Fuel Scarcity: NNPC Blames ‘Price War’, Marketers Kick

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November 17, 2023

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Limited has attributed the current fuel scarcity in some parts of the country to ‘price war’ among the marketers of the product.

Fuel queues have surfaced in places like Abuja, Nasarrawa, Niger, some South South and southeast states in recent days leading to long queues by motorists.

Marketers under the aegis of PENGASAN and IPMAN have blamed the problem on the inadequate supply by NNPCL, the sole importer of the product in the country.

According to the the National Public Relations Officer, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, some depot owners have also capitalised on the problem in the supply chains to increase their price, while NNPCL promise to discharge some vessels of PMS at Warri, Lagos and Calabar, to ameliorate the scarcity has failed.

He said, “The queues have continued because there is an insufficient supply of products. If we have enough products, it will bring down these acts of profiteering among marketers.

“It is when the products become very difficult to access that is when you start to see cases of profiteering. But if everywhere is littered with products, you won’t experience what we are seeing now.

“In Port Harcourt, for instance, our tickets have been tied down. For the past three weeks, we have not been able to load products, leading to queues at the few stations that have products. But the government, which is actually represented in this business by NNPCL, keeps saying that it is expecting stock.”

Reacting, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC spokesperson said the price difference is responsible for the long queues being experienced in some parts of the country.

He explained that motorists prefer to buy petrol at designated NNPCL fuel stations where the pump price is cheaper, instead of buying from independent marketers.

Soneye said, “The recent tightness in Abuja is essentially a price war, which is typical of any competitive market. Motorists would rather queue at filling stations that offer lower prices than others.

“While NNPC retail is selling at N613/litre in Abuja, other marketers’ prices range from N625-N650/litre,” Soneye stated.”

“Uzodinma Regrets Ajaero’s Brutalization In The State” – Imo State Government

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The Source

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November 17, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

The Imo State Government says that Governor Hope Uzodinma regrets the brutalisation of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, in the State.

Ajaero, on November 1, 2023, was brutalised in Owerri, Imo State, when he went to organise Workers for a protest against the State Government over sundry issues concerning the welfare of Workers in the State.

According to him, he was at the NLC State Secretariat when a combination of thugs and Policemen from the Owerri Police Command pounced on the assembled Workers, and marked him out for special beating. He said he was dragged on the ground into a vehicle where he was blindfolded. He later ended up at the Headquarters of the State Command from where he was taken to the Police Hospital. From there, he was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, and later the Turkish Hospital Abuja.

His humiliation sparked an outrage, with many people holding the State Government and the Police responsible for his ordeal. His Constituency, the Labour Union, declared a strike action which grounded Nigeria, almost. It was called off on Wednesday after the intervention of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, AIG rtd, who led a Federal Government Team to a discussion with the Leadership of the Labour.

Hours before the meeting, Ribadu revealed that some of those who beat up Ajaero have been arrested.

The Imo State Government has since denied complicity in Ajaero’s brutalization. On Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, in an interview with Channels Television, emphasized that no Imo State Government official was arrested in connection with Ajaero’s ordeal. He said none was involved.

Emelumba: “I will say emphatically that the Government has no hands in the attack. The Governor has, also, regretted the attack. He feels bad that he (Ajaero) was treated that way.

“But I think it is important to note that the NSA has said that they have arrested some of those who attacked him, and the Police are investigating.

“It’s a statement of fact, and I don’t think any Government official was among those arrested.”

On the the claims that Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, was tye Leader of those who attacked Ajaero, Emelumba dismissed it as a blatant lie. He said Nwaneri was no where near the scene of the attack.

He said: “The Governor’s Aide was not involved. I can tell you categorically. He wasn’t even around Imo State that day. These are figments of imagination. No Government official was involved, and this is verifiable.”

The Imo State Council of Elders, led by its Chairman, HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, has also visited Ajaero to apologize to him over his brutalization in the State.

Ajaero is from Owerri North Local Government Area, Imo State.

2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Fans Boo Super Eagles Over Shambolic Performance, As Lesotho Salvage Draw

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 17, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Disappointed fans at the Godswill Obot Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State couldn’t hide their feelings as they booed the Super Eagles players following their shambolic display against lowly rated Crocodiles of Lesotho in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

The less fancied Lesotho National Team showed that they were in Nigeria to prove bookmakers wrong as they stood toe to toe with the three-time African Cup of Nations Winners, by curtailing the Super Eagles which paraded arrays of European Stars.

