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CBN: Banks Must Comply With Supreme Court’s Order On Old Naira Notes

March 13, 2023

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has directed commercial banks in the country to comply with the Supreme Court judgement on the old l N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes.

The apex bank had two weeks ago ruled that the old Banknotes remain legal tender till December 31, 2023.

According to a statement by its spokesperson, Isa AbdulMumin on Monday, the apex said it had no reason to disobey the Supreme Court order.

The bank stated that it met with the Bankers Committee and directed deposit money bank to comply with the court order.

The CBN said “In compliance with the established tradition of obedience to court orders and sustenance of the Rule of Law Principle that characterised the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and by extension, the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as a regulator, Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling of 3 March 2023.

“Accordingly, the CBN met with the Bankers’ Committee and has directed that the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till 31 December 2023.

“Consequently, all concerned are directed to conform accordingly.”

The CBN position on the matter comes barely few hours after the presidency denied that the apex bank was acting on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, not to carry out the Supreme Court order.

Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the president, on Monday said in a statement that Buhari will never disobey the highest court in the country because he’s a stickler to the rule of law.

Disobeying Supreme Court Order On Naira: Malami, Emefiele, On Their Own, Says Presidency

Ayodele Oni

March 13, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

There seems to be a blame game over the current impasse in the currency swap policy between the Presidency and the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN).

The Presidency has washed its hands off the disobedience of the Supreme Court order on the Naira Swap, and literally thrown the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, under the bus.

The Presidency said on Monday that the refusal of the CBN to comply with the Supreme Court judgement on the policy should not be blamed on President Mohammadu Buhari.

It explained that President Buhari did not direct Abubakar Malami, and Emefiele, not to obey the Supreme Court ruling on the Naira redesign policy.

In a statement on Monday, signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, (Media & Publicity), the President said: “The CBN has no reason not to comply with Court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President.

“Following the ongoing intense debate about the compliance concerning the legality of the old currency notes, the Presidency, therefore, wishes to state clearly that President Buhari has not done anything knowingly and deliberately to interfere with, or obstruct the administration of justice.

“The Presidency wishes to react to some public concerns that President Muhammadu Buhari did not react to the Supreme Court judgement on the issue of the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes, and states here, plainly, and clearly that at no time did he instruct the Attorney General and the CBN Governor to disobey any Court orders involving the government and other parties.

“Since the President was sworn into office in 2015, he has never directed anybody to defy court orders, in the strong belief that we can’t practice democracy without the rule of law and the commitment of his administration to this principle has not changed.

“The President is not a micromanager and will not, therefore, stop the Attorney General and the CBN Governor from performing the details of their duties in accordance with the law.

“In any case. it is debatable at this time if there is proof of willful denial by the two of them on the orders of the Apex Court.

“The directive of the President, following the meeting of the Council of State is that the Bank must make available for circulation all the money that is needed and nothing has happened to change the position.

“It is an established fact that the President is an absolute respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts.

“He has done nothing in the last eight or so years to act in any way to obstruct the administration of justice, cause lack of confidence in the administration of justice, or otherwise interfere or corrupt the courts and there is no reason whatsoever that he should do so now when he is getting ready to leave office.

“The negative campaign and personalized attacks against the President by the opposition and all manner of commentators is unfair and unjust, as no court order at any level has been issued or directed at him.

“As for the cashless system the CBN is determined to put in place, it is a known fact that many of the country’s citizens who bear the brunt of the sufferings, surprisingly support the policy as they believe that the action would cut corruption, fight terrorism, build an environment of honesty and reinforce the incorruptible leadership of the President.

“It is, therefore, wide off the mark to blame the President for the current controversy over the cash scarcity, despite the Supreme Court judgement.

“The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President.”

President Buhari has also rejected the impression that he lacks compassion, saying that “no Government in our recent history has introduced policies to help economically marginalised and vulnerable groups like the present administration.”

