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Security Votes: Governors Meet With EFCC, ICPC, FIRS, CBN On Tuesday

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The thirty- six State Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF have concluded arrangements on how to meet with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on how to manage their states’ security votes.

Also to be at the meeting slated for Tuesday, April 4th through virtual to brainstorm on thorny issues surrounding security votes allocated to States are the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

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According to a statement signed by NGF Director, Media Affairs, AbdulRazaque Bello-Barkindo, the meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday, April 4 and that the Director- General of NGF, Asishana Bayo Okauru said that the agencies expected to be at the meeting include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Security vote is a monthly allocation given to state governments for improved security.

According to Wikipedia, “security vote in Nigeria is a monthly allowance that is allocated to the 36 states within the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the sole purpose of funding security services within such states.

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“The monthly fund runs into billions of naira and vary based on the level of security required by the individual state.”

The statement read, “Governors of the 36 states of the federation are to meet with all the economic and financial agencies in the country, with a view to ironing out thorny issues surrounding their states’ security votes, towards establishing a better option of managing the funds.

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“The meeting, which is to take place on Tuesday April 4, according to an invitation issued by the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr. Asishana Bayo Okauru, will be virtual, to ensure full attendance by all the relevant officers in the matter.

“Those invited to the meeting include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

“Furthermore, the meeting will also consider deepening the management and expansion of the cashless policy which took effect from the time of the redesigning of the national currency, the Nigerian Naira, last year, to further the financial inclusion of all citizens in the ensuing scheme of things, going forward.

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“This meeting is called at the instance of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, in its letter of 30th March, which was addressed to the Chairman of the NGF and signed by the NFIU Director, Modibbo Hamman Tukur.

“The letter said that apart from the facilities for national financial inclusion, it is also putting on the table the uniform development and cooperation on the national addressing and post code project, which will put Nigeria on the same pedestal as all advanced countries across the globe.

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“Also on the agenda is a consensus on harmonizing and updating the national tax collection and business entry standards and its requirements to help respond to the FATF and the EU grey listing in which Nigeria appeared.

“All Governors are advised to prioritize the meeting as its contents had been discussed at the NGF emergency meeting of Thursday 30th March, where it was unanimously agreed that a meeting with the afore-mentioned agencies was imperative.”

Recall that over the years, whatever Nigerians have heard about the real amount being appropriated to state governors in Nigeria as security has remained a guess work, just as even those in the corridors of power, have described security votes as humongous amount of money that is spent by governors unaccounted for.

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Wikipedia had noted that security votes have not been widely accepted by citizens, as most have claimed that such funds are being abused by the state governments, because how the funds are disbursed is not accountable to any agency.

According to Transparency International, Nigeria allocates an estimated N241.2 billion (about $670 million) to security votes annually.

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The international governance and rights watchdog had decried Nigeria’s annual allocation to security votes, saying that it is more than the Nigerian Army’s annual budget, 70 percent more than the Nigerian Police Force annual budget, and far higher than the United States of America and United Kingdom’s security assistance to Nigeria.

Transparency International said that since 2012, the US has spent $68.6 million in security assistance to Nigeria, while the UK has given over $53.5 million (£40 million) in counterterrorism support to Nigeria from 2016 to 2020.

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‘Nigeria Proud Way Tinubu Was Buried’ – Akpabio Goofs

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday goofed while commending President Bola Tinubu over his role in the burial of his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio said Nigeria is proud of the way “Tinubu was honored and buried.”

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Buhari died in London on July 13 and was flown back to Daura, Katsina State, where he was buried on July 15.

Upon arrival in Daura, Tinubu had led a federal government delegation to receive Buhari’s corpse at the airport. The president was present during the state burial accorded to Buhari.

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Speaking, Akpabio said: “The whole country is very proud of what this administration has done in the way and manner President Bola Tinubu was honoured and was buried. President Buhari was honoured and buried rather.

“Distinguish Senator Ningi, you also observed that President Bola Tinubu will not be forgotten for what he did during the burial ceremony of Buhari.

