Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has vowed to unseat the senator representing the FCT at the national assembly, Ireti Kingibe, in the 2027 general elections.

The minister, reacting to the federal lawmaker’s earlier claim that Abuja residents were not impressed with Wike’s performance, vowed that the senator would not return to the National Assembly in 2027.

Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, has vowed that the Senator representing the Nigeria capital at the national assembly, ireti kingibe, will not return to the Senate in 2027 after she criticising his administration.Wike vowed to unseat the FCT senator in 2027

Wike said this at the official flag-off ceremony of the construction of Mabushi Bus Terminal in Abuja on Monday, July 1.
Why Wike tackles FCT senator Ireti Kingibe

Wike, who did not mention the federal lawmaker’s name, warned the senator to stop criticising his successes as FCT minister.

Senator Kingibe from the Labour Party appeared on Arise TV on Monday, complaining that she was being sidelined in the running of the FCT.

Kingibe particularly claimed that her constituency was being marginalized, adding that there was no clean water for the residents of Abuja.

She also said that roads being constructed across the FCT were not addressing the needs of the majority of the people, namely healthcare, water, education, and security.
How Wike plans to fight Ireti Kingibe

Replying to the Senator, Wike said he overheard somebody, a lawmaker in the National Assembly on Arise TV in the morning, castigating the successes being recorded in FCT.

The minister said that the lawmaker particularly criticized the rot in schools and the absence of quality hospitals in the territory but challenged her to mention what she has done as a lawmaker to improve the situation in the FCT.

His comment reads in part:

“I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, in 2027 come and run under Abuja, we will fail you.

“Do you think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again.”

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmoud Yakubu, says the flood disaster that hit some state recently affected over 4000 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines at the commission’s office.

Yakubu disclosed this at the opening of a two-day induction retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Monday in Lagos.

The INEC chairman, however, said the commission had been able to recover no fewer than 3,500 of the machines.

The INEC Chairman said the machines in the state would not be enough for the election and that the commission would call for additional support from neighbouring states.

On the retreat, the INEC chairman said it was not just about induction of new appointees but an opportunity to review performance, reappraise processes, discuss innovations, and engage service providers.

He noted that it was also an opportunity to interface with lawmakers on critical areas of reform and explore new frontiers “in our continuous effort to improve organisational capacity for better service delivery.”

He continued: “In March 2022, we had an induction retreat for new National Commissioners, followed by another one on election logistics in October, and then another retreat for new RECs in November.

“The most recent retreat was held in August last year for the review of the 2023 general elections.

Today, we are holding another retreat to induct 10 new RECs: nine of them were sworn in on December 12, 2023, and one of them on January 30, 2024.”

The INEC boss said that in a matter of weeks after the swearing-in, many of the new RECs were saddled with the task of conducting re-run elections in a few locations in some constituencies or bye-elections in entire constituencies.

According to him, INEC will conduct four major elections before 2027, listing them as the Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun governorship elections.

“Therefore, as we think, reflect, and innovate for credible elections, we are also instantly implementing the reforms and innovations that we can introduce through administrative action.

“Since elections is a process governed by law, we also plan to intensify our engagement with the National Assembly for activities that require legal reform,” he said.

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to Senator Ireti Kingibe’s criticism of his projects in Abuja. Ireti said she didn’t want to be friends with Wike and she stated that the infrastructural projects he has done so far in Abuja wouldn’t benefit the masses.

In a video shared by TVC from 2:30, Wike challenged Kingibe to run for Senator again in 2027 if she believes she is popular. He expressed confidence that she would lose. He emphasized that the circumstances that led to her previous win won’t happen again and that as the current FCT Minister, he feels confident in his position.

Wike also mentioned that he doesn’t need more friends and that people should accept the truth. Wike warned that if Ireti is upset about the praise he’s receiving now, she will be even more frustrated next year when he receives more praises

In Wike’s words: “I challenge that legislator (Ireti), If you are popular come and run under Abuja in 2027, we will fail you. You think what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again. If you are popular come and run. Luckily for me I am the FCT minister now, so here is my territory, I am not afraid. People should come out and be able to accept the truth.

We are not begging for anybody to be our friend, we have so many friend that we cannot even carry along. So how can we go and beg people to be our friend again. So if you are angry that people are praising us, wait by next year your BP level will go very high because the praises you will see will be too much”.

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

The Senator who said this while appearing on Arise News TV on Sunday, added that all infrastructural projects inaugurated by Wike so far would not benefit the masses.

