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OPINION: What Happened In the Matter of Bayo Ojulari?

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The Source
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Azu Ishiekwene
Mr Azu Ishiekwene

By Azu Ishiekwene

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is an animal that eats its curator for lunch. To survive it, either do not get close or prepare to feed this beast with an endless supply of oil deals, the country’s lifeblood.

When former Governor Nasir El-Rufai accused NNPC of being a parallel government and added that if Nigeria does not kill NNPC, corruption will kill it, he was right.

After the bazaar of the former Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison-Madueke era, and those before it, the hope was that President Muhammadu Buhari would use his wealth of experience to fix NNPC. His junior Petroleum Minister, Ibe Kachikwu, swore that he would resign if the refineries didn’t work in two years, yet left them in a worse state. Buhari’s government killed corruption in NNPC by yielding to it.

A ’village’ problem’?

After over 35 years in the oil industry, with a significant part of it in leadership roles in Shell Petroleum, Bayo Ojulari knew NNPCL before he was appointed group chief executive officer in April. He knew the place was rotten and that his reformist agenda would be tested. Yet, the general public reaction to his appointment was positive, with the expectation that after the squalid Mele Kyari years, defined mainly through keeping politicians happy, Ojulari would use his expertise to fix the rot.

Four months in, while Ojulari’s solid technical credentials remain intact, his political naivety might ruin him and any hopes of redeeming the NNPCL. I’m not concerned about the Senate Public Accounts Committee’s investigations into alleged discrepancies in the NNPC’s audited financial statements between 2017 and 2023,insinuating that overN210 trillion was unaccounted for.

That happened long before Ojolari’s tenure. Except that sensational reports about missing oil trillions are testosterone-fueled for press headlines. They also strengthen the hands of politicians who have perennially used NNPC as a honeypot. But the Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, and his members know it’s nonsense.

Wadada and all-what-not

Audit queries are not unusual in accounting, and issuing threats over a six-year “unaccounted” sum that focuses mainly on assets and not liabilities is foolish. Of course, when politicians are involved, you can’t rule out strategic foolishness. But if push comes to shove, it’s not only NNPC that will be held accountable. The IOCs, joint venture partners, will also have questions to answer.

Next, there’s the matter of Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a contractor, allegedly linked to Ojulari indeals estimated at either $21 million or $31 million, depending on who you believe.

This gets a bit curiouser because Haske has made statements to the security services. Haske is not new to NNPCL. His company, AA&R Investment Group, has, among other things, provided mainly helicopter services for nearly 20 years, especially for the five or six locations where the company is currently involved in frontier drilling across the country.

The Haske-Atiku angle

The problem with Haske is two-fold, each fold highlightingOjulari’s naivety. Reports indicate that even though Haske’s company had had problems with NNPCL over some turnkey projects, it was to Haske that Ojulari turned to provide jets that flew the board and management for a retreat in Kigali, Rwanda. If there had been a lull in Haske’s business with NNPCL, Ojulari’s tenure has been something of a Haskean revival. Some reports estimated the jet hire service cost of the Kigali trip to be over N1 billion – hardly a prudent expenditure for a reformer in a bleeding company.

This “indiscretion” might have been forgiven if Haske were not the son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a connection which, if Ojulari claims,is unknown to him or doesn’t matter, only means his naivety is of ghastly proportions.

Ojularimay wish to remember what Sun Tzu said in The Art of War about making the enemy toil when he is relaxed, and starving them when they’re full. Atiku knows Ojulari should know the government doesn’t consider him a friend. If Ojulari does not know that even an appearance of redemption of “the enemy” by proxy will not go unnoticed, then he doesn’t know anything.

Or was it Rowland?

There have been unverified suggestions that the testy relationship between Ojulari and NNPCL GCOO, Rowland Ewubare, may also have played a role in the current turbulence. Or that some key former staff, especially the managing directors of the three refineries – Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna – who were fired by Ojulari, may be stirring the pot. Probably.

