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Sagay slams APC leaders, says they are ‘lily-livered, weak and unprincipled’
Itse Sagay, chairman of the presidential advisory committee against corruption (PACAC), has described the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “weak, unprincipled and lily-livered”.
Sagay issued the criticism in reaction to the APC leadership’s warning that he should desist from creating more enemies for President Muhammadu Buhari.
In an interview with The Nation, Sagay said he will continue to speak out except Buhari tells him otherwise.
“Yes, he is my employer. If he tells me to stop talking, I’ll stop talking. But I have certain rights too that I can exercise in addition to that, because I’m not going to be in a position where I am impotent,” he said.
“So, I must obey him, but I can go beyond that and obey myself too. That’s it.
“As for the leadership of the APC, I think they are the most unprincipled group of people. They are lily-livered, weak, and cannot run any organisation.”
“The whole party is collapsing under them. They cannot control anybody. Because they cannot control anybody, they’re now in fact encouraging and accepting ‘rogues’. When I say rogues, I don’t mean stealing. In literature, when you say someone is a rogue elephant, it means people who are running riot and destroying the party.
“They’re pampering them, saying: ‘Let’s not annoy them too much’, but they’re destroying the APC house. So, I think the APC leadership is weak, is too compromising and is certainly a failure as far as I’m concerned.”
Sagay, who is often critical of the national assembly, accused the nation’s lawmakers of “sucking dry the blood” of less privileged Nigerians with the huge amount of salary and allowances they receive.
He had recently alleged that a Nigerian senator gets N29 million in monthly pay, saying they should not be addressed as “distinguished” because they lack “honour, vision, and integrity”.
Sagay said his disclosure was a tip of the iceberg, adding that hundreds of millions earned as “extra” remain unknown.
“We’re going to do further thorough research on this matter, and we’re still going to come out with figures. If you recall, the former governor of Central Bank said they were consuming virtually one quarter, 25 per cent of our budget. They didn’t deny it,” he said.
“If you look at the allowances, Nigerians need to ask themselves questions. Should we be the ones clothing senators? Should my tax be used in hanging Agbada on a senator? The press has not taken it up, but this is serious.
“How many times have government provided clothes for you, and yet you’re clothed? But these men who are overpaid, who are absorbing the largest share of our resources are still asking us to clothe them, as if they arrived in Abuja naked. It’s not acceptable.
“What about the man who is earning N18,000 a month, who’s carrying machinery, working in a factory, cutting grass on the road, cleaning the roads, sweating with hard labour. Nobody is paying them hardship allowance.
“They’re claiming utility allowance. In other words, if we don’t give them money, they don’t have cutlery, tablecloth, plates and saucepans. We have to provide those for them. The list goes on.
“It is criminal. It is unconscionable. It is wicked for people who are so highly privileged, who are the wealthiest people in the country to still be sucking our blood dry by collecting these things which they don’t need and depriving others of them.”
Engr Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has disclosed that the nation’s oil and gas reserves have risen to 37.50 billion barrels as of January 1, 2024.
This marks an increase from the 37.046 billion barrels recorded in May 2022.
Komolafe emphasised the implementation of robust policies aimed at enhancing and optimising oil and gas operations across the country.
Notably, gas reserves stand at 102.59 trillion cubic feet (TCF), with non-associated gas reserves reaching 106.67 TCF, culminating in a total of 209.26 TCF of gas reserves.
Addressing concerns during a press conference held in Abuja on Monday regarding crude supply regulation and enforcement, Komolafe underscored the importance of prioritising feedstock supply to local refineries while addressing grievances from oil producers and the Dangote Refinery within specified timelines.
This announcement follows recent reports of a decline in Nigeria’s crude oil production during February and March 2024.
According to data from the April 2024 Monthly Oil Market Report of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria’s crude oil production (excluding condensates) experienced its second consecutive monthly decrease, dropping to 1.231 million barrels per day in March from 1.322 million barrels per day in February.
OPEC attributed this decline, amounting to a reduction of 91,000 barrels per day, to factors communicated directly from Nigeria.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has commiserated with the senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari over the loss of his mother, Alhaja Buhari.
The matriarch, who passed away on Monday, April 8, has left a void in the family that Oseni described as irreparable.
In a condolence message released on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, and made available to newsmen, the lawmaker expressed his deep sympathy, praying for Alhaja Buhari to find eternal rest in the arms of God.
Oseni, who also represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, urged Senator Buhari and his family to find solace in the legacy of achievements left behind by their late matriarch.
He emphasised the importance of cherishing the memories of her life and the successes attained by her children.
The statement read, “Distinguished Senator Buhari, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Mama, Alhaja Buhari. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
“Alhaja was a pillar of strength and a source of love and guidance for your family and community. Her legacy of kindness, wisdom, and resilience will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
“May you and your family find comfort and solace in the cherished memories you shared with her, and may the love and support of friends and well-wishers provide you with strength and courage in the days ahead.
“Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you navigate through this time of grief”, Oseni continued.
As Muslims globally observe Eid-el-Fitr, signifying the conclusion of the Ramadan fast, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has called upon Nigerians to prioritise nation-building efforts during this festive period.
Oseni, in a statement on Tuesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, emphasised the importance of collective action and unity in advancing the nation’s development agenda.
He highlighted the significance of Eid-el-Fitr as a time for reflection, gratitude, and community solidarity.
“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us not forget the critical task of nation-building that lies before us. Nigeria’s progress depends on our ability to work together, transcend divisions, and build a cohesive society,” the lawmaker stated.
The APC chieftain urged Nigerians to set aside differences and focus on common goals that promote peace, unity, and socio-economic prosperity.
Emphasising the need for inclusivity, Oseni encouraged citizens to actively participate in initiatives aimed at fostering national cohesion and development.
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