FEATURES
Doyin Okupe, a former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign, has praised President Bola Tinubu as the most prepared leader Nigeria has had since independence in 1960.
Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Okupe dismissed critics who question his support for Tinubu, asserting that his stance is rooted in principle rather than personal gain.
“Those who see what I’m doing with Bola Tinubu today and thinking that it was for personal gain, I told you, they can only be young people who do not know. They don’t know the history; they don’t know what my pedigree is. I am a man that supports what I consider to be fair and just even if it is to my detriment,” he said.
Okupe recounted his longstanding acquaintance with Tinubu, dating back to their NADECO days, emphasizing their shared history despite being on opposite sides politically.
“I met the president, Tinubu, about a week ago. I had not seen him for seven or eight years. I had not spoken to him on the phone. He didn’t talk to me.
“But he’s somebody I know very well politically. We have never been on the same side before in politics but we’ve always shared a relationship since our NADECO days.
“From that time, till when he was governor and left as governor, I’ve had opportunities to sit with Bola Tinubu for hours unending. And he has impressed me, not only as a politician, but as a technocrat, a man capable of deep thinking. He has developmental ideologies and policies at his fingertips. This thing, you don’t learn it. It’s a gift,” Okupe stated.
He likened Tinubu’s leadership qualities to those of the late Obafemi Awolowo, describing both as reformers with a focus on public welfare.
Okupe dismissed claims that Tinubu assumed office without a plan as “nonsense,” asserting that no Nigerian president has been better prepared for governance.
“The last time we had anybody close to him (Tinubu) was Awolowo (Obafemi). Awolowo was a very serious-minded politician, but who had ideas of public policies that would benefit the masses. That is what Bola Tinubu is today.
“Bola Tinubu, you know, in the Villa, we have a reformer, a president who is a reformer. I’ve heard some people saying that Bola Tinubu came to the office without a plan, he has no clue, that is balderdash, that is nonsense.
“I have worked with two past presidents. I have studied other presidents closely from a very close point. I don’t know any Nigerian president from 1960 to date who has come better prepared for governance than this gentleman,” Okupe concluded.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to take over power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
The Party disclosed that the first step towards achieving this goal is to place machineries in place to unite all party members and organs of the party at all levels.
Speaking via a communique issued at the end of the PDP Governors Forum meeting in Jos yesterday, the party called for unity among its members.
It expressed its commitment to maintaining the party as a trusted platform for democratic governance.
In the communique, which was read by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, the governors welcomed the postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in sympathy with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Imo Eno, who lost his wife.
The forum, however, advised the National Working Committee (NWC) to coordinate consultations with party stakeholders to ensure that the meeting is held by February 2025, when all leadership and governance issues must have been addressed.
In the 7-point communiqué, the governors said, “The forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, PDP founding fathers, elders and members of our great party, of the
“The forum wishes to state categorically that it commands resolution in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion of this great party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform for democratic governance.
“The forum is constrained to accept the latest postponement of the National Executive Council of the party in empathy and sympathy with our colleague, His Excellency, Gov Umo Eno Eno, whose late dear wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for NEC.
“The forum expresses empathy for Nigerians suffering from economic difficulties and calls for a review of federal government policies to improve citizens’ welfare.”
The governors raised concerns about the integrity of recent elections, particularly in Edo and Ondo states, alleging manipulation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and calling for judicial and legislative actions to protect democracy.
No fewer than 331 senior civil servants have been promoted within the federal civil service following the conclusion of the 2024 promotion and evaluation process.
The promoted officers were among 697 candidates who participated in the oral interview conducted on November 4, 2024.
The promotion exercise, organized by the Federal Civil Service Commission, targeted officers on Grade Levels 14, 15, and 16.
The promotion exercise began in May 2024, when the commission issued a notice for the annual promotion and evaluation process. Written examinations, known as the “local leg,” were held between August 12 and August 17, 2024.
On October 11, 2024, shortlisted candidates were invited for an oral interview, with an additional list released on October 21, 2024.
The final list of those promoted was detailed in a memo signed by the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa.
“Sequel to the conduct of the Year 2024 Directorate Level Promotion/Evaluation Exercise, the Federal Civil Service Commission has approved the promotion of the following officers in the Federal Civil Service from Salary Grade Levels 14 to 15, 15 to 16, and 16 to 17, respectively, with effect from January 1, 2024,” the memo stated.
According to Punch, out of the 697 candidates who attended the oral interview, only 331 were successfully promoted.
The promotions, effective from January 1, 2024, are expected to motivate senior civil servants to improve service delivery and efficiency within the federal civil service.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of a businessman caught with a large quantity of cocaine.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed the arrest on Sunday via his X account, accompanied by a video displaying the seized contraband.
