TENSIONS RISE BETWEEN ANAMBRA, IMO OVER KILLING OF TWO RESIDENTS BY SOLUDO’S AGUNECHEMBA

TENSIONS RISE BETWEEN ANAMBRA, IMO OVER KILLING OF TWO RESIDENTS BY SOLUDO’S AGUNECHEMBA The fragile peace between Anambra and Imo States is under threat following the alleged extrajudicial killing of two Imo residents by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s security outfit, ‘Agunechemba.’ The victims, who were reportedly working on a construction project in Owerre-Ezukala, Anambra State, were shot and labeled as “unknown gunmen” during a security raid. Residents of Owerre-Ezukala in Orumba South LGA expressed outrage, condemning the killings and describing the victims—Malachy Chimaobi Iwuanyanwu and Odinkalu Chinonso from Imo State, along with Kosisochukwu from Isuofia—as innocent individuals caught in a flawed security operation. The raid, initially aimed at kidnapping and ritual crime suspects, resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, but local reports suggest security operatives acted without proper intelligence, leading to civilian casualties. Following the killings, anger has spread to Ehime Mbano LGA in Imo State, where some residents have vowed retaliation against Anambra indigenes entering their area for work. In leaked audio messages, voices threaten reprisal attacks if the Anambra State government fails to address the incident and hold those responsible accountable. Despite repeated attempts, neither Governor Soludo’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, nor other government officials have responded to inquiries regarding the killings. As tensions rise, calls for justice and accountability grow louder, with many demanding a full report on extrajudicial killings in Anambra to prevent further violence between the two states.

KENNETH OKONKWO QUITS LABOUR PARTY, GIVES REASONS

KENNETH OKONKWO QUITS LABOUR PARTY, GIVES REASONS A former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2023, Kenneth Okonkwo, has announced his resignation from the party. Announcing his resignation from the party on Tuesday, Kenneth Okonkwo thanked Nigerians for the support they gave the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election. “We were the only party that had 25% foothold in all six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory. I believe that we won the election under the Labour Party with your support but were denied the victory through technical glitch”, he said. He stated that by February 25, 2025, it will be two years after the 2023 presidential election and two years before the next presidential election. “It’s a democratic convention worldwide that effective political consultations, alignments, and re-alignments commence two years to the next election. Unfortunately, the Labour Party, as presently constituted, is not in a position to be part of that political force that will determine the political future of Nigeria. According to him, Labour Party as presently constituted does not exist. “In the constitution of Labour Party, the tenure of the ward, local government, and state party executives is three years. Having conducted no congresses at these levels within the constitutionally allowed tenure of the executives, their regimes have effectively expired. “The former National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, and his former National Working Committee, having conducted no national convention known to law, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the courts having held that the issue of the leadership of a political party is the internal affair of a political party for which the courts do not have the jurisdiction to entertain, there’s no effective leadership of Labour Party at the national level. “The Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, which was duly and legally set up by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party, after the non-recognition of Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) by INEC, and was given six months to conduct congresses and the convention, was the only viable option towards salvaging the Labour Party. “Unfortunately, Abure and his colleagues, with the collaboration of outside forces, launched unnecessary legal challenges against this Caretaker Committee that have inhibited it from functioning. It’s more than six months after the inauguration of the Committee, and the Committee has not even taken off, leading many to conclude that the objective of these politicians of bread and butter with their outside collaborators is to bog down the serious members of Labour Party with frivolous and unnecessary litigation till the 2027 election is over. Isn’t it curious that a national executive of a political party whose elected members are defecting everyday to other parties, and who can not wage legal battles to recover these seats for their party, is waging ferocious legal battles to maintain their destructive, choking hold on the party. ” It’s obvious that Abure is not interested in the survival of Labour Party as he is interested in the survival of his pocket. If he is interested in the emergence of a southern candidate in Labour Party to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, going by the convention of having a northern national chairman of a party and a southern presidential candidate of the same party, whenever going into election, the first thing he would have done is to cede the position of national chairman to the North since the party is interested in fielding a presidential candidate from the South. “This was the suggestion of people like us who are genuinely interested in the survival and flourishing of Labour Party. Nigerians, especially the North, may have overlooked the combination of both the … national chairman and presidential candidate from…

