Connect with us

News

States Creation Movements, Not Much In South-East – Eze Wogu

Published

on

Chairman of Aba State Creation Movement, His Royal majesty, Eze Ariwodo Wogu, says groups agitating for new states in the South-East geo-political zone were not unwieldy compared to that of other zones.

The royal father contended that the South East should have had more state creation movements since the zone has the least number of states in the country, pointing out that those that have more states were even agitating for more states than the South East.

At present, about five state creation movements are pressing for creation of additional states in the South East. They are pushing for the creation of Aba State (from Abia State), Njaba State (from Imo State), Orashi State, Ekwiti State(from all the South East States), Ugwaku state (From Imo and Abia) and Adada State (from Enugu State).

Disagreeing with views that state creation movements in the South East were many, Eze Wogu said: “We don’t even have as many groups as other zones.”

The monarch spoke with newsmen at Government House where the Aba State Creation Movement had come to present their request before the Conference of Speakers of the Houses of Assembly in Nigeria. The Speakers were in Umuahia for their last quarterly meeting for this year. It was hosted by the Abia State House of Assembly.

“You understand from the first point that the South East is short -changed. We have five states against some that have six or seven and if those who have seven already are agitating for three, four or more states, why should the Igbo man with five be talking of one state? How many state movements do we have in the South East? We should be demanding for a maximum of four more states. Add four to five, that is nine. The South East is agitating for as many as four states,” the royal father said, adding that the various movements in the zone were interacting.

With regard to Aba State, Eze Wogu said the movement has made tremendous progress and has received encouraging response from groups and individuals.

“Already, the Committee for the Creation of Aba State has embarked on a visit to the various State Houses of Assembly and as I am talking to you, we have covered 13 Houses of Assembly, addressed and presented our matter to them. In fact, I wish you had followed us to these places. The response of all the 13 Houses of Assembly is very very positive. Almost every state House of Assembly we have visited supported the creation of Aba State for many reasons,” he said

He said the request has also been formally presented to the Senate Committee on Creation of States, adding that they were in Umuahia to seek the support of the speakers and to request some of the Houses of Assembly yet to grant the committee audience to do so.

Explaining the need for Aba State, Eze Wogu said “Why Aba State is deserved and is necessary, from the first point is that we believe that Aba state is one state that must be created to harmonise and bring the number of states in the South East at par with other zones.”

“We, the Abians, also believe that creation of Aba State will enhance the economy of Abians in terms of infrastructure, health, employment, anything. Aba is bigger that some states in Nigeria. Most importantly, the creation of Aba State will increase the take home of the Igbo from the national cake. Generally, we believe the creation of Aba state will be of immense benefit,” he added.

The TIDE gathered that the agitation for creation of Aba State dates back to 1915 when the request was presented to the British Colonial Government. It was represented to the Coats with Commission in 1954 and to both the Senate and House of Representatives between 1980 and 1983. The National Asssembly then were said to have given their approval for a referendum for the Creation of Aba State. However, the conduct of the referendum was yet to be carried out when the military struck and overthrew the government of President Shehu Shagari.

Continue Reading

News

Learn How To Form Coalition Party From Tinubu, Sowunmi Tells Atiku 

Published

on

Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.

The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.

Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.

While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.

But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.

Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.

He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.

The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.

“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.

The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.

His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”

Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.

Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.

“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.

Continue Reading

News

FIRS Introduces New SOP To End Tax Confusion Nationwide 

Published

on

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.

The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.

In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.

He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.

“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.

The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.

FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.

“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.

The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.

“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.

The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.

 

Continue Reading

News

FG Working Towards World-Class Public Service -Walson-Jack 

Published

on

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.

Walson-Jack made this known in  Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.

She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.

“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.

According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.

“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.

“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.

Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.

She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.

“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.

“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.

Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.

“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.

“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.

Continue Reading

Trending