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President Tinubu’s First Year Anniversary Will Be Low Key – Information Minister

May 22, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

To reflect the mood of the nation occasioned by the high cost of living, the Federal Government has announced that the ceremony marking the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will be low-key.

Inaugurated on May 29, 2023, the present administration announced withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products and since then, cost of goods and services has been skyrocketed.

Despite various measures such as palliatives, provision of mass transit buses introduced to cushioned effects of the subsidy withdrawal, Nigerians continue to groan, while the price of petrol continue to soar.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced on Wednesday in Abuja that the day would be marked without much funfare.

It is, however, not clear if the Government intends to hold the ceremony on 12th June, the day officially recognized as Democracy Day or May 29.

Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration was being held on May 29 before President Mohammadu Buhari changed it to 12th June in commemoration of the 1993, presidential election annulled by the Military Government.

Election data showed Moshood Abiola won the polls but he was never formally declared winner and was not sworn into office by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida.

Details of the one year anniversary still remain sketchy as the Minister did not elaborate on the programme.

Imo Governorship Election: Uzodinma Knows Fate As Election Tribunal Delivers Judgement

The Source

May 22, 2024

By Gideon Njoku

To stay in office or not? That is the question on the lips of many Imolites as the Imo State Governorship Election Tribunal delivers judgement in the case filed against Governor Hope Uzodinma, separately, by the Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, aka, Sam Daddy, and that of the Labour Party, LP, Senator Athan Achonu.

The Judgement will be delivered on Friday, May 24, 2024, by the Tribunal which has been sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory since it was constituted by 9.00am

Governor Uzodinma had defeated both Candidates and others in a landslide and was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which conducted the Election on November 11, 2023. He won in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the State, and left the other Candidates empty handed. He was sworn into office for his second term in office in January 2024.

While Uzodinma has been treating the case as nothing, preferring to focus on his job, both Anyanwu and Achonu have each been boasting of victory on May 24.

Already, tension is running high in the State as thousands of Imolites await the outcome.

In anticipation of the judgement, hundreds of Party faithful from the APC, PDP and LP have emptied into Abuja.

Whatever, losers are likely to proceed to the Appeal Court.

Cross River Assembly Lawmakers Sack Speaker

Ayodele Oni

May 22, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The power tussle at the Cross River State House of Assembly has consumed its first casualty. Speaker Elvert Anyambem has been impeached.

Ayambem was impeached in the early hours of Wednesday by his colleagues over alleged gross misconduct and administrative high handedness.

Ayambem represents Ikom 2 State Constituency. He was elected Speaker of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023.

It was gathered that the plot to remove Anyambem has been on for over months as members have been expressing misgivings at his conduct.

As at Wednesday, over 20 members had signed up for his impeachment and the motion for his removal was moved on the floor of the House by member representing Calabar South 1, Hon. Effiong Ekarika and seconded by Charles Omang.

After impeaching him, the mace was taken away by the members.

Onyeagucha, Imo’s Former SSG, Resigns From PDP

The Source

May 22, 2024

By Charles Igbo

Honourable Uche Onyeagucha, Lawyer and former Secretary to the Imo State Government, SSG, under the short-lived administration of the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Onyeagucha, a former member of the House of Representatives, resigned from the PDP in a letter dated May 20, 2024, addressed to the Chairman of his Obinze Ward, Owerri West Local Government Area.

Titled LETTER OF RESIGNATION OF MY MEMBERSHIP OF PDP, Onyeagucha wrote: “In furtherance of the exercise of my Fundamental Right to Freedom of Association, I write to inform you that I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party and hereby request that my name be struck out from the membership records of the Party with immediate effect.

“I wish you and the party well in future endeavors.”

Onyeagucha’s resignation is a continuation of the run in the embattled Imo State Chapter of the PDP since the resignation of Ihedioha from the Party.

Ihedioha’s resignation triggered an unprecedented mass resignation of Party members from the Party, including every who-is-who and members in whole Local Government Areas

It is not known where Onyeagucha and others are headed to, but it is believed they are waiting for Ihedioha to make a decision on which Party they would empty into. For now, Ihedioha and his loyalists are operating under the fledging Rebuild Imo Forum.

