Breaking : Soludo Govt Launches Emergency Medical System With Call Centre 112 To Save Lives

May 26, 2023

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has inaugurated Anambra State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (ASEMSAS).

Speaking during the inauguration, the Minister said apart from the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Anambra is the first State to launch the emergency health system in the country.

Dr. Ehanire noted that the project, if fully launched across the 36 states of the federation, as mapped out will reduce mobility and mortality rate, as well as create job opportunities.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director of National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), Federal Ministry of Health Abuja, Dr. Saidu Ahmed Duwbuiwa, said the project will further strengthen Primary Healthcare service delivery across the country.

Dr. Ehanire commended the State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for making the Health Sector, major priority in his administration while announcing that Anambra has been listed first, on the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) under the Federal Ministry of Health.

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo thanked the Federal Government, the Health Minister for granting his state the approval to operate the ASEMSAS while reiterating the commitment of his administration in achieving a Universal Health Coverage.

Gov. Soludo said the ASEMSAS will help to save lives as well as promote the health of the people.

The governor affirmed that his administration is paying adequate attention to the health sector.

“I commend my Commissioner for Health with his team for their efforts in making this event a reality.

“Preventable deaths can truly be prevented with this ASEMSAS launch in our beloved state,” he said.

The governor was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu.

Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said officials from NEMSAS were in the state a few days ago for the final preparation, training and inspections before the official commissioning of the SEMSAS by the Minister of Health.

He explained that the State Government has facilitated the training of health personnel, drivers and members of the SEMSAS on how to operate the system after the commissioning.

According to him, 112 is the emergency line to be called whenever there is an emergency so the public should take note of this 112 for timely response of an Ambulance.

The Commissioner informed that the ASEMSAS will be private sector driven, 30 Ambulances have been registered across the state for emergency response.

Dr. Obidike noted that ASEMSAS is about service to save many avoidable lives which have been lost due to auto accident emergencies, maternal and other life-threatening emergencies.

He said; “We will continue to do our best so as to save the lives of our people, it is now left for our people to utilize this great opportunity because the system covers every part of the state.

“It is important to note that at the heart of our ASEMSAS program is a deep commitment to the safety and well-being of our citizens.

“So, we will continue to do our best so as to save the lives of our people, it is now left for our people to utilize this great opportunity because the system covers every part of the state.

“ASEMAS services are real-time, seamless, round the clock and very effective, and most importantly open to every resident of our state.’’

He commended the WHO for their continued support in the health sector of the state.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo said WHO will continue to support the state by deploying expertise, training and funding.

Dr. Francis Oguije represented the WHO Country Rep. during the event.

State Director Medical Services, ASEMSAS Coordinator, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu explained that the accredited Ambulances, Treatment Centers are already in place to commence operations.

Dr. Chukwulobelu explained that the accredited ambulances are not corpse carrying ambulances but rather ambulances that have basic life support, advanced life support and mobile intensive care units all are well equipped for the humanitarian services.

Present at the event were Commissioners for Budget and Planning, Industry, Representatives of State Commissioner of Police, Executive Secretary Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Managing Directors of ASHIA, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital.

Others are Red Cross Officials, Heads of Public and Private hospitals in the state, Security agents, Civil Society Organisation, Traditional Rulers and the Media.

Source: TheNews

Soludo Awards More Contracts For Roads Construction

bvichannel1

May 26, 2023

The road construction revolution of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, got added boost as the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) approved the release of the sum of five billion, two hundred and seventy million, six hundred and twenty thousand, eighty-two naira (N5,270,620,082) for the construction of Isuofia Township Roads (Phase 1) as an extension of the Igboukwu-Ikenga-Ekwulobia ongoing road project with a spur into Isuofia-Nanka (Length: 9.559Km; Width: 7.3M). The contract was awarded to A.G Vision Construction Nigeria Ltd with a completion period of 12 months.

ANSEC also approved the release of the sum of three billion, three hundred and ninety-seven million, two hundred and eighty-four thousand, four hundred and ninety-two Naira (N3,397,284,492) for the construction of Awkuzu-Umunya Road measuring 6.61Km in Oyi LGA, Anambra State. The contract was awarded to Lebtech Construction Ltd with a completion period of 12 months.

