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Why Desperate Peter Obi Traducers Are Kissing The Dust

September 16, 2024

By Ibrahim Umar

For the umpteenth time, the Peter Obi Media office, POMR would have a course to address the wicked propagandists who indulge in the distortion of facts while desperately looking for a brush to tar the impeccable image of our Principal, Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 polls.

For these traducers, it would be a huge omission for a day to pass without finding something to negatively link Obi within the media space, if he and his family members are not being arrested imaginarily (a kite being flown to test waters?), he is being wickedly accused of sponsoring violence or twisting his public appearances in a manner to suite their dubious motives.

Perhaps the most laughable of such delusions is the Presidency’s effort to ridicule Obi by dragging his name into the United States of America, USA electioneering process, by scandalously linking him with the Republican Party Candidate, Donald Trump.

We are very much aware of the motive behind these ridiculous comparisons, which is their uncanny way of currying favour so undeserved from the Democrats. Nigerians who mused about the derisory and facetious comparison have tried to ask: ‘Will your calling Peter Obi ‘a Trump’, translate to or mean that Tinubu is Harris’?

Every discerning mind who wants to compare Obi and Tinubu and attempts to equate them with the two American Presidential candidates, Trump and Harris, knows too well the similarities and parallels in terms of morality, transparency, good-standing antecedents and people-focused policies.

The Presidency by indulging in such clever-by-half comparisons, which are intended to discredit Obi, merely brings to the fore the glaring weaknesses of the incumbent administration and their crassness and inability to discern the realities and especially the pains and pangs their actions and policies foisted on the nation in the past year. Nigerians are not so gullible to be fooled by such empty propaganda.

It’s even ironic that the spin doctors of a leader who since the early campaign days into over a year as President has remained disturbingly aloof and seemingly incapable of presenting himself and his policies to the Nigerians through the media, and who has continued to evade public accountability, are trying to malign Obi who has easily emerged in all ramifications as the most visible, focused and articulate political personality in this dispensation. Obi remains a man who has not only become the conscience of the people but also their hope for a new and egalitarian Democracy.

Rather than strive to market and justify their rusty and anti-people deleterious policies that have put Nigeria and Nigerians in the most horrendous, conditions, they have resolved to convey misleading accounts of our Principal’s activities just to distract the credulous public.

While we understand the frustration of selling a bad product in a competitive market, the FairPlay rule demands that you don’t de-market the good product by forcefully associating it with the ugly product.

We know the intention of these trolls and spin doctors, who have also gone ahead to provoke our Principal’s massive supporters across the country and diaspora by twisting his recent media interview to insinuate that he is ready to be Vice President to anyone.

But that fallacy could not be true of a man who has repeatedly stated in various forums that he is not desperate to be President but desperate to see Nigeria work.

Such plebian conduct that is utterly devoid of integrity, remains the height of mischief from propagandists, who are envious of the rising profile of our Principal.

Finally, POMR wishes to plead with Nigerians especially the Obidients within and outside the country and across all the political parties to remain undistracted in their aspiration and desire to see a new Nigeria that is P0ssible.

Umar is Spokesperson, POMR

Imo LG Election: APC Aspirants To Be Refunded – Gov Uzodinma

Suleiman Anyalewechi

September 16, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Baring any last minute changes, aspirants who failed to scale the primaries huddles of All Progressive Congress, APC, for the September 21, Imo State Local Government Election, will start getting refunds for their expenditures effective, Monday September 16, 2024.

However, such refunds would only be limited to expenses incurred in the purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms.

A statement issued on Sunday, September 15, by Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Special Assistant Electronic and Creative media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, quoted the Governor as giving the assurance during a Church Service at the Government House.

The Governor said unreceipted expenses such as those emanating from consultations and entertainment will be shouldered by the aspirants.

The Source reports that during the primaries to select candidates for the election, the ruling, All Progressive Congress, APC, had opted for consensus.

The Governor and the Party Leadership insisted that it was the only pathway to peace and rancour free means of selecting the party’s candidates going by the avalanche of aspirants involved.

However, to equally ensure justice and fairness, the Governor has also canvassed refunds to those that were dropped as a result of the consensus option.

“All the people that applied as aspirants for either Councilorship or Chairmanship in the Local Government election who are not successful, your money will be refunded tomorrow ( today Monday ).

