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Rivers Crisis: President Tinubu Orders Return Of Police, Sues For Calm

October 7, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has advised warring factions in the political crisis in Rivers state not to resort to self help.

This is just as the President ordered the return of the police to the state and restore peace immediately.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Bayo Onanuga, called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.

“In response to recent tensions following last Saturday’s Local Government Council Election, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state.

“He urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions.

“President Tinubu directed the Police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.

“While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasized the need to ensure the security of public institutions.

“President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.

“He stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy.”

According to President Tinubu, the Judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.

Apapa Port Customs Posts Over N1.6 Trillion Third Quarter Result

Suleiman Anyalewechi

October 7, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS Apapa Port Area Command has announced revenue generation of over N1.6 Trillion for the third quarter of the year ended September.

The Comptroller, of the Command, Babatude Olomu, said the feat is a direct consequence of diligence and integrity in service delivery.

This is even as he assured that the Command will continually interface with all relevant stakeholders, for the purpose of improving on its revenue generation abilities.

A statement issued on Monday October 7, 2024 by the Command’s Spokesperson, Usman Abubakar, quoted Comptroller Olomu as also crediting the robust fight against smuggling activities as part of the reasons for the great leap in the revenue generation profile of the Command.

The N1.6 .trillion revenue generated, according to the Olomu, represents a considerable increase in the over N1.172 trillion collected during the corresponding period in 2023.

The Comptroller similarly identified the N201.8billion generated in July 2024 and N193.9 billion realized in September this year as spectacular figures capable of being replicated in the last quarter of the year beginning from October.

Further speaking, the Comptroller Olomu lauded the immense contributions of innovative measures put in place by the NCS Comptroller General, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the unprecedented revenue generation feat of the Command.

According to him, such policies as the advance ruling, time release study and Authorized Economic Operator, AEO, as being dutifully implemented, have greatly impacted on the revenue generation capacity of the Command.

However, the Comptroller noted that the Command’s emphasis on improved revenue generation, has not prevented it from strictly adhering to measures aimed at combating smuggling and other economic sabotaging activities within the Apapa port.

Comptroller Olomu, therefore, while appreciating officers and men of the Command for the achievement in revenue generation relying on diligent examination and uncompromising interventions, also praised them for being alive to the battle against unwholesome economic activities.

“The Command shall continually engage with all stakeholders to sustain the rising level of compliance which has resulted in reduced smuggling in the area.

“The Strict monitoring of cargoes, constant profiling of port users, sensitization of stakeholders and in-house training and retraining of officers have jointly contributed to the almost zero level of smuggling in recent times.

“Our revenue collection is good, and I know that we can do better with more impressive results in the last quarter of 2024. I want to thank our compliant stakeholders for their cooperation and support to us in the achievement we have recorded.

“Reduced smuggling activities is a testament to affirm the compliance we are celebrating, and I can say the best is yet to come.

“We are not losing guard. Our tempo of vigilance is air tight, which attests to our capacity to detect smuggling and make seizures,” Olomu stated

The Apapa Port Comptroller also lauded the support and understanding of sister agencies, promising that the Command will always leverage its relationship with them to share intelligence against criminal elements, embark on joint examinations in line with extant standard operating procedures, as well as promote compliance at all times”.

BREAKING: LAHA Suspends Alimosho LG Chairman Indefinitely

Akinwale Kasali

October 7, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

After months of deliberation, the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday handed down an indefinite suspension to the Chairman of the Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon. The suspension is with immediate effect.

Sitting at plenary, the Lawmakers resolved that the Vice Chairman of the Council, Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, should take over the running of its affairs.

The House further instructed the management of the Council, including the Manager and Treasurer, to recognise the authority of the Vice Chairman and accord him all the support to make him work effectively.

The Chairman was suspended in a unanimous vote by the Lawmakers over an alleged non-compliance, defiance and unyielding attitude to the Legislative House.

Moving a motion for his suspension, the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, recalled that in April 2024, pandemonium broke out in the Iyana-Ipaja axis of Alimosho Local Government leading to the death of one Mr. Micheal Ajayi.

Hon. Okanlawon, whose committee was saddled with the responsibility to investigate the cause of the pandemonium, said that it was discovered that Jelili masterminded the chaos.

According to Okanlawon, all stakeholders involved in the issue were invited, but Jelili had continued to show acts of misconduct to the committee of the House.

He highlighted the council chairman’s failure to adhere to the Assembly’s directives and his mismanagement of public funds. He, therefore, called for Jelili’s immediate suspension in line with relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“He should be suspended immediately while the vice chairman, Akin Johnson, takes over with immediate effect,” he prayed.

Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, while supporting the call for Jelili’s suspension, added that the action would make other local government chairmen sit well.

