The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ogun State, Barrister ‘Niyi Ijalaye, is dead.

The Ogun REC slumped and died in Abuja on Monday evening after a meeting of RECs at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

A source at the Ogun State INEC headquarters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Barrister Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room after the meeting before the incident happened.

The source further revealed that the Ondo-born administrator, who was lively throughout the commission’s meeting, retired to a hotel in the Federal Capital Territory, where the incident happened.

The meeting, according to the remarks of the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, which was posted on the verified timeline of the Commission on Facebook, focused on two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, and seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.

During the meeting, Barrister Ijalaye dressed in blue striped Kaftan with a red cap, was seen in one of the pictures posted by the Commission on its timeline.

Barrister Ijalaye was posted to Ogun State in March 2022, following the transfer of Olusegun Agbaje to Lagos State.

The commission is yet to issue a confirmation statement on the reported death.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has stated that it has not made any fuel subsidy payment to anyone in the last nine months.

The disclosure was made on Monday by the Chief Financial Officer of the company, Alhaji Umar Ajiya in Abuja.

According to Ajiya, NNPC Ltd only handles Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) importation shortfalls between the company and the federation.

“In the last eight to nine months, NNPC Ltd. has not paid anybody a dime as a subsidy; no one has been paid Kobo by NNPC Ltd. in the name of subsidy. No marketer has received any money from us by way of subsidy.

“What has been happening is that we have been importing PMS, which has been landing at a specific cost price, and the government tells us to sell it at half price. “So the difference between the landing price and that half price is a shortfall.

“And the deal is between the Federation and NNPC Ltd., to reconcile, sometimes they give us money, so there is no money exchanging hands with any marketer in the name of subsidy,” he stated.

Speaking further, Ajiya said credit lines are prevalent in the downstream business based on the worldwide commercial system,

He revealed that NNPC Ltd. has had an open credit agreement with PMS suppliers in the past, with term lines agreement for payment.

Elisha Abbo, a former lawmaker who represented Adamawa North in the Senate, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the salary of senators.

For years on end, Nigerians have kicked against what they considered humongous salaries that are paid to federal lawmakers. 

Recall that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo recently called out federal lawmakers for determining their own salaries and allowances, calling it immoral.

“You are not supposed to fix your salaries or allowances; it is supposed to be done by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

“With all due respect, you know it’s not right; it is not right for me to be the one to determine what I pay myself; it is immoral, and you are doing it; the Senate is doing it,” Obasanjo said. 

The Senate, however, debunked the claims by Obasanjo, calling them lies.

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) also stated that each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06m in salary and allowances per month.

Speaking on the matter, Abbo stated that the monthly earnings of senators are not a lot of money.

In an interview on Arise Television, Abbo noted that their monthly take home is only “big on paper” and not enough for the demands and challenges of their office.

Abbo recalled that his salary and allowances while serving as a senator was N14.4 million monthly, while current senators earn up to N29 million monthly. 

He said: “When I was in the Senate, cumulatively, all the allowances were N14.4 million per month. You have a wardrobe allowance, a vehicle allowance, and other allowances put together that were N14.4 million, including the N1 million salary.

“It is about N29 million now. N29 million looks big on paper

“I’m saying this as an honest man. I’m not trying to support the National Assembly, and I’ve been a member of that vilified institution for five years. I am not standing with them, but I’ll bear the facts on the table.”

Speaking further, he said he became poorer after quitting his business to become a lawmaker.

He said: “I had to leave the company I founded, in which I was the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, to go into governance when I won the election.

“I had to start subsiding my life because the money that was allocated to my office was absolutely nothing considering the demand and challenges faced by my own constituents on a daily basis.

“I had a case of just one person I took to the hospital; I spent N14 million on one person.

“And every month, from all over Adamawa State and other states, my office was besieged with people looking for help.

“I had to start calling some state governors to help me with cases that are being brought from their states into my office.”

The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved the appointment of an additional 1,192 aides to his government.

The latest development was confirmed in a communique issued Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade.

“The aides include Yakubu Abdulhakeem, who will serve as the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Office for Disability, 165 Senior Special Assistants, and 36 Special Assistants.

“Others on the list approved by the governor are 574 Ward Special Assistants and 290 Local Government Special Assistants,” the statement noted.

Ododo has also approved the appointment of Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulsadiq as the Director of Protocol for the First Lady’s Office, alongside other members of the First Lady’s retinue.

