Politics
It is time to bring Southeast into mainstream politics- Kalu
It is time to bring Southeast into mainstream politics- Kalu
By: Michael Mike
Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who has been endorsed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as next Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives has said it is time to bring the South East geopolitical zone back into the mainstream politics.
He assured that he would work along with his colleagues and stakeholders to ensure that the geopolitical zone is brought back to the centre of activities in the country.
Kalu made this assertion while reacting to allegations that the APC government has polarising Nigeria.
The lawmaker assured Nigerians that he was ready for the task ahead and would work assiduously along with others to build a robust, sensitive 9th National Assembly.
Kalu, who was reminded that on his election to the office of Deputy Speaker he would be the most senior elected politician at the federal level, said he was ready for the task of the office and also willing to work assiduously with stakeholders from the zone to bring back the Southeast geopolitical zone into the frame of things.
He said: “I can assure you that we are bringing South East to the centre. We are going to use it and bring our brothers who are agitating to the centre.
“The youths on the street who are agitating will see a fellow youth who is piloting the affairs of the nation in this capacity. They will see us display spirit of efficiency and excellence and that will encourage them to believe more in Nigeria. This is what these young ones are looking for.”
Kalu, who had earlier addressed top editors and publishers where he unveiled the driving force behind the vision of the incoming leadership, called it a joint task which “is a coloration of various political parties coming together to approach issues affecting Nigeria from their different political ideology,” insisting that to provide solution to the hydra headed needs of Nigerians at all times, “you need to have periscopic view on issues, policy direction, legislative policy, to have a coloration that is not just tied down to one political ideology.”
He noted that: “The solution might come from a minority party that has a better approach, better strategy, better policy architecture that will deliver the expected outcome for our country.
“So we came with this idea and said it is a joint task for nation building. And if you are going to build a nation, all hands must be on deck. Bring your brick, I bring my brick. The colour of your brick might be yellow like of the political parties. It might be green. It might be red, it might be blue, but that is also reflecting the beauty of our diversity, a diversity sensitive organisation.”
That is not ignoring the principles of checks and balances as well as the expectation of separation of powers”, he however noted.
He said: “The relationship with executive should be a joint task. We should not isolate the legislature from the executive and the judiciary in the effort to build a nation. But we should go with the understanding that it is a joint task between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary in building a beautiful nation. So the national objectives set by the executive should be the national objective.
Asked whether he is prepared for the burden of cementing the nation after polarising years, he replied: “Yes, I studied politics and I can confidently inform you that Iam above 50 years. My mates are presidents of countries around the world. Give me the office of the president today, I will run it and I will bring cohesion in this country. Give me the office of the president, highest office of the land, I will bring the diversity, sensitivity in leadership that will make you forget that you are an Igbo man and that you are Hausa and you are Yoruba man but you are a Nigerian. And that is what Nigeria needs now.”
He said: “We are tired of all this coloration that separates us from the whole. My brother in the south east is my brother, my brother in the north is my brother. My brother in the west is my brother. My brother in the east is my brother. That is the mentality of my generation.
“I am more than ready to hold my region. But beyond my region, being the deputy speaker is not for south east alone.”
It is time to bring Southeast into mainstream politics- Kalu
Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission
By: Michael Mike
The President of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has deployed an Election Observation Mission of 40 observers to Togo to monitor the legislative and regional elections scheduled for 29 April 2024
According to a statement at the weekend, the mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections.
The mission is led by the former Vice-President of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang.
According to the statement, the mission is made up of Ambassadors from Member States accredited to ECOWAS; representatives of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament; Civil Society Organisations; media professionals and election observation specialists from the West African region.
It revealed that: “This observation mission is being deployed following the recommendations of a pre-election fact-finding mission that visited Togo from 15 to 20 April 2024 to assess the preparatory phases of the elections.
“During its stay in Togo, the observation mission will hold consultations with the main stakeholders in the electoral process and monitor the voting process up to 29 April 2024.”
Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission
Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande
By: Bodunrin Kayode
A Plateau elder Ambassador Yahaya Kwande has described the just concluded re-run election into the national assembly as a Triumph of Democracy.
In a release titled Congratulations to the Winners of Plateau State Bye Elections of February 3, 2024, he noted that the entire exercise was a victory to the people of the state.
“With great joy and profound gratitude, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Senator, (Plateau North Senatorial District), Prince Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang, and the Member of the House of Representatives, (Jos North/Bassa Constituency), Hon. Daniel Asama, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded bye election held in Plateau State.
“Your triumph is a testament to the true spirit of democracy and the unwavering support of the people.
“I have no doubt that both Prince Pam Mwadkon and Hon. Daniel Asama will live up to the aspirations and expectations of the voters, as they embark on this noble responsibility of representing their constituents. May your tenure be marked by dedication, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of progress for our beloved state and nation.
“As we celebrate this momentous milestone, let us not forget the challenges we faced during the post-2023 elections period. It is my sincere hope that Plateau State will swiftly recover from the divisions and tussles that marred our unity. Let us unite as one, for the strength of our state lies in our togetherness.
“It is essential for the government and the people to undertake immediate measures to reconcile and bridge the gaps that have emerged. We must never forget that every citizen, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, is entitled to their fundamental rights. The use of religion as a tool of disfranchisement must cease; we must affirm that citizenship rights are not conditional on faith.
“Let us also strive to recapture the lost glory of our state, when Jos was hailed as the political Mecca of Nigeria, attracting momentous political events and embracing politicians from all shades and ideologies. We can revive this legacy by nurturing an environment that exudes peace, openness, and security for all. Together, we can restore Plateau State as a beacon of democratic excellence.
“In conclusion, I express my utmost optimism for the future of Plateau State. I extend my deepest appreciation to all who peacefully participated in the bye election, be it as candidates or enthusiastic supporters. Our journey towards progress and development continues, and I am confident that we will stand united, empowered by the unwavering spirit of our people.” said Kwande.
Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande
Politics
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
By: Jabiru Hassan
The National President of the APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening to ease the hardships affecting Nigerians.
In a message he issued to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Ambassador Tsoken described President Tinubu as a leader with listening war by giving a marching order for the release of different food items to ease hardships for the people of Nigeria, which is a good initiative.
”APC-IGG has recognized what Mr. President has done in order to ease the hardship affecting the people on the food price hike, which is very good foresight from our leader. We therefore thank all those who have helped with the implementation of the process to release the food items from the federal government reserves across the country for their well-deserved thought.” The statement was added.
Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken reassured the people of Nigeria that the APC Initiative for Good Governance would continue to work selflessly in order to ensure that Nigeria is progressive under the present democratic dispensation without bias.
Amb Tsoken emphasizes that the emergence of His Excellency Sen. Dr. George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation depicts the fact that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reliable and credible individuals who have verse experience in governance from all ramifications; therefore, the deliverance of democratic dividends is something that Nigerians should believe in its workability and full efficacy in the near future, considering the fact that some of the policies and programs of the Renewed Hope Agenda have started gaining sway in the lives of the citizenry, he concluded.
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
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