Abia declines hosting party’s national convention

The Julius Abure led National Executive Committee has shifted the March 27,2024 national convention of the party from Abia State to Anambra State after an alleged cold shoulder from the party’s only state governor,Alex Otti.

Abure had earlier moved the convention from Edo to Abia.

Abure and his team are currently embroiled in a crisis of legitimacy with some stakeholders in the party.

The Lagos State chapter of the party joined the fray yesterday, asking Abure to quit.

Chairman of the party in the state, Rasheed Bamishe asked the embattled National Chairman to quit now.

Abure,he said should prioritise the party’s interest by giving way for a Caretaker National Chairman to organise state congresses ahead of the National Convention.

Speaking at the party secretariat in Lagos, Bamishe said all stakeholders owe it a duty to stop Abure from proceeding with the March 27 convention.

“The Labour Party which was formed by the founding fathers to be a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians is gradually being destroyed by Barrister Abure and this should not be allowed to continue,” he said.

Bamishe added that Abure was free to create his political party and manage its business, but the Labour Party as a democratic organisation cannot function as a one-man show.

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He claimed that allegations of dishonesty, forgery, and fabrication of signatures have brought public shame and embarrassment to the Labour Party’s National Chairman.

“In a civilized clime, Barrister Abure should have exited office since the flurry of fraud cases against him became public knowledge but because of the culture of impunity in Nigeria, he is still clinging to power.

“Barrister Abure should tell the world where the National Convention of Labour Party in which he emerged as National Chairman was held.

“Barrister Abure is plotting to install himself again as the National Chairman of Labour Party through another illegal Convention and this should not be allowed to happen.”

National convention moved to Anambra

In a letter to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the change in the venue of the convention, Abure and the LP National Secretary Labour Party, Umar Ibrahim said: “We write to kindly refer you to our letter on the above subject matter in which our National Convention rescheduled for 27th of March 2024 at the International Conference Center Umuahia, Abia State..

“We are however constrained to change the venue as a result of non-availability of the proposed venue on the scheduled date.

“We hereby inform you of the new venue for the convention as follows;

“Venue: GRAND SEASONS HOTEL NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE.

Date: 27th of March 2024,

Time: 10 am prompt.

“We kindly request you to be present and monitor the Convention.

“Kindly accept the assurances of our esteem high regards as always.”

The Deputy National Chairman of the party, Ayo Olorunfemi, who confirmed the letter, said the change in venue was one of the issues discussed at the recent National Executive Committee meeting in Asaba, Delta State where the party ratified the programme for the convention.

He said both the NEC and state chairmen of the party endorsed the programme for the convention.

Olorunfemi said with that, the party was going ahead with the convention despite oppositions from the Nigeria Labour Congress, the House of Representatives caucus of the party and some supporters of the former Presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi.

He said: “We have changed the venue because of security reasons. We need a place that is accessible and secure. Nnewi is a stone thrown from Onitsha and it is secure. We don’t want people who will be travelling from all over the country to pass through those dangerous zones.

“We have decided on this convention and we are going ahead with it. All the state chairmen and secretaries have taken a position.”

Sources however said Abia State Governor Otti’s refusal to host the convention necessitated the shift of venue.

As the crisis in the Labour Party continues to fester, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party to desist from validating the “illegal Labour Party National Convention” scheduled for March 27, 2024.

In separate letters dated March 22, 2024, addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the LP National Legal Adviser, NLC warned that if the party did not desist and stop the Convention, it would sue the LP for contempt in view of the two valid judgements of the Federal High Court.

Recall on Wednesday, that members of the Nigeria Labour Congress picketed the offices of Labour Party nationwide, over alleged financial mismanagement by the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party.

Also on March 20, that the Political Commission of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) directed state chapters of NLC to mobilise members to picket all Labour Party offices nationwide over the lingering political crisis in the party.

NLC had accused the embattled National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure of unilateral decision to hold a national convention of the party, amid financial rascality and contempt for the leadership of the NLC.

Meanwhile, NLC in the letter cited that the proposed National Convention of the Labour Party is in violation of the valid orders of court in suit “Nos; (1) FHC/ABJ/CS/491/2021;

(2) FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014

Between; (1) Labour Party & 9 Ors Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors;

(2) Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & 8 Ors.”

In the letter signed by Marshal Abubakar, LP of the Falana and Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, the union specifically warned the National Legal Officer of LP that if the convention holds in violation of the orders of the court, it would not only institute contempt proceedings against him being party to the two judgements of the court, but will report him to the disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The organised labour also appealed to INEC chairman to restrain officials of the Commission from undermining the due administration of justice and respect for rule of law by attending the illegal convention.

Titled: “Request To Desist From Validating The Illegal Labour Party National Convention Scheduled For March 27, 2024,” the letter addressed to Legal Adviser to LP partly read: “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress on whose behalf we write this letter.

