Politics

Reps, Woman Affairs Minister Trade Words Over N1.5 Billion Diverted Funds

Published

1 year ago

July 10, 2024

The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development engaged in a face-off with the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy over an alleged diversion of 1.5 billion naira meant for payment of contractors by officials of the ministry.

The face-off which occurred during an investigative hearing by the Committee started when the Minister was asked to give an account of how monies meant for contractors paid by the Accountant General office were expended by the ministry.

In her account, the Minister said that 30 per cent of the total sum meant for contractors where paid to her ministry but can not give an account of how it was spent because the first Lady, Oluremi Tinubu had advised her to mind her business.

In response to the Minister’s reply, the committee members questioned the rationale behind her claim of not being aware of money that was paid to her ministry.

The Minister however said that the total sum was not released which was part of why the contractors are been owed.

“If not that the money for this year has been delayed, I’m sure we wouldn’t be here today. Because we could have paid out some of these liabilities. But since this year, no project money has been released to any ministry. And that was a constraint.”

A member of the Commitee, Marie Nenemete Ebikake, however, questioned the minister on the African First Lady Peace Mission project of about 500 million naira, asking the minster to tell the Commitee how the money was utilized, where the project was located and those involved.

“Honorable Minister and Permanent Secretary with Director Finance and Admin, last time when you came, that was on Thursday, we did raise an issue of African First Lady Peace Mission projects. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any concrete answer to the issue.

“It was carried over to today. So now that we are here, Honorable Minister, could you please educate the committee on the functions of African First Lady Peace Mission projects, taking into cognizance of funds allocated for the project in the past? Year 2020, 500 million,2021, 225 million.2022, 500 million. 2023, 150 million. Where is the office situated and the organogram?

In her response, the Minister, however, explained that the 150 million naira that was appropriated in 2023 was eventually given to the former first lady, Aisha Buhari who eventually told her it was meant for the purchase of a generator.

“About the First Lady’s funds. The 500 million you were talking about, I wasn’t there when it happened. When I came in, I saw it on the Appropriation Act. And I went to my First Lady. We discussed. She said that particular money was not meant for her.

“That it was meant for the former First Lady because that was when that money was allocated. And the former First Lady later called me and said they wanted to use it and buy a generator. And in the process, she was out of the country.

“It took her a while. She came back, called me, and she brought the person who was going to come and organize how they would get the generator. And I introduced that person to the procurement officer then, who is now retired.

“So that they could work it out according to the rules and regulations of procurement. And they’ve been on it. Once in a while, I talk with the First Lady to find out what’s going on. And that’s the last I heard of that.

At this point, members of the committee were surprised that the Minister could not identify the contractors or addresses of the Contractors who executed the African First Lady Peace Mission project.

In her response, the Minister said “Let me explain. This is the First Lady’s… My First Lady will tell you, to focus on your work. And she focuses on her work.

“She just advises me. And when they came there, I am not a First Lady and I can’t overstep my bounds. All I went to tell her was that there was some amount of money on the appropriation act. for her office and I went there to tell her. I have no business much to do with the First Lady’s buildings. Because I have to only take directives when given.

Reacting another member of the Committee told the Minister “Well, you disburse public funds on First Lady’s issues. Is it not so? The office space was not paid for with public funds of the Nigerian people. Let the director who is in charge speak, ma’am. Please.

“I won’t answer what is not within my purview, the Minister responded.

The committee members at this point insisted on knowing if it was the first Lady Oluremi Tinubu that directed the Minister to hand over the money to the former first lady Aisha Buhari.

The Chairman of the Committee Kafilat Ogbara in her question said, “When you resumed, you met the money in the account of your ministry. Because you said this money is for the former First Lady, and are you saying it was the former First Lady that requested that the money is going to be used for the generator or is it the current First Lady?

Responding the Minister said “Like I said, I’m not the accountant. I don’t usually know what you have.”

The Minister further insisted on explaining herself “No, but I’m trying to explain myself, Like I said, I’m not an accountant to know how much cash they have in their bank statements. All I can see is the appropriation paper and the budget. And it was right there in the budget of last year. It was there.

“My question is, was the money budgeted for the last First Lady? And I’ll ask you, is it the former First Lady who contacted you that the money is going to be used for the generator or not? The chairman asked the minister.”