After a goalless first half, the Lesotho side took the lead courtesy of Motlomelo Mkwanazi strike in the 56th minute to give the Southern African team the lead.

They never rested on their oars as they pushed forward in search for the second goal to seal their victory.

This prompted Coach Jose Peseiro to swing into action by making a substitution. He withdrew Nottingham Forest Football Club Forward, Taiwo Awoniyi for Nice Football Club of France forward, Terem Moffi alongside Nantes Winger, Moses Simon for Ademola Lookman of Atalanta Football Club of Italy.

The much needed equalizer came in the 67th minute courtesy of West Bromwich Albion defender, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi.

Following the equalizer, the vociferous fans could be heard gearing the Super Eagles to get the much needed goal to seal victory, but the team failed to make the home support and advantage result into anything positive.

Lesotho was able to absorb the pressure coming from the Nigerians to salvage the draw.

Peseiro had started the game with Francis Uzoho in goal, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Jamilu Collins in the heart of the Super Eagles defense.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman were in the midfield with Victor Okoh Boniface and Taiwo Awoniyi leading the attack.

On Sunday, the Super Eagles will play the Warriors of Zimbabwe at Butare Stadium in Rwanda.

Appeal Court Declares Zamfara Governorship Election Inconclusive, Orders INEC To Conduct Election In Some LG

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 17, 2023

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Dauda Lawal - Zamfra State Governor — Governor Dauda Lawal

By Akinwale Kasali

The hope of Governor Dauda Lawal of remaining in the saddle as the Governor of Zamfara State hangs in the balance. The Court of Appeal on Thursday nullified his victory.

The Court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, nullified the return of Governor Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner of the March 18th, 2023, gubernatorial contest.

It ordered the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct a fresh election in three Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state, where elections did not hold previously or where results from various polling units were not counted.

In the lead judgement read by Justice Sybil Nwaka, the court held that it was wrong for INEC to rely on information it obtained from its IReV portal, to collate the final result of the governorship election.

The judgement followed an appeal lodged before the court by the immediate past Governor of the State, Bello Matawalle, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election.

Matawalle had challenged the outcome of the March 18 governorship election at the Tribunal but his petition was dismissed for lacking in merit.

Delivering the judgment on Thursday, the Court of Appeal declared the election as inconclusive and ordered INEC to hold a fresh election in two local governments.

Adeleke Suspends Osun Chief Judge Over Allegations Of Misconduct, Corruption

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Ayodele Oni

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November 16, 2023

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Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

By Ayodele Oni

Following the suspension of the Chief Judge of Osun state, Justice Adepele Adebola Ojo, Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as the Acting Chief Judge of the State.

Adeleke made the appointment known via a statement on Thursday by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

The statement reads: “Governor Ademola Adeleke has appointed Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of Osun state with immediate effect following the approval of the resolution of the House of Assembly.”

Earlier, Olamide Tiamiyu, Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun had in a statement said the House recommended the removal of the Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Adebola Ojo.

Tiamiyu said the decision was taken during the plenary on Thursday. The House, also, resolved that pending the outcome of the investigation, the Chief Judge of Osun State Honourable Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for proper investigation.

“This House decision is in line with the investigative powers vested on the House of Assembly by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

The Executive Arm was also advised to immediately swear in the next Judge in order of seniority as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State in order not to create a vacuum in the office.

The executive was also advised to notify the National Judicial Council, (NJC) and the State Judicial Service Commission of the resolution of the House.

Among allegations against the Chief Judge are misconduct, abuse of power, corruption, lack of respect for due process and rule of law.

The suspension of the Chief Judge is however said to be on defiance of a court order, which restrained the governor from carrying out the action.

House Of Reps Walks Out Representatives Of Service Chiefs, Demand Their Principals Come In Person

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 16, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The House of Representatives has demanded that Service Chiefs must appear in person before the Lower Chamber on November 21st, 2023 unfailingly.

This is as Members of the House turned back representatives of the Service Chiefs who appeared before it during Plenary on Thursday.

The Lawmakers had summoned the Service Chiefs to appear before it but the Service Chiefs sent representatives which didn’t augur well with the Lawmakers. They were turned back.

The House had summoned the Service Chiefs for a debate on security challenges in the country.

