2027: PDP GOVERNORS TURN AGAINST ATIKU
Dons Eze
- October 21, 2024
ENUGU GOVT SUMMONS NSUKKA TRADITIONAL RULERS, PGS OVER BRUTAL ORIOKPA MASQUERADES
ENUGU GOVT SUMMONS NSUKKA TRADITIONAL RULERS, PGS OVER BRUTAL ORIOKPA MASQUERADES Following the excesses of Oriokpa masqueraders, which have reportedly resulted in two fatalities and commotion in parts of Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, the state government has summoned the traditional rulers and Presidents-General of the affected communities. The state government has equally directed a full-scale investigation into the activities of the Oriokpa masquerade groups in the area, vowing to bring the perpetrators to book. This was contained in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, on Thursday. “The Enugu State Government has received reports on the untoward activities of Oriokpa masqueraders in some parts of Nsukka LGA of the state, which has reportedly caused pandemonium, bodily harms, and fatalities in the area. “Consequently, and following the express directive of His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, the traditional rulers and Presidents-General of the town unions of the affected communities are hereby invited to meet with the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, at the State Secretariat on Friday, September 27, 2024. Venue is the Office of the Honourable Commissioner, and time is 1pm prompt. “The affected communities are Nguru, Isiakpu, Echara, Nru, Edem-Ezema, Iheagu, Ihe, Owere, and Umuoyo. “Furthermore, the governor has equally directed the Commissioner of Police to immediately institute a full-scale investigation into the incidents, including the reported fatalities resulting from the activities of the said masquerade groups with a view to bringing whoever is culpable to book,” he said. While commiserating with families of those said to have lost their lives in circumstances connected with the activities of the masquerades, the government has also warned that it would not condone any further excesses by any persons or groups. “Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government frowns at the excesses by whatever any persons or groups. “Our people should never be made to leave in fear, as the rights and security of our women, children, youth, and indeed every citizen and resident of Enugu State must be guaranteed at all times. “Consequently, any such excesses by the Oriokpa masqueraders or any group for that matter will be met with the commensurate sanctions by the government,” the statement concluded. At least, two persons lost their lives earlier in the week as Oriokpa masquerades unleashed mayhem in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, town. The same masquerades, in April this year, attracted outrage after beating a female nurse to a pulp.
APPOINT YAHAYA BELLO MINISTER OF FINANCE – MAHDI SHEHU ON TINUBU’S PROPOSED CABINET RESHUFFLE
APPOINT YAHAYA BELLO MINISTER OF FINANCE – MAHDI SHEHU ON TINUBU’S PROPOSED CABINET RESHUFFLE Political commentator Mahdi Shehu has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as Nigeria’s new Finance Minister. Shehu made the statement in a viral video posted on the official X handle of NEWS CENTRAL TV, where he was responding to a question about the President’s potential plans to reshuffle his cabinet. According to Shehu, none of President Tinubu’s current ministers have performed well, and there is no sector in the country that is functioning effectively. In his view, rather than simply reshuffling the existing cabinet, the President should instead appoint more people, including Yahaya Bello as the new Finance Minister. “I think rather than changing the cabinet, he should increase the cabinet. I recommend he gives more people employment. I recommend that he appoints Yahaya Bello as the Minister of Finance so that he can continue from where he stopped,” Shehu said in the video. The political commentator’s endorsement of Yahaya Bello for the crucial Finance Minister position is a surprising and controversial suggestion, given the former Kogi governor’s own recent allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bello had accused the anti-corruption agency of attempting to tarnish his image for political reasons, claiming that the EFCC was carrying out a “hatchet job” on his behalf. This raised questions about Bello’s own financial management during his time as Kogi’s governor. Shehu, however, appears to have confidence in Bello’s abilities, suggesting that he can “continue from where he stopped” in the finance sector. The commentator also went a step further, recommending that the President appoint his son, Seyi Tinubu, as a minister, stating that “what is the difference between Seyi and a minister?”
