Afenifere Youth Wing Wants Adebanjo To Step Aside As Acting Leader

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April 18, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Internal wranglings rocking the Pan Yoruba socio cultural organization, Afenifere took a new dimension on Tuesday as some Youths, under the umbrella of Yoruba Afenifere Youth Organisation of Nigeria (YAYON), staged a protest, demanding that the acting leader of the Group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, step aside from the leadership of the organisation.

The youths of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation staged the protest in Akure on Tuesday.

The protesters also stormed the Akure residence of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, urging him to intervene in the Afenifere crisis.

Adebanjo, the acting leader had supported the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) during the 2023 general election, while Fasoranti endorsed the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The protesters, carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Pa Fasonranti, please rescue Afenifere”, “Ayo Adebanjo must go.” “Revoke the mandate you gave to Adebanjo”, “Adebanjo, time to step aside,” amongst others.

Leader of the protesters, Comrade Eric Oluwole, said an ultimatum would soon be issued to Adebanjo to step down.

Besides the stepping down of Pa Adebanjo, Comrade Oluwole said Afenifere’s meeting ought to be held in Akure since Pa Fasonranti was still alive.

Comrade Oluwole said they want sanity restored to the body.

According to him: “We want to create this strong awareness to the Yoruba Nation that the vote of no confidence on Pa Adebanjo still stand. We cannot allow one leader jeopardise out future.

“We called on Adebanjo to step down. Baba only wrote him a letter to step in as Afenifere Acting Leader . He should step down. We are part of Afenifere.

“We need sanity within Afenifere. He mentioned that Fasoranti cannot talk to but we believe that we the youths can talk to him.

“Afenifere is passing through internal crisis. Adebanjo sanctioned two National Officers because they made statements in the papers.

“Adebanjo is using political inner mind to cause crisis. He cannot suspend National Officers without reference to Baba.”

Another protester, Bukola Veronica, said they no longer recognise Adebanjo as Acting Leader of Afenifere.

Pa Fasonranti who spoke through his Chief Security Officer, Sunday Ogunkalu, assured the protesters that he would looked into their demands.

He appealed to them to conduct themselves peacefully.

Kogi PDP Guber Primary: Awoniyi Lashes PDP, Melaye, Says His Victory Pyrrhic, Lacks Credibility

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 18, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Senator Dino Melaye’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Candidate of Kogi State against the November 11, 2023, election has been described as a pyrrhic victory by one of the contestants, Yomi Awoniyi.

Awoniyi, a Former Deputy Governor in the State and an Aspirant said that the PDP Primary that saw Melaye emerge as the PDP Candidate lacked credibility having garnered 77 Votes as against Melaye’s 313 votes.

In a statement in Lokoja, Kogi State Capital, Awoniyi described Melaye’s votes as products of “tainted delegates list.”

“Without an iota of doubt, I make bold to say Senator Melaye’s victory is a pyrrhic one. This victory portends great danger to the unity of our party and the prospect of winning the November 11 governorship election.

“The primary that threw up Senator Melaye was flawed; 158 delegates, who emerged from the state ad hoc congress of March 29, 2023, were replaced by the woeful Senator Abdul Ningi Congress Committee, working in concert with Senator Dino Melaye’s enablers within the party hierarchy at the highest level.”

Awoniyi contended that “to gift any aspirant a total of 158 votes in a contest for 739 votes, involving eight aspirants is not a fair contest. It is fraudulent, duplicitous, sinful, and unwholesome because it confers an undue advantage on the favoured aspirant. Senator Dino Melaye won a fraudulent primary.

“This pyrrhic victory may look like a fait accompli, but the dust is unlikely to settle even beyond the November 11, 2023 governorship election. From the forgoing, it may surprise many that I do not necessarily blame Senator Dino Melaye for where we find ourselves today. He needs to search his heart to see if he has behaved well, as a counsellor of the celestial, which he claims to be. But I blame his enablers.”

Reacting to the allegations of Awoniyi, Melaye, in a statement credited God for his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate for Kogi State.

He said, “Today (Sunday), April 16, 2023, the Almighty God proved himself in my life, by responding to my Biblical name, Daniel. He fought on my behalf, and delivered victory to me, which I received on behalf of all other aspirants, the great members of the Peoples Democratic Party in and outside Kogi State, and the good people of our dear Kogi State.

