Politics |

January 5, 2024

January 5, 2024 IFMNEWS

Umar Farouq Apologises For Declining EFCC Invitation

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has apologised for declining the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Farouq wrote to the EFCC to apologize for failing to appear before the commission to answer questions on the alleged laundering of N37.1 billion during her tenure.

According to the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale the former minister said in her letter that she could not honour the invitation because she was indisposed due to health challenges.

Oyewale said her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency of her absence, noting that she has been subsequently ordered to appear at the commission as soon as possible.

The spokesman also disclosed that the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, (NSIPA) Halima Shehu, has been released.

Meanwhile, some callers on our Political program, All Out Politics have, shared their opinions on developments at the EFCC headquarters.

January 5, 2024

January 5, 2024 IFMNEWS

Lagos Issues Travel Advisory Ahead Of Third Mainland Bridge Closure

The state government has issued a travel advisory on how road users can navigate their way between the Mainland and Island parts of the state ahead of the January 9, 2024 closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for repairs.

In a statement, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the repairs of the bridge is part of the ongoing work by the Federal Ministry of Works that started in November 2023 focusing on fixing the ramps.

He said the remaining parts of the bridge will now be repaired with the closure of Iyana Oworonshoki- Adeniji Adele bound for the effective fixing of the entire section of the bridge.

The commissioner informed that from 12am to 12 pm, the bridge will be open for Mainland Inbound Island travels while those who intend to come from the Island to the Mainland are advised to use Eko Bridge.

He added that inversely, from 12pm to 12am, motorists will be able to access the bridge from the Island to the Mainland, those from the Mainland heading towards the Island will have to use Eko Bridge.

The commissioner said the timings were selected to match the peak period flow of traffic and reduce travel stress.

January 5, 2024

January 5, 2024 IFMNEWS

Federal Government Announces Extension Of Free Rail Services For Citizens

The Federal Government has extended the free rail services for commuters.

The federal government had announced on December 20, 2023, a 50 per cent transport fare discount for interstate travel and free commuter rides on all rail lines from December 2023 to January 4, 2024.

In a statement by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC the NRC said the free rail service would expire on January 7, 2024, instead of January 4, as it was earlier announced.

The announcement by the NRC implies that for the next three days, Nigerians who book their train tickets using the NRC’s e-ticketing platform can enjoy free train rides nationwide.

January 3, 2024

January 3, 2024January 3, 2024 IFMNEWS

Ehie Was Never Elected Speaker, Says Rivers Assembly

The Rivers State House of Assembly has refuted claims made by Edison Ehie, who recently resigned from the House, asserting that he was never elected as the Speaker of the state legislature. The House clarified that the position of the Speaker is a legal creation and emphasized that Ehie, the former representative of Ahoada East Constituency II, was making false assertions.

In a letter titled 'To whom it may concern,' dated January 1st, 2024, and obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, responded to Ehie's resignation letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Amadi deemed Ehie's letter "misleading information" and said he was never elected as the Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker.

According to the letter, "The attention of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been drawn to a letter dated December 29, 2023, addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and circulating in the media. It was purportedly written and signed by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, a member representing Ahoada East Constituency II in the Rivers State of Assembly, who claimed to have resigned from the position of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an office he never occupied."

Amadi clarified, "The Office of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly is a creation of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) and should not be ridiculed by any member who swore to preserve it and abide by it." He recounted the election held on June 5, 2023, which led to the unanimous selection of Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule was elected as the speaker by all 31 present members.

Emphasizing that Amaewhule has been dutifully performing his responsibilities as Speaker since June 5, 2023, Amadi warned against spreading misleading information about the House and urged security agencies to uphold the rule of law. The House Clerk concluded the disclaimer to set the records straight and avoid any doubt regarding the legislative authority of the House.

On Air Now:

Category: Politics

USEFUL LINKS

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

FOLLOW US

queue

Watch Live