A serving Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory under the platform of the Labour Party, Ireti Kingibe has said that the performance of the FCT minister Nyesom Wike has not impressed the residents.

The Senator who said this while appearing on Arise News TV on Sunday, added that all infrastructural projects inaugurated by Wike so far would not benefit the masses.

She accused the minister of not being interested in solving critical socio-economic issues affecting the people of FCT.

She said, “The minister may be a great minister in a ministry that has no people. But the unique situation of the FCT minister is that apart from infrastructure and roads, he also has to take into consideration the needs of the people in that community. That is the difference between him and the minister of works, or any other ministry.

“The minister of FCT is almost acting as governor for the president. Just like people took me on when those roads were commissioned. They said, ‘Madam, you people are celebrating roads in Maitama, and the Central District, the bulk of people do not live there. Show me the project where people live.’

“That is the difference, it is just like a Governor telling you he built some roads, so he doesn’t care what the needs of people are.

“They (FCT people) have needs. The people are not impressed. At the end of the day, they don’t have water, that fire that happened in Karu could have been prevented if there was water. Any fire tank needed to go all the way to Asokoro to get water, not to mention the fact that there was no access road into the market.”

SaharaReporters in May reported that no fewer than 3,000 residents of Gurfata Ibwa Ward in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reportedly lacked access to proper healthcare in their community.

Monitng, a civic technology platform that provides citizens with information to track the progress of public projects and access public data, shared the photographs of the community, noting that over 338 students were being denied education in the community.

Ilevbaoje Uadamen, the founder of Monitng, lamented that the primary health care centre and junior secondary school in the community were in a deplorable condition. He called on Wike and Kingibe to intervene in Tatagyiya community.

SaharaReporters learnt that the health facility had been sealed for close to five years, making residents travel long distances to access medical treatment.

It said, “Dear @GovWike & @IretiKingibe, the current state of the Primary Health Care Centre and Junior Secondary School in Gurfata Ibwa Ward, Gwagwalada, Abuja FCT is now in a deplorable condition, affecting over 3,000 residents and 338 students.

“Close to 3,000 residents and 338 students have been denied access to health facilities and access to education in the community.

“We call on @GovWike and @IretiKingibe to kindly reach out to the responsible authorities to do the needful.

“Senator Ireti should try and maintain the relationship before and after election. By reaching out to them.

“Project nomination should be what the people desire not what the representatives wishes. Because if the N100billion budgeted for the yearly Zonal intervention projects is well utilized, issues like this will not arise in local communities that they represent.”

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has warned the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, not to provoke a Kenyan-style uprising in the country.

He stated this while responding to the lawmaker’s statement that the parliament won’t hesitate to give approval for a new presidential aircraft if the need arises and a request is made.

Speaking via a statement issued on Monday, Frank insisted that the comment was highly condescending and degrading.

He said one of the cardinal roles of the parliament is to serve as a check and balance on the other arms of government, adding that Akpabio has derailed by deciding on and goading the executive on what expenditure to make irrespective of the economic plight of taxpayers.

The political activist insisted that while Akpabio might choose to be at President Bola Tinubu’s beck and call, he must not reduce the National Assembly to an organ that simply plays rubber stamp to the executive.

According to him, “His effrontery and audacity in turning legislative procedures upside down notwithstanding, his verbiage at times rudely assaults our democracy, denigrates Nigerians as a public official in a position of trust and a mockery of the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly.

“Akpabio can choose to be President Bola Tinubu’s cheerleader, praise singer and errand boy but he must not reduce the National Assembly to an organ extending anticipatory approvals for requests yet to be made by the executive and justifying the same.

“Akpabio must learn to limit his actions to those within the ambit of his constitutional role by ensuring diligent scrutiny of money bills before the Senate to prevent profligacy and waste and equally refrain from talking down on Nigerians and taxpayers who own the office he now occupies.”

Frank stressed that the age of an aircraft does not necessarily determine its safety or airworthiness, adding that Aircraft are subject to regular maintenance and inspections to ensure they are safe to operate, regardless of their age.

”So the question is, what happened to the about N214 billion allocated in annual budgets for maintenance of the Presidential Fleet from 1999 till date?

“Above all, he must be mindful of the uprising in Senegal that led to the election of 44 years youthful opposition, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the ongoing one in Kenya where the youths invaded the parliament to stop lawmakers from considering an anti-people Finance Bill and the attendant killings of scores by security forces which has sparked a call for President William Ruto’s resignation despite his hasty withdrawal of the Bill,” he added.

