Cross River: Construction Firm in an N42bn Road Contract Controversy… Denies Allegation, Says “Govt Still Owing Us”

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December 11, 2023

Did a construction firm, Zeka Global Company Limited receive N42b as a contract fee for the construction of the Calabar-Odukpani dual carriageway? This is a poser many in Cross River would want an answer to.

Essentially, while stakeholders and critics in the state swear that Zeka received the whopping sum to undertake the road construction, the company insists it didn’t set eyes on any sum close to a billion for the project. The Firm said the allegation was a ploy to tarnish its reputation and set it on a collision cause with the people of the State.

Setting the record straight, a Director in the construction firm, Engineer Ibrahim Adesina Tiamiyu, disclosed that the contract was not even half of the figure being bandied by an online news portal.

According to him, “It is completely false and mischievous to insinuate that the cost of the contract was N42 billion. The actual cost of the project was N17bn.”

Offering insight into how Zeka Global Company Ltd was engaged by the Cross River State government, Tiamiyu said: “We came into the picture when other contractors were asking for cut-throat fees to handle the project and the government could not muster that. What Zeka did for Cross River State was more or less a direct labour service which went a long way in reducing the cost of constructing the road.

The award or engagement letter issued to us was to function as a “Service Provider” under a direct labour arrangement with the state Infrastructure Company, Infra-Cross. It was based on our rich profile that Zeka was engaged. Some contractors had charged the government about N60bn before the immediate past governor had to look in our direction that we should come in as a service provider.”

Senator Bassey Otu — Gov. Bassey Otu, Cross River state Governor

The Director lamented that despite their diligence and commitment to the completion of the project, “we are yet to be fully paid. The company is still owed a balance of N2bn. This is besides debts owed the company from projects executed outside the dual carriageway for the state government”

n official of the immediate past administration in the state who pleaded anonymity also dismissed the figure, describing it as a phantom.

His words: “purveyors of the phantom N42 billion contract sum were less concerned about fact-checking with the relevant ministries and agencies of government before speculating on the contract sum ”

Located on 147 Ndidem Usang Iso Road, the company which began the construction in 2020 finally completed and delivered the project in 2023.

Speaking on some failed portions of the road, Tiamiyu disclosed that “normally in road construction, there is a period called Defects liability period where the road is open to traffic for six months to observe its behaviour. If there is a defect during the six months, the contractor returns to the site to fix or address whatever the defects are. So it’s not right to say the road has failed. It is mischievous to insinuate as such.

According to the Director, there are a lot of factors that could have caused a road to fail. He clarified that “the portion of the road that gave way was later discovered to be sitting on shale materials. That was what caused that particular portion to give way. And with what we have noticed, we are waiting for the rains to cease so that we can return to the site to get it fixed, despite that the shale materials we found were not captured in the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).”

Corroborating Tiamiyu’s assertion, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr Godwin Akeke, Director, Civil, Ministry of Works, Dr Desmond Ewa, and Engineer Pius Okpa, Director, Inditek Partners and Consultant to the Cross River State Ministry of Works all agreed that “the issue on the portion of the road that gave way is not about the competence of Zeka as a company that handled the work. There were underlying issues which were not foreseen such as underground seepage of water, the presence of amco pipes buried under the ground and the prevalence of borrow pits. If these were not foreseen and were not part of the contractor’s design and schedule, the contractor would not handle them because they were not covered under the terms of engagement. So there will be a need for variation because he did not know that under seepage was taking place there. Against this backdrop, the portion of the road was likely to give way. However, since it is still within the defects liability period the contractor will go back to the site but with variation in the contract.

So the issue of competence does not arise. People are making insinuations simply because it is an indigenous contractor and they will do everything to discredit them.”

Tiamiyu, however, appealed: “We will greatly appreciate it if the government can pay us the outstanding balance of N2bn due to the company to help quicken our return to the site to fix the failed portion.”

IPOB: Will Supreme Court End Kanu’s Detention Woes Before Christmas? Ohanaeze Begs

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James Orji

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December 11, 2023

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo apex socio-political group, has called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, before Christmas.

The group’s Vice President, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene made the demand on Sunday as the Supreme Court is set to make a judgment in his case next week.

The question is whether the apex Court, which is set to rule on his matter will put an end to the IPOB’S leader’s more-than-two years detention predicament.

