Senate has finally bowed to pressure due to public outcry on electronic transmission of results, rescinding it’s earlier decision. The Senate had in July passed the Electoral Act Amendment bill with provisions which allowed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to transmit election results electronically after getting green light on network coverage from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and approval from the National Assembly. The bill, as passed by the House of Representatives, gives INEC the sole power to transmit results of elections by electronic means “where and when practicable”, after which the Senate rained in the eye of the storm. The Senate passed a new bill which amended some clauses in the Electoral bill, which included sections 52 and 87 on electronic transmission of results and nomination of candidates by political parties. The bill is titled: “ Recommittal of Amended Clauses of a Bill for an Act to repeal the Electoral Bill, 2021 and Enact the Electoral Act, 2021 ”. The controversial clause 52(3) is now amended to 52(2), which reads: “ Subject to section 63 of this Bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission (INEC), which may include electronic voting. ” On nomination of candidates by political parties, the Senate had earlier passed clause 87(1), which gave political parties options to hold either direct or indirect method of conducting primaries. The clause is now amended to read: “ A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission ”.
The Senate has approved direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions on Tuesday, THE PUNCH reports. This was just as it empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission to determine the procedure for the transmission of results during the general elections. The amendments were made on Tuesday by the Senate to some clauses of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) bill 2021, passed on July 15, 2021, according to a statement. The chamber approved Clause 87 to read “a political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.” The chamber explained that the decision to subject the amended clauses of the bill to re-committal was reached after critical examination by the Senate Committee on INEC. The chamber added that some fundamental issues which required fresh legislative action were observed by the Senator Kabiru Gaya-led Committee in the bill. Accordingly, the chamber in a motion for re-committal, re-amended certain aspects of the bill contained in Clauses 43, 52, 63 and 87, respectively. The upper chamber in Clause 52 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill passed almost three months ago, had approved that “the Commission (INEC) may consider the electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.” The Senate, however, on Tuesday amended the clause when the bill was subjected to re-committal to provide that, “subject to section 63 of this bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission.” Members of the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, are expected to meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives to harmonise the two versions passed by both chambers.
GAGDI HELD CLOSED DOOR MEETING WITH LALONG, AS GOVERNOR ASSURES BETTER DEALS FOR PKK
In the spirit of collaborative representation and the pursuit of better living standard for the constituents of PKK, the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, had held a closed door meeting with the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong in his office, minutes before the inauguration of the elefted 17 local government chairmen in the state yesterday.
Crux of the meeting was to seek His excellency’s assurance for the completion of ongoing state projects in the three local government areas where he represents, before the end of his administration in 2023, and to appreciate the governor for achieving the uncommon feat of democratic succession in the administration of the local government in the state.
The governor who assured the lawmaker that all projects initiated by his administration across the state shall witness accelerated execution and be commissioned before he hands over the reigns of power in 2023, also indicated his willingness to ensure the newly sworn in councils in the state receive his unmitigated attention, in order to bring development to the grassroots.
The lawmaker had also appreciated the governor for a successful ward and LGA congresses of the APC in the state, and eulogized his sense of justice by ensuring all citizens of the state receive equal treatment and attention, regardless of ethnicity and religious differences.
Gagdi said leaders with such humane disposition towards their citizens are rare to come by in this era of sharp ethnic and religious divides in the art of governance. He encouraged the governor to give no heed to the rantings of sectional and sentimental citizens, whose idea of development and good governance hinge on their ethnic and religious biases.