But the Lawmakers discovered that the Service Chiefs failed to attend personally and sent representatives to appear on their behalf.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, rising on constitutional order, said the Constitution empowered the House to invite any person, not only for the purpose of investigation but also for dialogue.

He said the Service Chiefs should have presented themselves before the House and not send representatives.

“It is not satisfactory that they are not here in person. I want to move that these sectoral engagements be suspended until the Service Chiefs come to address us personally,” he said.

Atiku’s Merger Talk: Shehu Sani, Omokri Say Not Enough To Dethrone Ruling Party

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Ayodele Oni

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November 16, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Reactions have been trailing the call for a merger of opposition parties made by Atiku Abubakar to tackle the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.

Labour Party, (LP) has said a report which claimed that it welcomed the merger plan is false.

Former Lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, suggested that a merger between the opposition parties, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), and Labour Party, LP, might not be suitable.

Sani made the suggestion on Thursday in a post on X.

He wrote, “Merging PDP with the young, agile and restless Labour supporters will be like fixing a Ferrari engine into a Peugeot.”

Reno Omokri on the issue of merger wrote “It is incredibly unwise for the Labour Party to reject Waziri Atiku Abubakar’s call for a merger between them and the Peoples Democratic Party especially after the results of the Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa elections. Execute your politics with logic and strategic thinking, not emotion and erratic mentality.

“If a united opposition could not defeat the All Progressives Congress in 2019, it only follows that it will hardly pull it off in 2023 and 2027 if they are divided. That is just pure common sense.

“In Nigeria’s history, only a coalition or merger of parties has been able to take power from the colonialists, the military, or the party in power. So, learn from history or prepare to be history.

“Whichever party features Peter Obi in 2027, whether as a Presidential candidate or running mate, will lose. The leaked Yes Daddy audio has finished Peter Obi’s political career at the federal level forever.

“His religious war comments against the Muslim Ummah will not be forgotten. Core Northern Muslims are not as forgetful or have a short attention span as many Southerners.

“The fact that we had three major Muslim Presidential candidates, Atiku, Tinubu, and Kwankwaso, and only one major Christian candidate, Peter Obi, yet a Muslim won, and another Muslim came second, is proof positive that Muslims have a higher population than Christians in Nigeria. I know it is not what you want to hear. However, the truth is bitter but better.

“And if the Labour Party do not realize this, they will only play into the hands of the All Progressives Congress by dividing opposition votes in 2027.

“Trader sense is not the same as the intelligence of a leader. To succeed in politics, you must be willing to work with even those you do not like, for a goal you like.”

Publicity secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement said news making the rounds that the party is engaged in merger discussions is “twisted to embarrass the Labour Party.

“Kindly disregard the sensational news making the round which suggests that Labour Party is working out a merger arrangement with any other political party.

“It is purely a news item twisted and sensationalized by a section of the media to embarrass the Labour Party..

“In my reaction, I said that it was only a proposal and every Nigerian should be interested in making democracy work in Nigeria and that what we have presently is an autocracy.

“There was nowhere in the response that the purported merger between LP and PDP was mentioned.

“The Labour Party has just concluded the 2023 general election episode and a post mortem is yet to hold, therefore the way forward for the party has not been discussed. When we do, Nigerians will be properly informed.”

Governor Soludo To Bury Father According To Anambra State Burial Laws

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 16, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Bereaved Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has revealed that he is going bury his Late Father in compliance with Anambra State Burial Laws.

He made this disclosure while receiving a condolence letter from members of the State Executive Council, delivered by the Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, thanked members of ANSEC for their thoughtfulness and solidarity at this difficult moment.

This was made known in a press statement issued by Soludo’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, on Thursday.

The statement reads in part: “The Governor reiterated the symbolic coincidence of his father’s death, saying he died at about 7:45 am on Monday, November 6, 2023, which coincided with the anniversary of his election.

“Soludo further said his father lived a befitting life and will be accorded a decent burial devoid of obscenities. He added that the burial will be in strict compliance with the Anambra burial laws. No fanning of ego!

“The Governor, however, promised to issue a formal statement in regards to the burial arrangements.”

The Anambra State Government had enacted a State Burial Law on April 9, 2019, by the State Assembly and recently reinforced to members of the public in the state, include the following, among others.

