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Lawmakers Demand Probe of Wigwe’s Death

February 12, 2024

Some members of the House of Representative from Rivers state, have demanded investigations into the death of Herbert Wigwe, the Group Managing Director of Access Holdings Plc.

Wigwe is from Rivers state where he recently established a top class university.

The Access Corps boss died on Friday alongside his wife, son and four others in an ill-fated helicopter crash in far away California, United states.

Tributes that have poured in for the late banking guru, include that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi amongst others.

Following his death that sent shock waves across the country, particularly the financial sector the US authorities said investigation has since commenced to ascertain the cause of the crash of the chopper which took the life of the banker alongside his wife, son, and a former Managing Director of Nigerian Stock Exchange, NGX.

In their reaction, the Rivers lawmakers in a statement signed today by their leader, Dunamenne Dekor charged the federal government to ensure that it got to the bottom of what led to the crash and Wigwe’s eventual death, stressing that the state has lost one of its illustrious sons.

He said: “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we extend our deepest condolences to the Wigwe’s family and loved ones during this distressing time.

“Dr. Herbert Wigwe played a prominent role in the financial banking community, Education and Welfarism.

“His leadership at Access Holdings Plc has left an indelible mark on the industry.

“As we mourn the loss of our son; a nationalist, lover of Rivers State, and visionary and compassionate leader, we take solace in the very remarkable impact he made in the financial sector, education, and particularly his philanthropic lifestyle and belief that the well-being of a people is the only thing that has intrinsic value.

“The Caucus is calling on the United States of America and its relevant agencies, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all relevant institutions and agencies of government to thoroughly investigate the cause of this ill-fated helicopter crash in California and make public its findings.”

PDP Petitions USA, Asks Ban On Leadership Of Abia House Of Assembly

The Source

February 12, 2024

By Daniel Maduka

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Abia State Chapter, has described the Speaker Rt Hon. Emmanuel Emereuwa and the Leadership of the Abia State House Of Assembly, ABHA, as the biggest threat to the continued survival of Nigeria’s Democracy.

To this end, the party has expressed its readiness to petition the United States of America, USA, Government ,and other major partners of Nigeria in the democratic project in the days ahead to draw their attention to the potential threat posed to the growth and development of democracy in the country by the ABHA Leadership and their backers in the Executive Arm .

The Acting Vice Chairman/ Publicity Secretary, Comrade Abraham Amah who made this known in an exclusive interview with this Magazine on Monday February 12 2024, said for refusing to swear- in Hon Aaron Uzodike of the PDP as a member of the State Legislative Body, three clear months after being declared the duly elected member representing the good people of Aba North State Constituency by a Court of Competent jurisdiction,the Speaker and the leadership of ABHA have eloquently shown themselves as enemies of rule of law and democracy.

According to Comrade Amah, the PDP Abia State in its proposed petition will be seeking for the inclusion of the Speaker, the leadership of the House and their identified backers in the Executive arm on the Visa and Traval Ban list of the USA and other Western democracies.

“We are going to request for a Visa and Travel ban on the Speaker ,the leadership of the ABHA and all those who are encouraging them to continue to undermine the Country,s democratic project.

“It is absolutely unfathomable ,why the ABHA will refuse to swear -in our candidate, Hon Uzodike after being declared duly elected by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos since November 2023.

“It is clear to all that in National and State Assembly matters , the Court of Appeal is the last bus stop..Now having being declared winner and ,issued with a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC ,it beats our imagination why the leadership of ABHA has refuse to swear- in Hon Aaron Uzodike

“We view the actions of the Speaker and leadership of the state Assembly as a big challenge and threat to our democracy..

“As a party ,guided by the principles of rule law ,and populated by democrats we are appealing to all lovers of democracy in the country and the world at large to rise up and condemn this blatant act of disregard for the law by the ABHA.

“It is also an insult on the country’s judiciary.

