*’EFCC’s silence on Ganduje despite monumental corruption allegations no longer golden’

A Coalition of 30 Anti-corruption Civil Society Organizations have called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, over his alleged failure to prosecute a former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, despite multiple petitions against him on multi-billion naira fraud and bribery allegations.

The CSOs, under the umbrella, “Global Initiative for Corruption Eradication”, also called for the immediate arrest of Ganduje, who they said had no immunity, but was allegedly enjoying the cover of the Federal Government through the EFCC.

The spokesperson for GICE, Comrade Anthony Onoja, who addressed a press conference in Abuja on Friday, said, “N50billion diverted LGA funds, dollar video and N1billion naira probe seem to have all been swept under the carpet. It’s been over 2,200 days since the dollar video scandal broke and yet EFCC is silent.”

The activists urged well meaning Nigerians and relevant international organizations to join in stopping the EFCC from further insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians by calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Ganduje.

“The chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must resign from his position if he fails to arrest and prosecute Governor Ganduje in line with our extant laws.

“The continued silence of the EFCC despite the monumental corruption allegations against Ganduje, despite the many petitions, the avalanche of evidence(s) available and protest from various groups and the Kano state government to probe and bring Ganduje to book is no longer golden. It also negates its constant rebuttal of keeping sacred cows.

“The general perception of Nigerians now is that the EFCC, as it is, has abandoned its original mandate by becoming a political tool in the hands of the government of the day for eliminating political rivals and perceived enemies,” Onoja said.

He added that the EFCC was now seen by Nigerians as a major conduit of misappropriation of public funds and a tool for political persecution.

“While these perceptions have become increasingly prevalent, the agency has further justified and vindicated the majority of Nigerians that hold this view with its recent selective prosecution of alleged corrupt public officers; and allowing very corrupt ones to walk free after suppressing the wheel of justice from taking its full effect against them.

“An example of these sacred cows that have continued to walk free despite the monumental corruption allegations against him is the former governor of Kano and current National chairman of the ruling party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,” the activists said.

They stated: “It would be recalled that the Kano High Court was to arraign the former Kano Governor, Umaru Ganduje and his wife on April 17, 2024, over allegations of bribery and misappropriation of funds by the state government. Neither he nor his wife went to court. They also disrespected the court so much that they didn’t send a legal representation.

“The case was adjourned to 29th April but was stalled again. No representation, no appearance. Ganduje was not present. The case was again adjourned to May 16, and on that day, arraignment was rescheduled to June 5. Still, the former governor, who no longer has immunity under our extant laws and is not above the laws of Nigeria by virtue of being the Chairman of the ruling party, did not show up. No representation still.

“The last arraignment was supposed to be July 11. At the resumed proceedings on July 11, Ganduje and his co-defendants were again absent. The judge declined a prayer by the prosecution counsel for a warrant of arrest but ruled that the defendants could be tried in absentia.”

According to them, while the creation of the EFCC by the Obasanjo administration was greeted with commendations, EFCC has derailed.

“Finally, our group is of the considered view that perhaps if the EFCC in its current form is disbanded because of its constitutional illegality as pointed out by the states in the current case against the EFCC at the Apex Court, it would be able to perform its real functions of stamping out corruption when its law is properly enacted,” the CSOs added.

Lagos Lawmakers Seek Collaboration To End Food Insecurity

– as council chairman wants subsidy on agric products

Lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday held simultaneous stakeholders’ meetings with their constituents with renewed commitments to boost food security and sufficiency in the state.

They also called for collaboration by the stakeholders to end food insecurity.

Speaking in his Agege Constituency 1, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, identified food insecurity as a multi-faceted challenge requiring the efforts of the government and the people to resolve.

This year’s stakeholders’ meeting is the ninth in the series and has the theme: ‘Ensuring Food Security for Sustainable Future: Youth Participation and Home-Grown Farming’.

Dr. Obasa said the Lagos Assembly was committed to ensuring food security in line with the United Nation’s sustainable
development goals of eradication of poverty.