The governor congratulated all the appointees, emphasizing the importance of dedicating their utmost service to the state and the broader global community.

Furthermore, Ayoade announced that all appointments would be officially effective from September 1, 2024.

Why We Appointed 717 Ward Special Assistants – Kogi Govt

Earlier, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, provided insight into the recent appointment of 717 Ward Special Assistants by Governor Usman Ododo.

According to Fanwo, these appointments are part of the Governor’s strategy to deepen democracy and ensure that governance is participatory, particularly at the grassroots level.

During a press briefing in Lokoja, Fanwo emphasized that Governor Ododo is committed to empowering the people by selecting Special Assistants who are deeply connected with the rural communities they serve.

“The Governor is determined to ensure grassroots participation in governance. He doesn’t want to be detached from the hopes and aspirations of the grassroots. We have learnt from past experiences, and we should be able to put those lessons to use,” Fanwo stated.

Reflecting on past administrations, Fanwo pointed out that many previously appointed Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants were often disconnected from grassroots realities, as they resided primarily in the state capital.

He said, “In the past, many of the Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants that were appointed lived in the state capital and did not relate with the grassroots people. There was a gap between the pulse at the grassroots and the impression of the Government. But with this novel appointment strategy, the people at the grassroots are already jubilating over the commendable inclusive governance.

“Those appointed are those who sleep and wake up in those Wards. They don’t live outside of their Wards, and they will be the foot soldiers of the Government in achieving the Consolidation Agenda of the Ododo Administration.”

Addressing concerns about the potential increase in governance costs due to the high number of appointees, Fanwo clarified that the salaries of three Ward Special Assistants are equivalent to what a single Senior Special Assistant would earn.

Popular Nigerian gospel singer, Yinka Alaseyori has cried out over alleged death threats.

Speaking during an Instagram live session, Alaseyori begged Nigerians to support her with prayers.

She disclosed that she has been experiencing online attacks for the past six months.

The singer warned that those wishing her death, are counting the days of death for themselves.

She said, “I am supposed to fear human beings. I will not die untimely. It has become a taboo. You need to check my DMs. I see people’s comments, curses and I smile. I see people wishing me a lot of things. I will just laugh at you. Because whoever wishes me death is counting the days of death for him or herself.

“If you think what I deserve is to die, you also want to die. If you are calling for death, do not come to my DM. Do not tell anybody about me for evil. If anybody gathers to wish me death, no matter how much they are, even if they are prophets, the angel of death will go after them. This world is wicked. It is so painful and sad. A whole lot of things are going on behind the scenes

“Please pray for me. I need your help. If you see me on stage, pray for me. And pray for me when you don’t see me or hear from me.”

“I hear the people of Ogun State have put the people of Nigeria in serious trouble with the Chinese.” 

“You did not hear anything. The story is out there and it is so loud that even the deaf can hear that there is a Chinese problem in Nigeria right now. And just to correct your statement, it is not the people of Ogun State. It is the government of Ogun State. There is a difference.” 

“I don’t see any difference. Government acts on behalf of the people.” 

“Not true. Oftentimes, the government acts in the selfish interest of the people that are in charge at any particular time. Policies are sometimes made, actions are taken simply to settle personal scores, and the people end up being the victims. Now everybody is saying that the people of Ogun State should be careful how they go about calling their state the gateway to Nigeria. The people themselves are victims.”

“Come to think of it. The idea of an Economic Free Zone would have made the state truly the Gateway in terms of opportunities. It is sad that the Ogun state Government mismanaged its contractual agreements with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment, and even ruined relationships in the process.” 

“I recall that as far back as 2007, the Otunba Daniel Administration initiated the Free Trade Zone concept in Ogun State. It was a bid initiative then, located in Igbesa.. It was called the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone. There was also the Olokola Free Trade Zone, the OKFTZ, which was a collaborative effort between Ogun and Ondo states and the private sector to be located on about 20, 000 hectares. The dream was to turn Ogun State into an industrial hub. When it was further reported that oil had also been discovered in Ogun State, the future could not have looked brighter.”

“It is one thing for government to dream. It is another thing for the goals to be achieved. I am not talking about the past. I am talking about a situation where because of Ogun State, the Court of Justice in Paris has attached three aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Government: a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737-7N6, and an Airbus A330, one of which is a brand-new Presidential aircraft, newly procured.”

