Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye has reacted to his suspension by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall that Melaye was suspended by the PDP Excos in Ayetoro Gbede, Ward.

The PDP chieftain was suspended for anti-party activities, alleged misconducts and failing to honour a summon.

The resolution to suspend the former Kogi West senator was taken by the Ward party executive committee during a meeting in Aiyetoro/Luagba Ward 1 on Friday.

The resolution was signed by the Ward Chairman, Abayomi Osamika and Ward Yodson Dayo, Secretary.

This was after a review of the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate alleged anti-party activities against Melaye

However, speaking via his X account Melaye said, “You can’t suspend breeze, Damagun is the source of PDP problems. His belly is his God.”

Dino Melaye Is Part Of The Problem In PDP – Damagum

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Iliya Damagum, has claimed that Melaye is responsible for some of the crisis plaguing the party.

He raised concerns about internal party loyalty, citing Melaye’s actions during the recent Kogi gubernatorial election.

Speaking during an interview with Daily Trust, Damagum addressed remarks made by Melaye, who had referred to the PDP as a “once upon a time party.

The PDP Chairman went on to question Melaye’s role in allegedly harming the party’s image, stating that anyone given the party’s platform has a responsibility to uplift its fortunes.

“Let me remind you about that statement credited to Dino. He’s part of the problem. Why? Because he ran for governor in Kogi State and didn’t even vote for himself. Put that on record: he didn’t go out to vote in his own election.

“Even as the candidate. So, I’ll leave it to you to judge based on that. Who’s really damaging the party? If the party is generous enough to give you its platform to run, you have a duty to improve its fortunes. Yes, you can win or lose, but at least lose credibly if you must,” Damagum said.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has launched a legal challenge against President Bola Tinubu over the recent increase in petrol prices and alleged corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The lawsuit, filed on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, bears the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024.

SERAP seeks a court order compelling President Tinubu to direct the NNPCL to reverse the controversial hike in petrol prices from ₦845 to ₦600 per litre.

The suit names the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the NNPCL as respondents. SERAP’s legal action demands not only a rollback of the price increase but also an investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL.

In its application, SERAP argues that the increase in petrol prices is unjust, illegal, unconstitutional, and unreasonable, impacting the economic well-being of Nigerians and calling for accountability in the management of the country’s petroleum resources.

SERAP is also asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, including the spending of the reported $300 million ‘bailout funds’ collected from the Federal Government in August 2024, and the $6 billion debt it owes suppliers, despite allegedly failing to remit oil revenues to the treasury.”

SERAP is asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anticorruption agencies to prosecute anyone suspected to be responsible for the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and to recover any proceeds of corruption.”

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The increase in petrol price is causing immense hardship to those less well-off. As the economic situation in Nigeria deteriorates, the increase is pushing people further into poverty.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “Holding the NNPC to account for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would serve legitimate public interests.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, read in part: “The increase in petrol price constitutes a fundamental breach of constitutional guarantees and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

“Corruption in the oil sector and the lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds to support the operations of the NNPC have resulted in persistent and unlawful hike in petrol prices.”

“Increasing petrol prices at a time when millions of Nigerians continue to face worsening economic conditions is entirely inconsistent with constitutional and international obligations to ensure the minimum living conditions compatible with human dignity.”

“The arbitrary increase has placed a disproportionate burden on the marginalized and most vulnerable sectors of society, particularly those disadvantaged by poverty.”

“The increase is seriously jeopardizing their living conditions, as well as individuals’ physical, emotional, and individual development, and intensifying and worsening socioeconomic conditions in the country.”

“The increase constitutes a serious human rights problem because of the intensity with which it undermines the enjoyment and exercise by Nigerians of their human rights and renders their civic participation illusory.”

“The fundamental right to life includes not only the right of every Nigerian not to be deprived of his/her life arbitrarily, but also the right that he/she will not be prevented from having access to the conditions that guarantee a dignified existence.”

“The growing poverty and inequality in the country has continued to adversely affect the right of Nigerians to participatory democracy, and impede their ability to participate in their own government.”

“Nigerians have for far too long been denied justice and the opportunity to get to the bottom of why they continue to pay the price for corruption in the oil sector. The increase in petrol price has rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival.”

“The increase is not inevitable, as it stems from the persistent failure of successive governments to address the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and the impunity of suspected perpetrators.”

“Persistent increase in petrol prices keep people in poverty which in turn perpetuates discriminatory attitudes and practices against them.”

