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Okorocha, Oshiomhole, Oyofo clash at Lamai lecture in Abuja

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Former Governor of Edo State and Senator-elect, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had a public spat with former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha and a former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Victor Kassim Oyofo, at a public event yesterday in Abuja.

The trio exchange words at the first Senator Ekpemoriri Lamai Memorial Lecture organised by Senator E. A Lamai Foundation, with the theme ‘Nigerian Senate and the Quest for Nation Building: 1st-4th Republic.’

Lamai, a First Republic Senator from Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State, died on May 14, 2009.
Oshiomhole who said his differences with Owelle Okorocha was purely on issue of obeying the law and nothing personal, also tackled former Senate whip, Senator Victor Kassim Oyofo for alluding that former governors go to the Senate to display opulence.

Okorocha who was one of the panelists had joking alleged that Oshiomhole was one of the problems of the country and thank God that he would be going to the Senate to fix the problems.

The comment seems not to have gone down well with Oshiomhole, who said, “My brother (Okorocha) said I am the problem of Nigeria and he is happy that I am going to the Senate. I take the last part. He is happy for me so he would organise a dinner in my honour. There will also be a dinner to mark your exit. So as you are going, I am coming in.

“When people say small man like me, because big people think that mere reference to their size should not obey law when a small man is presiding. And when they say we are short, I hardly see what am short off. There is nothing anybody has that I don’t have. When they talk about economies of scale they don’t also forget to talk about dis-economics of scale.”

Turning to Okorocha, he said, “My brother, my brother, you know what caused our misunderstanding. You are my good friend till tomorrow. It is just that for me, laws are meaningful when those who are powerful are subjected to obey the law.

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“So sir, be rest assured, I appreciate you, I respect you but you must learn to obey the law. Don’t look at my size particularly, when I am obliged to take an oath that I shall defend the constitution. Once we go out now, I am going to hug you and I must insist you organise a dinner for my coming to Senate.”

Oshiomhole who seems not to also enjoy the remark of the Chairman of the day, Senator Oyofo, who said governors retire to Senate to live life of opulence fired back.

He said, “Nigeria was already on its way to Zimbabwe when you have a life president. When President Obasanjo wanted to amend our constitution, which should have been the beginning and the end. No gun was shot, just the power of AIT and other media, covering the session life to the credit of the National Assembly they shut down that third term bid. But the other thing with my big brother. My pension is N1.250, 0000.

“So when you talk of opulence and corruption is not something that is restricted to government. For every government official that is corrupt, there are three, four, five businessmen who are even much more corrupt. They are the treasurers of public officers.

“So if my brother left the oil industry wealthy, and went to the Senate to live in luxury then why are you envious of me that left the Labour. One kobo gratuity I did not receive, even my official car, I handed it over, because that is the rules of Nigeria Labour Congress. We used the word struggle.

“So when we make sweeping generalisation about people living in wealth going to the Senate to leave in luxury.

“When I knew you as a Senator, I did not see you in luxury. I thought you were working. Actually that is what you told our people. It was only today you say it that the place is for luxury.”
But, Oyofo in his response said a Google search be made between himself and Oshiomhole to know who made money from government.

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He said, “Google my name and say what is the net worth of Senator Oyofo, they will tell you. In the same manner, Google the name of Oshiomhole and say how much is he worth, Google will tell you then you can be approaching the issue of defining corruption. So it is not about just standing making things look like a joke.

“The truth is that we are in the grip of corruption and unless we stand up to it and admit it, we are going to pay dearly. It is not a laughing matter or a joking matter.

“Anybody you know his name in Nigeria, ask Google what is the net worth and search for profession they belong to and what they were doing whether they own businesses. I worked for 30 years finding oil for Nigeria,” Senator Oyofo said.

Oyofo had earlier in his opening remarks advocated for part-time legislators for the country, saying the cost of governance is bloating every day.
The former Senate Chief Whip of the Senate who chaired the lecture quoted #openNass, which stated that in 2017 alone, the lawmaker cost the taxpayers $54,000 each.

He said, “After more than 20 years, it has proved ineffective and expensive. According to #openNass organisation, in the year 2017 alone, a lawmaker cost the taxpayers $54,000 each this is 10,000 times more than the minimum wage and 200 times the National Gross Domestic Product per capital.

“This leads to unemployment, insecurity. The trend should not be allowed to continue. If it continues, it will create insurmountable problems that will consume the nation.

“It has become obvious that politics is the quickest way to an unearned wealth. The situation was execrated by immunity clause which allows governors to be immune from closer examination. Many for example have treated their security votes which amount to billions as pocket money.”

“This trend is not unnoticed by the populace, even if they appear hopeless and speechless. Common sense would say that events we are growing as they are already manifesting in the killing of citizens and insecurity.

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“What the senators must do now is to examine the country critically, and the Presidential system that we have adopted without any cloud in their eyes.

“They must have the courage to chat a different course all together and restructure the country for productivity and continuation for joy and happiness and for purposeful existence.”

However, former Edo State Governor, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, disagreed with him as he said that it is not the budget of the National Assembly that is responsible for the magnitude of the challenges confronting the country.
Osunbor also said that the nation is better off with a bicameral legislature other than a unicameral legislature.

