Politics

NIGER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HAS CALLED ON DIRECTORS OF FINANCE AND SUPPLY OF 25 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS TO WAKE UP TO THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS HEADS OF FINANCE DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL REVENUE DUE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COUNCILS ARE COLLECTED PROMPTLY.

Published

2 years ago

July 24, 2024

These form part of the recommendations that was adopted by the House at today’s plenary of the House, during the presentation of report of the House Standing Committee on Public Accounts on the consolidated Financial Statements and Report of the Auditor – General for Local Governments for the Year ended 31st December, 2021.

The report was presented by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Andrew Doma, Member Representing Shiroro Constituency at today’s plenary of the House.

Presenting the Committee report, the Chairman informed his colleagues that in carrying out the assignment the Committee drew up a time table to serve as a guide during the conduct of it’s hearing on the report which commenced on 19th February, 2024 and ended on 4th March 2024, All the 25 Local Government Chairmen, their Directors of Administration, Finance, Works, Internal Auditors and some other officials appeared before the Committee, oral and written responses in defense of all outstanding issues raised were noted and analyzed.

The Committee Chairman further explained that the Committee engaged representative of the Auditor – General for Local Governments who usually advice the committee on matters of procedure and the provisions.

The Committee made the followings observations which includes.

Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR), the Committee carefully observed that actual revenue collected during the year under review was far below the approved Budgeted revenue in most of the Local Government with the exception of Bida and Lapai in Zone ‘A’ , Tafa in Zone ‘B’ and Agwara in Zone ‘C’ which surpassed their budgeted revenue, all the rest council recorded low Collections.

Capital Expenditure Performance in all 25 Local Government Councils was poor during the year under review as none of the Councils accessed up to 50% of their approved Capital Allocation and hence their poor performance.

Internal Control, which ought to have instill Financial discipline and prudence in public Finances as well as promote accountability and prevent fraud, is generally weak in all the Councils.

The Committee Chairman also highlighted the Committee’s recommendations which includes

That henceforth, local government Councils should embark on projects that will enhance their revenue base , this would reduce their over dependence on Statutory Allocation, they should also endeavor to block leakages.

That accounting officers should desist from acting on verbal instruction/directives, they should rather insist on doing the proper things and keep and maintain record as this will go a long way in reducing the numbers of queries

That the two (2) major actors , Chief Accountants and internal Auditors should cultivate and develop the habit of synergy among themselves as this will go a long way in strengthening internal Control and proper financial record keeping.

That Local Government service Commission in Collaboration with the Local Government Councils be directed to involve the office of the Auditor – General for Local Governments in the recruitment and appointment of Internal Auditors and merit should be over and above any other consideration during such appointments .,

At the end of the presentation of the Committee’s report and subsequent deliberations the House unanimously adopted all the recommendations of the Committee, The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Barr. Abdulmalik Mohammad Sarkin -Daji, Commended the Members of the Committee for a job well done.

In another development the Niger State House of Assembly has Commenced debate on the Second reading of a Bill for a law to provide for the Establishment of the Niger State Agency for Green Initiatives and for related matters.

At the end of deliberations on the Bill, the Speaker, Barr. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin -Daji who presided over today’s plenary of the House refered the Bill to the House Standing Committees on Environment, Agriculture, Water Resources, Lands and Commerce and Investments respectively for further Legislative action.

Farouq Umar Isah
Head of Media and Public Relations,
Niger State House of Assembly,
23/07/2024.
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Politics

Electoral Reform: Dino alleges senate’s plot to rig 2027 election

Published

2 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.

The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.

In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.

He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.

Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.

Politics

Electoral Act: Nigerians have every reason to be mad at Senate – Ezekwesili

Published

5 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.

Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.

DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.

Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.

“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.

“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”

Politics

Electoral act: Senate’s action confirms Nigeria ‘fantastically corrupt’, ‘disgraced’ – Peter Obi

Published

5 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the Senate’s refusal to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory, saying the move further exposes Nigeria as a fantastically corrupt and disgraced country.

Obi expressed his views in a statement shared on X on Friday, where he accused lawmakers of deliberately weakening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He explained that his reaction came after a brief pause to mourn victims of a deadly tragedy in Kwara State, where over 150 people reportedly lost their lives.

“Let us first pray for the souls of the innocent Nigerians lost in Kwara. That painful incident is why I delayed responding to the shameful development surrounding our electoral system,” he wrote.

Describing the Senate’s decision as intentional and dangerous, Obi said rejecting mandatory electronic transmission was not a simple oversight but a calculated attempt to block transparency.

“The Senate’s open rejection of electronic transmission of results is an unforgivable act of electoral manipulation ahead of 2027,” he said.

According to him, the action strikes at the heart of democracy and raises serious questions about the true purpose of governance in Nigeria.

“This failure to pass a clear safeguard is a direct attack on our democracy. By refusing these transparency measures, the foundation of credible elections is being destroyed. One must ask whether government exists to ensure justice and order or to deliberately create chaos for the benefit of a few.”

The former Anambra State governor linked the post-election controversies of the 2023 general elections to the failure to fully deploy electronic transmission of results, insisting that Nigerians were misled with claims of technical failures.

“

The confusion, disputes and manipulation that followed the 2023 elections were largely due to the refusal to fully implement electronic transmission,” he said.

He added that the so-called system glitch never truly existed.

Obi compared Nigeria’s electoral process with those of other African countries that have embraced technology to improve credibility, lamenting that Nigeria continues to fall behind.

“Many African nations now use electronic transmission to strengthen their democracy. Yet Nigeria, which calls itself the giant of Africa, is moving backwards and dragging the continent along.”

He criticised Nigeria’s leadership class, saying the country’s problems persist not because of a lack of ideas but because of deliberate resistance to meaningful reform.

“We keep organising conferences and writing policy papers about Nigeria’s challenges. But the truth is that the leaders and elite are the real problem. Our refusal to change is pushing the nation backwards into a primitive system of governance.”

Warning of the dangers ahead, Obi said rejecting electronic transmission creates room for confusion and disorder that only serves the interests of a small group.

He also recalled past remarks by foreign leaders who described Nigeria as corrupt, arguing that actions like this continue to justify those statements.

“When a former UK Prime Minister described Nigeria as ‘fantastically corrupt,’ we were offended. When former US President Donald Trump called us a ‘disgraced nation,’ we were angry. But our continued resistance to transparency keeps proving them right.”

Obi warned that Nigerians should not accept a repeat of the electoral irregularities witnessed in 2023.

“Let there be no mistake. The criminality seen in 2023 must not be tolerated in 2027.”

He urged citizens to be ready to defend democracy through lawful and decisive means, while also calling on the international community to closely monitor developments in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“The international community must pay attention to the groundwork being laid for future electoral manipulation, which threatens our democracy and development,” Obi stated.

He concluded by expressing hope that change is still possible if Nigerians take collective responsibility.

“A new Nigeria is possible but only if we all rise and fight for it.”