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OPINION: Govt Subsidising Ruling Class, Masses In Excruciating Pains

June 9, 2023

By Femi Falana, SAN

Globally, subsidies, whether for food, transportation, energy or housing, are part of good governance. So, the issue is not subsidies but who benefit from them. In Nigeria, subsidies are primarily of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. I will highlight a few, how they are being manipulated and how huge sums of money can be recovered not just to subsidize fuel but also provide funds for development.

Diversion of N40 billion from Federation Account
A company, Continental Transfert Technique had been hired by the Ministry of Interior to collect the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC) Fee of $2,000 per annum from every expatriate in Nigeria. The revenue from 2019 comes to an average of N40 billion per annum. This collection which violates Section 162 of the Constitution and provisions of the Immigration Act 2015, is then shared on percentages of Federal Government, 30, Interior Ministry, 7, Immigration Service, and Continental Transfert Technique, 58 per-cent.

We challenged this illegality at the Federal High Court and won the cases. The court directed the NIS to collect the funds henceforth and remit same to the Federation Account. But the contractor and the federal government appealed against the judgment and have continued to share the N40 billion per annum.

Additional Revenue of $1.5 billion payable to Federation Account
In July 2015, I drew the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that the 15-year fiscal incentives given to the oil and gas companies operating under the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act had expired in June 2014. When the Federal Government ignored our request, we drafted a Bill for the amendment of the law. The Bill which was adopted and sponsored by Senator T. Orji scaled the first reading in the Senate but was not passed before the dissolution of the 8th National Assembly.

However, the same Bill was modified and passed by both houses of the 9th National Assembly and assented to by President Buhari on November 4, 2019. In justifying the passage of this Bill, Senate President Ahmed Lawan announced that the new law would increase the revenue of the nation by not less than $1.5 billion per annum.

Outstanding royalties of $62 billion
In campaigning for the amendment of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, I requested the Federal Government to collect outstanding royalties payable by the International Oil Companies under the Act. The Federal Government admitted that the country had lost a whopping sum of $60 billion. But my demand for the collection of the huge fund was ignored.

The governments of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States then approached the Supreme Court which on October 20, 2018 ordered the Federal Government to collect the royalties for the past 18 years. The Federal Government confirmed that the outstanding royalty withheld by the IOCs is $62 billion but has refused to collect it.

FG denied revenue of $500 million by a group of corrupt public officers
The international Cargo Tracking Note Scheme to protect international shipping and prevent the movement of dangerous cargo and arms shipments was introduced into Nigeria in 2010 via an agreement between the Nigerian Port Authority and TPMS, a private company. Barely a year later, the agreement was suspended. When our attention was drawn to the illegal suspension of the Cargo Tracking Note system, we protested and the suspension was lifted on May 28, 2015 only to be suspended again in 2016.

In 2022, President Buhari issued an executive order which authorized a company to operate the Cargo Tracking Note. But 5 companies sponsored by top government functionaries overruled the President and hijacked the contract. The company that won the contract has since sued the federal government at the Federal High Court. Meanwhile, Nigeria has lost at least $500 million while the security of the nation has been compromised by a bunch of corrupt public officers.

Sale of public assets and enterprises
Successive regimes have been selling assets and enterprises owned by the Federal Government to members of the ruling class in the name of privatisation. The buyers turned round to engage in asset stripping. According to the Bureau of Public Enterprises, between 2004 and 2002, the federal government sold 142 public enterprises to members of the ruling class.
The 10 per cent shares reserved for the staff of every privatised enterprise have been cornered by the so called “core investors” contrary to the provision of section 5(3) òf the Privatization and Commercialization Act.

$7 billion fixed in 14 banks

Sometime in 2006, the CBN yanked off $7 billion from the nation’s foreign reserves and fixed it in 14 commercial banks in Nigeria. The deposit and the accrued interests were not recovered from the banks. When I reported the matter to one one of the anti-graft agencies, the CBN claimed that it had forgiven “the forbearance”.

Sale of Polaris by Heritage Bank, Keystone Bank, Union Bank and Polaris Bank by CBN
The CBN took over Heritage Bank, Keystone Bank, Union Bank and Polaris Bank, spent trillions of Naira to revitalise them only to turn round to sell them under the table. For instance, CBN invested N1.3 trillion in Polaris Bank but sold it for N50 billion!