There are strong speculations that they could be headed to the LP while others say APC.

However, unconfirmed sources insist they would empty into a new Mega Party allegedly being midwifed by a number of who-is-who in the PDP, LP, APGA and some other mushroom political parties.

Onyeagucha was the Candidate of the PDP for the Owerri Senatorial District during the 2023 General Elections. He was defeated by Senator Ezinwa Onyewuchi of the Labour Party, the man he forced to quit the PDP for the LP.

Onyewuchi was poised to contest for a second term to the Senate, but Onyeagucha suddenly declared interest and defeated Onyewuchi in the PDP Senatorial Primary, a defeat which Onyewuchi turned into joy by defeating Onyeagucha in main election.

Since his defeat by Onyewuchi for the Senatorial seat, nothing much has been heard of/from the fiery Onyeagucha, politically, until his resignation, now, from the PDP.

“My Visit To LP HQs Reconciliatory, Not Endorsement Of Anybody Or Group, I Also Met With NLC/TUC Political Arm” – Peter Obi

Adesina Soyooye

May 22, 2024

By Adesina Soyooye

Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election has debunked the story which made the rounds on Tuesday that he has endorsed Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Party.

Obi was at the Party Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, his first since the controversial and much condemned National Convention of the Party held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Obi was absent at the Convention during which Abure was reelected as the Chairman, and so was the only LP Governor, Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State, and some other Party stalwarts and partners, including the Nigerian Labour Congress. The NLC had asked for the cancellation of the Convention and the removal of Abure as Chairman of the Party.

Since then, the Party has been experiencing internal crisis.

Contrary to the belief of an endorsement of Abure and the NWC, Obi said his visit to the Labour Party headquarters in” Abuja on Tuesday was a reconciliatory move not to endorse any group interest in the party.”

A statement signed on his behalf by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Spokesperson for his Media Office, noted that “Obi

had repeatedly maintained that his interest was to carry everybody along into one strong family and not to endorse anyone’s interest.

“The visit was part of the consultations Obi has been embarking on in search of peace in the party.

“In line with this, he also met with the political arm of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Trade Union Congress, and TUC, on Wednesday in continuation of his search for peace in the party.

“At his meeting with the workers’ union, the leadership of the NLC/TUC political commission led by comrade Titus Amba and comrade Chris Uyot was also disposed to peace in the party.

“At the meeting, he clearly made the point that the party needed to reconcile all various positions in a peaceful atmosphere to have a united house that should be all-inclusive.

“He thanked the leadership of the political commission for their understanding and expressed the hope for a good working relationship very shortly.

“The LP standards bearer also plans to meet with other critical stakeholders like the Obidient to have an qall-inclusive political family with a common dream of rescuing Nigeria.”

Details of Obi’s discussion with the groups have not been made people.

Civil Right Groups Take Campaign Against Oil Contracts For Ex-Militants To US, British, German Leaders

Akinwale Kasali

May 22, 2024

CSC-MAP Protest agains award of contract to ex-militants

By Akinwale Kasali

A Coalition of 45 Civil Society Groups under the aegis of Civil Society Coalition tor Mandate Protection, CSC-MAP stormed the Embassies of United State of America, United Kingdom and Germany to hand over their protest letters to President Joe Biden of the United States, the British Prime Minister, Mr Rishi Sunak and the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, urging them to impress on the Nigerian Government to halt the consistent award of oil pipeline protection contracts to ex-militants.

The Group’s protest letter was well received by officials of the foreign missions.

The protesters, in their hundreds, asked the Western nations to impress on the Nigerian government to stop the award of oilProtesters protection to ex-militants. The deal by the Nigerian authorities, the Group insisted, is a recipe for armed conflict in the Niger-Delta.

Led by their officials, Popoola Ajayi, Nagbari Williams, Adeleye Taiwo, Mahmud Nasir and Fred Ojinika, the group said the award of sum of N4 billion worth of oil pipeline protection contracts to former armed rebels fuels the proliferation of illicit arms in the Niger-Delta.

The CSC-MAP officials were invited for a meeting by the Foreign Missions.

