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Shun Oil Bunkering, NDDC Urges Youths From Oil Bearing Communities

March 7, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Commissioner representing Abia state on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Chief Eruba Dimgba, has appealed to youths to shun the vandalization of Oil pipelines and bunkering activities noting that the trend is at once negatively affecting the environment and Abia State oil producing profile.

He said that halting oil bunkering activities will shore up Abia state oil producing capacity,as well as boost its quota in the oil producing state’s Commission.

Chief Eruba also expressed optimism that with a secured and enabling environment, investors both local and foreign will consider Abia State, particularly the oil rich Ukwa as a destination choice.

The NDDC Commissioner announced that the Commission is presently partnering with Geometric Power in Aba, to ensure a steady and regular power supply, to Ukwa land with a view to enhancing its economic growth and development.

He revealed that as part of the wider plan to open up Ukwa land for accelerated development, reconstruction efforts have started on the abandoned 18.6 km Owaza Road by the NDDC.

Chief Dimgba who disclosed this during an interactive session with youths of the oil bearing part of Abia state on Tuesday March 5 2024 ,at the Commission’s Office in Oke-Ikpe ,Ukwa West local council,noted that the Interventionist Agency was established primarily to cater for the interests of the youths,women and every one in the oil producing area.

The Youth leader of Ukwa Comrade Ugwumba Adiele,while appreciating chief Dimgba for his commitment to the development of Ukwa land ,expressed the readiness of the Youths to collaborate with the NDDC in the task of rebuilding the area.

The Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria Ukwa East Chapter ,Comrade Emmanuel Akparanta ,while calling on the Commission to consider supporting the youths in the establishment of Small And Medium Scale Enterprises ,provision of employment opportunities, Scholarship grants etc as a veritable way of curbing youth restiveness in the area, promised that the youths will partner with NDDC to halt the trend of oil bunkering.

Tinubu Signs Order To Drive Oil, Gas Investment

James Orji

March 7, 2024

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed an executive Order to reposition the nation’s oil and gas sector.

According to a statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale on Wednesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the Order is expected to eliminate bottlenecks and promote more investment in the sector.

The presidential aide stated that the Order was a product of extensive consultations by the president with major stakeholders in the oil and gas business.

The statement said: “Following extensive engagements, analyses, and benchmarking with other jurisdictions, the President has initiated the amendment of primary legislation to introduce fiscal incentives for oil & gas projects, reduce contracting costs and timelines, and promote cost efficiency in local content requirements.

“Recognizing the urgency to accelerate investments, the President has directed as follows, Introduction of fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, midstream and deepwater developments, streamlining of contracting process to compress the contracting cycle to six months and ⁠the application of the local content requirements without hindering investments or the cost competitiveness.

“The details of these Policy Directives will be gazetted and communicated by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

“These incentives were developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Petroleum, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

“The Special Adviser to the President on Energy has been directed to continue coordinating the aforementioned stakeholders to ensure the implementation of these directives within a stipulated time frame.”

Impeachment: Carry Your Cross, Oshiomhole Hits Shaibu

James Orji

March 7, 2024

A former governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole says he’s not working in cahoots with the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki to impeach his deputy from office.

Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Phillip Shaibu are up in arms against each other, with the latter under cross fire from the state house of Assembly which is trying to impeach him.

The state assembly has served Shaibu with impeachment notice, accusing for revealing state’s secret amongst other allegations.

21 of the 24 lawmakers in the Assembly signed the impeachment notice to remove Shaibu.

But those watching what is happening in the state insist that Shaibu’s sin is that he contested the recent PDP governorship primaries against Governor Obaseki’s wish.

The governor’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo has emerged as PDP candidate for the September governorship election.

Speaking in a statement on Wednesday, Oshiomhole who once had a chummy relationship with Shaibu said he has no hands I n his predicament.

The statement signed by one of his aides said Shaibu should carry his cross, the deputy governor’s fate, Oshiomhole stated is now in the hands of the Assembly and the Judiciary.