“Coming on the heels of the democratic sacrilege committed by the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State about 48 hours ago, and the electoral revulsion belching out of Adamawa State, it is soul-lifting to have the PDP demonstrate to the world that Nigeria is not the jungle that the APC paints it in the recently conducted elections over the last 50 days.

“I thank the leaders of our party at the national, State, local and ward levels, my dear brothers who advanced the cause of democracy in this contest and our numerous supporters who ensured that peace reigned , decorum prevailed, and conflicts were contained all through the process.”

Group Urge Governor Sanwo Olu To Wade Into Illicit Activities Of Land Grabbers At Ajiran Land

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 18, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Human Rights Group under the auspices of Civil Society Stakeholders, under the platform of Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights, CHSR, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address the continuous threats to public peace following the unlawful activities of land grabbers in Ojomu Community, also referred to as Ajiran Land in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the State.

The Group said the situation in Ajiran Land is perilous and there is an urgent need for the State Government to address the situation in earnest before it gets out of hand.

At a Press Briefing by the President of CHSR, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, the Group said it deemed it necessary to address the Media to keep them abreast of the situation of things in the Community and is demanding urgent actions from relevant authorities in Lagos State as well as Security Agencies and other relevant institutions should take.

He said that the intervention of Civil Society Stakeholders became imperative to put an end to the reckless abuse of human rights, malicious disobedience of constituted authorities as well as brazen disregard for the laws of Lagos State as enforceable in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Omotehinse said that the intervention of the civil society stakeholders has become pertinent to forestall further disorderliness in the Community in the interest of public peace.

The statement titled, “Situation in Ojomu Community (AJIRAN LAND) and need for urgent intervention”, reads, “CHSR has received a number of complaints bordering on activities of land grabbers who overtime have become atrocious in Ojomu community otherwise known as AJIRALAND. The various petitions by concerned stakeholders regarding the worrisome activities of land grabbers in AJIRAN LAND have been extensively reviewed by Civil Society Groups under the platform of CHSR.

“These petition include those forwarded to the Nigeria Police as well as Ministries, Agencies and critical actors of Lagos State Government namely; (The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Lagos State, Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Coordinator, Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers).

“Copies of these petitions made available to CHSR included a letter forwarded to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba on December 12, 2022 by OBA OF LAGOS, HIS ROYAL MAJESTY OBA RILWANU AKIOLU. The letter titled: REQUEST FOR SPECIAL URGENT INTERVENTION (REF: OOL/017/VOL.III/374 decried the alarming unlawful activities of land grabbers under the coordination of Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen and demanded the intervention of Nigeria Police in curbing the menace.

“Equally important to mention is the petition was forwarded to the Inspector General of Police earlier on December 8, 2022 from FADESERE & CO (legal practitioners) on behalf of HRM OBA AKINLOYE TIJANI SATERU II OF AJIRAN LAND and the BALOGUN OF AJIRAN LAND, ALHAJI YEKINI CHIEF OLAWALE BAKARE regarding harassment, hooliganism, threats to life and conducts likely to cause breach of public peace in the community.

“It is however unfortunate that no concrete action has been taken by both Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police to put Ahmed Tajudeen and other land grabbers in check”.

The Group alleged that the activities of land grabbers in the community is led by one Ahmed Tajudeen, who is said to have engage in wanton harassment of rightful allottees and criminal trespass on legitimately acquired lands in flagrant violation of the extant laws of Lagos State.

Omotehinse said that It is indeed alarming that the activities of Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen are in total disregard for the authority of the traditional institution of AJIRAN LAND vested in the office of Oba of AJIRAN LAND, His Royal Highness, OBA AKINLOYE TIJANI SATERU II.

He said that Under the coordination of Tajudeen, these land grabbers circumvent legitimate land documentations that bear the seal of Lagos State Ministry of Lands and the Consent of the authority of Governor of Lagos State as provided for under the land acquisition procedures of Lagos State.

More disturbing however is that the illegitimate activities of the said Tajudeen are in blatant negation of existing valid agreements between land owners and the bonafide family in Ojomu community.