HOW DABANG BETRAYED GOV LALONG (Shabul Mazadu) So many people are having the picture that the former Plateau State All Progressives Congress’ chairman, Hon. Letep Dabang, was betrayed by Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong, and have started sympathizing with him over his sack from the chairmanship position. The picture came into being via the propaganda machine rolled out in motion by the footsoldiers of Dabang whom he captains, projecting him as the APC skeleton and brain that led it to its victory whereas it was a mere hoax and campaign of Calumny against the Governor to accord kingpin status to the Masquerade like the old tale of the lonely jackal, Ahmir Tahir, in Straight for English Course 5. Someone once said If you come into your bedroom and found Letep Dabang on your wife, and you allow him to explain, you will thank him greatly at the end. The Masquerade has been making bogus claims that he made Lalong the Governor of Plateau State, but that was nothing but a farce. Politically if you compare Governor Lalong’s pedigree, and that of Dabang, you will clearly see that the governor is the help the Masquerade needed and not the other way round. Dabang has never won any elective position save for the chairmanship of political parties in Plateau. He contested for the Pankshin/Kanke/ Kanam Federal Constituency in 2007 on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, but lost. In 2014, he contested for the Chairmanship of Pankshin Local Government, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, but lost. While Lalong in 1999 contested for the House of Assembly, Shendam Constituency and won. In 2000, then Speaker, Rt. Hon. George Daika, member representing Mikang Constituency was impeached and Lalong was elected Speaker. He was the Speaker for two political dispensations. Under his speakership, he was elected the Chairman of Nigerian House of Assembly Speakers Forum. This has made him popular in the 36 states. That was where he established a strong relationship with Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibike Amaechi, then speaker Rivers State House of Assembly. Dabang had no financial muscle to sponsor Lalong at the 2015 polls. He had no connection with any of the political bigwigs that will support him. His principal then, Senator Joshua Dariye, was not in tandem with his new found romance with the APC. He then contacted Elder Yahaya Kwande to take him to Atiku Abubakar. In Plateau State, then interim chairman, Gen John Shagaya, who also represented Plateau South Senatorial District in National Assembly, was with Amos Gombi, former member representing Kanke Constituency in the House of Assembly for the Chairmanship of their party. Gombi had formidable backup of party stalwarts, coupled with his well wish which surpassed that of Dabang. John Shagaya was a very strong force both at the state and national levels. However, Lalong and Yahaya Kwande stood for Dabang who emerged victorious. Shagaya and his team petitioned the National Headquarters of the party that Dabang was Dariye’s front to weaken the APC. The table started turning against Dabang, and despite the efforts of Lalong using Amaechi and his connections at the national level, the Masquerade was defecating bricks, until somebody reminded him on the statement made by Maichibi Vwarji after the 2014 chairmanship election on why Dariye did not support Letep on THE BEACON Newspaper, and he sent for some copies, and that was how he escaped the axe by convincing the panel trying him that he was not a front. Lalong spoiled his relationship with Shagaya for backing Dabang. At the peak of the 2015 general elections, Dabang was never convinced in his spirit that the APC will win the governorship. A source in their tink tank said Dabang told Lalong to share the contributions made for Lalong’s campaign saying they were going no where at the polls, and let them not end up with neither the money nor the victory. But Lalong said no, that he was optimistic they will win. After their victory, Lalong did not care to set up his structure in their party, because he wanted to carry every member along, but Dabang was having his plan of hijacking the party to himself in preparation for the 2023 governorship elections. Indeed, to a large extend he succeeded by making his boys transition chairmen of the 17 local governments for two years. Reports had it that they were reporting to him. Aside the chairmen, he had many political appointees whom Lalong approved that were loyal to him, and most of the wards and local government chairmen were his boys. After the transition management committees of the LGs, most of the elected LGs chairmen were his boys. He had a very good number of legislators in the House of Assembly, and political appointees. In fact Lalong granted him the privilege of making his strong man, Stephen Jings, Plateau State Federal Character Commissioner representing the state at the Federal. When the term of the State executives of the APC expired, and during the congresses for the chairmanship, Lalong against all odds ensured the return of Dabang in 2018. After his return, Dabang continued with his strategy of hijacking the party. The privilege given to him by the governor that made almost the entire structure of the APC in Plateau to be at the beck and call of Dabang, he went gaga, hay way, Hitlerite and Nebuchadnezzareque, doing as his wished. He strangulated and incapacitated the state APC EXCO. He is hardly seen in the office as chairman of the ruling party. He kept the party secretariat in dilapidation, worn out and unkept. His highest achievement was the replacement of the old APC flags with new ones before he was sacked. And when asked why he was doing what he was doing, his footsoldiers replied that the state government wasn’t giving him money to maintain the party secretariat. And when asked about the 13% contributions of elected and appointive political office holders, they said the funds were not channeled to the party, but the government. This horrible and wicked political style gave the Masquerade the leverage to always be at the Lamingo Golf Club. He only picked calls of his party structure, and had secret places of meeting with them. Anybody that wasn’t part of his structure, Dabang didn’t see them as APC members. With the structure he put in place, he proudly paraded himself of single handedly delivering Plateau to APC in 2019, without recognising the governor’s and other party stalwarts’ efforts. His blind footsoldiers kept boasting that no one can stop Masquerade from securing the APC governorship ticket during the party’s primaries because of the structure they hijacked and the cloud of registered members they cornered to favour them during the revalidation exercise of their party, so that either through secret ballot or congress method adopted, they will emerge victorious. Despite the several cautions put forth to the Governor that he was bringing out the deadliest Idi Amin in Letep Dabang, he spared him thinking he would change, until it was clear that so many members were contemplating defection, before his sack came swiftly. No governor in the history of Plateau gave any party chairman the privilege Lalong gave Letep, but he made a pig of the governor, even daring him. Several times he boasted that if the governor touches him, APC will go down. Thus; bullying whom he will bully. The truth be told, no man made Governor Lalong the Governor of Plateau State. It was a divine arrangement where then governor Jonah David Jang made a mockery of God and was confused to take a wrong decision, which he did, and Lalong became governor. Letep was not behind Jang’s mistake. He was not the one that convinced PDP members to revolt against their party to vote out GNS Pwajok, Jang’s candidate. Lalong himself cannot boast that his power or any man made him the Governor, but God, but here is a masquerade who dares God and claims to have made Lalong Governor, even rubbishing all those who contributed to the victory in 2015. Little wonder he boasted that God wanted to make him great by defeating the PDP in 2015.