“The government has a legal obligation to mobilize the maximum of the country’s available resources to ensure people’s socio-economic rights and to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians.”

“The government also has the legal obligations to probe and prosecute allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims of corruption.”

“Investigating and prosecuting the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations.”

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the government to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution. Section 15(5) imposes the responsibility on the government to ‘abolish all corrupt practices’ including in the NNPC.”

“Under Section 16(1) of the Constitution, the government has a responsibility to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.”

“Section 16(2) further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.”

“According to our information, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited recently increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets.”

“The price of the product increased to N855 per litre, from about N600, and in some instances above N900 per litre. The apparently unlawful increase in petrol price followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt.”

“The NNPC allegedly failed to remit USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the public treasury, as documented in the recently published 2020 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

In a reaction to the notion that “sex-for-roles” syndrome exists only in Nollywood, actress Chioma Ivoke, in an interview with Potpourri says nothing is farther from the truth as she maintains that sex is a weapon being used as a means to an end everywhere there are human interactions.

She stated, “Sex for roles in all ramifications is messy to not just the girls but the guys as well. However, sex has become a trade for a lot of things in diverse firms and fields, not just confined to Nollywood or the entertainment industry. This is a condemnable act that should be curtailed or eradicated if possible.”

On maintaining her privacy despite her public profile, Ivoke explained, “The thing one must understand is that social media is a marketplace where everyone across the globe might meet and as such, one must be disciplined enough to keep what is meant to be private private no matter the social media pressure.”

When asked about balancing decency with flaunting her sex appeal, she said, “Well, I am a decent woman, who dresses and carries herself with profound poise.”

Ivoke emphasized that the only pressure she faces is self-imposed. “The only pressure I face is the one I give myself—pressure to grow and do better, pressure to take decisive measures that enhance my growth in all corners, and pressure to be a great example to the younger ones who look up to me. Those are the kinds of pressures I entertain, not the unreal social media pressure.”

OPERATIVES of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Akwa Ibom Command said it has arrested one Ndifreke Sunday (38) and wife Mrs Victory Sunday (28) of Ikot Ukporo Idoro Village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area for subjecting their daughter to inhumane treatment for two years.

The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, who disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo on Saturday, said the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, September 10 following a complaint received from the Ministry of Justice.

Eluwade noted that upon arrest Ndifreke Sunday admitted locking up and torturing her 12-year-old -daughter, Bright Sunday because she had confessed to be a witch, adding that the operatives also rescued the victim

He explained that the arrest for child deprivation and abuse was in line with Section 10 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2020.

“The arrest was made on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Ikot Ukporo Idoro Village in Ibiono Ibom LGA of Akwa Ibom State, following a complaint received from the Ministry of Justice about the suspecte subjecting his daughter to inhumane treatment.

“The suspects admitted to locking up the child, because she confessed to be a witch and responsible for his afflictions,” the commandant said.

The NSCDC commandant condemned the act of subjecting young children to inhumane treatment, describing it as barbaric, callous and heinous.

He warned parents to desist from such acts, under whatever excuse or guise as the agency of government would not relent in apprehending offenders.

The commandant noted that the girl, has been handed over to Gender Based Violence Shelter Home for care and rehabilitation, while the suspects would be handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for necessary action.

He added that while narrating her ordeal, the victim, Bright noted that she was kept locked up in a dilapidated room, denied food, bathing and subjected to constant beating from her step mother, Mrs Victory Sunday.

She also noted that she was fed once in two days, allowed to bath only two times in a month and denied education.

…warns: Constituency projects funds must be fully made public

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on Nigerians to monitor and report uncompleted constituency projects in their areas, pledging to prosecute those found culpable.

The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made the call at a stakeholders’ meeting in Kano, emphasizing the need for community-driven anti-corruption efforts to ensure effective project delivery.

According to the EFCC, corruption has hindered development and eroded public trust in government, particularly in the implementation of constituency projects meant to benefit local communities.

The commission stressed that constituency project funds must be fully disclosed to the public, with details of contractors, timelines, and budgets made available for community scrutiny.

Olukoyede said, “Corruption undermines development, erodes public trust, and stifles the very projects designed to uplift communities. Across the country, many Nigerians have voiced concerns about constituency projects that are meant to bring direct benefits to local communities through infrastructure, education, healthcare, and more. Unfortunately, the impact of corruption has, in some cases, hindered the full potential of these initiatives.

