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IPAC Wants Electoral Reform Conference On LG System

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She Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has called for national electoral reform conference to review the administration of local governments in Nigeria.
IPAC President, Peter Ameh, made the call at a news conference after the National Executive 9th inaugural meeting of the council last Wednesday in Abuja.
Ameh said that there was urgent review of laws establishing the local government administration to enable it serve the interest of Nigerians.
He called for the review of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution to guarantee the existence, establishment, structure, composition, finance, functions and tenure of local governments.
“Section 162(5)-(7) of the Constitution should be amended to abolish the joint state/local government account.
He advised any state governor who felt aggrieved or more interested in local government funds to resign and contest as chairman, saying “he or she should be rest assured of our support.
“Section 162(5)-(7) of the Constitution should be further amended to provide that any amount standing to the credit of the local government councils in the Federation Account should be paid directly to the various local governments.”
Ameh said that the local government system had been hijacked by state governors and its current law no longer serve the interest of Nigerians.
He said that the constitutional responsibility of elected councilors to make bye laws for the good governance and development at the grassroots had been greatly eroded by the excessive interference by governors.
“We have 774 local governments and more than 3,000 councilors in Nigeria and having these large administrative network not applied optimally for the benefit of the Nigerian people is a major setback in our democracy.
“The current law as regards the administration of our local government system no longer serve the interest of the Nigerian people.
“This must be urgently reviewed to save and promote effective local council system as expected in a proper democratic presidential system.”
Ameh said that IPAC would support all efforts as well as work with the National Assembly for necessary constitutional amendments that would grant full financial and electoral autonomy to Local Government LG system and administration.
He attributed the inability or failure of the local councils to bring about grassroots development to lack of local government election in Nigeria.
Ameh also called for the review of Sections 153, 197 and the Third Schedule to the Constitution to re-design and re-order State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
He described SIECs as the “greatest democratic fraud” foisted on Nigeria’s electoral democracy.
He said that from the conduct of state elections by SIECs so far, it was impossible to get a free, fair and credible election under the existing arrangement.
“The current system encourages massive rigging because SIECs are under the wills and caprices of the state governments and the political party in power in each state.
“Hence the call that the responsibility of conducting local government elections be given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”, he said.
He said that if local authorities had autonomy and tenure guaranteed, it would be easy for people to hold them accountable.

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IT’S A LIE, G-5 GOVS DIDN’T WIN ELECTION FOR TINUBU – SOWUNMI

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March 2, 2026

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Sowunmi, has expressed reservations about the political stance of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, while calling for reconciliation among key party figures.
Otunba Sowunmi made the remarks during a television interview on Saturday, when asked about the relationship between Gov. Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
He said, “I don’t believe Seyi Makinde. Because I know them all. I’ve been in this party since it was registered. And I’ve been loyal, faithful, diligent with this party from the get-go, and I’ve never left.”
He underscored his longstanding commitment to the PDP, referencing prominent figures who had exited the party at different times: “I’ve had the grace, and the honor, and the dignity of watching even my father, Obasanjo, shed his card. As much as I love him, I didn’t leave the party”.
He added, “I’ve had the privilege of watching my beloved senior brother, Governor Gbenga Daniel, leave the party a few times. As much as I respect his vision and his ideas, I’ve never left. I’ve watched my former principal, Atiku Abubakar, leave a few times. I’ve never left.”
Otunba Sowunmi stressed that his comments were rooted in deep involvement with the party: “So when I talk about PDP, I’m not talking as an outsider, I’m talking as one of their totems, who was actually carrying them.”
He disclosed that he wrote to Makinde during the governor’s last birthday, urging reconciliation among a bloc of five governors who had formed a movement during the 2023 elections.
“At Governor Seyi Makinde’s last birthday, I wrote him a letter where I tried to say, look, you guys, the five of you, succeeded to the extent of creating a movement of your own”, he said.
He added, “And you fought very hard to make a point in the 2023 election. Although I don’t believe you won the election for the president, that’s a lie. They contributed, but I hate when people take the glory of other people’s work.”
Otunba Sowunmi warned that unresolved differences among the group could weaken the party: “You guys, you must go back to your four friends, your five friends, and you guys go and sort it out. Because not sorting it out with your five friends is going to leave the party worse off.”
He added, “But now that you’re fighting, or you’re not agreeing with yourselves, why don’t you go back to that same energy that allowed you to agree, so that you can use that energy inside to agree, and then we can lead the party.”
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NATASHA ELECTRIC VEHICLES INITIATIVE IN KOGI CENTRAL 