“We at the Lagos State House of Assembly are committed to making Lagos an producing state and not just a consuming state in the agriculture value chain to tackle the present-day reality of food insufficiency.

“Our commitment is exemplified through transformational laws and policy supervision in the agricultural sector,” he said noting that with the collaboration of the Assembly, the government of the state has made giant strides in the agriculture sector.

He listed some of the agricultural initiatives to include the setting up of the 34-hectare Ikorodu Fish
Farm Estate which has the capacity to produce and
process 10,000 tons of fish per year partnering
with 400 fish farmers in the State

He mentioned the AGRIC-YES
programme and “the Oke-Aro and Gberigbe Pig Farm Estates that currently partners with 1,200 farmers and have the capacity of housing and processing 88,000 mature pigs per annum.

“It is important to reiterate that, on our part as lawmakers, we have also created an enabling
environment for farming activities to thrive in the state,
particularly through the passage of anti-open grazing of livestock Law in September, 2021.”

He said to achieve food sufficiency, farming capacity needs to be widened while residents should consider animal husbandry.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Ganiyu Egunjobi, identified insecurity and non-availability of low interest loan for the youth population as responsible for the food crisis.

“This meeting cannot come at a better time. The problem responsible for the food shortage are many among which are insecurity that has prevented many farmers from accessing their farms. Farming in Nigeria is no longer attractive to the teeming youths.

“I want to suggest to the government at all levels to subsidise farming and also give loans at very low interest to farmers. The government should also improve on existing physical infrastructures in farming communities that would discourage urban migration and encourage youths to embrace farming. Farming and youth unemployment are recurring issues which require multidimensional interventions to tackle,” he said.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Akinyemi Olusegun of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, urged the youths and residents in the state to engage in urban farming.

“In Lagos, we are more than 22 million and as a result we have a huge need for food. People want to eat and engage in food business,” he said urging youths to focus on home-grown farming.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly

PDP Crisis: 100 Support Groups Back Damagun-led NWC
…say anti-democratic elements have no place in the party

In a show of solidarity, over 100 support groups of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have thrown their weight behind the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), condemning attempts to undermine the party’s constitution.

The groups, under the umbrella of Foundational Support Groups, described the recent attempts to remove Damagum as Acting National Chairman as “anti-democratic” and “detrimental to the party’s unity.”

A federal high court in Abuja had earlier restrained the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum until the party’s national convention in December 2025.

The court’s decision, citing Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP constitution, reaffirms that national officers can only be elected through the national convention.

Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, Chairman of the Foundational Support Groups, and Comrade Olarewaju Thompson, Secretary General, in a statement urged stakeholders to respect the court’s decision and work towards unity.

“The PDP’s internal wrangling must be resolved through constitutional means,” the statement read.
“We reject any attempts to circumvent this process and reaffirm our commitment to democratic principles.”

The support groups praised Damagum’s leadership, citing significant progress under his tenure, and called on well-meaning members to stand with them in supporting the NWC.

“The leadership of Umar Damagum has brought a breath of fresh air to the PDP, rekindling hope among party faithful and Nigerians at large.

“His commitment to democratic principles and party unity has been unwavering, earning him respect across party lines. Under his watch, the PDP has begun to reclaim its status as a viable opposition, poised to provide alternative governance.

“Damagum’s strategic vision has guided the party’s reorganization efforts, strengthening structures at all levels. His inclusive approach has brought together diverse interests, fostering a sense of belonging among party members.

“The Acting National Chairman’s door-to-door engagement and listening ear have helped resolve long-standing grievances, paving the way for renewed cooperation.

“As the PDP navigates these turbulent times, Damagum’s steady hand and calm demeanor have been a source of strength. His unwavering dedication to the party’s constitution and ideals has inspired loyalty and commitment among supporters.

“With Damagum at the helm, the PDP’s prospects for resurgence appear brighter than ever, and the Foundational Support Groups remain resolute in their backing for his continued leadership.”