Wednesday brief: Paris club debt, South-West Governors & Naira Marley
+ Latest on Anambra election
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Fayemi reiterates stance on Paris club refund
Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday reminded the federal government that states will not accept arbitrary deductions from their monthly allocations, for the payment of a debt owed to consultants who helped facilitate the Paris club debt.
Fayemi, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, was speaking on the sidelines of the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.
The federal government has approved $418 to be paid to the consultants, but the states maintain that the matter is still in court, where a stay of execution has been granted. Fayemi has also called for a forensic audit of the consultants’ claims.
The October meeting for sharing revenues among the states was reportedly deadlocked on Friday over the Paris club repayment issues, as the states insisted that all court cases must be settled before the deductions can take effect.
Nasir El-Rufai: The Kaduna State Governor, who also spoke at NEC 27, said businesses cannot thrive without a functional political system and competent public service.
Simon Lalong: The Plateau State Governor, during a panel session at NEC 27, criticised politicians for causing mayhem in the state. He also affirmed that all 19 Northern Governors are in support of state police.
What else is happening?
Uche Secondus: The embattled PDP bigwig couldn’t win a reprieve on Tuesday as the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt flung out an application seeking to challenge his suspension from the party. The court also set Thursday for hearing arguments on whether the PDP can go ahead with its national convention on October 30 and 31.
South-West Governors: The leaders met in Lagos state over security matters, according to a press release. They were also sighted posing for pictures with APC chieftain, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Anambra elections: The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, is taking the safe conduct of the November 6 governorship poll seriously. He has deployed 98 senior officers to beef up security across the state.
Naira Marley: The popular artiste was in court on Tuesday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) produced a second witness. Naira Marley, whose original name is Azeez Fashola, is being arraigned on 11 charges bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit cards, and fraud.
Lai Mohammed: The Minister of Information and Culture has lamented the ubiquity of fake news. He said the nauseating trend can result in the next world war.
Nnamdi Kanu: The United Nations has asked the federal government to provide detailed information on the circumstances of the IPOB leader.
And that’s it for today. See you tomorrow.