PRO-DEMOCRACY OPPOSITIONS ASK NIGERIANS TO JOIN OCTOBER PROTESTS
PRO-DEMOCRACY OPPOSITIONS ASK NIGERIANS TO JOIN OCTOBER MASS PROTESTS The coalition of civic organisations has asked workers and other pro-democracy Nigerians to join the forthcoming protests against bad governance slated for October. In a joint statement on Thursday, the civic groups maintained that Nigerians need to participate actively in the nationwide protests because of President Bola Tinubu’s failure to address issues that pushed millions of citizens to hold the #EndBadGovernance protests in August. The statement was jointly signed by Hassan Taiwo Soweto – National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign (ERC); Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji – Chairman, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC); Francis Nwapa – National Secretary, Youth Rights Campaign (YRC); Abiodun Aremu – Secretary, Joint Action Front (JAF); Adebayo Adedeji – Member, Leadership Council, Movement for African Emancipation (MAE); and Temitope Fagunwa – Co-founder, Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR-Nigeria. The groups added that President Tinubu’s actions in the last few days showed that his government was not ready to listen to the wailings and pains of Nigerians. The statement reads: “We are here once again to invite you on another journey to redeem our nation as we continue to stand against all the anti-poor policies and programmes of the regime that are orchestrated to impoverish our people despite the abundance of wealth to make life easy and more rewarding for all citizens of our dear country. “As is obvious to everyone, none of the demands of our ten days of rage in August has been met. Rather President Bola Ahmed Tinubu simply went ahead to use our national treasury to procure luxury cars, aircraft and other luxuries for himself and the first family without caring a hoot about the plea of hungry Nigerians. To show the absolute disdain that the Federal Government holds the people, Tinubu has gone ahead to now unleash on the Nigerian another round of hike in fuel price earlier this month. “As we speak, price of fuel hovers between N900 per litre to N1900 per liter depending on which parts of the country you are. Meanwhile less than two years ago, a liter of fuel did not cost more than N200 per litre. This is outrageous. This is intolerable. As a direct consequence of this increment, life has become unbearable for many Nigerian people. Many are starving as the increase in fuel price has also impacted food prices. Inflation has rendered the N70,000 new National Minimum wage irrelevant and incapable of bringing any relief to Nigerian workers. “At the same time, the sharp rise in the cost of imported goods has rendered traders and shopkeepers redundant as shops are overflowing with goods that no one is ready to buy. The situation has also affected businesses and industries. Nothing less than ten multinational firms have left the shores of Nigeria between May last year leading to even more job losses. “Based on the foregoing, we of the #EndBadGovernance Movement decided to declare October 1st 2024 as “National Day of Survival”. On this day, we call on the Nigerian people, workers, students, youth, the unemployed, traders and the poor to come out in peaceful protest and demonstrations against the excruciating condition of hardship, poverty and hunger imposed on us by President Tinubu’s decision to implement IMF/World Bank-inspired anti-poor capitalist policies of fuel price hike, electricity tariff hike, school fees hike, and naira devaluation. “We also call on the Nigerian people to utilize this day to demand with one voice the immediate and unconditional release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters in police and prison custodies as well as freedom for detained journalists, whistleblowers, activists and all victims of state repression.” The groups explained further one of the many reasons they backed the planned protest is “that whereas every October 1st is a day to…
SGF AKUME LISTS TINUBU’S ACHIEVEMENTS AHEAD OF INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
SGF AKUME LISTS TINUBU’S ACHIEVEMENTS AHEAD OF INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on Thursday, stated that the current administration has made significant achievements that have positively impacted the daily lives of citizens.He specifically highlighted the introduction of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas initiative, which according to him has alleviated transportation difficulties for the populace.Addressing journalists at a World Press Conference to mark the 64th Independence anniversary, Akume said that, to encourage the conversion to CNG-powered land transportation, the government has begun distributing CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians.He said, “Before I unveil the approved program of activities, I wish to mention a few of the accomplishments of this administration that impact our citizens in their daily lives.“Recently, President Bola Tinubu GCFR followed through with his promises to ease transportation difficulties of our citizens with the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) and the launch of the first phase of thirty buses powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).“This is a work in progress because the Presidential Initiative is designed to expand across all geo-political zones of the country. The government has also commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train head for the Abuja-Kaduna track. This is intended to cut the cost of travel by up to fifty per cent when fully operational.