Group Flays Sam Amadi Over NLC Strike In Imo

The Source

March 13, 2023

A group, Imo Vanguard for Democracy, has condemned in strong terms, comments credited to Dr. Sam Amadi that interference from Governor Hope Uzodimma led to the current strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

A statement issued by the Chairman of the group, Mr Ugochukwu Njoku, noted that Dr. Amadi , a former Chief Executive of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, spoke out of either ignorance or mischief as neither the Governor nor the Government meddled in the botched election of Imo NLC.

According to the Group, although Dr. Amadi already took sides when he acknowledged NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero as his friend, he ought to have treated the matter dispassionately by thoroughly investigating the issue.

Njoku argued that if Dr. Amadi had done so, he would have discovered that the strike was premeditated by Ajaero for purely selfish agenda.

“In the first place, Governor Hope Uzodimma never played God. Secondly, the workers have no dispute with the Government and thirdly, Government did not send anyone to harass or assault workers during the election,” the group submitted.

It also wondered why Dr. Amadi did not interview Imo workers to find out the true position of things before jumping into the defence of Ajaero.

The Group, therefore, asked Dr. Amadi to join hands with well meaning Imo people to find a lasting solution to the crisis instead of sitting on the fence and encouraging Ajaero in his vendetta strike.

It regretted that Dr. Amadi is far detached from the common people of Imo State, otherwise, he would have been touched by the level of hardship the strike Ajaero his friend instigated has caused the people.

“What is happening in Imo State is an attempt by Ajaero to browbeat Imo workers into fighting a Government that has been good to them.”

Imo Crisis: Respect and Reciprocity

The Source

March 13, 2023

Hope Uzodinma is Chief Executive of Imo State. He controls the formal institutions of the State. It is his reaponsbiiity to ensure security and well-being of the people by articulating and implementing policies. He is assisted by the State Assembly and other regulatory institutions in the State.

Comrade Joe Ajaero is the Chief Executive of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). His responsibility is to ensure that workers in Nigeria who are affiliated to the NLC enjoy their democratic rights to the fullest.

Governor Hope Uzodinma is not a king. Comrade Joe Ajaero is not a king. Each has a work to do. Each has legitimacy and accountability structures that support their roles and responsibilities. It is the responsibility of Governor Uzodinma to determine where and how workers in Imo State work. He provides the tools for productivity. Ajaero should not interfere in that exercise of power because that is not his mandate. Ajaero has responsibility to ensure that workers in Imo State unionize freely, are paid their due wages and freely elect who leads them. Labour union is a voluntary association, just like social clubs, community associations, and religious organizations.

No Governor has jurisdiction to determine what happens in these spheres of private and voluntary association. But the lure of power always draws them to interfere. Most times they succeed. Once in a while they meet a man who knows his mandate and refuses to yield to tyranny.

When I was a Chief Executive of NERC I ‘fought’ with all the Ministers. They never understood that as a regulator I have a separate mandate and not part of their bureaucracy to order around. I blocked such interference and protected the integrity and independence of my commission. In one case, I had problems with Prof Bath Nnaji. He told me that he knew I was not being used by anybody to sabotage him because he knew no one can use me. But he wondered why I am disagreeing with him. I told him that I have all good faith for him, but I must defend my mandate as an independent regulator. That is the name of the game: mandate protection.

Ajaero was Sec. Gen. of electricity workers when I was chief executive of NERC. We disagreed on policies but there was no strike action while I was there. Even when some of our workers wanted to join his union I didn’t block them or punish anyone. I went through the rules and features of regulatory work with them and they decided to stop. I raised tariffs several times but there was no strike because I always engaged labor respectfully and tried to convince them that we meant well. Though they won’t agree with my logic but they would accept my plea for peace and restraint.

The crisis in Imo is a result of lack of respect and reciprocity. It is a result of not recognizing that the Governor is not God, he is not a King. He has legitimate sphere of influence or control. It does not extend to Labour affairs. Ajaero is in charge of that. He can always consult Ajaero, but not to impose on him.