Theft of Crude oil
The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has revealed that Nigeria lost 619.7 million barrels of crude oil valued at N16.25 trillion ($46.16 billion) to crude oil theft between 2009 and 2020. Immediate past National Security Adviser, General Babagana said that Nigeria might lose $23 billion in 2023 to crude oil theft.

Theft of gold and other solid minerals
The theft of the nation’s mineral resources is not limited to crude as solid minerals are equally smuggled out of the country by highly placed criminal elements. Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah recently disclosed that private jets are being used by the rich for gold smuggling in Nigeria. He stated this at an investigative hearing on $9 billion annual loss to illegal mining and smuggling of gold organised by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy. During his contribution at the hearing, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu disclosed that Nigeria lost close to $54b from 2012-2018 due to illegal smuggling of gold.

AMCON is owed N5.4 trillion by the rich
A few years ago, commercial banks were going to collapse due to toxic loans taken by members of the ruling class. To prevent the impending economic doom, the Federal Government set up the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to buy off the loans with trillions of Naira provided by the CBN. AMCON has not been able to recover the loans of N5.4 trillion from about 370 corporate bodies.

Indiscriminate import duty waivers
A few privileged members of the business community buy dollars at official rate while they are allowed to import all manners of goods into the country. In the last 5 years, import duties worth N16 trillion were waived for them.

Effort to track and monitor tankers conveying fuel sabotage by NNPC
On August 8, 2018, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the installation of technology monitoring schemes and structures under the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) for N17 billion. The technology which was designed to track and monitor tankers conveying fuel and other petroleum products was not acquired while the N17 billion approved for it was diverted.

N10 trillion diverted by CEOs of Government enterprises
The Buhari government revealed on December 19, 2018 that government enterprises including the CBN owed about N10 trillion in unremitted operating surplus as at August 2018. The details were provided. The said sum of N10 trillion remains unpaid.

N6 trillion unpaid ground rents by buyers of Government properties
On March 29, 2023, the Senate noted that since 1992, over two million houses across the 36 states and the FCT had been built and allocated to beneficiaries by the federal government without evidence of payment of ground rent on the properties. Consequently, the Senate set up an Ad Hoc Committee to recover over N6 trillion unpaid ground rents from property owners in the country.

Stolen crude oil valued at $29.17 billion
A group of lawyers engaged by NIMASA confirmed that 60.2 million barrels of crude oil valued at $12.7 billion of crude oil was stolen and illegally exported to the United States of America between January 2011 and 2014. This has not been recovered. Also, the House of Representatives investigated and confirmed that undeclared crude oil worth $17 billion was exported to global destinations during the same period. The affected companies are known but government seems to lack the will to bring them to book and recover the sum of $29.7 billion being the value of the stolen crude.

Oil theft of N16.25 trillion
The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) revealed that between 2009 and 2020 Nigeria lost 619.7 million barrels of crude oil valued at N16.25 trillion ($46.16 billion) to oil theft. The security forces have not been able to stop the stealing and smuggling of crude oil from Nigeria.

However, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), a private company discovered pipelines through which crude oil was being diverted from a 40,000 barrel per day Forcados pipeline to the high seas for export. The indicted oil companies including an IOC involved in this grand theft are yet to be prosecuted.

Deduction of collection costs by FIRS & NCS
The Federal Inland Revenue Service and Nigeria Customs Service are allowed by their enabling laws to deduct percentages of the taxes and duties collected by them as collection costs. Thus, the FIRS between 2016 and 2020 made N533.39 billion deductions while Nigeria Customs Service withdrew N128.64 billion as cost of collection in 2022.

The laws which allow agencies of the Federal Government to deduct collection costs are contrary and inconsistent with section 162 of the Constitution which provides that all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation shall be paid into the Federation Account.

Diversion of $6.065 billion approved for turn-around maintenance of refineries
Between 1993 and 2016, successive regimes spent, through the NNPC, about $6.065 billon on the so-called turn around maintenance and rehabilitation of the four refineries at various times.

It is public knowledge that the turn-around maintenance of the refineries was not carried out. Therefore, the contractors should be invited by the EFCC and compelled to refund the said sum of $6.025 billion.

