In a show of solidarity, the 37 chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed support for the party’s national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, despite reports of his suspension by his ward in Dawakin-Tofa local government area of Kano state.

The chairmen representing 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) conveyed their vote of confidence during a visit to Ganduje at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.

Acting chairman of the APC state Chairmen Forum and Lagos State chairman of the party, Cornelius Ojelabi, stated that those behind the purported suspension were not recognized by the party.

He said, “We are here to let you know that we are solidly behind you. The purported suspension is not from members of the party but coming from people that want to derail the party.

“We’re here to show our solidarity and sincere commitment to appreciate what members of the National Working Committee have been doing in standing by you  by giving you a total support.

“We feel it’s important that the act of that solidarity should not be limited to members of the NWC alone.”

In his retort, Ganduje pointed fingers at Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, accusing him of orchestrating the purported suspension by impostors.

He derided the move as nothing more than a theatrical spectacle, likening it to scenes one might expect on Africa Magic’s Nollywood channel.

He said, “We were so astonished when we heard the news but we were not surprised when we discovered that the great threat that APC overwhelmingly poses to other parties is real and Kano State is not an exception.

“The government in Kano State is behind this drama. Even the drama is one kind of drama that is called Africa Magic. This is Africa Magic and it is not leading democracy anywhere.

“It is a negative innovation where members who belong to a different political party, not even our members, let alone being elected executive members of either the ward or to the highest level at the state.

He added “Our party cannot be distracted, we assure you. Our attention cannot be diverted. We are focused. We know where we are heading to. We know our objectives and we know to achieve our objectives.”

At the same time, the Ganduje-led National Working Committee of the APC has officially received the report of the party’s Ondo Governorship Committee, headed by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

In a formal handover ceremony, Ganduje commended Governor Ododo for his exemplary leadership and acknowledged the committee’s diligent work.

He expressed pride in the governor’s successful execution of the party’s first national assignment under his stewardship.

Ganduje said “This is your first assignment and we are happy that you did well. I was in our Situation Room watching you live while you were declaring the results and I am proud of the way you handled it.”

In his earlier remarks, Governor Ododo expressed gratitude to the APC national leadership for entrusting him and his committee members with such a crucial national assignment.

He highlighted that the committee’s report meticulously documented all events surrounding the primary election, offering comprehensive recommendations to address the aftermath.

Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of these recommendations in fostering party unity and preparing the APC for success in the upcoming November governorship election in Ondo State.

In a display of legislative power, the Rivers State House of Assembly has overridden Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto to pass the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill into law.

Despite the governor’s initial refusal to assent to the bill on March 13, 2024, the assembly stood firm in its resolve, led by Majority Leader Hon. Major Jack, to fulfill its constitutional duties.

Following the procedures outlined in Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the Rivers State House of Assembly exercised its authority to override Gov Fubara’s veto by a two-thirds majority vote.

Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule facilitated the decisive moment, paving the way for the enactment of the bill into law.

In a separate development, the House undertook the screening and confirmation of nominees for key positions within the Assembly Service Commission.

The confirmed nominees include Barr. Sampson Worlu as Chairman, along with Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, Mrs. Blessing Belema Derefaka, Mr. Gbaranen Robinson, and Madam Dorcas Amos as members.

On March 22, 2024, the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill into law, granting itself the authority to appoint the Chairman and Members of the Assembly Service Commission.

This legislative action marked a significant shift in the appointment process for key positions within the commission.

On a somber note, Speaker Rt. Hon. Amaewhule sadly announced the passing of Mr. Lucky Amadi, the husband of Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi, the honorable Member for Obio/Akpor Constituency II.

In a gesture of solidarity and support, Members expressed their condolences and announced plans to pay a visit to their grieving colleague, reflecting the assembly’s sense of camaraderie and compassion during times of loss.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike the options of availing them of documents on the spending of FAAC allocations received since 1999, widely publishing such documents or facing legal action.

The SERAP also urged them “to invite Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to jointly track and monitor the spending of FAAC allocations by your state and the FCT and to probe any allegations of corruption linked the allocations.”

Biztellers reports that the SERAP’s requests followed reports that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed N1.123 trillion to the federal, state, and local governments for March 2024 alone. States collected N398.689 billion.

The demands were contained in the Freedom of Information (FoI) requests dated 20 April 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare.

The organisation stated, “Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds including FAAC allocations, are spent.

“Without this information, Nigerians cannot follow the actions of their states and the FCT and they cannot properly fulfill their responsibilities as citizens.”

According to the SERAP, “trillions of FAAC allocations received by Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT have allegedly gone down the drain. The resulting human costs directly threaten the human rights of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.”

The FoI requests, read in part, “ensuring that the FAAC allocations received by your state and the FCT are spent to achieve the security and welfare of Nigerians are serious and legitimate public interests.

“Secrecy in the spending of FAAC allocations received by your state and the FCT is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations.

“Secrecy in the spending of FAAC allocations received by your state and the FCT also denies Nigerians the right to know how public funds are spent. Transparency in the spending would allow them to retain control over their government.

“The documents should include the evidence and list of specific projects completed with the FAAC allocations collected, the locations of any such projects and completion reports of the projects.

“The documents should also include details of the salaries and pensions paid from the FAAC allocations collected, as well as the details of projects executed on hospitals and schools with the FAAC allocations.

“Despite the increased FAAC allocations to states and FCT, millions of residents in your state and the FCT continue to face extreme poverty and lack access to basic public goods and services.

“The reported removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the exchange rate by the Federal Government has translated into increased FAAC allocations to states and the FCT. However, there is no corresponding improvement in the security and welfare of millions of Nigerians.

“FAAC allocations received by your state and the FCT are reportedly characterised by mismanagement, diversion of funds, and abandoned projects. FAAC allocations have also been allegedly spent for other purposes such as election campaigns and political patronage.

“Publishing the documents on the spending of FAAC allocations by your state and the FCT would promote transparency, accountability, and reduce the risks of corruption in the spending of the funds.

“Publishing the documents would enable Nigerians to meaningfully engage in the implementation of projects executed with the FAAC allocations collected.

“The report that some 140 million Nigerians are poor suggests corruption and mismanagement in the spending of trillions of naira in FAAC allocations collected by your state and the FCT.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and your state and the FCT to comply with our requests in the public interest.

“According to our information, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) last week disbursed N1.123 trillion to the federal, state and local governments for March 2024.

“State governments got N398.689 billion while local government councils got N288.688 billion. The mineral-producing states received an additional N90.124 billion (13% of mineral revenue). In February, states collected N336 billion.

“According to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the federal, states and local governments shared N10.143 trillion from the Federation Account as statutory revenue allocations in 2023, with states collecting N3.585 trillion.

“SERAP also urges you to provide details of the transparency and accountability mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that the trillions of naira of FAAC allocations that have been received by your state and the FCT are not embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.

“SERAP is concerned about the persistent lack of transparency and accountability in the spending of FAAC allocations by your state and the FCT.

“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

“Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on your state to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.

“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.

“Nigerians are entitled to the right to receive information without any interference or distortion, and the enjoyment of this right should be based on the principle of maximum disclosure, and a presumption that all information is accessible subject only to a narrow system of exceptions.

“The Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee to everyone the right to information, including the documents on the spending of FAAC allocations by your state.

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions’ activities.”