Governors in Nigeria control police. They control church. They control town unions and determine who will be pastor, COP and even PG. But you won’t control NLC easily, especially if it is led by someone called Ajaero.

Imo people have been thrown into suffering because a Governor must control everything. We can end this suffering by having honest and trustworthy mediation between the Government and NLC. That mediation starts with recognizing powers, limits and boundaries.

Good fences, they say, make good neighbors

Amadi, PhD,( Law) a University Don, Imo State-born, wrote from Abuja

Breaking: Again, Senator Onyewuchi Floors Hon Onyeagucha As Supreme Court Dismisses His Appeal As Frivolous

The Source

March 13, 2023

Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi and Barrister Uche Onyeagucha

By Charles Igbo

For the second time within a space of three weeks, the incumbent Senator, Imo East, and Senator-elect, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, of the Labour Party, LP, has defeated his co-contestant, Honourable Uche Onyeagucha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Ezenwa first defeated Onyewuchi in the 25th February National Assembly Elections to retain his seat at the Senate.

But Onyeagucha had, before the defeat, been challenging Onyewuchi’s legitimacy to the ticket of the LP, given that before he picked the LP Senatorial ticket, Onyewuchi had contested, with Onyeagucha, for the PDP ticket, Owerri Zone – Imo East. But he was defeated by Onyeagucha, forcing him to defect to the LP where he easily picked the ticket.

Given Onyeagucha’s oratory skills, and his aggressive media presence and campaign, not many gave Onyewuchi a chance.

But in the election, Onyewuchi proved to be a quiet operator, as he defeated Onyeagucha.

On Monday, March 13, 2023, the Supreme Court shredded any hope of Onyeagucha taking the seat from Onyewuchi, based on the legitimacy of his candidature.

The Apex Court, in a unanimous decision, described Onyeagucha’s appeal as frivolous and lacking merit.

Onyeagucha had engaged Senator Onyewuchi and the Labour Party (LP) in legal battles in order to void Senator Onyewuchi’s ticket as the Labour Party candidate for Imo East Senatorial District.

The Supreme Court has, finally, put a seal on the legal battles and affirmed Onyewuchi as the duly elected flag bearer of the Labour Party, and thus, the duly elected Senator of Owerri Zone.

Timi Frank To Buhari: Call Wike To Order; He Is Playing Dangerous Politics

The Source

March 13, 2023

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Monday, called on the Presidency, the leaders of thought across the country and the security agencies to urgently call the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to order to prevent him from

igniting political crisis between the Northern and the Southern regions of the country.

The political activist said Governor Wike is presently playing dangerous politics that if not quickly checked could worsen already bad situation as far as the recent conduct of presidential election is concerned.

In a statement released in Abuja, Frank said Wike’s recent doublespeak in public statements on Peter Obi has shown that the Labour Party presidential candidate was not genuinely in the race to win the presidency but was used by forces known to Wike to play a spoilers game against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the North from winning the presidency.

Wike, who reportedly said Obi was his hero of the just concluded presidential election, openly worked and delivered Rivers State for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the election.

According to Frank, Peter Obi was good for a spoiling role but not for Presidency as portrayed by Wike’s statements.

The former APC spokesman accused Wike of celebrating a fraudulent and controversial presidential election victory as if the South has just defeated the North, hence the need to call him to order.

Frank said: “I am using this medium to call on the Presidency, religious leaders, all the elders and leaders of thought, and the security agencies to call Governor Wike to order before he ignites a political crisis between the North and the South, even as most Nigerians are still bitter about the outcome of the Presidential election which has been adjudged to be massively rigged.

“It’s on record that since Wike lost his presidential bid to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who is more experienced than him, the bitter Rivers state governor had put on the garment of hate against the North while hiding under the toga of Southern presidency.

“If truly Wike meant what he said in public that Peter Obi is his hero of the last Presidential election, he should have campaigned and openly supported him but to the contrary, acting like a Chameleon, Wike mobilised support for Bola Tinubu of the APC.

