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Nigerians have lamented that despite the reduction in the price of petrol, transporters have failed to effect a reduction in transport fares nationwide.
These angry Nigerians added that instead, the prices are still going up.
The PUNCH reported that on December 19, 2024, the Dangote refinery reduced the ex-depot price of its petrol from N970 to N899.50 per litre.
This sparked intense pricing competition in the downstream sector, forcing the NNPCL to reduce its ex-depot price to N899 per litre.
Similarly, the refinery announced its partnership with MRS Petrol station to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre, to the delight of Nigerians.
President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has clarified that the recent reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, to N899.50 per litre at its loading gantry was primarily driven by the complex dynamics of market forces.
However, Nigerians have lamented that though there is a reduction in the petrol price, transporters have failed to reflect the change in the transport fare.
An X User, #AsiwajuOladimeji posted, “When PMS was N1,200 a litre, transporters increased transport fares. The price of PMS has come down and there is no reduction in the transport fares. Sometimes it’s not about the government. We are also greedy as human beings.”
Another X User, #Arakunrin, stated, “While the harsh reality is that our people are avaricious. The normal fare from Oshodi to Iyana-Ipaja is N500, but after the price of fuel increased, it went up to N700. Now that the price of fuel came down before Christmas it is N1000. This has left me wondering all day,”
A user, #Brendan Champion, opined that the slight reduction in fuel price is not enough to trigger a reduction in transportation costs.
#Undisputed pointed out that the rate the drivers were collecting when the fuel price was N1200 was not enough.
“The fare the drivers were collecting when the price was N1200 wasn’t even enough. If you want to a drastic reduction, then effect a drastic reduction in the fuel price to at least what it was before,”
Another user, #Wemmy, said, “I am not a transporter, but the increase in transport fares was not equal to the increase in the fuel. There was over a 500 per cent increase in fuel price but the increase in transport fares never passed 100 to 200 per cent.”
Also, a user, #Agha Nigerian, said, “It is pathetic honestly speaking. This is what we are discussing now. Imagine the transport fare from Berger to Mowe is now N1000 just because of the programme at the Redeem Camp.”
Another user, Linus Lincoln, said that the amount which members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers are charging drivers is much
NACCIMA reacts
Meanwhile, the President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr Dele Oye, mentioned that the major cause was the dollar.
“The main thing that affects all the prices is the dollar. The dollar is affecting power, it is affecting everything in our lives. Because we are a demand economy,” Oye said.
According to him, another major factor is the fact that Nigeria is not a supply economy.
“We are not a supply economy. A demand economy means most of the things you use are goods from outside Nigeria. If we were a supply economy, it would be that most of the things we can produce, like Turkey, which is a supply economy,” he said.
The NACCIMMA president stated that Nigeria’s production capacity can’t handle 30 per cent of the country’s needs.
“Our production capacity is not even 30 per cent of our needs. So that’s why everything, all the vehicles on the road, imagine all of them, 99 per cent are imported,” Oye stated.
He maintained that the only way Nigeria’s economy can grow is to provide single-digit capital for the private sector.
“Once they have those single digits, it will increase production and people will be able to buy the goods. Import substitution,” he advised.
The Labour Party has declared its capability to win the 2027 presidential election without forming a coalition, emphasising its strong grassroots support and appeal to Nigerians.
The party reiterated that its performance in the 2023 elections demonstrated its potential to independently challenge and unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made the assertion on Sunday in an interview with The PUNCH, denying recent rumours of a coalition agreement with Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“As it stands, Labour Party has not been approached or invited to any meeting whatsoever to discuss a coalition. What we see already is that people are thinking of alternatives and how best elections can be won in a landslide against the ruling APC,” Ifoh said.
“Labour Party didn’t need any coalition in 2023 when it gathered millions of votes from Nigerians who wanted Labour Party to take over the leadership of the nation. We will continue to say that the system played a trick on both Nigerians and Labour Party.