Investment in Dangote refinery and rehabilitation of 4 refineries
The Federal Government has invested $2.7 billion in Dangote Refinery while the NNPCL will supply the refinery with 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Furthermore, the Government has awarded the contracts for the rehabilitation of the two refineries in Port Harcourt for $1.5 billion, as well as Kaduna and Warri refineries for $1.4 billion.

We are compelled to call on the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to monitor the ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of the 4 refineries.

Special salaries for top public officers, security votes, and pension for governors
Top public officers have illegally taken themselves out of the general salary structure. For instance, contrary to section 70 of the Constitution which provides that the salaries and allowances of legislators shall be fixed by the Revenue Allocation Mobilization and Fiscal Commission the members of the National Assembly are paid emoluments ranging from N13 million to N15 million per month.

In addition to their salaries the 36 State Governors are paid security votes running into hundreds of millions per month. The largesse has since been extended to all senior public officers, including heads of ministries, departments, and agencies of the federal and state governments, as well as local government chairmen. The security votes paid to senior public officers are about N241 billion per annum.

As if such subsidy is not enough, state governors have been placed on scandalous pension of billions of Naira. But due to public criticisms, the Lagos State Government has halved the pension for ex-governors while the Governments of Kwara, Imo, and Zamfara States have abolished the payment of the outrageous pension to former governors and deputies. We call on all other state governments to emulate the example of the aforementioned 3 state governments.

Diversion of dividend and feed gas of $33 billion by NNPCL
Nigeria LNG Limited is jointly owned by Nigeria and the OICs. The 49% shares of Nigeria in the joint venture were paid for from the Federation Account in 1989. On March 29, 2021, former President Buhari disclosed that the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) had generated $114 billion in revenues, paid $9 billion in taxes, $18 billion as dividend and $15 billion in Feed Gas Purchase to the Federal Government. However, rather than pay the fund into the federation account as constitutionally directed, the $33.9 billion dividend and feed gas was diverted by the NNPCL.

Diversion of trillions of Naira through fuel subsidy fund
Notwithstanding the allocation of 445,000 barrels of crude oil to NNPC per day for domestic consumption, it has been confirmed that the figures for fuel importation in Nigeria between 1999 and 2023 are as follows:

1999-2006 =N813 billion;
2007-2009= N794 billion;
2010-2014= N3.9 trillion;
2015-2023= N11 trillion.

Last week, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari stunned the nation when he said that the federal government still owes the company N2.8 trillion in fuel subsidy payments. But the monumental fraud that has characterized the fuel subsidy scam has been confirmed by the Buhari regime.

Thus, on March 27, 2022, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva publicly lamented the controversies surrounding the amount of petrol that the nation consumes daily, said the subsidy regime encouraged criminal activities like smuggling, which in turn impact negatively on the nation’s oil resources. He said that, “I am told the figure sometimes rise to as high as 90 or over 100 million litres. I don’t know how that happens. At this rate, I have said if anyone is looking at a criminal enterprise, look no further than the fuel subsidy.” The criminal enterprise ought to be probed by the Bola Tinubu administration.

Conclusion

It is crystal clear form the foregoing that members of the ruling class are heavily subsidized by the peripheral capitalist system while the masses are subjected to excruciating economic pains. We are therefore compelled to call on the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as well as the progressive extraction of the civil society to mount pressure on the federal government to stop the dollarisation of the national economy, indiscriminate grant of duty waivers, theft of crude oil, gold, and other mineral resources and recover the nation’s looted wealth. In other words, these ‘subsidies’ should be recovered while the nation’s refineries are fixed so that the country can provide genuine subsidies that can make life livable in Nigeria.

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN is a rights activist

“My Husband Not Fit To Be Governor” – Ondo Deputy Governor’s Wife

The Source

June 9, 2023

Seun Ayedatiwa wife of Ondo Deputy Governor

By Gideon Njoku

“My husband, the Deputy Governor, physically assaults me before our children, threatens to kill me, abuses me emotionally, tortures me and locks me out of the house. Then, blames alcohol”

Seun Ayedatiwa, the beautiful wife of the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, has abandoned her home and relocated to London.