“Governor Wike is celebrating a fraudulent and illegal victory not only against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or the PDP but against the North as if the South has defeated the North which is dangerous for our fragile democracy.”

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, added: “Governor Wike has also confirmed the rigging of the controversial presidential election by saying that they had agreement before the election that anywhere Tinubu of APC comes first, Peter Obi of LP should come second and vis-versa.

“I, however, call on the North to hold Wike and his likes responsible who conspired to manipulate the controversial presidential election against the PDP presidential candidate,” he said

Ondo PDP Bids Defectors Bye, Says Party Can’t Lose Sleep Over Them

Ayodele Oni

March 13, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

A former governorship aspirant in Ondo state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Banji Okunomo, along with some members of the party’s presidential campaign council and former local government chairman have resigned from the party.

They have all tendered their resignation letter from the party at their various wards.

The state PDP has reacted to their defection saying the party cannot lose any sleep over their defection.

In a letter dated March 13, 2023, and addressed to the party’s chairman at Etikan Ward in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Okunomo notified the party about his resignation from the party.

In the letter entitled: “Notification of Resignation of my Membership of the Party,” Okunomo wrote that “With effect from Monday 13th March 2023, I wish to voluntarily resign my membership of People’s Democratic Party(PDP).”

He copied the national chairman of the party and all necessary offices of the party.

Also, Mr. Jossy Eganosi Ehinmore, a member of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council(PCC) has filed his resignation letter from the party with effect from Monday, March 13, 2023.

He’s from Ugbo Ward 1, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

Likewise, Mr. Malo Olorunwa Francis also from Ugbo Ward 1 has tendered his resignation from PDP.

He is also a member of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). He was a former councillor of Igbo Ward 1.

The other chieftain of the party, who resigned his membership, was Mr. Bitire Solomon from Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

He was the former chairman of Okitipupa Local Government Area.

In his letter to the party’s Chairman in Erinje Ward, Okitipupa Local Government Area, Bitire notified that his resignation took effect from Monday, March 13, 2023.

Spokesman of PDP in the state, Kennedy Peretei, while reacting to the defection stated that these same characters have moved in and out of the PDP twice in the last 18 months.

He added that their action is a confirmation of their nomadic essence as politicians.

“Most of them who got promotions beyond their capacities by the PDP have consistently lost their Polling Units to other political parties during elections.

“They have always been trailed by failure in their opportunistic and self-serving inordinate ambitions that drive their insatiable desire for crumbs from the master’s table.

“To put the record straight, Banji Okunomo, Solomon Bitire and their gang of court jesters declared that the PDP was dead in Ondo South, shortly after the PDP Governorship primary election in 2020.

“They defected to the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP) but shamelessly returned to PDP after their tragic outing that was a measure of their political relevance.

“In all honesty, why should the PDP lose sleep over the exit of such colourless, inconsequential and serial decampees?”

Obi Pledges 100% Support For LP Candidates Nationwide

The Source

March 13, 2023

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi said on Monday that his support for Labour Party governorship and National Assembly candidates for Saturday’s election is total and 100%.

Obi who spoke in answer to a question at Arise Television Program said emphatically that all Labour Candidates who got the ticket through the normal process enjoy his total commitment and support and he is urging the people to vote for them on Saturday.

He mentioned in particular states like Enugu(Hon. Chijioke Edeoga), Lagos (Gbadebo Patrick Rhodes-Vivour ), Abia Alex Otti, Delta (Deacon Ken Pela), Kaduna, (Johnathan Asake) Plateau (Dr. Sunday Patrick Dakum) among others whom he is urging Obidients in these states to give them maximum support on Saturday because with them a foundation for a new Nigeria of our dream will be realized.

The LP flag bearer also disclosed that in some states where Labour Party has no flag bearer, the Obidient should identify and vote for competent persons in other parties who have character and capacity and who share in the aspiration of a new Nigeria.

