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Governorship Poll: INEC Resumes Registration Of Voter’s In Edo, Ondo

May 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ahead of the governorship election in Edo and Ondo states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so.

Similarly, those who are registered voters also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other States of the federation to Edo and Ondo States or from one location to another within the two States.

The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at a briefing in Abuja said, “let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration.

“The CVR in Edo and Ondo States will take place simultaneously from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend.”

The INEC chairman explained that persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again as double or multiple registration is illegal.

“Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does require fresh registration.”

The meeting is the second quarterly meeting for the year 2024, and it’s happening barely four months to the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state in September.

The national chairman of the APC, that Of the Labour party, Julius Abure, SDP, are some of the party chairmen in attendance.

The electoral umpire has already published its final list of candidates and their running mates in the Forthcoming Edo state election.

The INEC chairman urged the political parties to adhere strictly to all electoral guidelines for the exercise.

He urged that parties should finalize and submit names of their candidates before the 20th of May, when the portal for candidates in the forthcoming Ondo governorship election will close.

Northwest Governors Collaborate To Tackle Insecurity

Ayodele Oni

May 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

A splinter Governors’ Forum from the Northern Governors Forum, has been birthed by Northwest Governors.

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu who disclosed this, explained that the Northwest Governors formed a Governor’s Forum of the geopolitical zone, aimed at approaching and facing the security situation in the region.

The Governor disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital shortly after a closed-door meeting with his Jigawa state counterpart, Umar Namadi.

He said the Northwest Governors’ forum was under the chairmanship of Katsina state governor, Umar Dikko Radda and was aimed at approaching and handling security situation and challenges of the zone.

“This forum comprises all the geopolitical zones including Kano and Zamfara state that we are not in the same political party. But we are to speak and act with the same voice on the vision, mission and objective of the forum.”

Aliyu stated that the local security outfits established by the state government was making a lot of impact in curbing criminal activities in the state.

“I’m here in this state to condole my eminent friend, Governor Malam Umar Namadi over the death of his father-in-law who died recently.

“There are a lot of positive changes in the security situation of the state since the establishment of the local security outfits who were working closely with the other security agents.

“The State Government in collaboration with the federal government works tirelessly to ensure peace and security through the provisions of all necessary security tools and logistics in addition to creating and maintaining synergy between the local security and the other security personnel working in the state.

“In this regard, there is a lot of development in terms of the security situation. We also continue with so many strategies and attics until the goals have been achieved.”

Governor Aliyu commended the Jigawa state governor on the human and infrastructural development under one year in office.

“I really commend my bother Malam Umar Namadi, I saw a lot of things. When I return to Sokoto I will send a team from the Ministry of Agriculture for study in order to learn so many things for more and speedy development in the agricultural sector.”

The Sokoto State Governor who was accompanied by his wife described the death of the Jigawa state governor’s Father-in-law as a great loss.

Gov Yusuf Seeks More Support From Donor Agency For Kano Beneficiaries

Ayodele Oni

May 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to improve condition of living of the populace, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has requested for an extension of the duration of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) project within the state.

This, according to him, will also broaden the scope of beneficiaries and enhance the economic sustainability of the region.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson Sanusi Bature.

Governor Yusuf made this plea during a dinner held at government house in Kano, where he entertained representatives from the donor organizations supporting the LLF-funded project.

The Governor stressed that Kano, as the most populous state in the northern region of the country, requires the aid of such organizations to empower the burgeoning population of unemployed young men and women and assist the most marginalized individuals in improving their quality of life.

He took the opportunity to elaborate on the achievements of his administration within its inaugural year in office, particularly in the fields of healthcare, education, agriculture, empowerment, and a series of relief measures aimed at aiding the underprivileged in society.

The Governor expressed appreciation towards the donor organizations, stating, “On behalf of the government and the esteemed citizens of Kano State, I convey our heartfelt gratitude for supporting such a noble initiative that has positively impacted the lives of over one million residents of Kano.

“Through your endeavors, you have significantly increased the daily income of numerous households in Kano over the years, contributing to the socio-economic advancement of the state.

“I seize this opportunity to request the extension of the project, with the firm assurance that your contributions are in reliable hands, as the Kano State Government is dedicated to the meticulous management of every aspect of the project.”

Earlier, the team leader, Mr. Adil Alsharif, stated that the primary objective of the esteemed donor delegation’s visit was to observe the LLF-funded project in action, supporting small-scale farmers, pastoralists, and prominent agricultural associations in Kano.

He emphasized that the visit would enhance awareness and visibility of the fund and its benefactors, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for their collective efforts in driving positive changes within the community.