“To encourage conversion to CNG-powered land transportation, the government has also commenced the distribution of CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians. The benefit of the CNG transport system to Nigerians is a huge reduction in cost.”Akume also said the president also gave priority to the growth of the economy through the SMEs.He added, “By doing so, he( the president ) has re-focused on strengthening the backbone of our economy by empowering Nigerians to start or grow their businesses.“The President has similarly repositioned the National Social Investment Programme to effectively address the challenges facing the poor, the vulnerable, the underserved, and the elderly.“Nigerian workers have also benefited from a newly approved National Minimum Wage. This is coming on the heels of the Wage Award paid to mitigate the plight of the workers.”Akume added that a total of 22,120 students have benefited from N 2.5bn disbursed by the Nigerian Students Loan Fund.He said, “In the area of human capital development, the Nigerian Students Loan Fund has disbursed the sum of N2.5 billion to over 22,120 beneficiaries across higher institutions in the nation. This is a welcome relief for parents and an opportunity to access education by indigent students.“Insecurity in different parts of the country has been a recurring challenge for successive governments since 1999.“This administration has succeeded in elevating the human and institutional capacity of the armed services and other security agencies to tackle these challenges of insurgency, banditry, and other criminal activities including kidnapping. This is already yielding results as insurgents and bandits are getting neutralised in large numbers while several others are surrendering to the authorities for deradicalisation.”Akume noted that the government had learned from the flood ravaging many states of the country, adding that efforts had been stepped up to prevent a reoccurrence.He said, “The rainy season has similarly posed its challenges. As a result of climate change and other environmental factors, the country has experienced serious flooding in several states, resulting in fatalities and destruction of infrastructure, personal belongings, shelter, livelihoods, etc.“The humanitarian response of the Federal Government has been swift and effective. The government has drawn lessons from the current situation and has stepped up planning and prevention strategies.”He assured Nigerians that the president was aware of the economic situation of the country, adding that efforts were being made to cushion the immediate impact and to create new opportunities on a short-, medium- and long-term basis.Akume said,…
NIGERIA @64: TINUBU ORDERS LOW KEY INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
NIGERIA @ 64: TINUBU ORDERS LOW-KEY INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION President Bola Tinubu has approved a subdued celebration for Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, reflecting the nation’s current economic challenges. The decision was announced by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday. “In alignment with the mood of the nation, the President has approved that the 64th Independence celebration should be low-keyed,” Akume stated. He emphasised that the scaled-back commemoration was designed to “remind us about our strength when we stay united, our progress despite the challenges, the beauty of our diversity, the quantum leap this administration has taken within the short period in office and the beacon of a better future for all, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.” He said the program of events includes a World Press Conference, Special Juma’at Prayer, Inter-denominational Church Service, Presidential Broadcast, and a 64th Independence Anniversary Parade, at the Presidential Villa. Notably absent on the line-up are the usually grand celebrations associated with the national holiday. Akume acknowledged the economic hardships facing Nigerians, particularly in the wake of recent policy decisions. He said, “this government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much aware of and deeply sympathises with all Nigerians over the economic conditions we are passing through. “These have been occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including the removal of fuel subsidies, that his administration has had to make.” To mitigate the challenges, Akume highlighted several government initiatives. These include the Presidential CNG Initiative to ease transportation costs, with the recent launch of “thirty buses powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).” He also mentioned the distribution of “CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians” and efforts to strengthen support for SMEs. Addressing other national concerns, Akume noted progress in tackling insecurity, stating that “insurgents and bandits are getting neutralised in large numbers while several others are surrendering to the authorities for deradicalisation.” He also touched on the government’s response to recent flooding and efforts to boost food security. As Nigeria marks its 64th year of independence amid these challenges, Akume called for national unity and resilience. “Let us therefore stand united, resilient, and hopeful,” the SGF urged.