In her response, the Minister said “No, it was budgeted by the ministry.

“I can’t answer that, because I don’t know who requested it was supposed to go to procurement.No First Lady called me. I called. I called. I never said a First Lady called, I called to say this is what I saw on the appropriation paper. That was what I said.

“Let me not be misquoted. Let me not be misquoted. I never said it was meant for the First Lady.

” I said when I saw for First Lady’s mission, that was the name of the corporation. I don’t know whether it has been used or not. We directed them, that anything that will be done is supposed to go through procurement, the normal process.”

At this point, the Chairman of the Committee asked the procurement officer to explain to the committee how the money was spent.

According to him, “The project was awarded. But I don’t know anything about it, it is ongoing.”

The chairman of the Committee asked the procurement officer if the Minister was aware of the project.

While he was about to respond, the Minister interjected by saying “I am not getting very comfortable anymore. Because I don’t even understand this question.

“The procurement do their job. I don’t get myself involved. If anything has been going through on that, it’s supposed to go through the normal process. I don’t get myself involved. Procurement officer.”

The Commitee Chairman at this point said due to the confrontation between the Minister to the Commitee, the meeting was adjourned sine die.

Politics

Ekiti 2026: APC Sets N40m For Nomination, Offers Discounts For Youths, Women

Published

13 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress has released a revised schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The party also sets nomination and expression of interest forms at a combined N50 million, offered significant concessions, including exemptions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, and a 50% discount on nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 40.

According to the timetable issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule outlines a series of pre-election activities beginning with the release of the notice to the Ekiti State chapter on Friday, July 26, 2025.

The party said the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2025.

It stated that the update of the party’s membership register for those eligible to participate in the primaries will take place from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 9, 2025.

The ruling party said the expression of interest and nomination forms will be available for purchase from Monday, August 26, and will close on Friday, August 30, 2025.

The party said the last day for submission of completed forms, including the accompanying documents, is Thursday, September 11, 2025.

“Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, while the publication of the screening results will be done the following day, Wednesday, September 24. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening may submit appeals on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

“The ward congress to elect delegates is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, while appeals arising from the congress will be entertained on Monday, September 29. The party’s governorship primary election will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with the appeal process concluding on Thursday, October 2, 2025,” the timetable read.

The party said the cost of the nomination form has been pegged at ₦40 million, while the expression of interest form will cost ₦10 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million.

“Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are exempted from paying for the nomination form and are only required to purchase the expression of interest form. Youths aged 25 to 40 will receive a 50 percent discount on the nomination form,” it added.

The party also announced that the forms would be available for purchase at the Directorate of Organisation at APC’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, the delegate form will cost ₦5,000.

The APC stressed that only financial members of the party whose membership has been active for at least three months before the release of the timetable will be eligible to participate.

The party urged interested members to contact its Directorate of Organisation or reach out via the contact number provided in the document.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain

Published

18 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dan Ulasi, has thrown his weight behind the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his four-year term pledge.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had declared that if elected in 2027, he would spend only four years and would not seek re-election.

His promise has attracted criticism from some quarters, with some politicians expressing skepticism.

In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ulasi said Obi’s promise should not be doubted, describing him as an honest person.

He said, “I believe Peter Obi’s words are sincere. Unlike the usual crop of politicians in Nigeria, he is honest. The constitution guarantees only a 4-year term, which can be renewed by the people.

“Obi has not said anything out of the ordinary; he believes he can accomplish a great deal in those four years.”

Politics

2027: Four Years Enough To Make Impact – Peter Obi Insists

Published

18 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serving only one term if elected president.

Obi stated that four years is sufficient to turn Nigeria around if leadership is driven by genuine service and not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor made the statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.

Obi said he finds it baffling that his one-term pledge is generating widespread debate, stressing that a sincere leader can achieve significant progress within a single four-year term.

He added that his motivation is rooted in a desire to see Nigeria work, not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor also challenged anyone to investigate his past political campaigns, maintaining that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, thuggery, or ballot box snatching.

He said: “I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months.

“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid.

“Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents, or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs.

“Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility.

“In four years, we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure.

“Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair, and credible elections.”