“The ones we will not refund is the one you gave without receipts ( for consultations ) ” Governor Uzodinma said .

He appealed to the aspirants to remain firm and have trust in the abilities of the party to carry everybody along.

Further calling for unity of purpose, Governor Uzodinma emphasized the need for members to place the interest of the party above personal considerations.

He pleaded with individuals whose interests and expectations may have been dashed to see it as a necessary sacrifice for the overall interest of the APC as a party.

FCCPC Nationwide Dialogue Footprint In Curbing Exploitative Practices

Akinwale Kasali

September 16, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The indiscriminate, exploitative and unwholesome practices of mercantile that has made life difficult for Nigerians because of the arbitrary mark-up of prices of goods and services has brought to fore the move by the Tunji Bello-led Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission, FCCPC, to engage various group in the production chain.

This is targeted at collaborating with various organizations in curbing the sabotage of marking up prices of goods and services, thereby feeding a rampaging inflation that continues to whittle down the standard of living of Nigerians.

A Civil Society Organisation, CSO, the Patriotism Awareness Forum, PAF, commended FCCPC, for its Consultative Dialogue, saying it is a democratic footprint aimed at curbing exploitative and unwholesome practices.

In a statement by the Group issued in Lagos on Sunday. 15th September 2024, signed by the Convener, Nelson Ekujumi and Co-Convener, Peter Claver Oparah, the Group stated that having been previously engaged in the task of researching, understanding and proffering solution to the present abnormal inflationary trend, it is glad that the FCCPC is engaging in a meaningful course of combating the arbitrary and unexplainable increase in the prices of goods and services.

It also expressed its willingness to work and partner with FCCPC to achieve its objectives in this regard.

According to the statement, “We, in PAF, are worried about the worsening inflationary trend in Nigeria since the abrogation of the fuel subsidy regime which has made us to engage in a study and research of the situation. Consequently, our findings reveal that while increase in fuel prices play a role in spiking up inflation in Nigeria, its contribution to the present inflation is marginal, we discovered that fuel price increment accounts for just about 30% of Nigeria’s inflation rate.

“The remaining 70% is being driven by the shylock tendency of Nigerian business interests at all levels who whimsically mark up prices of goods and services, with no compelling reasons for that act.

“We are glad that FCCPC under the leadership of Mr. Tunji Bello has been rejuvenated and re-tooled to deal with this abnormal inflation and it has started the course of addressing the trend with the meaningful engagement of key players in the production and distribution chain on the collaborative need to arrest and reverse this negative and ugly trend.

“We are particularly happy that the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of FCCPC is leading the commission on this democratic engagement, even as there are provisions in our laws for the commission to identify and punish those engaged in the obnoxious practice of marking up prices of goods and services at the detriment of the Nigerian people and the economy.

“PAF has a detailed impression of the present abnormal inflation, the causes, trend and suggestions on how to tame it. We believe these are invaluable ideas that would help FCCPC to achieve its objectives”.

It, however, stated its readiness to partner with the FCCPC, as it extends a positive hand of fellowship to FCCPC for the purpose of contributing its own quota to the task of confronting the inhuman and illegal exploitation of Nigerians.

“We urge Nigerians across board, to support FCCPC to realize its goal which includes, but is not limited to confronting the present raging inflation in Nigeria exacerbated by business interests who engage in the unwholesome practices of marking up prices of goods and services and thereby pose a threat to our economy and a better standard of living for Nigerians”, the statement reads.

Police Kill Three In A Repelled Attack On Imo LGA Headquarters

Suleiman Anyalewechi

September 16, 2024

Aboki Danjuma - Imo Commissioner of Police — Aboki Danjuma, Imo state Commissioner of Police

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

No fewer than three suspected terrorists were on Sunday September 15, 2024, neutralized by operatives of Imo State Police Command.

This followed an attack on the Njaba Divisional Police headquarters early Sunday morning by some gunmen.

A statement issued Sunday night by the Imo state Police Command spokesperson Henry Okoye, alleged that some hoodlums, suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous peoples of Biafra IPOB and its armed wing the Eastern Security Network ESN masterminded the attack.

He stated that the gunmen after arriving in three SUVs, unleashed the attack on the Police formation, shooting sporadically.

He, however, noted that police operatives, after taking up defence positions, responded swiftly and decisively, a development that culminated in the killing of three of the attackers.