GOVERNOR LALONG RECIEVES BRITISH DELEGATION; SAYS SUCCESSFUL LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION A CONSOLIDATION OF PEACE IN PLATEAU
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has praised the peaceful conduct of the Local Government elections held throughout the State on Saturday 9th October 2021, describing it as a great achievement in the consolidation of peace on the Plateau which has been his topmost priority since assuming office in 2021.
Governor Lalong who received a delegation from the British High Commission Abuja on Governance and Stability led by Mrs Sophie Stevens said the elections are the most peaceful in the State in recent times going by the fact that most Local Government elections in the past have resulted to crises.
He said what transpired is a result of consistent work by the Peace Building Agency and other stakeholders which have laid the foundation for dialogue, engagement, early warning, and proactive crises management.
He said the State will need more support from the British Government in consolidating the gains so far as well as relocating displaced persons to their ancestral lands in order to address some of the issues that have remained outstanding in the peace and security of the State.
He also appreciated the British for their investments in Plateau through education, health, Missions and business which have continued to grow and yield results. He assured them that the Government will work closely with the team on areas that are very critical to the peace and security of the State and the economic progress of the Plateau. High powered delegation are here to felicitate and to engage the state to seek relationship on priorities.
Earlier, leader of the delegation Mrs. Sophie appreciated the Governor for receiving them and said the relationship of Plateau State with UK is a long and fruitful one going by the historical antecedents of Plateau as a strategic State in the North Central.
She said they have recognised the role of the Governor as a peace builder both as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and the Nigeria Governors Forum at large.
She sympathised with the State over the recent attacks describing it as a setback which the Government has been able to address swiftly leading to the restoration of normalcy that led to the conduct of the elections.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 12th October 2021
GAGDI ATTENDS THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEWLY ELECTED LGA CHAIRMEN, CALLS ON LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS TO CONTINUE MAKING DEVELOPMENT THEIR PRIORITY.
The member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam federal constituency Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi was yesterday at the Victoria Gowon Hall, New Government House for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected LGA chairmen in the state.
The lawmaker joined in praising Governor Simon Bako Lalong for his insistence and ensuring that there is a smooth transition from one democratically elected officials in the local government to another. This has proofed the Governor’s democratic disposition and love for the people at the grassroots.
Rt Hon Gagdi equally used to occasion to once again congratulate the newly sworn-in chairmen most especially those of his constituency and emphasized the need for unity and synergy towards the development of the areas and people of PKK.
Recall that, Rt Hon Gagdi did not only contribute financially to support the Aspirants and the Party during the elections but also spent days at Kanam during the election period mobilising for the party as well as ensuring that he went to his polling unit at Gum-Gagdi to cast his vote.
DG Jos business school Gomos urges F Director General of the Jos Business School Nde Ezekiel Gomos has said that unless Nigeria invests in human capital development through skills development and building of productive capacity to deliver quality services, the nation cannot overcome endemic poverty.
He made this known in Jos during a paper presentation at the Industrial Training Fund ITF’s golden jubilee celebration .
Speaking on the theme: Changing the poverty narrative through skills, The role of the ITF and the imperative for institutional synergy,” Gomos, a former Secretary of the Plateau State Government noted that in the 1960s, only 15% of Nigerians were poor but today, the country has 70% of the poor people coming behind India and China.
His words, “The 33% unemployment rate in Nigeria is quite challenging, Management of ITF, the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and all stakeholders must do what is necessary to change the poverty narratives of the country.
He added that “Poverty level in Nigeria is massive and devastating and leads to social vices, ITF’s impacts are just a scratch on the surface, more needs to be done to breach the skills gap in the nation’s economy. Nigeria should emulate Vietnam in aggressive skills education which help them to lift 50 million people out of poverty within a decade.