Furthermore, the release of the sum of two billion, nine hundred and fifty million naira (2,950,000,000) was approved by ANSEC for the construction of Owelaja Obosi Flood Control Infrastructure in Idemili-South LGA, Anambra State. The contract was awarded to Stefanutti Stocks Hapel with a completion period of 18 months.

The sum of one billion, one hundred and sixty million naira (N1,160,000,000) for the reconstruction of some selected roads and Silas Works Road to Creek Road measuring 2.640Km in Onitsha, Anambra State was approved. The contract was awarded to Rojel Nigeria Ltd, and the completion period is 5 months.

ANSEC equally approved the release of the sum of one billion, one hundred and fifty-three million, six hundred and thirty-three thousand, one hundred and seventy-two naira, and sixty-nine kobo (N1,153,633,172.69) for the reconstruction of some selected streets in Onitsha: Ziks Avenue, Ozomagala Street and Link Road ((3.253Km). The contract was awarded to Grandstar Ltd with the completion period of 6 months.

The release of one billion, three hundred and fifty million, six hundred and eighty-four thousand, nine hundred and sixteen naira, forty-seven kobo (N1,350,684,916.47) was approved for the construction of Amawbia internal roads (Lot 1 3.588Km) Awka-South LGA, Anambra State. The contract was awarded to Daniels Construction Ltd with 12 months completion period.

Finally, ANSEC approved the release of the sum of one billion, two hundred and eighty-seven million, nine hundred and eighty-three thousand, five hundred and twenty-six naira (N1,287,983,526.87) for the reconstruction of some select roads (Moore Sreet/Iweka Road) in Onitsha, Anambra State. The contract was awarded to Zhongtian Construction Nigeria Ltd with a completion period of 9 months.

Sir Paul Nwosu
Commissioner for Information
Anambra State

BVI Channel 1 opinion:

How strategic is N5b roads in Isuofia? How much IGR is Isuofia generating ? Perhaps, to create smart city in Soludo town

You Are Dishonourable And Unworthy Of A Minister Of The Federal Republic of Nigeria-ASUU UNIZIK Slams Ngige

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May 26, 2023

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State has flayed Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige over what it called ‘divide-and-rule’ treatment of its members in salary payment of last year’s 8-months industrial action.

Ngige, in a letter dated March 30, had asked the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, to pay 204 lecturers of medical faculties at UNIZIK their withheld salaries.

Minister said records jointly signed by the deans of medical science, basic clinical sciences, and basic medical sciences faculties respectively at UNIZIK showed that the said lecturers performed their duties while the strike lasted.

But the Union said Ngige’s salary payment of its members in the said faculties, further demonstrated his insensitivity to the plight of universities.

Addressing reporters in Awka on Thursday, the Union Chairperson, Comrade Stephen Ufoaroh described Ngige’s claims as false,
misleading and unworthy of a Minister, insisting that those who were paid participated in the impasse.

He also regretted alleged connivance of beneficiary lecturers with the Minister to betray their members, wondering why they chose to toe that path than defending the truth.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to the false claims by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige that ASUU members in three faculties of the institution namely: Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences and Medicine did not partake in the 2022 ASUU national strike.

“Recall that the 2022 ASUU national strike lasted between February 14 and October 17, 2022 and all the academic staff members of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka participated fully in the strike.

“The claim by Dr. Chris Ngige, that lecturers in the aforementioned three faculties did not participate in the strike is totally false, misleading, dishonourable and unworthy of a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Chris Ngige has cajoled his colleagues in the medical field into the ignoble act of claiming that they were on duty during the pendency of the strike in an effort to split the ranks of the union.

“Lecturers in these three faculties ought to realise that as intellectuals, they have a divine responbility to defend the truth. The absolute truth is that there was no teaching and consquently no examination was conducted throughout the period of the struggle.

“Dr Ngige’s incurable phobia for ASUU has eclipsed his sense of decency and he has gone ahead to pay his colleagues and probably kinsmen the eight months arrears of salaries without any verifiable evidence of the work purportedly done during the period.