CHSR said it is however concerned that the masterminds of the disturbance in Ojomu communities are acting contrary to the orders and authorities of legally constituted and recognised traditional institution of AJIRAN LAND who are the legitimate custodians of culture and heritage of AJIRAN LAND as vested under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law of 1981.

More so, the activities of these land grabbers are in flagrant contravention of extant law of Lagos State; notably the Lagos State Property Protection Law of 2016 with respect to land grabbing. It is important to note that Section 2 (1) of the Lagos State Property Protection Law specifically prohibits “the use of force or self-help by anyone to take over any landed property or engaging in any act inconsistent with the proprietary rights of the owner of any landed property in Lagos State”.

It also brought out the particulars of two of the land grabbing cases reviewed following complaints and formal request for intervention from representatives of traditional authorities and community leaders well as other victims of incessant and unbridled harassments, criminal trespass are provided as follows:

A LAND SITUATED AT PLOT 23, block LXXIX, MUNICIPALITY ON 18, KAMAL SHASHI STREET, BAKARE ESTATE, AGUNGI, LEKKI.

It is been alleged that the land on which the above property under reference belonging to Alhaji Babatunde Shonubi was legally acquired by virtue of DEED OF ASSIGNMENT dated February 25, 2010 and registered with Reference Number; 45/45/2264 at the Lands Registry, Alausa Ikeja.

The land under reference was alleged to have been forcefully taken over by land grabbers who have since commenced Illegal construction of a two storrey building.

A LAND SITUATED AT PLOT 7, BLOCK LXXIX, ON OJOMU CHIEFTAINCY FAMILY LAND, AJIRAN WITH GOVERNOR CONSENT UNDER THE LAND USE ACT (C.A.P 202 OF 1990) LAND USE REGULATION 1982

The land on which property the above property under reference belonging to Mrs. Georgina Omolara Afolaranmi was legally acquired by virtue of DEED OF ASSIGNMENT DATED MAY 6, 2014.

The land under reference was forcefully taken over by land grabbers who have since completed Illegal construction in spite of valid documents duly obtained by bonafide owners of the property.

According to the statement, “The two cases cited above speak to the brutal lawlessness and victimization orchestrated. with reckless abandon by land grabbers led by Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen against hundreds of innocent citizens who legitimately acquired lands in Ojomu community with proper documentation duly approved and signed by agencies of Lagos State Government”.

The CHSR is alleging that relevant authorities in the State has failed, particularly the Lagos State Government to call the known land grabbers to order as high disappointing.

“It is apposite to emphasise that the continued activities of these land grabbers portend glaring indictment of Lagos State Government.

“The continued unlawful activities of these land grabbers clearly repudiate the spirit and letters of the Lagos State Property Protection Law which prohibits activities forceful and illegal occupation of land legitimately acquired by citizens.

Therefore, the CHST is demanding that both the Lagos State Government and Nigeria Police should put an end to harassment of authentic allottees and rightful owners of lands in Ojomu community and by extension AJIRAN LAND.

It also added that it is calling out the Governor Sanwo Olu led Lagos State Government for failing to protect legitimate authority of traditional institution in AJIRAN LAND against the reckless insubordination of land grabbers.

“We urge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the ugly situation and restore the honour and pride deserved by the legally recognised custodians of culture and heritage of AJIRAN LAND.

“We urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to investigate incidents relating to the threats to lives of HRM OBA AKINLOYE TIJANI SATERU II OF AJIRAN LAND, the BALOGUN OF AJIRAN LAND, ALHAJI YEKINI CHIEF OLAWALE BAKARE and members of their families which for the basis of the petition forwarded to the Inspector General of Police on December 8, 2022.

“We demand that Lagos State Government should investigate allegations of forgery of DEED OF ASSIGNMENT and other land related documents duly authorized and signed with the authority of Ojumu family as well as Lagos State land documents.

“We demand that Lagos State Government should urgently investigate human rights abuses being perpetrated by land grabbers in Ojomu community including intimidation and ostracizing of certain sons of Ojomu community by Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen.

“We demand urgent and concrete action against unlawful activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community with the view to put an end to the menace forthwith, and also we urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to give immediate directives to relevant agencies to enforce the cessation of illegal activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community”.