Okoye said efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing members of the gang with a view to serving them justice

“The remaining assailants, who sustained varying gunshot injuries fled into nearby bushes.

During the operation, our forces recovered General purpose Machine Gun, one AK-47 rifle, and three vehicles -a Toyota Lexus 470 ,Mercedes GLK and a Toyota Venza .

“An intense operation, led by the Commissioner for Police CP, Imo Command, Aboki Danjuma, is currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects”, the Police stated .

The Source reports that following a spate of kidnappings and some audacious attacks on both Security Operatives and Police Formations in the State of recent. The Police, last week, announced the establishment of a joint security team to tackle the security challenges head on.

“The team which comprises the Police, Army ,and other Security Outfits, is to take the battle to the hoodlums’ den and rid the State of their criminal activities.

State Of The Nation: Tinubu Rushes Home As Nigeria’s Generals Meet Over Hardship

Tosin Olatokunbo

September 16, 2024

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has held a close meeting with Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Aliyu Gusau in Minna, Niger State.

Their meeting comes following the return of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Abuja, after his recent trip abroad.

The quartet are well respected across the country having served in various capacities, and their meeting is believed to be first of its kind under the current Tinubu’s administration.

Obasanjo, Babangida and Abdulsalami were former Heads of State, while Gasua had severally served the country as the National Security Adviser, NSA.

The meeting which held on Sunday at the Hiltop Mansion of Gen Babangida (rtd.), sources say, is significant considering the current state of the nation.

Tension is high in the country due to the economic hardship being suffered by many Nigerians due to the harsh policies of the current administration.

The administration has further compounded the hardship of the people by hiking the pump price of petrol, close analysts on the issue said.

“The meeting came at an auspicious time in the country when everybody has to come together. The former leaders’ meeting is therefore an important one considering their positions in the country, apart from the fact that they are all political players at one time or the other,” a source said.

“When Obasanjo and other Generals meet, you must be certain that it’s about Nigeria. They don’t just meet for tea party. I believe the outcome of their close door meeting will soon be made known to Nigerians, another source familiar with the meeting said on Monday.

Last week, some parts of Nigeria’s North west, including Maiduguri, Borno state were ravaged by flood leaving serious humanitarian problems in its wake.

For instance, Maiduguri the capital of Borno state has been sacked by the flood which left close to 500,000 people displaced, apart from dozens of persons that have been killed, according to figures released by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

The country became further tensed due to alleged human rights abuses by security agencies, following the arrest on September 11, of Joe Ajearo, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC by the Department of State Services, DSS, and on Sunday, Omoyele Sowore, one of the leaders of the #endbadgovernance in the country.

The duo of Ajearo and Sowore has since been released following serious local and international pressures.

Meanwhile, President returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital on Sunday having been out of the country for close to three weeks, after Nigerians accused him of leaving the country rudderless.

The magazine reported that Nigerians had demanded his return to fix the myriads of problems facing the country.

President Tinubu departed the country on August 29, for China where he later signed five Memoranda of Understanding, MOUs, with the Chinese Government on critical areas of the economy.

During the trip abroad, the president also met King Charles of the United Kingdom, UK, before he returned home yesterday.

Tinubu was however billed to attend the 78th United Nation’s, UN, General Assembly meeting in New York, United States before returning to the country.

Highly informed sources told the magazine that the president had to rush home following complaints by not a few Nigerians that there are problems for him at home to fix.

Eid-el Maulud: Nigerians Too Poor To Celebrate, PDP Blasts APC

James Orji

September 16, 2024

Debo Ologunagba - PDP Publicity Secretary

The Peoples Democratic Parry, PDP, has urged Nigerians to put their trust in God as the current All progressives Congress, APC-led federal government has failed them.

The PDP made the remark on the occasion to celebrate the Muslims Eid-el Maulud.

The federal government had earlier declared Monday 16, 2024 a public holiday to celebrate the occasion.

According to a statement issued by PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba on Sunday, the APC administration, it said has made life unbearable for Nigerians, to the extent that they could not celebrate the Muslim holiday.

The party accused the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration of corruption, profligacy, saying these are part of the problems responsible for the current economic hardship in the country.

It challenged the administration to tackle corruption, by refocusing the country’s resources on areas capable of transforming the lives of Nigerians, noting that this is the only way to move the country forward.

