NIGERIANS NOT FEELING TINUBU, SHETTIMA’S ABSENCE – AISHA YESUFU
Dons Eze
- October 17, 2024
EL-RUFAI LIED, WE’RE NOT PAYING FUEL SUBSIDY – FG
EL-RUFAI LIED, WE’RE NOT PAYING FUEL SUBSIDY — FG The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), have said that claims alleging that fuel subsidy has been returned are false. Recall that former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday, said the Federal Government had resumed the payment of subsidy on fuel and is paying much more than before. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, however challenged those making the claims to provide proof that the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, had been returned. He stressed that since President Bola Tinubu declared the end of the subsidy on petrol, the situation has remained so. The Minister said, “I don’t want to delve into that issue. It is a very sensitive issue. It is better we get all the facts. As far as I’m concerned, the President removed the subsidy and it remains removed till today. Anybody who is saying that subsidy is being paid, it is left for the person to bring the facts and then we will talk about them.” Asked whether the price being paid for petrol currently is determined by market forces, the minister replied, “It may not be determined by market forces but let us deal with the price as it is today.“Every government has a duty to do certain things, not only in the petroleum sector but in several other sectors, to be able to cushion the effect and burden on Nigerians.”
APC LEADERS TELL GANDUJE TO VACATE OFFICE AFTER COURT JUDGEMENT
APC LEADERS TELL GANDUJE TO VACATE OFFICE AFTER COURT JUDGMENT Some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, have told the embattled National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje to temporarily vacate his office. This came from the Rivers State faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Emeka Beke. Following the Kano State High Court’s affirmation of Ganduje’s suspension and its directive restraining him from further identification as a party member, Justice Usman Malam Na’abba issued the order based on an ex parte motion filed by Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani, represented by their counsel, Ibrahim Sa’ad. Speaking during a press conference held in Port Harcourt, the embattled Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Darlington Nwauju, reiterated that Ganduje should either address his suspension at the ward level or seek legal redress to maintain his current role. Nwauju stressed the party’s constitution, emphasizing that only ward executives and members possess the authority to suspend or expel individuals. He urged the suspended national chairman to step aside, allowing his Deputy to oversee party affairs. Nwauju stated: “First of all, the suspension or expulsion of party members, as the case may be, is the responsibility of the political party’s foundation organ, the Ward. Article 9 of our party’s constitution, 2022 as amended, clearly talks about membership of our party which resides in the Wards. “And when your membership is questioned, then it goes to any foundation of whatever you are doing for the political party. It questions any other thing that you do for the political party. “Talking about disciplinary measures or punishments for party members, that is captured under article 21(3) of our party’s constitution, and we have disciplinary procedures which start from the Ward again. “And so, if the Ward has taken a decision, it requires that Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of our party, either goes back to his Ward to placate the people of his Ward to get the decision reviewed, and the suspension can be vacated, or he goes to a court of competent jurisdiction to vacate his suspension. “Now a High Court has affirmed his suspension, it becomes a more serious issue, it means that he needs to step aside as National Chairman of our party for the Deputy National Chairman (North), to act as chairman, pending the determination of the matter or pending his replacement by the National Executive Committee of our great party. “Do not also forget the fact that the party has been moving on with the moral burden of having to shove the people of the North Central or deny them their right to a replacement for the position of the National Chairmanship of the APC. “Because, in a situation where the former occupant of that office, His Excellency Abdullahi Adamu, resigned from that position, coming from the North Central zone of the country, the party’s constitution clearly spells out that someone from his state or his zone should also take over that office.“And so, as an individual, I wish that the party will explore this very opportunity to right the wrong of reverting and allowing someone from the North Central to occupy the seat of National Chairman of our great party.”