“The Alimosho council chairman does not follow procurement processes or the budget. There has been a lot of misconducts from him and I support that the chairman be suspended indefinitely,” he said.

In his contribution Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, referred to the report submitted by the State Auditor-General concerning the activities of Jelili. The report underscored the council chairman’s consistent non-compliance with financial regulations, with significant irregularities in his records.

Akinsanya, emphasising these discrepancies, suported Okanlawon’s call for Jelili’s suspension.

Similarly, Hon. Ladi Ajomale expressed surprise that the council chairman had been recalcitrant despite previous reports detailing his alleged financial mismanagement.

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, while echoing his concerns, also prayed the House to invite Kolade Alabi and Rasak Ajala, chairmen of Bariga LCDA and Odi Olowo LCDA respectively, as heads of the Conference 57, to explain the widespread disregard by council chairmen for governance protocols.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the sitting, directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to communicate the Assembly’s resolution to all relevant authorities.

NAFDAC Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

Ayodele Oni

October 7, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Operations at the Federal government’s regulatory body, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have been disrupted as the staff commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday.

The action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to management.

The decision to down tools was confirmed after a congress of NAFDAC staff convened on Friday, October 4, 2024 over unresolved issues.

The striking workers, under the directive of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), have been instructed to withdraw all services and vacate offices.

They were also ordered to remove personal belongings as the strike begins.

The demands of the staff include a review and re-evaluation of the 2024 promotion examination results, which currently reflect a pass rate of just 35 percent.

The union is pushing for a minimum benchmark of 80 percent for this year and future examinations.

Another key demand is the settlement of salary arrears for employees hired in 2022 among others.

In a statement signed by Secretary of the Association, Ejor Michael, the union accused NAFDAC management of ignoring their grievances, calling the inaction insufferable.

The staff have vowed to continue the strike until all demands outlined in their communiqué are met.

NAFDAC, which plays a critical role in regulating Nigeria’s food, drug, and pharmaceutical industries, is expected to face significant operational disruptions as a result of the industrial action.

CBN: Cardoso Fails To Save Naira 1yr After

James Orji

October 7, 2024

Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso says no regret in the decision of the apex bank to float the naira, insisting that such was necessary to determine the fair value of the currency to other top global currencies.

The “decision was necessary to bring the official exchange rate closer to market reality, “ Cardoso said at the weekend in Lagos during an event to mark his one year in office.

Addressing members of the Harvard Club of Nigeria in Lagos at the weekend on the topic: “Leadership in Challenging Times: Restoring Credibility, Building Trust, and Containing Inflation,” Cardoso also disclosed that the apex bank has ensured transparency in the nation’s foreign exchange market.

Speaking at the weekend, on various policies implemented since becoming the apex bank governor last year Cardoso, said the CBN has achieved its target of ensuring a fair exchange rate for the naira, adding that it was an unpopular decision among key stakeholders in the country.

According to him, “Floating the naira, a decision met with considerable public criticism, was necessary to bring the official exchange rate closer to market reality. The disparity between the official and parallel rates had encouraged arbitrage and speculation, eroding trust in the market.”

He explained that the CBN has brought back sanity in the forex market.

He said,“By enhancing transparency and providing more accurate oversight of forex transactions, we send a strong signal that the CBN is serious about fair and efficient markets.”

The apex bank governor was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October last year, and one of the tasks assigned to him by the president is the stabilisation of the naira.

One year after, according to financial experts, the apex bank under Cardoso has failed to accomplish this task as the naira has experienced a continuous hit in terms of its exchange rates to other global currencies, particularly the American dollar.

Within the period, the naira has fallen by over 200 percent, according to analysts, from barely N500 to N1,700 to the American greenback with no hope of fast recovery.

Experts insist that keys steps required to turn the fortune of the currency around has yet to be critically addressed by the managers of the economy.

They insist that though the nation’s forex reserves, one of the key requirements to stabilsie the naira has slightly increased in the last few months to barely $37 billion, other factors such as ramping up crude oil (the nation’s major forex earner) sales to earn hard currency has yet to be fully addressed.

The current daily crude oil sales stand at below 1.2 million short of the required two million barrel a day.

Experts also cited the bureau de change, BDCs operators in the country as one of the threats to the stability of the naira.

Recall that Cardoso had earlier disclosed that the naira was undervalued, promising to ensure “genuine price” for the currency.

Cardoso said, “We believe that the naira is currently undervalued and, coupled with coordinated measures on the fiscal side, we will expedite genuine price discovery in the near term,” he said in January this year.

Rivers: IGP Succumbs To Pressure, Unseals LGAs, Orders Withdrawal Of Police Personnel

Suleiman Anyalewechi

October 7, 2024

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Kayode Egbetokun

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Not a few people say this withdrawal could be a Greek gift to allow those opposed to the election to mobilise and invade the Local Councils’ Headquarters in the absence of Police presence

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate unsealing of Local Council Secretariats in Rivers State by Police Operatives.