The businessman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly ingested a substantial quantity of cocaine in an attempt to avoid detection.
Babafemi wrote, “Detty December: Before you swallow those drugs, please remember that the new @ndlea_nigeria has the capacity and capability to catch you.
“The businessman who excreted this amount of cocaine will not only spend Christmas behind bars but also risks a life sentence at the end of his trial. Beware!”
Click the link below to watch the video:
Media
A political scientist, Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge, has submitted that some powerful people have formed a cabal around President Bola Tinubu and are the ones influencing his policies and decisions.
According to him, the cabals are making the President believe he can run Nigeria the same way he ran Lagos State as Governor.
He said Nigerians are crying because of the policies which the cabals around President Tinubu have encouraged him to implement but which are not favourable to the people because Nigeria is not Lagos and should, therefore not be run the same way.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, the Bayero University academic don said cabals are not peculiar to Nigerian politics.
He said they are powerful and influential, but they rarely interfere with the day-to-day running of the government, unlike what is obtained in Nigeria.
He urged President Tinubu to realize he was not elected to satisfy the cabals, but to work for Nigerians.
In his words, “There are very few people directly influencing the policies of the government. Unfortunately, some of them are his political acquaintances or relatives that have been with him. The reality is that those people are the ones he had links with when he was governor. But now, they are trying to make him act as if the policies he took in Lagos are applicable to Nigeria. That is why people are crying. Nigeria is more complex than Lagos.
The president is not for the cabal but Nigeria because he was elected by Nigerians, so he has to look beyond such group of persons.
On what should be the way forward, Professor Fagge urged President Tinubu to be loyal to the people, and not the cabals. He added that the President must find means of hearing and understanding what is going on on the streets so as to adequately meet the needs of the people who elected him.
“The way out of this problem is for the president to accept the fact that he is a democratically elected president. He must be responsible to Nigerians, not very few members of a cabal.
“The president must open other channels of communication from which he will know and hear about the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
“Whatever members of the cabal think the president wants is what they will let him know; and they will shield facts from him. So, he has to acquire such knowledge and facts from other sources, after all, he has so many informal and formal channels by which he can know what is happening in the country. Formally, there are channels in security agencies saddled with the responsibility of informing the president. Then informally, he has other contacts and trustees in other places. I think the sooner the president or any leader is open to the people the better for him and the country,” he submitted.
Less than a week after reports emerged of governors threatening to deny federal lawmakers tickets to vie for National Assembly seats in the 2027 general elections for supporting the Tax Reform Bills, some of the lawmakers have denied the claim.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Deputy Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Mr Philip Agbese, said some governors were threatening to deny federal lawmakers return tickets if they did not withdraw support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills now before the National Assembly for consideration.
The President had transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.
They include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
Reacting to the tax reform proposals, governors of the 19 northern states on October 29, 2024, rejected the proposed shift to a derivation-based model for Value Added Tax distribution, arguing that the model would put the region in a disadvantaged position compared with its southern counterpart.
A few days later, the 36 state governors rejected the bills and asked for their withdrawal to allow room for more consultation.
Agbese, while speaking to Sunday PUNCH on Friday, said the threat against lawmakers was real.
“This has become more than a threat,” he added.
But his colleagues, in separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH, said governors were becoming advocates of the reform bills.
The member representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte/Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, Chike Okafor, said, “I am not aware of some governors threatening to deny their lawmakers return tickets if they support the tax bills. I am from Imo State and a member of the All Progressives Congress, the same party as my governor. I work closely with him. I can confirm that he hasn’t asked us the lawmakers from Imo State not to support the tax bills.
“Don’t forget that he was a consummate lawmaker, having served two unbroken terms in the Senate. Again, don’t forget that he’s the Chairman of the Progressive Governor’s Forum.”
Also, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Babajimi Benson, said governors who were likely to oppose the proposed reforms were those who had not taken time to go through their contents.
“If any governor that has read this bill decides to deny a lawmaker his or her return ticket, it means the governor has not read the bill extensively. But I believe most governors have read the bill and are now in full support of it. I am in full support of this bill because it’s a game-changer and progressive. It redistributes wealth, and leaves no state behind,” Babajimi said.
On his part, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and lawmaker from Niger State, Joshua Gana, played down any threat from state governors, adding that God determines who becomes a leader at any point in time.
“God Almighty raises men into leadership positions in every nation. There’s no threat to any lawmaker on the 2027 ticket to return elected. We are the people’s representatives who will only do what is in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians,” Gana said.
Similarly, a member of the Labour Party from Abia State, Alex Ikwechegh, doubted the possibility of any governor opposed to the bills.
“I’m not aware of this and I don’t think my governor is on that path,” he said.