Where the truth lies

Two things, according to insiders, which go to the heart of Ojulari’s problem are 1) the failed Saudi Aramco $7.5 billion loan, and 2) lingering displeasure over the sale of ExxonMobil assets to Seplat last year. The Saudi Aramco $7.5 billion oil-backed loan predated Ojulari’s assumption of office. It started in 2023.

The problem was that while earlier discussions with Riyadh were around 20,000 bpd to back the loan, some vested interests, with an eye on two-and-a-half percent interest, raised the trade-off by six times.Ojulari later opposed, arguing that piling 120,000 bpdon the current raft of forward pledged oil-backed deals was unsustainable. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu backed him, making it unlikely that Nigeria would continue with the deal.

As surely as outrage attracts company, losers from the Aramco deal teamed up with their angry cousins in the Seplat $1.3 billion ExxonMobil (Seplat bought the asset over deeply bruised egos), and the rest is misery.

Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari- NNPCL
Bayo Ojulari

Beyond Ojulari

But seriously, this is not just an Ojulari problem, however partly self-inflicted. Nigeria is sick, and a Band-Aid would not make it whole. Saudi Aramco, from which Nigeria seeks an oil-backed loan, started drilling in 1935, but it became Saudi Aramco by royal order only in 1988. Today, it is the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals company with a net incomeof $106.2 billion in 2024.

NNPCL’s contemporaries, such as the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), have a market capitalisation of $12.89 billion. In contrast, one of its major subsidiaries, ADNOC Gas, has a much higher value of $70billion. Petronas (Malaysia), only three years older than NNPC, has a solid global footprint in oil and gas.In Africa, national oil and gas companies such as Sonatrach (Algeria) and Sonangol (Angola) continue to demonstrate that things work where people are serious.

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is the boldest effort in decades to make Nigeria’s oil and gas sector work for investors, communities and the country. It has brought some structural improvements and regulatory clarity.But Nigeria, being Nigeria, this bold effort has been hampered by regulatory and administrative bottlenecks, underinvestment and infrastructure deficits, security and operational risks, and legal and institutional challenges.

Fix it or leave it!

The suggestionthat a company like NNPCL, with a board and shares currently being held 50-50 by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated in trust for Nigerians and overseen by the National Assembly, is controlled from some bedroom may be seductive, but unconvincing.

Whatever the obstacles before him, with the support of the board and the President, Ojulari will have no excuse if he fails to fix the NNPCL. If the current baptism of fire hasn’t taught him a lesson or two, nothing will. Not the enemies within. Not the contractors. Not the politicians in the National Assembly. Not the vested interest, planted and rooted. Certainly not the paramours, real or imagined.

Ishiekwene is the Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the book, Writing for Media and Monetising It.

Uzodimma To LG Chairmen, Councillors: You Are Elected To Serve, Not Punish The People

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma with LG Chairmen

Governor Hope Uzodimma has told the Local Government officials in Imo State, particularly the elected ones, to use their offices to serve the people who elected them into office and not to punish them.

The Governor who spoke on Thursday at the Rockview Hotel Owerri while declaring open the three day retreat for Imo State Local Government officials also read the riot act to those of them who do not take their responsibility to the public seriously.

The theme of the three day retreat is: Public Sector Governance for Officials of Local Government in Imo State with emphasis on “Enhancing local government sustainable development.”

According to the Media Adviser/ Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, Governor Uzodimma reminded both the elected and appointed officials that the public office is a calling that requires those holding them to be responsible, passionate about service to the people, accountable and ready to give those they are serving a sense of belonging.

His words: “Those elected by the people are to represent the people not to punish the people. They are to improve on the welfare of the people who elected them.”

Governor Uzodimma who said that the Local Government Chairmen must regularly meet with the stakeholders in their domain for inclusiveness, responsibility and sense of belonging also noted that the Councillors must regularly consult with leaders in their Ward with regard to the needs and challenges facing their communities.

