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LP Lawmaker who supported N160Million SUV For Lawmakers, Says Nigeria Needs To Reduce Cost Of Governance

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Mr Benedict Etanabene, a member of the Labour Party (LP) in the House of Representatives, has said there is a need for Nigeria to reduce the cost of governance to move the country forward.

The lawmaker said this when he appeared as a guest on a live programme aired by Arise News TV, stating that corruption and reckless spending of public funds by political officeholders are to be blamed for the country’s lack of growth.

He said, “I have said it severally and we all agreed that the way we are running the government is too expensive. We must adjust everywhere.

Let me give one clear example: governments shout every day that they are doing bunkering, who are those that do bunkering? The same big men in government in Abuja here. People sell crude more than what the Nigerian government is selling.

We are not even meeting our quota in OPEC. So if we cut down (governance) and corruption, we will gain a lot of money.”

Meanwhile, Benedict was among the lawmakers who lost their voices when the leadership of the 10th National Assembly bought luxurious SUVs valued at about N160 million each for over 460 lawmakers in 2023.

The purchase of these vehicles was a subject of public condemnation, yet none of the lawmakers publicly objected to it as the National Assembly went ahead with the extravagant spending.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project filed a lawsuit against the purchase of the vehicles by the lawmakers

The civil group filed the action on the heels of the statement by Senate President Mr Godswill Akpabio that the Clerk of the National Assembly had sent “holiday allowances” into the “various bank accounts of senators” while the current government had pushed about millions of Nigerians into abject poverty.

In suit numbered FHC/L/CS/1606/2023 filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP seeks: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to review and reduce the N40 billion budgeted to buy 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials.

An order restraining Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas from demanding or receiving the N40 billion to buy 465 SUVs and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials until an assessment of the socio-economic impact of the spending on the 137 million poor Nigerians is carried out in the public interest.

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BREAKING! Tinubu renames University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renamed the University of Maiduguri as Muhammadu Buhari University.

This was disclosed in a terse statement by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

“President Tinubu renames University of Maiduguri as MUHAMMADU Buhari University. President Tinubu announced the honour at the session of tributes of the Federal Executive Council to his late predecessor,” he wrote on X.

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Atiku’s exit end of PDP era – Support group

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A support group, Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA), says the exit of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, marks the end of an era in the country.

NYFA’s Director General, Mr Dare Dada, who made this remark in a statement on Thursday in Lagos, said that Atiku’s decision to quit PDP had battered the political and electoral fortunes of the former ruling party.

Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, announced his resignation from the party on Wednesday, citing irreconcilable differences within the erstwhile ruling party.

Though the former vice-president has not formally announced his defection to African Democratic Congress (ADC), the coalition of opposition leaders, led by him, had recently announced the adoption of the party as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

His resignation from PDP might have signaled readiness to solidify ties with ADC, as the NYFA leadership had also recently directed its members nationwide to collapse structures and register with ADC in various states.

Reacting to the development, Dada said that the resignation of Abubakar and other PDP national leaders and members from the party, and their alliance with ADC marked the end of an era for the former ruling party.

According to him, Abubakar has large core followers in the northern and southern political circle, including the youth, women and professional groups.

The director-general, who noted that the former vice-president had, for a long time, remained the backbone of support in PDP, said that his exit had decimated and crippled the party.

In view of the developing political events in the country, Dada said that the group had instructed its more than 1.5 million members across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT to resign from PDP immediately.

“Membership of Nigerian Youth For Atiku cuts across all parties, including PDP, NNPP and LP.

“We also have within our ranks non-partisan members whose professions spread across all sectors of the economy. They have all been enjoined to register as members of ADC.

“As a movement with revolutionary yoga, we have always stood for good governance, accountability and support for sound democratic values.

“These attributes cannot be underestimated in any democratic society that tends prioritise transparency and economic prosperity,” he said.

According to him, the resignation of the group’s President and Founder, Prof. Gold Emmanuel, and others from PDP was a decision taken in the overall interest of the country.

“Preventing Nigeria from sliding into one-party state and civilian dictatorship requires the efforts and commitment of all Nigerians who have undiluted belief in a better Nigeria,” he stated.

Dada urged Nigerians to remain united in the fight against hunger, poverty and insecurity.

“We remain resolute in our decision to galvanise over three million votes in support of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential elections,” he said.

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“ADC Not for Sale”: Imo ADC’s Chilos Godsent Calls for Unity and People’s Interest Over Self-Serving Groups

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imo State has issued a clarifying statement regarding its structure and leadership, emphasizing that the party’s recognized executives and ward structures are legitimate and acknowledged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The IMO ADC asserts that its executives and structures are recognized by INEC, and merger groups or coalitions cannot assume ownership of the party.

The party urges its members to focus on addressing the challenges that have plagued the nation, rather than pursuing self-interest or group superiority.
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The ADC calls on its members to work together to bring about positive change, emphasizing the need for policies that promote production and development, rather than consumption.
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The party’s leadership encourages members to “shake hands” and work towards a common goal, as symbolized by the party’s logo.

This statement  is a call to action for its members to prioritize the interests of the people and work towards creating a better future for all Nigerians.

Emphasizing  the importance of unity and people’s interests, the party aims to promote a more inclusive and effective approach to governance.

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