The bills are expected to be debated by lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 26 plenary sessions.
Meanwhile, the APC and the Labour Party have expressed divergent views on the bills.
The National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, argued that rather than killing the bills, the National Assembly should subject them to further consultations.
The APC spokesman also frowned on the alleged threats and blackmail against the lawmakers, saying such a thing should not be entertained in a democracy.
He said, “Blackmail is not allowed in the constitution neither is it allowed in particularly the type of democracy we are practising in Nigeria. I think what all sides need to do is to engage the instrument of lobby. If you have a mission that you want to scale through, you need to lobby.
“Lobby until you can win the confidence and conviction of the people that are going to deliberate on the issue. So, this tax issue needs to be looked into through wider consultation. All sides need to consult widely. There is a lot of misgivings about it and mischief is also coming in.
“We don’t want the issue to be looked at with an ulterior motive or something that is done to change one part of the country or the other. Let us look at it with a patriotic mind and subject it to proper and additional scrutiny through experts who know what the whole thing is all about. We can then engage the instrument of lobby.”
But the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, wondered why the Tinubu’s administration had been plagued by the ideas of taxation and loans since it was inaugurated on May 29, 2023.
“The only thing I want to say is that there is so much tax being introduced by this government making them look like a government that rules by tax. While they are busy taxing people, they are equally borrowing. Now, the question is, where are all these monies going? Nigerians have yet to feel the benefit.
“It’s not about taxes or how to share the proceeds. It’s about the proper allocations of what has been accrued from the taxes. If you are getting the money and projecting it into making the economy stable and putting food on the tables, that will be fine. But as I’m talking to you, they are still busy discussing when to pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and it is not adding up.
“So, the issue is, taxing Nigeria is killing. The last time I asked, they claimed they are taxing the rich. That is not true. They are taxing everybody because at the end of the day, tax has been added to what the rich put up in the market to sell. So, the people are left with no option but to buy. So, it still trickles down to the masses.”
However, the PDP and NNPP urged the National Assembly to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians over political interests during the discussions.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, emphasised that the bills should not be limited to political party discussions.
He stated “The most important position is that of Nigerians. What should also be important is that all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation, must ensure that there is a taxation system that is fair to all, regardless of where you are from, who you are, the place you live, and even the religion you practise. What is fair should be fair.”
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, urged lawmakers to approach the bill with courage and critically assess it for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Auditor-General’s Report Uncovers ₦197.72 Billion contract fraud Across 32 ministries, departments and agencies
AFOLABI
A report by the Auditor-General of the Federation has exposed irregular payments for contracts totalling over N197.72bn across various ministries, departments, and agencies, raising serious concerns about systemic lapses in financial compliance and procurement processes.
The findings, which are detailed in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses, cover activities between 2020 and 2021.
They reveal violations of established financial regulations and procurement laws, with irregularities affecting multiple MDAs.
The report was released to assist stakeholders, including the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly, in addressing these lapses and recovering the lost funds.
One of the key findings in the report revealed irregularities in the award of contracts totalling N7.39bn.
The breaches occurred in 32 MDAs and contravened Paragraph 2921(i) of the Financial Regulations (2009), which mandates open competitive bidding for all procurement processes.
The Rural Electrification Agency in Abuja recorded the highest irregularity in this category, amounting to N2.12bn, while the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc had the least irregularity, at N11.72m.
The audit report read, “The sum of N7,386,551,051.09 (seven billion, three hundred and eighty-six million, five hundred and fifty-one thousand, fifty-one naira, nine kobo) was the amount of irregularities in the award of contracts by 32 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Rural Electrification Agency, Abuja, has the highest amount of N2,117,143,168.09 (two billion, one hundred and seventeen million, one hundred and three thousand, one hundred and sixty-eight naira, nine kobo), while the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc (NSPM) has the least amount of N11,720,000 (Eleven million, seven hundred and twenty thousand naira).”
Another alarming revelation in the report was the sum of N167.59bn paid for jobs or contracts that were either partially executed or not executed at all.
This contravenes Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations, which prohibits payments for services or goods not yet delivered.
The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc in Abuja accounted for N100bn of these irregular payments, making it the highest in this category.
The National Centre for Women Development recorded the lowest irregularity at N2.17m.
The report read, “The sum of N167,592,177,559.40 (one hundred and sixty-seven billion, five hundred and ninety-two million, one hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred and fifty-nine naira, forty kobo) was the amount of payments for jobs/contracts not executed by 31 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., Abuja, has the highest amount of N100,000,000,000.00 (one hundred billion naira), while the National Centre for Women Development has the least amount of N2,171,766.44 (two million, one hundred and seventy-one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six naira, forty-four kobo).”
The report also uncovered violations of due process in contract awards amounting to N20.33bn across 24 MDAs.