KOGI ASSEMBLY ASKED TO BEGIN IMPEACHMENT PROCESS AGAINST GOV ODODO
KOGI ASSEMBLY ASKED TO BEGIN IMPEACHMENT PROCESS AGAINST GOV ODODO Deji Ajare, a human rights attorney, has requested Umar Yusuf, Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, to start the impeachment process against Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi, over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office. Ajare made the call on Friday via the House clerk in a letter addressed to the speaker. He said that using the governor’s motorcade to transport the troubled former state governor, Yahaya Bello, to safety amounted to harboring a wanted person, obstructing the course of justice, and misusing public funds. Recall that Ododo whisked away his predecessor on Wednesday, after operatives of EFCC besieged the latter’s Abuja residence, to arrest him in connection with an N80.2bn money laundering case. Some hours after, the EFCC declared the former governor wanted, the Nigeria Immigration Service placed him on its watchlist. The IGP also ordered withdrawal of all policemen attached to him. In his letter, Ajare also called on the assembly to cooperate with the EFCC and ensure all individuals involved are available for questioning and investigations. “In the light of the above allegations and the inherent potential breaches of statutory duties imposed by the Constitution and other relevant laws of our country, these actions, if proven true, amount to gross misconduct and warrant immediate investigation and commencement of impeachment proceedings. “I hereby call on the Kogi State House of Assembly under your leadership to initiate a thorough inquiry into these allegations by Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, to ascertain the truth and to hold Governor Usman Ododo accountable if the allegations are found to be true. “I also urge the Kogi State House of Assembly to cooperate with national law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC, to ensure all individuals involved are available for questioning and to facilitate a smooth investigation”, he said. He further implored the House of Assembly to take swift and decisive actions, noting the effect of the “misgovernance implied in these allegations” on the people of the state. “I thank you as I look forward to your urgent attention to this issue. I trust in your commitment to uphold the Constitution and the laws of our land for the betterment of our state and its people”, the letter also read. According to PUNCH, Mohammed Yabagi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, said neither the Clerk nor the Speaker had received such a letter. Yabagi added that the House had not seen any valid reasons to begin impeachment processe against the governor and that there was no evidence that the governor prevented security agencies from arresting Yahaya Bello. “Anybody in the public has their perception of the matter. But the House has not seen any reason, none of the members of the House were there, and none of them saw the governor trying to prevent the security agencies from doing their job. As far as the Assembly is concerned, the Assembly supports all constitutionally recognised security agencies. We have not seen any reason why the House should commence any impeachment processes.“For context, as far as the Executive is concerned, the immediate past governor was not even at his Abuja residence, and there’s no concrete evidence that the Executive Governor prevented them from doing their constitutionally recognised job. The House is yet to receive such a letter, and the Speaker is yet to have any knowledge of such a letter,” he said.
THE RISE AND FALL OF YAHAYA BELLO: TALE OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND RECKLESS LEADERSHIP BY OLAWALE OLALEYE
THE RISE AND FALL OF YAHAYA BELLO: A TALE OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND RECKLESS LEADERSHIP, BY OLAWALE OLALEYE One critical truth that a majority of nu the people may not like to admit is that contrary to insinuations, Nigeria is actually a land of immense opportunities. It’s also a land of the free. Indeed! You just need to juxtapose your facts, albeit objectively, against those places you fancy in other parts of the world and see for yourself what blessings you trample on each day. In spite of its sprawling shortcomings, this country offers huge opportunities, the type you may not get to experience in several places. It gives so much that its magnanimity also creates monsters, inadvertently. But because people dwell quite often on the imperfections, they lose sight of the things that Nigeria gets right and based on the mindset