He further urged the Councillors to make it a habit to interface with the Traditional Rulers and the Town Union Presidents in their Ward, insisting that their different responsibilities are cut out for them.

While urging them to remain focused in discharging their duties in the midst of unwarranted distractions and malicious attacks from those who may be eyeing their positions, Governor Uzodimma reminded them that they must live among, and with the people who elected them.

Governor Uzodimma however reminded both the Chairmen and Councillors that he had briefed the security operatives to monitor the movement of those of them who flout his directives as regards doing the right thing, living among their people and serving the people well.

The Governor who mandated them to serve the people in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto added that part of the reasons for the establishment of the Progressive Institute last year was to fashion out a think tank that can serve as compass for the implementation of the Party’s development agenda nationwide.

“Imo is an APC State and you must serve based on the APC manifesto and progressive ideology,” the Governor explained, noting that when the Institute was opened last year, he made a promise to leverage its presence to train the Imo State Local Government officials. “I have kept the promise to the APC Institute,” he said.

Governor Uzodimma said he has confidence in the ability of the resource persons from the Institute to drill the participants in such ways that they will take stock of what they are expected to do, reflect deeply on the job of service as elected officials, and then come to the realisation that they must work together to achieve optimum results.

Earlier, the Director General of the Progressive Institute, Mr. Lanre Adebayo commended the Governor for fulfilling his promise to have his resource persons train the Imo State Local Government officials.

Adebayo lauded the quality of those who were elected and appointed officials of the Local Government Areas in Imo State, noting that their contributions during the retreat showed they were prepared for the position they are holding.

He said that the quality of the contributions of the personnel at the Local Government Areas of Imo State attending the retreat was not only unbelievable but a reflection of the purposeful leadership the Governor has provided in Imo as a true ambassador of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Adebayo thanked the Governor for providing an enabling environment for them to hold the retreat, adding that “Owerri is peaceful, a very peaceful city in the South East, and contrary to the insinuation of insecurity.”

“Since we arrived we have taken time to go round Owerri and we can tell that the city is peaceful and we have enjoyed our stay.”

In her welcome remarks, the Imo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Ruby Emele, thanked both the Governor and the resource persons, and said that the participants look forward to more of the retreat.

Mrs. Emele who told the Governor that he may not know how much he had invested in the training of the Local Government officials free, added that the Governor has not just proven to be “Infrastructure Governor but  also Human Development Governor.”

The event was well attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the Imo State expanded Executive Council, heads of traditional rulers of the 27 Local Government Areas in Imo State led by Eze Imo, HRH Eze EC Okeke, critical stakeholders, among others.

Governor Uzodimma’s speech read:

“It is my utmost pleasure to address you today as you commence your three-day retreat, which centres on public sector governance. A retreat, by its nature, is a time for you to take stock of what you have done, soberly reflect on what ought to have been done, and gear yourself towards the attainment of the expected goals. It is necessary for us as individuals and public servants to periodically engage in this kind of serious reflection to aid us in the performance of our duties to the electorate.

“When the Progressive Institute was inaugurated on Friday, 6 September 2024, I made a promise to engage it in organising retreats and workshops for officials of the Imo State Government. The aim was to draw on the rich experience of its resource persons. For those who may not know, the Progressive Institute is a think tank of the All Progressives Congress, created to ensure that officials elected or appointed under its platform do the right things the right way. Today, I can proudly say that I have kept that promise.

“Beyond that, this particular retreat is important because of its focus, which is on Public Sector Governance. I have often observed that some officials get elected into office without any kind of template to drive a vision for performance. Some just believe that the election is an end in itself and not a means to an end. That is why they leave office without adding any tangible value to the system.

“However, when you have a valuable and vision-driven roadmap, it becomes very easy for you to achieve your sustainable goals. Public office, whether elected or appointed, is a noble calling. It is a rare privilege to be among the select few entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people. With such trust comes the duty to give your very best, to act with integrity, and to ensure that your actions reflect the honour of the office you hold.