ABIA PDP SUSPENDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN, ADOLPHUS WABARA

ABIA PDP SUSPENDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN, ADOLPHUS WABARA Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, over alleged anti-party activities. Confirming the suspension in an interview with Enyimba FM, the state PDP chairman, Abraham Amah, stated that the decision was taken by the State Executive Committee (SEC) due to Wabara’s breach of party loyalty. According to Amah, Wabara publicly endorsed Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party, for a second term in office in October 2023—barely five months after Otti’s inauguration. He described the endorsement as an act of sabotage against the PDP, bringing the party into disrepute. Amah cited Chapter 10, Article 58C and F of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), which prohibits such actions and provides grounds for disciplinary measures under Article 59-1. When asked whether the suspension was related to Wabara’s involvement in the ongoing controversy surrounding the national secretary position of the PDP, Amah dismissed such claims, insisting that the decision was based solely on Wabara’s actions. He also explained that while the party had intended to take action earlier, Wabara had been on medical vacation on three occasions, delaying the process. However, the SEC deemed it appropriate to act now that he is available. On why the suspension did not originate from the ward level, Amah clarified that the PDP Constitution empowers the SEC to discipline any member found guilty of infractions, irrespective of their rank within the party. “The constitution provides multiple ways to carry out this type of duty,” Amah stated, emphasizing the SEC’s authority in such matters.

CBN INCREASES ATM TRANSACTION FEES, BANKS BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION MARCH 1

CBN INCREASES ATM TRANSACTION FEES BANKS BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION MARCH 1 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a review on the transaction fees for automated teller machines (ATMs) In a circular signed by John Onojah, acting director of financial policy and regulation department, the CBN said the revised charges will take effect from March 1. The regulator said the move would address rising operational costs and enhance efficiency in the banking sector. The last time ATM transactions charges were reviewed was in 2019, when the CBN reduced the withdrawal fees from N65 to N35. While the latest increase means Nigerians will pay more for ATM transactions, the apex bank said the review is in line with Section 10.7 of the ‘CBN guide to charges by banks, other financial and non-bank financial institutions (2020)’. “In response to rising costs and the need to improve efficiency of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services in the banking industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed the ATM transaction fees prescribed in Section 10.7 of the extant CBN Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, 2020. (the Guide),” CBN said. “This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service. “Accordingly, banks and other financial institutions are advised to apply the following fees with effect from March 1, 2025.” According to the new policy, customers withdrawing from their bank’s ATMs (on-us transactions) will continue to enjoy free withdrawals. However, a N100 fee per N20,000 withdrawal will be applied at on-site ATMs (those located at bank branches). For withdrawals at ATMs of other banks (Not-on-Us transactions), an off-site withdrawal will attract a N100 fee plus a surcharge of up to N450 per N20,000 withdrawal. The CBN clarified that the surcharge is the income of the “ATM deployer/acquirer and must be disclosed to consumers at the point of withdrawal”. For international withdrawals using debit or credit cards, the CBN said banks and financial institutions are now permitted to apply “a cost-recovery charge equivalent to the exact amount charged by the international acquirer”. “Furthermore, the three free monthly withdrawals allowed for Remote-On-Us (other bank’s customers/Not-On-Us consumers) in Nigeria under Section 10.6.2 of the Guide shall no longer apply,” CBN added. The apex bank urged all financial institutions to comply with the new directives ahead of the implementation date.

