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Nationwide Protest: MURIC Flays Destruction Of Public Properties, Calls Organizers To Stop Action

By
Ayodele Oni
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Professor Ishaq Akintola - MURIC

By Ayodele Oni

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has affirmed that the ongoing nationwide protest has been hijacked and called on the conveners to stop the protest.

MURIC’s intervention was contained in a message circulated to the media on Friday, by the Founder and Executive Director of the organization, Prof Ishaq Akintola.

The statement noted that “As predicted and warned, the hunger protest which started yesterday turned violent in several states of the federation. Some lives were reportedly lost while properties worth billions of naira were destroyed.

“The hunger protest took place in several states of Nigeria yesterday, Thursday, 1st August, 2023. Although it was peaceful in some states, it became violent along the line in others with some lives allegedly lost and several buildings and vehicles torched and destroyed.

“Some residents were reportedly attacked in some places while cases of snatching of phones, harassment and intimidation of innocent passers-by were rampant.

“It was looting spree in some states with protesters seen carting away brand new executive chairs, standing fans, etc. There is no scintilla of doubt that this protest has been hijacked. The conveners are no longer in control.

“MURIC is vindicated. We warned earlier that this kind of protest was most likely to be hijacked but the conveners were adamant.

“Even attempts by the security agents to restrict the protest to designated places in order to minimize untoward incidents were rebuffed by the planners.

“We strongly condemn this blatant resort to violence without any provocation whatsoever. It is heartless, barbaric and demonic.

“Nonetheless, we commend those protesters in certain states who conducted themselves with decorum and salute leaders who controlled their followers effectively.

“In view of the tornado of violence and destruction unleashed on the nation on the first day of a demonstration which is scheduled to last ten days, in view of the fact that this protest has been hijacked and the conveners are no longer in control, we hereby charge the conveners, planners and leaders to immediately show maturity and responsibility by calling off the protest.

“The voices of the protesters have been heard and they have made their mark. A second or third day of protests is capable of setting Nigeria ablaze.”

Benue: Gov Alia Sacks Benue Electoral Commission Chairman

By
The Source
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Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State

By Ayodele Oni

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has sacked the chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Dr John Chen.

The decision of the governor was based on the recommendations of the State House of Assembly.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula explained that the governor accepted the resolutions of the Assembly and directed the Chairman of the commission to immediately hand over to the Administrative secretary of the commission.

According to the statement, “The Assembly accused the BSIEC chairman of lacking good judgement as to which decision will appeal to the greater majority of all stakeholders, and also that his actions so far in office fall short of the public interest.

“Governor Alia has accepted the resolutions and directed the Chairman of the commission to immediately hand over to the administrative secretary of the commission.”

Forex Windfall: Why Bank CEOs Are Angry, Shunned Meeting With President

By
James Orji
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Tinubu meets Bank CEOs

More facts are emerging while some chief executive offices of commercial banks in the country shunned a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday over the recently imposed forex windfall tax.

The windfall tax, described by analysts as a higher tax was imposed by the government on commercial banks in the country for benefiting from favourable foreign exchange market conditions.

Recall that the national Assembly, had while amending the 2024 Budget last week, increased the share of the federal government from the windfall tax on banks’ foreign exchange (FX) gains to 70 percent giving the banks 30 percent.

According to the amended Act, passed by the Senate and House of Representatives last week, “a levy of 70 percent on the realised profits from all FX transactions of banks within the 2023 to 2025 financial years would be levied and paid to the benefit of the federal government”.

The Acts further stated, “The Federal Inland Revenue Service shall assess the realised profits, collect, account and enforce payment of tax payable under section 30 in accordance with the powers of the Service under the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007.’

The federal government had earlier proposed a sharing formula of 50- 50 with commercial bank in the country.

The meeting of bank’s chief executive with President Tinubu on Wednesday, the magazine learned, was to seek the understanding of banks on the issue.

However, many chief executives of the banks in the country shunned the meeting with Tinubu, except Ladi Balogun and Tony Elumelu of the FCMB and UBA who attended the meeting with the president at the State House, Abuja.

Apart from Tinubu other top government officials who attended the meeting include Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Zacch Adedeji, FIRS Chairman.

There are currently over 20 commercial banks operating in the country, according to checks from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Sources who spoke with the magazine said the absence of some bank chief executive at the meeting called at the instance of the federal government, was a clear “signal’ that the banks’ management are not happy with the decision taken by the federal government over the issue.