Section 16(21) of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007 requires strict adherence to procurement plans and mandatory approvals before contract awards.
However, the audit found that these requirements were often ignored.
The NSPM in Abuja was responsible for the highest amount of due process violations, totalling N14.14bn, while the Corporate Affairs Commission had the least, at N8.98m.
The report noted, “The sum of N20,334,104,016.27 (twenty billion, three hundred and thirty-four million, one hundred and four thousand, sixteen naira, twenty-seven kobo) was the amount of contracts awarded in violation of due process by 24 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc Abuja, has the highest amount of N14,136,472,333.16 (fourteen billion, one hundred and thirty-six million, four hundred and seventy-two thousand, three hundred and thirty-three naira, sixteen kobo) while the Corporate Affairs Commission has the least amount of N8,980,603.72 (eight million, nine hundred and eighty thousand, six hundred and three naira, seventy-two kobo).”
Also, a total of N2.41bn was discovered to have been paid for contracts exceeding approved financial thresholds without obtaining the required “Certificate of No Objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
This violation affected five MDAs, with the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, recording the highest amount at N1.06bn.
The Federal Medical Centre, Bida, recorded the least amount, at N9.9m.
The report read, “The sum of N2,407,710,913.92 (two billion, four hundred and seven million, seven hundred and ten thousand, nine hundred and thirteen naira, ninety-two kobo) was the amount of contracts awarded above the threshold by five ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria has the highest amount of N1,065,614,232.70 (one billion, sixty-five million, six hundred and fourteen thousand, two hundred and thirty-two naira, seventy kobo) while the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, has the least amount of N9,900,000.00 (nine million, nine hundred thousand naira).”
This report categorised these issues as “cross-cutting”, meaning they were systemic and occurred in at least four MDAs.
It criticised the weak internal controls within the MDAs and highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of financial regulations.
The Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly have been notified of the findings, with recommendations to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.
The revelations have sparked concerns about the government’s ability to manage public funds efficiently, particularly at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic challenges such as inflation and rising debt.
The audit findings highlight the urgent need for reforms to restore public confidence in the country’s financial management system.
CACOL demands probe
Meanwhile, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N4.64bn by the Ministry of Works and Housing, under the leadership of Babatunde Fashola.
An audit report by the Auditor-General for the Federation had also uncovered financial irregularities totaling over N4.64bn in the Federal Ministry of Works (Housing Sector) between 2020 and 2021.
The report details several issues, including payments made without proper documentation, extra-budgetary expenditures, mobilisation fees exceeding approved thresholds, and contracts awarded without following due process.
The Auditor-General recommended that the Permanent Secretary of the ministry justify the payments, recover the funds, and remit them to the treasury.
The audit report also recommended that evidence of compliance should be submitted to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committees, failing which sanctions under Paragraph 3106 of the Financial Regulations should apply.
Reacting to the report, the Executive Director of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, expressed concern over the findings, describing it as a betrayal of public trust.
Adeniran urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to expedite the investigation into the matter and hold those responsible accountable.
“It is not surprising that such cases of misappropriation, misapplication of funds, outright embezzlement, and other misdemeanor will happen. President Bola Tinubu must not be nepotistic about this revelation.
“This must not be covered up; the government must ensure that justice is done and anybody who is found culpable in the allegations must be punished.
“Further investigation should be carried out and nobody should be bigger than the law; whoever is culpable should be made to face the course of justice,” Adeniran said.
Efforts to get Fashola to respond to the allegations proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his number were neither answered nor replied.
Nigerian clergyman cum filmmaker, Mike Bamiloye, has made a case for some pastors who are enduring their marriage.
Naija News reports that the actor, in a post via his social media page, claimed that many pastors are not enjoying their marriages due to their wives’ behaviours.
According to Bamiloye, many pastors’ wives use their husbands’ profession to blackmail them.
He said that the pastors’ wives believe their husbands cannot beat or divorce them like other men, so they act as they like.
He wrote,
“Some women believe that a pastor cannot beat them like unbelievers or divorce them at will. They use the man’s calling/ministry to blackmail him. Several pastors are not enjoying their marriage but enduring it.”
The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that its Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit has recovered unexploded military ordnances in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Saturday that the explosive was discovered following reports from vigilant residents.
He said the operatives recovered six (6) unexploded projectiles and one (1) mortar bomb near an uncompleted building in the Dala Kacchallah area.
Adejobi noted that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged members of the public to refrain from handling suspicious objects and to report such discoveries to the police promptly.
The statement added, “The Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit has again successfully recovered unexploded military ordnances in Maiduguri on 22nd November 2024, following reports from vigilant residents. Acting swiftly, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team was deployed to secure the affected areas. All ordnances were safely evacuated without any loss of life, injury, or property damage, and normalcy has been restored.