Mrs Ayedatiwa escaped, according to her, to save herself from a very abusive marriage to the Deputy Governor. In a statement, dripping with emotion, she told her story of pain, of disappointment, disillusionment, torture, and said she has had enough of the trauma she has been going through.

She wrote off her husband, who has an ambition to succeed Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in office, as an unfit person, with neither decorum, nor character to occupy the high office of a Governor.

The shameful story began a few days ago when a Group, Society for Women Empowerment, SWA, raised an alarm over the constant beatings of Mrs Ayedatiwa by her husband, the Ondo Deputy Governor.

SWE listed the abuses she had been going through in the hands of the Deputy Governor and her emotional trauma. It called for intervention, especially, from the Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his wife, Betty, a couple who has an examplery lovely marriage.

But in a swift response, the Deputy Governor, denied the allegations, and said he had never physically or verbally or emotionally abused his wife since they got married.

In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Kenneth Odusola, the Deputy Governor denied being a serial abuser of his wife, but admitted his wife is currently in London, where she resided and worked before his elevation to the office of Deputy Governor.

“The allegation is baseless, false, nothing but political blackmail taken too far to cause political unrest in the State”, he said.

For days, many had waited to hear from his wife, to hear her defend her husband, to dismiss the allegations as a wicked ploy to tarnish his image and destroy his future, politically, to deny him the Governorship seat after Akeredolu.

Finally, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Mrs Ayedatiwa broke her silence. It was a bomb that she threw. She confirmed her ordeal in the hands of her husband. And why she relocated to London. It is a story of trauma, torture and hell.

Following, is the full text of her statement titled:

“My Ordeal At The Hands Of Lucky” She personally signed it.

“I have come across numerous comments regarding the statement released by the Women Group, the Society for Women Empowerment (SWE).

“Although I cannot ascertain the existence of the group or the true intentions behind the story, I feel it is important to express my pain for the sake of other women.

“I am a woman who deeply respects and supports my husband. Our story, like many others, has been one of grace and growth. While I am sociable, I am always mindful of my husband’s position. I have dedicated myself to nurturing our home and children, as any wife and mother would. I have done so with unwavering strength.

“Prior to Lucky’s appointment as the deputy governor, we had ongoing issues revolving around abusive behavior. Each time, he would apologize, often attributing his actions to alcohol. Our children have witnessed this on two occasions. They implored me to have him arrested, but I explained that Nigerian culture does not provide room for such measures.

“I am not happy about revealing my personal struggles publicly. It is a painful reality I must confront. I have reached the conclusion that concerted efforts must be made to eradicate the scourge of violence against women. I have endured physical, emotional, and mental abuse from my husband—beatings, torture, and constant mistreatment.

“On December 1, 2022, during a minor argument, I experienced one of the most severe beatings of my life at the hands of my husband. I was left bruised and battered, to the extent that I could not attend the birthday ceremony of Toyin Akeredolu, the younger sister of Governor Akeredolu, in Ibadan. He threatened to kill me, uttering words of disdain.

“On Friday, December 2, I traveled to Ibadan to meet with the First Lady, Chief Betty-Anyanwu Akeredolu, to report Lucky’s actions. When she saw my battered face, she was enraged. She subsequently reported Lucky to the Governor. Lucky used to be the First Lady’s favorite, but since that day, she has distanced herself from him.

“Upon returning to Akure, even with my bruised face, Lucky slapped me again. He accused me of exposing him to the Governor and First Lady. He not only slapped me but also poured Hennessy on my head, berating me as a worthless woman.

“A few days before the FOWOSO summit, I was burdened with depression and numerous issues. I had already made up my mind not to attend the program. However, Lucky approached me, pleaded, and promised never to harm me again. I had to apply heavy makeup and wear dark glasses to conceal the bruises on my face, just to attend the event.

“By the end of January, Lucky resumed his abusive behavior. As much as I am a strong supporter of his aspirations to succeed the Governor, I have consistently advised him to exhibit decorum in his public life.

“Every time I mentioned this, he dismissed it as jealousy and insecurity, showing no regard for my feelings. Disrespectful calls were frequently received at our home, especially from one Ambassador Tolu Taiwo, one of his girlfriends.

“During the first week of February, we had a conversation about his political aspirations, and I advised him to refrain from making certain remarks to people. Instead of considering my advice, he unleashed his anger on me, subjecting me to further physical abuse. He threatened to kill me and make another woman the First Lady when he becomes Governor.

