A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has claimed that elecommunications companies in the country could be trying to hinder the upcoming protest against economic hardship.

Adegboruwa in a statement on Sunday, said there were a lot of complaints about network restrictions as the date for the protest approaches.

Scheduled to begin on August 1, the demonstration aims to address issues of hunger, poverty, and dissatisfaction with current economic policies.

He noted, “In recent days, some telecom companies have been disconnecting subscribers for trivial or unexplained reasons.”

Adegboruwa also criticised the timing of these disconnections, suggesting that they are intended to limit the reach of protestors and frustrate the planned demonstration.

The SAN noted that telecom contracts are binding and that subscribers should be given adequate time and information to address any issues.

He urged the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. to investigate the matter and ensure that subscribers’ rights are protected.

Fuel scarcity has hit several states across Nigeria, including Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Niger, and others, leading to long queues at fuel stations and a hike in prices.

Naija News understands that the situation has been exacerbated by the dryness of many depots, with black marketers taking advantage of the scarcity to sell fuel at exorbitant prices.

According to reports, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) attributed the tightness in fuel supply and distribution to a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.

“The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that the tightness in fuel supply and distribution witnessed in some parts of Lagos and the FCT is as a result of a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels,” the NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said.

The company added that it was “working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations.”

However, despite the assurance by the NNPC that the situation would be resolved, the scarcity has worsened, with many fuel stations running dry.

According to The PUNCH, there was no loading of trucks in the Apapa depots as of Sunday.

A depot operator, who did not want his name in print, stated that there was no fuel in almost all the depots on Sunday after the little available was supplied on Saturday.

The source confirmed that the depots are dry, saying “supply gets late thereby affecting product load out.”

In Lagos, black marketers were selling fuel for as high as N1,300 per liter and N1,500 per liter in some areas. The situation was similar in Ogun State, where fuel was sold for N1,200 per liter. In Abuja, the capital city, fuel was sold for between N660 per liter and N800 per liter, while black marketers sold for N1,200 per liter.

Oil marketers revealed that they were also queuing up to load petrol, adding that most depots lacked stock to sell.

The National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, stated that marketers were buying PMS at a price above N700 per liter from private depots.

“We, marketers, too are surprised that we couldn’t get fuel as we used to get at depots. We were worried too; we didn’t know the cause until the NNPC came out with a release on Saturday. Let’s just believe what the NNPC said, that they would arrest the situation,” Fashola told The PUNCH.

“I believe that within this week, everything will be normalised by the time they push products to the depots for marketers to pick from. Ours is to pick from the depots, take it into our stations, and dispense to the public. But for now, most of the depots are dry. The implication of that is that the stations will be dry too. Most of our members have run out of stock. That is the cause of the queues we are experiencing now,” he added.

He noted that marketers were still buying PMS “at a price that is above N700/litre from the private depots.

“We are not yet getting direct supply from the NNPC as we are supposed to. What we are getting is so small compared to our population. That is why we are forced to go to the third parties, the private depot owners, and they are not helping matters with the kind of price they are putting out there.

“That is why independent marketers sell around N800 or so. Until we address this issue of direct supply, there will be issues. We keep shouting to the NNPC to look at that area properly because something is fundamentally wrong with our distribution channel and until they correct that, we will continue to have this issue of fuel scarcity.”

The Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, confirmed that there had been low stock but could not tell when the situation would improve.

He noted that the problem was that the stock was low because there had been some challenges in bringing the product into the country from the vessels.

“The problem is that the stock is low because there have been some challenges in bringing the product into the country from the vessels. We are all queuing up for products, everybody is looking for the product from the NNPC. Only the NNPC knows when normalcy will be restored. It is the sole supplier,” Isong stated

The situation has led to an increase in transportation fares, with commuters lamenting the hike in prices.

In some areas, black marketers were selling fuel for as high as N1,500 per liter, while fuel stations sold for between N750 and N800 per liter.

The fuel scarcity has also affected economic activities, with many businesses struggling to operate due to the high cost of fuel. The situation has further increased the cost of living in many states, with residents lamenting the hardship.

The NNPC has been urged to address the issue of direct supply, as marketers are forced to buy from private depots at high prices. The situation has led to a call for the government to intervene and resolve the fuel scarcity.

A notorious terrorist, Mohammed Bello Turji Kachalla, commonly known as Turji, has reiterated his accusation that the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, supports terrorism in Nigeria’s Northwest region.

In a recent video shared by security expert Zagazola Makama on X, Turji alleged that Matawalle, the immediate former governor of Zamfara State, has ties to bandits.