Copies of the letters made available to the Media read in part: “Your country is also a member of the United Nations, (UN) and a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council. It is our humble opinion that you can and should use your position to influence critical problems that threaten peace and stability anywhere in the world”.

The Group said Nigeria is a leading oil producing country in the world and majority of the oil produced in Nigeria come from the Niger-Delta region, home to diverse ethnic groups.

It stressed that, “In recent years, the Niger-Delta has witnessed significant resistance by groups calling for greater revenue allocation to the oil producing communities an age-long request that culminated in the emergence of late Ken Saro Wiwa who led a peaceful struggle of the Ogoni indigenous people the cause of which led to his judicial murder in November 1995”.

Popoola, the Executive Secretary of the Group said that the main actor in the various armed conflict in Nigeria, notorious for leading armed gangs in various armed conflict between him and many ethnic groups in the Niger-Delta having forcefully seized their ancestral lands is currently receiving billions of Naira from Nigerian Government to protect oil pipelines.

“It is on record that Mr Government Ekpemuopolo, Popularly known as Tompolo, was a very active member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, which committed various atrocities against civilians, military men and police, many of who were killed by his armed groups. MEND was also responsible for the October 1, Independence Day 2010 bombing of Abuja which killed at least 12 people”.

The group said in 2009, Tompolo was declared wanted by the Nigerian Government after he was linked to a spree of killings in the Niger-Delta.

It added that In February 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, declared Tompolo wanted after two bench warrants were issued against him by a Federal High Court in Lagos after he had been charged with N45.9bn fraud.

“On June 27, 2009, the Nigerian Government began an Amnesty programme for Niger-Delta militants. Tompolo accepted the Amnesty on October 4, 2009. After the Amnesty, Tompolo set up a company, TANITA which obtained a N40b contract for oil pipeline protection exploiting the corruption and ineptitude in the Nigerian Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

“In 2016, based on copious information available to the Nigerian Government of Mohammadu Buhari, it issued arrest warrant for Tompolo on charges of money laundering and theft. Due to corruption in Nigeria, the contract for the protection of oil pipeline was again renewed for Mr Tompolo in August 2022”.

The Group noted that President Tinubu has done the same thing by renewing the contract worth N40b

for an ex-militant adding that it is widely suspected that ex-militants have been using the funds from pipeline oil protection to import illicit arms into Nigeria. This should be expected from someone whose professed ideology is armed struggle.

The Group, however, made the following demands;

*That as the leader of one of the most influential countries in the world, and as part of your obligation to protect the world from arms prolifieration and human destruction, should please impress on the President of Nigeria to immediately terminate the award of oil pipeline protection contract to any militant;

*That your country should influence the Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries, (OPEC) to isolate Nigeria as the country continues to give such a monumental contract to a man associated with the importation and distribution of illicit arms in Nigeria;

*That your country should impress on the United Nations Security Council should impress on the Nigerian government to stop the award of pipeline contracts to people linked in the past or present to armed insurgency in Nigeria.

*That you should kindly use your influence to impress on the the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) and the African Union, (AU) to be aware of what is going on in Nigeria, the regional bodies should impress on Nigeria to stop the tradition of giving pipeline contracts to ex-militants, armed militants and known terrorists.

*We have already sent a petition to Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries, (OPEC) to reinforce international standards to ensure pipeline protection is not associated with armed groups and militants in any of the member states. OPEC President should as a matter of fact insist that member states must henceforth stop the award of oil contracts to armed groups. That you should kindly impress on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency set up a judicial inquiry to probe the proliferation of arms in Niger-Delta.

*That Nigeria must abide by International Treaties and Conventions. Such conventions include but not limited to the following: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the international legal instrument for “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources” that has been ratified by 196 nations.

*There is also the Convention No. 169 represents a consensus reached by ILO tripartite constituents on the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples within the nation-States where they live and the responsibilities of governments to protect these rights. All these conventions are relevant in the current debate. The award of contracts to elements linked with armed rebellion undermine these international conventions.

*That the International community should ensure that henceforth, no pipeline contract should be given to individuals linked to banditry, kidnapping and violence in the Niger-Delta.