The party also urged the federal government to immediately reverse the pump price of petrol, which it described as one of the ‘suffocating” policies of the administration, making life more difficult for many Nigerians trying to survive the current economic hardship in the country.

The party, however, urged Nigerians to be united in love in the face of economic ‘misery’.

Part of the statement: “The Peoples Democratic Party celebrates with Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el Maulud, charging them to strengthen their resolve for a national rebirth to overcome the biting economic hardship and worsening insecurity fuelled by the anti-people policies of the All Progressives Congress administration.

“The Party urges Nigerians to use the occasion to reinforce their hope in the Almighty Allah for direction as well as care for one another especially at this critical time when millions of citizens have been subjected to misery, hopelessness and utter destitution as a result of bad governance by the APC.

“Eid-el Maulud, the celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW), offers humanity and indeed our nation, especially leaders at all levels, the rare opportunity to retrace our steps and submit to the Will of the Almighty Allah in all our dealings as exemplified in the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet.

“For the umpteenth time, the PDP demands that the Federal Government immediately review all life-discounting and suffocating policies, particularly the increase in the pump price of petroleum products, hike in taxes, tariffs and other anti-people policies which have a consequential asphyxiating effect on the lives of Nigerians.”

Dangote, NNPCL Intensify Petrol War

James Orji

September 16, 2024

The clash between the government-controlled Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL and Dangote Group over the supply and pricing of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol appears to have intensified, following, a denial on Sunday by the latter that the former purchased petrol from the Dangote Refinery at N898 per litre.

The rebuttal was contained in a statement issued by Anthony Chijiena, the spokesman for Dangote Group barely 24 hours after NNPCL made the claim.

The NNPCL had issued a statement, on Sunday, claiming that the first load of petrol from the refinery was bought at the price.

The magazine reported that the first tranche of petrol was loaded from the refinery on September 15 following months of controversy and back and forth on when the refinery would churn out PMS form the multi-billion naira petro-chemical refinery.

The development also comes days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the NNPCL to sell crude oil to the refinery in naira, a move analysts said was part of the government’s efforts to mitigate foreign exchange scarcity and stabilise the local currency.

Not a few had expected the deal with Dangote to also lead to reduction in the price of petrol. But, that is not to be considering the figures released yesterday by the state-controlled oil firm which has now become a subject of controversy with Dangote.

Contradicting the claim by the NNNPC that the petrol lifted from the refinery was purchased at N898 per litre, Dangote Group described it as misleading and mischievous, capable of undermining the company’s efforts to make the product available to Nigerians.

Dangote also criticised the firm for trying to frustrate its plan towards addressing energy insufficiency and insecurity, which has plagued the country for over five decades.

The company owned by Africa’s Richest Man, Aliko Dangote said, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement attributed to NNPCL spokesperson, Mr Olufemi Soneye, that we sell our PMS at N898 per litre to the NNPCL.

“This statement is both misleading and mischievous, deliberately aimed at undermining the milestone achievement recorded today, September 15, 2024, towards addressing energy insufficiency and insecurity, which has bedevilled the economy in the past 50 years.

“We urge Nigerians to disregard this malicious statement and await a formal announcement on the pricing, by the Technical Sub-Committee on Naira-based crude sales to local refineries, appointed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which will commence on October 1, 2024, bearing in mind that our current stock of crude was procured in dollars.”

Meanwhile, following reports that the Refinery may eventually released a higher price for the product, not a few Nigerians insist that this will be unfair, considering that the overhead cost of producing petrol in the country is believed to be lower to imported ones.

Flood: UAE Donates 50 Tonnes Of Relief Materials To Nigeria

Akinwale Kasali

September 16, 2024

UAE Donates 50 Tonnes Of Relief Materials

By Akinwale Kasali

As part of its kind gesture and humanitarian services, the United Arab Emirates’ Government has donated 50 Tonnes of Relief Materials to the Nigerian Government for flood victims.

This was received on Sunday by the Federal Government.

The aid is to support Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, affected by the flood in parts of the country.

It was gathered from the News Agency of Nigeria’s reports that the relief items arrived the Cargo wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 2.40pm.

UAE, Ambassador, Salem Alshamsi, presented the relief items to the Nigerian Government.

Alshamsi said that the donation was in line with the UAE’s gesture to support countries affected by natural disasters.