“The big question is, what is in it for NGIGE? This obvious action of ‘divide and rule’ bespeaks the usual (Dis) honourable Minister’s insensitivity to the plight of universities in a country where every institution and every household has become a municipality.

“It is sad and most unfortunate that Dr Chris Ngige and his collaborators have continued in their shamefull and ignoble acts against the growth of public Universities even at the twilight of their administration. ALL LECTURERS at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka participated in the 2022 ASUU National Strike, Period.

“For the records, there are concrete and verifiable evidences from memos and publications from the university that counter the false and trumped up claims of the minister, as evidenced in various memos of the university administration relating to the closing and re-opening of the University consequent upon the strike. Chris Ngige need to purge himself of personal animus towards ASUU.

Asked if ASUU has any personal scores with the Minister, Ufoaroh said, “We have no personal issues with Ngige, but his insistence that we shouldn’t fight for our members rights has been the bone of contention. He’s always been on our neck because he feels that we’re asking for too much.

“Remember his intention was to proscribe our union through the courts but we didn’t allow him to succeed in the plot. This appears to be his last stroke to divide the union and pay some and leave others before he leaves office.

“It’s obvious that our struggle is not just about the Union welfare but that of the entire University system. We’ve always insisted that FG has enough resources to fund the university system and a labourer is worth his wages.

“We’re optimistic that the incoming administration will do the needful, to avert further crisis in our universities, especially having paid some of our colleagues with us in the struggle.”

Just In: Buhari Hands Over Transition Documents to Tinubu

Queen Madu

May 25, 2023

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, in Abuja, handed the transition documents to the President-elect Bola Tinubu.

Buhari also handed the baton of service alongside the documents at the investiture of the National Honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic on Tinubu and Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

This is in line with Executive Order 14 which mandates that the transition council issues handover notes containing, amongst other things, proposed policy direction for the incoming administration.

More details to come…

(Punch)

University Students’ Protest Against Exploitative Fees

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May 24, 2023

UI: A CALL FOR THE CANCELLATION OF ACCEPTANCE FEE ACROSS NIGERIA

We, the Concerned Students’ Against Tuition Fee movement finds it imperative to resolutely oppose the decision to charge prospective students into the University of Ibadan, as well as the determined act to hike the same fee from #37,500 to #50,000. As a very concerned movement, we are opposed to the commercialization of education in the many forms it may appear.

We strongly recognize that accessible education is a fundamental human right and should be made free and accessible to all. Against this backdrop, we at CSATF vehemently condemn the levy of acceptance fee charges, now up to the sum of #50,000, on the prospective students who are currently in the final stage of their admission processing at the University of Ibadan.

We consider the payment of acceptance fee arbitrary simply because it is not a payment for any known service rendered by the University to the prospective students. We, at CSATF, believe that since these intending students have been made to go through the rigorous process of writing three different examinations; including the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE), University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and ultimately the Post-UTME examinations, all in a bid to willfully secure and merit admissions into the University, it is therefore nothing short of injustice that these prospective students are levied with a fee for which they have not received any actual service.

Given the deepening economic crisis, we at CSATF consider the fee construct as ever more unjust considering that all Universities received a directive from the National University Commission (NUC) to stop the collection of acceptance fees from prospective students. As confirmed by the National University commission’s (NUC) Executive Secretary, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, on 13th February 2020, in an interview with the NTA’s Platform, a part of the statement reads, “we (NUC) have received a communication from the Senate and from the National Assembly and we have communicated to all Universities in the country to stop charging acceptance fee henceforth”.

It is disturbing that three years after the issuance of such a directive, acceptance fees are still being collected by Universities and even more disconcerting is its increase from #37,500 in the previous year, to #50, 000 as in the case of the University of Ibadan; a fee which is way above the minimum wage in Nigeria. We can only consider this an attempt to commercialize education and make it the exclusive reserve of the haves.

We therefore call on the administrators of the University of Ibadan to abide by the directive from the National University Commission and to stop the collection of acceptance fees in the University. We also seize this opportunity to reiterate that education is a right and should be made free and accessible to all by the Government. We call on the leadership of the Staff Unions at the University of Ibadan and across Nigeria to increase pressure on all the public Universities and on Government across all levels to stop the collection of the imposed fee.