Oshiomhole said he has not entered into “any deals with Governor Obaseki on this or any other political issue.”

Part of the statement said: “Ordinarily, we would neither be concerned nor bothered by what methods the characters in the unending feud within the Edo State PDP employ to settle scores among themselves.

“However, we are compelled to clarify and set the record straight because in the said article, it was falsely claimed, and I quote “

“ _Our reporter also gathered that the governor have(sic) already gotten across to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to help him lobby and talk to the APC lawmakers in the House to support the impeachment move against Comrade Philip Shaibu”

“We wish to categorically state that Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has not, at any time, engaged in discussions with Governor Godwin Obaseki regarding plans to impeach his deputy, as the apex leader of the APC in Edo State, is solely focused on fostering goodwill between the people of Edo State and the APC, with the goal of winning the upcoming governorship election and returning the state to a path of progress under an APC government.

“Also, it is important to state that matters of impeachment are the sole responsibilities of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Edo State Judiciary. Political parties have no constitutional role to play in any impeachment process.

“Therefore, the notion that Senator Adams Oshiomhole can influence the actions of APC lawmakers, should there be any impeachment exercise in the Edo State House of Assembly is simply preposterous.”

Embattled Shaibu recently lost the PDP governorship ticket to Asue Ighodalo during the very controversial governorship primary.

Adelabu: Nigeria’s Minister Of Lamentation

James Orji

March 6, 2024

Fresh from his appointment as the Minister of Power last year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adebayo Adelabu, boasted that he has found solutions to Nigeria’s electricity problem.

Speaking last September, the minister said the solutions to the nation’s erratic electricity problem may not be too farfetched. “I’ve diagnosed the issues to a large extent, and I’ve found out that the solutions are not as difficult as we all believe,” he said.

Few months down the line, the former Deputy Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, appears to have lost the ideas on how to tackle the country inherent power supply problem, according to experts watching the nation’s power sector.

The minister would later described the power sector in the country to be too ‘complicated’. Experts insist that he now has a full grasp of the situation, buy whether he has the expertise to tackle them is another question entirely.

Two times this year, the national power grid has collapsed leaving many electricity users to be wondering what is actually happening in the sector.

The situation has made not a few Nigerians to lament the impacts of erratic power on their homes and business.

Some businesses have closed shop while many homes are currently battling with several heat day and night due to power outages.

“Our children could no longer sleep at night due to heat. Foods in our refrigerators are getting spoiled everyday. And for those of us who depend on electricity for our businesses, this is not the best time at all,’ Bola Richards, a cold room owner in Lagos said.

But Nigerians are not the only ones lamenting, the minister also seems to have lost his patience over the situation, and has now decided to crack down on perceived saboteurs.

In his quest to find a way out of the problem, Adelabu has summoned the management of power firms in the country to a meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Whether this meeting would bring a permanent solution to the erratic power situation in the country, according to those watching what is going on, is another conjecture.

The minister posted on his verified X handle on Wednesday, that he has ordered the Chief Executives of two power firms; Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, to a crucial meeting because he’s “deeply concerned about the deteriorating electricity supply across the country.”

Apart from the two power companies, the Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has also been summoned to the meeting.

Adelabu said, “The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the worsening power supply in their respective regions and to collectively find lasting solutions.

“It is disheartening to witness the decline in power supply despite the concerted efforts to improve the situation. The Ministry has been exerting pressure on the Generating Companies (GENCOs) to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW.

“Despite this progress, certain distribution companies are failing to adequately distribute the power supplied by TCN, while vandalism of power infrastructure exacerbates the problem in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.

“Moving forward, I am committed to holding all distribution companies accountable for their performance. Willful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including license revocation, may be imposed. Additionally, I have instructed TCN to prioritize repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve supply in affected regions.

“During recent supervisory visits to power generating plants, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the sector.

“Plans are underway to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, which will alleviate the financial strain and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide. I urge electricity consumers to remain patient as we work tirelessly to address these issues and provide better service to all Nigerians,’ the minister said.

In the last few days, the power problem has worsened to the extent that Nigerians are now sourcing alternative power to be used in their homes and business.