“I think they have released the Presidential jet. It is the one President Tinubu is cruising to France or short work trip”

“Hmm. I hope they don’t seize it again while the President is in France. The Zhongshan Fucheng people you know are also planning to seize the 20 million pounds that was awarded in favour of Nigeria against P&ID in the UK, and they also want to confiscate two properties belonging to Nigeria in Liverpool.” 

“These people are thieves. I think that they are like the P& ID people”.   

“No, they are not. The only connection between this case and the P & ID in my view is that the Ogun State Government was careless. The most important thing in international trade is trust. When trust is broken, chaos results. Agreements are sacrosanct. When you enter into an agreement, you are required to honour it. States have to be guided by international best practices. The Daniel administration brought the Chinese, the Zhongshan. The Amosun administration later entered into an agreement with Zhongfu, a subsidiary of Zhongshan, a dispute arose and the company was driven away. Zhongshan went to arbitration and got a compensation award of $55.6 million and another US$75,000 plus interests., which now makes it over $70 million.  That was in 2021.The court gave the opportunity to file an appeal. Nobody responded in time, just as in the P&ID case, and by the time Nigeria woke up, our lawyers started quoting jurisdiction and sovereignty which were promptly dismissed by the US Court. And now the Chinese company wants to enforce the judgement.

“You have mentioned France, UK, US, my problem with these China people is their forum shopping. They have gone to every arbitral court possible: UK, Quebec, US, France, British Virgin Islands, and Belgium, just to embarrass Nigeria. Why Nigeria? Why not Ogun State?”

“Nigeria has a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with China. Its provisions are very clear. Signatories to that treaty can raise arbitral issues under customary international law, even when the wrongful act that has been committed is by the organ of a sovereign. Blame Nigeria, don’t blame the Chinese”

“But do you agree that there are many sides to this story? Former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said this is a dispute between two Chinese companies, and that Zhongfu is an impostor, and the whole thing has nothing to do with either Ogun State or Nigeria.” 

“So, who does it have to do with? The concrete story at the moment is the ruling at arbitration and the provisions of the New York Convention which are enforceable in 170 countries. Get it into your head, there is something called International Arbitration, and at that level rules are rules and those rules are not made by your Nigerian big men.” 

“Well, if that is the case, the government of Ogun State should bear its own liabilities. I am not interested in the legal rights of the Chinese. I am a concerned Nigerian and I don’t think anybody should seize the assets belonging to 36 states and the FCT because of the wrongful act of one state of the Federation. Ogun State is just one part of Nigeria. If they have committed an international crime, they should pay for it in that state. Why should an Akwa Ibom or Gombe man lose part of the commonwealth of Nigeria because Ogun State people have caused problems?”

“I think the bigger issue is that you don’t know what will come up tomorrow from your state too. Or any other state. Most of these sub-nationals have serious foreign debt portfolios, protected by sovereign guarantee. When the alarm blows, Nigeria will be in a mess. What we need to address is the capacity of the sub-nationals to enter into international agreements. In particular, our states do not have the capacity to engage with China. Don’t be fooled by the open romance, and China’s interest in Africa. China is a friend only as long as its own interests are served. This is what African leaders do not understand. Our institutions in Africa are also weak.”

“I have never trusted the Chinese and their Belt and Road Initiative, or their debt trap diplomacy. But I blame African leaders who lack the capacity to read between the lines. Nobody should ever rely on the same Chinese who have seized assets in Zambia and Djibouti, and also have challenges with Kenya and Angola. They come bearing gifts and incentives, but always at a cost to the recipient.  Ogun State people should pay their own debt, please.  Maybe that will teach every other state government a lesson.”

“Serious embarrassment to Nigeria. But rather than blame the Chinese, I see something else: the point that other international investors would not want to do business with Nigeria, a country where there is no certainty, where you can reach an agreement with one government and another government would come and change everything and you lose money in the process.” 

“Professor Pat Utomi said that much in his commentary on the Ogun State saga. I won’t be surprised if more people raise an alarm like Prof. Utomi did. It is not only international investors that are at risk. Local investors too. When you try to invest in Nigeria, you get your fingers burnt, that is why people are running away from us. Ask Dangote too. And I think I agree with Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State when he says Nigeria’s politics is full of quacks…they’ve taken it to the lowest level.”

“But do you think President Goodluck Jonathan can help to rescue Nigeria, and restore the years that the locust has eaten if he decides to run in 2027?” 

“Wait, wait, wait! How did we just jump right now from international commerce to President Jonathan coming back to rescue Nigeria in 2027? Where is that coming from?” 

“It is all out there in the public space. Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi was the first to fly the kite. Then, there was a story in Basorun Dele Momodu’s The Boss Newspaper, and yesterday, only this yesterday, ThisDay newspaper carried the same story, saying that there are moves by Northern politicians to draft President Jonathan into the 2027 race after the #EndBadGovernance protests.” 

“Okay you have said it, you say they are flying a kite. I recall when I was a child, we used to fly kites, we even had this competition and the wish that our kites could fly as high as an airplane. Right now, I am not thinking of kites, please. I am concerned about how to get fuel into my car and move around. The situation is worse. The country is literally on its knees.”

“President Tinubu is off to France, for a brief work stay.”

“What has that got to do with what I am saying? They don’t have fuel scarcity in France, for God’s sake.” 

“I get you. I get you. bought fuel at N1, 200 per litre and it was a painful experience queuing at the fuel station. While I am suffering here and other Nigerians are suffering, the President goes to France in a new jet.” 

“I hear he also has a new car, a glamorous, Armoured Cadillac SUV called The Beast. The Chairman. The cost is said to be about N995 million.”

“What a Beast! N995 million. And the new presidential jet is how much?  $100 million? I hope both the jet and the Escalade are not made in China. And I get to go and queue up at petrol stations? And poor Nigerians are asked to make sacrifices for the country and endure hardship? Meanwhile, Nigerian Senators are earning N29 million per month! Is that how to lead by example?” 

“Well, let’s be realistic here. The President of Nigeria is royalty. You cannot expect him to go about like a plebeian. His security is also very important. You can bring up all your #EndBadGovernance narratives but it is an absolutely false equivalent for you to compare your miserable search for fuel to the lifestyle of the Nigerian President. All things fair and well, the President has tried to meet Nigerians halfway before leaving for France. The President has given NNPC Limited the approval to spend savings from petrol subsidy removal - dividends, taxes and royalties- about N7 trillion from August 2023 to December 2024 to pay for petrol subsidy.”

“In other words, the government has finally admitted that there is no fuel subsidy removal anymore. Government has reversed itself! So, subsidy is no longer gone! Subsidy is back! Nigeria, we hail thee! The same people that told us that there is no more fuel subsidy as recently as two months ago have now turned around to say in fact fuel subsidy is the only way forward. What a policy somersault! They have thrown the Petroleum industry Act (PIA) into the dust bin just like that? But does that mean I will now find it easier to buy fuel? Will the fuel queues disappear?” 

“No guarantee for now. But maybe you can buy fuel whenever it is available at a cheaper price.” 

“And when would that be? I am just tired. I don’t know who to trust again in this country, not even the Churches, despite the fact that I am a Christian.”

“As a Christian, you must have faith.” 

“Faith. You say, faith? Faith when Prophet Odumeje, the Liquid Metal, the Indaboski, the Onitsha trader who became a Prophet goes to Russia and says on TikTok that Russia is not at war. Faith when I hear that Pastor Adeboye woke up a person who had died for 11 days with an anointed handkerchief from the church. Faith when Primate Ayodele says Victor Osimhen will end his career if he joins Chelsea because there is a curse on that football club. Is the Primate now running a football ministry?” 

“Have faith brother because on the contrary, the churches are doing well. Davido’s father over the weekend donated a gift of one billion Naira to a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Lagos during a Thanksgiving service in honour of his late mother.” 

“One ginni?”

“One billion. Davido’s father is not called Baba Olowo for nothing. He simply lived up to his reputation. So just know that it is not everybody that is complaining in this country” 

“I just hope that Baba Olowo will also intervene when church elders begin to fight over that One billion Naira. And what is the wisdom in donating N1 billion?”

“He has the right to spend his money the way he deems fit. And why will church elders fight over matters of God. The Bible says...”  

“Forget the Bible. Just this last weekend in Abuja, some church elders pushed the Bible aside and engaged in open combat in their church premises. The FCT Police Command had to fire tear gas to disperse the fighters and put an end to the violence. The police had to lock up the church.”