He said that there are still some Nigerians in other political parties who believe in the Obidient aspirations, pointing out that such people should be fished where we have no candidate and vote for them.

“I Won In Rivers, And Wike Fought Me, Worked Against Me – Peter Obi

The Source

March 13, 2023

By Charles Igbo

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has put a lie to Governor Nyesom Wike’s declaration of him, Obi, as his hero.

Wike had, while addressing the Igbo Community, in bid to attract votes to his Governorship Candidate, Sim Fubara, PDP, declared Obi as his hero in the much worldwide condemned Presidential election of 25th February, 2023. He said but for Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of his estranged Party, PDP, could have won the Presidential Election. “As far as I am concerned”, Wike claimed, “Obi is the hero, he is my hero, he won this election by stopping Atiku from winning and so made it possible for power to return to the South.”

Since Wike’s declaration, not a few angry Nigerians have called him a hypocrite, and asked him to shut up and bury his face in shame.

They insist that it was Wike who, allegedly, brazenly robbed Obi of victory, by allegedly upturning the people’s will in the Rivers State where Obi had clearly won, in favour of Wike’s preferred candidate, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, now the President-elect.

They accused Wike of threatening and intimidating voters and INEC officials, and of publicly, using thugs and fake “security personnel” to snatch ballot boxes and manipulate the figures.

On Monday during an interview on ARISE TV, Obi weighed in on Wike’s role in Rivers State during the Presidential Election.

He disclosed that Wike fought him and came out against him. Obi, also, revealed that but for the manipulations, he won Rivers State by over 50 per cent, and left the PDP and APC to fight over the remaining percentage of votes.

Defending his stellar performance in the election, even with alleged unprecedented rigging and manipulation and violence, Obi said: “In Rivers where you know that the Governor came out against me and everything, if the real votes of Rivers were counted, I won. I had over 50 something per cent of the votes. The other two parties were sharing the others (remaining votes).”

Rivers State is one of the States where the conduct and result of the Presidential election have been severely criticised as very much below standard.

Violence, snatching of ballot boxes, manipulation of the results, took place, especially, in areas considered to be populated by Igbo speaking people, including, Wike’s Ikwerre and Porthacourt City Local Government Areas.

Sigh Of Relief For Transporters In Akwa Ibom, As Governor Udom Suspends Tax, Levies For Five Days

Akinwale Kasali

March 13, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

There are smiles on the faces of Transporters in Akwa Ibom State as the Governor, Emmanuel Udom, has ordered that Transporters should not pay any form of Tax or Levies for the next five days.

The suspension of levies and taxes is coming less than five days to the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in the State.

The Akwa Ibom State Government announced the suspension of all levies and daily tickets to Buses, tricycles and mini-buses operators in the Uyo metropolis in a statement by the State Commissioner for Transport, Uno Etim Uno, on Monday.

Uno said the gesture was to cushion the ongoing cash crunch and other challenges suffered by transporters as a result of the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The statement reads in part, “Due to the harsh realities occasioned by the cash crunch in the country, the Akwa Ibom State Government hereby graciously announces a five-day suspension of daily ticketing for operators of commercial tricycles and minibuses.

“The suspension takes immediate effect from Monday, March 13 till Friday, March 17, 2023.

“This development will help the operators breathe a sigh of relief as they struggle to earn a living amidst these biting hard times.

”The general public, particularly, operators of commercial tricycles and minibuses and the Compliance and Monitoring team are hereby notified of this development.”

The Commissioner, however, urged the benefitting transporters to use the five days tax holiday to take an active part in the governorship and state Assembly poll reschedule for March 18, 2023, in the state

“In continued support for the State Government, transporters are urged to use the five days of grace to prepare to take an active part in the governorship and state assembly elections slated for Saturday, March 18, 2023.

“It is hoped that in response to the kind gesture of the state government, transporters will remain law-abiding and shun all forms of violence throughout the period of the elections,” he said.

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