“We know LP has what it takes to win elections at the highest level and we demonstrated that in 2023. If elections were to hold again today, Labour Party would even do it in a bigger way because the government of the day has failed. Everything that Labour Party stands for and canvassed in 2023 is what Nigeria needs at the moment. So we do not even really need a coalition to win the election.”
Ifoh,however, said the LP had not foreclosed the possibility of a merger if the terms were right.
He said, “The idea of a coalition is not bad. If Labour Party is approached, the party will look into it to scrutinise see the merits and its demerits.
“Again, we only see individuals talking. The opposition parties have not called for any meeting or take the initiative for discussion until when the time comes.”
Ifoh’s statement comes in response to speculation fuelled by reports suggesting a possible coalition between LP, PDP, and NNPP ahead of the 2027 elections.
These claims were, however, recently dismissed by Kwankwaso and Obi, both of whom denied any involvement in such discussions.
Kwankwaso, speaking in a BBC Hausa interview last week, stated, “I have not communicated with either Atiku or Obi,” adding that he had maintained a neutral stance through the end of last year.
Similarly, Obi, in a press conference last Friday, distanced himself from the rumours, saying, “I am not a party to any arrangement of this nature.”
However, in response to Kwankwaso, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, argued that the PDP was not death, stressing that President Bola Tinubu and the APC cannot be defeated in 2027 except through a merger, which must include the PDP
He stated, “The PDP is the only party that has consistently won elections without being in power. Senator Kwankwaso may have left, but how many states did he win with his new party? The facts speak for themselves.
“For over two decades, the PDP has remained steadfast, maintaining its identity and producing governors and lawmakers in every part of the country. Even if four parties merge without the PDP, they cannot win an election. We’ve seen this play out repeatedly. Where are those parties now? Even their alliances with other parties have not delivered the desired results.”
At least five persons were killed when a tanker ladened with petrol lost control and burst into flames on Sunday afternoon in Delta State.
The accident occurred in the Agbor Ika South Local Government Area of the state.
Residents of the area were seen in viral videos scampering for safety as the raging fire devoured the tanker and nearby buildings and structures.
Emergency responders are expected to commence rescue operations.
In October 2024, a fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa State killed more than 170 people, with scores injured.
Tanker explosions occurred in Nigeria at a time when petrol has become a precious commodity in Africa’s most populous country, which is suffering its worst economic crisis in a generation.
Many are struggling to get access to gasoline, as its price has spiked more than fivefold since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office in May 2023.
Inflation has been peaking at more than 30 per cent for months, reaching an almost three-decade high of over 34 per cent in June, down to 32.7 per cent in September.
More than half — 56 per cent — of Nigerians are living under the poverty line, up from 40 per cent in 2018, according to a World Bank report.
At least 59 people died in September when a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle in northwestern Niger state.
Media
Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied reports of rumours of him dumping the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Posting on X, the former governor wrote: “Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers.”
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Osita Okechukwu, on Sunday said President Bola Tinubu has boosted his chances of getting South-East votes in 2027.
Okechukwu said if Tinubu can fulfill his promises of bringing investors to the South-East, he would have boosted his chances of getting the region to vote for him in the next election.
Tinubu had on Saturday embarked on his first official working visit to the South-East with a trip to Enugu State.
During the visit, he commissioned projects initiated by the state governor, Peter Mbah.
The projects commissioned include 30 smart green schools, 60 completed type 2 primary health centres, and the 19-kilometre Airport-New Haven–Bisalla and Okpara Square roads.
At a meeting with South-East stakeholders, the President said the removal of petrol subsidy was necessary to build the nation and protect the interests of future generations.
The President also pledged that his administration would support the development of the Anambra Basin as a significant energy reserve.
The basin is estimated to hold up to 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Tinubu as saying: “It is a work in progress. I inherited some of these critical problems and am committed to solving them.
“On the support of the gas infrastructure. Sure, gas is an alternative to petrol. There is no wasting of time than to invest more in it. We will do it together, and I am lucky I have good governors.