“It has come to our notice that Mr. Julius Abure, the Chairman of the Labour Party and a handful of his supporters are planning to hold a National Convention of the Labour Party on 27th March, 2024 at Abia, Abia State with the active connivance of some officials of the Commission under your able leadership.

“As you are no doubt aware, a National Convention conducted by the Abure faction will be violative of the judgement of the Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed, where the court had declared the Labour Party as “an institutional political party founded, promoted and registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of the Nigerian Workers.” and thus ordered the factions to “convene an expansive and inclusive National Convention of the party.”

“Similarly, the plaintiffs in Suit no; FHC/ABJ/CS/ 491/2021 between Labour Party & 9 Ors. Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors. had approached the Federal High Court seeking inter alia; an order of injunction in favour of the plainiffs restraining the 1st (Barrister Julius Abure), 2nd (Umar Farouk) 3rd (Barr. Akingbade Samuel Oyelakin) defendants or any and/or all of the national officers appointed in any manner violative of the orders of the federal high court in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & Ors.

“In a well-considered ruling, the Federal High Court on Friday July, 23, 2021 ruled, “An order is hereby made for the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum in other not to disturb the res of the matter pending further order of this Court.” Attached is a CTC of the Order.

“Worthy of note is the fact that you were the counsel on record and indeed represented the 1st to 3rd Respondents in the foregoing suit.

“In view of the foregoing, we are compelled to urge you to refrain yourself and properly advise your clients to desist from proceeding with the illegal national convention of the labour party scheduled for March 27, 2024.

“Upon failing, we shall institute contempt proceedings against you and the other defendants and report you to the disciplinary committee of the NBA.

“Whilst anticipating your cooperation and understanding, please, accept as usual, our professional regards.”

Ex-spokesperson for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, Daniel Bwala, has alleged an ongoing plot by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, to dump LP and join immediate past Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a post on his X handle on Friday, Bwala alleged that Obi was perfecting plans to take leave of the LP as a result of the seemingly intractable conflict between the party leadership and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Recall that Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to join the LP in May 2023 ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Bwala, in a post on his X handle. wrote, “Peter Obi @PeterObi allegedly planning to unite with El-rufai @elrufai in Social Democratic Party as Nigerian Labour Congress set to take ownership and custody of their political party, the @NgLabour.

BREAKING-PETER OBI @PETEROBI ALLEGEDLY PLANNING TO UNITE WITH EL-RUFAI @ELRUFAI IN SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS SET TO TAKE OWNERSHIP AND CUSTODY OF THEIR POLITICAL PARTY, THE @NGLABOUR. RECALL THAT THERE WAS A JUDGMENT OF COURT THAT STATES THAT NIGERIA…

— D. H BWALA (@BWALADANIEL) MARCH 22, 2024

“Recall that there was a judgment of court that states that Nigeria Labour Congress owns Labour Party. NLC is now prepared to take custody of that party.

“Twist and turns in the coming days. But all that will not give sleepless night to @officialABAT who himself has his magic wands to wield.”

When contacted, Chief Spokesman for the Obi/ Datti Presidential Campaign, Dr. Yunusa Tanko dismissed Bwala’s assertion as “a figment of his immagination.”

He said, “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t respond to this fiction. he (Bwala) is a politician who wants to remain relevant in the scheme of things. We’ve responded to the false narrative of our leader leaving the Labour Party in the past, this position has not changed.”

El-Rufai was sighted at the national secretariat of the Social Democratic Party, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The Ex-Kaduna State Governor and APC chieftain was sighted in a viral video on social media during his consultation visit to the national chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Shehu Gabam.

Not much was heard from El-Rufai after the Senate refused to confirm his ministerial nomination in 2023.

After the screening of the 49 ministerial nominees sent by President Bola Tinubu, the Senate also declined to confirm the appointment of former Deputy Governor of Taraba State and another ministerial nominee from the state, Senator Abubakar Danladi.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, explained the Senate did not clear the nominees because of adverse security reports against them.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has decided to extend the ongoing registration for Direct Entry by an additional two weeks to accommodate all prospective candidates in the process.

This is contained in a statement by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor (PCA), Fabian Benjamin on Saturday.

The statement reads “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) would be extending the 2024 Direct Entry (DE) registration by two weeks to enable all candidates desirous of DE registration to do so.

“The Board commenced the 2024 Direct Entry on Wednesday, 28th February, 2024, and was to have concluded it on Thursday, 28th March, 2024, but on subsequent consideration, has now extended the exercise by two weeks from Wednesday, 28th March, 2024, consequently bringing the registration to a close on Thursday, 11th April, 2024.

“This extension became necessary following the challenges faced by candidates in going through some of the security screening measures put in place to arrest the rampant and embarrassing cases of fake A’level certificates being paraded by some DE candidates.