It also call on the Inspector General of Police to direct the Lagos State Command to ensure that the rights of innocent citizens are not trampled forthwith in Ojomu community in the interest of justice and peace.

Anger Trails Governor Ortom’s Life Pension Bill, Other Provision

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 18, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under strong criticism from different quarters over a Life Pension Bill he proposed for former Governors and Deputy Governors.

Terhemen Oscar Aorabee-Gagajav, a Lawyer, raised alarm over the proposed Bill, describing it as outrageous, ridiculous and economy-crippling. He urged the Benue State House of Assembly not to pass the Bill into law.

According to Aorabee-Gagajav, “If passed and implemented, it will not only cripple the economy of the state but will impoverish workers and other people of the State.

Dissecting the proposed it, Aorabee-Gagajav said the Bill titled ‘A Bill for a Law to make Provisions for the Maintenance of Former Governors of the State and their Deputies and for Other Matters Connected Thereto’, has been presented to the Benue State House of Assembly by the outgoing governor.

He said Section 1 established the title of the Bill and intended for it to have a retroactive effect, adding that it is expected to take effect from 1999 so that it will cover former Governors and their Deputies including Senator George Akume and the late Ogiri Ajene; Senator Gabriel Suswam and Steven Lawani; Dr. Samuel Ortom and Engr. Benson Abounu.

He noted that further details of the bill showed that “Section 2(a)(i) makes provision for the payment to the former governors of a monthly ‘stipend’ equivalent to the ‘the salary’ of a sitting/incumbent governor.

“Section 2(a)(ii) makes provision for the payment to all former Deputy Governors of a monthly ‘stipend’, equivalent to the ‘the salary’ of a sitting/incumbent deputy governor.

“Section 2(b) provides for the building of a permanent residential accommodation in any town ‘of their choice’ by the State in Nigeria.

“Sections 2(c) and (h) provide for the provisions of 4 new cars every 4 years for the former Governors and 2 new cars every 4 years for the former Deputy Governors whose cars shall be serviced and maintained at the expense of the State.

“Section 2(d) and (e) provide for 6 personal staff for the former Governors and 3 for the former Deputy Governors to be paid for by the State.

“Section 2(f) provides for 24 hours security surveillance and guard for all former Governors and their Deputies at their direction.

“Section 2(g) provides for free medical treatment for them, their spouses and at least 4 children under the age of 18.

“Section 3 provides that all the above expenses can be monetized or cashed out!

“Section 4 entitled former governors to 2 vacations abroad annually and the former deputy governor to 1 vacation abroad.”

He pointed out that all the entitlements are for life and that the expenses are to be charged on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State (meaning that they are on First Line Charge) and are to take priority against other expenses like salaries, pensions and gratuity of the citizen. He added that all the entitlements except the vacation can be converted into cashand paid out.

A critical review of the bill, according to Aorabee-Gagajav, shows that “Section 1 makes this Bill, when passed into Law, to have retroactive effect. This means that it will be backdated to cover all Governors and their Deputies democratically elected since 1999.

“It is important to note that if allowed to be passed, the State will be owing Governors Akume and Suswan with their Deputies all the entitlements provided for in the BILL/LAW.

“Again, the monthly stipends to be paid to the beneficiaries, apart from being for life and backdated, calculated and monetized, are capable of totally crippling the State Treasury and Economy.

“Remember that the law does not say that the stipend should be equivalent to the “BASIC SALARY” of a sitting governor but the “SALARY,” and my research shows that the monthly basic salary of a sitting Governor is N2,223,794 while the monthly salary of a sitting Governor, comprising allowances, etc., is N11,540,896.

“This means that Sen. George Akume alone will be entitled to N138,490,752 per annum from the time he left office till his death. Same for Senator Suswam and Gov. Ortom and the governors after them.

“Multiply N138,490,752 x 3 former governors in a year alone, you are going to be spending N657,276,456 on Ortom, Akume and Suswam alone in 2024 as monthly stipends. (We have not considered the backlog for Akume and Suswam.

