Connect with us

Politics

Osun Govt Speaks on Budget 2023

Published

on

Four gang-killed two in Osun, destroy N8M properties

 

. . . Debunks Sahara Reporters’ Take On Gov Adeleke

The Osun State Government (OSG) has denied news reports that Governor Ademola Adeleke spent N8 billion in three months, clarifying that the Governor’s Office comprises more than seven agencies and departments alongside many government-wide operations and activities.

The OSG’s clarification was conveyed in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo by Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon Kolapo Alimi.

It described as laughable the presumption that the Governor’s Office stands for Mr. Governor alone.

Hon Alimi explained that the allocation to the Governor’s Office stood for capital, the recurrent and overhead cost of all agencies, departments, and units operating within the Governor’s Office and with several government-wide responsibilities.

While clearing Gov Adeleke of any misdemeanor, the statement noted that the Sahara Reporters’ publication mischievously and falsely attributed expenditure on the refurbishment of government quarters, Imole Medical outreach, salaries and emoluments of staff of several agencies, and other governmental activities as expenses by the Governor.

The statement added that “This is false and mere fabrication arising from deliberate misinterpretation of budget data”, and listed the several departments under the Governor’s Office to include “the Bureau of Social Services, Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Security Department, Osun Investment Promotion Agency, Osun New Towns Development Agency, Osun Signage Agency, Osun Agric and Osun Land Bank, among others.”

Government expenditure across the various departments, according to Hon Alimi includes refurbishment of vandalised government quarters, procurement of official vehicles, replacement of vehicles carted away by the previous government, refurbishment of offices of agencies that make up the Office of the Governor which were left in terrible states by the previous administration; provision of funds for the execution of Imole Medical outreach series; provision of funds for emergencies in the welfare of the citizens as individuals and groups.

He said, “The N6.01 Billion referred to in the publication therefore encompasses the entire expenditures (Personnel, Overhead & Capital) of the Office of the Governor including the agencies and parastatals under it, for the period in question.”

The statement also posited that the personnel cost which was a sum of N209 million was for the 771 staff of 12 Bureau and Offices under the Office of the Governor while the overhead which was a sum of N4 billion represented the amount spent on acquisition/replacement of vehicles and financing of Imole Medical outreach.

“The 1.7Bn on Capital represents the amount spent on the refurbishment of quarters and government offices.

“In the same vein, the N800m naira referred to in the publication represents the entire expenditure of the State House of Assembly for the period.

“It should be noted that the amount quoted for the refreshments and meals, welfare packages, and publicity and advertising was meant for all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies including all Tertiary Institutions in the State.

“Moreso, the fraction spent by the Office of the Governor from these, includes the amount expended on the second phase of Imole Medical Outreach conducted for the three (3) Senatorial Districts of the state,” Hon Alimi stated.

The OSG maintained that the details provided above confirmed that Gov Adeleke did not spend any money outside his statutory salaries and allowances while the funds in question were mostly the overhead, capital, and personnel costs of agencies and departments under the Governor’s office with government-wide mandate and operations.

The OSG called on citizens to avail themselves of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act for information on government activities.

Politics

ACF Pledges Support For Northern Presidential Candidates Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Published

on

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to back Northern candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing the urgent need to address the worsening socio-economic and security challenges facing the region.

In a communique issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, the forum expressed deep concern over the economic state of Northern Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, attributing the region’s struggles to flawed governance and poor policy decisions.

READ MORE: JUST IN: FG Dissolves Nnamdi Azikiwe University Governing Council, Removes VC

The ACF criticized the Federal Government’s economic policies, describing them as detrimental to the livelihoods of Northern citizens.

According to the communique, signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the policies have compounded the already dire economic conditions in the region.

The statement reads, “Arewa people remain at a great disadvantage, being already worse off economically compared to other parts of Nigeria. While economic reforms are indeed desirable, they should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. Policies must have a human face.”