“Lucky not only assaulted me but also locked me out of the house. I had to spend two nights at St. Jacob Hotel. He instructed the gatekeeper not to allow me entry. From there, I had to travel to Lagos and eventually moved to Ilesa, my hometown.

“After being locked out, my driver eventually went to the house to retrieve my bag, which contained my passport. Since then, I have relocated to London.

“I am aware that Lucky may attempt to deny this story once again. However, I urge you to question him: Why have I not refuted the allegations of his abuse?

“He is my husband, and no woman would want to falsely accuse her spouse. If he claims that all of this is untrue, ask him to call me and put our conversation on speaker. He is well aware of my position on this matter. I refuse to continue hiding and suffering in silence.

“Once again, the First Lady is fully aware of this situation.

“If Lucky denies it once more, I will come out with pictures and videos, no matter how humiliating it sounds. I am taking this step because I can no longer endure this situation silently.

“OLUWASEUN ESTHER AIYEDATIWA

“LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

7TH JUNE, 2023.”

There has been no reaction from the Deputy Governor since his wife’s statement.

Royal Fathers Seek Role In Tinubu Government

Ayodele Oni

June 9, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Royal Fathers that seem to have been abandoned by the Nigeria’s constitution, which refused to assign any role for them, have told President Bola Tinubu areas where they can be useful.

The Monarchs, under National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, (NCTRN) who are on courtesy visit to the president in Abuja, said they will be useful in the area of security.

Both the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make use of traditional rulers, being the closest to the people, to tackle the issue of insecurity bedeviling the country.

Ooni, who is also the co-chair of traditional rulers of Nigeria, said “There are areas we will like to work with you, one of which is security.

“It is time to use us the more, we are not saying we are idle…but to make your work easier use us.

“The foundation of this country today are the traditional rulers. We are here to pledge our loyalty and support.

“We want to work with you to ensure you leave a legacy.

“Don’t underestimate what traditional rulers can do.”

Earlier, Sultan of Sokoto and co-chairman said the visit is a normal tradition by the monarchs whenever there’s a change in leadership of the country.

According to him, monarchs are people of different professions from the military to judiciary and businessmen, who have what it takes to contribute to the betterment of the society, saying, “whenever you reach out to us, we will be here.”

The Sultan, who said the monarchs do not envy President Tinubu at this time with the numerous challenges facing the country, expressed confidence that with the combination of himself and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, they will deliver.

“We thank God for the smooth way the elections took place. Many negative people thought this country will collapse but we are still here.

“We are here for you, for our people and our country. If you don’t reach out to us, we will reach out to you. We wish you the most successful tenure in good health.”

El rufai Can’t Be Trusted, Will Betray You, CAN Warns Tinubu

James Orji

June 9, 2023

Nasir El-rufai is not to be trusted with power, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

CAN said the former Kaduna state governor will betray the president if he’s appointed into his cabinet, adding that El rufai had in the past betrayed those that have him such opportunity.

The umbrella body of Christians from 19 Northern states gave the warning while responding to the former Kaduna state governor’scomment that Muslims have finally taken over power in the country.

El rufai, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna state had told some Muslim clerics in the state on the eve of his leaving office, that Muslims have triumphed in their quest to produce Muslims as governor and president.

Both President Tinubu and Uba Sanni are of the Muslim fold.

While warning the president to be weary of him, CAN also warned the former governor not to set the country on fire with his provocative comment.

Speaking to Channels Television, the General Secretary of CAN in the 19 northern states and FCT, Sunday Oibe described the former governor as a manipulative character who uses religion to cause problems in the country.

CAN advice to President Tinubu, some say, may not be unconnected with suggestions that the former governor is among those being considered for sensitive position in this current government.

El rufai, according to those familiar with his relationship with the president, said he could be part of Tinubu’s cabinet.

Recall that during the last presidential election in the country, Tinubu, then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, appealled to El rufai not to leave the country after his tenure as governor has ended, because the new administration can make use of his vast experience.

Not a few has suggested that President Tinubu is planning to make him a minister, even though El rufai said he’s not keen to accept any public office.