“President Bola Tinubu has made a firm commitment that his administration will complete the Eastern Rail line connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. President Tinubu gave the assurance during an interactive session with South East leaders during his official visit to Enugu State on Saturday.
“The President also pledged that his administration would support the development of the Anambra Basin as a significant energy reserve. The basin is estimated to hold up to 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.”
Reacting, Okechukwu commended Tinubu for taking time off his busy schedule to visit Enugu State, the Capital of the South-East geopolitical zone, where he got the least votes during the 2023 presidential election.
In a statement he signed, the former Voice of Nigeria, VON, Director General, said his commendation is predicated on tripartite grounds: “One is that the state visit accorded Mr President the golden opportunity to assess the unfortunate infrastructure deficit in the South-East geopolitical zone.
“Secondly, it also obliged Mr President interaction arena with the leadership of our zone.
“Thirdly, his uncommon pledge to embark on Standard Gauge Railways in Eastern Corridor like Western Corridor, Gas Pipeline and modernisation of security apparatus in the region.
“What else will boost our electoral chances in 2027 general elections than shopping for investors and implement these projects?
“Methinks these pledges and their implementation will boost Mr President’s electoral fortunes in the South-East geopolitical zone in 2027 presidential election.”
BUA Refinery and Petrochemical has announced that it is on track to complete its $3.8 billion plant in Akwa Ibom.
In a statement on Saturday, the firm dismissed reports that the refinery is 90 percent complete.
The clarification comes amid reports that the 200,000-barrel-per-day refinery is 90 percent completed.
However, the company described the report as misleading.
“Contrary to a misleading report stating that our 200,000 barrels/day refinery is
at 90% completion, BUA wishes to advise the public to disregard such misleading
reports that did not emanate from us.
“As we make remarkable strides on our Akwa lbom refinery project, we are proud to Share that construction is progressing steadily. Whilst the refinery is not at 90 percent completion, we are, however, on track to meet our delivery timelines in collaboration with our partners.”
DAILY POST reports that in January 2024, the Dangote Refinery kicked off theproduction of petroleum products.
The 650,000 barrels per day refinery started rollout of petrol in September 2024.
Most recently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited announced that Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have restarted operations after rehabilitation in November and December 2024.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari to “account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing N825bn and $2.5bn meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation’ and other oil revenues, as documented in the 2021 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
SERAP said the annual report was published on Thursday 27 November 2024.
SERAP urged Kyari “to identify those suspected to be responsible for the disappeared oil money and hand them over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”
SERAP also urged him “to formally invite former president Olusegun Obasanjo to tour Nigeria’s refineries and to extend your invitation to the EFCC and ICPC to monitor the operations of the refineries, and any spending on them, including the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.”
In the letter dated 4 January 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “We welcome your timely public invitation to former president Obasanjo ‘to tour the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
“While your invitation is clearly not ‘disrespectful’, contrary to the claims by the former president because no one is above the law, we urge you to formally invite him, and to extend your invitation to the EFCC and ICPC for the sake of transparency and accountability.”
SERAP also said, “Your public invitation to Obasanjo is well-justified, and entirely consistent with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations on the obligations of the NNPCL and the roles of citizens in preventing and combating grand corruption.”
The letter, read in part: “The grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, national anticorruption laws, and the country’s international obligations.”
“The allegations have also undermined economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprived them of opportunities.”
“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 the NNPCL to comply with our requests in the public interest.”
“According to the recently published 2021 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) failed to account for over N825 billion and USD$2.5 billion of public funds meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation’ and repairs, and other oil revenues.”
“The Auditor-General fears that the money may be missing.”
“The NNPCL reportedly failed to account for over N82 billion [N82,951,595,510.47] meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation and repairs.’ The ‘money was deducted from the sale of Crude Oil and Gas between 2020 and 2021’.”
