News
Peter Obi disowns merger talks with PDP, Kwankwaso
Four days after New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso repudiated the proposed opposition alliance talks, his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, has disowned the plan.
Obi, former Anambra State governor, said there is no merger deal yet with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the NNPP or any other party.
He told reporters in Abuja that no agreement had been established with other parties on collaboration ahead of 2027.
However, Obi urged Nigerians to come together in 2027 and defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he accused of mismanaging the country’s resources.
Obi described the security situation as unfortunate, saying that many Nigerians are losing their lives to banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping-for-ransom.
He said corruption and the cost of governance are high, leading to an astronomical increase in public debt under the Tinubu Administration.
Obi alleged that government officials mismanaged public funds in 2024 through incessant foreign travels.
However, the APC rejected the allegations, saying that they were unfounded.
The ruling party said the former LP presidential candidate is still nursing bitterness over his defeat in the 2023 poll.
Obi also said the country’s electoral processes are visibly flawed, lacking transparency and credibility.
He said the electoral processes fell below acceptable standards, adding that people’s votes no longer count.
Obi said the single most challenging test for the President is ensuring that future elections are credible and truly reflect the will of the people.
Obi said: “We hold periodic elections that are no longer genuine. Our electoral processes are visibly flawed, lacking transparency and credibility.
“Although Nigeria is a democratic country, the electoral processes fall far below acceptable standards, with the people’s votes often not counting.”
“All future borrowing must be tied to regenerative investments and visible, productive assets that benefit the nation.
“This will ensure both productivity and the ability to service and amortise such loans, rather than continuing the current practice of accumulating massive debt with no tangible returns, which places undue strain on future development revenue.
“Furthermore, it is time for you to visit our national hospitals. Consider, for example, that your next medical examination be conducted at one of our national hospitals or regional federal medical centres, such as the FMC in Sokoto or Birnin Kebbi or Calabar or Umuahia or Akure, among others.
“This will allow you to assess the state of healthcare facilities available to Nigerians. It will also help you understand the condition of our hospitals and clinics, enabling you to make informed decisions on how to upgrade and make them efficient.
Endeavour to travel by road to observe the condition of most highways.
“You can take short trips, for example, from Calabar in Cross River State to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State – a distance of less than 100 km, or from Benin in Edo State to Warri in Delta State.
“I recall taking President Olusegun Obasanjo on a trip from Awka to Onitsha on a federal highway when I was the governor of Anambra State.
“That journey prompted him to immediately approve the reconstruction of parts of the road by the Anambra State government, with subsequent reimbursement by the Federal Government. Such actions are immensely valuable.
“Make both impromptu and planned visits to our tertiary institutions, where our children and future leaders are being trained. It is essential to familiarise yourself with the available infrastructure, facilities, and amenities.
“These visits will provide valuable insight into whether the resources of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) are being utilised optimally and what is needed to sustain the education system.
“Mr. President, many Nigerians are ‘refugees’ and ‘exiles’ in their own country.
“Visit various IDP camps and assure these Nigerians that they will soon return to their communities and that you are working hard to restore peace and normalcy to the country. Nigeria is not a war-torn nation.
”To motivate the soldiers fighting terror, Obi said: “As Commander-in-Chief, visit our military formations and security agencies, especially during their field operations, and provide them with morale-boosting assurances and support for operational efficiency.
News
Marwa To Serve As NDLEA Chairman Until 2031- Tinubu
Marwa, first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, previously chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to 2020.
•Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday renewed the reappointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for another five-year term.
Marwa, first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, previously chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to 2020.
His renewed tenure will see him lead the NDLEA until 2031.
A former military governor of Lagos and Borno States, Marwa is an alumnus of the Nigerian Military School and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1973.
He has held several strategic positions, including brigade major of the 23 Armoured Brigade; Aide-de-Camp to then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma; academic registrar of the NDA; Deputy Defence Adviser at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; and Defence Adviser at the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
News
Parliamentary Workers set for full-scale nationwide strike
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has issued a final mobilization directive to all its chapters nationwide, signaling readiness for an indefinite strike as its 21-day ultimatum to state governors expired today, Friday November 14.
The looming action which threatens to paralyze legislative operations across all State Houses of Assembly follows a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Bauchi State where it resolved to give State Governments a 21-day deadline, effective from October 24, to begin implementing the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and financial autonomy for State Legislatures, as enshrined in Section 121(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
In an official directive on Friday, the National Secretariat of the Union express disappointment that despite “ample window for compliance, reports from the states indicate that most State Governments are yet to begin the implementation as directed.
PASAN, therefore, instructed its zonal leaders to prepare for full-scale action.
The directive ordered all National Vice Presidents to “immediately mobilize all Chapters within their respective zones for industrial action as soon as the ultimatum elapses.
This action is to ensure full enforcement of the NEC resolution and to press home demand for the implementation of CONLESS without further delay.
The Union has formally notified the National Assembly leadership of the expiration of the ultimatum and its readiness for strike.
News
Multiple Accident on Karu Bridge Abuja (Video)
Reports are coming in of multiple accidents which occurred on Thursday evening, November 13th on the Karu Bridge in Abuja.
Details of the accident are still emerging, but a video posted on X, shows cars in flames while eyewitnesses calls for fire fighters to put out the engulfing inferno.
Authorities are likely on the scene, and further information will be provided as it becomes available.
Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution when approaching the area and to consider alternative routes if possible.
Video ccredit.
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