created by the former, they judge everything else. Take stock of the nation’s leadership recruitment at different era – civilian and military – you’d realise that more Nigerians in their prime have had the opportunity to serve than those considered the older generations. However, because a majority of those in politics hardly boast a second address, many of them tarry long on the scene, and age on the stage to become the much-talked about “older generation”. They actually got on that stage in their prime. The embattled former governor of Kogi State, a young man, who assumed office at 40 and left eight years after, is a total mess – an example of what leadership shouldn’t be, not even in a captured colony. Not only was he reckless in words and in deeds, he was also needlessly haughty. Not one of his colleagues ever spoke well of him. He had an opportunity to retell the Nigerian story from the youth perspective but bundled it, mercilessly. Mean, brutish and nasty, he ruled over the people of Kogi but didn’t serve them as he swore to the oath of office. He ruled each day as though he wasn’t ever going to quit. He didn’t plan his exit and therefore left nothing to circumspection. For one, there was nothing to like about him as he refused to live by personal examples. Many people’s disdain for him swelled when the PDP woman leader in the state, Salome Abuh, was murdered in the most heinous manner under his reign and during the struggle for his reelection. Abuh more or less died in vain. While not insinuating he killed the woman, he continued in office as if nothing happened. Apart from the arrest of six by the police, Bello made no effort to get to the root of it, but instead danced on her grave in celebration of his re-election victory. That woman was burnt alive in her house on November 18, 2019. Bello spent state resources as though they were his personal heritage. He had no respect for processes and procedures. He thought the office of the governor was a license to disrespect people and institutions, age regardless. His position on Covid-19 revealed he was a terrible leader. High-handed and badly mannered, he is currently stewing in his own juice. For all it is worth, Bello has shown without equivocation that the EFCC allegations against him might be true. Taking flight from the law is the most disingenuous thing anyone could ponder, much less a former governor. He has damaged the possibility of bail if detained because he is arguably now a flight-risk. Eighty billion naira fraud is criminally unforgivable, coming from a state supposedly in the backwaters. Someone like him should have been eager to face his music. He had a long notice served by the EFCC but he thought he could get round it…
ENUGU GOVT CAUTIONS NERC, EEDC AGAINST OVERCHARGING ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS
ENUGU GOVT CAUTIONS NERC, EEDC AGAINST OVERCHARGING ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS The Enugu State Government says it will not condone any act of overcharge or extortion of electricity consumers in the state by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). Gov. Peter Mbah gave the warning on Thursday while declaring open a three-day Customer Complaints Resolution Meeting organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) in Enugu. Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, identified electricity as a product, adding that it should have cost implications which should be fair and reflective of economic realities to all stakeholders. “I urge NERC not to derail on the steady and quality power supply according to the band classifications,” According to him, the state government is committed to ensuring that people have access to electricity services in the state. The governor said that the government was currently studying underserved and unserved communities and would soon constitute the management of the newly established Enugu State Electrification Agency. “Enugu State is poised to catalyze the economic growth of the South-East through a cost effective and efficient power supply to grow our Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and industries among others,”. While commending NERC for organising this event, the governor charged the regulatory body to endeavour to resolve most of the challenges faced by customers as complained by them. He said that the government had started engaging with developers and investors interested in setting up power generation plants under the willing-buyer and willing-seller commercial agreement.Mbah said that when completed, it would catalyze economic and industrial growth of the state and South-East.