“The Auditor-General fears the money may be missing. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the Federation Account. He also wants the NNPCL ‘to ensure that the amounts due for the Federation Account are not subjected to any deductions before remittance of net.’”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N343 billion [N343,642,598,726.51] ‘being proceeds from domestic crude sales.’ The ‘money, meant for ‘pipelines maintenance and management costs, was unilaterally deducted from the gross domestic crude sales.’”
“The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury. He also wants the NNPCL to hand over those suspected to be involved to the EFCC and ICPC.”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N83 billion [N83,659,813,739.99] ‘being miscellaneous income from the NNPC joint venture operations from 2016 to 2020.’ The ‘money was withdrawn from the CBN/NNPC sinking fund account [a suspense account].’”
“The Auditor-General is concerned that this practice ‘has led the Federation to resort to borrowings.’ He wants ‘the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.’”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N204 billion [N204,853,744,047.39] ‘being unjustified deductions from the oil royalties for 2021.’ The ‘money was due to Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).’”
“The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N3.7 billion [N3,748,581,281.27] ‘being money purportedly paid to a Company as a shortfall on sales of MT cargo of PMS.’ The Auditor-General fears the money may be missing. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N28 billion [N28,654,179,867.00] ‘being outstanding bridging allowance from NNPC retail for 2021.’”
“The NNPCL failed to account for over N13.5 billion [N13,5559,658,148.91] ‘being outstanding bridging allowance claims from three major oil marketers in 2021.’”
“The Auditor-General is concerned that this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants ‘the money recovered from both the NNPC retail and the major oil marketers and remitted to the Federation Account.’”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N15 billion [N14,134,947,949.80 and N1,087,533,332.62] ‘being outstanding revenues from debts owed by twenty-six marketers for 2021.’ The Auditor-General wants ‘the money recovered from the oil marketers and remitted to the Federation Account.’”
“The NNPCL reportedly failed to account for over $29.6 million [$29,648,970.36] ‘being outstanding royalties payable to the Department of Petroleum Resources CBN account.’ The Auditor-General is concerned this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants the money recovered.’”
“The NNPCL failed to collect over $2 billion [$2,260,448,992.45] ‘being outstanding oil royalties from oil companies for 2021’, and failed to collect over N48 billion [N48,218,163,192.67] ‘also being outstanding oil royalties from oil companies.’”
“The Auditor-General fears that ‘the money may be missing.’ He is concerned that this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants ‘the money recovered from the oil companies and remitted to the Federation Account.’”
SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
“The Auditor-General has for many years documented reports of disappearance of public funds from the NNPC. Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing public funds meant for refinery rehabilitation.”
The Nigerian Army said on Sunday that its troops in operations conducting anti-oil theft operations have destroyed 20 illegal refining sites, arrested 11 crude oil thieves and confiscated 190,000 litres of Stolen products.
Troops also destroyed 31 boats used for siphoning and transporting stolen products while seven (7) vehicles intercepted with over 190,000 litres of stolen products were recovered during the operation.
A statement by the Army said troops in collaboration with other security agencies, achieved the fear “after scaling up ongoing strangulation operations aimed at dismantling the network of criminal enterprise run by oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
It said the operations were conducted from 30 December 2024 to 5 January 2025.
“In a deliberate operations conducted around Oando wellhead at Benkrukru at Okordia general area in Yenagoa, Local Government Area (LGA), Four oil sewage were discovered.
“The sewage were filled with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Additionally, one sunction machine and about 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) packed in sacks were recovered.
“Relatedly, at Amalaghakiri general area in Nembe LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
“While at Oyeregbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 1,500 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.
“In Rivers State, around Omoku, troops closed on oil thieves, who fled in disarray on sighting troops.
“Further exploitation led to the discovery of an illegal connection point on Oando Pipeline, around Ebocha with four boats ladened with over 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“At Obiafu Oil field, in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, wooden boats and dugout pits stocked with over 8,000 litres of stolen products were handled.
