 Welcome back to the breakfast and plus TV Africa. Let's take you through the pages of a national dailies and As usual would have a guest join us in making sense of the stories on the headlines. Femi lossen is a standby Good morning. Femi lossen Good morning All right. Femi lossen is a public affairs analyst. I started with the nation newspaper this morning and Looking at the banner caption big stories in it. The fest says Senators move to override Buhari on electoral bill. That's the big caption on the nation newspaper You have several riders the first rider says collection of signatures begins Reps to consider presidents reason reasons next year obi urges rework of rejected bill Femi governors not afraid of direct primaries This is some of the riders underneath the caption NMPC to fix 1,800 kilometer highway with 621 billion Naira Emirates gets federal government's 21 weekly slots and you have the fact that particular airline will be flying daily to UAE Inaq to Inaq is saying no going back on e transmission of poll results and caught at means five doing college people's to pay one million bail and Just before we move away from that particular paper or I mean the nation newspaper this morning 20 years after showing car challenges federal government on Bollai gay's mother and Twitter Facebook Others to pay tax in Nigeria. This is some of the headlines on the nation newspaper this morning And now to the punch newspapers The big one that says Senate has threatened to override Buhari governor's back president Buhari's reason for decline in assent for last year says Senate spokesman Governors forum hails rejection of bill says says presidents arguments are tenable Also FRSC amotec on deploy 30,310 personnel and body cameras for highway patrol NCDC nabs NSE DC a big apartment nabs 53-year-old quara bricklayer for allegedly raping Friends teenage daughter We can also see on the punch this morning experts knock lawmakers as reps raise budget to seventeen point one two trillion Naira Nigeria loses 499 billion Naira as Twitter ban hits 200 days as Also customers grown as cash strapped banks slash withdrawal limits Deal with prison attackers in their language and a CDC orders personnel And I think one other story this morning again kidnappers striking the kitty local government abduct female teacher and for others Demand 50 million Naira Also dough and colored poop you detained over colleagues death get the one million Naira bill These are the major stories on the punch newspapers All right away from the punch. Let's check out the Guardian newspaper this morning Electro bill dominating all of the headlines Senators delay recess and collect signatures to override Buhari That's how the Guardian captions it and the writer says we will decide next line of action in 2022 says Baja Bia Miller another writer says you have 30 days to override president or remove Conchanger's cloths from beer CSO to Nass Fallena says Buhari a beneficiary of direct Primary reason for rejecting bill misleading. We are not scared of direct primary governors insist President has rubbish democracy Says the NC front You also have Senate pro-longs 2021 budget lifespan and passes finance bill and that's also another caption and you have showing car tax Buhari on probe of Bola a game mother Isha Buhari directs staff to vacate office till further notice quite interesting We're helpless over armies in ability to target Bandits location says air fight and You also have another caption has to do with security consent Declare state of emergency in Northwest others over in security Islamic clerics urge the federal government Over 1,000 cargos trapped at Lagos pot as several recorders down time This is some of the headlines on the Guardian this morning All right, and now to the daily independent Buhari on the fire for not ascending to elect a reveal was a comment Oh, going a CUPP and others urge national assembly to override his veto We can also find here federal government secure seven hundred million dollars World Bank loan to tackle poor water supply Buhari six violent of two hundred and seven six point eight billion nair to fund 2021 budget expenses Reps past 2022 budget increase appropriation by eight hundred point two six billion Naira At last federal government approves 21 weekly Frequencies for Emirates Electoral act amendment bill reps will deliver credible and during electoral system says by Javier Miller And also the only repentant bandit is a dead one says the card in a state governor Arufai Nigeria situation will soon turn around says Kumui Good morning once again to Femi Lawson. Thanks for joining us. I think the biggest story this morning is the electoral bill and President Buhari's refusal to ascend to that bill. So let's let's start with that Let me share your thoughts on that one and of course expectations Nigerians have Expressing shock Over the division of the president to decline as then to begin The real ones that are really that are really surprised over for if you have followed events in the making of that amendment up to the rejection of Assent by the president you would have known that that would be the Venture decision of the president. I will most also the mind of them That's for every time that the National Assembly ever tempted to amend the electoral Other than the adjudication of president mama the boy Yeah, they might be the time that he had Ascented to any amendment made to the electoral. He said we had Before the transnational election now another amendment, you know preparatory to turn them please The president has again declined and it's called to question the sincerity of The same president and his party Who I've got one time or the other Reconcile about the credibility of our election in Nigeria I won't be the victim of Improper elections in this country even in the past So we are not surprised, but what this tells Is that even the National Assembly itself was taking a share of his blame Because what is beginning to emerge as it did it after this law as you amended now Visual of this direct primary or indirect should have been sorted before the venture decision is taking on On the on the on the electorate electorate At what time did the National Assembly take it upon itself to engage the political party Engage the stakeholders no and you know on the on the on the cloth That's in full direct primary No, a political party No, this was this is this has been seen No, more or less like an agenda of members of the National Assembly And that is why you have seen even major political parties like PDP, you know and Groups like the governor's forum and some other strategic Organizations we just seen the position of direct primary because even the National Assembly in the making of that class did not engage the people So that is the that is what has happened now. So when laws are made It must reflect