“As elected council chairmen, councillors, and appointed local government officials, your sacred mandate is to showcase the alluring benefits of democracy to our people. Among them must include transparent, open, and accountable governance processes. Through your conduct and actions, you must make the grassroots appreciate why democracy is the best form of government. To achieve this will mean that you must follow the due democratic process in all your actions.

“Public funds must be judiciously appropriated for public good. Councillors must regularly consult with relevant stakeholders in their wards to ensure the interests of the ward are accommodated in the values allocated by the local government council. The council chairmen must hold regular stakeholders’ meetings to appraise local government stakeholders of their policies and programmes. These are the ways to ensure inclusivity and transparency.

“In addition, councillors and chairmen are the ambassadors of the APC in their respective wards and Local Government Areas. You must set the right example and inspire confidence by residing in your wards and council areas. Security agencies have been directed to monitor your movements and report those who fail to do so in their periodic reports.

“You cannot be an absentee councillor or chairman. Let me be clear, not residing in your constituency amounts to abandonment of office. Once established, the necessary constitutional processes shall be applied to declare the office vacant. I  believe a word is enough for the wise.

“Furthermore, the State Government has established and is funding vigilante groups in each of the 655 autonomous communities. Councillors must therefore liaise with town unions and traditional rulers in the communities that make up their wards so that the vigilantes function optimally. The vigilantes are members of the community and should know who is who; if they cannot identify criminals in their own communities, then who can? Working closely with security agencies, you must ensure that insecurity is stamped out from your domains.

“You must also note that public office comes with its own cross. People will criticise you for doing well. Rabble-rousers will use you to shine by playing to the gallery to claim they can do better than you. You will fail if you allow charlatans to distract you. Constructive criticism is a good balm for democracy, but malicious attacks are cancerous agents of democracy. Ignore them, keep your eyes firmly focused on the goal, which is service to the people, and success will be your portion.

“As people elected and appointed by an APC government, another challenge before you is to serve the people based on the manifesto of the APC. This is where the resource persons from the Progressive Institute are handy. I am sure they came prepared with all the things you need to know in this respect.

“Generally speaking, public sector governance simply refers to the systems, processes, and practices that guide the operations of government and public organisations. It encompasses the rules, structures, and decision-making processes that ensure public resources are managed effectively, ethically, and accountably to achieve public goals.

“It also involves establishing clear goals and objectives for public organisations and aligning resources to achieve them. Key factors, such as accountability, transparency, efficiency, and integrity, are essential for achieving effective public sector governance.

“I already mentioned that you need to engage citizens and stakeholders in decision-making processes and ensure that policies are developed through a transparent and participatory process and effectively implemented.

“It goes without saying that you must hold yourself so far from corruption that even suspicion cannot reach you. You are aware that this 3R government abhors any kind of corruption. That is why those who criticise it will never find any shred of evidence to nail us. They may bandy hollow figures around, but that is where it all ends. Do not give them any room whatsoever to justify their bogus claims. Like Caesar’s wife, you must be above suspicion.

“As beacons for the development of our local government areas, the chairmen, councillors, and supervisory councillors must ensure that they deliver on their mandate. The local government is the first contact that the citizens have of what is called government. You must, therefore, impress them with your sterling performance. Both the traditional rulers and presidents-general of the town unions are watching your performance, and their reports to me will be taken seriously. You may, therefore, do well to pay attention to the resource persons to learn ways that you can enhance your service delivery to the people.

“I hereby charge the Commissioner for Local Government to take more than a passing interest in the performance of the officials. I am aware of the Supreme Court ruling regarding the funds of local governments, which this administration fully supports and adheres to. I am also aware of the State’s constitutional responsibilities in the oversight of the councils. All of them are geared towards greater efficiency and productivity in the councils for the overall benefit of the people.

“Let me formally welcome the officials of the Progressive Institute who are here to oversee this retreat. Feel free, for our people are hospitable. I guarantee you that you are safe to go round the State and savour her legendary hospitality.

