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

Rivers: 70 CSOs Ask NASS To Summon Ibas To Give Account

Published

1 day ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A coalition of 70 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, on Monday, urged the National Assembly to summon the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), to give an account of his stewardship in Rivers State for the past six months.

The groups, under the auspices of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, said the call had become necessary, considering that the mandate handed to Ibas after the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by President Bola Tinubu would expire by Thursday.

“This is very important, especially when you consider the fact that funds belonging to Rivers State which were initially seized by the Federal Government, were released to the Sole Administrator after he was appointed. There is need for accountability,” the CSOs insisted.

More so, the Situation Room, in a statement it issued to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Democracy, said it was worried that the nation is still grappling with systemic corruption.

“Today is not just a day of reflection on the state of democracy in Nigeria but on the state of the nation and provides an opportunity to identify areas where improvements are needed.

“Nigeria is at a crucial juncture in its democratic journey, having marked 26 years of democratic rule this year, since the return to civil rule in 1999.

“In July 2025, the Situation Room released a report on the ‘Current State of Democracy in Nigeria’ where it noted that as at 2025, democracy in Nigeria still remains fragile, marked by institutional weaknesses, electoral distrust, and public disillusionment.

“Although some progress has been made, three fundamental principles that form the bedrock of democracy – cultural values, political leadership and the electoral process – are being confronted by systemic corruption, growing disillusionment and erosion of cultural values.

“In addition, over the couple of months, we have seen systematic attempts to decimate political opposition and render our electoral process to be a choiceless ballot for the voters.

“These tactics include state-sponsored infiltration and destruction of other political parties, harassment of journalists and punitive targeting of civil society organisations to make it difficult for them to freely operate and determination to undermine the independence and autonomy of the election management body.

“The current State of the Economy presents some paradox – while the Government lauds itself for bold reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies, which freed up funds for State allocations, infrastructure development, and fiscal restructuring, challenges persist.

“The country continues to struggle with inflation, a weakened currency, rising debt, and widespread poverty, posing serious threats to economic stability.

“The failure of our democracy to deliver dividends to citizens, the failing public service delivery, lack of social amenities in standard healthcare and education, expanding impunity as well as indiscipline in public finance management and accountability emphasises the strong link between democracy and poverty.

“The 2023 general elections, despite technological upgrades like the BVAS, were marred by logistical failures, voter suppression, lack of transparency in the election results transmission and judicial controversies.

“Concerns over judicial independence, suppression of dissent, and weakened democratic institutions remain prevalent.

“Situation Room continues to condemn the breach of the 1999 Constitution and the events that led to the declaration of the State of the Emergency in Rivers State.

“This is not good for our democracy; it shows Executive overreach and a troubling erosion of democratic norms despite calls from well-meaning Nigerians to stop the State of Emergency, ” the statement, which was jointly signed by the Convener of the CSOs, Yunusa Z. Ya’u, and two Co-Conveners, Franklin Oloniju and Mimidoo Achakpa, further read.

Politics

INEC Has Not Confirmed ADC State Leaders – Party

Published

2 days ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed a report claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a list of its state chairmen across Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the circulating report titled “Coalition Update: INEC Confirms ADC State Chairmen Nationwide” as “fake news” aimed at creating confusion within the party.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation, neither officially nor unofficially,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that choosing and approving state leaders is the party’s internal responsibility, not INEC’s.

“The process of constituting and ratifying state leadership within any political party lies squarely within the party’s constitutional prerogative. INEC only recognizes what the party submits through the appropriate channels after due process,” he added.

Abdullahi urged ADC members and the public to ignore the fake list and wait for official communication.

“We therefore urge our members and stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant, and guided by official communication from the national leadership of the ADC,” he said.

He reassured supporters that the ADC remains committed to discipline, structure, and internal democracy, adding that any genuine updates on party leadership will be shared through verified platforms.

Politics

How Bello Deceitfully Assured Me Of Kogi Guber Ticket For 4 Years — Onoja

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2025

Editor

Former deputy governor of Kogi State, Edward David Onoja, has revealed that his former principal, Yahaya Bello, assured him for four years that he would succeed him as governor, only to change his decision a day before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

Onoja made the disclosure during an interview on MIC ON Podcast published on Saturday night, where he recounted his political journey and his relationship with former Governor Bello.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Onoja had served as Chief of State for about four years before becoming deputy governor under Bello until their tenure elapsed.

“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared.’ And of course, I planned, I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity (to contest),” Onoja said.

According to him, about seven cabinet members at the time, including himself, picked up the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination forms on Bello’s directive, but in the end, Bello’s support was with the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice was with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he said.

Onoja revealed that Bello broke the news to him just a day before the party primaries, a decision he respected despite his disappointment.

“When he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss, you are over me, what you see is what I see, so let’s go get the job done, but I hope you are not making a mistake.’ There were no issues, and then we went to the field and did our best for our candidate,” he stated.

Onoja, who is now a board member of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), emphasised that despite the turn of events, he remained committed to ensuring victory for the party’s eventual candidate and winner of the last Kogi State governorship election, Ododo, who went on to succeed Bello.