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Hardship: Nigerians Groaning Under Your Watch, Reps Caucus Reminds Tinubu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has reminded President Bola Tinubu that Nigerians are currently experiencing hardship under his administration and deserve better treatment, stressing that many things have gone wrong, which he ought to urgently address.
The caucus raised the red flag at a press conference after its emergency meeting in Abuja, held to support the decision of the party leadership at its earlier meetings in Zamfara State.
Leader of the caucus, Hon. Fred Agbedi, said: “Nigerians are groaning. Mr. President, ensure that you pay attention to the sufferings of Nigerians. We also urge Nigerians to insist on good governance, to insist that in 2027 they will choose the right person and the right party to lead them. They must be resolute in voting the APC out.”
The PDP lawmakers also urged the Federal government to pay protesting contractors, noting that while foreign contractors were being settled, Nigerian contractors were left unattended.
They vowed to ensure that indigenous contractors who have delivered services are paid what they are owed so that they can feed their families, sustain their businesses, and support the economy.
“As a caucus, we will continue to ensure that we put this government on its toes. We will make the right laws to help Nigeria. We will bring to light all illegalities perpetrated by this government and ensure that Nigerians benefit from our efforts.”
On party affairs, Hon. Agbedi congratulated Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun, who emerged as the new National Chairman of the PDP after serving as Acting National Chairman for several years.
He continued: “The PDP, being a party that complies with its constitution, rules, and conventions, has once again demonstrated its commitment to due process. Yesterday, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun, former Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was duly elected and mandated to lead the party until the convention in November, after which a new executive will be sworn in by December.
“We are proud of the peaceful conduct of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday, the unity demonstrated, and the overwhelming support from the Governors’ Forum, former ministers, state party chairmen, the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, and other organs of the party. This shows that the PDP remains the only party Nigerians can rely on.”
Hon. Agbedi also called on the Tinubu-led APC administration to respect the court judgment on the local government elections in Osun State.
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris said in a British television interview previewed Saturday that she may “possibly” run again to be president.
Harris, who replaced Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate but lost to Donald Trump, told the BBC that she had not yet decided whether to make another White House bid.
But the 61-year-old insisted she was “not done” in American politics and that her young grandnieces would see a female president in the Oval Office “in their lifetime, for sure”.
“I have lived my entire career a life of service, and it’s in my bones, and there are many ways to serve,” Harris told the British broadcaster in an interview set to air in full on Sunday.
“I’ve not decided yet what I will do in the future, beyond what I am doing right now.”
The comments are the strongest hint yet that Harris could attempt to be the Democratic Party nominee for the 2028 election.
The interview follows the release of her memoir last month in which she argued it had been “recklessness” to let Biden run for a second term as president.
She also accused his White House team of failing to support her while she was his deputy, and at times of actively hindering her.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the federal government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
The President expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.
The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
All appointments take immediate effect, Special Adviser to the President
Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, said in a statement in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, till Monday, October 27, to enable him to open his defence in the terrorism charges filed against him.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the new date on Friday, after Kanu informed the court that his former legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to release his case file to him.
At the resumed hearing, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) appeared for the Federal Government and reminded the court that the matter was fixed for Kanu to begin his defence as earlier directed.
However, no counsel represented Kanu.
He pleaded for an adjournment to allow him to retrieve and study the file to prepare adequately for his defence.
He said, “My lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them.”
He also informed the court of his intention to call 23 witnesses, both local and foreign, and requested an order directing the Department of State Services to allow his foreign witnesses access to him.
Additionally, he sought permission for his lawyers to visit him on non-working days — a request Omotosho granted.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Awomolo, however, described Kanu’s complaint as “strange”, noting that the defendant had spent hours in court with his former lawyers. He further urged the court to strictly enforce its earlier directive giving Kanu six days to open and close his defence.
The prosecution said, “I’m aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within six days. The defendant wasted yesterday. This is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order of the number of days given to the defendant,” Awomolo said.
In his ruling, Omotosho said while Kanu’s claim about the withheld case file was “strange and difficult to believe”, he would still grant a short adjournment in the interest of justice.
The judge cautioned against unnecessary delays, stressing that several other cases had been affected by the protracted proceedings.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to Monday, October 27, for Kanu to open his defence.