The minister had recently blamed vandals for the problem, apart the challenges of inadequate gas supply to generating firms, which he said has hampered their production capacity.

On their part, the power companies have blamed the huge debt owed by some public and private concerns for their inability to perform optimally.

Among the major debtors are the presidency, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, National Assembly, the Military, federal government agencies and parastatals and some state governments owing several billions to distribution firms, and have refuse to pay up.

The total debt has piled up to more than N190 billion, the distribution companies, Discos, claimed recently while threatening to cut off power supply to the debtors.

Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians suffering from the current electricity problem in the country has advised the minister to do his job. What they need, according to them is not blame game, but stable power to make their homes and business functional.

Oyebanji, Fayemi Mourn, Describe Late Ekiti APC Chairman As Party Arrow Head

Ayodele Oni

March 6, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Reactions have been trailing the demise of the chairman of All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ekiti State as Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, and his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi expressed shock on the death of the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Paul Omotoso, who passed on Tuesday night.

Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said he was shocked and devastated by the news of the demise of the party chairman because he did not show any sign of illness during their last meeting.

The Governor , who said he is yet to come to terms with the demise of the APC chairman, described Omotoso as a dependable brother and ally, who was a great and invaluable asset to the APC family as well as the government.

According to him, Omotoso would be eternally remembered as the first party chairman in the state to achieve a back-to-back victory for a party in the political history of Ekiti State.

Oyebanji said the deceased’s selflessness and sacrifices contributed to the internal cohesion which made the Ekiti APC an unstoppable election winning machine in local government, state and national elections conducted during his chairmanship.

This, he said, was made possible by Omotoso’s administrative acumen, diligence, maturity, managerial and diplomatic skills, as well as conflict resolution ingenuity which he deployed in managing the affairs of the party and its teeming members.

The Governor noted that Omotoso was a man of impact endowed with wisdom, which he brought to bear in party and state matters as he was always ready to offer his wise counsel at critical points when such was needed.

He noted that Omotoso excelled in the previous public offices he held including Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Special Adviser on Political Matters, Commissioner for Environment and Commissioner for Special Duties.

Governor Oyebanji added that the deceased’s stellar performance as the APC State Secretary contributed immensely to his emergence as the State Chairman for two terms noting that these speak volumes about his loyalty, commitment, integrity and competence.

“We have lost a dependable pillar in Ekiti development and partner in our development effort as a government. We have lost a great leader, a peacemaker, a humble servant of the people and an altruistic party Organiser.

“On behalf of the Government and the good people of the state, I express condolences to the immediate family of our late Chairman and the people of Imesi Ekiti and the entire members of APC.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of the deceased. May God grant them and everyone of us the fortitude to bear this great loss.And may God grant our dear departed brother eternal rest.”

Kayode Fayemi, the former Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), mourned the passing of the Chairman of the APC describing him as a dedicated leader, unifier and pillar of the party in the state.

In a statement issued by his media office, Fayemi noted that the sudden departure of the Party Chairman has left a void difficult to fill within the APC family in Ekiti State and in all those who knew the departed Party leader.

He described the late Omotosho as a tireless leader and steadfast supporter of the APC’s principles and agenda in Ekiti State.

“Under his stewardship, our party achieved significant victories in recent elections, gaining the trust of our people. This would not have been possible without his commitment to uniting our members and working selflessly for the greater good of our state and nation.”

Fayemi recalled that Omotoso was a long-standing progressive, who had been an official of the Party since the Alliance for Democracy days and later was Secretary and Chairman of APC, after serving as Commissioner for Local Government and Environment between 2010 and 2014, during Fayemi’s first term as governor.

The late party chairman, a close ally of Fayemi, was steadfast throughout the trials and tribulations of gubernatorial politics in Ekiti and the usual vicissitudes of political turncoats.

“He was a stout defender of the Party, maintaining the same level of support for the incumbent Government of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.”