Ohanaeze also called for the arrest of Samuel Ekpa by liaising with the government of Finland where he currently operates, for promoting violence in the country.

Ekpa had made himself the IPOB’s defacto leader following Kanu’s incarceration.

The IPOB leader had been detained in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, since July 2021 following his arrest in Kenya by the joint Nigeria/ Kenyan security forces.

The courts had ruled that the federal government had no reason to keep him in detention.

The last being the Court of Appeal which ordered his release on October 12, 2022, saying his continued detention contravened local and international laws.

The Supreme Court will determine the federal government’s appeal on the issue on December 15.

Ohanaeze, however, called on the federal government to release him, saying peace will return to the restive southeast region if Kanu regains his freedom by the middle of this month.

Okeke- Ogene urges the Igbo to jettison rumours that southeast governors and other influential politicians were behind Kanu’s continued detention. Perish the thought, he said.

Ohanaeze said, “We don’t want to dwell much on the politics about the release of Kanu. If he is released on December 15, it is long overdue because competent courts of jurisdiction have on two occasions found him not guilty and also released him, but till now, nothing was done about it.

“So, we hope that the Supreme Court will equally do justice to it with the expectation that every Igbo man is expecting that President Bola Tinubu should know that the money and lives being wasted on the issue are not worth it. And he should, therefore, set the man free as a Christmas gift to the South-East if he truly wants peace to return to the region.

“The President should emulate former Presidents Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, who used the carrot and stick approach to stop the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta region. The average Igbo person is also facing the same situation.

“Kanu should be a free man from December 15 and anything short of that has dashed the hope of the whole of the people of South-East this Christmas. If he is not released, it will be a black Christmas in the region.

“We are not in the position to pre-empt the court but for now, we are looking up to the Supreme Court, if it is a country where the judiciary works, we don’t have to be afraid that the Federal Government would influence the judgment.”

“As far as we know, there is a group now using the agitation to cause insecurity in the region. First of Okeke-Ogene, however, berated the Federal Government for its inability to collaborate with the government of Finland to tackle the issue of the autopilot arm of IPOB, led by Simon Ekpa, who is generally acclaimed to be fuelling insecurity in the region in the name of agitation.

“If Kanu is released, we will hear from him and we will all join hands together to discuss these issues. And our people hiding in the bushes would come out and be rehabilitated.

“On Simon Ekpa and his group in Finland, we believe that the Federal Government is enjoying what they are doing, otherwise there is a diplomatic way of resolving the issue. It is a government-to-government collaboration and the Federal Government has not explored that avenue to resolve the situation.”

This is not the first time the umbrella Igbo group had called for Kanu to be released from detention, whereas the federal government had ignored such appeal on the grounds that the rule of law must take full course.

Ondo Amotekun Arrests 72 Year-Old Kidnappers’ Informant, Robbery Suspects

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Ayodele Oni

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December 11, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Amotekun has arrested a 72-year old man, Suleman Abubakar, who, according to it, is an informant to kidnappers.

Commander of the security outfit, Adetunji Adeleye, explained that “Abubakar, was employed as a security man, in an establishment.

“What he did was to give out the information of his boss to the kidnappers who came to kidnap him while he was communicating with them.

“When we arrested him, we perused his phone and found out that he has contacts with the same number they were using to negotiate. So, he gives information to Kidnappers.”

Another suspect, who is an ex convict, has succeeded in kidnapping nine persons and collected ransome.

“He was arrested around Ala/Dada/ Ago-Oyinbo axis. He successfully kidnapped over nine people and collected ransom.

“At a point in one of the villages, because they attempted to fight him, he led five other people back at night and burnt down the whole village. So, we have him in our custody and he’s also an ex-convict.

Sixty two other suspected criminals paraded were arrested across the 18 local government areas and local council development areas of Ondo State.

Adeleye stated that “The arrest of these suspected criminals arouse from distress calls received, surveillance activities of Amotekun men and all the security agencies in the state, inclusive of the police, the Civil Defense, the DSS and the Army, in various joint operations.

“This ember month patrol is strategic as we are determined to guarantee safety of lives and properties in Ondo State and for those passing through the highways of the state.

“Across the board, we were able to track down about 15 suspected kidnappers. Some of them with guns they use, the money received as part of the ransom and all they told those coming to pay ransom to bring along with the money.

“We have cigarettes, bread from Osogbo and another one from Ilorin because they gave them terms of how to package the ransom.