“The message from the administration to banks, is loud, and clear; it wants to stiffen their operations, bearing in mind that a huge chunk of the profit of commercial banks in the country is realised from forex as seen in the last year Profit declared by the banks. What this means is that they are being made to part with a larger part of that,” a financial expert said in anonymity.

According to the source “You don’t expect them to be happy with such decisions, even though the federal government said the period only covers from January this year. Many banks know they are not doing well due to the current economic headwind, so they will have to draw from their last year profit to meet the demand of the federal government”.
The federal government has threatened to sanction commercial banks which fail to remit the windfall to the federal Inland revenue Service, FIRS, before the end of the year.

The amended 2024 Finance Act had made December 31, 2024 as deadline for commercial banks to remit the funds to the federal government, failure which they will be forced to pay 10 percent per annum of the tax withheld or not remitted, while managers of such banks risks three months imprisonment.

The Act said defaulting banks “shall be liable to pay the tax withheld or not remitted in addition to a penalty of 10 percent of the tax withheld or not remitted per annum and interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) minimum rediscount rate and its principal officers are liable to be imprisoned for not more than three months

“This situation has really put the banks in a tight rope as some of them are panning to prepare their End of the Year full Report,” another source told the magazine on Friday.

President Tinubu has signed into law the Finance Act which took effect September 1, 2023.

Meanwhile, a top source said the banks decided to send representatives to the meeting with the president because “it would be crowdy for all the CEOs” to attend the meeting.

Nationwide Protest: “There Are Plans To Invade Kebbi” – Governor Idris Alerts

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nasir Idris - Governor of Kebbi State

By Ayodele Oni

The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris has alleged that there are plan to import miscreants from other parts of the country into the state.

He warned those behind the plot to cause mayhem in the state to desist.

Idris gave the warning in a broadcast to the people of the state on Friday in a reaction to the first day protest.

The governor said: “Information available to us states that some people are trying to import miscreants from other places into Kebbi to cause mayhem, especially in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Jega, Yauri and Zuru town.

“Whosoever knows people of Kebbi State knew that they are people that always respect the laws of the land and protest in not in our character, but some people want to import it by force to achieve their personal aggrandisement.”

Idris, however said that as a responsible government, it would not allow those that do not have the interest of people at heart to use the protest for vandalism of public utilities, people’s shops and other property.

“Available information at hand states that some people want to go to waterboard to perfect their vandalism mission but it baffles me to hear that they are targetting waterboard, what do they want at a place that serves the general public water.

“This is a clear indication that some bad elements want to use the protest to undermine the peace the people of Kebbi are enjoying.”

He appealed to the protesters to see reason in keeping the state in peace and shelve the protest in the interest peace and progress of Kebbi.

“If you destroy public utilities, it belongs to Kebbi people, if you destroy people’s shop and steal their property, it’s the same Kebbi people that will suffer.”

He, however, assured that his government was doing everything possible to address the plights of Kebbi people.

“Therefore, we want to plead with the organisers of this protest to see reason in puting an end to it, they only know the begining but they won’t know its end.

“If you have a good motive behind the protest, some people may have ill motive and anything destroyed in the cause of the protest in Kebbi is to the disadvantage of Kebbi people.”

He added that credible information available to government revealed that the protesters would also destroy the solar street lights, lamenting that of what benefit would that be?

Obi Wants Genocidal Threats In Lagos Investigated And Tackled

By
The Source
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Peter Obi
Peter Obi

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has expressed concerns at the growing tendency of some people to sow seeds of disunity in the country.

Writing against the backdrop of some persons threatening genocide against Igbos in Lagos, Obi said such divisive acts should be thoroughly investigated and swiftly nipped in the bud by leaders.

He said that these challenging times in our polity call for all hands to be on deck to reset the country for development, noting that all these alienating utterances from some misguided characters should be discouraged and stopped immediately

“Nobody is a better Nigerian than the other and this should inform our attitude while relating to one another.

Writing further on his X handle platform on Friday Obi said,

“I am deeply disturbed, reading some genocidal threats on X against the Igbo tribe, calling for their relocation.

“Let me respectfully warn that such rhetoric threatens our unity and is fundamentally opposed to our Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country.

“Those in authority must show leadership and urgently speak out against such divisive rhetoric. Immediate action should be taken to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those behind this heinous agenda, serving as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten our national security and unity.