“Skills remain the currency of the 21st century to pull Nigeria out of poverty. We must also focus on socio-emotional skills and digital skills must be fused into all we do and there must be synergy with relevant stakeholders. The nation needs a national skills development summit to improve and coordinate skills acquisition programmes.”
It would be recalled that the ITF was established on October 8, 1971 with the core mandate to develop human resources by training Nigerians on skills relevant for the industrialization of the country.
JUBILATION AS GOVERNOR LALONG SWEARS IN 17 ELECTED CHAIRMEN
There was huge jubilation and ecstatic celebrations as Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong swore in 17 Local Government Chairmen elected in the elections conducted peacefully on Saturday, 9th October 2021.
The New Government House, Little Rayfield was agog as a mamoth crowd of citizens, politicians, traditional and religious leaders, as well as supporters of the elected Chairmen converged to witness the event.
The Victoria Gowon Hall where the event took place was packed to capacity with thousands of others unable to get access due to capacity.
While swearing in the Chairmen, Governor Lalong said the elections were conducted peacefully without any incident throughout the State. He said “I use this opportunity to commend the people of Plateau State for their exemplary conduct, resilience and patriotism throughout the exercise. I also congratulate the Plateau Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) for conducting one of the best elections in the history of the State adjudged to be free, fair and credible. Despite the legal fireworks that persisted up to few hours before the polls, they were able to carry out their constitutional mandate according to law”.
Lalong said without doubt, this is a very significant achievement in the democratic journey and the efforts to build a Plateau that is inclusive, egalitarian and progressive.
He expressed delight that all political parties and candidates had equal opportunity to participate in the process from the beginning, while those who had issues within their parties exploited all legal options to ventilate their grievances rather than resorting to taking laws into their hands.
The Governor described as frivolous and unfortunate the rumours and disinformation being propagated by the opposition that he sidelined the PDP from participating in the elections. He said PLASIEC which is an independent body organised the elections according to the Constitution and its guidelines, and his party the APC had to also comply. To therefore blame him for their misfortune according to him, is most disappointing.
Lalong charged the elected Local Government Chairmen to see their victory as a call to service and an opportunity to serve the people.
“From today, you have ceased to be leaders of your parties, religious or ethnic groups only. You are to work for all citizens including those who did not vote for you. Furthermore, your victory is for the people and not an opportunity to settle scores with anybody or enrich yourselves” he said.
On revenue generation and project implementation, Lalong said “In developing your blueprints, you must think outside the box and explore other sources of revenue generation that will enable you carry out people-oriented projects. You must key into the new joint revenue drive between the State and Local Governments which commenced last year in order to ensure that we tap from revenue sources that have been neglected over the years”.
He also asked them to take advantage of the full Autonomy currently being enjoyed by the Local Government System in Plateau State to do more for their people by embracing prudence, accountability and according priority to the programmes and projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman Kanam Local Government Alh. Dayyabu Garga promised that they will do their best to carry out the Rescue agenda by consulting widely and carry along all stakeholders in running the affairs of the Local Government.
He said they will do justice, administer fair treatment and avoid selective treatment in the distribution of projects and services within their domain.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 11th October 2021.
We wish to write and apologize on behalf of FREELANCE REPORTERS ONLINE NEWS BLOG for publishing an unverified news item with the above caption. As a reputable online news reporting blog, we want to take full responsibility for the publication, however it’s pertinent to note that the document given to our reporter was totally false and nothing in that article is true, as investigation through our contact with the Honourable Member representing Langtang North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Beni Lar and security investigation also revealed that nothing of such exists at all as the publication was given to our reporter by an individual whose motive we do not know and we totally distance ourselves from all that publication and we have provided all necessary information to securities.
We wish to note that according to the article, Hon. Beni Lar has never contacted anybody in the form of NSCDC, DSS, Police or Nigerian Army etc to attack any PLASIEC officials or cause break down of peace in the federal Constituency where she represents.
We as a reputable media outfit deeply regret our action in publishing this untrue article and sincerely apologize to the general public, the good people of Plateau State, especially the federal Constituency of Langtang North and South and to the Honourable Member representing Langtang North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Beni Lar and we pledge that such will not reoccur again.
It is no longer news that Whitemoney who’s real names are Hazel Oyeye Onou has clinched the prize money of #90 million, as this years winner of Big Brother Nigeria season 6. This was announced Sunday night the 3rd of October, 2021.
Whitemoney has been a clear fans favourite from day one, he was closely followed by first runner up Roseline Onokhoa popularly known as Liquorose, then Pere before Cross.
Angel and Emmanuel were earlier evicted.
This curbs up a new generation of Nigerian enterpreneurs who are expected to do great in their various choosing field of investment.
Freelance Reporters 