Politics
Presidential Broadcast: Don Urges FG To Look Beyond COVID-19
Dr Elisha Auta of Economics Department, Kaduna State University (KASU), has advised the Federal Government not to limit interventions on curbing the spread of Coronavirus pandemic, but also focus on the aftermath.
Auta gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna while reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast on Covid-19 Pandemic last Sunday.
He noted that the broadcast, which was long awaited with high expectation by Nigerians addressed critical issues, particularly the current situation and what was being done to bring the pandemic under control.
He added that the broadcast also explained what government institutions and agencies were doing towards cushioning the effect of the current lockdown across the country, to curb the spread of the virus.
Auta, who is also the Executive Director, Budget Research and Development Policy Advocacy Centre, however, said that not much was said about efforts to keep the economy floating after the pandemic may have been addressed.
According to him, the Federal Government needed to assure the public that it was not only looking at curbing spread of the virus, but also putting measures in place to sustain the economy.
“The global economy is already in a recession following the devastating effect of the Covid-19, with most developed countries facing serious economic crises.
“As such, if we only focus on the pandemic without looking at the bigger picture, we will find ourselves in a much bigger problem, following the already crumbling economy with dire consequences on the poor.
“There is, therefore, the need to have a marshal plan, a critical stimuli to lift the economy, otherwise a bigger crisis will emerge after the pandemic has been brought under control.
“The government needs to mobilise effective and efficient hands to address not only the pandemic, but also the consequences it will have on the citizen’s ability to feed and access basic needs of life,” he said.
The economist also lauded the government palliative measures but noted that there was nothing new except keeping existing social investments afloat during the lockdown.
He stressed the need for specific palliative measure, targeting the poor and other vulnerable persons across the country.
“This is very important because the current financial palliatives either target corporate institutions, or individual that operate in the formal sector, while majority of Nigerians operate in the informal sector.
“Also, how many Nigerians, for example are benefiting from the conditional cash transfer, TraderMoni, MarketMoni or FarmersMoni social investment programmes?
“Even for those that are benefiting, how much is the amount? The Federal Government needs to be aware of the heavy shocks and hash economic condition that the population will be faced with.
“I, therefore, advise that the palliative measures should not be limited to existing social investment programmes, but nationwide, targeting the poor and the vulnerable in our communities who will be largely affected,” Auta said.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.