PSC Promotes 1607 DSPs, 158 Professionals Included; “Commission Has restored Dignity Of Specialist Cadre” – Arase

The Source

March 6, 2024

The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 1607 Deputy Superintendents of Police to the next rank of Superintendents.

The Commission had earlier stepped down the consideration of the Officers promotion at its last Management meeting where other recommendations were considered, when it noticed some discrepancies in the list.

The promotion of the DSPs to SPs saw the elevation of 158 Officers in the Professional cadre which included 105 in the Communication unit, 22 in Transport, 10 Medical officers, nine Nurses and another nine from Works.

The other professionals promoted to Superintendents were six Workshop Officers, three Maritime, and one each from Medical and Dental units and Band.

A total number of 1423 DSPs were promoted in the General Duty cadre.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, Retired Inspector General of Police said the Commission has restored the dignity of the Specialists cadre in the Nigeria Police Force.

Dr. Arase said the Commission will continue to give equal opportunities to all cadres in the Nigeria Police Force adding that the era where Specialists are stagnated in one rank is now history. He noted that the Nigeria Police Force needs these Specialists for efficient and effective Policing and promised that the Commission will continue to accord them the required privileges.

He also noted that the General duty Officers will continue to receive the support of the Commission in the area of prompt and regular promotions. He challenged the newly promoted officers to reciprocate the Commission’s gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of the nation.

Dr. Arase warned that the Commission will not hesitate to discipline any of the Officers who undermines the ethics, rules and regulations guiding their conduct. He also warned them to stay clear of land matters and recovery of rents and other minor issues that can be resolved through alternative dispute resolution or legal processes. “You need to concentrate in helping the nation win this war against insurgency and banditry and also remember that the Police is the lead Agency in internal security”, he admonished them.

Some of the promoted Officers are the Public Relations officers for Anambra and Delta states, Tochukwu Anthony Ikenganyia and Bright Edafe. Others are Clement Ominiyi Awoyemi, Salami Ganiyu, Dogo Mathew, Finedon Akah, Attahiru Umar, Adamu Wakili, Constance Katu Ekeh, Nuhu Danjuma and Yaha Bashir.

The list also include, Iwuji Barnabas Iliya, ADC to the Rivers State Governor; Samson Ekeinde ,Officer in charge, Safer Highway, Bayelsa State Command; Clement Gladys C, Lagos Command; Usman Nureni and Adibeli Joy.

Enoch Suleiman, Officer in charge of Surveillance, Zone 5 Benin; Sidi Umar Ahmad, technical Assistant to the DIG Training and Head of IGP Smart Force Management and Data Base Centre; Patrick Chinwe Anike, Divisional Crime Officer 1, 9th mile Division, Enugu State Command; Ben Orih, Unit Commander 28 PMF, Umuahia; Nwanaga Innocent Okpuru, OPTS Officer, SPU BASE 28 Owerri, Imo state; Isa y. Ladan, Department of Operations, Rivers State Command and Moses Omale were some of the other DSPs that got the Commission’s approval for promotion to the next rank of Superintendents.

The approval has been officially communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.

Appeal Court Affirms Abure Labour Party National Chairman

Akinwale Kasali

March 6, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Julius Abure has been affirmed as the substantive National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, by the Appeal Court.

At the Court of Appeal Abuja Division, Wednesday March 6th, 2024, the Appellate Court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, vacated an order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, which barred the Abure-led Executives from piloting the affairs of the political party.

The High Court order was a fallout from a suit that was filed by the Chief Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party.

In the ruling he delivered on April 5, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu restrained Mr. Abure from parading himself as the National Chairman of the LP.

He equally barred Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Oluchi Opara and Clement Ojukwu, from further functioning as National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the party, restrictively, pending the determination of a suit before it.

The restraining order followed an ex-parte application that was brought before the court by eight aggrieved members of the party loyal to the Apapa faction.

The suit marked: CV/2930/2023, which has the LP as the 5th Defendant, were: Mr. Martins Esikpali John O., Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, Job Elomah and Dr. Abayomi Arabambi.