“I urge all Nigerians to stand united against this divisive rhetoric and to champion unity, tolerance, and understanding. Our future depends on our ability to live and work together harmoniously.

“The government and security agencies must act swiftly to protect this fundamental principle and ensure that every Nigerian can live free from fear of discrimination or persecution.

Hunger Protests: Gov Abiodun Under Attack For Calling Nigerians “Sore Losers”

By
James Orji
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Dapo Abiodun
Governor Dapo Abiodun

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has been trenchantly ciriticised for describing Nigerians as ‘ sore losers” in his response to the ongoing hunger protest in the country.

The governor spoke on Channels Television on Thursday Night amidst the ongoing 10-day protest by Nigerians over the current economic hardship.

Not a few Nigerians have blamed Governor Abiodun party, the  All Progressives Congress, APC, for the hardship and hunger in the land.

The magazine reported that pro-democracy bodies, working under #endbadgovernance  in the country have declared August 1-10 as days of protest to force government’s hands to reverse some of its policies that aggravated hunger across Nigeria.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC has come under attack from not a few Nigerians for removing fuel subsidy and converging the foreign exchange market which led to the devaluation of the Naira, for the hardship Nigerians are facing.

The protersters  have stormed the major city capitals in the country on Thursday to demand the reversals of the policies which they insist have brought untold hardship to them.

Speaking yesterday Governor Abiodun said the Tinubu administration could not be soley blamed for the hardship, citing various interventionists programmes the government have introduced to ameliorate the sufferings.

The governor, however, blamed those that lost the 2023 elections for the anger in the country, describing them as ‘losers’ who did not want to accept the fact that Tinubu won the election.

He said the economic problem facing the country is a global one, saying the promoters of the protest are ‘faceless’ persons who want to remove Tinubu from power.

According to him, “The problem we have today is that Nigerians are sore losers. Rather than accept that If you want a regime change, wait till 2027. Don’t begin to sponsor faceless, leaderless protests under the guise that you are dissatisfied. The current realities are not peculiar to Nigeria alone.”

Reacting an X user @OPE97yemi said “We should be expecting nothing but absolute jagbanjantis from Eleyi of ogun state.”

KETAPUNK.eth @KETAPUNK_art “It’s time our governors take accountability of what is in their hands.”

On his part, Ede Mike @EdeMike27303 “The problem we have today, Is leaders who are not in touch with their people but looting the treasury dry, so hunger is not their problem.”

According to Dr FAYINKA JOHNSON @dr_fayinka “APC’s audacity to keep gaslighting the victims of their callousness is jaw-dropping in its inanity. The People permitted this crass insensitivity thus far, and the day we have the epiphany that our collective power is second only to Almighty God, this madness ends.”

While Adebola Adeyemi @mcobyemm said “Bitter truth by the governor of Ogun state. Yes, the economy isn’t great at the moment, but the president didn’t promise magic in 365 days. He and his team will try to make it work, and if after 4 years, nothing concrete has happened, then vote them out. It’s so simple.”

Governor Abiodun and other 35 state governors in the country have come under serious attacks from not a few Nigerians, who described them as massively corrupt because of the suggestion that they have cornered  the funds in their states, which ought to be used to provide basic amenities for their people.

Lagos: Sanwo-olu Calls On Security Agencies To Arrest #Igbomustgo Promoters

By
James Orji
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu has condemned the the post on the social media calling on Igbo to vacate Lagos and south west of Nigeria.

A post by social media user  LagosPedia on X had called for the hashtag #IgboMustGo protest from August 20 and 30 from the state and region.

Reacting to the post, Governor Sanwo-olu described the post as divisive and dangerous, noting that the state remains home to all Nigerians regardless of where they hail from.

The governor’s remark is contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Gboyega Akosile late Thursday night.

Governor Sanwo-olu condemned the post saying such is capable of disrupting the peace in the state and the south west in general, calling on the security agencies  to apprehend and deal with  whoever is trying to cause tension in the state.

The statemen said, “The Governor of Lagos State and indeed, Lagos State Government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.

“The Governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the State, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.

“Mr. Governor enjoins Lagosians to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the State.”

Recall that during the 2023 general election Igbo in the state were prevented from voting  by some non-state actors, believed to be supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

House Of Reps Faults Call For Removal Of Kyari, Farouk

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Mele Kyari - NNPC GMD
Mele Kyari

 House of Representatives members, on Thursday,  described the recent call by Hon. Philip Agbese for the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as premature and against parliamentary culture.