“No person shall erect any billboard, banner, or posters of the deceased. Persons are allowed to erect only directional posts. No directional post shall be erected before seven days to the burial date and should be removed not later than seven days after the burial date.”

No person shall deposit a corpse in the mortuary beyond two months from the date of death. Any person who contravenes this shall pay a fine of N100,000 or serve an imprisonment term of six months, or both.

“No person is allowed to block a road for any burial except with permission from the appropriate local government authority.

“No person shall publicly display a casket for fabrication and sale in the state, and any person who contravenes is liable to pay a fine of N50,000 or go to jail for one month, or both.

“There shall be no second funeral rites after burial except in the case of legacy.

“There shall be no wake-keep of any kind for any deceased person in the state. All vigil-mass/service of songs/religious activity for the deceased before burial shall terminate by 9 pm.

“There shall be no food, drink, live band, cultural entertainers during and after any vigil-mass/service of songs/religious activity for the deceased”.

Makinde Praises Obi’s Exemplary Conduct, Calls for Nationwide Restructuring

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The Source

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November 16, 2023

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State at the weekend commended the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi for his mature and exemplary approach to politics.

Gov Makinde noted in particular Obi’s display of sportsmanship and remarkable maturity throughout and after the 2023 presidential elections.

Speaking at the 12th Annual Zik Lecture Series in Awka themed “Reclaiming Zik’s World: Claiming Justice and Africa’s Sustainable Development,” Makinde drew parallels between Obi and Nnamdi Azikiwe, highlighting Obi’s commitment to the nation’s unity despite unfavorable election outcomes.

Makinde emphasized the importance of such conduct, stressing its vital role in Nigeria’s progress. He urged Nigerians to rise above tribal associations, emphasizing the need for collective contributions toward national development and unity.

Reflecting on Azikiwe’s ideals, Makinde envisioned a united Nigeria, promoting fair structures to foster coherence and healthy competition among federating units for the greater good rather than division.

In conclusion, Makinde advocated for a comprehensive restructuring of the country, believing it would significantly benefit Nigeria as a whole.

Lifeline For Disaster Victims In Ekiti, As They Receive N20 Million

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Ayodele Oni

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November 16, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Victims of rainstorm and fire disasters numbering 46 in Ekiti state got a- N20 million support fund from the State Government, on Thursday.

At the occasion, the state government lamented that most of the emergency cases causing colossal losses of lives and properties are human-induced, urging residents to be proactive in taking actions that could avert some of these incidences for the safety of all.

The State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, assured the victims that Governor Oyebanji would continually respond positively to their cries to cushion the effect of disasters on them, insisting that the current government is more desirous of prevention, rather than taking palliative actions to put a soothing balm on their pains.

Applauding Governor Oyebanji’s strides to relaunch some of those who lost their homes and businesses back to reckoning, Mrs Afuye, revealed that the governor had earlier approved a sum of N24.5 million to victims of rainstorm in Oke Ako Ekiti.

She appealed to those in the habit of building their structures across river valleys or waterways to desist, saying such actions would no longer be tolerated by government.

“If we are to rate the governors in terms of display of love for their citizens, Governor Oyebanji ranks best in the country. This money is not for you to go undertake family responsibilities or other extraneous things, but to relaunch your destroyed businesses and homes that got destroyed by fire or storm.

“The people we selected were carefully enumerated by the State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA) and those who have submitted their claims will soon benefit, it might be before the end of the year.

“Let me place on record that the present government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji is a progressive and forward looking one, favorably disposed to collaborating with any group or individual, most especially with the federal government that is equally committed to raising the standard of living of the people.

“I want to appeal to all of us to imbibe the culture of environmental preservation and avoid incessant bush burning during dry season, careless dropping of cigarette tips, storage of Prenium Motor Spirit within the house and always switch off electrical appliances when not in use in order to reduce future occurrence of this type of mishap.”

Addressing the beneficiaries, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Head of Operations in Ekiti/Ondo, Mr. Olanrewaju Kadiri, applauded the government for taking actions to mitigate disasters, rating Ekiti as having one of the best in terms of emergency managements and responses in the country.

“Since the advent of this administration, we have enjoyed good emergency management and responses that really complemented our works.

“If you check very well, we are having increasing cases of disasters. We had rainstorm in Oke Ako, fire disaster at Shasha market, flooding in various places, so we need to buckle up to be able to prevent some of these occurrences.”