Naija News understands that Matawalle’s previous tenure as governor was marked by heavy criticism due to insecurity issues that plagued Zamfara state under his administration.

The fresh accusation followed a previous denial by Matawalle’s camp after Turji initially linked him to terrorist activities in the region.

Turji has been operating in northern Nigerian states including Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger.

“What I said in the video is that Dan Maigari and Baleri are siblings,” Turji stated, alleging Bashari’s involvement in armed banditry in Zamfara and Sokoto states.

Turji challenged Matawalle’s supporters to investigate his claims rather than dismissing them as propaganda.

He questioned the role of Matawalle and others in the kidnapping and subsequent release of female students in Marado.

He asked, “Since you said Bashari is not a bandit and said Matawalle has no hand in the banditry activities, I am asking you from whom did they rescue the girls?”

Turji accused Bashari (an alleged bandit) of continuous operations between Zamfara and Sokoto states without any evidence to suggest he had surrendered to authorities.

He insisted his allegations are accurate and based on truth.

“Every sensible person is aware of the situation and knows what I’m talking about,” he said.

Recall that in July, Turji had accused Matawalle of complicity in backing terrorism in Nigeria.

The notorious bandit alleged that the issue of insecurity plaguing the country had the full backing of Matawalle.

He said, “My name is Muhammed Bello Turji, and I am releasing this video to reach all Nigerians, from the leaders to the poor. This is the message I want to convey to everyone.

“The issue of insecurity plaguing our country has the full backing of the immediate past Government of Zamfara State. I have evidence to support this claim. The past government, under His Excellency Bello Mattawallen Maradun (State Minister of Defence), is well-known to everyone in the region.

“This government has been complicit in backing terrorism. There are individuals from Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Issah who cannot deny this video.

“Many Nigerians, for example, those in Bauchi or Kaduna, may not be aware of the problems in Zamfara. However, I want to assure the federal government that if they are unaware, I will provide names, details, and evidence. I urge them to investigate the past actions of these individuals and their discussions with them. As a citizen of this zone (North West), I swear before God that I speak the truth.”

Reacting to allegations made previously, the minister’s camp swiftly denied the allegations and described them as falsehood.

A rejoinder signed by Deyemi Saka, Lead Partner at Lambert and Curtis, said in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a video shared on the X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook page of your media organisation in which baseless, malicious, unfounded, mischievous and deliberately concocted lies were told against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle.

“We are not unmindful of the sustained attacks on the person, integrity, and patriotic sense of duty of our client. What we find disheartening and despicable is the brazen disregard for public safety and national security.

“While the video speaks to its discredibility, it is pertinent to address the outlandish allegations made by Bello Turji, a wanted kingpin of banditry.

“It is noteworthy that the efforts of the honourable minister of state, while as Governor of Zamfara State between 2019 and 2023, saw banditry and all other sundry of criminality tackled head on.

“His demonstration of strength of character by insisting he was not going to negotiate with Bandits after the closure of the amnesty window for them to lay down their arms, and strong insistence of Bello Turji doing such is enough motivation for the hatchet man job he is doing.”

“Anyone with basic knowledge of the psychoanalysis of a terrorist and deranged mind like Turji will know that he is engaging in ‘victim mentality,’” the statement added.

Meanwhile, a popular Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Murtala Asada, known for his relentless preaching against banditry and bad governance, has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s government to investigate the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawalle, to prove its sincerity in the fight against insecurity.

The cleric said nothing should stop the Federal Government from investigating the Minister and others accused of complicity in backing terrorism in Nigeria’s North West if they are indeed serious about fighting banditry.

Asada’s challenge comes days after Kachallah Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader operating in the Nigerian North West regions of Zamfara and Sokoto, released a video accusing the Defence Minister of fully backing terrorism plaguing the country’s North West region.

The Minister denied the allegation through his media consultant, Deyemi Saka.

The bandit kingpin further referenced previous allegations made by Sheikh Murtala Asada that there were bandits and their sponsors operating within the city.

During his Sunday preaching in Sokoto, Sheikh Murtala Asada said that if the Federal Government of Nigeria were sincere about ending terrorism, they would have immediately reacted to this revelation.

He said: “Is Bello Mattawalle supposed to continue holding the position as the Minister of State for Defence up to this moment? Because all evidence has been proven against him, or has it not?

“Has it not been proven that there are bandits in the cities of Sokoto? Should they not be arrested and investigated?”

The scholar continued, “Please tell me, are there indiscriminate killings of people or not? This simply shows that the Federal Government is only wasting its time negotiating with these bandits when those sponsoring the bandits are within the cities.

“If you negotiate with ten bandits in the bushes, those within the cities will facilitate and kidnap hundreds more victims and send them back to the bushes. The bigwig sponsors are living in the cities.”