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

In a candid interview on Arise TV From 5:35, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (Labour Party), Senator Ireti Kingibe questioned the basis for claiming friendship with someone she has never had a personal interaction with, pointing out that she has only encountered the minister (Wike) in a professional setting during a senate committee meeting.

She expressed confusion over how a friendship could develop with someone she does not know on a personal level and further emphasized the lack of communication between herself, as the Senator representing the FCT, and the minister.
She raised concerns about the potential impact of this communication breakdown on the residents’ ability to have their needs and concerns effectively addressed by the minister, highlighting the importance of open dialogue between representatives and officials for the well-being of the community.

She said, “What constitutes friendship between two people who have never met each other. I have never sat in the same room with the minister (Wike) except in a senate committee. So, how does friendship arise. Why would I want to be the friend of somebody I do not know?

The truth of the matter is that the minister (Wike) refuses to speak or communicate in any way with the Senator representing the FCT. So, how are the wishes and the needs of the people be communicated to him.”

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has asked the Federal Government to provide a detailed breakdown on the utilisation of borrowed funds.

Obi’s request via X on Monday

stems from his concern on the “alarming” accumulation of debt in Nigeria.

He said the government’s borrowing reached a staggering N121.86 trillion at the end of the first quarter (Q1), warning that if the current trend persists, the total amount borrowed could exceed N150 trillion by the end of the year.

“I have consistently maintained that borrowing is not inherently problematic, as long as it is utilized for productive purposes that drive economic growth and development.

“The recent report at the end of the first quarter indicates a significant increase in our government’s borrowing, reaching a staggering N121.86 trillion.

“This rapid accumulation of debt is alarming, and if this borrowing trend continues at the current rate, we can expect the total to surpass N150 trillion by the end of the year.

“As I recall, the law governing borrowing is explicit, requiring detailed explanations of the intended use, timing, and other relevant parameters.

“It is essential to ensure that borrowed funds are allocated efficiently and effectively to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the standard of living of the majority of our citizens.

“I respectfully request same for accountability for the massive borrowings, which have burdened our nation’s future.

“For the sake of our children and unborn generations, transparency and good governance, a detailed breakdown of how these funds have been utilized and demonstrate their tangible impact on our country’s growth and development should be provided,” he wrote.

The borrowing of several trillions in just three months, he said, shows the urgent need for prudent financial management.

The former Anambra State Governor said if the borrowed funds are spent on consumption or misallocated, the nation’s economic situation will worsen, sustaining a cycle of debt and impeding its ability to achieve sustainable economic growth and development.

He, however, said directing the funds towards productive ventures like infrastructure, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship would yield beneficial outcomes for the economy and citizens in the long run.

The politician further urged policymakers and stakeholders to exercise caution and prudence in managing the nation’s debt and ensure that borrowing is utilised for productive purposes that benefit the economy and citizens.

This, he said, would foster sustainable economic growth, development, and prosperity for all Nigerians in the future.

Obi added that the nation’s stability and prosperity depend on the prudent management of resources.

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

In a monumental ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that former presidents enjoy a presumption criminal immunity for official acts while in the White House, handing a win to former President Trump.

Trump’s appealfroze his federal election subversion indictment in the nation’s capital, where a federal court has charged him with conspiring to subvert the 2020 election results, from moving ahead toward trial.

The Supreme Court’s ruling comes four monthsbefore Election Day , when Trump hopes to retake the White House, giving him the authority to stop his prosecutions from proceeding and possibly firing special counsel Jack Smith.

Today’s Hamster Kombat Daily Combo

Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that the Commission has no constitutional power to conduct local council elections except in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Yakubu said this on the sidelines of a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, on Monday in Lagos.

He was reacting to calls for INEC to be given a constitutional backing to conduct local council elections.

Describing the issue as ‘a constitutional matter’, Yakubu stressed that unless necessary constitutional amendments are made, the Commission will only continue to organise national and state elections.

“The same section of the Constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC, and we cannot take over their duties.

“It is good for people to engage in advocacy for INEC to take charge of the whole elections, but the Constitution has to be amended for that to happen.

“For now, INEC can only conduct the local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory with six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.

“And it is in the FCT that the conduct of council elections has been regular and we are proud that the conduct of the elections there has been done to the best of our capacity.

“So, we are encouraged by what we have done, but as for taking over the state elections, the Constitution has to be amended, and we are not there yet,’’ he said.