Politics

NOW THAT THE MINISTERS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED PORTFOLIOS

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2023

PRESIDENT TINUBU FELICITATES NNPCL GCEO, MELE KYARI, ON BIRTHDAY

NOW THAT THE MINISTERS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED PORTFOLIOS

Following the release of the names of ministers and their assigned portfolios by the federal government, the public space has been awash with comments by Nigerians from all divide on the appropriateness or otherwise of the ministers and their portfolios, which is in line with the spirit and tenets of democracy that engenders debates and discussion on issues.

While one has watched the development with keen interest and has been measuring public opinion on the matter, one has been assailed with calls by some concerned Nigerians who are of the opinion that their expectations for some of the ministerial portfolios have not been met which is also a positive development for our participatory democracy.

Just like some of the callers, one was also taken aback by some of the assigned ministerial portfolios because as a human being, one must have his expectations and bias on issues, except if we want to play hide and seek, but knowing fully well that the factors which influences the decision on assigning ministerial portfolios goes beyond the personal professional accomplishment of the person, which is the major yardstick for determinant by the thinking of these group of Nigerians, one had to respond and bring them to the reality of the determinants being a multiplicity of factors, some of which are known only to Mr President.

There are quite a number of other factors and undercurrents which are largely unknown to the public, but also play a big role in who gets what portfolio either as a minister or commissioner in a government.

For those who fall into a person’s professional competence as the sole determinant of the ministerial portfolio school of thought, they also need to be availed of the fact, that even as a President, one must engage in serious consultations across several spectrum both locally and internationally in picking his cabinet, though notwithstanding that whichever way it goes, the buck finally stops at Mr President’s table to make the final decision.

A minister or commissioner is the political head of a ministry which is the engine room for achieving a government manifesto. The ministries are peopled at the top layer by professionals who are experts versed in the technical aspect of the ministry core competence and so what the minister does, is to implement the administration manifesto through the ministry.

A minister or commissioner assigned to a ministry is not to implement his own personal agenda and a ministry does not also have its own agenda, but the administration of the day agenda of which he or she is a part and that informs why the administration holds weekly meetings to appraise and take decisions on developments in actualizing it’s agenda via the various ministries, departments and agencies.

What is needed to head a ministry is professional competence and character, so long as these two qualities are possessed by a person, then the political headship of the ministry is good to go.

The list of assigned portfolio ministers by all standards, are men and women who have excelled in their chosen fields, whatever portfolios they are assigned is secondary because their professional competence, managerial skill and character to deliver on the Renewed Hope mandate is not in doubt, what is expected now, is for them to be indoctrinated and given the marching order to go and deliver on the Renewed Hope of peace, progress and prosperity for the collective good of the Nigerian people.

Now that the ministers have been assigned portfolios, delivery on Renewed Hope is next and it is non negotiable.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

Nelson Ekujumi

[email protected]

Nelson Ekujumi, a public commentator wrote from Lagos

Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

18 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

24 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent