Politics
LP Lawmaker who supported N160Million SUV For Lawmakers, Says Nigeria Needs To Reduce Cost Of Governance
Published
7 months agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
Mr Benedict Etanabene, a member of the Labour Party (LP) in the House of Representatives, has said there is a need for Nigeria to reduce the cost of governance to move the country forward.
The lawmaker said this when he appeared as a guest on a live programme aired by Arise News TV, stating that corruption and reckless spending of public funds by political officeholders are to be blamed for the country’s lack of growth.
He said, “I have said it severally and we all agreed that the way we are running the government is too expensive. We must adjust everywhere.
Let me give one clear example: governments shout every day that they are doing bunkering, who are those that do bunkering? The same big men in government in Abuja here. People sell crude more than what the Nigerian government is selling.
We are not even meeting our quota in OPEC. So if we cut down (governance) and corruption, we will gain a lot of money.”
Meanwhile, Benedict was among the lawmakers who lost their voices when the leadership of the 10th National Assembly bought luxurious SUVs valued at about N160 million each for over 460 lawmakers in 2023.
The purchase of these vehicles was a subject of public condemnation, yet none of the lawmakers publicly objected to it as the National Assembly went ahead with the extravagant spending.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project filed a lawsuit against the purchase of the vehicles by the lawmakers
The civil group filed the action on the heels of the statement by Senate President Mr Godswill Akpabio that the Clerk of the National Assembly had sent “holiday allowances” into the “various bank accounts of senators” while the current government had pushed about millions of Nigerians into abject poverty.
In suit numbered FHC/L/CS/1606/2023 filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP seeks: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to review and reduce the N40 billion budgeted to buy 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials.
An order restraining Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas from demanding or receiving the N40 billion to buy 465 SUVs and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials until an assessment of the socio-economic impact of the spending on the 137 million poor Nigerians is carried out in the public interest.
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Putin Hails Trump On Inauguration As US President For Second Time, Says Russia Willing To End War
Published
15 hours agoon
January 22, 2025By
Ekwutos BlogRussia President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump as he is being inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.
Putin on Monday, 20th of January 2025 revealed he was open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on Ukraine and nuclear arms. He also indicated that Moscow was ready to discuss nuclear arms control and wider security issues.
In a video broadcast, Putin noted that he was interested in a long-lasting peace in Ukraine rather than a short-term ceasefire with the country.
He made the comments during the Russia’s Security Council meeting that was shown on state TV. According to him, “We see the statements by the newly elected president of the United States and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia,” said Putin.
“We also hear his statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War Three. We of course welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected president of the United States of America on taking office. “As for the resolution of the situation (in Ukraine) itself, I would like to emphasise that the goal should not be a brief ceasefire, not some kind of period of respite that would allow a regrouping and rearmament of forces, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people and all peoples who live in the region.”
Politics
Court remands suspect over alleged assassination attempt on Lokpobiri
Published
16 hours agoon
January 21, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Yenagoa—A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has ordered the remand of a 35-year-old man, Susaine Morgan, over an alleged assassination attempt on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri on new year day.
The suspect is also facing charges of unlawful possession of two assault rifles (AK-47).
He was reportedly apprehended at the minister’s residence in Ekeremor town, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The remand warrant, issued by the state Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, and filed by Police Prosecutor, Stella Jerry-Friday, was approved to allow the suspect’s detention for 30 days at Okaka prison.
This is to enable the investigating team of the police to track and arrest six others now at large.
The charge sheet read: “The defendant was arrested on January 1, 2025, at Senator Lokpobiri’s residence for conspiring with others to commit armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, and for being in possession of two AK-47 rifles.”
The police prosecutor explained that the request for suspect remand was necessary due to the limited power of the police to detain the suspect without a court order.
“The suspect’s detention will prevent interference with the ongoing investigation, especially as six other suspects remain at large,” a police source said.
According to security report, seven of the suspects gained access into the residence of the minister by mingling with the crowd of visitors who came to pay homage.
But information got to the military personnel stationed at the residence of the presence of armed persons among the visitors.
“Due to the large crowd, the soldiers could not open fire but ordered everyone to lie down. It was only the arrested suspect, who was with the bag conveying the weapon, that got arrested. Others mingled with the crowd and escaped,” the source stated.
The other suspects reportedly fired shots as they fled the community, attacked a filling station and carted away N400,000.
Politics
42 Executive Orders By Trump On the First Day
Published
1 day agoon
January 21, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Here is the list of all 42 Executive Orders, Memoranda, and Proclamations Signed by President Donald Trump
1.Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border
2.Designating Mexican Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
3.Reinstating the ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy
4.Ending Birthright Citizenship for Children of Illegal Immigrants
5.Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism
6.Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Federal Agencies
7.Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement
8.Declaring a National Energy Emergency
9.Reversing Electric Vehicle Mandates
10.Implementing ‘Schedule F’ for Federal Employees
11.Relocating U.S. Space Command Headquarters to Alabama
12.Pardoning Individuals Convicted in Relation to January 6 Events
13.Halting Federal Funding for Abortion Services
14.Suspending Security Clearances for Officials Linked to Hunter Biden Scandal
15.Establishing a Federal Bitcoin Reserve
16.Releasing Classified Documents on JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations
17.Reversing AI Regulation Policies
18.Imposing Tariffs on Imports from China, Mexico, and Canada
19.Reinstating the Ban on Transgender Military Service
20.Prohibiting Transgender Women from Participating in Women’s Sports
21.Halting Government Offshore Wind Leases
22.Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America
23.Reverting Mount Denali to Mount McKinley
24.Freezing Federal Workforce Hiring
25.Easing Regulations on Oil and Gas Production
26.Pausing Congress’ TikTok Ban to Seek a U.S. Buyer
27.Reversing Biden-Era Immigration Policies
28.Pulling Out of the World Health
organisations
29.Eliminating Federal Funding for DEI Programs
30.Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
31.Reinstating the ‘Muslim Ban
32.Ending Birthright Citizenship
33.Reforming the Criminal Justice System
34.Banning Critical Race Theory in Federal Agencies
35.Demanding Increased NATO Contributions
36.Confronting China on Trade Practices
37.Ending the War in Ukraine
38.Supporting Law Enforcement
39.Promoting School Choice
40.Restricting Refugee Admissions
41.Increasing Federal Focus on Fentanyl Trafficking
42.Launching a National Infrastructure Plan.
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