For now ,while not ruling out other lawful options,in seeking justice,we are going to formally alert all partners in the democracy project on the sad situation in Abia state.” The Abia PDP Spokesman stated.

Why Organised Labour Demanded N1m Minimum Wage- Ajaero

Tosin Olatokunbo

February 12, 2024

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero has disclosed that the Organised Labour would now demand N1 million as minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

The labour leader who spoke on Arise Television on Sunday, said this is in line with current realities in the country, saying that the prices of essential commodities have gone beyond the capacity of Nigerians.

Recall that Organised Labour had last year demanded N200, 000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers, stating that it was the least required for workers to survive the current economic situation in the country.

Ajaero who alongside Usifo, the President of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, gave the federal government 14-day altimatum to intervene in the hardship currently in the country, said N200, 000 can no longer take any worker home, considering the rising prices of food and other household items.

For instance, he alluded to the devaluation of the Naira to the dollar as well as the pump price of petrol which he said has made things worst for the ordinary citizens in the last few weeks.

He said, “This N1 million may be relevant if the value of the Nigerian (naira) continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues unchecked because the demand of labour is equally dependent on what is happening in the society.

“You will remember that by the time we were contemplating N200,000 (as minimum wage), the exchange rate was about N800/N900 (to a dollar). As we talk today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more.

“Those are the issues that determine the demand and it is equally affecting the cost of living. And we have always said that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. You will agree with me today that even a bag of rice is going for about N60,000/N70,000 or more.

“A bag of locally produced corn is about N56,000 or more. Foodstuff is getting out of reach, now are we going to get a minimum wage that will not be enough for transportation even for one week?

“You have to factor in these issues and that will determine the Federal Government’s commitment to this negotiation. It is not just that they want to give us a minimum wage.

“The old minimum wage will be expiring by April and ordinarily, the Federal Government ought to have set up a committee six months before that time so that negotiation would have commenced but the Federal Government didn’t do that until (recently when) they inaugurated a committee and the committee has not sat.

“It appears we are going to work within one month or two to agree on a figure and I doubt how those ones are going to… especially when you look at the people that the Federal Government assembled as members of the committee.

“They looked at some of the governors that are not paying even the existing minimum wage and even they have a minister of budget who didn’t implement his minimum wage as a governor.

“If you have these people in the government team on the issue of minimum wage, some of us have not seen a bright future in the work of this new minimum wage committee.”

Crisis Looms In Labour Party, Treasurer Alleges Abure Siphoned N3.5 Billion

Akinwale Kasali

February 12, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Crisis is looming in the Labour Party, LP, following alleged siphoning of N3.5 Billion by the National Chairman of the Party, Julius Abure.

Oluchi Oparah, the Treasurer of the Party had demanded that the National Chairman of the Party account for the sum of N3.Billion, being proceeds from sales of forms and sundry Fundraiser for the 2023 General Elections.

At a Media Briefing today in Abuja, Oparah had demanded that Abure allow her to exercise her constitutionally assigned role of handling the party’s accounts.

She alleged Abure shunned all entireties to open the party’s books for scrutiny since the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms closed before the 2023 general elections.

Oparah said, “I stand before you today with a heavy heart and a sense of duty to the principles of transparency, accountability, and justice. With great reluctance and deep concern, I am compelled to publicly address the media regarding the egregious financial mismanagement and corruption that have plagued our beloved party under the leadership of Mr Julius Abure, the current National Chairman.

“As National Treasurer, I am constrained to come before you and the public today because the internal mechanisms of our party have failed woefully to bring Mr Abure to account for his brazen abuse of office and misappropriation of party funds.

“ His appetite for power has grown unchecked, and he has deliberately undermined my duties and authority as stipulated in the party’s constitution.”

Following this development, there is speculations that there is crisis in the Party.

It would be recalled that the Party had leadership issues leading to factionalization in the Party as there are loyalists to Lamidi Apapa led Group, while Abure was supported by the Presidential Candidate of the Party at the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Gregory Obi, leading to crisis in the Party.