“Around Mgbede, 4 illegal refining sites, five wooden boats, 108 locally made ovens, several tanks with over 31,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Suspected terrorists have killed the Acting Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Katsina State, Alhaji Amadu Surajo.
The terrorists also killed three other people and injured several others.
The incident occurred in the late hours of Saturday night into the wee hours of Sunday morning when the hoodlums attacked Mai Rana village in Kusada Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the terrorists abducted the first and second wives of the acting chairman, along with one of his daughters, who is an undergraduate at one of the public universities in the country.
A source familiar with the incident, however, said Surajo’s first wife was later released by the hoodlums.
Before his death, Surajo was the state Secretary of MACBAN before he was elevated to Acting Chairman.
His current portfolio came about after the National Vice President of MACBAN, who doubled as Chairman of the association in the state, Munnir Lamido, disappeared mysteriously in June last year.
According to reports, Lamido had left his Katsina residence on June 23 and was travelling to Kaduna State.
He was said to have informed family members by phone that he had stopped in Zaria to eat at a restaurant.
But his whereabouts became unknown after family and friends tried to reach him some hours later; his vehicle and two phones were later recovered along Maraban Jos, just before entering Kaduna town.
He was declared missing by security operatives a few days later, and his whereabouts have remained unknown ever since.
Following Saturday night’s incident, sources said security operatives had been deployed to the community to ensure peace and investigate the incident.
The remains of Surajo and the other deceased persons are expected to be buried later on Sunday morning according to Islamic rites, while the injured have been hospitalized and are receiving treatment.
Though several council areas face security challenges in the state, Kusada Council is not among them.
This has led to speculation from some quarters whether the attack was more than just terrorism or a banditry attack.
However, the spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, was yet to respond to inquiries about the incident at the time of the report.
• How Delta, Rivers, A/Ibom, Lagos, Bayelsa raked in N1.8tr
• Allocation grew by 95.49% in two years
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed a total of N5.38 trillion to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between January and December 2024, according to figures obtained by The Nation.
This amount represents an increase of about N1.46 trillion over the N3.92 trillion received by the states and the FCT in the previous year.
The states received a total of N412.09 billion in January; N406.96 billion in February; N454.70 billion in March and N428.24 billion in April.
A total of N463.04 billion got to them in May; N365.81 billion (lowest allocation for the year) in June before going up to N461.98 billion in July and N473.48 billion in August.
Others were as follows: September: N422.86 billion; October: N453.72 billion; November: N490.70 billion and December: N549.79 billion which was the highest allocation for the year.
These variations in allocation were influenced by overall revenue performance and the criteria used by FAAC to calculate the allocations.
In comparison, 2023 allocations were much lower, peaking at N396.21 billion in January and hitting a low of N259.50 billion in April.
The discrepancies highlight improved revenue generation in 2024, driven by the removal of fuel subsidies, increased oil sales and better earnings from non-oil sectors, including taxes and royalties.
Among the states, Delta received the highest allocation in March 2024 with N62.7 billion, followed by Rivers State with N41.7 billion, and Akwa Ibom State with N41.6 billion. The oil-producing states benefit from the derivation principle, which ensures a part of oil revenue goes directly to Niger Delta states.
The increase in allocations is expected to assist state governments in enhancing infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development. Stakeholders have urged responsible spending to ensure improvement in citizens’ quality of life.
A breakdown of the state by state allocations shows that Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Bayelsa received the highest allocations
Delta got a total of N485bn; Rivers, N384bn; Akwa Ibom, N338bn; Lagos, N321bn and Bayelsa, N293bn.
Other top revenue allotees are: Kano, N166bn; Edo, N124bn; Ondo, N122bn; Anambra, N115bn and Oyo N113bn.
With a total of N5.38 trillion allocated in 2024, experts are optimistic about continued revenue growth into 2025.
Analysts believe that diversifying the economy and improving revenue collection methods could sustain or exceed last year’s accomplishments.