The donation, he said, was made at the directive of the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan, to cushion the effect of the hardship caused by the floods.

“This urgent humanitarian aid of 50 tonnes of basic supplies has been provided to our friendly people of Nigeria, to support areas affected by the recent floods.

“The UAE, as usual, is always helping nations affected by natural disasters. So we are happy to be here,” Alshamsi said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ahmed Dunoma, who received the items, commended the Government and people of UAE for supporting Nigeria at this crucial time.

Dunoma described the donation as unprecedented, adding that it showed the kind of excellent relationship Nigeria had with the UAE.

“We want to seize this opportunity on behalf of Mr President to convey the appreciation of the Nigerian government and her people, to the President and the people of UAE.

“We believe that this will go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of the people affected by this recent flood,” he said.

He said that the items would be distributed to Nigerians affected by the floods.

Zubaida Umar, Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, said that the relief materials would immediately be distributed to Borno and other states affected by the flood, once cleared.

“This does not only symbolise our partnership but also support at this dire time when so many areas of Nigeria have been flooded.

“It could not have come at a better time.

“I want to assure Nigerians that once we take custody of these items, they will be shared accordingly with those affected by the flood. That is an assurance.

“This will not only stop in Maiduguri. As of yesterday, parts of Enugu State were also being flooded. So we are going to target all areas, even Kaduna was slightly flooded two days ago.

“So we are going to target the whole country. I am sure that is what the government of UAE also wants us to do,” she said.

According to NEMA, 29 states and 172 local government areas have been hit by flooding, affecting 1,048,312 people, displacing 625,239, and resulting in 259 deaths between April to September 2024.

Why Lagos State Sealed Cubana Chief Priest’s Restaurant

Akinwale Kasali

September 16, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Donald’s Fast Food, owned by Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been sealed by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA.

The Restaurant, located on Adebayo Doherty Street, Lekki Phase 1, was sealed by the Lagos State Government Agency due to, alleged, persistent noise pollution and other environmental violations.

The sealing of the Restaurant was disclosed by the Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab, on X handle, (formerly Twitter) Sunday evening.

According to Wahab, the agency took the action after several warnings and abatement notices to the establishment. He said the organization failed to comply with environmental regulations.

The statement said, “After several warnings and abatement notices, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency #LasepaOfficial sealed Donald’s Fast Food on Adebayo Doherty Street, Lekki 1 over noise pollution and other environmental infractions.”

It would be recalled that months back, Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned by anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for Abusing the Naira. He pleaded not guilty to charges leveled against him. This led to a legal battle he settled out of Court with the Commission.

Edo 2024: PDP In Trouble As NSA Sues State Chairman For Defamation, Demands N10bn

Akinwale Kasali

September 16, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been slammed with a N10 Billion lawsuit by the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu is suing for alleged defamation of character.

This was in response to the PDP Chairman’s allegations that the NSA is involved in a scheme to manipulate the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The former 2007 Presidential Candidate under the defunct Action Congress, AC, through his legal representatives, Charles Musa & Co., is demanding a written apology, a retraction of the defamatory publication, and a N10 billion compensation for alleged reputational damage caused by the false claims.

The PDP Chairman, at Press conference accused Ribadu of orchestrating the release of $2 million to the All Progressives Congress’ Candidate in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to bribe Security Agencies and buy votes ahead of the election.

The statement claimed that this interference was uncovered through intelligence reports, raising concerns about the role of Federal Agencies in the electoral process.

The former Chairman of anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, categorically denies the accusations.

In the letter addressed to Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the Edo State PDP Chairman, Ribadu’s legal team described the allegations as “malicious and libelous,” asserting that the publication has not only tarnished Ribadu’s hard-earned reputation but also misrepresented the office of the NSA as a political tool to cause unrest.

The letter, dated September 15, 2024, demands the retraction of the statement and publication of a full-page apology in at least five national newspapers, along with online publications, radio, and TV stations.

Additionally, a N10 billion damages claim has been made for the harm to Ribadu’s image and professional integrity.

In the letter, it was stated that Ribadu is committed to transparency and accountability in public service, warning that the failure of the PDP to meet these demands within seven days will result in legal action.

The unfolding legal battle between the NSA and the Edo State PDP could add a new layer of tension as the state as it prepares for its highly anticipated gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.

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