“The three Deputies will take homeN440,631,348 per annum as monthly stipends. Add N657,276,456 to N440,631,348 for the Governors and their Deputies and you have N1, 097,907, 804. [These are the stipends for the 3 sets of Governors and their Deputies for one year alone]

“The Governors and their deputie3s are entitled to 6 vehicles every four years. Let us assume that each vehicle costs N70, 000,000.00 (I am assuming this based on my findings on Jiji that a Toyota Landcruiser Prado Jeep, 2022 model costs about that much). If you multiply that sum for 6 cars, you will have N420,000,000.00 spent on them every 4 years. We will resist the urge to go on calculating the cost of service of these beasts for every year. Mind you that the Law does not place a ceiling on the cost of the cars.

“Note also, the Bill does not stipulate that the old four-year-old cars should be returned to the State Pool in exchange for the new cars.

“Next is the provision for the building of residential accommodations of no prescribed limit in value in any Town of their choice in Nigeria. I assume that nobody would want to have a house built for that purpose in Makurdi, Gbajimba, Anyiin or Wannune. They would rather prefer to have a house in Banana Island or Asokoro in Abuja where the cost of buying plain land alone will cost hundreds of millions and building could cost a billion or more.

“What about the medical expenses for them, their spouses and AT LEAST 4 childrenirrespective of whether the children are biological or not. Once a child reaches the age of 18, he or she could easily be replaced by another “child”. Again the medical expenses are not limited in value or within Nigeria.

“Do we still need to talk about vacations ABROAD? What about the salaries of the 6 and 3 personal staff for life for governors and their deputies?

“Incidentally, the law, which is a state law that does not override federal laws, provides that a beneficiary shall not take any other entitlement from the State or the Federation, but is silent on refund or penalty for breach of section 5 of the Law.

“Now you see why this pension scam should not be allowed to be signed into law because it will cripple our economy once implemented.”

NFF Moves To Discipline Erring Players On National Assignment

By

Ayodele Oni

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April 18, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) has expressed reservations about the recent shoddy performance of distaste of the Super Eagles and the U23 Boys in their international engagements.

The football body also restated the NFF President’s position that the Federation will never beg any player to wear the nation’s colours.

It added that whoever is not motivated for one reason or the other to represent Nigeria should always be bold enough to state this at the point of invitation.

“Any perceived lackadaisical attitude by any player wearing Nigeria’s colours at international level will no longer be treated with kid gloves.”

These are some of the resolutions of Executive Committee of NFF which met on Monday, in Abuja to deliberate on important issues in Nigeria Football.

The communique was signed by Ibrahim Musa Gusau,President, Mohammed Sanusi, secretary and other members present.

NFF also resolved that “In order to further rejuvenate the domestic game, the Board took a decision that within the next one (1) month, the Federation should, through its governing structure best practice and as enshrined in the Statutes, constitute boards for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria National League (NNL), the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO).

“After appraising the preparations that have been afforded the team pre-competition, including a proposed 10-day final camping programme in North Africa, the Board minced no words in charging the U17 Boys’ National Team (Golden Eaglets) to deploy its best efforts in overcoming all before it to win the Africa U17 Cup of Nations taking place in Algeria between 29 April and 19 May, and in the process earning a ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup finals taking place later this year.

“While asseverating that the bronze-medal performance of the U20 Boys, Flying Eagles at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt was below-par, the Board exhorted the technical crew and the players to see it as a national duty to win the FIFA U20 World Cup for Nigeria when the tournament takes place in Argentina between 20 May and 11 June.

“The Board expressed satisfaction with the new positive spirit and winning mentality in the camp of the senior women national team, Super Falcons, which has seen the team win its last three international matches.

“With the bigger picture of the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup competition coming up in Australia and New Zealand this summer in mind, the Board admonished the technical crew to work even harder to give confidence to the players that they can indeed stand their own against the world’s best.

“Board stated that it will do even more to prepare the team for the big challenge with another grade A friendly match in Europe and a two-week camping in Australia before the kick-off of the tournament on 20 July.

“Genuinely disturbed by the vexed issue of agents and football merchants around the various National Teams and their debilitating effects on the performance of the teams over the past few years, the Board vowed to henceforth, mete out stiff sanctions to whoever is caught aiding or abetting, dealing, perpetrating or perpetuating the ignoble activities of these nefarious individuals no matter their roles, status or pedigree.