Following the successful conduct of the State’s Local Government Polls on Saturday October 5, 2024, and the subsequent swearing-in of elected officials, the IGP has directed that policemen posted to secure the facilities be withdrawn.

The Source reports that the Police authorities had on July 19 , in the wake of the appointments of Caretaker Committee Council officials by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, ordered the barricading of the headquarters of the state’s 23 Local Governments.

The appointments of the Caretaker Committee Officials followed the expiry of the three year tenure of the Nyesom Wike installed Council Leaders on July 18,2024.

Efforts by the pro-Wike State Lawmakers, led by factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule to elongate their tenure ,were thwarted by a Court ruling which held that it was illegal and unconstitutional for elected officials under the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution as amended to have their tenures extended .

The Police had cited the need to prevent the breakdown of law and order, as well as the protection of lives and properties as reasons for sealing the Council Secretariats .

The development forced the appointed Council officials to operate from unorthodox and informal locations as directed by Governor Fubara .

However, democratically elected Chairmen and Councilors were on Sunday October 6, sworn -in. Governor Bala Muhammad of Bauchi state, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP Governors Forum among other dignitaries were present.

Instructively, owing to the festering battle for the control of the soul of the PDP between forces loyal to Wike and Governor Fubara the party did not participate in the crucial council polls .

But the adopted party of Governor Fubara’s supporters, the Action Peoples Party, APP, swept the polls at which the Action Alliance, AA, won the Etche Council Chairmanship position.

In a statement issued early Monday morning October 7, 2024, by the Rivers state Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, the Service said that operatives will only be redeployed to the Council headquarters in the event of any crisis and or breakdown of law and order.

“In view of the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha, hereby conveys the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, for the immediate withdrawal of Police Personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the State.

“The decision is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions

“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariats which were earlier secured by the police personnel.

The Police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of crisis or breakdown of law and order in which case emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy”, part of the police statement reads.

However, a number of people, say given the benefit of hindsight, the unsealing could be a Greek gift. They point out that it could be a ploy to, allegedly, allow the pro-Wike group to invite the Council Headquarters. Already, the rumours is strong that the Group is, allegedly, mobilising youths and other supporters to invade and block the Council Headquarters as from Monday or Tuesday.

NIMASA: IMO Scribe Applauds Nigeria For Ensuring Security In Gulf of Guinea

James Orji

October 7, 2024

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, has commended Nigeria for leading the charge to maintain the safety and security of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly during recent times when the situation in the Red Sea has led to heavier shipping traffic in the region.

Arsenio Dominguez, who stated this during a meeting with the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, at the IMO headquarters in London, also commended the NIMASA DG for engaging the technical team at the IMO on how Nigeria can address all identified gaps from the 2016 audit conducted by the organization.

Dominguez “I want to appreciate the effort of Nigeria on the progress made so far as regards security in the Gulf of Guinea region. There were concerns due to the situation in the Red Sea and resultant pressure around the gulf of Guinea but we are pleased that the situation has remained the same. We at IMO have been working with Nigeria through NIMASA and we desire that the partnership continues.” I am also happy that you, DG, are meeting with IMO technical staff on how to close all identified gaps before the next audit cycle. This is a step in the right direction and we are ready to give any technical support”. He stated.

The IMO Secretary-General also announced that the Organization is working on enhancing the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) to provide better services to member states in terms of information management.

On his part, the NIMASA DG, Mobereola, declared that his administration will pay attention to details on how Nigeria can become a voice to be reckoned with in global maritime diplomacy, adding that Nigeria is committed to sustaining the momentum of recent achievements in safety and security within the maritime domain.

According to Mobereola, “My tenure will leverage existing relationships both locally and internationally to sustain the momentum in safety and security within the Nigerian maritime domain. The creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria by Mr. President emphasizes the policy direction of this administration. Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria plays an active leading role not just in the region or the IMO, but in the global maritime space.”

Speaking further, he noted that his meeting with IMO technical staff was aimed at ensuring that NIMASA and the IMO are aligned before the next audit cycle. “I discovered today that some critical information regarding our administration and the technical team at the IMO is obsolete, and we are reviewing it to update it immediately. We do not see the IMO audit as an examination but rather as a guide to assist Nigeria in achieving its potential; hence, my decision to get personally involved. We need to get the basics right”. He stated.

He also announced that the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, has constituted a committee to address all areas of concern raised in the 2016 IMO audit report. This includes reviewing NIMASA’s enabling laws and effectively implementing a corrective action plan.

LG Autonomy: Seize Funds Where Govs Refuse To Conduct Election- SERAP

James Orji

October 7, 2024

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold funds to local governments in states where governors have refused to hold local government elections.