“We must recognize that true and lasting change comes when communities are empowered to hold their leaders accountable, particularly in the monitoring of constituency projects. There must be deliberate efforts to involve communities in the identification of their priority projects. This ensures that projects are aligned with actual needs rather than being imposed or politically motivated.

“Constituency project funds must be fully disclosed to the public and the details of the contractors, timelines, and budgets should be made available for community scrutiny. This will not only promote transparency but also give communities the tools to monitor progress effectively.

“When communities report discrepancies or suspected cases of corruption, these reports must be promptly investigated. By working together, we can build a feedback loop that ensures prompt action is taken against any corrupt practice.

“As we continue the fight against corruption, we are mindful that this is not just a challenge for institutions but for every Nigerian, every community, and every sector of society. While the battle against corruption is often associated with anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies like the EFCC, it is crucial to remember that it cannot be won by these bodies alone.

“For anyone to be an anti-corruption fighter, a certain level of integrity must be attained.”

We are not involved in commercial activities — British Navy

CONTROVERSY is currently trailing the continuous issuance of bunkering permit by the Nigerian Navy, a development stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry have described as an aberration.

Speaking to Vanguard at the on-going Lagos International Maritime Week, Commodore Igbani Agwu, General Manager, Planning of the Nigerian Navy, said that the Navy had to come to issuance of bunkering permit because the space had to be regulated because of the unwholesome activities being experienced in that sector.

Agwu also said that the Navy had to come into the issuance of bunkering permit because Nigeria is the only country in the world where oil theft occurs, hence the Naval intervention.

However, some stakeholders who spoke to Vanguard debunked the claims by the Navy saying that crude oil theft occurs all over the world but that the Navies of other countries are not involved in the commercial activities of their shipping industries.

A member of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association, NISA, who pleaded anonymity,  said that Nigerian Navy’s involvement in the issuance of bunkering permit can only be permissible in Nigeria because of the entrenched interest the Navy as an institution has in commercial shipping activities.

The NISA member also said that oil theft takes place in Mexico, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Cameroon, Sudan and other parts of the world.

Also commenting, the President of the Nigerian Master Mariners Association, Capt Tajudeen Alao, argued that before the Nigerian Navy started the issuance of bunkering permit, the Nigeria Customs Service was solely in charge of such issuance.

Alao explained that the Navy got involved because of the abuse of the entire process of issuing bunkering permits and approvals adding that the Navy is also put in charge of economic breaches on the nation’s waters.

He said: “The process of issuing bunkering approval is not an easy procedure. The approval is first given to the Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, who in turn sends the approval to the Headquarters of the Nigerian Navy in Abuja before permit is finally granted to the applicant,

“I agree that there is oil theft in some parts of the world but our own situation is worse than what is obtainable elsewhere. All those areas you just mention do not have creeks like we have in Nigeria. Even with the kind of measure the government has put in place, oil theft is still going on, oil pipelines are still being broken.

“Crude oil theft is an international crime, because it is big business and the people involved are ready to invest anything, money, blackmail in order to achieve their aim’’.

A British Navy officer, Commander Dan Wiskett told Vanguard that the British Navy is not in any way involved in the commercial activities of his country.

A senior official of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has reacted to reports that the Dangote Refinery will sell petrol at ₦766 per litre to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, highlighted that while the base price of ₦766 per litre is set by the refinery, marketers will need to factor in additional costs such as transportation, levies, and other operational margins.

This reaction comes amid emerging reports that the Dangote Refinery is gearing up to commence the sale of petrol at this price, following the arrival of at least 300 trucks from NNPC at the refinery.

The trucks are scheduled to begin loading petrol on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

According to the official, marketers may sell at ₦790 in Lagos and ₦820 per litre in far north, amidst high price purchase of petrol across the country.

Naija News understands that marketers are currently selling petrol for buyer at the rate of ₦1,005 per litre in some states in the country.

The official in his take said, “Give and take, we can sell at ₦790 in Lagos. In the far north, it may be ₦820 per litre because of the distance.”

The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria, Gillis-Harry, however, said his group was not aware of the price of fuel from the Dangote refinery.

“Well, it will be acceptable because now we are paying NNPC ₦870 for a litre, so if we see it at ₦766, it is cheaper and we will prefer to buy that.

“I cannot determine how much we will sell to Nigerians; we will work out the retail price. It is not one individual or one organisation’s prerogative to put a price, we will work it out and we will argue out our point.

