In celebrating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s achievement in returning financial autonomy to the Local Governments, the Africans in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce ( ADICC )  has vowed to support any Nigerian youth between the ages of 25 and 45 years who has the capacity to run for either Local Government chairman or councillor position 

It would be recalled that in May this year,  the Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) filed a suit at the Supreme Court of Nigeria accusing the State Governments of withholding   Local Governments Federal allocations.

On July 11, the apex court gave a landmark judgment on the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments. 

A seven member panel of the Supreme Court, chaired by Justice Mohammed Garba, disagreed with the position of the State Governments and concluded that the plaintiff’s case had merit.

Speaking on the landmark judgement, President of Africans in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Dr. Edward Olutoke, said that the Chamber is happy with the ruling as it will enable Local Government Chairmen carry out laudable projects that will be beneficial to their people.

He stated that the concept of democracy is anchored on the fundamental idea of serving the interests of the majority. 

“Most people reside in local communities, where they primarily experience the direct impact of government. 

“Nigeria, as a federation, subscribes to this idea of democracy as stated in Sections 14(1) and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Section 14(1) states, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice.”

“Constitutionally, Nigeria operates a three-tier system of government comprising the Federal, State and Local Governments, with each tier having defined roles to play in delivering the dividends of democracy to the citizens and that’s why we at the Chamber is happy with the judgement and willing to support  any youth with the capacity of vying for either chairmanship or councillorship position in any Local Government in the country.

“First and foremost, there’s no federal citizen anywhere, everybody comes from a Local Government before becoming state citizen so we all should go back to make our local communities beautiful. Imagine Omoyele Sowore after attacking the elders, will storm his local government and turn it to a Dubai, Rufai Oseni after abusing everybody, goes to his local and use those ideas he profess everyday to turn the place to New York, Kenneth Okonkwo turning his local government to another Miami, will Nigeria be the way it is? 

This is the time for all us to stand up and be counted, let’s seize the moment, let’s create something magical in our local communities, it’s only then the nation of our dreams can be birthed. President Tinubu has given Nigeria the best gift ever. Instead of calling the youths out on the street, let’s encourage and support them to take over the local government administrations to make life better for their generation”.

Olutoke who also doubles as President of Above 50 Football Championship advised any youth interested in the offer to contact the Chamber through their WhatsApp number, +2349098888311 or visit the website www.adicc.org

The 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has boasted that his ‘Obidient’ movement is far more than any political party in the country.

The former governor of Anambra State said this in a statement on Wednesday while explaining that the movement was not a directorate of any particular political party in the country.

According to Obi, anyone claiming to be at the helm of affairs of what he described as a “non-existent directorate” is not a member of the ‘Obidient’ movement.

He said the movement was more than a mere political party void of ethnic and religious affiliations.

The statement read, “I like to categorically state that the Obidient Movement is not a directorate of any particular political party. Any individual or individuals claiming to be leaders of this non-existent directorate are simply not members of the broader Obidient Movement. There may be a youth mobilisation directorate in political parties but the Obidient movement is far beyond a particular political party. The Obidient Movement is a diverse and inclusive collective that transcends traditional political, religious, and ethnic affiliations.

“It is not domiciled within any particular party or headquartered in any particular part of the country. Its membership spans across Africa and the globe, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, including rural communities, and public, private, and corporate entities, united by a shared vision for a New and better Nigeria. Guided by the principles of adaptive and transformative change, progress, discipline, and democratic values, the Obidient Movement advocates for fairness, equity, inclusivity, and justice.”

He added that the movement is committed to holding the government responsible and accountable while serving as a beacon of hope for a better Nigeria.

The statement added, “It is committed to a strictly accountable and responsible code of government. Our members are committed to contributing to the realization of a better future for Nigeria through the New Nigeria project, anchored on loyalty, integrity, and democratic values. The Obidient Movement seeks to foster positive change through a commitment to integrity, honesty, and accountability, rejecting deceitful behaviours.

“We serve as a beacon of hope for a reimagined Nigeria, where leadership is grounded in character, capacity, competence, compassion and the well-being of all citizens. Let this serve as a clarification that the Obidient Movement operates independently of any political party, and its membership is not limited to any particular affiliation. Our focus remains steadfast on driving positive change and promoting a New Nigeria for all. This is who we are and will remain for all time.”

Recall that Obi recently addressed the possibility of a merger between the LP and the Peoples Democratic Party.

In an interview on NoireTV-GlobalBlackTV released on YouTube on Saturday, Obi also reacted to the prospect of being supported as a Southeast candidate in the 2027 presidential election by Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 flagbearer.

The leadership of Labour Party has appointed the leader of the Obidient Movement, Marcel Ngogbehei, and seven other officials to administer the affairs of its newly created directorate.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Thursday.

Among other tasks, the new executives will attend to complaints and oversee the registration of new party members within and outside the country ..

The appointment comes two weeks after the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee announced the creation of a separate directorate dedicated to affairs of the Obidients movement at a press conference.

Abure had raised the alarm at the conference that he feared the ruling oligarchy and some suspected saboteurs may have infiltrated the group to pull down the party.

He, however, promised that the directorate would be solely operated by members of the movement without any interference in the structure by any LP executive.

Aside from Ngogbehei, the party also engaged Aju Elumelu to act as the Deputy Director in charge of Diaspora affairs.

Other appointees include Mrs Mariam Ismaila (Deputy Director), Chukwuemeka Okafor (Deputy Director), Mrs Angel Innocent (Deputy Director), Tony Ashekomeh Jnr (Deputy Director), Emeka Ezechi (Deputy Director) and Josiah Omenuwoma (Deputy Director).

The statement partly read, “As part of the repositioning efforts of the Labour Party towards integrating millions of our youths and, particularly the Obidient family into the larger family, eight new members have been appointed to pilot the affairs of the Obidient Directorate.

“The inauguration of the directorate will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the NEC Hall, National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja by 10 am.

“The directorate will have the following terms of reference: To coordinate the registration of all members of the Obidient community and integrate them fully into the structure of the party; ease Diaspora participation in the affairs of the party; receive complaints and deal with same and where they are unable to deal with same, refer such complaints to the leadership of the party.

“Other functions include coordinating collection of dues and donations to the party and ensuring that all Obidients are financial members of the party; work closely with the National Youth Leader, National Women Leader, and National Organising Secretary to create programs that will fully and effectively assimilate all members of the Obidient family to the party.”

The Obidient Movement, birthed in the build-up of the 2023 general election, comprises young Nigerians who see the hope of a new Nigeria in the candidacy of LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi.

The impact of the group was felt when it powered the Labour Party to a stunning performance at the February 25 presidential and national legislative elections.

To date, LP has one elected governor, 35 members of the House of Representatives, and seven senators to its credit.