Looking at trends from 2022 to 2024, governmental allocations have significantly increased since June 2023, indicating more effective resource mobilization and equitable distribution of national revenues.
The Federal Government received N3.42 trillion in 2022, N3.96 trillion in 2023 and N4.65 trillion in 2024. Over these two years, it recorded a cumulative increase of 35.84 per cent.
State governments also benefited greatly during this period, receiving N2.75 trillion in 2022, followed by N3.92 trillion in 2023, and N5.38 trillion in 2024, therefore, the state governments received a 95.49 percent cumulative increase of FAAC allocations from 2022 to 2024.
The 774 local governments received N1.995 trillion in 2023 and N2.285 trillion in N3.994 trillion.
The LGAs experienced a 14.51 per cent increase in allocations in 2023 compared to 2022 period, reflecting a steady rise in funds allocated to grassroots governance.
There was a 74.76 per cent increase between 2024 and 2023, which shows a significant boost in revenue directed towards local development efforts.
Interestingly, over the two years (2022 to 2024), LGAs recorded a cumulative increase of 100.26 per cent, doubling their allocation.
Beneficiaries of 13 per cent Derivation Fund were not left out of the surge in FAAC allocations. In 2022, they received N601.049 billion, N454.677 billion in 2023 and N1.135.802 trillion in 2024.
Between 2022 and 2023, a 24.34 percent decrease was observed, reflecting possible fluctuations in oil revenue or derivation parameters. In 2023 and 2024, the allocation surged by 149.84 percent, marking a significant rebound and surpassing the 2022 figure.
From 2022 to 2024, the derivation fund recorded a cumulative growth of 88.93 per cent, emphasising the growing importance of the fund in fostering resource control.
The overall rise in FAAC allocations indicates the Federal Government’s commitment to fair revenue sharing across all levels of government. The increases in funding for states and LGAs reveal efforts to enhance service delivery and local governance.
The surge in these allocations also represents a hopeful trend in Nigeria’s federal revenue generation and distribution. However, it is crucial for state governments to manage these resources effectively and transparently to foster sustained growth and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians.
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A Tiny Clique Of Northerners Are Holding Nigeria To Ransom, It’s Time To Wake Up – Fapohunda
AFOLABI
The secretary of the Eminent Elders Forum, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, has accused some few northern elites of holding Nigeria to ransom for over forty years based on tribalism and selfish interests.
Speaking on Sunday on Arise News while discussing the northern opposition to the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu, Fapohunda submitted that the north has taken Nigeria for a ride for too long and it is time to call their bluff.
According to him, the North has forced policies such as federal character and quota system on the southern region while Nigerians from the south have been laid back in making demands.
Fapohuna argued that such policies have favoured the North over the South and only a few elite people in the North are benefitting from the federal policies at the expense of other citizens of the country.
He submitted that it is time for Nigeria to wake up and realize the interests of the South and the North are not in an alliance.
Speaking specifically on the Tax Reform Bills, the Secretary of the Eminent Elders Forum was of the opinion that the proposals can never work because Nigeria is not a unified country and “cannot be unified at all” by a unitary tax system.
He said, “The North, at the flip of a switch, are able to shout Northern interest. Southerners are laid back, hoping that oh, we are civilised, we don’t want to talk about tribalism. Tribalism is at play, we are pretentious about this matter. Look, the North has taken us for a ride for too long, they’ve forced federal character on Nigeria over 40 years. They forced quota system on Nigeria over forty years. Have they benefitted from it? Only the tiny clique in the North is holding the whole country to ransom. It’s enough time for Nigeria to wake up, we are not together, North nor South.
“Now they are talking, the elites, the few elites in the North, as if feeding bottle is about to be removed from their mouth. That’s what they’re doing, they’re shouting, they have formed a league now – League of Northern Democrats. The governor of Bauchi was talking, they won’t be able to pay salaries again, they won’t be able to do that.