“Oh, Muslim Ummah, we must all dedicate ourselves to seeking divine intervention through prayers. It is due to these prayers that God is now exposing them. Dan Ubayyu, the leader of the hypocrites of God, you know that Bello Turji has absolute knowledge of the dirty deals going on between politicians and bandits because he was one of those bandit leaders at the forefront during the negotiations. God forced him to speak up. This is a result of the prayers of Nigerians, and he came out to confirm that there are bandits in our cities. He listed some of those in the cities of Sokoto, and anyone following the issue of insecurity knows that they are still in the cities of Sokoto. People like Kabiru Maniya, Bashir Maniya, and Buhari are currently in the cities, living lavishly in their houses.”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the weekend, faced a chorus of “we are hungry” from Abuja residents as he pleaded with them not to join the planned August 1 protests over economic hardships.

The video, which surfaced on social media, shows Wike attempting to pacify an agitated crowd, urging them to support the government despite the current economic challenges.

The authenticity of the video and its exact location in Abuja could not be independently verified by Naija News.

In the video, Wike is seen addressing the residents, who repeatedly interrupted his speech with chants of “We are hungry.”

“I’m begging you all,” Wike implored, as the crowd’s cries continued.

“Hunger has been since before now. Ours is to support the government to succeed. I know the pain you are passing through. It is your sacrifice for the country.”

He added, “I know the president. Just be patient. Hope is coming back. This hunger will reduce very soon. I believe in Tinubu’s government.”

The minister’s plea comes as momentum builds for the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1-10, which are being organized in response to the skyrocketing cost of living and economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.

Previously, Wike had issued a stern warning against protests in Abuja, declaring the FCT “unavailable for protests.”

In response to the growing unrest, President Bola Tinubu has mobilized clerics, religious associations, and traditional rulers to dissuade citizens from participating in the protests.

The administration has been under pressure to address the economic crisis that has led to a significant increase in food prices and living costs across the nation.

Watch the video below:

A former governor of Taraba State, Jolly Iyame has claimed that the planned nationwide protest on August 1 is a plot to remove the democratically elected government through the back door.

Iyame made the claim on Sunday while addressing a gathering of Yoro youths and community leaders at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Jalingo.

He warned the youths against joining the nationwide protest, insisting that the outcome may be difficult to contain, considering the challenges facing the country.

The former governor said, “We are all aware of the plan by some Nigerians to vent their anger on the government by agreeing to a national protest or shutdown. I must admit that in view of certain policies and long-standing national issues, the government should take the blame for some of the problems affecting our nation.

“However, we as Nigerians must examine our actions in the face of this unfortunate situation, to see whether or not we have contributed positively or otherwise in our various walks of life, to this situation.

“Whereas every Nigerian has the right to complain or protest against bad governance, the language employed by the planners is threatening, divisive and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected government.

“For this reason, I must warn you against joining the so-called National citizens protest being planned against the Government under the guise of advocating for good governance.”

He warned that the action can only worsen the situation and endanger the lives of thousands of people, pointing out that there is already a constitutional means of removing a bad government through the ballot box and not brigandage and terrorism.

“As you all know, Yoro is a peaceful and hard-working nation, with the people engaged in various noble means of livelihood, like farming. Indeed, we are among the largest producers of yams and other food items in Nigeria. We are not an idling society in which people engage in all types of vices for survival. We have no time to waste in a national protest that can only promote destruction,” he added.

The 9th season of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV show, themed ‘No Loose Guard’, kicked off on Sunday.

Naija News reports that the show host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, in an unexpected twist, unvieled the housemates who were being introduced to the House in pairs.

The first pair to enter the House were Chinwe and Zion, known as Zinwe.

The first housemates were followed by Femi David and Michael, also known as Radicals.

The third pair to enter the BBNaija house were DJ Flo and Rhuthee, also known as Flourish.

Also, Chinne and Nne, better known as Ndi Nne, who came in as an aunty and niece, were the fourth pair.

Topher and Sooj, known as Aces, entered as the fifth pair.

Coming in as the 6th pair for season 9 were Victoria and Shaun (Shatoria), while Wanni and Handi (Wanni X Handi) came in as the 7th housemate pairing.

Another set of twins were two brothers known on the show as Mbadiwe twins. They said they are currently on the show to correct the narrative.

The 9th housemates are the BETA duo.

BETA are followed by the TAMI duo, who are longtime friends.

Another pair of housemates are NELITA.

Married couple – DOUBLE KAY.

CHEKAS are another pair who said they are on the show to stir up some trouble.