The forum noted that the North faces chronic food insecurity, limited educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and a heavy reliance on small-scale economic activities.

“Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now,” the communique emphasized.

The ACF also addressed the pervasive insecurity in the North, warning that the situation has begun to erode public confidence in the government.

“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government,” the forum stated.

It condemned the government’s response to the crisis, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to meet its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.

“That those whose responsibility it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable,” the communique said. “The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.”

The ACF faulted what it described as the “flawed leadership selection process” under the Tinubu administration, claiming it has elevated individuals without the requisite competence or experience to key positions.

It urged the Federal Government to “review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”

Looking ahead to the next general elections, the ACF pledged its support for Northern politicians who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and fostering national development.

“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the communique stated.

 

 

Continue Reading

Politics

No Room For Abandoned Projects – Ganduje Warns Aiyedatiwa

Published

on

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to prioritize completing ongoing projects and avoid leaving any abandoned during his second term in office.

Ganduje made the call on Wednesday at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented Certificates of Return to Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Adelami Olaide.

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s re-election was marked by a sweeping victory in all 18 local government areas of the state during last Saturday’s governorship election.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Nigerian Beauty Queen, Chidimma Adetshina Quits Peageantry

Ganduje praised the outcome, describing it as a testament to the people’s confidence in the APC-led administration.

“I am happy about the landslide result. The election is not the effort of the elite and middle class alone; it is also through the effort of the grassroots,” Ganduje said. “Out of 203 wards, APC won 202, losing only one ward. This is a victory embraced by all.”

Ganduje highlighted the importance of continuity and urged the governor to leverage his experience from the previous administration led by the late Rotimi Akeredolu.

“As a deputy, you knew how projects were started by your late governor. You were part of it, also as a governor for 10 months, and now as a re-elected governor. For the next four years, you will continue,” he said.

“You know the terrains, geography, and physical landscape of all 18 local government areas. Use these insights to carve out projects that will improve the lives of the Ondo people.”

Meanwhile, Ondo APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, commended Ganduje’s leadership and strategic direction, which he credited for the party’s success in the election.

He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support for Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, despite internal opposition from some party stakeholders.

“We have finally killed PDP in Ondo,” Adetimehin declared. “Most of the leaders of that party have defected to the APC. With the landslide victory in this election, it is clear to the whole world that there is no PDP in Ondo.”

He further described Ganduje as a mentor whose leadership had been instrumental in uniting the party and ensuring victory at the polls.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded Akeredolu and completed his tenure before securing re-election, has pledged to focus on delivering on his mandate and completing critical projects in his second term.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To Ondo Governor-Elect, Aiyedatiwa

Published

on

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally issued certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, following their victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

The presentation ceremony took place on Wednesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja, where the commission’s National Commissioner for Ondo State, Kunle Ajayi, handed over the certificates.

Biztellers reports that Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent governor, emerged victorious in the election, securing 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.

Related News:

The results were announced in Akure on Sunday by the Returning Officer, Professor Olayemi Akinyemi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja.

Election observers described the polls as peaceful and credible, commending INEC for improved logistical arrangements.

The event was attended by top APC officials, including the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and other party members.

Ganduje hailed the outcome as a triumph for democracy in Nigeria.

“Since 1999, we have been enjoying democracy, and we always fine-tune it to ensure it is fair, free, and decent, so that it is the vote of the people that counts,” Ganduje said.

PDP Rejects Results

Despite widespread praise for the conduct of the election, the PDP has rejected the outcome, describing it as fraudulent. Its candidate, Ajayi, vowed to challenge the results in court.

Aiyedatiwa Pledges Better Leadership

Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude to the people of Ondo State for renewing his mandate.

“The mandate you have just renewed via your huge votes across 18 LGAs where we won convincingly has placed a burden on me to serve you better than I did before now,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa initially assumed office in December 2023 following the death of his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.