“We are ready to support Dangote, but they are not talking to us. We are the people they need; I have over 6,000 retail outlets under my management, but Dangote is not talking to us”, he added.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised serious allegations against the Presidency, accusing it of orchestrating plans to rig the September 21 governorship election in Edo State in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released by the PDP’s Edo State Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, the party claimed that the Presidency has disbursed $2 million to compromise officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security operatives, and to buy votes.

According to the PDP, the funds were also handed to APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo.

The PDP further alleged that the Presidency instructed the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services to disrupt elections in the party’s strongholds, intending to manipulate the outcome in favor of the APC.

Responding to these accusations, the APC dismissed the claims as baseless, suggesting that the PDP might be delusional.

The APC described the allegations as unfounded and designed to distract from the election process.

The statement reads in part, “As part of the evil ploy, security chiefs have been ordered to make heavy deployments to the strongholds of the PDP, especially those of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and our party’s candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, with the plan to destabilise the voting process in those areas.

“Some of the polling unit, registration area, and ward electoral officials have been discovered to be card-carrying members of the APC. Their task, we have learned, is to delay the result of their respective units with the aim of inciting violence and creating an unfavourable atmosphere during the election to favour the APC candidate during the compilation of results.”

However, the PDP said it would win the governorship election in a peaceful and credible contest, stating that its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was poised for victory and would secure at least 70 per cent of the votes on election day.

The party called on President Bola Tinubu to live up to his responsibility as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and allow the will of the people to prevail by ensuring a free, fair, and credible election in Edo State.

“The President must realise that keeping Edo State and Nigeria safe and peaceful is his primary responsibility, and must therefore not allow the fear that his party will lose the forthcoming governorship poll in the state to lead him to disrupt peace and security, and set Edo State and Nigeria ablaze,” the party stated.

The National Deputy Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, while speaking with Sunday Punch, stated that the PDP was the party known for rigging elections.

He said, “I am hoping that it is not coming from their bad behaviour in the past when the security apparatus in the then PDP-led government of (Goodluck) Jonathan were said to have used state funds to support political endeavours.

“We hope that is not what is colouring whatever source or so-called intelligence they received. If they claim to have one, it must be something they must prove, and they are more than welcome to bring it to the public domain.

“But outside of that, it calls for concern that they are bringing up their bad behaviour, for which the party was known in the past.”

A former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has claimed that the embattled Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu has decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said that Shaibu decamped to the APC out of the frustration he suffered in the hands of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Obaseki stated this at UNIBEN during the grand finale of the APC governorship campaign.

He accused Obaseki of diverting funds and allocations from the Federal Government meant for projects in the state into his private pocket.

Oshiomhole said, “It’s only under Obaseki that his deputy governor had to decamp to APC due to his frustration.

“Obaseki has refused to sign the Peace Accord. They killed the policeman attached to our governor in waiting but Obaseki warned that they should not be arrested.”

Obaseki and Shaibu have endured a troubled relationship.

The strife led to the impeachment of Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly.

But an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja reinstated Shaibu as deputy governor.

Naija News reports that on September 21, the people of Edo State will decide their next governor.

Frontrunners in Saturday’s governorship election are Monday Okpebholo of the APC, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a caution regarding any efforts to manipulate the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.

Naija News reports that next Saturday, September 21, Edo State residents are expected to troop out en mass to vote for their next governor.

Atiku, who was in the state today alongside other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains to support the party’s candidate, emphasized that Edo is not like Lagos, where, as he claims, the All Progressives Congress (APC) can orchestrate electoral fraud.

The 2023 presidential candidate for the PDP made these remarks in the Ekenwan area of Edo State during the concluding event of the party’s campaign rally for the governorship election.

Atiku also encouraged the citizens of Edo to safeguard their votes to prevent any potential rigging.

He said: “If you remember, four years ago, they threatened us, didn’t they do that? They said they won’t allow us to win in Edo State.

“But what did we show them, ‘we showed them that Edo State no be Lagos,’ didn’t we do it?

“So this time again, we are going to show them that ‘Edo no be Lagos.’ They can’t steal votes here, therefore, protect, defend, escort your votes.

“Make sure your votes are entered, make sure your results are announced, of you do that no Jupiter will come and change your votes.

“You are winning next week, do you agree? ‘Edo no be Lagos.”

Next Saturday, residents of Edo State will head to the polls to elect their next governor.

The major candidates in the gubernatorial election include Asue Ighodalo from the PDP, Monday Okpebholo representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).