Politics |

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023December 6, 2023 IFMNEWS

Presidency Fires Obi Over Comments On VP’s Residence

The Presidency has lashed out at the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, for what it termed attempts to whip up public sentiments against the Bola Tinubu administration on the budgetary provision for the completion of the Vice President’s residence.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had, in the 2024 budget proposal, earmarked N15.5 billion for the renovation of the Vice President’s official residence, a development that OBI described as shocking and disheartening.

Reacting to Obi’s comments in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the Presidency said the quest to give the VP a befitting residence started in 2007 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Nwokocha said this had similar targets for the residences of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He said the project, which was reinitiated in 2010 and was funded by the Jonathan administration, was abandoned. The current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, felt it would be a waste to allow such a project started with public funds to continue to follow.

The statement further stated that Obi knows the facts but chose to inflame a targeted group of Nigerians and, as usual, score cheap political goals, accolades, and praises.

Supreme Court Dismisses Ihedioha’s Suit Against Uzodimma

The Supreme Court has rejected an application by Emeka Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, seeking the issuance of a certificate of return as the rightful governor of Imo State, stating that Governor Hope Uzodinma was not qualified to run in the first place.

Justice Tijjani Abubakar, delivering the ruling on Tuesday, deemed the application lacking merit, describing it as unnecessary and irritating. Subsequently, the court awarded a cost of N40 million against Mike Ozekhome for bringing the matter before the court. The recipients of this cost include the Action People’s Party (APP), Uche Nnadi, Uche Nwosu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ozekhome's motion, considered frivolous by the court, sought a consequential order compelling INEC to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ihedioha, enabling him to serve a four-year tenure as Imo Governor. Ozekhome argued that Senator Hope Uzodimma unlawfully occupied the four years Ihedioha was supposed to serve.

In the motion, Ozekhome asserted that the All-Progressives Congress (APC) had no candidate in the 2019 Imo Governorship election, contending that Uzodimma should not have been governor on the APC platform. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the motion, citing a lack of jurisdiction to entertain such a request.

In the ruling, Justice Abubakar characterized the motion as strange, frivolous, baseless, unwarranted, and vexatious. He emphasized that the motion appeared to be a calculated attempt to mock the Supreme Court.

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023 IFMNEWS

UK Announces Limits On Regular Migration

The embattled Conservative government in Britain has unveiled a series of measures aimed at addressing the issue of record-high migration, a crucial focal point in the upcoming general election expected next year.

Among the announced measures are an increase in the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas and the prohibition of family dependents for overseas health and social care staff coming to Britain. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office has hailed these proposals as "the biggest clampdown on legal migration ever."

However, critics argue that these measures may negatively impact the National Health Service (NHS), which is already grappling with staff shortages. Immigration is poised to be a pivotal issue in the upcoming elections, anticipated by January 2025 at the latest, where the main opposition Labour Party currently holds favour.

Responding to statistics indicating a peak in net migration to Britain in 2022, Prime Minister Sunak has pledged to reduce new arrivals. Interior Minister James Cleverly, presenting the plan, stated that it would lead to 300,000 fewer people coming to the UK in the coming years.

James Cleverly outlined key changes, including an increased salary requirement for skilled foreign workers seeking a UK visa, raised from £26,200 to £38,700, aligning with the median full-time wage. While health and social care workers are exempt, they will be barred from bringing family dependents. These changes have raised concerns among organizations like NHS Providers and Care England, emphasizing the crucial role of immigration in supporting the healthcare and social care sectors.

The interior minister also raised the minimum income for family visas to £38,700, imposed restrictions on international students bringing dependents, and confirmed a 66 percent increase in the surcharge migrants pay to access the NHS, now set at £1,035. Critics argue that this surcharge effectively imposes a double charge on migrant workers, who also contribute to national insurance charges for healthcare coverage.

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023December 5, 2023 IFMNEWS

FG Sponsored Only 422 Delegates To COP28 In Dubai — Presidency

The Presidency has addressed the recent uproar over the substantial number of delegates representing Nigeria at the ongoing climate change conference in Dubai.

Over the weekend, widespread criticism emerged from Nigerians as the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) published a list indicating that Nigeria had 1,411 accredited delegates at the conference.

This revelation triggered a wave of disapproval on social media, with many citizens accusing President Bola Tinubu of overseeing an extravagant administration during austerity. Seeking to rectify the public's perception, Fredrick Nwabufo, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, stated on Monday, December 4, 2023.

Nwabufo clarified that the federal government-funded delegation to the conference is, at most, 422 individuals. He detailed the delegation's composition, including representatives from the National Council on Climate Change, the Federal Ministry of Environment, various ministries, the Presidency, the Office of the Vice President, the National Assembly, and Federal Parastatals and Agencies.

Emphasizing Nigeria's status as Africa's largest economy and most populous country, Nwabufo justified the significant delegation, asserting that the nation's active participation in climate action is warranted. He highlighted the potential for investment and partnerships presented at COP-28, asserting that Nigeria has already benefited from its engagement.

This marks the second instance within 24 hours that the Presidency has addressed the controversy surrounding the delegation to the climate summit in Dubai. Tope Ajayi, a presidential spokesperson, previously stated that Nigeria's higher number of delegates than other African countries is reasonable due to its status as the continent's largest economy. Ajayi emphasized that the delegation list is not meant for frivolous purposes, contrary to how it has been misrepresented on social media.

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