The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki brought ₦73 million to his ward to buy votes during Saturday’s governorship election.

Philip Shaibu made the allegation on Monday while speaking in an interview with Arise TV.

He added that Governor Obaseki was responsible for the loss of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Shaibu said, “The gamechanger was Obaseki refusing to share his program and feeling he can be an autocrat, a dictator and wants to enforce. He feels he now has money which he didn’t have in 2016 to use to buy his way through.

“He feels he can bring 73 million to my ward and make sure he wins my ward. I will show you the print of the amount of money he earmarked to buy votes in my ward and when I saw the document. I laughed. It also pushed a lot of people to transfer their voting unit to my unit and that is why in the state today, I have the highest PVC voters in my unit.”

According to him, a total of 618 key members of the PDP joined the APC. He added a total of 1018 of his supporters left with him to the APC.

“We had 10 of us that contested for primaries in PDP and 9 of us, he told us to go to hell. The last time I counted, it was about 618 key leaders that left PDP to APC. The total number of people that resigned from my own side that I have on the list is about 1018 persons to join APC.

“When you put these numbers together, there was no Obaseki and Asue could win and this election was not just about Asue but about the wickedness of the governor,” Shaibu stated.

He further advised Asue Ighodalo against filing suit in court to challenge the victory of Senator Okpebholo.

He continued, “Asue’s option now is to go to court. As far as what happened in my unit, ward and local government is what he wants to go and challenge, I think it is an effort in futility. I will also join Mr. President to say that if you feel there are areas where things are not regular, you can go to court. We will be meeting there. I would say everything that happened, using my own area, was free and fair.”

He declared that the loss of PDP in the governorship election was an end for Governor Obaseki’s era.

“It is Ofonee (finished) for Obaseki, but not the end of the era for Shaibu,” he stated.

A member of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West federal constituency, Hon Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to learn from their past mistakes.

The lawmaker stated this while reacting to the outcome of the gubernatorial election held in Edo State.

Olajide, who was elected on the platform of the PDP, pleaded with the the party’s leaders to close ranks and unite so as to win future elections.

Speaking via a statement made available to Naija News through his media aide, Tolu Mustapha, the legislator asserted that the PDP failed due to internal wranglings.

He said, “The party should put aside its differences and work together to achieve victory in the 2027 general elections.

“Unity is a necessary and strategic tool needed to strengthen the party’s position and ensure a more cohesive approach to future elections.

“The Peoples Democratic Party should learn from past mistakes and move forward with a united front as the 2027 general elections approach.

“The PDP’s ability to put aside internal differences and present a united front will be crucial in determining the success of the party in future polls.”

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in partnership with Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), has started a high-quality, safe bone marrow transplant programme that meets international standards for the cure of sickle cell disease.

A joint statement by the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo and the National Director of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), Dr. Annette Akinsete, announced this yesterday in Lagos.

It said Nigeria had the most significant burden of sickle cell disease worldwide, explaining that individuals affected by the disease suffer life-threatening complications from early childhood, serious damage to their organs and reduced life expectancy.

The statement said: “Recognising the gaps in care for individuals affected by the disease in Nigeria, SCFN and LUTH established a bone marrow transplant programme at LUTH.

“In preparation for a locally adapted and cost-effective bone marrow transplant programme in Nigeria, a post-transplant clinic was initially established in 2019, a first in sub-Saharan Africa, to provide post-transplant care to patients who had travelled to other countries for bone marrow or stem cell transplants…

“The establishment of comprehensive care programmes includes newborn screening, penicillin prophylaxis, and Transcranial Doppler screening in children to identify those at risk of stroke.

“This is followed by chronic blood transfusion therapy and the increasing use of hydroxyurea therapy has improved the proportion of children surviving into adulthood.

“But it has not improved the proportion of adults living to older age, especially for the most severely affected.

“Bone marrow transplant, using a donor from a family member, is an established cure for this disease,” the statement said.

According to the statement, bone marrow transplant is associated with known complications, such as infection and graft-versus-host disease (when donor cells can attack the patient), infertility, and even death.

It explained that the procedure has been much improved over the last 20 years to ensure good outcomes and limit complications.

“Bone marrow transplant is now an approved therapy for children and adults with severe sickle cell disease. Bone marrow transplant is a complex procedure requiring a multidisciplinary team approach and involves treatment and close follow-up for approximately 12 months,” it said.

The statement noted that the complexity and costs have severely limited those who can obtain this treatment.

It also said most have sought the treatment outside Nigeria, which causes severe hardship for patients and families.

According to the statement, LUTH/SCFN bone marrow transplant programme consists of a high-level multidisciplinary team that includes paediatricians, adult haematologists, psychiatrists, anaesthesiologists, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, and other ancillary health personnel.

It said the programme had been guided by the scientific expertise and leadership of Prof. Adetola Kassim of Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, stressing that to further strengthen expertise in the programme, Prof. Josudela Fuente from the Imperial College London Healthcare NHS Trust UK joined the team in 2022.

The statement said: “The first set of patients is currently undergoing bone marrow transplants at LUTH and was admitted in the last week of August 2024.

“They received a treatment regimen of exchange blood transfusions, chemotherapy and anti-infective prophylaxis to prepare them for the infusion of bone marrow stem cells that were harvested from family donors, processed and given September 17 and September 19, 2024.

“Both patients are currently undergoing immediate post-transplant care within the transplant unit at LUTH.

“We want to express our appreciation to patients and families, the management of LUTH and SCFN, board of directors, the Lagos State government, Chevron, collaborative and technical partners, and other dedicated workers who worked around the clock to ensure success of this programme.”

President Bola Tinubu has directed security and law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to combat cybercriminals and transnational car thieves operating within the country.

The president’s order follows the government’s commitment to curb organised crime networks that engage in illicit activities, particularly those targeting foreign nationals.

In a statement on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, Tinubu commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its recent collaboration with Canadian authorities.

This partnership led to the recovery of $180,000 and 53 vehicles, which were handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on behalf of two citizens the country.

The president acknowledged the significance of this cooperation and called for sustained efforts in tackling transnational crimes.

“Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries,” Tinubu said.

He emphasised that his administration will remain relentless in tackling financial crimes, cybercrime, and money laundering.

He stressed that the most effective way to weaken organised crime is by depriving criminals of the proceeds from their illegal activities.

The president also expressed concern over the involvement of transnational organised criminal groups in the export of stolen vehicles into Nigeria.

He urged law enforcement agencies, particularly the EFCC, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to step up their vigilance and work together to intercept these criminal networks.

He noted that seized and confiscated assets, especially moveable property like vehicles, should be preserved for the benefit of the state, society, and victims in accordance with existing legislation and international conventions.

“Criminals must not benefit from their illicit activities,” Tinubu said, adding that Nigeria is committed to maintaining strong relationships with international partners to ensure that criminals who operate across borders are brought to justice.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the price of 12.5kg of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), better known as cooking gas, increased by 69.15 percent in one year.

In its latest LPG (cooking gas) price watch report for August 2024, the NBS said Nigerians paid an average price of N15,552.56 for a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas in the month under review — compared to the N9,194.41 in August 2023.

According to the report, the average price for refilling a 12.5kg of cooking gas increased from N14,261.57 in July to N15,552.56 in August — representing a 9.05 percent month-on-month uptick.

“On a year-on-year basis, this rose by 69.15% from N9,194.41 in August 2023,” the bureau said.

Presenting a state profile analysis, the data body said Rivers recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cooking gas cylinder at N17,086.36, followed by Cross River (N17,050) and Abia (N17,012.52).

“Conversely, the lowest average price was recorded in Bauchi with N13,425.00, followed by Nassarawa and Adamawa with N13,640.94 and N13,725.00 respectively,” NBS added.

“Analysis by zone showed that the South-South recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg Cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) with N16,524.00, followed by the South-East with N16,495.78 while the North-Central recorded the lowest price with N14,767.41.”

‘AVERAGE PRICE OF 5KG LPG INCREASED BY 7.62% IN AUGUST’

The NBS also said the average retail price of a 5kg cylinder of LPG rose by 7.62 percent on a month-on-month basis — up from N5,974.55 recorded in July 2024 to N6,430.02 in August.

“On a year-on-year basis, this increased by 56.25% from N4,115.32 in August 2023. On state profile analysis, Benue and Sokoto recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg Cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) with N7,000.00, followed by Rivers with N6,954.55, and Borno with N6,914.29,” the organisation added.

On the other hand, the bureau said the lowest price of N5,600.67 was seen in Taraba, followed by Abuja and Kogi recording N5,825 and N5,857.56 respectively.

The NBS said the south-east had the highest average retail price for a 5kg cylinder of LPG at N6,585.18. The south-south (N6,451.34), and north-central (N6,344.29) recorded the lowest.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly investigate the spending of the billions of naira of Ecological Fund collected by Borno State since 2001, including the N816 million collected by the state between January 2024 and June 2024.”

SERAP said, “Suspected perpetrators of allegations of corruption and mismanagement of ecological funds should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered.”