HOW KANO GOVT PLANS TO NAIL GANDUJE, APC, SON IN$413,000 ALLEGED FRAUD CASE
HOW KANO GOVT PLANS TO NAIL GANDUJE, WIFE, SON IN $413,000 ALLEGED FRAUD CASE Exclusive court documents have revealed the Kano State Government’s plan to rely on 15 witnesses to nail former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, their son Umar Abdullahi Umar, and four others in a corruption case. The eight-count charges allege a web of corrupt activities. The first charge alleges that Ganduje, while serving as governor between 2015 and 2023, corruptly asked for and received $200,000 from a beneficiary of a state government contract. The second charge accused him of receiving a $213,000 kickback from a contractor handling the remodelling of the Kantin Kwari textile market in Kano. In the third and fourth charges, Ganduje and others were accused of criminal conspiracy and breach of trust involving N1.376bn earmarked for the purchase of face masks and other medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, and businessman Abubakar Bawuro allegedly diverted the funds for their personal use. Ganduje, alongside his son Abdullahi Umar, was further accused in the fifth and sixth charges of conspiring to illegally allocate 501 plots of land belonging to the state government to a company owned by their family. The proceeds from the sale of these lands, amounting to 700 million Naira, were allegedly diverted for their benefit. Among the witnesses the Kano State Government plans to put forward is a forensic expert who will authenticate a viral video allegedly showing Ganduje collecting bribes from a contractor while he was governor of the state. Also, multiple contractors will testify how they were allegedly forced to give Ganduje a percentage of contract funds awarded to them by the former governor’s administration. A Department of State Services (DSS) officer, Hussain Muhammad Dan Borno, will explain his presence in the alleged bribery video showing Ganduje collecting stacks of dollars from a supposed contractor. Others include a police inspector, Muhammad Nuhu, who will present the findings of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation and an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdullahi Mamman, who will present evidence collected during their investigation. Below are the eight charges preferred against Ganduje and others: FIRST HEAD OF CHARGE That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period of January 10th, 2016 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor of Kano State and being a public servant in the government of Kano State corruptly asked for and received the sum of $ 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) being benefit for yourself from one of the beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the Kano State Government on your instruction and approval as part of your function as the Governor of Kano State thereby committed the offence of official corruption contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), Law No2 of 2009, Laws of Kano State of Nigeria. SECOND HEAD OF CHARGE. That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period of February 10th, 2017 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor of Kano State and being a public servant in the government of Kano State agreed to do or caused to be done an illegal act, to wit, dishonestly and/or corruptly to your own advantage collected a kick back of the sum of $ 213,000 (Two Hundred And Thirteen Thousand United State Dollars) being money generated from people and entities seeking or holding the execution of Kano State Government contact and or project for the remodeling of Kantin Kwari textile market as a bribe through one of the contractors (agent) thereby committed the offence of official corruption contrary…
IGP WITHDRAWS ALL POLICEMEN ATTACHED TO FLEEING KOGI EX-GOV, YAHAYA BELLO
IGP WITHDRAWS ALL POLICEMEN ATTACHED TO FLEEING KOGI EX-GOV, YAHAYA BELLO The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn all police officers attached to the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. Thoe order for the withdrawal was contained in a police wireless message. The document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 read in part, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. “Acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please, above, for your information and strict compliance.”The Nigerian Immigration Service had earlier placed the former governor on its watchlist after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, declared him wanted in connection to an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80.2bn.
PDP NEC MEETING: WIKE DEFEATS ATIKU AS DAMAGUM RETAINS SEAT
PDP NEC MEETING: WIKE DEFEATS ATIKU, DAMAGUM RETAINS SEAT Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday triumphed over Atiku Abubakar, as the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum, who has the backing of Wike’s camp, survived plot to remove him as the acting chairman of the party. The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which deferred the removal of Damagum, resolved that the leadership tussle bedeviling the party will be addressed in August/September, when the party will hold its next NEC. This is even as the Acting National Chairman, Damagum, explained that the issue of surviving is not a matter of life and death, adding, “This is not a matter of life and death. I am still an elected member of this National Working Committee (NWC). Even if I revert to deputy national chairman, I’m still a member of NWC. The issue of surviving or not does not emerge.” Explaining why the party didn’t look at the leadership issue in the party during the NEC meeting, the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, said that the party is working