the will of the people and we should make law Without the consent of the people there are tendencies that will always have you know the kind of opportunity That we have given this to the president to reject this bill for I think the president has not been changed Consider the fact that that was not the only amendment that has been proposed Yeah, so so what would what would your expectations be now for the National Assembly? They are currently on the break till next day, I believe Would you expect that they would be able to go ahead and pass the bill? Well, I don't I don't think it is a wise for the National Assembly to No, sing randomly, you know, go ahead and vet who even though they have the power No, the the truth is that there are a lot of controversies that are close as generated There are a lot of good works that have been done in that wall In the letter of the in the amendment And we should not allow this issue of direct primary or in that right to overshadow The other good works including the you know electronic transition of resort and others have been included You know in the amendment, so I think the National Assembly should open itself up for engagement with stakeholders particularly the political parties in taking the decision on What would happen to this be and if it will eventually be returned to the president for our sense Since that has been the only area of Disagreement from the letter written by the president From Mr. Lawson, of course, you're aware that we're running out of time before between now and the next general elections And seeing the time that this one has also taken before it got to this stage, you know It's not very hopeful It doesn't seem very likely that they will be able to make any amendments and eventually get it signed Between now and 2023, but fingers crossed and we'll see where it leads. Okay, so but let's just also Let's just let's just also add family lesson. Can I add this one now since what's he's talking about? You know the bill the electoral law down Do you think apart from the fact that you have mentioned that it's not wise? But do you see the National Assembly that is dominated by the APC having what it takes? Getting a two-third majority to override the president's veto See so start with it may likely get it because that clause was a product of this conspiracy You know of members of the National Assembly You see the what has been stated in position of direct primary by members of the it's not Secular to APC, you know, you find members of National Assembly even the state come through by the opposition party I've been one issue of the other with their governor who they believe all the hate You know in their various states to determine who becomes the gate to vote in elections to determine You know who gets the tickets of your party So that's why they have up there for sure. It was not a PDP agenda and APC agenda rather what was like a collective You know Agenda of both the APC and the PDP the National Assembly and that is why we May not say that they may not get the required truth or majority But going back to the question of time the truth is that the time we have even between now and the next No Elections of it cannot use it. It's enough You know to ensure that this amendment needs is just a club It is very clear we remember that in this in country two months back when the patron on industry bill was eventually passed and sent to the President the president has sent it to him even though he had you know a clause that he had proposed should be reviewed By the National Assembly which was later sent back, but that never stopped the president from ascending to the bill And if the National Assembly was also quick in addressing the concern of the president So if this club is the only issue that would delay the implementation of The amended electoral bill, I think the time we have between now and even February Should be not for the National Assembly to embark on the needed Look is just a clause and looking to do and of course such this out and send it back to the president Or ask him since he has always any issue about other amendments that have been proposed in the day Okay, so let's move away from you're the electoral bill now and look at the Guardian newspaper where you have Some court is asking that a state of emergency be declared in the northwest and all the parts of the country over Insecurity, what are your thoughts on that? We are in a very dark situation especially if you are fortunate to Be in some of those parts of the country. I was in Canada recently I was in Canada recently and I can tell you that People are not living their normal life at Kuala Lumpur People are not living their normal life The natural fact what we are in those places now It's not in any way different from the pictures. You see a managing firm for or no You'll be another book around ravages in the province parts of the country There is a need not just to declare a fit of emergency by the words of she There is a need for it deliberate, you know action to be taken by the federal government So take this wall To this terror who they have consented to poor bandits who have not helped people In those parts of the country, oh, see There are places today in my justice where you cannot even travel when it's 5 p.m There are places in Canada today where people run through vision on for some of the daily basis and we cannot continue to Watch this government come to a Buddha landmate and go back there endlessly the federal government must Decreate a deliberate war Just like if he's doing against Boko Haram in the north east against the criminals in the north west We understand there have been several military actions and we must commend the Nigerian military for that But the truth is that more more asked to be done more as to be done to the extent that Life must be restored to the people in this part of the you know of the fun of the country because if I live in a chair People can only go to their farm people can no longer do their business And the truth is this for those who think it is a problem of the north or the north west or these people that are friends other than you think They must be making a big mistake because it is a problem of all of us as I speak with you for those of you We live in Lagos You must begin to realize the consequences of the inability of you know Ketu Ketu sellers to bring Ketu's as they normally do to Lagos No, the farmers will bring in the food crops from some parts of this country also to Other parts of the country in a way with consumers are also now big So this this is about all of us and that is why the country must be As a national issue that requires a national And urgent response and I don't think we should at this time still be prevailing on the president to declare war on these people Who have declared a war already on the