“But, the eagle eyes operatives were able to arrest some of them, especially, in the Ala/Dada/Ago Oyinbo axis of Akure North Local Government. We equally have some suspected kidnappers residing in and terrorizing the Elegbeka axis.

“We have another group that break into people’s houses during church service when they know that they would have gone out and we have those that steal goats.

“The vehicle over there was arrested yesterday fully loaded with goats and we went round Idanre and Ondo West local government where they like ‘Asun’. So, it will be easy for them to sell the goat but they were caught in the act.”

NTA’s Aisha Bello Laid To Rest

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 11, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

The remains of Aisha Bello Mustapha, the golden-voiced Newscaster with the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, has gone back to Mother-earth.

The shocking death of the former Newscaster who passed away Sunday night was confirmed in a statement by her family. The statement disclosed that she would be buried by 1.00pm on Monday.

It reads: “Innalihali wa Inna Alaihin Rajiun. May Allah forgive our Mother Hajia Aishat Bello Mustapha.

“Mama, indeed, you are a very kind-hearted person. We will miss you and hope you are enjoying Rahma. Funeral prayer to be held in Central Mosque Abuja 1pm on Monday, 11th December 2023.”

She retired from the NTA after the mandatory 35 years service.

Rivers Governor On Way Out As 27 Lawmakers Loyal To Wike Dump PDP, For APC

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Ayodele Oni

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December 11, 2023

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State

By Ayodele Oni

The days of Rivers State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara in office seem numbered as 27 Peoples Democratic Party Lawmakers, PDP, Monday morning dumped the Party and defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Lawmakers who defected to the APC are those loyal to the Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike, currently, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. They were those who unsuccessfully, tried to impeach the Governor weeks ago over his face off with Wike, who, incidentally was instrumental to Fubara’s Governorship.

Since then there has been no peace in the State and the State House of Assembly.

However, a new dimension was introduced on Monday when the lawmakers loyal to Wike defected. Their defection effectively gives the APC control of the Assembly and, therefore, in a vantage position to impeach Governor Fubara.

The lawmakers who have been plotting the impeachment of Governor Fubara, disclosed their next political move in Port Harcourt.

Their resignation from the PDP, it was gathered, is part of the script by Wike to get Fubara out of office at all cost.

The crisis came into public light following the burning of the Rivers State Assembly Complex on 29th October.

In reaction,Wike, accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of orchestrating the burning of a section of the State House Assembly complex.

The rift among members of the State House of Assembly led to some lawmakers commencing impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. This move was, however, halted following the intervention of President Tinubu.

Another group of Lawmakers from the Assembly, loyal to Fubara, have elected a new speaker, and continued with their sitting at undisclosed venues.

Peter Obi Urges Political Leaders To Shun Corruption, Show Good Example To Their Children

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 11, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Peter Obi, the Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate in the February 25th Presidential Election has urged the political class to shun corruption.

He stated that the leaders engaging in corruption are showing bad precedents for their children.

The Former Anambra State Governor noted that the increase in the number of youths involved in cybercrime is as a result of the political leaders who have shown bad precedents.

Reflecting on the International Anti-Corruption Day which was held on Saturday, the former Anambra State Governor in a long post on his X handle on Sunday partly wrote, “As the global community marked International Anti-Corruption Day yesterday, we need to soberly reflect on the effect of corruption in our society and on our country.

“Corruption has become the greatest threat to our national existence, especially our democracy, peace, and progress. It has immeasurably stunted our development as a nation.”

He added, “The gross abuse of the rule of law, and disrespect for our constitution are all resultant effects of the endemic corruption that has eaten through the fabric of our society.

“More sadly, is the fact that we the leaders, are not setting very good precedents for our children, by engaging in all forms of corrupt practices.

“The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, was recently reported to have lamented the huge percentage of Nigerian youths in cybercrime. The question we must all ask is where the children are learning such criminality from, if not from us the parents, especially we the leaders.”

He said he is committed to a corruption free society.

Edo Deputy Governor Shaibu, Withdraws Earlier Cash Support To Ondo State Team

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Ayodele Oni

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December 11, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has announced the withdrawal of earlier support to Ondo State football team, Sunshine stars, for medical treatment following an attack by armed robbers.

Players and officials of Sunshine FC of Akure were attacked by unknown gunmen last Thursday on the Lagos- Ore-Benin Highway on their way to Benin City for NPFL match day 13 engagement with the Insurance FC.