along its guidelines and constitution. He said: “You can see there was no dissent, no rancour, no division as anticipated or expected. It was planned that we would have an implosion, but the PDP is more than that. We are a party that is united in accordance with our constitution. “We are working on the basis of timeline and our constitution. And there is no problem, no dissension or problem between PDP members. “In the next two months you will see us rolling out activities on this, leadership is a responsibility. We said in September we would have come out from our congresses. When we are done with our state congresses we will look at the issue of party leadership and we will do it with no rancour.” Also speaking, the spokesman of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, emphasised the need for reconciliation and stability within the party at this time. He also said that PDP will address the leadership tussle in the party when it holds its NEC meeting in few months time. Ologunagba said: “Our party emphasises the need for reconciliation and stability within the party at this time. Therefore, the issue of the National Chairman, Damagum, has been deferred to the next NEC meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for August 15, 2014.” The NEC, in its communique read by Ologunagba, commended all the organs of the party for their collective resilience, steadfastness and commitment towards the unity, stability and sustenance of the party despite daunting challenges. NEC charged all organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and indeed all members of the PDP to close ranks, put aside every personal or group interests and work together in the overall effort to reposition and return the PDP to power at the centre in the interest of the Nigerian people. NEC also approved the reconstitution of the party’s Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to further ensure the stability of the party. Similarly, NEC approved the extension of the life of the party’s Constitution Amendment Committee to allow it to receive new amendment proposals for inclusion in its deliberation and final report for consideration by NEC. NEC commended the efforts of the National Working Committee in its effort towards rebranding the party including the new look PDP logo which is widely accepted by party members and Nigerians in general. NEC charged all party members to continue to work together for the success of the PDP for the benefit of Nigerians and sustenance of democracy in the country. NEC also commended members of the PDP, with particular reference…
TWO EBONYI COMMISSIONERS EXCHANGE BELOW IN PUBLIC
TWO EBONYI COMMISSIONERS EXCHANGE BLOWS IN PUBLIC Two Commissioners in the present administration in Ebonyi State, were said to have publicly fought each other in a public gathering at Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The two Commissioners who are said to be stakeholders in their various communities had a field day as they reportedly exchanged blows, not minding those that were watching them. Speaking with newsmen, an eye witnessed said: “Nobody told me anything about it. I saw everything myself. I don’t know the cause of their fight but they fought and this is the 5th fight between them.“As a leader of thought in my place, this is embarrassing to me, our people and the people of Ebonyi State. It happened during the defection of some people into APC at Ezza North. “It was a very big fight and it was not hidden.”
TWO SOLDIERS STABBED EACH OTHER IN ENUGU, ARMY CONFIRMS
TWO SOLDIERS STABBED EACH OTHER IN ENUGU, ARMY CONFIRMS The Nigerian Army has confirmed the stabbing of its personnel attached to the 74 Supply and Transportation Brigade, 82nd (Airborne and Amphibious) Division, Private Aliyu Musa Abdullahi by his colleague, Private Yahaya Sani. “At about 152030A Apr 24, a case of fighting and quarreling was reported by the Admin Officer 74 ST Bde against 23NA/85/10795 Pte Aliyu Abdullahi and 23NA/85/10147 Pte Yahaya Sani both of 74 ST Bde,” an incident report by the army obtained by SaharaReporters read. “It was reported that both soldiers fought at the Artisan new market in Enugu State. Pte Yahaya Sani used a dagger to stab the other soldier on the head. The injured soldier is currently at 82 Div DMSH receiving treatment while Pte Yahaya is under custody for further action.” The victim had complained that his phone was missing, alleging the only person with him before the loss was the suspect. “23NA/85/10147, Pte Yahaya Sani of 74 Supply and Transportation Brigade stabbed his course mate, Pte Aliyu Musa of the same 82 Division 74 Supply and Transportation, Enugu with a dagger on his head Monday night while they were both coming back from new artisan in Enugu metropolis,” one of the sources had told SaharaReporters. “Pte Musa was complaining that his phone got missing while they were in transit and Pte Sani Yahaya was with him at the spot before the sudden disappearance of his phone. All efforts to know who was with his phone were futile which resulted to him attacking Yahaya. Pte Yahaya Sani who in retaliation held his hand, disarmed Pte Musa and stabbed him on his head with dagger. “Pte Musa is currently receiving treatment in 82DMSH while Pte Yahaya Sani is currently under custody for further investigation in 82Div Garrison’s guard room.” The incident is coming few days after another soldier attached to the 82nd (Airborne and Amphibious) Division, Private Mohammed Adamu killed a pregnant woman, Miss Hauwakulu Tabra. While confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations claimed former or repentant insurgents had never enlisted into the organisation.He, however, said considerations were given to the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East distinguished themselves morally and patriotically.