SERAP said in a statement, on Sunday, that the president has the responsibility to ensure that elections are held in the 774 LGAs in the country, in line with the July, 2024 Supreme Court judgment.

The nation’s apex court had in the landmark ruling affirmed the independence of the local government administration in the country, by outlawing a situation where state governors set up caretakers committee to run the councils.

The highest court in the country also directed that funds belonging to councils should be released to them directly.

As part of the federal government’s efforts to enforce the judgment, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, had disclosed that local government funds will not be released to states where elections were not held.

Thus in line with the apex court’s judgment, some states had held council elections, the latest being Rivers, Benue and Akwa Ibom state, where LG elections were held last weekend.

According to SERAP, in a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Sunday, the president must ensure that states where LG elections had yet to be conducted are denied allocations.

The president, the rights body said, has the responsibility to ensure that the apex court’s judgment is obeyed.

Part of SERAP statement, “Your government has the obligation to enforce the Nigerian Constitution and to prevent public wrong, including by state governors.

“A democratically elected local government council does not and should not exist at the pleasure, whims and caprice of governors or their political godfathers.

“Your government also has the constitutional obligation to ensure accountability for the spending of federal allocations and immediate compliance with the judgment by the Supreme Court and the rule of law.”

“Rivers LG Election, End To Oppression, God Fatherism” – Atiku

Ayodele Oni

October 7, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the successful conduct of Local Government Election in Rivers State has put an end to political oppression and god fatherism.

Reacting to the outcome of the election, Atiku stated that: “With the conclusion of the Local Government Election in Rivers State, the shadows of political intimidation and judicial chicanery have dissipated, paving the way for the noble pursuit of governance to commence in the State.

“From the bustling heart of Port Harcourt to the tranquil shores of Onne, the populace has spoken in harmonious unison, affirming that nothing can better democracy.

“As prophesied, it has now been revealed that the citizens of Rivers are astute and resolute, unwavering in their rejection of any form of political oppression, harassment, or the machinations of self-serving godfathers.

“As I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected local government leaders, I urge them to wear the welfare of the people as their foremost badge of honour and shun tyranny and delusional ambition in their political endeavours.

“Moreover, I commend the resilient people of Rivers State for their steadfastness in the face of adversity, courageously ensuring that yesterday’s election unfolded with peace and integrity.

“I must also applaud Governor Fubara, @SimFubaraKSC, for his unwavering commitment to the people’s interests, safeguarding the sanctity of the local government elections even amidst provocative challenges.

“In the grand tapestry of this election, it is ultimately the people who emerge victorious, their sacred right to choose their leaders firmly upheld within the framework of our democratic process.”

Rivers Of Crisis: PDP Govs Move To Reconcile Fubara, Wike

James Orji

October 7, 2024

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has hinted of the plan to reconcile the Governor of Rivers state, Simi Fubara with his erstwhile political godfather, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Mohammed who doubles as the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum made this known on Sunday spoke in Port Harcourt, the state capital, barely hours after Governor Fubara sworn in 23 local government chairmen in the state.

The magazine reports that 22 of the council elections seats were won by the Action Peoples Party, APP while the Action Alliance, AA won one seat.

The governor, had few weeks to the election, directed his supporters to contest under the APP as the battle for the control of the PDP between him and Wike raged on.

Governor Fubara and the FCT Minister had clashed over the council elections, held last weekend. While the Wike factions in the APC and PDP said the election should not hold, citing an Abuja federal high court order, the governor’s group said they relied on another order made by a high court in the state.

Speaking yesterday at the Government House, Mohammed said the PDP governors have embarked on a reconciliation move to bring Fubara and Wike together. According to him, “we cannot throw away the baby and the bad water” adding that Governor Fubara and Wike has “come a long way.”

The latest move by the PDP stakeholders to unite the feuding parties comes after various reconciliation efforts had failed. For instance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, early this year, tried to reconcile Wike and his successor to no avail.

The FCT Minister later declared that the door for reconciliation between him and the governor has been shut, declaring that nothing will make the two of them work together again. Governor Fubara, the Minister said, has lost his confidence because he betrayed him.

“I will never support Fubara in my political life again. Anybody knows me, it’s not about me. People laboured to put up a structure,” Wike said recently.

The minister added “People laboured, you wouldn’t have even taken the 50th position. I sacrificed to talk to the Ogonis, I sacrificed to talk to several other people who let us go this way.

“You turned it that I am asking for N50 billion, N100 billion. You turned up lies against me, I brought you up, put you here. Today, I turned to be over-demanding.”

There are pointers that the minister will not support Governor Fubara in the next 2027 governorship election in the state, watchers of what’s going on the oil rich state said.

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