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Kogi 2023: PDP’s Melaye Challenges Bello Government On Signage Fees
By Tambaya Julius
In the lead-up to the Kogi 2023 Governorship election, the PDP, under the leadership of Senator Dino Melaye, is gearing up to challenge the onerous fees set by the Kogi State Signages Agency for political parties wishing to exhibit campaign materials, particularly signage and billboards.
These fees, as described by the PDP, are not only vexatious but also undemocratic and unrealistic.
The Kogi State Signages Agency’s fee structure has sparked outrage within the political sphere, with allegations that it aims to stifle competition and limit the visibility of opposition parties before the November gubernatorial election.
The PDP vehemently rejects what they consider repugnant, pugnacious, and unlawful guidelines set by the current administration.
They call upon other political parties, democratic enthusiasts, and institutions to join them in rejecting these fees.
What makes these signage fees even more contentious is their alleged bias in excluding certain Local Government Areas and towns known to be strongholds of the PDP, including Ijumu and Ankpa Local Government Areas, the hometowns of Senator Dino Melaye and his running mate, Hon Habibat Mohammed Deen, respectively.
According to the PDP, the fee structure is not only obnoxious but also draconian.
It includes a general payment of N5,000,000 (five million naira) for outdoor campaign materials, N2,000,000 (two million naira) for every billboard, N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) for each deployed banner, and an additional caution security deposit of N50,000,000 (fifty million naira).
Under these seemingly inoperable and illegal guidelines, the PDP, having deployed over 50 banners in each of the 21 Local Government Areas of the State, would be expected to pay an astronomical sum of N1,050,000,000 (one billion and fifty million naira) as signage fees alone.
This figure surpasses the entire expenditure threshold of N1b (one billion naira) prescribed for a Gubernatorial election under Section 88 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The timing of these guidelines is questionable.
They are being introduced two months after INEC had lifted the ban on political campaigns, rendering them retroactive, inapplicable, and inappropriate.
The PDP has already deployed its campaign materials, making the guidelines impractical.
The terms of these guidelines, as proposed by the Bello administration, are restrictive, unimaginative, and clandestine.
Contrary to the provisions of Section 95 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which stipulates that no state apparatus, including the media, should be used to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election, Governor Yahaya Bello has employed the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSA) to impose absurd, untenable, and unreasonable fees for campaign materials, including an obnoxious caution deposit.
Critics argue that the government’s objective is to gain undue control over campaign materials.
It appears that, realizing his party and handpicked candidate lack a commendable track record or electoral value to showcase on billboards and banners, Governor Yahaya Bello aims to gain the authority to tamper with campaign materials.
These guidelines, in their current form, are out of step with democratic principles.
The PDP, as a lawful political party, stands firm in its commitment not to subject itself to rules that contravene the laws of the Federation.
A coalition of civil society organisations in Zamfara Central has publicly called on philanthropist Yazeed Danfulani to contest for the senatorial seat in the National Assembly in the 2027 elections, citing his extensive humanitarian contributions and commitment to community development.
In a statement released on Sunday, the group’s spokesperson, Nuraddeen Garba Gusau, emphasised that the growing support for Danfulani transcends mere political sentiment.
“This is about Yazeed Danfulani’s proven dedication to the welfare of our people, demonstrated consistently without ever holding elected office,” Gusau said.
Danfulani, a prominent figure in Zamfara Central, has earned widespread admiration for his charitable initiatives.
He has funded the education of numerous children, offering opportunities to those who previously faced bleak prospects.
” His generosity also extends to providing financial and material aid to the less fortunate, helping families meet their basic needs.”
He said “Beyond individual support, Danfulani has bolstered small-scale entrepreneurs by distributing cars, tricycles, and financial capital, enabling many to achieve self-reliance.
“His efforts have significantly improved livelihoods across the region. Additionally, as a key supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Danfulani has played a vital role in strengthening the party’s unity and presence in the state.
The coalition believes Danfulani’s track record as a private citizen is a testament to his potential as a legislator.
“His selfless contributions are merely a glimpse of what he could achieve with the authority to legislate and attract development at the national level,” Gusau added.
News
Kaduna: Group calls EFCC, National Assembly, Kaduna state government’s intervention on alleged diversion of public funds
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Executive Director of a non-governmental organization, Eagle Brain Youth Transformative and Development Initiative (EBYTDI), Mr Daniel Ejembi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly and Kaduna state government to intervene on alleged hijacking of a federal constituency project intended for public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement issued by the Executive Director described the alleged diversion of the public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a.
According to him, “This diversion of public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a. We demand swift intervention by the Kaduna State Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Assembly to recover misused funds and prioritize education for all.”
The statement stated that investigation reveals that a federal project sponsored by Yakubu Umar Barde, former member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, was alleged to have been unlawfully diverted to Fatima Academy, a private school owned by Abdulhadi Abubakar.
Ejembi explained, “The project, initially earmarked for constructing a public school, was instead executed at Fatima Academy, which lacks registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).”
He added that the contractor, Amrah Farms Nigeria Limited (RC-1523474), with directors including Abdulyekin Bello Tahir and Bello Halimat Sadiq, executed the project in violation of its original mandate, lamenting that public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a faced severe deficits, including dilapidated classrooms, lack of sanitation facilities, and inadequate learning resources, exacerbating educational inequalities.
The Executive Director called for immediate probe into the alleged diversion of funds by relevant anti-corruption agencies and also called for urgent construction and renovation of classrooms, toilets, and perimeter fencing in the public schools.
He also appealed for the provision of desks, learning materials, and safe water systems for students and advised for legal action against unregistered institutions like Fatima Academy and accountability for involved parties.
Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Easter Monday morning.
Late Pope had been in and out of hospital in the last few weeks. He made a surprise appearance at the Easter Sunday service at Vatican on Sunday.
Details Later…