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March 2, 2026

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has launched a fleet of electric vehicles in Kogi Central as part of an empowerment initiative aimed at promoting sustainable transportation and economic development in the district.
The senator shared photos and details of the rollout via her verified Instagram page, @natashaakpoti, describing the project as a move focused on long-term impact rather than temporary assistance.
According to her, beneficiaries of the programme were not only empowered with the vehicles but were also trained and equipped with the technical knowledge required for proper operation and maintenance, ensuring sustainability of the initiative.
She noted that the project reflects her development philosophy centred on intention, innovation, and lasting legacy, emphasising that sustainable progress is achieved through systems that endure over time.
The electric vehicles, supplied by the Electric Motor Vehicle Company, are expected to provide eco-friendly transportation options while creating employment opportunities for residents across Kogi Central.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further encouraged members of the public to patronise the beneficiaries, stating that the initiative represents a step toward building a greener and economically stronger community.
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EFCC’s Probe Into Ikpeazu’s ?10bn ‘Audio Airport’ Project On Course – Otti

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March 2, 2026

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has confirmed that investigations into the controversial ?10 billion Abia airport project are still active.

He said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not closed the case and is continuing to question individuals linked to the project.

The governor made this known during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia over the weekend.

Gov. Otti dismissed reports suggesting the matter had been abandoned by the authorities.

“The EFCC is still working on the audio airport. Some people are still being invited, and at the end of the investigation, anyone found culpable will face the consequences,” Gov. Otti said.

The governor restated that public funds were allegedly spent on an airport project that does not physically exist.

He recalled that shortly after assuming office, he challenged his predecessor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, to either present the completed airport or account for how the money was used.

Gov. Otti insisted that his administration would not ignore any case involving the misuse of state resources.

Meanwhile, the governor issued a fresh directive on the stalled reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Federal Road.

He expressed concern that work had not started months after the road was officially flagged off.

Gov. Otti ordered the Commissioner for Works, Mr Otumchere Oti, to ensure construction begins without delay.

“Unfailingly by next week,” he instructed.

The governor also announced plans to dredge the Aba River down to the Azumini Blue River as part of an environmental and tourism initiative.

He warned factories in Aba against dumping industrial waste into the river.

According to him, such actions threaten marine life and pose serious health risks to residents.

“It is a punishable offence to empty industrial waste into a flowing river. Any factory caught doing so will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.

Gov. Otti explained that the dredging project would support plans to establish a leisure and entertainment centre at Azumini Blue River.

The project is expected to reposition Enyimba Hotel as a major tourism destination in the state.

“We are planning a leisure and entertainment centre at Azumini Blue River to make Enyimba Hotel a centre of attraction,” he said.

He added that the Abia State Government owns 80 percent equity in the hotel, while the remaining 20 percent belongs to the original investors.

Gov. Otti disclosed that the facility would be managed by Radisson Blu, an international hotel management brand.

On transportation, the governor announced that the state’s electric buses would begin collecting fares from March 1.

The buses had been operating free of charge since December 2025 under the state’s urban mass transit programme.

He said passengers would pay between ?700 and ?800 for trips from Umuahia to Aba, and ?1,000 for journeys from Umuahia to Ohafia.

All payments, he added, would be made electronically, as cash would no longer be accepted.

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