“United Methodist Church. It was a fight over alien practices introduced by the Church headquarters in the US, which divided the Church.”

“Signs of the end-time. Alien practices in the church. Elders and the congregation fighting for hours. There is nothing we will not see in Nigeria.” 

“I can only say that it is not only the political leaders that are at fault. We, the citizens, have our problems too. Leave the churches alone. The Nigerian Constitution allows people to worship God their own way.”

“Anyway, I see that Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States have declared Tuesday, August 20, Isese Day, a public holiday for traditional religion worshippers.”

 “Fair is fair. So, if you think the churches have disappointed you, you can take the day off to celebrate with the Isese people.”

“I rebuke Satan!” 

“Leave matter. Many Nigerians are traditionalists. They just camouflage. What is important is that people must learn to defend the common good.”

“You are right. I am even surprised that the NYSC has now had to demobilize 54 fake university graduates and they are to face prosecution.”

“Be specific. They are 54 graduates of the University of Calabar, including a campus bread seller.”

“No. This is not about UNICAL. It is a general problem. In fact, it was the Vice Chancellor of the university that raised the alarm. NYSC is praising her for her vigilance. And I suspect it is not new. Can you imagine how many persons have been mobilized for NYSC over the years, holding fake certificates and occupying important positions?” 

“True. Too many quacks indeed in high and low places. What a country!”.   

Nigerian university lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government for a planned nationwide strike.

The notice is part of the resolutions reached at the national executive council meeting of the union, which was held at the University of Ibadan at the weekend.

Although the union is yet to make its position public, a senior member of the union told our correspondent in Abuja that the lecturers agreed to put the Federal Government on a 21-day notice before embarking on the planned industrial action.

ASUU  in July this year threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.

The Chairman of the ASUU Gashua branch in Yobe State, Melemi Abatcha,  in a press briefing at Damaturu, the state capital in July, outlined funding for the revitalisation of Nigerian public universities, and the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement as the major issues plaguing the educational sector.

“Funding for the revitalisation of Nigeria public universities i.e. improved infrastructure, conducive teaching/learning environments, students and staff accommodation, equipping of laboratories and libraries.  Consequently, the Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities have remained on the same salary structure since 2009.

“Even with the directive of Federal Executive Council (FEC) for removal of ASUU from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform since December 2023 till now, ASUU members are still being paid via the obnoxious platform (IPPIS),” he said in a statement.

Among other issues highlighted include university autonomy, the proliferation of public universities, the backlog of earning academic allowances amounting to N50bn, and the withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries of its members across the country.

Prior to that threat, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had on June 26, invited the union for a meeting to deliberate on the lingering issues affecting the universities. However, ASUU members say nothing substantial has since been done about their demands.

The Nigeria Police Force has invited the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero for questioning over an alleged link to terrorism financing and other allegations.

This was contained in a letter issued from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team, Department of Force Intelligence.

The letter, which was signed by Adamu S. Muazu, threatened that failure to honour the invitation would lead to arrest.

According to the letter, the IRT is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrimes.

Reacting to the letter, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his office X handle, called for action against President Bola Tinubu’s government.

He wrote: “The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime is going completely fascist, and we must all together and stop him now! See a letter from @PoliceNG summoning @NLCHeadquarters President @JoeAjaero94024 practically accusing him of treason, terrorism financing and all sorts of heinous crimes. #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #RevolutionNow”.

Famous singer, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, poured his heart out in a recent Instagram live session where he made a heartfelt plea.

The emotional appeal came as a response to the lingering feud between him and his twin brother, Peter Okoye, aka Mr P.

Paul’s question, “Even if we don’t do P-Square, can’t we be brothers? Even if we can’t do music, can’t we be brothers?” to his brother, Peter resonated deeply with fans and followers, who have been witnessing the public fallout between the twins.

The brothers’ relationship has been marred by claims and counterclaims, with Paul initially accusing Peter of getting him arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Peter, however, vehemently denied the allegations, shifting the focus to their elder brother, Jude Okoye, who he claimed was being investigated for embezzling P-Square’s funds. The back-and-forth exchange on social media has left fans divided, with many struggling to comprehend the depth of the issues plaguing the Okoye brothers.

Paul’s heartfelt plea for a brotherly relationship, despite their musical differences, underscores the complexity of their situation as he calls for peace even though they aren’t collaborating musically anymore.