reforms, Tinubu is driven by a conviction to lead Nigeria through this period of change.

“For those of us that know him very well, he has a love for the masses. As the people are complaining, he is also pained but when a man has a strong conviction of what he is doing, he pursues it.”

Gbajabiamila also stressed that while Tinubu serves as the President of Nigeria, his political base remained rooted in the South-West, and all discussions at the assembly would be taken seriously.

“The challenges facing our country are vast and complex. But for those who know him, Tinubu has always been a leader with a deep love for the people. He is pained by their struggles, but he is determined to push forward with his vision for Nigeria’s future,” he added.

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