“The Board assured Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora that it remains very focused and working assiduously towards proactively and vigorously developing Nigeria Football from the grassroots, as well as providing adequate support and encouragement to the youth teams to flourish and produce players for the senior teams, and also to engender a conducive environment for the blossoming of a Football Economy that will, sooner than later, begin to contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.”

No New Pension Law For Former Delta State Governors – Government

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Ayodele Oni

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April 18, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

In what looks like a twist, the Delta State government has reacted to a new pension law for former Governors saying it is inexistence.

State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu also said that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa did not sign any law to give governors new retirement benefits.

Aniagwu, who was reacting to allegation at a news conference on Tuesday in Asaba, accused the detractors and opposition political candidates that had also alleged that the Okowa led government sold the state Liaison Office in Lagos.

He cautioned the detractors to stop pouring aspersion on the governor through their porous claims, adding that the incumbent would remain focused in delivering the promises made to the people until the last day in office.

“They claimed the liaison office in Lagos has been sold, to who, for how much? You can’t sell the property of the state; no amount, no buyer.

“We only engaged a developer to tap into the opportunities therein to build a 10 storey building as approved by Lagos Government, to make more money for the state and to house the liaison office on completion of the project, which is currently on rent.

“Also, we did not sign any law to give governors new pension benefits. Those who say that we are going and that we have passed a new law to give governors a new benefit package, they know they are making lies.

“We challenge them to tell us the date that the new law was passed, where it was passed and who signed the law?

Aniagwu said elections had been concluded and had been won and lost, while advising the losers to pursue their cases in court and stop chasing shadows by maligning the governor who did not contest elections with them.

The commissioner thanked the people of Delta for their support to sustain the developmental trajectory of the Governor Okowa led adminstration and for voting en masse for Chief Sheriff Oborevwori to deepen the development.

“There was an election which was won and lost and we have extended an olive branch to our brothers who contested in that election because we recognize that it was their democratic right to contest.

“On the account of our promises, we shall continue to deliver more projects to the people, and we are confident that we are handing over a viable state to competent governor -elect, Chief Oborevwori.

“As governor-elect, Oborevwori will deepen the development in the state.”

Binani: INEC Invites Police To Prosecute Suspended Adamawa REC

By

Ayodele Oni

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April 18, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, will be charged to court for his role in the state governorship election results stalemate.

The National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) on Monday asked Ari to stay away from the Commission’s office in Yola.

A letter dated April 17, 2023, and signed by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, directed the Administrative Secretary in Adamawa to take charge.

A statement on Tuesday from INEC reads “At its meeting today, 18th April 2023, the Commission discussed matters arising from the Adamawa Governorship election and decided to:

“Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.

“Request the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draw the attention of the appointing authority to the unwholesome behaviour of the REC for further action.

“The collation process shall resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.

Detailed official statement will follow shortly.”

NNPC Chair: Ararume Defeats Buhari In Court; Gets N5bn Compensation

By

James Orji

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April 18, 2023

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded the sum of N5 billion to Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as damages for his removal as the Chairman of the Board of Nigeria National Petroleum Company, Ltd.

Delivering judgment on the matter brought by the former Senator, Justice Inyang Ekwo said President Muhammadu Buhari illegally removed Ararume from the position.

Ararume had dragged the President to Court in November, 2022, after he was removed barely few weeks after his appointment into the Board, and on the eve of his inauguration. The Company is a Government- controlled Oil Company Ltd.

In the suit, the Senator also demanded the sum of N100 billon as compensation for his wrongful removal as the non- Executive Chairman of the Company.

He wanted the court to determine whether, in view of the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NNPC, Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2010, and the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA), the office of the non-Executive Chairman was not governed and regulated by the stated provisions of the law.

Ararume also prayed the court to determine whether by the interpretation of section 63 (3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the President can lawfully remove him as non-Executive Chairman of the NNPC for a reason outside the provisions of the law.

He prayed the court to also determine whether Buhari could sack him without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the Articles of Memorandum of Association of the Company, section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, 2021 and section 288 of the CAMA Act, 2020.