country? Well, it's a really really sad, you know situation and of course from our conversations yesterday You know I was speaking about, you know where in Northern Nigeria will be You know and and the trauma that you know, they will live with for a very very long time You know as a result of the the things that they've had to witness in the last couple of years Femi-Lawson, let's move away from that. We might come back to talking security Well, let's talk about the 2022 budget now Which I was passed yesterday on the daily independent. It says the reps passed 2022 budget increase appropriation by 800.26 billion naira quickly share your thoughts on that one Well We were waiting for of course the Amunai version I would have called this from the Senate and Joint session of national activities. It is important that we begin to see this project making process beyond You know an exclusive responsibility of the National Assembly Especially when it comes to implementation The truth is that year in year out You see National Assembly Making huge figures coming up with huge figures as annual budget for the country But the question we have continued to ask ourselves is how Have these been of impact On the people of Nigeria and which mandate these budgets are being made Are we looking at another year 2022? Where we'll end this up having over 18 trillion as a national budget But yet nothing to show for it in terms of development in terms of the transformation of the living standard of the average Nigerian So the people of Nigeria must be interested in the implementation of this budget as made by the National Assembly In media which has in place its role the civil society and other stakeholders must be ready to engage in the implementation of this budget beyond Seeing it as you know a prepared document by the National Assembly and then over to the executive of business as usual We shouldn't be Okay, let's also talk about the fact that you know the Senate has actually approved The president's request to extend the tenure of the 2021 budget up until March 2022 I mean doesn't that distort the budget cycle? I mean we're trying to get back to that budget cycle of January to December It's already distorted Distorted because you know a lot of issues have been raised especially from the effects of the Pandemic last year and it into certain instability this year which has also also pushed implementation of this Yes, but what has been extended to March now? I think it's gone out of place It's not the first time we're expressing that it's only Requires that the government should be able to walk who was ensuring that the 222 budget Effectively deployed between the period of March and December so that I can return to the general Remember a budget cycle So we sadly we don't do a lot of conversations on you know budget implementation, you know and how successfully budget was You know at the end of the year, you know the accountant or the general You know, you know puts out some figures and some analysis, but we don't you know take You know very very deep interest in seeing how successfully budget was There's also conversations concerning how much more boring, you know that we will need to do in 2022 Now we can fund the budget, you know, and of course, you know the the oil benchmark that has been placed Also if that is achievable But those are of course really really Huge parts to you know this conversation family loss and let's stay with the daily independent this morning. Let's talk about Pastor Kumui now in a lighter note saying Nigeria situation will soon turn around Do you agree with Pastor Kumui family loss and You believe so much to prayer It is key that we continue to pray that just turn around for good But I think this will not say Just be achievable My prayers alone just must be ready to walk What's achieving this and I must be ready to hold leaders accountable and the religious leaders have the very critical role to play in this Because we live in a society where the political leadership so much, you know, what she and reverse this religious leaders If this religious leaders can be so much, you know Comfort in ways to people about the fortune that we should anticipate As far as the country is concerned, I think it is also important to use the influence the drive in Prevelling us leaders in this country will do the right thing. We all know what is right to do at one point or the other It is important that beyond our prayers and beyond looking up to God We must also be ready to play our own human And one of the ways we can achieve that By this religious leaders also imposing me on our leaders on our political leaders So what ought to be done and how It must be done to ensure that the people So are the better life not only by relying on God Okay, well, you know the prayers continue I'm gonna just quickly throw one more story in to the punch newspapers now There's a Story here that I saw. Yes, the door and college story and controversy concerning You know these five suspects being granted bail I'm not sure if you've read through that story if you can quickly share your thoughts on it It was of course in the news yesterday that five of them who had been sent to juvenile detention have been granted bail In some of a one million nair each What are your thoughts do you do you know think of course, you know nothing wrong with that You know homicide is a bailable offense in Nigeria and so, you know, of course, we hope that criminal justice system You know does of course work fully this time. What are your thoughts? These are minor very unfortunate that In front of self-involving this kind of the very important Okay, you know our law also allows that the person is convicted What's the same or supposed to be abused from level of liberty and I think that is what the court has done yesterday and the court has also ensured that We are not allowed to travel out of the country that they put in their passport and the thought in this shorties who must include one of the appearance, so I think a It is fair why we keep praying for the family of that way. It is the innocent It will put you to monitor and ensure that this is served not only for the Think of the memory of But for the sake of preventing Other children from becoming victim of such recklessness in future Oh, well, you know, I think we share similar similar thoughts on that one Femmyl Olsen, I think that's where we will be wrapping up this morning. Thank you very much for your time and for You know joining us on of the press this morning Always And now of course, uh, we'll take a short break and move straight into sharing with you what happened on this day in history The 22nd of december many many years ago. We're going as far back as 1956 To tell you something about a gorilla that comes up after this and of course our first major conversation right after stay with us