The plaintiffs had, through their team of lawyers led by Chief James Ogwu Onoja, SAN, prayed the court to among other things, declare that, “the 1st Defendant (Abure) cannot continue to function in office as the National Chairman of the 5th Defendant as a result of his suspension by the Ward 03 Executive, Arue, Esan North East Local Government Area dated 31st March, 2023”.

They further prayed the court for; “A declaration that the 1st — 4th Defendants cannot continue to remain in office as National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th Defendant consequent on the prima facie case of forgery, perjury and conspiracy established against them by the Commissioner of Police F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory pending their prosecution in court.

“ A declaration that the 1st — 4th Defendants lack the moral and legal standing to continue to function in office as the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th Defendant having been indicted upon established prima facie case by the Commissioner of Police, F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

An order directing the 1st Defendant to vacate office as the National Chairman of the 5th Defendants based on the communique issued by the Ward 03 Executive, Arue, Esan North East Local Government Area of the 5th Defendant, Edo State Chapter dated 31 st March, 2023.

“An order directing the 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th Defendants to vacate office as the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th Defendant having been indicted upon established prima facie case by the Commissioner of Police, F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“An order directing the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee of the 5th Defendant to appoint interim National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary for the 5th Defendant pending the convention of the 5th Defendant for such purpose”.

As well as, “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants from henceforth parading themselves as the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary respectively of the 5th Defendant”.

However, following the dismissal of a preliminary objection he filed to challenge the competence of the suit as well as the ex-parte orders, Abure took the case before the Court of Appeal.

Delivering judgement in the matter on Wednesday, the appellate court, in its lead decision that was read by Justice Hamma Barka, faulted the lower court which it said wrongly assumed jurisdiction in the matter.

The appellate court held that the case of the Plaintiffs was incompetent, noting that since they raised issues that bordered on fraud and criminality, they ought to have commenced the action through a Writ of Summon which would allow the parties to call witnesses and tender relevant evidence before the court.

It maintained that Justice Muazu was wrong when he held that the case could be effectively determined through an Originating Summon.

“Unless an action is initiated by a proper process of law, the action becomes a waste of time despite how competent it may be.

“ The aim of an Originating Summon is to speed up the process. But where there are serious issues of fact, it should not begin with an Originating Summon,” the appellate court held.

It further queried the statutory powers of Ward Executives of a political party to suspend National Officers of the party.

More so, the appellate court held that issues the Plaintiffs raised before the high court, bordered on the domestic affair of a political party which no court was permitted to delve into.

Aside from upholding Abure’s appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/559/2023, the appellate court awarded a cost of N1million against the Respondents.

IMF Urges President Tinubu To Prioritize Food Security

Akinwale Kasali

March 6, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The International Monetary Fund, IMF, has asked the Federal Government to pay immediate attention to food insecurity in the country.

The IMF made its position after known in its End-of-Mission statement issued after the completion of the IMF Staff 2024 Article IV Mission to Nigeria.

The IMF said addressing food insecurity should be an immediate priority of the Federal Government.

Stating that the President Bola Tinubu’s Government inherited a difficult economic situation marked by low growth, low revenue collection, accelerating inflation, and external imbalances built up over the years, IMF said: “Addressing food insecurity is the immediate priority.

The recent approval of a well-targeted and effective social protection system is an important step towards addressing food insecurity in Nigeria, and its implementation will be crucial.”

It said the decision by the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, to further tighten monetary policy would help contain inflation and pressures on the Naira.

The statement said an IMF team, led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF Mission Chief for Nigeria, visited Lagos and Abuja from February 12 to 23, 2024, to hold discussions for the 2024 Article IV Consultations with Nigeria.

It said the team met with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso and some other senior government and CBN officials, ministers and representatives of sub-nationals, private sector, and civil society organisations, CSOs.

The statement said that at the end of the visit, Schimmelpfennig issued the following statement: “Nigeria’s economic outlook is challenging. Economic growth strengthened in the fourth quarter, with Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth reaching 2.8 per cent in 2023. This falls slightly short of population growth dynamics.