“Reports indicate that the items, washed ashore by recent flooding, were abandoned by local scavengers. Similarly, at the Gwange Riverbank, a military hand grenade was discovered. In both instances, the EOD-CBRN team safely removed the ordnances, declared the areas safe, and conducted explosive risk awareness campaigns to sensitize residents.
“Commending the professionalism and prompt response of the EOD-CBRN Unit, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM has assured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to ensuring public safety and security. The IGP also noted that the EOD team in Borno State has been consistent in responsiveness and professionalism in preventing series of calamities as many IEDs have been safely recovered in many instances within the state. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origins of the recovered items and to prevent future occurrences.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mandate to protect lives and property across Maiduguri and its environs.”
Northern Elders Reject Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill - Says It Is Poorly Packaged And Conceived In Bad Faith
AFOLABI
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says the proposed tax reforms by President Bola Tinubu are not in the best interest of the northern region.
The forum said the Tax Reform Bill by President Tinubu, which is currently before the National Assembly, is poorly packaged and was conceived in bad faith.
The position of NEF was made known in a communique signed by its convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, and released to newsmen on Saturday.
According to him, the position was adopted during the second bi-annual meeting of the NEF Board of Trustees held on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center, Abuja.
The forum submitted that the bill, in its present form, is a palpable threat to their unity and national cohesion. It added that those promoting the bill have sinister intentions.
It also condemned the silence of the National Assembly lawmakers from the north on the bill, stating that they should have rejected it as well.
The communique partly reads; “The meeting unanimously endorsed the patriotic stand taken on the raging national debate about the Tax Reform Bill by the Northern States Governors’ Forum in conjunction with the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, just as it reaffirmed the NEF’s strong opposition to this pernicious policy.
“In addition, the meeting seriously maintained, that, in its present form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged and it is a palpable threat to our unity and national cohesion. The Meeting proceeded by drawing attention to the brazen cavalier way and suspicious manner in which the Tax Reform Bill was imposed on the nation, without allowing the inputs of critical stakeholders, even as it kept members of the National Economic Council in the dark, thus; confirming the sinister intentions of those promoting this outrageous Bill.
“The Board-in-session, condemned in very strong terms, the conspicuous loss of voice on this burning issue by the overwhelming number of elected politicians in the National Assembly from the region, and fiercely warned, that indeed, the days are fast gone, when such conspiratorial connivance against the vital and strategic interest of the region, either by those within or outside the region, would be condoned or even tolerated.”
The NEF, by their stand, endorsed the position of the Northern States Governors’ Forum in conjunction with the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, in rejecting the proposed Tax Reform Bill by President Bola Tinubu.
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The bandit group, Lakurawa, has become an addition to the recognized number of insurgents and bandits terrorizing communities in Nigeria.
Like Boko Haram, Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), and other bandit groups, Lakurawa is reportedly propagating radicalism in the Northern region.
The Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Alhaji Isa Salihu Kalenjeni, in a report had earlier revealed that the group occupies five local governments in the state. However, states like Kebbi has felt the radical activities of Lakurawa.
Like all bandits, the Lakurawa group forces communities to pay some taxes and rob others. Unfortunately, they are actively recruiting youths with the sum of ₦1 million.
“They are forcing people to pay Zakkat and at the same time robbing people of their belongings. Just recently, they robbed a shop owner of ₦2 million. They also seized his car and released it after he paid ₦350,000″, Kalenjeni stated.
A North-born soldier, Mohammed Abubakar, who has been active in the fight against insurgency and banditry across the North East and North West, spoke with Naija News on Lakuwara, banditry and insurgency in the region.
Abubakar told our reporter that the Lakurawa group shares the same ideology as Boko-Haram and ISWAP. According to him, the bandit group migrated to the North West, Sokoto, from the North East. He added that they also infiltrated the North East from Niger and other border countries within the Lake Chad region.
This was corroborated in the Naija News report. The Tangaza council chair, Kalenjeni, said the Lakurawa migrated from Libya, Mali and Niger Republic and camped at Tsauni forest.
What is the meaning of Lakurawa and who are the Lakurawa? How did this group come about the name?
“Lakurawa is not a new word or new name. It is like a name that was dead before which is now revived to life. These people appeared with the name.
“The Lakurawas have not been new or a new terrorist group. It is actually a tribe and it is a kind of community, a long community on the Lake Chad axis. These guys are a reincarnation of Boko Haram we have in the North East. Just that the name changed,” Abubakar said.
Lakurawa’s ideology, he disclosed, is to make the region an Islamic state. Lakurawa wants Islamic laws to replace the Constitution. He told Naija News the approach and operations were wrong and there was more to the banditry of the bandits.