This year’s grand prize is N20 million less than the N120 million awarded in Season 8 of the show.

The Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere has expressed support for the planned protest scheduled for August 1.

Justice Faloye, the publicity secretary of Afenifere, who spoke in an interview on Arise TV, said the group warned the federal government about the implications of its economic policies on Nigerians.

Faloye’s comments followed the planned nationwide protest slated for August 1.

The federal government and President Bola Tinubu have asked the youths to shelve the planned protest against the rising cost of living.

Faloye said the planned protest was triggered by the economic crisis in the country, which he noted was caused by the policies of the Tinubu-led government.

The group’s spokesperson said Tinubu’s policies are “superficial” and cannot address the hardship in the country.

He added that the planned protest is an ‘organic reaction” to the economic policies of the Tinubu-led government.

“Afenifere is not planning to be a part of the protest, but we support anybody who wants to express their fundamental human rights,” Faloye said.

“We, in Afenifere, have been warning about the economic policies and that if it continues like this, you can’t stop people.

“Right from the beginning, we have shown you that you have gone on the wrong path. Afenifere has been saying that we need economic and political restructuring.

“All we have are palliatives and superficial moves that can’t resolve anything. We understand that the protest is an organic reaction.”

He appealed to the federal government to allow the protesters to express themselves, adding that protest usually turns violent when the government tries to stop it.

Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), says he no longer has confidence in the ability of Peter Obi, LP presidential candidate in 2023, to build a party that can win elections.

Okonkwo said Obi has “proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate”.

In the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Okonkwo left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for LP.

He was later appointed as one of the spokespersons of the LP presidential campaign council.

Recently, Okonkwo has been critical of the national working committee (NWC) of the LP led by Julius Abure, chairman of the party.

In June 2024, Okonkwo described the LP as “a secret society led by a group of clowns”, adding that he could not rule out leaving the party.

In a statement published on his X handle on Saturday, the LP chieftain said the recent happenings in the party have “inspired” him to “a determination to chart a new course for my political journey”.

He said after the 2023 elections, many Nigerians, including himself, had “high hopes” in Obi.

Okonkwo said he thought that the former Anambra governor would “seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow” the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“He just needed to give the right directives and everyone will fall in line. I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria’s problems,” Okonkwo said.

“I was like, does it mean Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading to nowhere politically?

“However, I continued in his defence believing he will still privately bring the needed solution to LP problems but to no avail.

“PO also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee must organise an all-inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders.

“This didn’t happen, and surprisingly, PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time had expired.

“Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Labour Party because of lack of leadership from PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself.

“I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.”

‘OBI DIDN’T SUPPORT NLC EFFORT TO RESCUE LP’

Okonkwo said Obi did not support the efforts of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in “fighting criminals who want to hijack their party”.

He said an “ordinary statement” from the LP presidential candidate would have resolved the issues.

“However, the consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate,” he said.

“I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.

“It’s in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi.”

Okonkwo said his comments have “nothing to do with any desire to join APC or PDP”, adding that he will always join Nigerians in the aspirations for a better Nigeria.

Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, has asked traders in Lagos state to deter their children from joining the planned nationwide protest.

Tinubu-Ojo, who is the Iyaloja-general of Lagos, urged the women to ensure that their children stay at home, adding that the state government has made significant progress in enriching the lives of the people.

Citing the #EndSARS protest, Tinubu-Ojo said people are yet to recover from the losses incurred during the protest in 2020.

“Let’s tell ourselves, family, and children that there is nothing like protest in Lagos. It is a gimmick to destroy the country,” she said on Saturday at Dosunmu market.

“Look at what they did during the last protest (#EndSARS), look at how they burnt government properties. Can you see that they are fighting against us?

“Don’t allow any political party to give money to some persons to fight. Don’t allow our children to get killed during the process.

“Look at the ShopRite at Adeniran Ogunsanya, Sangotedo, Lekki. Those businesses that were destroyed… have the owners recovered from their losses?

“I’m begging you in the name of God, let’s talk to ourselves and our children that there is nothing like protest in Lagos state because the government of Lagos state is making us proud.

“They (Lagos government) are making us happy. They gave us a sense of belonging.”

The president’s daughter said the federal government should be allowed to spend three years in office before being criticised.

“The federal government recently assumed office. Before you say a government is not doing well, let it spend three years in office,” she said.

“Let everyone tell their children at home to remain calm.”

The proposed youth-led nationwide protest is slated to commence on August 1.

The federal and state governments, including President Bola Tinubu, have appealed to the youths to shelve the protest.

Religious and traditional institutions have equally called for the cancellation of the planned demonstration.