SERAP also urged him to “direct Mr Fagbemi and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to urgently identify and ensure access to justice and effective remedies to affected victims in Borno state.”

SERAP urged him to “direct Mr George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation to work with appropriate anticorruption agencies to track and monitor the spending of Ecological Fund by the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 36 state governors, the 774 local government areas, as well as all emergency management agencies across the country funded through the Ecological Fund.”

In the letter dated 21 September 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your government has a legal obligation to address the prevalence of flooding across the country and its effect on people, and to ensure that the money meant to stop the floods is not lost to corruption.”

SERAP said, “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice for the victims of Borno’s flood victims, and accountability for the spending of the monthly ecological funds collected by the state through the Federal Account Allocation Committee [FAAC].”

The letter, read in part: “Although ecological funds are shared across the three tiers of government, and emergency management agencies, the funds are managed and supervised by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

“The devastation in Borno highlights your government’s obligation to promote and ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of ecological funds by all tiers of government and emergency management agencies.”

“SERAP notes that Borno state receives millions of naira monthly through the Federal Allocation Committee as shares from the Ecological Fund.”

“Other states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja also monthly receive funds from the Ecological Fund. According to reports, trillions of naira have over the years been budgeted through the Ecological Fund to tackle floods and other ecological problems.”

“SERAP is concerned that the ecological funds collected by Borno state over the years may have been diverted, mismanaged or unaccounted.”

“SERAP is also concerned about reports that the funds released to the states for ecological projects are characterised by mismanagement, diversion of funds, substandard and abandoned projects fully paid for.”

“Ecological funds have also been allegedly spent for other purposes such as election campaigns and political patronage.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Your government has legal obligations to ensure protection of the rights of flood victims in Borno and elsewhere in the country, including the obligation to ensure they receive adequate food, shelter, safe drinking water, access to sanitation and other basic aid.”

“Your government must use all means available to it to prevent and address the threats to human rights that result from climate change and to provide access to remedies when these rights are violated.”

“According to reports, the recent floods in Borno started when a dam [the Alau Dam in Maiduguri] burst its walls following heavy rainfall. More than 30 people have reportedly been killed by the floods.”

“About one million people have been affected, most of whom are housed in camps without food and clean water. The According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 229 people have been killed by floods in Nigeria since the start of the year. The worst flooding in recent times killed 600 people in 2022.”

“According to a four-year audit of the Ecological Fund Office carried out by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, the total amount allocated and received by the fund from December 2011 to November 2016 was N277 billion.”

“The operations of the Fund from 2012 to 2016 reportedly showed that some of the disbursements were not utilised for the purpose for which it was established. During these periods, N74,170,932,645.20 was released to State Governments to solve ecological problems in their States.”

“SERAP notes that the Ecological Fund was established in 1981 to respond to and address serious ecological problems such as soil erosion, flooding, drought, desertification, oil spillage, general environmental pollution, and related issues, as well as prevent suffering and possible death from these natural disasters.”

“As the floods in Borno state have shown, the lack of transparency and accountability in the management of ecological funds by states and the resulting human costs directly threaten fundamental human rights – rights to life, to food, to a place to live and work – rights that your government has an obligation to protect.”

“Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the human rights and anti-corruption treaties to which the country is a state party impose obligations on your government to probe and prosecute allegations of corruption in the spending of Ecological Fund, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims of flooding.”

“Corruption and mismanagement of the fund have caused negative human health impacts, and rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival.”

“The failure of successive governments and high-ranking government officials to prevent corruption in the spending of Ecological Fund has hugely contributed to the inability of authorities at all levels to address ecological challenges, and the impact of flooding across the country.”

“We note that while a governor may enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution, he does not enjoy immunity from investigation. Any criminal allegation against a sitting governor can and should be investigated pending the time the governor leaves office and loses immunity.”

“The findings of such an investigation can also be the basis for initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor.”

It’s been over a year that Nigeria has not named ambassadors in over a hundred diplomatic missions, which has raised concerns about the country’s position in the comity of nations, writes GIFT HABIB

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, has now spent over 13 months without ambassadors in 109 diplomatic missions worldwide.

The diplomatic vacuum has raised serious concerns about the country’s standing in the global arena and its capacity to navigate the increasingly complex international relations.

For more than a year, Nigeria has lacked formal representation at the highest levels of diplomacy, leaving the country at a disadvantage in engaging with global partners.

Following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, a reassessment of foreign policy led to the recall of 83 ambassadors; both career and non-career from their posts in September 2023, but the subsequent appointment of replacements has yet to occur.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, had said the ambassadors served at the president’s behest in their host nations and that it was the President’s “prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”

The envoys were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, marking a shift in diplomatic strategy and suggesting that the government was looking to realign its foreign engagements to better serve national interests.

However, more than a year later, the anticipated appointments of new ambassadors have yet to materialise, creating a diplomatic vacuum that has left the country’s missions leaderless and its voice on the global stage weakened.

This prolonged diplomatic vacuum echoes the delays seen during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which took 17 to 20 months to establish ambassadorial positions.

The implications of this prolonged absence are far-reaching. At a time when global diplomacy is becoming more intricate, Nigeria finds itself without the ability to fully engage with other nations or participate in critical trade and security negotiations.

Ambassadors play an indispensable role in representing their country’s interests abroad, managing bilateral relations, and serving as key players in multilateral organisations. Their absence means missed opportunities and a weakening of Nigeria’s influence in global affairs.

While the Federal Government has made some progress by appointing 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires to represent the country in 14 countries in April 2024, these appointments fall short of filling the gap.

Consuls-general and chargés d’affaires can handle routine administrative duties and oversee the day-to-day operations of an embassy, but they do not possess the authority or diplomatic weight to engage at the highest levels, such as with heads of state or critical international negotiations.

The absence of full ambassadors is a glaring omission at a time when Nigeria needs strong representation more than ever.

This diplomatic void is not just a procedural issue; it has real consequences for the nation’s global influence, its ability to secure international investments, and its role in shaping policies that affect the African continent and beyond.

On May 28, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs  acknowledged the situation, citing a lack of funds as the primary reason for the delay in appointing new ambassadors.

Few days later, the MFA’s spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Ode, said any new ambassadorial appointments will depend on budget allocations. “I guess the funds may be included in the supplementary budget, but for now, there is no clear way forward without funds,” Abu-Ode stated.

The admission highlights a troubling intersection between diplomacy and economics, with financial constraints halting Nigeria’s global engagement.

The issue of funding underscores deeper problems within Nigeria’s diplomatic apparatus. With no clear timeline for when the budgetary issues will be resolved, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is left in a holding pattern.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s international partners may interpret this prolonged inaction as a sign of instability or disinterest in global affairs.

This perception can be damaging, particularly for a country that relies on foreign investments and international partnerships to fuel its economic growth.

A senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke anonymously, voiced concern over the lack of communication and direction from the government. “There is silence on the issue. Nobody knows what’s going on,” the official remarked.

Diplomats and foreign policy experts warn that Nigeria’s absence from the international stage could have long-term consequences for its reputation.

In diplomacy, perception is often as important as reality. A prolonged lack of ambassadors can signal disorganisation or instability in the global community. Such a perception risks alienating potential investors and partners, who may view the absence of leadership as a sign that Nigeria is disengaging from international affairs.

In a world where nations are vying for influence and economic partnerships, Nigeria’s inability to project its voice and defend its interests could result in missed opportunities for collaboration, trade, and investment. Each day that passes without ambassadors in place represents another lost opportunity to advance Nigeria’s national interests on the global stage.

Many within Nigeria’s diplomatic community are calling for immediate reforms to address the country’s diplomatic challenges.

A retired Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, voiced his concerns over the prolonged absence of ambassadors.

“That diplomatic missions are without substantive heads for a short period is widely acceptable. But their absence over a year leaves so much to be desired, especially against the backdrop of the Ministry’s funding challenges,” he said.

Amedu-Obe’s concerns reflect the broader sentiment within the country’s foreign service, where the lack of principal envoys is seen as damaging to the country’s international reputation.

Similarly, a retired Consul to Cameroon and Delegate to the World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, Amb. Rasheed Akinkuolie echoed the need for reform.

“It is not the best option not to have resident ambassadors at post. Chargés d’affaires may not be able to relate with host governments at the highest level, which includes heads of state. A chargé d’affaires can generally only relate with foreign ministries and other officials,” Akinkuolie explained.

He also expressed concern that host governments might begin to question why Nigeria has not replaced its recalled ambassadors, potentially seeing the prolonged absence as a sign of instability.

He noted that diplomatic missions should be funded from dedicated dollar accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure steady financial support for operations abroad. He also emphasised the need for a more streamlined process in deploying ambassadors, suggesting that the MFA could benefit from a Minister of State, drawn from among retired diplomats, to help manage the workload.

He urged the government to prioritise ambassadorial appointments and ensure that Nigeria’s missions abroad are properly funded and staffed.

“The minister is overburdened and overworked. The MFA urgently needs a Minister of State, who should be drawn from among retired Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry or Ambassadors. This will help sort out the grey areas, which may be preventing the swift posting of Ambassadors.

“Diplomatic missions should be funded from a dollar account, dedicated for the purpose at the CBN while running the ministry at home should be in the local currency,” the retired ambassador noted.

An economist, Shadrach Israel stressed the importance of ambassadors not just in diplomatic but also in economic matters.

“A lot of people see the ambassadorial position as political rather than economical. The truth is that if there are no ambassadors in a country, the area of economic gains might be affected.

“For instance, looking at the trade negotiations, if there is no ambassador in a particular country, the president or elected officials in that country might not have who to negotiate with which is a disadvantage to the ambassador’s country.

“For Nigerians who have businesses in other countries, they need the Nigerian ambassadors to protect them as well,” the economist stated.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for robust diplomatic representation has never been more critical. Nigeria’s prolonged absence from the global diplomatic scene is now threatening to undermine its standing in international organisations, its ability to influence global policy, and its attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment.

Tinubu’s foreign policy overhaul may have been well-intentioned, aimed at realigning Nigeria’s diplomatic focus and strengthening its global position. However, the government’s failure to swiftly appoint new ambassadors has left the country in a diplomatic vacuum that it can no longer afford. The longer Nigeria remains without ambassadors, the more it risks being sidelined in key international discussions and negotiations.

Restoring the country’s diplomatic presence must now be a top priority for the government.

Each day that passes without ambassadors represents another missed opportunity to advance Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.

With the clock ticking, the FG must act decisively to restore its ambassadors and reclaim its voice in international diplomacy.

The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party said it would not impose punitive measures on its former presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, asserting that he was obviously being misled into betraying his party in favor of an “illegal” caretaker committee.

This was disclosed by the National Legal Adviser of the party, Kèhinde Edun, in an interview with The PUNCH.

According to him, meting out sanctions would not resolve the face-off.

Edun, however, expressed optimism that the former governor of Anambra State would retrace his steps. He said, “Obi is being misled. It is human to err, and we give respect to him as the leader. I understand there is so much pressure from everywhere, and we recognize that at the end of the day, the truth shall prevail.

“We might have a temporary situation where someone is confused as to the path to take. We won’t crucify him for that. So we are confident that it is only a matter of time; our leaders shall realize the truth and their mistakes. So it is clear.”

However, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, stated that Obi was not being misled.

He said, “His Excellency Peter Obi is not interested in unending issues. He is interested in building a united party. So as long as they have respect for him, it’s good that they follow some of the laid-down rules and regulations of the party that can help us chart a way forward.

“That is exactly what we need to do. We should be able to ignore name-calling and all, but follow the provisions of the constitution of the party. As Obi usually says, if you want to be addressed as Excellency, you need to come through an excellent way.”

Last week, the Abure-led NWC had accused Obi and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, of betrayal.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, at a press conference in Abuja, said it was disappointing that Obi and Otti would abandon Abure after he supported them in the 2023 general elections.

Ifoh lamented that rather than stand by the party in its trying moment, the two party leaders betrayed their trust by siding with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has written to the contractors handling the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries, demanding information on the completion date for the rehabilitation works.

Falana, in his letter, said the companies may be private entities, but the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act makes them bound to respond to his request because they used public funds for the refinery rehabilitation.

The senior advocate addressed his letters to the Managing Directors of both firms handling the project, Marie Tecnimont S.P.A and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd.

Falana, in the letters dated Sept 17 as reported by Channels Television, confirmed that the Federal Government awarded Maire Tecnimont S.P.A. the contracts for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refineries for the sum of US$1.5bn while Saipem got the contracts for the Warri and Kaduna refineries for the same amount.

“In line with the terms of the contract which was awarded sometime in April 2021, the project is expected to be completed in three phases of 18, 24 and 44 months,” he said.

The lawyer added that failure to provide the requested information will result in legal redress at the court.

“In the case of Coscharis Motors Ltd. v. The E.I.E Project Ltd/GTE & Anor. (2022) CLRN 63, the Court of Appeal held that a “private body or company would be as accountable as a public institution or body under the Act if it has provided any form of public services, or performed any form of public function or utilized public funds.

“In view of the foregoing, you are advised to accede to our request in order to assure the Nigerian people that the contract sum of $1.5 billion has been judiciously utilised for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcout refineries,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in Saturday’s Edo State governorship election, over his victory at the polls.v

President Tinubu said that the vvictory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

Senator Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, having defeated other contenders for the position.

President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory.

He urged Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service.

He encouraged him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.

President Tinubu also praised other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democracy.

He urged all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.

In addition, the president commended the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.

“I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful and largely hitch-free exercise.

“INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country”, President Tinubu says.