It however took the intervention of the Court for Abure to regain his Seat.

LP: Counter Accusations Trail Abure’s Alleged Embezzlement Of N3.5bn

Tosin Olatokunbo

February 12, 2024

Oluchi Oparah, the National Treasurer of Labour Party, LP, has demanded accountability from the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure , on how he spent the N3.5 billion realised from sales of form and other funds raised last year for the 2023 general election.

Oparah made the accusation on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The development is likely to cause a further division in the party that has barely survived the crisis of power struggle between Abure and Lamidi Apanpa, an erstwhile factional chairman of the party under which Peter Obi ran last year.

The courts have since affirmed Abure, a close ally of Obi as the National Chairman.

Speaking today on what is going on in the party, the treasure said Abure has usurp her power, as she is no longer taken along on how the finances of the party is expended.

According to her, Abure has also refused to allow the accounts of the party to be audited, adding that she has ben unable to fulfil her role as the treasurer.

Oparah said: “I stand before you today with a heavy heart and a sense of duty to the principles of transparency, accountability, and justice. With great reluctance and deep concern, I am compelled to publicly address the media regarding the egregious financial mismanagement and corruption that have plagued our beloved party under the leadership of Mr Julius Abure, the current National Chairman.

“As national treasurer, I am constrained to come before you and the public today because the internal mechanisms of our party have failed woefully to bring Mr. Abure to account for his brazen abuse of office and misappropriation of party funds.

“His appetite for power has grown unchecked, and he has deliberately undermined my duties and authority as stipulated in the party’s constitution.”

Those closely watching the embattled party insist that what is currently going on does not augur well for party as it is preparing for the governorship election in Edo state later this year.

Recall recently that some members of the party last week protested against the party’s Abure over alleged support for some aspirants ahead of the party governorship primary to be held later this month.

The protesters chanted “Abure must go”.

Meanwhile, the party through its national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, has denied the alleged misappropriation by Oparah, describing her as a frustrated person who is not happy that her tenure would soon be over.

Abure did not embezzled any funs belong to the party, Ifoh said in a statement countering the party’s treasurer.

Part of the statement read:

The attention of the leadership of the party has been drawn to a news conference by our National Treasurer, Ms Oluchi Opara where she raised a number of allegations against the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure bothering more on corruption and abuse of office.

We want to say that the National Treasurer who is certainly under some external influences merely read out a concocted statement drafted by our detractors to further tar the image of the party.

With the exception of the National Treasurer whose tenure is about to end in few weeks’ time, and who has served for 8 years as National Treasurer without a single record of party accounts, no other member of the national working committee has raised any issue of embezzlement against out National Chairman who made a pledge on assumption that the party has to be revamped. Evidence is our proactive outing in the 2023 general election as the party presented for the first time a very good presidential candidate.

Let it be said that the Labour Party has not earned N3.5 billion as claimed and that the National Chairman has not embezzled any money that belongs to the party as alleged. The records are there, except that Ms Oluchi Opara doesn’t even understand simple accounting even as a treasurer. An External Auditor is engaged by the party and our account is under constant scrutiny of INEC or other regulatory bodies.

Abure does not own several houses and property as spuriously alleged by our estranged National Treasurer, even though no law prohibits him from owning properties.

The constitution of the Labour Party in Article 14:1b provides that the National Chairman shall be the Accounting Officer of the party while 14:1d ‘Shall approve all expenditures and shall be a signatory to the Party’s Bank account(s).’

Accordingly, Article 14: 6 states that the National Treasurer “Shall receive and promptly pay into the Party’s account(s), all monies received for and on behalf of the Party.

Shall ensure the preparation of Annual Statement of Account/Reports on finances of the Party including compilation of the Party’s Assets and liabilities and make the same available to the National Executive Council from time to time. Shall be a co-signatory to the Party Account(s).’

These sections are clear as to the duty of the national chairman apart from providing leadership. The duty of the National Treasurer is also clearly spelt out.

In the past, the party didn’t have accounting books or methods as it was run by the then chairman and Ms Oluchi the Treasurer. They were only accountable to themselves, but with the emergence of the Abure-led executive, and the growth of the party, it became imperative for the party to structure its accounting method and policy. This of course didn’t go down well with the National Treasurer whose financial source was shut down.

The party can understand her vituperations but we can’t help her situation more so when her time in the NWC is running out. Her wish to cash out was not granted and her subtle effort to push the leadership to ‘settle’ her was rejected hence her resolve to fight dirty.

It will be recalled that she is alone in this battle. Several stakeholders have had course to prevail on her to bridle her inordinate ambition but all to no avail. We are surprised that despite all efforts to assure her of a future, she still went ahead to align with our detractors and sworn enemies of the party.

Imo: Senator Nwabueze Escapes Kidnappers, Police Orderly Killed

The Source

February 12, 2024

By Charles Igbo

What could have easily become the most high profile kidnapping in Imo State was avoided by the absence of Senator Patrick Nwabueze from his country home.

wabueze, APC, is the Senator representing imo North, (Okigwe Zone) in the Senate.

While the Senator escaped the gunmen, a Policeman posted to his home was not that lucky. He was gunned down by the gunmen.

The gunmen escaped suspicion when they, allegedly, from reports, concealed their guns, entered Ndubueze’s expansive compound on the pretence that they were there to watch the AFCON Final Match between host Ivory Coast and Nigeria which Nigeria, shockingly, lost by one goal to two.

The gunmen struck as soon as the match ended, but to their disappointment, the Senator was not at home. Disappointed over their failure to accomplish their mission of abducting the Senator, they killed the Police officer.

Neither the Imo State Police Command, nor the Senator has issued a statement over the incident.

Oshiomhole Blames The Suffering Of Nigerians On Buhari, Exonerates President Tinubu

Akinwale Kasali

February 12, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has blamed the policies of former President Muhammadu Buhari, for Nigeria’s collapsing economy. Oshiomhole, now a Senator, stressed that the aftermath of Buhari’s policies is having a toll on the economy and further impoverishing Nigerians.

The Senator Representing Edo North Senatorial District in an interview on Channels Television, said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying his best to further boost the economy and put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, but that the policies and wrong decisions of the Buhari administration is affecting the economy.

He said President Tinubu should not be blamed as the he always places national interests above partisan interests.

He said, “My first loyalty is to Nigeria. At some point, before the last President left office, I lamented loudly what I saw as reckless policies that were designed to dehumanize the population that was already in pain.

“I felt that it is not what the then President promised. I dissociated myself from those policies and I’m happy that I was not the only one.

“There were Governors who approached the Court to denounce some of those policies. It is the long term consequences of those policies that we are still grappling with now.

“Yes, it is our party platform. Like Tinubu also said, he was not a Minister or adviser. He never took a contract in that Government and he cannot be held responsible for what the Government did right or wrong,” he said.

Emir Bayero To Mrs Tinubu: “Tell Your Husband To Be Open On The Issue Of Relocation Of CBN, FAAN To Lagos”

The Source

February 12, 2024

By Daniel Maduka

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, has asked President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to be open and transparent on the issues concerning the relocation of some Departments in the Central Bank Of Nigeria CBN, and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, from Abuja to Lagos.

This is just as he appealed to the Wife of the President to personally convey to her husband the high level of hunger and despondency plaguing the people of Kano under his watch .

The Kano Royal Father who spoke when he received Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in his Palace on Monday, February 12, 2024, said although the economic hardship predated the present regime, pointed out that the living conditions of the people have since degenerated.

“Even though we have several channels of communicating with the President, I believe that routing this message through you will further underscore the seriousness of the situation and at the same gives a better assurance that the message will be delivered.

Hunger and starvation, yes, did not start with the Government of the day, but the situation has become worse, hence our clarion call on the President to arrest the ugly trend ” Emir Bayero noted.