Mr. Adil Alsharif, on behalf of the representatives of the donor organizations, expressed satisfaction with the project’s implementation progress and the prudent utilization of funds allocated for the initiative, while also seeking continuous support.

Labour Goes Tough On Tariff Hike, Shuts Down DISCOs, TCN Offices In Jos

Akinwale Kasali

May 13, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, have shown their discontent over the hike in Electricity Tariffs. They have shut down the operations of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCo).

The non-compliance of the aforementioned organizations to the letters written to it by the Labour Groups, urging them to reduce electricity costs and introduce bands for consumers in the state led to the shutting down of their offices.

Members of both Unions stormed the entrance of the main office of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company, where they sealed the gate and prevented staff and other visitors from entering the building.

The enforcement team of both Unions moved to the NERC and TCN offices in different locations within Bauchi metropolis to ensure they were also closed.

The peaceful protest saw members and leadership of the two unions displaying placards with various inscriptions, like “NLC/TUC Says No To Exploitation,” “No Segregation in Power Supply,” and “No More Band A, B, or even Z”.

Addressing their members, Bauchi State NLC Chairperson, Comrade Dauda Shuaibu, said that the union’s SWC held a meeting in Abuja on April 30 and wrote to the discos to make an immediate reversal of the new tariff.

“The joint NEC of the NLC and TUC wrote the same letter to them to reverse the tariff, and we issued a letter which we are expecting them to reverse. Their failure to reverse it is the result of what we are implementing here this morning and across the nation.

“We have received reliable information that the JEDC office in Yelwa is selling units and making remittances, we are going there to stop that. We will ensure that the entire office were shut down, no operations.

“It’s a clarion call for all of us to stand resolutely. We have started this struggle, and there is no going back until the new tariff on electricity is reversed.

“ We know how we are suffering, and everyone knows that Nigerians are facing hard times. Even with the increase, the supply is not there.

“ Therefore, we are calling on the Federal Government to immediately reverse it. Otherwise, there is no going back, we will shut down the whole electricity supply system in this country,” he said.

Nigeria’s Oil Production Increases As NNPC E&P Ltd, NOSL Hit First Oil in OML 13, Akwa Ibom

Ayodele Oni

May 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria’s oil production has received a boost with the commencement of production at Oil Mining Lease(OML) in Amwa Ibom state.

Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) in a statement on Sunday, explained that the production, which commenced on the 6th of May 2024, with 6,000 barrels of oil, is expected to be ramped up to 40,000 barrels per day by May 27th, 2024.

“NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NNPC E&P Ltd.), NNPC Ltd.’s flagship upstream subsidiary, and Natural Oilfield Services Ltd. (NOSL), a subsidiary of Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Ltd. (SEEPCO), announce the successful commencement of oil production at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13 in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

“The production, which commenced on the 6th of May 2024, with 6,000 barrels of oil, is expected to be ramped up to 40,000 barrels per day by May 27th, 2024.

“The first oil flow from OML 13 is a historic milestone in the partnership between NNPC E&P Ltd and NOSL, highlighting their dedication to driving growth and development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which remains a vital component of the nation’s economy.

“The achievement does not only signify the culmination of rigorous planning and execution by the teams involved, but also represents a new era of economic empowerment and development opportunities for the host communities.

“Furthermore, for Nigeria, the first oil from OML 13 holds some significance as it contributes to the country’s efforts to increase its oil production capacity, which is crucial for meeting domestic energy needs and driving economic growth.

“The NNPC E&P Ltd. and NOSL partnership is also committed to operating in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to the local communities.”

Falana: Pro-Wike Lawmakers Are ‘Prostitutes’, Cannot Remain In Office

Tosin Olatokunbo

May 13, 2024

Femi Falana, a rights activist says the lawmakers in the Rivers state House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, have lost their seat.

A senior advocate, Falana made this known on Sunday on a Channels television programme.

He spoke amidst the ongoing squabble for the control of the assembly by lawmakers supporting Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state and his successor, Simi Fubara.

The political crisis that started last year after Governor Fubara jilted Wike took a new dimension last week after 27 lawmakers supporting the former governor now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, threatened to impeach the governor over his failure to sign this year’s Budget.

Some pro- Fubara Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers in the assembly later elected Victor Oko-Jumbo, a member representing Bonny State Constituency as Speaker to replace Martin Amaewhule, an ally of Wike who defected alongside 24 others to the APC early this year.

Recall also that a high court in the state had bared the 27 lawmakers who defected to the APC from parading themselves as members of the assembly. The case is still in court.

Reacting to the clash between pro-Wike and Fubara’s yesterday, Falana stated that the law is very clear on the defection from one political party to the other.