“It is now my pleasure to declare this retreat open and to wish you a very successful exercise. I wish you safe return to your respective stations.”

Rivers Council Polls: We Will Win All The 23 LGAs – APC Boasts

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Chief Victor Giadom

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has expressed the optimism that it will sweep the Local Council Polls in Rivers State.

At the flag off of its official campaigns for the August 30, 2025, election, the National Vice Chairman, South-south, Chief Victor Giadom, said nothing will stop the APC from securing victory in all the 23 Councils of the State .

This is as the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, and other political groupings, aside fron the APC and its emergency ally, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have vowed to shun the exercise.

According to Giadom who was represented at the rally by Senator Magnus Abe, the APC, as the main opposition Party in Rivers State, is ready and rearing to snatch victory from other political parties.

He noted that the new found unity and cohesion within the party will propel it to a resounding victory come August 30 .

“The APC in Rivers State is united. The APC in Rivers State is strong. The APC in Rivers State is ready to deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots”, Giadom stated.

He, therefore, charged the party leadership in the state and the Chairmanship and Councilorship candidates to always try to project the good image of the Party as examplified by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The current Chairmen and Councilors of our Party, you are now the face of the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots .

“You are the Tinubu that Rivers people will now look up to. We know that you will not disappoint us. The election, looking at this crowd here, is a no- contest .We are together, and we will deliver”, the National Vice Chairman assured .

Also speaking, the Rivers State APC  factional Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha,  while re-echoing the victory song of the National Vice Chairman , expressed satisfaction with the way and manner the Rivers state Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC has handled the process of the election.

According to Okocha, the transparent manner the Commission has adopted in the conduct of  the polls is the major reason the APC is participating in the exercise.

He noted that past elections were majorly marred by irregularities and insincerity of purpose.

“Today, we are bold; we are happy; we are excited to tell you that because the processes put in place by RSIEC are right, we are here to follow and support those processes.

“We are not just going to test the waters on August 30, we are going to contest and win the election in all the 23 Local Government Areas and 319 Wards of the State” Okocha stated .

This is just as he lauded the efforts of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike, for the new alliance between the PDP and APC in the countdown to the council polls.

“I am sure you are aware of the marriage of politicians in Rivers State weaved together by a son of the soil, under the umbrella of the Renewed Hope  2025”, he further noted.

The Source further reports that in  the alliance which did not come to  many as a surprise, PDP members were nominated as APC candidates and vice versa.

Curiously too, all are believed to be elements fiercely loyal to Wike who has been battling with his political godson, suspended Governor Similanayi Fubara for the soul of Rivers state.

But while the APC/PDP appears to be comfortable with the planned Local Council Polls, it is not so with the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, which has expressed its unflinching opposition to the exercise.

In a statement on Wednesday, August 13, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, informed that the umbrella body of Registered Political Parties in the country  has directed all member-parties to boycott the exercise

According to Dantalle,the Rivers state Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has no constitutional powers to conduct a democratic election.

He maintained that as long as the country is not under any martial laws, the IPAC will not participate in any democratic election being conducted by an unelected official.

The IPAC National Chairman informed that the leadership of all political parties under it , has been adequately notified of the resolution to boycott the planned Local Council Election.

“The proposed Local Government Election in Rivers State is illegal, unconstitutional and a mockery of our emerging democracy.

“It is totally unacceptable and should be rejected by all lovers of constitutional governance in Nigeria. The Sole Administrator has no constitutional mandate to conduct a democratic election as if the nation is under a military regime.

“Only an an elected Governor has the constitutional powers to conduct a Local Government Election in collaboration with the State House of Assembly.

”The Sole Administrator cannot arrogate to himself powers in flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The Sole Administrator is not an Emperor with absolute power to rule as he pleases”, the IPAC National Chairman asserted .

Nigeria Itches For First Manpower Development Policy

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria’s first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Policy is underway.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who  announced the plan, said the country’s greatest asset lies in its people rather than its natural resources.