Leading a 50 member strong House of Reps group, Hon. Billy Famous Osaware (Edo State) told journalists in Abuja that it is against the rules of the House to jump into conclusions in a matter that is still under investigation by designated House Committee.

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, had asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately dismiss Kyari, for allegedly stifling the economy’s growth due to the oil sector issues.

But reacting to the call, Osawaru
said it is in the parliamentary culture to afford parties in investigation the right for fair hearing and called on the committee handling the probe to be impartial.

He said, “Nigerians will recall hike in fuel prices and associated challenges are fundamental concerns. The House of Representatives vide its resolutions mandated the joint committee of the house on Midstream and Downstream Petroleum to investigate issues in the oil.and gas sector.

“We are aware that investigation is ongoing and final decision has not been reached. However, our attention has been drawn to some media reports calling for the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL and the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA while the above investigation is subsisting.

“We wish to state that it is in the parliamentary culture to afford parties in an investigation that right to fair hearing. Therefore, the cal for removal of anyone while investigation is pending is premature.

“We Therefore call on all Nigerians to be patient and law abiding in expectation of a better Nigeria.”

The lawmakers also expressed concern about the ongoing protests in the country, saying they converged to further appraise the situation as it affects the well-being of Nigerians.

They appealed for calm and begged all Nigerians to bring the protests to an end.

ENDS

Looted Bags Of Rice Not Our property – Edo Govt

By
Ayodele Oni
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Chris Osa Nehikhare

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State government has clarified that bags of rice looted by protesters on Thursday in the state capital are not its property.

The State commissioner for Information and Orientation Chris Osa Nehikhare said government has received information about looting of bags of rice from unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests adding that government does not have a warehouse in that location.

This was contained in a press statement signed and made available to the press  in Benin City by the  commissioner.

According to the statement, “the Edo State Government has received information about the looting of bags of rice from unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests.

“The videos making the rounds are said to have emanated from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, and government does not have a warehouse in that location.

“The government supports the vulnerable with relief materials through religious organisations particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Edo State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board.”

The statement further added that the government doesn’t keep any relief materials meant for the people

“The State government does not keep any relief material by itself but reaches out to the people through these channels.

“We will not put this tactic past the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is spreading malicious content to score cheap political points. This condemnable action is intended to cause chaos in the state and the APC is discouraged from such ignoble practice.”

He therefore advised the people to disregard the message intended to mislead the unsuspecting members of the public.

“The public is enjoined to disregard the malicious message that these people are trying to send with the video.

“We want to once again urge protesters not to attack or destroy the property of others as they go about their demonstration in a peaceful and orderly manner.”

Hunger Protest Day 1: Wike Makes U-turn, Begs Protesters To Dialogue With Govt

By
James Orji
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister

Amidst the ongoing demand for governance in the country by protesters Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has appealed to Nigerians to dialogue with the government.

The minister made the appeal on Thursday following the nationwide protests by Nigerians under the aegis of #endbadgovernace, demanding from the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to end the economic hardship in the country.

The Source Magazine has reported that some civil societies organisation in the country had declared a 10-day protest to drive the demand home, for government to make life easy for Nigerians.

]The protest started today and has been spreading across the country including the FCT.

Recall also that the FCT minister had earlier warned that protest will not be allowed in the nation’s capital, and had also denied the prostesters’ demand to use the Eagle  Square as a place of convergence.

The minister’s actions have been widely condemned by Nigerians who said the Square is a public property and does not belong to the former Rivers state governor.

However speaking today while presenting staff of office to the four newly appointed graded chiefs of Karu, Kwali, Pai, and Yaba in the territory, the minister said the government is ready to dialogue with the protesters.

According to him peace is still the best option because “it is better to dialogue with the government and keep the peace,” adding that the Tinubu administration has not been well understood by Nigerians.

Wike said: “Let me take this opportunity to commend the people, the youths of Abuja for not being violent. We have said severally that it is better to dialogue with the government and keep the peace. He who makes peace will at the end of the day enjoy the dividends of peace. I still want to talk to our people that we are still ready to sit down and dialogue with them and let them know things that they may not know because information is power. I commend the protesters in Abuja who have refused to be violent.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that more state governments are planning to follow in the foot steps of  Kano, Gombe, and Borno states which have already declared 24-hour curfew after the protests turned violent in their states.

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