“The Board apologises for the inconveniences caused the prospective DE candidates and pledges that, going forward, the process would be made more user-friendly.

“However, in doing this, the Board will not compromise on its avowed determination to ensure that candidates, whose certificates were dubiously acquired are prevented from benefiting from such certificates.

“It is also to be noted that candidates, whose certificate-issuing institutions are among those on the list of institutions that have not verified their certificates despite repeated requests, would not be allowed to register without doing the needful.”

Former Cameroonian and Chelsea football star Geremi Njitap has initiated divorce proceedings to terminate his marriage after discovering that he had raised twins for 12 years that were not biologically his.

The 45-year-old has been married to Toukam Fotso Laure Verline for over a decade.

According to The Sun, the couple’s twins were born after the player’s wife Laure had a fling.

The UK Sun reports that court documents in Geremi’s native Cameroon show Toukam “destroyed the harmony” of their marriage “through her abject behaviour”.

They also mention her “repeated lies”, and add: “No children have been born from this union.”

Toukam had claimed the twins born in June 2008 — four years before the couple’s marriage were his, which motivated them to get married.

“But the discovery that the children were from her previous partner destroyed the couple’s harmony,” the documents add.

The former Indomitable Lion also alleges verbal mistreatment at the hands of his spouse, claiming that he has been subjected to insults and derogatory language in front of their children.

During his playing days, Geremi Njitap was known for his versatility, being able to play at right back, right midfield or defensive midfielder.

Njitap played for Real Madrid, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Turkish club Gençlerbirliği among others before his retirement in January 2011.

Geremi earned 118 caps for Cameroon from 1996 to 2010, scoring 13 goals.

He was a member of their squad for seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning in 2000 and 2002, as well as the World Cup in 2002 and 2010 and a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.

The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has called for the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, in order to uphold the party's integrity.

Rasheed Bamishe, the LP chairman in Lagos State, made the call at the party’s secretariat in Lagos on Saturday.

He urged the National Working Committee, members of the party Board of Trustees and other relevant stakeholders to prevent Abure from holding his proposed National Convention on March 27, 2024.

According to him, Abure should prioritize the party interest while a Caretaker National Chairman should be appointed to organize State Congresses before convening the National Convention.

“We urge Barrister Abure to leave the Party now because the litany of corrupt cases against him has done collateral damage to the image of the Labour Party.

“The Labour Party which was formed by the founding fathers to be a beckon of hope for millions of Nigerians is gradually being destroyed by Barrister Abure and this should not be allowed to continue,” he said.

Bamishe further stated that Abure was free to create his political party and manage its business but declared that the Labour Party, as a democratic organisation, cannot function as a one-man show.

He said that allegations of dishonesty, forgery, and fabrication of signatures have brought public shame and embarrassment to the Labour Party.

“Even if all these allegations are not true, the reasonable option open to the embattled Labour Party National Chairman is to step aside to pave the way for thorough investigations into the cases of alleged fraud against him.

“In a civilized clime, Barrister Abure should have exited office since the flurry of fraud cases against him became public knowledge but because of the culture of impunity in Nigeria, he is still clinging to power.

“Barrister Abure should tell the world where the National Convention of Labour Party in which he emerged as National Chairman was held.

“Barrister Abure is plotting to install himself again as the National Chairman of Labour Party through another illegal Convention and this should not be allowed to happen,” he stressed.

He emphasized the need for all stakeholders to unite to seek legitimate options including litigation to make sure Abure is removed from office to restore credibility, dignity, and integrity to the party.

As Naira continues to strengthen against foreign currencies, especially the United States Dollar (USD) at both parallel and official markets, the foreign exchange on cargo clearance at the nation’s seaports and international airports across the country has been reduced again.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Saturday, slashed the foreign exchange rate on cargo clearance from N1,572.507/$1 to N1448.386/$1.

The slash represents 7.8% reduction or a difference of N124.121 between the new and the old rates.

It was gathered that the exchange rate between the Naira and the Dollar At the official market strengthened to N1,431/$ on Friday, March 22, 2024, closing the week on a positive note.

Data from the FMDQOTC, where the exchange rate is officially set, revealed that the official currency gained 1.52% at the close of business, continuing a rally that has now lasted seven days.

The Naira has now gained over 12% in one week, suggesting that the apex bank’s policies, implemented aggressively since February, were beginning to yield fruits.

On the parallel market where the exchange rate trades unofficially, traders still quoted between N1400-N1480/$1 depending on who is buying or selling.

To this end, importers that opened Form ‘M’ on Wednesday will pay less to clear their cargoes as import duties are benchmarked against the dollar.

Also, importers will open Form ‘M’ at a lower rate compared to those who opened Form ‘M’ on Friday, March 23, 2024, according to the central bank’s new directive to Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to use the rate on the date of submitting Form ‘M’ for calculating import duties.

