Today's Headlines: Trump's Turbulent Truckloads: A Compelling Analysis by Chido Nwangwu; Don't Go To War With Niger, Senate, Govs Warn Tinubu
Trump’s Truckloads Of Trouble, By Chido Nwangwu
Photo Credit: Sahara Reporters
On August 1, 2023, Trump’s former Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, issued one of his surprisingly bold statements since the news of Trump’s previous and latest (third) indictments.
Pence, a Republican, Christian conservative from Indiana stated that “Today’s indictment serves as an important reminder: Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.”
Pence noted that while former president Trump “is entitled to the presumption of innocence but with this indictment, his candidacy means more talk about January 6th and more distractions.” Trump has since declared he wears the indictments “as a badge of honor.”
Pence does not agree, arguing that “As Americans, his (Trump) candidacy means less attention paid to Joe Biden’s disastrous economic policies afflicting millions across the United States and to the pattern of corruption with Hunter (Biden).”
The Senate Majority Leader, a Democrat from New York, Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also from New York, took a a more harsh characterization and criticism, insisting that “The third indictment of Mr. Trump illustrates in shocking detail that the violence of that day (January 6) was the culmination of a months-long criminal plot led by the former president to defy democracy to overturn the will of the American people.”
Don’t Go To War With Niger, Senate, Govs Warn Tinubu
Photo Credit: Independent Nigeria
ABUJA / LAGOS – The Senate has washed its hands off reports of military action against the coup plotters in Niger, warning President Bola Tinubu and Heads of States of member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to explore peaceful diplomatic options to address the recent putsch in that country.
The Red Chamber, in an extraordinary session on Saturday, also commended President Tinubu for not seeking its backing for a military action in the troubled West African State.
Arising from a closed session, the Upper Chamber called on the Nigerian president to rally other Heads of States in the West African subregion to explore diplomatic options to resolve the political impasse in the landlocked neighbouring country.
Ministerial screening: Why I’m competent to be minister – Tijani
Photo Credit: Punch paper
A ministerial nominee, Bosun Tijani, has justified his nomination by President Bola Tinubu, clarifying that “I have no father or mother. I have no political godfather too. I appreciate being nominated on merit and the work that I have done.”
Tijani made this known while answering questions thrown at him by members of the Red Chamber during his ministerial screening on Saturday and monitored by our Correspondent.
In his remarks, Bosun appreciated President Bola Tinubu for nominating him to serve in a “crucial capacity”.
Rolling out his credentials, the nominee said his journey into public service was driven by a deep-rooted passion “for our great nation and an unyielding commitment to its progress”.
SERAP Sues President Tinubu Over Failure To Publish Spending Details Of N400Billion Fuel Subsidy Savings
Photo credit: Sahara Reporters
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over its administration’s “failure to publish spending details of about N400 billion so far saved as a result of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol.”
The suit followed reports that the Nigerian Government saved N400 billion within four weeks following the removal of subsidy on petrol policy.
In the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/1514/2023 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to publish details of spending of about N400 billion saved as a result of the removal of subsidy on petrol on 29 May, 2023.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to provide details of the plans on how the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol, including specific projects on which the funds would be spent.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to compel President Tinubu to provide details of the mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol are not diverted into private pockets.”
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director on Sunday.
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “Nigerians have the right to know how the savings are spent. Disclosing the spending details of the savings would reduce the risks of corruption in the spending of the funds.”
SERAP also said, “The Tinubu government has a legal obligation to ensure that the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol are spent solely for the benefit of the 137 million poor Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the removal.
“Opacity in the spending of the savings from subsidy removal would have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest.”
According to SERAP, “the savings from subsidy removal may be embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms Adelanke Aremo, and Ms Valentina Adegoke, read in part: “Transparency would increase public trust and confidence that these savings would be used to benefit Nigerians.
“The Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended], Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.
“Prevention of corruption in the spending of savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol and preventing and addressing the challenges caused by the removal are serious and legitimate public interests.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit
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