Their official bus was riddled with bullets while the Kit Manager and the Ball Boy sustained injuries.

The Deputy Governor had earlier visited the team members on their hospital bed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH) where he announced the donation and promised to pay their medical bills.

He paid another visit to the team on Saturday in their hotel where he met with the players and officials of the club. He prayed, gave them words of encouragement and some undisclosed amount of money.

However thereafter, Governor Godwin Obaseki announced that he will offset the medical expenses of the wounded team members.

Shaibu in a statement on Sunday stated that “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that His Excellency, the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has directed that the medical bills of the injured Ball Boy and the Kit Manager of Sunshine FC of Akure be paid by the State Government.

“Consequently, the State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has withdrawn his earlier promise to pay the medical bill.

“He however said the cash gift he gave the players when he visited them in their hotel on Saturday remains.

“The office of Governor and Deputy Governor are one. We are not in any way in competition. I acted swiftly the way I did because of the passion and love I have for football and as someone who has been there before, I know the feelings of the players.

“Now that Mr Governor, my elder brother, has decided to offset the bill, it’s all for the good of the State. I thank him.”

My Problem With Tinubu- APC Chieftain, Lukman

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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December 11, 2023

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Salihu Lukman, a former Vice National Chairman (North-west) of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has denied having any problem with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

His criticism of the administration and his party, he said, is for the entrenchment of democracy in the country.

The APC chieftain disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the country made a good choice by electing President Tinubu.

According to the former member of the party’s NWC, President Tinubu is the best among the aspirants who vied to lead this country in the February 28 Presidential election, noting that Tinubu “is a committed Democrat and truly a progressive politician.”

The politician, a former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, however, stated that he would not stop critcising the administration in other to make it better.

Recall that Lukman had in July this year resigned his position as APC Vice President North-wets after a long battle with the party’s leadership, which he criticized for corruption, and for undemocratic actions.

He even opposed the emergence of Abdullahi Ganduje, a former Governor of Kano state as APC chairman. But that is now in the past as he no longer has any problem with Ganduje, he stated.

Lukman said, “I must say very clearly that I disagreed with President Asiwaju Tinubu’s decision to nominate Dr Ganduje as the National Chairman of APC, but I respect and accept the fact that Dr Ganduje is today the National Chairman.

“I also have strong concerns about the direction taken by the Federal Government under the leadership of President Asiwaju. Under the leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu, we have sadly produced an irritating political reality whereby the North-Central region is marginalised.

I fear that at the rate we are going, with all the low ratings of former President Buhari, if care is not taken, he may turn out to be more progressive.

“We are not, and we will never abandon the campaign for democracy in Nigeria. Whatever is responsible for the current orientation can be surmounted and should be conquered. We will not degrade ourselves to become antagonists of our party and President Asiwaju Tinubu.

“We are confident that our party is blessed with leaders who are capable of initiating processes of reform to return our party to its founding vision of becoming a progressive party.

“We are also confident that President Asiwaju Tinubu is a committed Democrat and truly a progressive politician. We were never wrong in our estimation that out of all the 23 leaders who aspired to become our presidential candidates for the 2023 general elections, he was the best qualified.

“Therefore, as party members and leaders, we must continue to engage him to live up to all the promises we have made to Nigerians since 2015,” he stated.

Otedola Welcomes Crude Delivery To Dangote Refinery, Says Jobs Will Be Created

By

James Orji

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December 11, 2023

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Femi Otedola, the billionaire has welcomed the delivery of crude oil to Dangote Petrochemical Refinery.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, last week, made its first delivery of one million barrels of crude to the refinery after months of delay.

The refinery was billed to start production in July this year but had been slowed due to a lack of crude from the NNPCL.

Reacting, Otedola said the delivery is a ‘beacon of hope’ for Nigeria and Africa as a whole, adding that it has been long awaited.

The business mogul spoke after Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL told the Nigerian Senate that Nigerians should not expect reduction in the price of petroleum products when Dangote Refinery starts production.

Kyari’s statement must have seriously disappointed Nigerians who had placed their hope of price cut in petrol and diesel on Dangote.

Otedola explained on his verified ‘X’ handle that the refinery would help Nigeria to meet her target of reducing carbon emissions.

The refinery, he said, will also create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians and Africans.