We recognize the fact that the need for the collection of acceptance fee may be connected with the problems of underfunding bedeviling Nigerian universities. Despite this, we hold that the imposition of the acceptance fee and other unjust fees on students is tantamount to levying students and their parents to pay for the failure of successive governments, all who have refused to adequately fund public education including universities.

Note – CSATF is an acronym for a newly formed pro-students and workers campaign platform called CONCERNED STUDENTS AGAINST TUITION FEES. CSATF opposes commercialization of university education and insists that education is not a commodity but social service.

Signed

Aduwo Ayodele
CSATF Coordinator

Kareem Abdullahi
CSATF Secretary

To join and help build CSATF, contact the following numbers: 09052902527, 08106421540.

Presidential Tribunal: Obi, Atiku Challenge Tinubu as Hearing Begins on 30th May

Queen Madu

May 24, 2023

The Presidential Election Petition Court on Tuesday released the timetable for the hearing of petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and Allied Peoples Movement seeking to invalidate the victory of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, in the February 25 election.

The court announced that the hearing of the petitions would commence on May 30.

The development followed the conclusion of the pre-hearing sessions in which the court allocated time for the litigants and also consolidated the three petitions which would be heard as one despite opposition by the All Progressives Congress and Tinubu.

The Chairman of the five-man panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, who delivered the ruling during the proceedings on Tuesday, dismissed the objections raised against the merger by the president-elect, the APC, the vice-president-elect, Kashim Shettima and Kabir Masari, the APC place-holder.

The Independent National Electoral Commission left the consolidation decision to the panel and did not oppose the idea.

In its ruling, the court maintained that the demand for justice supported the consolidation to aid the speedy dispensation of justice.

It held that the three petitions were about the same subject matter – the 2023 election and the return of the president-elect.

The court further noted that consolidation of the three petitions would ensure justice in the matter, adding that the parties would adopt their final briefs of argument to enable it to fix a date for judgment.

On the subject of time to present their case, the panel directed Obi and the LP to do so within three weeks against their proposed seven weeks within which they planned to present 50 witnesses to prove their case against Tinubu.

Obi, through his counsel, Awa Kalu, SAN, had requested seven weeks to establish his case against the disputed election.

However, Justice Tsammani ordered Obi to open his petition for hearing on Tuesday, May 30, and end the same on June 23.

Furthermore, he stated that Obi’s camp would adopt its final briefs of argument on August 5 after which the court would deliver judgment on his petition.

Whereas the court gave INEC two days to present its defence, it gave Tinubu and the APC five days each to defend the petitions.

Likewise, the court gave the 4th respondent in the case, Kabiru Masari, three days to also defend himself.

The panel noted that a total of 166 witnesses would be called to testify in the matter.

It stressed that the star witnesses in the petition would only be allowed to adopt their written depositions, make oral submissions and identify documents where it is required.

In addition, the panel emphasised that examination and cross-examination in all cases would be strictly monitored and enforced without an intention to extend the dates.

Following the presentation of the schedule for Obi’s petition, the court in a similar fashion fixed May 30 as day one in the hearing of the petitions by the Allied Peoples Movement and the Peoples Democratic Party, now consolidated.

Aside from Atiku who came second in the election, and Obi of the LP who came third in the election, the APM equally lodged a petition to challenge the outcome of the presidential election.

Though five petitions were initially filed to challenge the return of Tinubu as the winner of the election, however, the Action Alliance, on May 8 withdrew its case while the Action Peoples Party discontinued its own petition a few days later.

As in the case of LP and Obi, the PDP and the APM did not object to the duly signed and certified documents by INEC but reserved the right to object to other documents.

However, they both disagreed with an out-of-court settlement agreement and subscribed to the hearing of the petitions.

The APM which has one witness was directed to present its case within a day.

According to the pre-hearing report by the court, the PDP and Atiku have 10 interlocutory applications with nine preliminary objections by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents.

Court fixes dates

While the APM will adopt its brief of argument on July 3, the PDP and Atiku are to adopt theirs on August 8.

The PDP and Atiku had informed the court of their plan to prove their case through 100 witnesses, but the court granted them three weeks to do so.