He stressed the importance of the Senate to democracy, saying it is what gives the states equal representations.
Another panelist, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada said the problem is not the senate but corruption which has become endemic.

Gada said the budget of the Senate is just 2.5 percent of the National budget.

In his address, the Executive Director, Senator E.A. Lamai Foundation, Chief Richard Lamai, said the senate and other legislative arms were the only distinctive organs differentiating other forms of government.

“As our nation enjoys uninterrupted period of participatory democracy in this 4th Republic, it is apt to analyse the effect of democratically derived legislation and policies by the senate on the development envisioned by the likes of my father, Senator E.A Lamai through this lecture by eminent experts in jurisprudence, constitutional, commercial law, executive and renowned business gurus,” Lamai said.

Delivering the lecture titled ‘X-raying the Nigerian Senate (1st-4th Republic) as a Tool for Nation Building,’ Chief Mike Ozekhomhe (SAN), said the Nigerian Senate holds a crucial position as the upper chamber of the country’s bicameral legislature, actively shaping the nation’s political landscape and policy framework.

“Throughout Nigeria’s history, from its first Republic to the present day, the Senate has served as a significant platform for national deliberation, legislation, and representation,” Ozekhomhe said.

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El-Rufai Dumps APC For SDP 24 hours After Shehu Sani Declares Support For Gov Sani

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By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

Less than 24 hours after former Kaduna Central Senatorial District lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, openly declared support for Governor Uba Sani’s re-election bid, former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Sources reveal that the recent return of prominent politicians such as Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Senator Danjuma Laah, former Governor Ramalan Yero, and others to the APC has unsettled El-Rufai.

Senator Shehu Sani, in his declaration, stated that his main political objective for 2027 is to ensure Governor Uba Sani’s re-election.

Unwilling to face the emerging political dynamics, El-Rufai announced his resignation from APC in a Facebook post, stating:

“Today, 10th March 2025, I have submitted my resignation letter to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Before this decision, I consulted extensively with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists across the country about the future. I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the platform for our future political engagements.

“As a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us. Together, we can unify under a strong democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections and by-elections before 2027, by the grace of God.

“I, therefore, call on all our supporters and those concerned about Nigeria’s future to join us in SDP as we work towards making Nigeria a beacon of hope for Africa and the Black race.”

In reaction to El-Rufai’s defection, Shehu Sani dismissed the move, saying it would have little impact.

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“Leaving APC for SDP makes no difference for someone with no political relevance anymore. But one thing is certain—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani will be re-elected

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Ramadan: Tambuwal Distributes Foodstuff In Sokoto, Says PDP Will Reclaim Mandate Come 2027

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BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

Former governor of Sokoto State and now Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal while flagging off distribution of ramadan fast assistance to the people of the state, Monday reassured that, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will Reclaim their mandate come 2027.

Tambuwal, who divulged that the Ramadan gesture is targeted at 30,000 households in the state, added, “‘it is aside the thousands of other foodstuff and multiple assistance given by all lawmakers elected under the platform of the PDP in the state”.

According to him, the PDP lawmakers both at he state and federal levels are equally flagging off the distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other grains to all youth and women led organizations to help compliment their ease of fasting.

“”As you aware, many people have lost their lives and they are no more with us. It is by His grace that we are alive and here observing another Ramadan and  witnessing the distribution of foodstuff to our people once again.

“We continue to pray to Allahi to grant us continued good health and longevity, for us to witness many more of this blessed month.l of Ramadan. I also would like to take disadvantage of this opportunity to thank our chairman and the leaders of our party in the state for their continued hard work in organizing the party, in mobilizing the people and making sure that our party remain strong and united in Sokoto

“”We are one big united family. And we shall continue to work together towards reclaiming what has been taken away from us. As you know, in the last elections, our mandate was forcefully stolen. But now, we are  restrategizing and organizing.

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“”And by the grace of Allah, what has been taken away, will be given back to us by come 2027″”. Tambuwal assured.

Speaking earlier, Sokoto state PDP chairman, Comrade Bello Goronyo expressed heartfelt appreciation to all members of the PDP in Sokoto for keeping hope alive and faith with the party, saying the PDP is the only party that truly meant well for the generality of Nigerians.

This according to him could be proven by the current hardship been experienced by Nigerians which where hitherto not the case when the PDP held sway.

Comrade Goronyo therefore appealed to the people of the state and Nigerians to liberate themselves from the grip of APC’s mis- governance come 2027.

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US to cancel 83% of USAID programmes

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US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on Monday that the United States was cancelling 83 per cent of programmes at the US Agency for International Development.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid to give his administration time to assess overseas spending, with an eye to gutting programs not aligned with his “America First” agenda.

“After a six-week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programmes at USAID,” Rubio said on social media platform X.

“The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States,” he added.

USAID distributes US humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.

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The State Department, which oversees USAID, announced on February 26 its intention to cut 92 per cent of the agency’s program funding, identifying 5,800 grants to be eliminated.

Rubio on Monday notably thanked the Department of Government Efficiency, which billionaire Elon Musk is leading in a drive to slash costs and cut jobs across government departments.

Trump and his allies have argued that foreign assistance is wasteful and does not serve US interests.

But aid groups argue much of the assistance supports US interests by promoting stability and health overseas, and warn that cutting aid threatens the lives of vulnerable people.

AFP

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