“They are of the ideology of Islamic state. That is implementing Islamic laws in the North East and North West also. They want a re-establishment of Islamic laws in those particular states, because they believe most people from those states are predominantly Muslims.
“They think the Sharia Law should be implemented in those states. Which is their ideology and demand and that is what they fight for, practically, but in reality, they are fighting it in wrong approach,” he stated.
On the group paying ₦1 million to youths to join them, the Nigeria Army officer who has been active in the fight against Boko Haram and bandits across North East and North West regions disclosed that Lakurawa’s mode of recruitment was not new.
He stressed that with the harsh economy and the high amount they are paying, many youths would join them. He recalled that other bandit groups recruited their members by paying ₦50,000. He regretted that many youths would join for the price of ₦1 million. He noted that the high recruitment offer could hinder the fight to eliminate the group.
“The current situation of the country right now is on heat. That is to say poverty is at its peak, insecurity, insurgency, unemployment and all that. So naturally, it is going to affect youths.
“The North is in abject poverty, so any offer like that they will not reject to accept it. They would have to collect, even though it is less than that.
“I remember some years back in the North Eastern part of the country when they were just offered ₦50,000 with an AK 47. Now that they have more than enough, even if it is ₦100,000, not up to a million who would refuse to accept such an offer.
“So it is going to affect. A lot of youths would gladly join such movement,” Abubakar told Naija News.
He emphasized that the addition of Lakurawa to the number of bandits and terrorist groups they are fighting has not been easy, but soldiers are winning.
“The soldiers have been trying so far, gathering intelligence to execute military operations. Since 2012 to date, soldiers have been very much engaged in fighting terrorists in the North East and North West region,” he stated.
Abubakar, however, emphasized that to end banditry and insurgency, youths must be provided with jobs. He decried the lack of unemployment in the Northern region. He also highlighted illiteracy as one of the factors that should be addressed to tackle insurgency and banditry.
“The youths in the North are mostly unemployed. We have the highest number of unemployed youths in the North. This is one of the reasons these people (bandits) are getting more population (recruits).
“The Northern governors really need to put their heads and hands together to be able to curb the issue of unemployment, Then literacy level, one of the issues promoting this insurgency is level of literacy.
“Some of Northern youths lack basic knowledge of both the religious ideology and Western education ideology. And as such it is easy for you to manipulate them. I think these are the key areas the governments need to put hands together to be able to curb issue of insurgency and reduce the number of youths signing up for banditry.
“If industries are built, youths will not have enough time to even sign up and listen to such ideologies that promote insurgency, particularly in the North East and North West part of the country,” Abubakar advised.
According to him, politicians have hands in the insecurity ravaging the Northern region. He pointed out that insecurity in the region and bandits activities are flourishing because of politicians’ involvement. The North-born soldier alleged that through bandits’ activities, politicians exploit natural resources in the region for their gains.
“Poor governance and political class contribute a lot to insecurity in the country. This is in the sense that these wars (banditry and insurgent ) are for economical purposes, economical selfish gains.
“Previously, there was banditry in North West but it was not as it is right now. Today, you can’t be able to go to Jibia comfortably. Kebbi is rated one of the most peaceful states in the whole North, but today, there are places you can’t go to easily due to banditry activities.
“All as a result of poor governance and selfish political interest and economic interest that our politicians signed up for. There is no way banditry can be in a particular place without the hands of the government.
“My own experience over the years, this insurgency is all about economic exploitation. Where there are minerals resources there is always war. Who are the people benefitting from this? If you look at it, banditry is going on within the borders of those particular regions.
“In the North East, North West, the war is on the borders of the states than the capital city. As such, these are areas where these mineral resources are being exploited and taken out of the country. It is just like political conspiracy to make us believe there is war while it is mineral exploitation system that is going on,” Abubakar added.
State governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have called on President Bola Tinubu to review his administration’s economic policies to address current hardship in the land.
The governors made the call in a communique issued in Jos, Plateau State, after their two-day meeting, which ended on Saturday.
The Communique signed by Senator Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor, who is the chairman of the Governor’s forum, read, “The Forum empathizes with Nigerians who are groaning under the oppressive economic hardship foisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government.
“The Forum calls on the President to urgently review both macroeconomic and fiscal policies that will address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.
“The Forum wishes to pledge that all PDP Governors will continue to aggressively pursue policies and programs that will reduce the hardship and ensure progress and development.”
The meeting, held at the Plateau State Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, was attended by the principal organs of the party: l NWC, PDP-GF, BOT, NASS Forum, Former Governors Forum, Former Ministers’ Forum and other leaders of the party.
