Opinion
Alleged N11m COVID- 19 Palliative In Nasarawa And The Verdict, By Musa Adamu
Shortly before the nation went into effective lockdown, Nasarawa state indigenes were in shock as listened to tales coming out of the state House of Assembly on how a staggering N1 billion Secondary Schools renovation fund was utilised in 2018.
The fund was said to have been released by the government of Umaru Tanko Al- Makura (now Senator, representing Nasarawa South) during which the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed Tijani, was the Commissioner for Education.
The need to probe the disbursement of the fund, according to the state Lawmakers, became imperative after finding variance between the testimony of the SSG and the documents at their disposal.
They also said the testimonies of the current Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fati Sabo, and that of the SSG made probing further compelling. The House followed up its resolution with an ad hoc committee to get fact of the matter. So far, the committee has sat and submissions made, revealing some disturbing facts on how the said fund was utilised.
Unfortunately, the committee could not submit its findings before the House went into recess in deference to the rampaging COVID -19.
Then, came in a largely cyber based allegation of diversion of public fund allegedly by the Lawmakers. Story was told of how each Lawmaker was handed N 11 million each by the state government for onward disbursement to their constituents as palliative from the scourge of COVID -19.
Livid by this allegation, the Lawmakers left nothing on their path in proving that the story was a hatchet man’s job aimed at stalling their investigation into the N 1billion schools renovation fund scandal. The House did not mince word in pointing at the direction of the SSG as the masquerade behind the mask, vowing however that it would be deterred.
The Lawmakers accused Aides of the embattled SSG of setting them up against their constituents with a view to arm twist them into abandoning their its resolves to unearth how N1 billion education fund was expended.
As the fire from the House became unrelenting, one of the Media Aides to the SSG, Jaafar M. Loko, made a Facebook post dissociating himself from the source of the N11 million for palliative story, alleging that who ever was behind the story was out to “truncate the process and a direct approach to discredit the yet to be released report (and) I will not in anyway join this illegality (as) I have confidence on (SIC) the Committee, hoping (that) there will be justice and fairness without compromising anything.”
Loko went on to further clarify that “Indeed, (it) is never my scheduled and it bordered me not to commend on any funds or administrative functions of the state Assembly. It is an established fact that they are separate arm of Government empowered by the Constitution to operate according to its prescriptions of which it includes oversight and checkmating the excess of Executive. Then why should one make any comment when carrying out their statutory functions as enshrined in the law.?”
He further submitted that those behind the allegation were unaware of the unbreakable bond between the SSG and the Speaker of the House, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, saying the duo had come along way to be strained by mischief makers.
But, true to its threat however, the House convened an emergency session to trash out the matter and ostensibly to clear its name. The House, after its deliberation, came out with three points resolutions, to wit: debunked the allegation in its entirety, called on the Executive to make a statement to clear the air on the purported fund for palliative, and called for the arrest of three Aides of the SSG including, Mr Loko.
The Speaker, in passing the resolutions of the House, further made it clear that “the reports on social media that the state government has given us money as palliative to our constituents over COVID-19 is unfortunate and false.
“Such reports are capable of creating confusion and are inciting us against our people. No amount of intimidations, mischiefs, insults will divert our attention and we will continue to protect the integrity of the House and I urged you to remain focused.”
As if the message that the House was not ready to submit to any form of “blackmail” in its track to carry out its statutory duty got to the right quarter, the office of the SSG promptly released a statement clearing the air on the entire saga.
According to a statement personally signed by the SSG, there is no iota of truth in the allegation that N11 million was given to each Lawmaker as COVID-19 palliative on behalf of their constituents.
The statement reads in part:”the attention of Nasarawa State Government has been drawn to an online publication that has gone viral in the social media such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter alleging that the State Government has given each of the 24 members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly the sum of N11,000,000,00 (eleven million Naira) as COVID-19 palliative for either distribution or procurement of food items for their respective constituents.
“Government wishes to state that, this story is untrue, false and malicious aimed at, not only tarnishing the image of our Honourable members, but also that of His Excellency, the Governor of Nasarawa State.”
Urging members of the public to disregard the said report, the statement went on to urge the public to ” consider it (report) as handiwork of mischief makers bent on bringing disaffection on the already existing cordial relationship between the Executive and the Legislative arm of Government in the State.”
There you have it. The verdict is out. After hearing from the actors involved in the scandal it is now clear that the House is not afraid to thumb It’s chest. It turns out that it is more believable. This is not my verdict. This is the only takeaway by any discernible mind after listening to the accuser saying nothing is missing; the witness saying nothing is witnessed; and the accused unchallengeably saying nothing is taken.
In as much as it is commendable that our Lawmakers have no question to answer after all, not a few indigenes of the state are of the opinion that taking delivery of the multi million naira Hilux as official cars at this material time is ill-timed and it smacks of loss of touch with the reality of situation of their constituents.
This is more so when juxtaposed with the norm all over the country where public officials are taking pay cuts in their entitlements while others still are giving up theirs completely in favour of the government to tackle COVID-19 and its ravaging impacts,
Indeed, many wonders what the private citizens who dolled out billions of naira in donations to the government in efforts to overcome the debilitating virus would feel like when they hear of news suggesting public officials are unwilling to make sacrifice.
Clearly, there is no begging the question that failure to postpone the delivery of those vehicles, which cost reports have put at half a billion naira, reveals our Lawmakers preference to stick to the past without regard to the prevailing grim of the country’s revenue earning position.
Regardless of this, we must applaud our Lawmakers for acting promptly to set the records straight, thereby, saving their hard earned names and reputations in this saga. They are however, urged to make sure that they do get to the bottom of the N1 billion schools renovation fund saga so that the public would not go away with the impression of a “trade off” deal at the end of the day.
Musa Adamu Esq, a Lawyer, Journalist and Public Commentator writes from Keffi and can be reached on 08059251056 (text & WhatsApp only) and adamulawyer@gmail.com
By Rinret Jennifer Mwarap
The unrelenting massacre of citizens in Plateau State has reached an alarming level. While the government claims to be taking steps to restore order, the reality on the ground tells a different story one that feels like nothing meaningful is being done.
It is heartbreaking to see our loved ones butchered without cause. The questions torment us: What have we done wrong? Who have we offended? Where did we go astray? Must we continue to endure this suffering for no justifiable reason?
The killing of innocent people in Plateau must come to an end. The government and security forces cannot afford to look away. Their responsibility is clear they must act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice, for the sake of the innocent victims and the children left behind.
I call on the Governor of Plateau State to rise to this challenge. Take bold and immediate action against those who seek to destroy our land and shed innocent blood. Let them face the full weight of the law.
This feels like a nightmare—how did we get to the point where the same Plateau where I once slept peacefully with both eyes closed is now a place where even sleeping with one eye open feels unsafe?
Where is the peace in our “Home of Peace and Tourism”?
When will our tears dry? When will justice prevail?
If we truly seek peace, then justice must be non-negotiable.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.