SUSPEND TELECOM TARIFF HIKE – HOUSE OF REPS DIRECTS NCC, MINISTER

SUSPEND TELECOM TARIFF HIKE – HOUSE OF REPS DIRECTS NCC, MINISTER The House of Representatives Tuesday directed the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and the Nigerian Communications Commissions, NCC, to suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until services are improved. The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved at the plenary on Tuesday by Oforji Oboku. Presenting the motion, the lawmaker recalled that speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting with Mobile Network Operators in Abuja on Wednesday 8th of January, 2025, Tijani disclosed that telecommunication tariffs would soon increase. The lawmaker stressed that the argument of the telecommunications companies for the hike includes, the cost of investment, better networks, increasing demand for digital services across sectors such as education, banking and healthcare, amongst others. Oboku recalled that telecommunications companies had been advocating for the hike for the last 11 years, according to the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, ATCON. The lawmaker noted that the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has rejected the proposed increase in tariffs, describing it as insensitive and a further burden on consumers already grappling with economic hardship, and poor network service delivery. He explained that the telcos need cost- reflective tariffs in the face of adverse economic realities like a record inflation of 34.6 percent in November 2024 and losses resulting from foreign exchange fluctuations. “It is imperative that the telecommunications companies improve on their service delivery (poor network), which Nigerians have been yearning for in years, before embarking on the increase in their tariffs.” The lawmaker expressed concern that the far reaching effects of these price hikes would deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology to drive economic revival, exacerbate poverty and widen existing inequalities, hitting lower income families the hardest. Oboku argued that affordable connectivity is a must for progress in critical sectors like digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture and e- governance. After a debate, the House resolved: “To urge the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commissions to suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until their service improved.”

THEY’RE PLANNING TO ARREST, DETAIN ME – EL RUFAI RAISES ALARM

THEY’RE PLANNING TO ARREST, DETAIN ME – EL RUFAI RAISE ALARM Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has raised concerns over the possibility of his arrest and detention. El-Rufai claimed to have heard rumors about his potential arrest but stated that he has no intention of going into exile. In a post on X on Tuesday, the former governor said his adversaries are allegedly trying to force him out of the country. He disclosed this while responding to a user and staunch supporter, Imran Wakili, regarding the alleged plot to arrest and detain him. El-Rufai, who is currently in Egypt, said he plans to return to Nigeria before February 20. “I will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before,” El-Rufai wrote. “They have sent similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family, and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile. “I have now put all my previous academic and language-learning plans on hold. Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option. “The arrest, detention, and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views about previous governments. “There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it is when Allah destines it, and it is ultimately the date of every human. “For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February. “We depend on no one but Allah. We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst.” El-Rufai is currently involved in a face-off with supporters of President Bola Tinubu and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He recently accused the APC of lacking internal democracy, citing the fact that the party’s organs have not met in the past two years.

TELECOM OPERATORS INCREASE TARIFFS, FROM 2K TO 6K

TELECOM OPERATORS INCREASE TARIFFS, FROM 2K TO 6K Nigerians have gone on social media to lament after they woke up to see that their mobile operators have increased tariffs. This realisation caused a number of popular telcos to trend on social media. Social media users lamented that an internet bundle that used to be available for N2K for 15GB of data is now N6,000 for the same 15GB of data. Nigerians took to social media to lament this increase, while pointing out that the economic situation just keeps worsening by the day. Recall that in January 2025, the NCC approved a request for tariff adjustment by operators after telcos’ agitation for cost-reflective prices in the face of harsh economic conditions. The NCC capped the increase at a maximum of 50% of the current tariffs, though lower than the over 100% requested by some network operators. However, the current increase being experienced by users shows that the increase might have exceeded 50% in some cases.