The communique added, “The Forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, PDP founding fathers, elders and members of our great Party of seeming divisions within the ranks and files. The Forum wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion of this great Party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform for democratic governance.
“The Forum is constrained to accept the latest postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Party in empathy with our colleague, H.E. Governor Eno Bassey, whose late dear wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for NEC. Once again, the Forum wishes to commiserate with our colleague and pray that God will grant him and the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“The Forum is strongly advising the NWC to call NEC by the first week of February 2025 to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the Party. The period between November and February is to address the existential problems confronting the Party, with a deliberate timeline of activities within the period under review to address issues of leadership and litigations confronting the Party.
“The Forum notes with concern the rape of democracy in Edo Governorship elections. It is clear to everyone with a conscience that INEC manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate when, in fact, the majority of lawful votes were won by the PDP candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo. Meanwhile, we are still examining the documents in the Ondo elections, where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes. The Forum calls on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into our electoral laws to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people.
“The Forum recognises the good work that the majority of members of NASS are doing. NASS is therefore called upon to critically interrogate all bills to ensure fairness, equity, national balance and even development nationally.
“The Forum commiserates with the Government and people of Plateau State on the recent Katako market fire incident, which destroyed properties worth millions of Naira. The Forum also commiserates with the Government and people of Jigawa State on the recent tanker expulsion whereby scores of people lost their lives, and several others were injured.
“The Forum expresses its gratitude to the Government and People of Plateau State for not only hosting the meeting but extending to all the participants the hospitality for which Jos is reputed. In particular, the meeting commends the Government of the State for the visible and laudable transformation in social services, tourism and transportation that have taken place and ensures all Nigerians look forward, with GENUINE HOPE, to the replication of this not only presently but after 2027 when the party would reclaim its rightful position in the Nigerian political scene.”
Our Correspondent reports that the Governors who attended the meeting included Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State) – Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum; Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State) – Host Governor; Agbu Kefas (Taraba State); Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State); Seyi Makinde (Oyo State); and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State).
The Delta and Enugu state governors were represented by their deputies, Monday Onyeme and Ifeanyi Ossai, respectively.
Five Nigerian pastors and others residing in the Idabato II community of Cameroon, formerly known as the Bakassi Peninsula, have been arrested and detained by the Cameroonian authorities.
Their detention followed the kidnap of the community’s Divisional Officer, Ewane Roland, by armed men in early October.
A former chairman of the Yoruba community in the defunct Bakassi Peninsula, Eniola Alabo, disclosed this to Saturday PUNCH during an interview on Tuesday.
Local media had reported that Roland, alongside another official of the council, Etongo Ismaeil, was whisked away on October 1, 2024, by gunmen who used a flying boat in the coastal area.
According to Alabo, the Cameroonian government blamed Nigerians in the area for Roland’s abduction and deployed soldiers to arrest them.
“The Gendarmerie came to the community and started shooting sporadically into the air on the day they arrested some of these Nigerians,” Alabo said.
The man explained that his compatriots in the troubled community called and explained that the incident had plunged them into panic and anxiety in the border town.
During the raid, some Nigerians, including Iseoluwa Eniola, Feran Ajimosun, Idowu Ajimosun, Abiola Ajimosun, Blessing Ajimosun, Sunny Bassey, Feran Samagbeyi, and Godwin were detained in Idabato II.
Governor locks down community
Saturday PUNCH gathered that Cameroon’s South-West Governor, Bernard Okalia, visited Idabato on October 8, 2024.
He was said to have declared a total lockdown of the area, which had mostly Nigerians who were fishermen.
Okalia was said to have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to both Nigerians and Cameroonians in the community to produce Roland alive.
A clip of the visit, obtained by our correspondent, showed him saying, “All shops are closed…the churches are closed till further notice. No exit, no entry in this whole Idabato.”
Alabo said Nigerians in the community were rendered economically handicapped, leading to hunger and frustration.
Residents, however, reportedly defied the governor’s order in the first week of November to go about their fishing business.
“They stayed at home doing nothing for three weeks. The people were hungry because their source of livelihood was put on hold. They had to go out to eat,” Alabo said.
The action was said to have angered the Cameroonian authorities, who deployed soldiers in Idabato on the 10th and 11th of November 2024 to arrest Nigerians in the community.
According to Alabo, the soldiers invaded the community and started shooting sporadically in the air, which made many Nigerians suffer varying degrees of injury.
Pastors arrested
During the lockdown imposed on Nigerians in Idabato II, churches were also locked.
But when Nigerians began attending to their normal activities, churches also opened on Sunday to Christians.
“Some soldiers invaded the Assembly Church of God in the area and arrested the Nigerian pastors there because they were told not to engage in any activities,” the Bakassi Peninsula ex-leader said.