*Seek your support as the CSC-MAP embarks on intensive campaign in Nigeria and at the International community, against the award of pipeline contracts to elements associated with terrorism.

*That the Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should investigate the possible collusion of officials of Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC with the deal that has surrendered pipeline protection to suspected criminal elements once associated with armed rebellion against the Nigerian State.

*That the CSC-MAP is not in anyway opposed to professional stakeholders engaged in pipeline protection, our concern is the involvements of people once associated with armed insurrection against the Nigerian state.

*They noted that the CSC-MAP will initiate a stakeholders’ meeting in Nigeria that will bring together Civil Society, Ethnic Leaders to address arms proliferation and bring an end to violence and potential armed conflicts in Nigeria with a colelctive callfor the stoppage of the award of oil pipeline to Mr Tompolo any of his agents.

NAFDAC Warns Nigerians Against Use Of Caro White Cream

Akinwale Kasali

May 22, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned Nigerians against the usage of Caro White Cream.

The Agency has alerted Nigerians on the recall of the Caro White Skin Lightening Beauty Lotion by the European Union Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products.

The cream is one of Nigeria’s most patronised skincare products due to its affordability and accessibility.

Against the guidelines of the Cosmetic Products Regulation, the skin care product contains a high concentration of Kojic acid, above a permissible maximum concentration of one percent stipulated by the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).

Studies have shown that kojic acid is a chemical produced from different types of fungi, with effects including treating melasma, and reducing the appearance of scars and more.

According to NAFDAC, in a statement, “High concentration of Kojic Acid is associated with potential endocrine disrupting properties,” NAFDAC stated in a public alert.

Detailing the product, the agency revealed that the manufacturer of Caro White Skin Lightening Beauty Lotion is unknown.

But the product comes labelled batch number LB2.1790.B and barcode: 6181100538892.

“Although the product is not in NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the above-mentioned product,” the agency said.

It noted that the authenticity and physical condition of the product should be carefully accessed while urging members of the public in possession to discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events experienced with the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office, via [email protected], E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.

BudgIT Laments As FG Jerks Up Appeal Court Building Contract Approval To N37bn From N10bn

James Orji

May 22, 2024

Civil society groups in the country have lamented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of N37 billion for the construction of the Court of Appeal building.

The federal government had earlier approved N10 billion for the project in the 2023 Supplementary Budget, says BudgIT, an NGO projecting accountability in government.

According Ayo Ladipo, the Head of Tracka, an accountability project of BudgIT, the contract was among the 20 different contracts approved by the Tinubu-led Federal executive Council, FEC recently.

The contracts, according to her lacked transparency and contradicts the Public Procurement Act, she said wondering how such a humungous contract was not allowed to go through the normal bidding process as required by extant laws.

Apart from BudgIT, CIJD is also among other civil groups that recently condemned the manner that the FEC approved the contracts allegedly without regard to the Act guiding contract awards in the country.

They are demanding that the details of the contractors who were awarded the projects, including their names, duration of project and contract amount be listed for public information.

Noting that only the details of three of the 20 contracts have been provided, the groups said the projects include road construction, installation of street lights and purchase of buses, amongst other projects.

Speaking, Ladipo said the secrecy in which the projects were awarded would make it difficult for citizens to hold the government accountable and for civil society bodies to “track”.

“It also makes it very difficult for you to tell what goes into the negotiations of the contracts and the final decisions or even to find out how much has been released,” she said.

She raised concern about the construction of the Court of Appeal building which was approved at a cost of N37 billion. She said N10 billion was initially budgeted for the project in the 2023 supplementary budget.

“I don’t know what procurement process allowed you to get three times of what was in the supplementary budget,” Ladipo said.

On May 15 Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Strategy issued a statement on his official ‘X’ handle highlighting the details of the FEC meeting.

Below is the statement titled “HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD ON 13TH AND 14TH MAY, 2024”.

The Federal Executive Council concluded its meeting that started yesterday today, Tuesday May 14, 2024.