COURT SENTENCES FIVE OFFA BANK ROBBERS TO DEATH
COURT SENTENCES FIVE OFFA BANK ROBBERS TO DEATH Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court has convicted five suspects involved in the notorious Offa robbery incident, finding them guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide. The court ruled that these crimes, which occurred in April 2018, are punishable by death. News360 Nigeria recalls that six suspects, a policeman, Michael Adikwu (deceased), Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham were arrested in connection with the bloody armed robbery incident. Ayoade Akinnibosun and four others are currently standing trial in the case which began on November 11, 2018. On April 5, 2018, some suspected armed robbers attacked five commercial banks in the ancient Offa town in the Offa local government area of Kwara State, killing over 30 persons in the process, including nine policemen. The five suspects, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham and two others were charged to court by the police for criminal conspiracy to rob the banks, murder of nine policemen and other citizens, and illegal possession of firearms. Michael Adikwu died in police custody, while the remaining five pleaded not guilty. This ruling marks a significant step in the long-standing legal process related to one of Nigeria’s most infamous robberies.
NIGERIA DID NOT LOSE $49.8B UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION – GOODLUCK JONATHAN
NIGERIA DID NOT LOSE $49.8B UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION – GOODLUCK JONATHAN Former President Goodluck Jonathan says Nigeria did not lose $49.8 billion under his administration as stated by the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, in his new book. Jonathan spoke Thursday in Abuja at the launch of the book titled: “and he is inPublic Policy and Agent Interests: Perspectives from The Emerging World”. The book was edited by former Minister of Finance, Shamsuddeen Usman. According to the former President, the country cannot lose such an amount and still be able to pay salaries. “I need to say why I did not quite agree with him. All that he wrote was on some of the issues, especially the one that is related to me. “He said he was sacked because he blew the whistle that the federal government lost $49.8 billion. It’s not quite correct. It was not that he was sacked. He was suspended,” he said. Jonathan said the Financial Reporting Council of CBN couldn’t investigate the allegations due to limited time. “Before we could finish, his tenure was already over. Probably we would have called him back,” he said. “Till today, I’m not convinced that the federal government lost $49.8 billion. “After they came up with more figures; first $49.8 billion, later 20 billion, later 12 billion. So, I don’t even know the correct one,” he said. He, however, said after forensic audits, nobody was able to say $50 billion was missing, adding, “The report they came up with was that there is $1.48 billion dollars that they couldn’t really give a proper account and that NNPC should pay that money to the federation account.”
FEDERAL WORKERS BEGIN TO RECEIVE N70,000 MINIMUM WAGE
FEDERAL WORKERS BEGIN TO RECEIVE N70,000 MINIMUM WAGE Civil servants under the federal government payroll have started receiving the new minimum wage payment from today, Thursday, the 26th of September. The Spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa disclosed this in an exclusive interview with on Thursday. He assured that workers will begin to get alert of their new minimum wage salary payment starting from today. However, Mokwa did not state if the minimum wage would be paid alongside its arrears. He told our correspondent, “Federal Government civil servants will start getting the new minimum wage from today(Thursday) this September 2024. What I can tell you is that the minimum wage salary payment is today I am not sure of the arrears”, he told DAILY POST. His comment comes after the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, on Tuesday confirmed that the government has approved the upward review of consolidated public service salary structure, CONPSS in line with the minimum wage(Amendment) Act, 2024. This followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of N70,000 new Minimum wage on July 18, 2024. Thereafter, the Senate passed the new minimum wage bill into law.