No Salary, No Examination, Ondo Poly Lecturers Insist

Ayodele Oni

June 9, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

After waiting for 13 months, without any possible hope of paying their salaries, lecturers at the Ondo State owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, (RUGIPO) have resolved not to set questions or conduct Examinations for the students.

The lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have resolved to frustrate the first semester examination of the institution which starts on Tuesday, June 13.

This was contained in a communiqué signed by the Union’s Chairman, Ade Arikawe and Secretary, Comrade Fapetu Damilola at the end of the congress held on Thursday 8th June, 2023.

The union said members unanimously agreed to withdraw the services at the end of their Congress.

“We want the payment in full of all outstanding (13 Months) salary arrears owned the staff of the institution.

“The Congress wish to strongly emphasize that the decision above is binding on all the financial members of the union (ASUP).

According to Arikawe, the Union, before arriving at the decision, observed that the hardship or challenges of the current price of fuel on their members and attendance to their official duties is making it extremely difficult.

The ASUP Chairman described as pathetic the suffering of his members as a result of backlog of unpaid salaries, urging the State Government to assist the institution’s authorities to clear the salary arrears like the state and local government workers who are not being owed salaries again.

Arikawe lamented that the removal of fuel subsidy had further compounded his members’ untold hardship, insisting that the lecturers would not participate in the conduct of the exams until their demands on unpaid salaries were met by the management.

Edo Assembly Parting Gift To Gov Obaseki

Ayodele Oni

June 9, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

A valedictory plenary of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly, has approved the sum of N3.5billion contract facility for Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The session ended on Thursday with the 10-member Assembly led by Marcus Onubun, dominating affairs for four years.

The remaining 24 members, mainly All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains, went underground over the crisis which greeted the inauguration of the Legislature .

The 10-member Lawmakers, also, amended and passed the Pension Rights Bill of the Governor and Deputy Governor Law, 2007, which had earlier been denied the Governor.

In addition, the Assembly, at the Committee of the whole House, also, considered and passed a Bill to amend a law to make provisions for the emolument of elected political officers and Public Officers 2007.

The Speaker, made the disclosure during the valedictory session.

Marcus said the house also screened and confirmed the 15- Commissioner- nominees sent to it by the State Governor on the same day.

Before the House adjourned sine die, it passed a Bill for a Law to provide for Sanitation, Pollution, Waste Management and other Connected Purposes in Edo State and to Repeal the Edo State Sanitation and Pollution Management Law, No 5, 2010.

Other are a Bill for a Law to establish the Unified Local Government Refuse Collection and Disposal Agency, and for Connected Purposes, while the adopted House rules was passed amidst controversies.

The Speaker said the house passed a total of 54 Bills, out of which 48 were assented while 118 resolutions were also passed.

“Why PDP G5 Group Visited President Tinubu” – Makinde; Also Reveals: “We Are Going Towards The President”

Ayodele Oni

June 8, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday led the G5 colleagues on a visit to President Bola Tinubu.

Only Makinde is still in office as Nyesom Wike, of Rivers State, Samuel Ortom, Benue; Enugu and Abia States’, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu have served out their tenure.

Makinde, who spoke to State House Correspondents said, their visit was about getting President Bola Tinubu to join them on the route for fairness, for justice, and for equity in Nigeria.

Asked why the frequent visits to the Presidential Villa, the Oyo Governor told said: “Well, nation building is a very difficult task.

“You have to keep evaluating to know what you’re doing, where you’re going. So, we have to keep seeing the President, you know, to let them know what is happening.

“And for this evening, the G-5, you know the Integrity Group, we, also, came to let the President know what we stand for. Fairness, justice, equity and everything.”

Asked where the G-5 is going, Makinde said: “We are going towards Mr. President, you know, coming with us on the route for fairness, for justice and for equity in Nigeria.”

G5 Resurrects, Visits President Tinubu, Lobbies For Accommodation

The Source

June 8, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

Members of G5, led by their most active member, former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, regrouped on Thursday, June 8, 2023, for a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

The G5 is a group of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors who worked against their Party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar in favour of the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, who is now the President.

Out of the five of them, only the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is still in office. Like their Leader, Wike, he supported Tinubu, but was luckier than the others. While he won a second term in office, his colleagues, Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, lost in their bid to go to the Senate. Wike did not contest for any position. But he was able to install his successor, as did Ugwuanyi, shaky as Ugwuanyi’s is. Neither Ortom nor Ikpeazu was able to install their successors.