Nigeria’s total public debt stock more than doubled to N97.3 trillion as at 2023 over the level in the previous year.

Latest data from the Dent Management Office (DMO) showed that the country’s total debt stock increased by 118 per cent year-on-year from N46.25 trillion as at December 2022 to N97.3 per cent in December 2023.

The DMO said the N97.3 trillion debt stock comprises of the domestic and external debt stocks of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

However, the public debt stock increased by N9.43 trillion in the last quarter of 2023 over the comparative figure for September 2023, which was largely due to new domestic borrowing by the FGN to part finance the deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral lenders,” DMO said on Friday.

Also, the massive depreciation of the Naira has resulted in a surge in the value of the country’s external debt which are dollar denominated.

Of the total debt, domestic debt constitutes a significant majority, standing at N59.12 trillion, accounting for 61 per cent of the total public debt stock.

Meanwhile, external debt amounted to 38.22 trillion Naira, representing the remaining 39 per cent.

Nigeria’s external debt structure reflects a strategic tilt towards loans from multilateral and bilateral lenders, which collectively

Despite the escalating debt figures, DMO says it maintains a commitment to implementing best practices in public debt management.

Moreover, concerted efforts by fiscal authorities to bolster revenue generation are anticipated to bolster debt sustainability moving forward. for 63.79 percent of the external debt stock. The dominance of these loans, primarily concessional and semi-concessional, underscores the nation’s prudent debt management strategy.

Despite the escalating debt figures, DMO says it maintains a commitment to implementing best practices in public debt management.

The sum of $3.5 billion was used to service external debt during the review period.

“Consistent with the debt management strategy, Nigeria’s external debt stock was skewed in favour of loans from multilateral (49.77 per cent) and bilateral lenders (14.02 per cent) or a total of 63.79 per cent which are mostly concessional and semi-concessional.

“Whilst the DMO continues to employ best practices in public debt management, the recent and ongoing efforts of the fiscal authorities to shore up revenue will support debt sustainability.”
Despite the escalating debt figures, DMO says it maintains a commitment to implementing best practices in public debt management.
Moreover, concerted efforts by fiscal authorities to bolster revenue generation are anticipated to bolster debt sustainability moving forward.

In line with last Tuesday’s resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Chief judge of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa has set up a seven-man panel to probe the petition against the Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu.

DAILY POST reports that the House of Assembly had on March 6, 2024, served a notice of impeachment on
the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu over alleged misconduct and perjury with seven days ultimatum to respond to the petition.

The House, due to alleged evasion by the deputy governor to be served the impeachment notice, ordered for a substituted means of service through the State-owned Observer Newspaper and the Vanguard Newspapers, respectively.

The notice was published on March 12, 2024.

The House in its plenary last Tuesday, March 19, 2024 passed a resolution directing the Chief Judge to set up a seven-man panel to probe the allegations levelled against the deputy governor.

DAILY POST reports that the Chief Judge complied on Friday.

A statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, B.O. Osawaru, obtained by DAILY POST, named retired Justice
S.A. Omonua (Rtd), the chairman of the panel.

Three Professors from the University of Benin, UNIBEN, and Benson Idahosa University, BIU, are also members of the panel.

The professors are Violet Aigbokhaevbo, Faculty of Law, UNIBEN, Boniface Onomion Edegbai, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, UNIBEN and Theresa Akpoghome, former Dean, Faculty of Law, BIU.

Other members are Surveyor Andrew Oliha, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu and Idris Abdulkareen.

Part of the letter reads:

This is to bring to the notice of the general public that in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice D.I. Okungbowa has constituted the PANEL OF SEVEN PERSONS to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Honourable Philip Shaibu.

The said Panel of Seven Persons comprises the following
persons:

1. Hon. Justice S.A. Omonua (Rtd.) – chairman
2. Professor Violet Aigbokhaevbo
3. Professor Boniface Onomion Edegbai
4. Professor Theresa Akpoghome
5. Mr. Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu
6. Surv. Dr. Andrew Oliha
7. Mr. Idris Abdulkareen

Signed
B.0.Osawaru Esq.,
Chief Registrar.

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has insisted the club does not need “big signings” this summer.

Laporta was responding to questions during an interview with MD, where he was asked about Erling Haaland rumours.

He said: “We don’t need any big signing. There will be movements but I don’t anticipate big ones, just team players.

“Our priority is to trust the team we have right now, we don’t want to sign players who could distort our harmony.”

On Frenkie De Jong’s future, Laporta added: “Frenkie de Jong is super happy here. The last thing he wants is leaving Barcelona.

“He always told me that he loves to be at Barça and we’re delighted with Frenkie too.

“I’m not worried with his future, at all.”