According to him, the 27 lawmakers backing the former governor are not allowed to hod on to their seats having dumped the PDP.

The senior advocate further stated that the lawmakers have not be able to show that there is a division in the PDP, as required by the Constitution.

He said, “Unless you can show and demonstrate that there is division in a political party that sponsored your election, you cannot remain in any legislative arm if you decamp to another party.

“The whole idea is that the constitution set out to ban political prostitution on the part of legislators.

“It may be very difficult to persuade the court to allow them to remain in the legislative house unless they are prepared to go back to the people and have their mandate renewed by the people.

“The Supreme Court made this clear in the case of Adetunde and the Labour Party, that you cannot decamp and then remain a member of a legislative house in Nigeria unless you can show that there is a division in your party. It doesn’t mean a division in a local government or a state. It has to be on the national level. That is the position of the court.’

Meanwhile, Wike on Sunday assured the lawmakers supporting him that they will not be removed from their position.

“So nobody should kill himself. Let me say it clearly, do not be frightened that anybody will remove you as an Assembly member. Most of you do not understand, this is our work. I have no other work than to make them angry everyday. They will continue to make mistakes everyday and they will keep being in trouble everyday,” Wike said on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

“If they like, they can go to anybody’s house by 2am to secure court injunction, but foul, the law will take its course. We are not afraid, we follow due process. We will not arm anybody to fight for us.”

Why I Rejected Money To Impeach Fubara- Ex-Speaker

Tosin Olatokunbo

May 13, 2024

A former Speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly, Edison Ehie says he was offered money to impeach Governor Simi Fubara.

The former lawmaker made this disclosure while addressing the governor’s supports at a rally in Ahoada East area of the oil=-earing state.

The magazine reported that the former speaker was appointed Fubara’s chief of staff, CoS, as part of the deal brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Governor Fubara had chosen his own path after riding on the support of the former governor, now Minister of the Federal capital Territory, FCT, to power last year.

The development has obviously angered Wike who alongside some members of the state house of Assembly has threatened to remove the governor from office.

27 members of the Assembly are pro-Wike.

The minister told his supporters in Port Harcourt, the state’s capital on Sunday that he made a grave mistake by bringing Fubara to power, promising to ‘correct’ the mistake at an appropriate time.

Speaking yesterday, Ehie accused some people of bribing him to impeach Governor Fubara.

He said, “They invited me, your son, to impeach the governor and I told them clearly, I was not interested.

“They gave me all the money that was hidden before, which I rejected. And because I refused, they conspired and declared me wanted.”

The former speaker however refused to name those he alleged induced him with money to remove the governor from office.

Rivers Crisis: Wike Is On His Own- Presidency

Tosin Olatokunbo

May 13, 2024

The Presidency has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not support either Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, or Governo Simi Fubara in the current power struggle to control the oil rich state.

President Tinubu made his position on the issue known on Sunday through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, during an interview on TVC.

The president’s spokesman said “if they are banking on Mr. President to take sides on this matter, they’re mistaking and they’ll be disappointed.

“Mr. President will not do that. What he will do is to ensure that everybody has what they need in order to work.

“He will also ensure that any attempt to frustrate the operation of the Rivers State Government of conducting its affairs in a way that it would benefit the Rivers people, that’s obviously not going to be allowed by this President or anybody else.

“So, I think there’s a need for all stakeholders to understand that Mr President won’t take sides.”

The crisis in the state took a new dimension last week after some lawmakers supporting Governor Fubara, elected a new speaker for the state House of Assembly.

Amidst the leadership crisis in the assembly between pro-Wike and those supporting the governor, Fubara paid a visit to the Assembly quarters last Thursday fueling rumours that he’s mulling the demolition of the complex in other to stop lawmakers backing his predecessor now Minister of the FCT.

The magazine reported that the latest crisis started, last week, after 27 pro-Wike lawmakers threatened to impeach the governor over his failure to sign the 2024 Budget passed by them.

FG Palliatives Shared To Mogajis, Market women, Others Says Adelabu

Tosin Olatokunbo

May 12, 2024

Adebayo Adelabu has disclosed that compound heads in Ibadan also known as Mogajis are among those that benefitted from the food palliatives shared to the peoples of the state by the federal government.

The minister made this know while sharing the palliatives to the people of the state in Ibadan, the state capital during the week, noting that no fewer than 10,000 residents of the state, including market women and other professional bodies benefitted from the largesse.

According to him, the food palliatives is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s efforts in ensuring the welfare of Nigerians during the current economic hardship facing the country.