“In the Senate, we are also determined to ensure that in our books, the records say he should also have this valedictory, despite all said and done.”

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NAFDAC Uncovers Warehouse Loaded With Explosive Chemicals In Kano

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A massive cache of industrial chemicals believed to be capable of producing explosives has been discovered and sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kano State.

The facility, located in Kwakwachi within Fagge Local Government Area, reportedly housed 88,560 litres of hazardous substances—including highly concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids.

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Speaking to journalists during an inspection of the site on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the discovery as deeply alarming.

Prof. Adeyeye was represented at the scene by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement.

READ ALSO:NAFDAC Shuts Over 11,000 Shops Selling Illicit Drugs, Arrests 40 Suspects

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According to Iluyomade, the warehouse was holding 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid (at 90.5% concentration) and 28,560 litres of nitric acid (at 68% concentration). Also discovered were 330 empty jerricans—evidence that some of the chemicals had already been distributed to unknown individuals.

What we have seen here is mind-boggling, I don’t think I have ever seen this quantity of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid together in one place like this before,” Adeyeye said.

She explained that it was NAFDAC officials who, acting on a tip-off, traced the warehouse and found it operational. However, only a single staff member—the warehouse manager—was present at the time of the raid. He was immediately taken into custody.

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NAFDAC said the person listed as the warehouse’s owner is not recognized as a licensed chemical marketer, which raises further red flags about the nature of the business being conducted.

READ ALSO:NAFDAC Seizes 140 Tonnes Of Expired Drugs, Uncovers Warehouses In Aba

“The owner is not listed as a chemical marketer. We keep a database to monitor the importation, use, and disposal of such chemicals. These acids are controlled chemicals that are not to be handled by just anybody,” she said.

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Adeyeye stressed that importing this category of chemicals is a highly regulated process. It requires security clearance and permits, none of which were available in this case.

Importing such chemicals requires clearance from the National Security Adviser and permits, none of which the owner possessed.”

“Permit and clearance is important because these chemicals are used to manufacture explosives.”

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The volume of substances found in the warehouse, she noted, posed a grave threat to public safety.

“The volume we have here is enough to destroy the whole of Kano if mishandled,” she warned.

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With the prime suspect still at large, NAFDAC said it has begun interrogating the arrested warehouse manager to uncover the chain of custody and determine the final destination of the chemicals.

Prof. Adeyeye further assured the public that the seized chemicals would be destroyed in accordance with environmental and safety regulations to prevent any misuse.

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Nigerians Can Vote You Out In 2027 – Baba-Ahmed Warns Tinubu

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Former presidential aide, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that Nigerians have the power to vote out President Bola Tinubu in 2027 if the election is free and fair.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said the President should focus less on political calculations and more on governance, noting that the electorate will ultimately judge him based on his performance in office.

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“The bottom line is that Nigerians are going to say, ‘What have you done with the first four years we gave you?’” he said. “Don’t take us for granted. We can vote you out if the election is free and fair. So show us what you’ve done.”

READ ALSO:No Patriotic Nigerian Will Support Tinubu In 2027 – PDP

Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from his government appointment about three months ago, made the remarks while reacting to speculation about a plan to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.

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He criticised the President’s silence on the rumours, arguing that Tinubu should have personally addressed the issue if it were truly baseless.

If all these stories about dropping the Vice President have absolutely no iota of truth, it would have taken just one thing: the President directly and personally saying, ‘Stop this nonsense. I have confidence in my Vice President. I work well with him. I am happy with him. And I want this nonsense about me dropping him, now or in the future, to stop,’” he said.

READ ALSO:Lawyers Drag Tinubu To Court, Seek Emergency Rule In Zamfara

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According to Baba-Ahmed, Tinubu’s failure to make such a declaration leaves room for suspicion. “His people didn’t say that. He didn’t say that. So, I would be very curious to find out what it is that makes all these stories about dropping him,” he added.

He concluded by stressing that leadership must be accountable and measurable. “It’s a governance thing that you will take to the electorate at the end. It doesn’t matter what you think you’ve done—all the defections to your party. Nigerians will decide.”

 

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