He stated that going by various speculations around the issues of the purported relocation of some arms of the CBN, and FAAN there is the urgent need for the Federal Government to properly explain the matter to the people.

“I will advise that the Government do more enlightenment on the CBN and FAAN issues.

I personally cannot fathom, for now, the intentions behind the policy. The people should be made to understand the rationale behind the whole thing.”

Mrs Tinubu. who was in the Commercial city to officially commission a building at the Faculty of Law Abacha University named after her, was asked by Emir Bayero to convey to her husband, the serious security challenges being faced by most parts of the Northern Region , adding however that the problem just like, that of economic hardship, was inherited.

Kidnappers Relocate To Ondo From Ekiti – Amotekun

Ayodele Oni

February 12, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

South Western Nigeria Security Network, code named Amotekun in Ondo State has revealed that there is an upsurge in the influx of kidnappers from Ekiti to Ondo State.

Commander of the security network in the State, Adetunji Adeleye, explained that this is as a result of ongoing security operation in Ekiti to flush out the hoodlums who have been terrorizing the State.

Recently, in a space of one week in Ekiti, two First Class Traditional Rulers were shot dead and school children abducted by suspected kidnappers. The scary situation necesitated massive deployment of soldiers, policemen and Amotekun operatives to comb Ekiti State.

Briefing newsmen in Akure on Monday, Adeleye disclosed that within a week of operation by Amotekun operatives in Ondo State, 43 suspected criminals half of which is presumed to be kidnappers were nabbed.

The Commander noted that “the astonishing thing about our parade today is the sudden upsurge in the suspects that we have on kidnapping. About half of the 43 are suspected kidnappers that we have reasonable reasons to question.

“We actually have over 50, but those that we have reason to question why they were where they were, and what we found of them around the things of kidnap across the state, are these 20 you are seeing today.

“I want to trace this to the heavy presence of security personnel in Ekiti and I want to believe that they are being driven to Ondo State, but we want to tell you that Ondo State can never be a safe haven for criminals.

“We have risen up to the challenge and all of them that we have picked in kidnap scenes, during kidnap, and during attempt to kidnap with credible victims around to identify some of them, are the ones we are parading today.

“We also have some that we arrested with local arms and ammunition and we’re not able to justify what they wanted to do with the arms and ammunition.”

On cases of house breaking in the state, Adeleye stated that “This week, we have a sharp decline in the number of housebreaking because we have commenced foot walk, especially on Sundays when people have gone to Church and during working hours when people are at work.

“We now walk and trek around the metropolis which I think this is one of the reasons we have a decline in the number of shop breaking.

“As against the backdrop of the sharp decline of herders destruction of farmland, in the northern part of the state, we have an increase in the number of herders farmers clashes and these are actually the areas where we have security breaches.

“We still have issues with security challenges on our borders especially the Kogi/Ondo border, Edo/Ondo border. We are working on it and collaborating.

“As at yesterday morning, a combined team of security men, specifically army from Kogi and Ondo, Police from Kogi and Ondo, and Amotekun from Ondo, joined hands together to try to fish out the perpetrators of the last kidnap around Akunu/Ayere axis in Kogi/Ondo.”

Outcome Of African Nation’s Cup: President Tinubu Cheers Up Nigerians Over Performance Of National Team

Ayodele Oni

February 12, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the performance of the national team, Super Eagles in the just concluded African Nations Cup football competition.

He said Nigerians should rather see the outcome as a weapon to further bring unity which will make us work harder.

A statement on Monday by the presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngalele stated that the “president salutes the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their tenacious performance in the final of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

“President Tinubu commends the team, the coach, the crew, and the entire management team for their hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to come this far in the tournament, acknowledging the hurdles they consistently surpassed with steadily improving performance as they pulled through to the finals.

“The President urges Nigerians to be of good cheer, emphasizing that we won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world by our grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.

“Let this passing event not dispirit us, but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love.

“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true.”

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