He also stressed the urgent need to bridge the gap between educational output and industry requirements to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.

These were contained in a keynote address at the opening of the National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS) 2025 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

A statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President), stated that the President, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, pointed out that the country must urgently invest in its citizens or risk dire consequences.

The summit with the theme, “Manpower Development: The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity,” brings together government officials, industry leaders, academia, and international partners to develop actionable recommendations for workforce development.

The president stated that “For a nation with a median age of about seventeen, Nigeria is an incredibly young country. This youthfulness is a gift, but it is also a responsibility.

“We must make our young people not just a demographic statistic but a central component of our policy-making process.

“An improvement in human capital, along with infrastructure and sound policy, is the bridge between development and setback in every nation. We cannot afford to divest from our people because the world will not pause to wait for us.”

The President said the summit “is not just a forum for discussion; it is a call to produce actionable recommendations that will form the basis of Nigeria’s first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Policy.

“I assure you that this administration will review, adopt, and implement viable proposals with urgency.

“Our mission is to align the education and training of our young people, and indeed the larger workforce, with the needs of industry. We must reverse the mismatch between what our institutions produce and what our economy requires.

“This cannot be realised unless we foster robust collaboration between the public and private sectors to prepare young Nigerians for the demands of today’s job market,” he noted.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, noted that the summit is not just a ceremony or another line in the calendar of events, but a crossroads where Nigeria elects whether to remain as a nation of vast potential – often admired but unrealised, or whether the country is ready to step forward as a nation whose productivity matches its promise.

Kaduna Bye-Election: ADC, SDP Accuse APC Of Thuggery, Bribery; Govt Says Allegations Amount To Defeat

By
Ayodele Oni
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APC

By Ayodele Oni

With few hours to the conduct of the bye- election in Kaduna state, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have cried out over conduct by the All Progressives Congress (APC) which could mark the poll.

The two parties  alleged that the APC-led government has mobilised over 4,000 thugs to sabotage the Saturday bye-election in the state.

They also accused the state government of securing more than ₦5.2billion in funds to influence and disrupt the bye-election.

Addressing a Press Conference in Kaduna on Thursday, the Chairman of ADC, North West, Jafaaru Sani, also

alleged that the thugs, were drawn from within and outside the state.

Jafaaru Sani claimed that the thugs have been positioned at polling units, collation centres, and political hotspots to intimidate voters.

ADC further alleged that individuals with a record of electoral violence are in charge of election operations, and that senior officials in Giwa, Soba, and Zangon Kataf LGAs are plotting attacks on opposition rallies.

This is just as the opposition parties claimed that ₦4.8 billion from Abuja, along with compulsory contributions of ₦30 million from each of the state’s 23 local government councils, is being used to compromise security agencies, bribe electoral officials, and sow chaos during the polls.

The opposition parties urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be neutral and remove compromised personnel and replace them with neutral staff to protect the credibility of the electoral process.

Reacting to the allegation, the Kaduna state government described ADC and SDP as equally confused bedfellow, who are already aware that the good people of Kaduna State have decisively rejected them.

In statement released by the Commissioner of Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, explained that the opposition, in the face of imminent defeat, they have resorted to concocted tales of “vote-buying” and “thug recruitment” to pre-emptively discredit an election they know they cannot win.

According to Maiyaki, “let it be clear: Kaduna State Government has no hand whatsoever in the conduct of elections.

“That responsibility belongs exclusively to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is fully capable of defending its processes and integrity.

“We will not sit idly by while political opportunists smear the name of our administration and malign innocent officials with wild, unsubstantiated claims.

” Democracy in Kaduna is alive and thriving — and no amount of theatre from El-Rufai’s political leftovers in ADC will change that.