“Look, the North has damaged Nigeria fundamentally with this attitude. Who are the Nigerians who are japaing now? They’re Southerners. The South invested in education massively in the 50s and the 60s. The products now have been driven out of Nigeria. Can you find a Fulani man in London or in New York practicing medicine or practicing engineering? It’s the Yorubas, the Igbos, Southerners that are marginalised. It’s time to call the bluff of the North, not because we even support what Tinubu is doing, but we have to converse about Nigeria. Nigeria is not – we are pretentious. Let’s go to the brass tacks. That’s why we are calling for regionalisation, the North is separate from the South, that’s just the truth, unless we are deceiving ourselves.”
“This tax matter will not unite Nigerians. If we concede to the North that they get more VAT, for doing what? They got federal character for forty years, what have they done with it? They got quota for forty years, what have they done with it? They’re just being spoilt, they don’t want to wake up to the reality that they’re not doing well, they’re not performing. And when you compromise, you kill the South. The energy is being sucked out of the South in trying to remedy and carry the North along. We should be tired of carrying them along, in all honesty. Somebody has to call their bluff. There’s no alternative to the South calling the bluff of the North,” he added.
Tinubu Looking In The Wrong Place
Fapohunda urged President Tinubu to focus his energy on other productive issues, arguing that pushing the controversial tax reforms is just a waste of time while other issues remain unattended to.
According to him, tax reform is not the policy that can set Nigeria on the path to greatness.
He said, “The president is not focusing in the right direction. Just one item, one item alone – Inheritance Tax. The North has a different perspective on Sharia. The South-West has different customs. The East has different approach. By trying to do a unitary tax system when we’re all having a different flavour of life, is that not a road to nowhere? On that account alone, I will not really agree on what President Tinubu is trying to do. In all honesty, President Tinubu is focused on this tax matter. That is going to be the mantra of his administration.
“Let’s assume that if the tax bill is passed in the next three, four, five months, what next? Mr President is staking his reputation, his political acumen on the tax bill, but there are many issues he’s supposed to have faced that he’s not talking about. Civil service is blighted. Civil servants are just looking to find a means to survive, they are not operating organically with the government, they are not. Orasanye report, President said he will do it within twelve weeks, he has done nothing about it.”
“In 2023, the president announced a N500 billion agric project, what has happened to it? He didn’t implement it. Now, we have livestock ministry. I know now they are looking for offices in Abuja. When are we going to get the first cow from the livestock ministry? So, overall, the focus on tax bill is totally not what Nigeria should be looking at now. There are more serious fundamental reforms. Tax bill is not the reform that we want. The country has to be reorganised and let all of us live separately, but as good neighbours. We are different, it’s just a fact. We can gloss over it from here to eternity.”
Don’t Be Cocksure
Naija News reports that Fapohunda also advised the President not to be overconfident that if he pushes the tax reform bills through, then every other thing would automatically fall in place.
He advised the President to gauge the feelings of the entire nation and not just stay in Abuja and assume all is going well.
“The President might use all his authority, all the presidential powers to get it through, and then what? What are the two elements in the tax reform? You are considering no tax to the lowest people, 130 million Nigerians who are destitute, then you want to tax the big companies.
“The big companies are folding up, they are leaving Nigeria, they cannot afford diesel to run generators. Even the ones they manufactured, no sales, there’s poor demand. So who will pay the tax? Is it run down companies that will pay the tax? Anybody earning below 70,000, no tax. Okay, so where is the money coming from? And when the money comes, to be spent on what? To be spent on deficit, to be spent on paying back loans that we have taken, that we have exhausted, that we have stolen, is that it?
“What are we going to use the tax for? It’s not tax that we need. Okay, let him get it through, fine, but is that the end of the tunnel? It is not in my opinion. But the president needs to be advised. It’s now almost two years that he’s been in the saddle. It’s time to think. His presidential chat that he had, he was so cock sure of everything, but that’s not the reality at all, he’s not cock sure. This February, it will be two years since he was elected. It is time to just re appraise issues. He’s hanging in the air, we, on the ground, we’re not feeling what he’s trying to do. He might be well meaning, but he’s not in the right direction at all.”