After exhaustive deliberations, the council approved a number of policies and projects that will further boost the economy, facilitate investments and promote the ease of doing business in the country. The under-listed are the major highlights:

Council supported a series of initiatives set to be launched that will revolutionize Nigeria’s Infrastructure and Housing sector through Public-Private Partnerships

The initiatives which can unlock about N2 trillion are aimed at transforming the nation’s infrastructure and housing mortgage sector, meet the urgent demand for critical infrastructure and affordable homeownership, fostering job creation, inclusive growth, and long-term productivity enhancement.

Inspired by the 1970s era, the government envisions a future where ordinary Nigerians can access 25-year mortgages at low-interest rates to realise their dream of owning a home. By collaborating with private institutional investors, the government seeks to replicate past successes and address current challenges effectively.

This strategic partnership aims to leverage the expertise and capital of private investors to accelerate the delivery of vital projects, driving sustainable development and economic progress for all Nigerians.

FEC approved that all users of Federal airports all over the country must now pay tolls at the gates. No one is excluded. The President and Vice President of Nigeria will also pay the toll.

The council announced a ban on sand dredging 10 kms from all Federal bridges throughout the country.

Council annouced a 4-week deadline for review of visa policy to enable tourists, business people, and creative professionals visit Nigeria. The ease of doing business, the council agreed cannot materialise if prospective visitors face a herculean problem getting our country’s visa. Part of the review envisaged is that visa applicants can apply for the visa online and get one within 48 hours. Also visas may be waived for holders of visas of some countries.

The council granted approval for the supply, installation and training of operators of disabled aircraft recovery system at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. The contract will cost N4.2 billion. Similar contract was awarded in 2021 for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in 2021.

Council approved Special Purpose Vehicle to be created on a PPP basis to develop 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable to increase Nigeria’s internet connectivity by 60-70 percent. The SPV intends to copy the NLNG model.

Council approved a consultancy service for the reconciliation and expansion of the remittances to NITDA.

Council approved the request of the Ministry of Communications to convert the property at 324 Jackson Street, San Francisco, USA into a Nigerian Digital Technology Exchange Programme Hub. Property owned by the Nigerian government is valued at close to $7million.

The Federal Executive Council also approved the award of contract for the building of bus terminals and other transport facilities in the Federal Capital, Abuja. Terminals will be built within 15 months at Kugbo, Abuja Central Business District and Mabushi. The whole project will cost N51 billion and will be executed by Planet Projects Nigeria Limited, which did similar contracts in Lagos and Oyo states.

Council approved the award of contract to Messrs El & Matt Nigeria Limited to upgrade Kwaita-Yebu Road in Kuala Area Council of Abuja at a cost of N7.6 billion. Completion time is 18 months.

Council approved contract for the building of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division at a cost of N37.2 billion. Project will be executed by Messrs Visible Construction Limited.

The Council awarded contract at a cost of N412million for street lights on Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Expressway. The job includes the procurement of 8 back-up generators, which will be powered by Compressed Natural Gas( CNG) or Solar, in line with government’s decision about migrating from fossil fuel to renewable energy. The council discussed extensively the need for this energy transition, as it is climate friendly, because of low emissions and also because it will reduce cost of transportation and inflation.

Council approved the request by Nigeria Customs Service to buy 200 Toyota Land Cruiser Buffalo V6 at a cost of N12.5 billion. All the vehicles will be CNG powered. Government also approved insurance cover for the vehicles at a cost of N522 million. The cover will be provided by NEM.

Messrs Yuan Resources Limited was awarded the concession to deploy a revenue assurance platform under PPP arrangement in the lottery and gaming sector. The concession which will be for 15 years, will be done via DFBOT option, which means Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer.

Before the Monday meeting was adjourned till Tuesday, council approved several road projects. Among them was the reconstruction of Iseyin-Okeho-Iganna Road in Oyo State.

Council approved Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway for construction, at a cost of N1.6 trillion.

Approval was granted for the award of contract for reconstruction of Koton-Karfe -Abaji Road (Abuja bound), along Abuja-Lokoja Route in Kogi state at a cost of N89 billion.