“We are confident that if good governance is marked by inclusivity, peaceful coexistence, and developmental projects, APC, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, will continue to win elections in the state”

LP Commends INEC For Excluding Party From Bye-elections

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Labour Party

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a classic case of a house against itself, the Anambra State Chapter of the Labour Party, LP, loyal to the Senator Nenadi Esther Usman-led Interim National Working Committee, NWC, has hailed the exclusion of candidates nominated by the Julius Abure faction from the August 16 State and National Assemblies bye-elections in the State by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC. LP, based on the INEC  decision is fielding  no candidate.

It described the action as a signpost to the readiness of the Electoral Umpire towards respecting the rule of law.

The Source reports that the Supreme Court had, on April 4, 2025, sacked the Abure-led National Executive Committee, NEC, which was enthroned by the controversial Nnewi Convention earlier in 2024.

The Apex Court  held that the tenure of Abure and others had clearly expired long before the said Nnewi Convention that purportedly handed them a second term in office.

At a media briefing on Thursday August 14, 2025 in Awka, the State Capital, Chairman of the LP in the State, Peter Okoye, warned party members and the general public against transacting party business or any other activities with Abure and his factional leaders

He insisted that going by the facts of the Supreme Court ruling as contained in the Certified True Copy, CTC, the only recognized NWC of the LP is that headed by Senator Usman.

According to Okoye, the Anambra LP has no candidate in next Saturday’s bye-election in the State.

This is as he insisted that the LP has no alliance of any kind with the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as far as  the bys-election is concerned.

The LP Chairman, therefore, urged members and supporters to come out in their numbers to vote only candidates with clean and credible records.

“Our Party is law-abiding ,and will always operate within the confines of the law”, Okoye stated.

It would be recalled that the INEC had earlier refused to recognize the LP’s candidate for the bye-elections in Edo State .

But unlike in the case of Edo State where the Commission cited the Party’s failure to formally declare its interest in the process as a major reason for its action, that of Anambra State remains hazy.

Piqued by the situation, Abure, on Wednesday August 13, warned of imminent constitutional crisis and legal proceedings  should the INEC fail to reverse its decision.

Peter Obi, the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 general elections, had already publicly declared support for the Wife of the slain LP member that represented Onitsha North I State Constituency, Mrs Justina Azuka, who is angling to succeed her husband on the ADC platform.

DG WTO, Okonjo-Iweala Meets President Tinubu, Discusses Reforms To Cushion Policies

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Bola Tinubu and Okonjo-Iweala

By Ayodele Oni

“We must give Tinubu credit for stabilising Nigeria’s economy – Okonjo- Iweala”

The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO), Director -General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said Nigeria’s economy under President Bola Tinubu has stabilized.

She was of the view that Tinubu must be given credit for stabilising the economy.

Okonjo-Iweala spoke during a courtesy visit to Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.

She added that what is needed next in the country is economic growth.

“So we think that the President and his team – and we just exchanged with him – have worked hard to stabilize the economy.

“And you cannot really improve an economy unless it’s stable,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

The WTO DG added that

“Tinubu has to be given the credit for the stability of the economy.

“So the reforms have been in the right direction. What is needed next is growth.

“We now need to grow the economy and we need to put in social safety nets so that people who are feeling the pinch of the reforms can also have some support to be able to weather the hardship. So that’s the next step.

“How do we build social safety nets to help Nigerians cushion the hardship they’re feeling?

“And then how do we grow the economy so we can create more jobs and put more money in people’s pockets?”

Okonjo-Iweala said these are issues that have been discussed with the president but did not give further details.

LASG Seals Chicken Republic Outlet Over Unhygienic Practices

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
LASG Seals Chiken Republic

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than 48 hours after the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, sealed Dowen College in Lekki, over poor Waste Disposal, it’s sister agency, Lagos Wastewater Management Office, LSWMO, has sealed off a Chicken Republic outlet also in Lekki.

The Chicken Republic Outlet was sealed over alleged improper waste disposal and poor sanitary conditions, an action said to be in violation of environmental laws in the State.

The outlet, located at No. 23 Agungi Ajiran Road, was sealed following public complaints about the company’s alleged unhygienic practices.