He noted that the production of Euro 5 fuel from Dangote Refinery will improve air quality and reduce respiratory diseases caused by the use of low-quality fuels in Africa.

He said, “I heartily congratulate my bestie @AlikoDangote as the 8th Wonder of the World – the $20 Billion (Twenty Billion Dollars) @DangoteGroup.

“Refinery – officially commences production. The Dangote Petrochemical Complex, which consists of the world’s largest single-train 650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refinery, a 1 million metric tonnes of Polypropylene per-annum facility, and two of the world’s largest Fertilizer Trains – with a capacity of producing 3 Million Tonnes of Urea – is much more than just an industrial milestone; it’s a testament to the visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence of one of Africa’s finest and most dogged patriots.

“I had a front-row seat as this vision was conceptualized and took shape. And I am familiar with the sleepless nights you’ve had to work through over the last decade to bring this dream to fruition.

“This refinery is a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians and Africans. It is also at the vanguard of championing environmental sustainability.

“With its Carbon capture technologies and storage processes it will capture up to 90%+ of the CO2 emitted and also play a significant role in reducing Well-to-tank carbon emissions from crude oil maritime transportation, thereby playing its own role in helping Nigeria meet its target for net-zero emissions by 2060.

“The Refinery recircles 100% of its water. The heat coming out of the process is fully captured to produce 50MW of Power. Dangote is also producing Euro 5 to replace the bad Euro 5 that has been dumped in Africa for a long time.

“Shipping 65,000 barrels per day of crude out of Nigeria and 650kbpd in refined products to Nigeria and nearby countries which is 480 ships of 1m barrels per day will save 1.5m to 2.5m tons of CO2 emissions. This will help the environment.

“By meeting our requirements for all refined petroleum products, it will champion energy security and independence for our nation and act as a catalyst for a new era of prosperity for the subcontinent. It promises economic transformation for Nigerians today and for generations to come.”

“Congratulations, @AlikoDangote,Africa is proud of you! …F.Ote💲”

The Energy mogul had during the commissioning of the refinery by former President Muhammadu Buhari early this year, criticised the federal government for cancelling the sale of Port Harcourt Refinery to Dangote, saying the tne refinery is proof of how Africa’s Richest man would have turned around the comatose government-owned refinery.

Again, ECOWAS Threatens Use Of Force In Niger

By

James Orji

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December 11, 2023

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The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, says the use of force is still an option if the military junta in Niger Republic fails to release ousted President Bazoum.

This is part of the communique released on Sunday in Abuja by the regional body at the end of the 64th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Recall that ECOWAS had in July threatened to flush out the military junta if they failed to release President Bazoum and restore the country to constitutional democracy.

ECOWAS also imposed economic sanctions on the country, including air and land blockades.

The former president has remained in detention alongside his family with no hope of freedom. The Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani-led Junta has also failed to release a timeline for returning the poor West African country to democracy.

In the ECOWAS meeting held in Nigeria’s capital and chaired by President Tinubu, the bloc resolved to set up a committee of heads of state to engage with the Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the military junta, on the need to set up a short transition timetable for the return to civil administration.

ECOWAS said the decision by the junta to comply with its demands will determine whether sanctions imposed on the country will be removed.

It also frowned on what it described as the reluctance of the junta to Bazoum.

The communique said, “Consequently, the Authority calls on the CMSP to release President Mohammed Bazoum, his family, and associates immediately and without precondition.

“The Authority decides to set up a committee of Heads of State made up of the President and Head of State of the Republic of Togo, the President and the Head of State of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the President and Head of State of the Republic of Benin, to engage with the CMSP and other stakeholders with a view to agreeing on a short transition roadmap, establishing transition organs as well as facilitating the setting up of a transition monitoring and evaluation mechanism towards this speedy restoration of constitutional order.

“Based on the outcomes of the engagement by the committee of Heads of state with the CMSP, the Authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on Niger.

“In the event of failure by the CMSP to comply with the outcomes of the engagement with the committee, ECOWAS shall maintain all sanctions, including the use of force, and shall request the African Union and all other partners to enforce the targeted sanctions on members of the CMSP and their associates.”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu said at the meeting yesterday that ECOWAS is not moved by the plan of Niger and other countries in the region to form a confederation.

On December 1, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger recommended the creation of a confederation as part of a long-term goal of uniting the West African neighbors within a federation.

The three countries are currently under military rule.