On Day 2 of the FEC meeting, approval was given for the award of contract for the equalisation of Lokoja-Benin Road, Okpela Section, Lokoja-Benin, Dualised Auchi Section -Uromi Link Road and Lokoja-Benin Road, Ekpoma Section. It was on this road that a fuel tanker fell into high water recently, with villagers having to swim to rescue the occupants of the tanker. The reconstruction will be financed by BUA Cement at a cost of N120 Billion under the tax credit scheme.

Council approved contracts to various contractors to build roads and bridges in Kaima-Tesse, Kwara State, Benin-Agbor, BeninByepass and Ngaski-Wara in Kebbi State. All the four contracts will cost N546 billion.

Messrs CCECC was awarded contract at N230 billion to build Kano Bypass. The road which is 37kms long will include bridges and several flyovers. The company has 36 months to complete the work.

The Council approved for procurement the Sokoto-Illela-Badagry superhighway, which is meant to join the Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway. The road was first awarded in 1976 and then abandoned

Reps To Debate NDDC 2024 Budget Proposal, Presidency Submits Bill

Ayodele Oni

May 22, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The House of Representatives is expected to commence sitting on this year’s budget proposal for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

This followed the receipt of the 2024 Statutory Budget Proposal of the Commission submitted by the Presidency, for consideration.

The budget proposal, which was transmitted to the Green Chamber via a letter from President Bola Tinubu, dated May 20, 2024, was read on the floor of parliament, on Tuesday.

Reading the accompanying letter addressed to Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who was presiding, noted that the action was in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended).

According to the spokesman for the green chamber, Akin Rotimi Jnr, “As contained in the communication, the budget proposal has been prepared on the basis of NDDC’s revenue and expenditure forecasts, which is aligned with the fiscal and developmental policies of the Federal Government.

“President Tinubu stated in the letter to the House that the proposal aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, and takes into consideration, the 2024 – 2026 Economic Recovery Growth Plan, as well as key assumptions of the 2024 Appropriation Act of the Federal Government.”

He further highlighted that the NDDC through its budget proposal, is prioritizing improvement in security, job creation, youth and women empowerment, social welfare, education infrastructure, and increased productivity in agriculture, in order to contribute to the economic growth of the Niger Delta region and the country’s development at large.

“While I trust that the House of Representatives will in their expeditious manner consider and approve the 2024 Statutory Budget Proposal of the NDDC, please accept Rt. Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration and regards.”

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kalu, thereafter referred the proposal to the House Committee on NDDC for further legislative action.

Relief For Abure As Peter Obi Finally Endorses Him, Visits LP Headquarters, As National Chairman Sues For Peace

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 21, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has finally endorsed the leadership of the party led by Barrister Julius Abure.

Obi’s endorsement was given on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, during a solidarity visit to the National Headquarters of the Party in Abuja. He was accompanied by a number of Party stalwarts.

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Obiora Ifoh, quoted Obi as also urging aggrieved Party faithful to put the survival of Nigeria and Nigerians above all other considerations.

According to the statement ,the Labour Party National leader, said he was at the National Secretariat to see the National Chairman, and pledged to ensure that all warring sides are once again united .

He used the visit to re- emphasise his conviction that the problems of Nigeria are rooted in human capital development indices such as food security, education, health and water .

” For now, let us talk about how we are going to survive till then ( 2027) because, we politicians always focus on the next elections and not about human beings. For me, let the people survive first, before we can talk about the next elections.

“Let us focus on Nigeria ,and see that Nigeria works, and if Nigeria is working ,Labour Party will work . But if Nigeria fails ,Labour Party fails.” Obi stated .

Addressing party members that came with Obi, the LP National Chairman, Abure, expressed the appreciation of the National Working Committee, NWC, for the visit, and noted that “It is high time the varying groups of dissent voices over the Nnewi Convention came together and set all their personal interests aside and work for a Party that would make a good show in the next elections.

“I want to say this very clearly. The National Convention has come and gone. All those who are still angry over the Nnewi convention, we want to appeal to them that they should all come together to work with us to build the party for a new Nigeria that has a vision.

“I believe very strongly that personal interests should be put aside, so as to pursue a new Nigeria that will work for all” Abure appealed.

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