Atiku had in his joint petition with the PDP, marked: CA/PEPC/05/2023, applied for the withdrawal of the certificate of return that was issued to Tinubu by INEC.

He maintained that the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election was “invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022”.

The ex-vice president further argued that Tinubu’s election was invalid because of corrupt practices and prayed the court to nullify his election and declare him the winner of the presidential election, having secured the second-highest number of lawful votes cast at the election.

He insisted that the APC candidate did not meet the constitutional threshold and “is constitutionally disabled from contesting for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

However, in a reply he filed through his team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Tinubu, queried the legal competence of the petition.

Tinubu described Atiku as a consistent serial loser that had since 1993, crisscrossed different political parties, in search of power.

With the presentation of the pre-hearing report and disclosure of the schedule, the court sessions had entered a more critical period counting down from May 30 and extending to Saturdays.

Meanwhile, the PEPC hinted it may subsequently disallow phones in the courtroom.

The court stressed that it is acting with reason, adding that the “security of everyone is important,” among other justifications.

Anti-inauguration suit

In a related development, a Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed a ruling for Friday on an ex-parte application filed by some individuals seeking to restrain the president-elect from being inaugurated on May 29 until the determination of petitions before the PEPC.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case on Tuesday after listening to arguments from the counsel for the applicants, Oliver Eya.

Before adjourning the case, Omotosho ordered the applicants’ lawyer to be prepared to address the court on the jurisdiction, whether the plaintiffs have the locus standi to file the suit and whether they have any legal right they seek to protect with the suit.

The applicants – Praise Ilemona Isaiah, Pastor Paul Isaac Audu and Anongu Moses – who claimed to be Nigerian electorate, want the court to stop the inauguration pending the determination of their motion for interlocutory injunctions.

They urged the court to issue “an order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd respondent (Tinubu) from being sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.”

They claimed, among others, that Tinubu gave false information about his citizenship status and his date of birth.

Listed as defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/ 657/2023 are the President, the President-elect, APC, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director-General, the Department of State Services, the Inspector-General of Police and INEC.

In the affidavit in support of the motion ex parte, the plaintiffs urged that their prayer be granted because “the 2nd defendant/respondent (Tinubu) is billed to be sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May, 29th, 2023.”

(Punch)

Three Courts have Turn Down Apapa Petition Against LP- Spokesperson

Queen Madu

May 24, 2023

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Pastor Obiora Ifoh has alleged that three courts turned down petitions by the Lamidi Apapa-led faction shopping for injunctions against the LP

In a statement he signed, Obiora Ifoh said Apapa and his group have continued their search for a court that would grant their injunction in spite of the failed attempt.

He said, “Labour Party sources who have been monitoring the clandestine movement of Akingbade and his team have informed us that the former Legal Adviser has visited three states in the North as at today, moving from one court to the other, shopping for a judge who will give them an injunction in order to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to recognize them.

They have visited three judges in the North who have all turned down their requests.

“They are still prowling the Northern states with enough liquidity at their disposal to influence the legal officers but we can confirm that as of today, none of the judges have agreed to their tempting offers.

We therefore commend the judges who have refused their offers, and who are insisting that justice can not be bought.

“Notwithstanding, the unfortunate incident in Kano Federal High court last week where they deceived the judge to enter a judgement against Labour Party.

“We are happy that their motives was not defeated but also the clarification of His Lordship, that his judgement was misinterpreted to mean a blanket punishment against all elected members of the party across Nigeria was heart warming. Labour Party has also swiftly applied for notice of appeal. We believe that justice will also be dispensed accordingly.

“We use this opportunity to call on the judiciary to be up and doing, and to be on notice of the plots of these anti-democratic elements to derail our thriving democracy.

“We also call on the Chief Justice of the Federation and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to advice judges under them not to allow the name of the judiciary to be dragged into the mud by desperate politicians.

The judiciary has a duty to protect our democracy and we believe that this arm of government has done well but can still do more until the likes of Apapa and his cohorts are properly caged in accordance with the law and are made to pay for the injury and pains they have continued to inflict on our democracy,” Obiorah stated.