He urged the court for “A declaration that by the provisions of section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, CAMA Act and Memorandum of Association of the NNPC, the President cannot by will remove him from office as non-Executive Chairman without following due process of the law.”

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/691/2022 was instituted on his behalf by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, K.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche.

he president to court last November after he was removed barely few weeks after his appointment into the board of the government -controlled oil corporation.

In the suit, the senator also demanded N100 billon axe compensation for wrongful removal as non- executive chairman of the company.

He wanted the court to determije whether in view of the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NNPC, Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2010 and the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA), the office of the non-executive Chairman was not governed and regulated by the stated provisions of the law.

Ararume also prayed the court to determine whether by the interpretation of section 63 (3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the President can lawfully remove him as non-executive Chairman of the NNPC for anh reason outside the provisions of the law.

He prayed the court to also determine whether Buhari could sack him without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the Articles of Memorandum of Association of the Company, section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, 2021 and section 288 of the CAMA Act, 2020.

He urged the court for “A declaration that by the provisions of section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, CAMA Act and Memorandum of Association of the NNPC, the President cannot by will remove him from office as non-executive Chairman without following due process of the law.”

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/691/2022 was instituted on his behalf by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, K.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche.

Foreign Reserves Dip To $35bn; The Role Of 2023 Election, Census

By

James Orji

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April 18, 2023

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Nigeria’s external reserves has slipped to $ 35.42 billion according to the figures obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Exactly one year ago, the reserves stood at over $39 billion.

The implication is that the reserves have been drawn down by over $ 4 billion in 12 months, according to financial analysts who frowned at the continued depletion of the Reserves.

Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of CBN recently blamed the dwindling reserves on the fall of crude oil prices, as well as, the failure of the country sell more crude to earn hard currency.

These assertions have been dismissed by not a few analysts who claimed that the country’s crude oil sale has bounced back, aside the fact that crude oil prices have also improved at the International market.
According to the figures provide by the apex bank the reserves fell by $112.78 million in two weeks to $35.42 billion.

The figures obtained from thr CBN on Mknday also revealed that the reserves which stood at $36.99 billion as of the end of January 1, 2023, fell to $36.67 billion as of February 27, 2023, and $35.53 billion as of the end of March 30, 2023.

Faced by repeated criticism from not a few Nigerians, Emefiele had last November rued the continous slide in the external reserves, saying foreign currency earnings from crude, Nigeria’s major dollar earner fell from $3 billion monthly to zero dollars.

He said the problem started in 2014.

The CBN governor said “The official foreign exchange receipt from crude oil sales into our official reserves has dried up steadily from above $3.0 billion monthly in 2014 to an absolute zero dollars today.

“The bulk of the money in Nigeria’s foreign reserves comes from the export of gas and oil to other nations. But increasing instances of crude oil theft have hurt Nigeria’s ability to export enough crude oil. Consequently, its foreign exchange reserves are falling,” he added.

“Nigeria’s external reserves fell to $37.17 billion as of November 15, 2022, data from the CBN confirms. This is the lowest level of the external reserves this year and the lowest level since September 30, 2021, when the country faced a barrage of currency depreciation.”

Meanwhile, not a few analysts insist that the federal government spendings on the just concluded general election, and the upcoming National Census slated for next month have immense effects on the foreign reserves, due to the fact that most of the equipment used for these two events may have been sourced abroad using hard currency from the Reserve.

General Ogunewe: “I Won Imo LP Gov Ticket”; Calls Achonu’s Victory “A Fraud”, Vows To Fight Till End

By

The Source

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April 18, 2023

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Lincoln Jack Ogunewe and Chief Athan Achonu

By Charles Igbo

The crisis which engulfed the Imo State Chapter of the Labour Party, LP, in the weeks running to its Governorship Primary, and climaxed on Saturday, 15 April, 2023, when it was held, is far from over. If anything, it is escalating.

On the day of the Primary, the Party held parallel Primaries in three venues, and, so, produced three Candidates. The candidates are Dr Basil Maduka, Chief Ikechukwu Ukaegbu, and Chief Athan Achonu.

While Maduka and Ukaegbu don’t really matter much, and their candidacy and the process which produced them not recognised by the Leadership of the Party at the National level, or even the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the process that produced Achonu is what the Party recognised and would go with.