FUBARA: END TO RASCALITY IS NEAR – WIKE’S CAMP REACTS TO SUPREME COURT RULING

FUBARA: END TO RASCALITY IS NEAR – WIKE’S CAMP REACTS TO SUPREME COURT RULING Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, has stated that Monday’s Supreme Court ruling marks the beginning of the end for what he described as Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s ‘rascality.’Reacting to the court’s decision, which dismissed the Governor’s appeal, Amaewhule, in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Martins Wachukwu, outlined the background leading to the Supreme Court’s verdict. Amaewhule recalled that on January 22, 2024, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice J.K. Omotosho, ruled in favor of the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers. Dissatisfied with the ruling, Fubara pursued an appeal at the Court of Appeal, which subsequently upheld the lower court’s judgment. Following the Court of Appeal’s decision, Fubara escalated the matter to the Supreme Court. However, the apex court dismissed the appeal, effectively bringing the legal battle to a close. He said: “The Supreme Court has spoken, and the people of Rivers State are elated with this judgement,” the Speaker declared; commending the five-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court for upholding justice and reaffirming the rule of law. Expressing gratitude, Amaewhule acknowledged the support of Rivers State leaders, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for standing by the Assembly throughout the legal process. He criticized Governor Fubara for allegedly withholding the Assembly’s statutory entitlements for nearly a year, stating that the move was an attempt to starve them of resources. According to him, Monday’s judgment has reinforced their trust in the judiciary, accusing Fubara of repeatedly disregarding court orders. He also cautioned that the Governor would be closely watched to see whether he complies with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Addressing concerns over vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Amaewhule explained that one former member had passed away, another had abandoned their duties, and three additional seats were declared vacant due to absenteeism. He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections to fill the vacant positions. Amaewhule further reminded Fubara of the injunctive orders issued by Justice Omotosho, which barred the Governor from withholding funds meant for the Assembly. He said: “The end to this rascality is very near,” emphasizing the Assembly’s commitment to fulfilling the mandate entrusted to them by the electorate. He also accused the Governor of spending taxpayers’ money for a year without proper appropriation, alleging that this was in defiance of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal rulings.

POLICE RETIREMENT CRISIS FESTERS

POLICE RETIREMENT CRISIS FESTERS The simmering crisis in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is beginning to fester as senior officers who have clocked 60 years of age and those who have served 35 years in the force have refused to exit more than one week after they were ordered to retire. Findings by our correspondent at the weekend showed that the affected officers were still banking on the case instituted against the Police Service Commission (PSC) at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria where they are currently challenging the commission’s directive. However, speaking, the Commission said it was not aware that any police officer has refused to retire as directed. Some of the affected officers, who spoke to this newspaper on Sunday, submitted that they would not have considered a legal option against the PSC’s directive had it been the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was not extended. “It is not today people started retiring from the police force, ours would not be the last, but what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Some people may want to argue that the position of IG is political, the truth is that all of us are in the service. “It is not that Mr Egbetokun had exited the force before he was appointed. Look at the position of PSC chairman, that one is purely political but the position of IG should also follow civil service rules in order to allow other officers to grow,” one of the affected officers said. When asked to clarify whether they were challenging the IGP’s tenure extension in court, the affected officer said they weren’t challenging the top cop’s extension for now but the PSC’s directive that ordered them to retire. It would be recalled that the PSC at a meeting in Abuja earlier this month ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have either exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60. The spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, recalled that the Commission at its 24th Plenary Meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017, approved that the Force Entrants should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment. “The Commission has passionately revisited their decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of a merger of service in the public service, and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age. “Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” Ani had said. But the force headquarters in a wireless message from the office of the Force Secretary and dated February 5, 2025, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Trust, directed the affected officers to stay action pending further directive. The signal partly read, “INGENPOL strongly directs all officers affected by the PSC’s directive to stay action, pending further directive. This directive should be strictly complied with.” FHQ compiles officers’ names above 60; IGP sets up disciplinary c’ttee However, a new twist came into the matter at the weekend as the police high command began compilation of names of the affected officers with a view to submitting the same to the police service commission for further action. It was learnt that the names were being compiled by a disciplinary committee set up by IGP Egbetokun. Sources familiar with the developments confided…