“The names of the pastors arrested by Cameroonian soldiers that day were Adeleke Omoniye, Cascar Ubom, Etim Asuquo, Olamide Ayeye, and Umoh Atete.”
Buttressing the claims, one of the Nigerian leaders in Idabato, who identified himself as Johnson for security reasons, said the lives of the pastors were in danger.
Johnson said the pastors were whisked away by the Cameroonian soldiers to unknown places.
“The Cameroonian soldiers took the pastors away,” Johnson said. “A few days later, we heard that they have been released, but we’ve not seen them.”
The source also said the incident forced many people to relocate to neighbouring communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
“We are in panic,” the source revealed. “The Cameroonian authorities have made life unbearable for Nigerians in Idabato. We have all the major tribes of Nigeria here. We have Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik, and other people.”
Woman died
During the lockdown, a Nigerian woman, Esther Okon died after giving birth to a baby on the 20th of October, 2024.
Okon reportedly bled to death after giving birth as she could not receive any medical treatment from the hospital.
One of the executives of the Nigerian Union in Idabato, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed this, adding that the woman had been in labour since 19th October.
The source said Okon would not have died if she had been transported to Ibaka in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State but there was no movement.
“It takes only two hours by a speedboat but if we see a flying boat, it is just 45 minutes to get her to Akwa Ibom,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, another Nigerian man, who claimed to be Okon’s husband’s friend and did not disclose his identity for security reasons, said her corpse was repatriated to Nigeria after some documents were signed with the Cameroonian authorities.
Tax payments
One of the problems causing conflicts between the Cameroonian authorities and Nigerians in Idabato is the payment of taxes.
The authorities had accused Nigerian nationals in Idabato of evading taxes but proof of adherence to the payment of taxes was shown to them on many occasions, Johnson said.
“We have documents like receipts issued to us as evidence after the payments of taxes. It is called global tax collected annually,” the source added.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that some of the taxes might not have been remitted to appropriate quarters.
Failed interventions
When asked about the possible intervention of the offices of Consulate-Generals of the two West African countries, the Nigerian nationals said their efforts had not yielded results.
“I have gone to the office of the Consulate-General of Cameroon in Nigeria, but nothing happened. I was not allowed to see the woman. I learned that she is a new person appointed,” Alabo said.
All efforts to reach the Consulate-General of Cameroon in Nigeria were futile as both numbers and email addresses on their website appeared dormant as of the time of filing this report.
NiDCOM reaction
Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission disclosed to Saturday PUNCH that the matter was for the consular division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle.
While explaining why it was not in the jurisdiction of the NiDCOM, the commission’s Head of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun said the issue now involved Nigeria and Cameroon.
“NiDCOM only engages in matters relating to Nigerian individuals in the diaspora,” Balogun said. “This case is between two governments. It should be handled by the consular office.”
“Moreover, I am not aware of the incident,” NiDCOM spokesman added.
The efforts to reach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the issue did not yield result as the number was not connecting.
A message was sent to the email address of the ministry but there was no response as of the time of filing this report.
In 2002, the International Court of Justice awarded the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.
On June 12, 2006, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Cameroonian President Paul Biya signed the Greentree Agreement, which outlined the withdrawal of Nigerian troops and transfer of authority.
Some Nigerians left the community to move to the coastal areas belonging to Nigerian states namely Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
Meanwhile, about 50,000 Nigerians are still residents of the Bakassi Peninsula, claiming that the now Idabato community remains their ancestral home despite being under the control of Cameroon.
The Anambra State Police Command said it has arrested two suspects, including a native doctor, for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery.
The command said it also recovered one pump action, the victim’s vehicle and other incriminating items from the suspects.
This was disclosed by the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a press statement on Saturday, adding that the arrest was made following the testimony of a rescued kidnapped victim.
The statement read in part, “Following the testimony of a rescued kidnapped victim on 22/11/2024 by 6pm near Abagana Girls Secondary School, joint security forces comprising of Police and Anambra Vigilantes busted a shrine of a native doctor at Uru, Abagana and arrested two suspects.
“During a manhunt on two others, the police also recovered one pump action, the victim’s vehicle, rope, horsewhip and other incriminating items. The suspects included one Maduabuchukwu, Ikechukwu Okafor age 30yrs, and Nweze Chijindu aged 38yrs all natives of Abagana while One Supuluchukwu Nweze and Sunday Nwakanze aged 30yrs are presently at large.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was lured to the location by a phone call allegedly initiated by Sunday Nwakanze. The victim was abducted at gunpoint, dispossessed of valuables, and transported to a shrine where he was restrained using ropes and had his mouth sealed.
“The two suspects confessed to the crime and are currently assisting the Police with information for possible arrest of other gang members.”
Ikenga assured all that the command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in Anambra State.