NIGERIA NOT RIPE FOR TOTAL SUBSIDY REMOVAL – ECONOMIST
NIGERIA NOT RIPE FOR TOTAL SUBSIDY REMOVAL – ECONOMIST An economist and public affairs analyst, Dr Samson Simon has urged the Federal Government not to heed advice for the total removal of subsidy on petrol. Simon, who is the Chief Economist, Economics & Data Limited was reacting to the interview granted Bloomberg Tv by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, wherein he urged the government to completely remove subsidy. He, however, said it was not the right thing to do at the moment considering that the country does not have sufficient local refining capacity. Speaking in an exclusive interview, he observed that “theoretically, on paper, removal of subsidy is the best thing, it frees up resources to attend to more critical needs of the state, such as education, healthcare, infrastructure. “But we have tried to remove subsidy and we have failed woefully, and while we have inflicted maximum pains on Nigerians by hiking the pump price of fuel, we are still even paying more for subsidy, that means there is a problem somewhere. “I think what we are not getting right is that we need to ensure domestic refining, and then domestic supply of feedstock to these refineries, by the way it should not be limited to Dangote, because Dangote is a businessman, he is after profit and when he is a monopolist, he is even more dangerous.” The economist also cautioned against allowing monopoly to thrive in the market, warning that Nigerians would suffer for it. “There should be a competition. We have been a net exporter of cement for a while now and it has not really been a blessing in the sense that those people that are manufacturing cement charge more than the global average. “So, domestic refining does not necessarily translate to lower prices; there is a need for us to ensure competition. “Even for cement, I know that Dangote is not the sole-manufacturer of cement but he controls more than 60 percent of the market. One of things defining monopoly is not necessarily having a sole supplier, but a dominant supplier, it is still a monopoly and that is why we are all feeling the pains. “In the same manner, I don’t think this is the right time. Yes, Dangote should be encouraged, but we may still suffer enough if we allow him to be the sole person now, all of us are going to feel the pain of it.” He added that, “while we try to remove subsidy, we have to look for ways to bring down the pump price of fuel, they are not mutually exclusive, in the sense that we can still remove subsidy, it is just a means to an end, you are not requesting for subsidy for the sake of subsidy, but so that you have a lower pump price. “So, if there is a strategy to bring down the pump price of fuel, while not paying for subsidy, I think that will be excellent, there is nothing that will be better than that “And the strategy I have in mind is domestic feedstock and domestic refining, not only for Dangote but for the general oil industry in Nigeria. That will go a long way in helping fix the problem.” ‘
WE’RE EXECUTING OVER 1,000 PROJECTS IN ENUGU – PETER MBAH
WE’RE EXECUTING OVER 1,000 PROJECTS IN ENUGU – PETER MBAH Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has said his administration is currently executing over 1,000 landmark projects across the state which would be completed in record time, in addition to the ongoing recruitment of 15,000 smart school teachers and skilled workers into the state’s workforce. Mbah who disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu during a brief chat with some select youths and media practitioners drawn from across the Southeast zone who paid a courtesy visit to his office, also stressed that 11,000 new smart school teachers were undergoing recruitment and training process at the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation in the state. While fielding questions from the curious youths on why his administration was in a haste to develop the state, the governor said his leadership approach was borne out of a well-researched disruptive and innovative model that would radically change the trajectory of governance in the state. He said the ongoing 260 Smart Green Schools in the state would redefine the way students learn and acquire knowledge that would help them compete with their peers in advanced countries, adding that the cut-off programme designed into the curriculum would introduce children at the age of 3 to new technologies and migrate them to digital learning process. According to him, new smart teachers that would impact knowledge at the smart schools were undergoing training that would professionalise their career in the teaching service as well as equip them with the requisite knowledge to navigate the new curriculum where students would be taught artificial intelligence, mechatronics, robotics, creativity and innovation. On the administration’s efforts in the health sector, the governor said 260 Type-2 Primary Health Centres across the electoral wards were under construction with some of them already completed, adding that the state had recruited hundreds of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to provide services across the board. While underscoring the significant renovation and re-equipment efforts the state has made on existing hospitals to meet the needs of the people, Mbah pointed at the recent contract awarding the construction and completion of a 300-bed world-class hospital at Rangers Avenue, Enugu, aimed at making Enugu the hub of medical tourism in Nigeria. He further stressed that the completion of the ongoing International Conference Centre, 5-Star Hotel, Presidential Hotel, operationalization of the international wing of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, and the transport infrastructure terminals at the Market Road, Ogbete, Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka, which will all be delivered within specified timeline, will make the state the tourist and investor’s destination of choice. Governor Mbah equally seized the opportunity to refute the misinformation that his administration had increased taxes in the state, explaining that the state government does not have the power to increase tax arbitrarily without a legal backing from the federal government. Clarifying the state’s policy on taxation, Mbah said what the administration did was to merely expand the tax net to capture those at the informal sector who were hitherto not paying or had been evading tax but were captured under the existing laws. “We have not increased tax in the state. In fact, we don’t have the power to arbitrarily increase tax. It is a matter of law. Any increment in tax must come from the federal government. We have only expanded the tax net, strengthened the procedure and plugged leakages in the process of revenue generation through the use of technology,” he said. The governor also revealed that his administration was presently empowering thousands of traders and smallholder farmers, particularly in rural areas, with seed and start-up capital and other technical supports as a way of lifting them out of the pit of poverty, investing in human capital development and increasing…