(Journalist101)

Soludo Govt Collects N100m Monthly From Keke Riders

bvichannel1

May 23, 2023

Chairman of Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) Mr Richard Madiebo has disclosed that the state government generate monthly revenue of N100 millions from tricycle operators alone .

Madiebo made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the success they have made through the digitalisation of revenue collections in the state .

He said that before the introduction of digital revenue collections in the state ,the government was generating N7 millions monthly from the tricycle operators,but today it has risen up to N100 millions.
According to him,the government started the digital revenue collections from the Keke riders and it has been successful .

He also stated that the government will replicate the model to all the revenue collections in the state.

Madiebo also stated that the government was still having challenges making people in the markets complying with the digital payments .
“The Keke model will be replicated in all the markets in Anambra state. Though,we are having challenges for those in the markets paying in through digital means. Surely,we will keep to the Keke model. Before now people are doing all things they want in the name revenue collections,but now it can no longer work for them” he said

BVI Channel 1 online is of the opinion that AIRS Chairman should find a revenue model on how to collect revenue from landlords who have more than two houses and above ,and private car owners whose car is above N5 million among others

Peter Obi Message On Dangote Refinery

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May 23, 2023

I honoured the invitation to the Commissioning of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos. This is the World’s Largest Single Train Petroleum Refinery.

I congratulate Alhaji Aliko Dangote for this world-class project which I believe will be very beneficial to Nigeria’s economy.

The refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day when operated maximally, is expected to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand for petroleum products and help Nigeria to save the much-needed foreign exchange currently spent on the importation of such products.

By supplying the surplus to the International markets, Nigeria will reposition itself as a key player in the downstream petroleum sector of the global market. In moving Nigeria from consumption to production,I have always argued for greater private sector participation in the economy as exemplified by the Dangote Group. I believe the Dangote Refinery will be very beneficial to the nation’s economy.

By moving Nigeria from a net importer to a net exporter of petroleum products, this refinery will create numerous jobs and generate needed foreign exchange inflow.

This refinery is another milestone towards the New Nigeria, to which I am committed. That new nation will be an enabling environment for a booming private sector that will see the rise of many micro, small and medium-scale businesses that will boost the nation’s economy and foster increased productivity among our people.

Peter Obi

1999 Constitution Doesn’t Represent the Interest of the Citizens- Ondo Gov.

Queen Madu

May 22, 2023

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has described Nigeria’s 1999 constitution as one which does not represent the interest of the citizens.

Akeredolu lamented that the constitution is adding to the mystery of Nigerians because it “sustains the privileges enjoyed by a parasitic few at the detriment of the majority.”

He made the submission during the 59th Founders’ Day Anniversary Lecture, Award, and Endowment of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaiye, Akeredolu said that States in the federation have been reduced to pathetic beggars as a result of the skewed nature of the 1999 constitution.

He further called for its replacement with the 1963 constitution because according to him, the 1999 constitution is an ‘experiment in audacious mendacity.’

His words: “A defective law cannot engender peace and progress. It is, more often than not, the source of the seemingly intractable crises.

There can be no development in a place where the law and its application are skewed, heavily, against the majority of the people. When the law becomes an instrument of repression, society is imperiled.

“A codification which alienates the people from its intendment is not only repressive but also fraudulent.

There can be no meaningful achievement from the existence of a set of regulations whose purpose is to sustain the privileges enjoyed by a parasitic few at the detriment of the majority.”

He added that “The subversion of the people’s will cannot engender progress in any society if the essence of development is the amelioration of the challenges faced by them.

“Any law which imposes the whims and caprices of a select but partisan few on the majority of the people cannot be used to advance the cause of the society.

“If there is any document whose existence represents an experiment in audacious mendacity, it is this so-called Constitution of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Constitution tells manifest lies against itself. It purports to represent the wishes of the Nigerian people but nothing can be farther from this obvious lie.”

Akeredolu further called on the incoming administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be bold in confronting the challenges facing the country.

“The in-coming administration has its job clearly defined. It is inheriting not only a heavy backlog of disaffection and complaints from the citizenry from all parts of the country; it has sold its campaign on the promise of a Renewed Hope,” he said.

(Chrysora)

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