The Government noted that investigations revealed the restaurant’s management had been discharging wastewater onto the road, thereby causing damage to public infrastructure and contributing to environmental pollution.

Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, confirmed the enforcement action on Thursday through LASG Seals Chicken Republic Outlet Over Unhygienic Practices

OAU Student Commits Sui*cide Over Poor Results

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Ajibola Ibitayo

By Akinwale Kasali

Ajibola Ibitayo, a 200-Level Student of the Faculty of Dentistry at the  Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, has taken his own life for his poor results. He was alleged to have been depressed over his consecutive “Carry Over” in a particular Course.

The sad occurrence threw the University Community into mourning as the Late Ibitayo, whose father is said  a medical doctor, injected himself.

The Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olanrewaju, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.

Olanrewaju said the deceased with matriculation number DEN/2021/023 was a Part-Time student of the Faculty of Dentistry.

The University disclosed that the student took his life after he discovered that the results of the last Semester’s Examinations, which were just released, would require him to repeat Part Two for another academic year.

He had already been repeating Part Two during the last session.

The Institution’s Spokesperson explained that the sad news was received by the University leadership as the deceased reportedly injected himself at his Parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.

Saddened by the news, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, appealed to parents and guardians to instill in their Children and

Wards the understanding that temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success are part of life and not the end of it.

He also urged students and young people to view failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths toward success and greater achievements.

The Vice-Chancellor prayed that God Almighty would grant the parents, family, Faculty, College of Health Sciences, and the University community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

National Convention: Gov Diri Heads PDP’s 44 Member Zoning Committee

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
PDP National Convention Zoning Committee

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Iliya Damagum, on Thursday, inaugurated the National Convention Zoning Committee (NCZC) preparatory to the national Congress of the party.

The 44-member Zoning Committee, will primarily decide on the distribution of key positions in the party, including which zone of the country will fly its presidential flag at the 2027 polls.

The committee, which is chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, was inaugurated at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

In his address, the chairman charged members of the committee to ensure fairness in the exercise.

“The next National Working Committee must not only be representative, it should be visionary, courageous, and proactive. We need leaders of integrity, creativity, and capacity.

“We must place individuals who inspire confidence, mobilise effectively, and speak to the hopes of Nigerians.

“Our zoning process must reflect fairness, equity, and strategic thinking, as well as strengthen our unity, reward loyalty, and position us for electoral victory.

“I trust that the Zoning Committee will approach its task with wisdom, foresight, and a full understanding of the bigger picture: PDP over anyone, and PDP above any personal interest.

“Please members of this committee, do keep in mind  that the deputies are just as important as the principals. I speak from experience. I ran for — and won — the position of National Deputy Chairman (North).

“Yet, due to political circumstances, I was thrust into the role of leading our great party nationally.

“It was a drastic and unexpected responsibility; one that demanded resilience, clarity, and decisive leadership. Because I was prepared, because I understood the weight of service, I was able to rise to the challenge and stand firm in the storm.

“Loyalty is the lifeblood of our party. Without it, unity is impossible. Yet loyalty alone is not enough, it must walk hand in hand with competence.

“As you consider zoning, picture the calibre of individuals who may emerge from each zone. Ask yourselves, Will this person embody the values and strength of the PDP in a way that makes us proud before the nation?

“Politics demands pragmatism, not sentiment; especially now, when the state of the economy has left many Nigerians disillusioned and disengaged from the democratic process. As a party, we should aim to make decisions that reignite hope and inspire confidence in our people.

“This Committee is the engine room where we lay the political foundation for the leadership of the PDP over the next four years.

“The decisions you take will shape our ability to serve Nigerians, win elections, and defend the democratic values we represent.

“We operate in a dynamic political terrain, sometimes turbulent, always demanding the very best from us. In recent times, we have faced changes in leadership and the departure of some members who chose a different path.

“Yet we remain standing because the PDP is bigger than any individual, stronger than any momentary setback, and destined to remain a central force in Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

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