Adelabu explained that the palliative has no political coloration, promising to ensure that the food assistance will get to those who need it regardless of political affiliations.

He said, “We will ensure the distribution is transparent and cut across every religious association, traditional association, ethnic association, and resident of the state, that is why we decided to make it open.

“I want to urge people to continue to support the Tinubu administration. All we need from you is your continued prayers for God to guide us and ensure we take you to the desired destination.

“This is phase one of the food security as part of the renewed hope agenda of Tinubu, we shall be witnessing the distribution regularly, and as far as we get this thing from Abuja, we shall not hoard it but distribute it.”

Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians have criticized the manner the palliatives are being distributed. Some government officials in charge of distributing them have also been accused of diverting the palliatives for their own benefits.

GTCO Shareholders Approve $750m Fresh Capital, N94bn Dividend

James Orji

May 12, 2024

Shareholders of Guaranty Trust Holding Company, GTCO, Plc on Thursday at the third Annual General Meeting approved the company’s plan to establish a capital raising programme of $750 million either through public offerings, private placements, rights issues and/or other transaction modes.

Also, the shareholders endorsed the management’s N94.179 billion dividend payouts for the year ended December 31, 2023, comprising of N2.70 per share final dividend and 50 kobo interim dividend paid last year, making a total dividend paid for the 2023 financial year to N3.20 per share.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the company, Mr. Hezekiah Sola Oyinlola, said, “After three years of reorganizing and fitting all the business verticals into a holding company structure, we successfully made the first wave of progress in our drive to broaden and diversify our revenue streams and solidify our standing as a leading financial services provider in Africa.”

Oyinlola noted that “in 2023 the Group’s Balance sheet remained well structured and distributed with loans and advances accounting for 25.4 per cent in full year 2023, investment securities at 25.3 per cent in 2023 and placement 16.1 per cent in 2023. The Group grew its total Assets by 51.3 per cent to N9.8 trillion in 2023 due to increases posted on key asset lines including investment securities, cash & bank balances, loans and advances, and restricted deposits.”

He added that “beyond the bottom-line, we understand that building an enduring institution is also about the underlying drive to make a sustainable impact in the communities we serve and operate in.

“Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, we strive to address pressing social and economic challenges, enriching lives and fostering better outcomes for people and businesses across Africa.”

The Group CEO of GTCO, Segun Agbaje stated that in spite of the varying challenges in the operating environment and headwinds that weighed on growth in 2023, the Group delivered a strong performance posting a PBT of N609.3 billion representing a growth of 184.5 per cent from N214.2 billion achieved in full year 2022.

According to him, this result was on the back of impressive growth in gross earnings, increasing by 120 per cent to N1.186 trillion in the year under review, underpinned by the growth on funded and non-funded income lines.

He added that “our Nigerian Banking operation accounts for 77.5 per cent of the Group’s profitability, West Africa constitutes 17.5 per cent, East Africa contributes 2.2 per cent, UK 1.9 per cent, and Non-Banking Entities make up 0.9 per cent.”

Responding to questions at the end of the meeting, Agbaje said the board and management of the company is happy at the performance of the company in 2023 financial year and promised that the company will do better in 2024 to continue with the tradition of upward trajectory already in place in the company over the years.

His words, “I think for us, it is a good result. We looked at the volatility in the environment and we balanced profitability with some conservatism. We are happy at how we ended 2023. For us, we have a tradition of increasing dividend, every year, so I can say categorically that in 2024, dividends will be up .Already, profit is up in the First Quarter of 2024, we have posted N509.3 billion, I think this is an indication that we will have bigger dividend in 2024.

“If look now, from outside Nigeria, we recorded 25 per cent to 30 per cent of the profit. We have also diversified geographically. We also have three new businesses which we started which are our PFA, HabariPay and our asset management company. They are already at 1 per cent of Group profit in one and a half years. I think our diversification away, both banking and geographically, is going on well.

“The next thing is to work hard and hopefully with the support of Nigerians we will raise the money”.

Shareholders commended the company’s 2023 performance. The National Coordinator of Progressive Shareholders Association, Okezie Boniface, said that the performance was excellent, with growth in its earnings per share of N19.70 and the company paying N3.20 per share, saying that the group’s diversification is paying off.

On the Capital raising, Okezie anticipated a successful exercise for the company due to their good track record of paying dividends.

Also, the National Coordinator of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Moses Ibrude noted that the company performance in the year under review was impressive, considering the situation of the country.

He said GTCO is at the forefront of good corporate governance, appealing to GTCO to continue to run the business well in order to deliver good returns to the shareholders.

On the recapitalization, Ibrude urged the minority shareholders to take up their rights in supporting the company growth.

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