“Improved oil production and an expected better harvest in the second half of the year are positive for 2024 GDP growth, which is projected to reach 3.2 per cent, although high inflation, Naira weakness, and policy tightening will provide headwinds.

“With about eight per cent of Nigerians deemed food insecure, addressing rising food insecurity is the immediate policy priority. In this regard, staff welcomed the authorities’ approval of an effective and well-targeted social protection system.

The team also welcomed the government’s release of grains, seeds, and fertiliser, as well as Nigeria’s introduction of dry-season farming.”

Schimmelpfennig said recent improvements in revenue collection and oil production are encouraging.

He said Nigeria’s low revenue mobilisation constrains the government’s ability to respond to shocks and to promote long-term development.

“Non-oil revenue collection improved by 0.8 per cent of GDP in 2023, helped by Naira depreciation. Oil production reached 1.65 million barrels per day in January as a result of enhanced security.”

Stop Elongation Of Teachers’ Years Of Service; Ondo Workers Urge Gov Aiyedatiwa

Ayodele Oni

March 6, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Some public workers in Ondo State have advised Ondo State Government to jettison the planned move to elongate years of service of teachers to 65 years.

The workers, who wrote a letter to the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the State Head of Service, Mr Bayo Phillip called on them to immediately suspend the policy, but rather consider giving jobs to some of teeming unemployed graduates.

The Concerned workers described the policy as unpopular and anti- youths who are unemployed in the state.

The concerned workers whose letter was signed by two of their members, Aiyenigba Olatunji and Johnson Ojo, said the policy would lead to redundancy in the teaching profession.

“We are deeply concerned that the recently announced policy of elongating years of service for teachers may undermine the progress that has been made and jeopardize the future of education in the State. No society jokes with productive and active populace.

“The National Council of Establishments has rejected the proposal for elongation of service for Public Servants, citing the potential negative impacts. In place of this request, the Council encouraged the government to focus on creating more job opportunities.

“We share the Council’s concerns, and believe that this policy would be detrimental to the interests of both teachers and the State.

“Anybody above 60yr-old or to have spent 35yrs in service can no longer stand for hours to teach. Therefore, the policy is unpopular but some former appointees misled and took the advantage of ill-health of late Governor Former, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu to approve the policy.

“We (concerned workers), therefore, appeal to Your Excellency to suspend the policy through the new Head of Service and review it properly in the overall interest of the state. Sir, you can order independent investigation, you will surely know is a very unpopular policy Sir.”

Edo Deputy Gov Shuaibu On His Way Out As He Faces Perjury Charge, Assembly Begins Impeachment Procedure

Ayodele Oni

March 6, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Edo House of Assembly has confirmed receipt of a petition against the Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shuaibu, signalling commencement of impeachment proceedings against him.

The Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, who announced the impeachment notice during Plenary on Wednesday, explained that the petition was dated March 5, and signed by 21 out of the 24 members against the Deputy Governor.

Aiguobarueghian stated that the members who signed the petition were more than the two- third requirement stipulated in the constitution.

He also announced that the petition was based on two grounds of alleged perjury and revealing of government secrets.

The speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, who acknowledged receipt of the petition, directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve the impeachment notice on the Deputy Governor.

Agbebaku also gave the Deputy Governor seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment.

Shaibu’s resolve to participate in the governorship primary election of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) contrary to the stand of Governor Godwin Obaseki, may be responsible for his latest predicament.

Coalition of Registered Political Parties in the state, at a meeting in Benin, had resolved that the plan by the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the State House of Assembly under the leadership of Blessing Agbebaku, to impeach the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu “can ignite a chain reaction which can lead to anarchy.”

The CRPP Chairman, Samson Isibor and Secretary, Barrister John Isidhaome in a statement they signed said: “We implore the governor to jettison the idea of impeachment and work towards the peaceful transition of power to the next governor of Edo State.

“As far as we are concerned, the Deputy Governor has not committed any impeachable offence or breached his oath of office.

“The Edo people have the exclusive right to call for his impeachment if he commits any grievous offence like corruption, misappropriation of public funds etc.”

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