Since after the General Elections, the G5 has been quiet. However, they have suddenly woken up.

It began, gradually, two weeks ago with a visit to President Tinubu by Wike and Makinde. Since that visit, Wike has visited the President two more times, the most recent on Tuesday, in the company of two former APC Governors – Dave Umahi, Ebonyi, now Senator-elect, and Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Akwa Ibom Governor and immediate past Minister for Niger Delta.

On Thursday, the G5 Group fully woke up with a visit to the President at the Villa by five of them. Obviously, led by Wike, it is not yet known why they visited considering that they are still, as they claim, in PDP.

However, speculations are rife that their visit is, allegedly, to firm up their reward for “scattering”the PDP during the Election in favour of Tinubu.

Speculations are strong that they went to negotiate for positions and how and where they could be accommodated by the President

Already, Wike, in the past few days has hinted that he is likely to get an appointment in the new Government.

There are, also, speculations that the G5 members are likely to dump the PDP for the APC.

Whatever, the next few weeks, or even days, promises to be interesting.

The question not a few people are asking is: Will the PDP, finally, have the courage to expel its “rogue” high profile “members”, or will the pretence continue?

Despite Ailment, Gov Akeredolu Still Attends To State Matters – ODSG

Ayodele Oni

June 8, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state government has insisted that the health condition of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu does not prevent him from carrying out his official duties, hence no need for an acting governor.

Apparently referring to earlier call by the opposition Social Democratic Party, (SDP) that the state deserves a governor in acting capacity in the absence of Akeredolu, government described such call as malicious.

The SDP had specifically hammered on the non representation of the state during the meeting President Bola Tinubu held with governors in Abuja early on the week.

The state commissioner for information, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju in a statement on Thursday states that “The attention of Ondo State Government has been drawn to a skewed report in an online newspaper, on the purported split in the Cabinet of the Ondo State Government.

“This malicious report toes the same insidious path of perfidy already trodden by certain purveyors of speculatory hagiography designed to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.

“Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, is not incapacitated. The finality with which the report concluded on his state of health is most unfortunate.

“Another online medium had peddled the wicked lie on the demise of the Governor in Germany, when he was resting in Ibadan.

“The Cabinet cannot be “disunited” when directives emanate from the office of the Governor.

“There is no ambiguity in that respect. Members of the public are enjoined to disregard the wicked rumour of incapacitation.

“We reiterate that the Governor has been discharging the functions of his office effectively. Governance requires collectivity.

“The fixation on the governor is mischievous. There is no crisis in the State. Political jobbers should steer clear.”

Ondo: How Combined Security Operation Rescued 18 Kidnapped Lagos-Abuja Bound Travelers

Ayodele Oni

June 8, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

A bus load of passengers travelling from Lagos to Abuja has been hijacked by suspected gun trotting kidnappers who whisked away no fewer than 13 of them.

The incident happened Tuesday at Isua, headquarters of Akoko South East, an Ondo community.

The victims were in an 18-passenger bus travelling to Abuja from Lagos when the hoodlums waylaid their bus, dragged them out, and thereafter, marched them into the bush.

Eyewitnesses explained that “It was like a movie when a 13 -passenger Abuja bound bus was waylaid on Tuesday by some unknown gunmen at Isua the headquarters of Akoko South East Local Government and marched them to the forest leaving only three of the passengers.”

It was gathered that security agents, which included men from Amotekun Corp, the State Police Commands and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as the soldiers, were immediately mobilized to comb nearby forests.

The operation yeilded results as some of them were rescued from their abductors 20 kilometers away from the point of abduction.

It was gathered that the victims were rescued at Ikakumo area in Akoko North-East Local Government Area a distance of almost 20 kilometers from Isua.

Joint security agents immediately embarked on combing of the forest and their efforts yielded fruitful result when some of the abducted travelers were rescued during the joint operation.

The rescued victims were said to have taken to the Isua Police Station .

When contacted, on Thursday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident and said one of the kidnappers was shot dead when the security men engaged them in gun.

“The victims were rescued by the joint security operation. One of them was killed during gun duel. We are on top of the situation.”

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