However, even the process that produced the candidate has become a subject of controversy. Allegations of vote-buying and corrupted Delegates list are strong.

Hours before voting started, one of the aspirants, Dr Sam Amadi, stepped down, alleging that the venue has become awash with US Dollars to corrupt delegates. He said he was not prepared to bribe anybody.

Three Candidates were considered the front-runners in the election. They were a retired Major General, Lincoln Jack Ogunewe, Chief Martin Agbaso and Senator Achonu, the eventual winner.

On the day of the election, many people betted on Ogunewe. But the outcome of the process, supervised by Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Oti, showed otherwise.

In a very close contest between Achonu and Ogunewe, Achonu came tops by scoring 134 votes while Ogunewe scored 121 votes.

But Ogunewe is crying foul. He said he was robbed of victory. He said not only was vote-buying deployed, the delegates list was corrupted. He accused Achonu of buying delegates up with the sum of $300 each. He, also, accused the Local Government Chairmen of the Party of smuggling-in fake delegates, following what he described as an honest error made by the Election Committee headed by Otti.

Ogunewe: “At the said primaries an honest error was made by the Election Committee when it asked Local Government Area Chairmen of LP to identify delegates from their areas. Many party chairmen who had been compromised by one of the contestants, Mr Athan Achonu allowed non-elected fake delegates to enter into the election hall.”

He said he was ignored when he protested. He said the election was rigged in favour of Achonu.

In a Press Statement he issued in Owerri on the 17th April, he disclosed that he has petitioned the Election Appeals Committee of the Party, and expects that the Governorship ticket from which he was cheated, will be returned to him.

Ogunewe: “I have followed due process of the law by filing a petition to our Party Governorship Primaries Election Appeals Committee on these flagrant violations that occurred at the primaries and l expect that justice would be done.”

Following is the full text of the Press Statement.

“My good people of Imo state, l bring to you Calvary Greetings.

“(1) You may recall that on Saturday the 15th of April 2023 at Landmark Events Centre in Owerri, Imo state, Labour Party Governorship primaries election was conducted by His Excellency Dr Alex Otti.

“(2) At the said primaries an honest error was made by the Election Committee when it asked Local government area chairmen of LP to identify delegates from their areas. Many party chairmen who had been compromised by one of the contestants Mr Athan Achonu allowed non-elected fake delegates to enter into the election hall.

“(3) These said fake delegates confessed to receiving $300 dollars each to vote for Mr Achonu.

“(5) That despite my protestations, these fake delegates voted and at the end of the day Mr Achonu who scored 134 votes was declared winner against my 121 votes which made me to come second.

“(5) My position is that the elections were manipulated and rigged when LP local government chairmen were asked to identify delegates and many of them left the original delegates list and admitted fake delegates to vote.

“(6) That all my 121 votes were from original LP delegates that emerged from the Ward Congresses of LP.

“(7) That if all the votes of the fake delegates who collected $300 dollars and voted for Mr Achonu are cancelled or voided l would automatically score the majority of the votes and emerge winner of the Imo state governorship primaries election.

“(8) That l have followed due process of the law by filing a petition to our Party Governorship Primaries Election Appeals Committee on these flagrant violations that occurred at the primaries and l expect that justice would be done.

“(9) However Ndigbo should know that the time has come for us to move away from Party-based politics to candidate-based politics where the educational credentials, career records, integrity, credibility and capacity of an individual should be the focus of our quest for transformational leadership. Peter Obi has already set this example.

“(10) Finally, l thank all my teeming supporters in LP both within the state, through out the country and globally. I also thank the leadership of our great party.

“Let it be clear to all and sundry that the LP family in Imo state gave me their mandate without vote buying to fly the Flag of the Party at the November 11, 2023 governorship elections. I shall do everything legally possible to execute that mandate! Our victory is certain with me leading from the front!

“Udo diri unu. Thank you and God bless.”

Not a few Imolites are disappointed with the crisis which has engulfed the Party, and are of the strong opinion that if nothing is done to reconcile the LP before the 11 November, 2023, the LP will have a drubbing in the hands of the ruling Party.