“We cannot be united when we’re not equally yoked. We’re unequally yoked, we cannot be united at all. But let everybody just live according to his own worldview, then the temperature will come down. But trying to stay in Abuja and put a package together for the whole country – from the North West to the South East, from the North East to the South West, it’s not going to work,” Fapohunda said.
BUA Group, an industrial conglomerate, has denied claims that its 200,000 barrels per day refinery in Akwa Ibom is 90 percent completed.
In a statement on Sunday, the management said the construction is progressing steadily.
“Whilst the refinery is not at 90% completion, we are however on track to meet our delivery timelines in collaboration with our partners,” the group said.
“This BUA Refinery & Petrochemicals project represents a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s refining capacity and energy security.
“Our other energy projects, including the construction of a mini-LNG plant and several new hybrid power plants across the country to add additional capacity to our over 1,000MW installed captive power generation capacity, are also progressing rapidly.
“The public is advised to verify any news through our official channels and platforms so as not to be misled by mischievous persons.”
BUA Group also said over $3.5 billion worth of mega industrial projects have been completed within the past decade.
“At BUA, we remain committed to transparency and excellence. As we have consistently done with over 12 of our completed mega industrial projects worth over $3.5 billion in the past 10 years, we will continue to keep you updated with verifiable and accurate information only where necessary, and as milestones are achieved,” the company said.
BUA Group appreciated the public’s interest and enthusiasm for the refinery.
Three Nigerian women, who were arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia have been discharged and acquitted after spending 10 months in detention.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development on Sunday, noting the importance of the diplomatic engagements that led to the women’s release.
The women—Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi—were arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah.
Their detention followed the arrest of two Nigerians who were found in possession of cocaine capsules weighing a total of 1.69 kilograms.
The women were held on suspicion of aiding and abetting the trafficking of narcotics.
The case, which garnered attention in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, was resolved following extensive diplomatic and legal efforts.
The women were handed over to the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah after their acquittal. They were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, and are currently undergoing immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that three Nigerian nationals, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport Madinah, Saudi Arabia, has been released after spending 10 months in detention.
“The Ministry wishes to recall that the trio’s arrest attracted much attention in the Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Their successful release was achieved after prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements, which culminated in their discharge and acquittal, as well as subsequent handover to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jedda.
“The ladies were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Honourable Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah and currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families,” the statement read.
A loan app, Delinquent Loans, has sparked controversy after sharing photos of 87 debtors online in a bold attempt to recover unpaid loans.
The incident came to light through a series of TikTok videos posted by the app.
Across three separate videos, the platform uploaded pictures of the debtors, each captioned, “Please settle your loans,” as a public reminder to repay their debts.
The videos, which began trending on Saturday, drew widespread attention and mixed reactions from social media users.
Many people used various platforms to express their opinions on the app’s unconventional approach.
A user, King, who identifies as #KingSuleiman27 on X (formerly Twitter), commented, “Has anyone seen the video posted by a loan app featuring pictures of 87 debtors owing them? You better check it out to make sure your picture isn’t among them ooo!”
Prince Olugbade, who tweets as #latmos997, wrote, “As they don post their pictures, make them go collect the money from the general public wey view am, or post am for YouTube use the views settle the debt.”
FaVōuR™, who identifies as fhavourabia, argued, “Actually, if we have a functioning government, these people should be sued for defamation.”
Agbalaka, who identifies as #CroBender, noted, “Taking money from shylocks comes with regrettable consequences.”
Other users highlighted the consequences of defaulting on loans.
Smiles Ebony, who tweets as #smileebony, explained, “There’s something all these people don’t understand. After you default on any loan, you will be reported to the credit bureau, and this will affect anyone.”
Emma, who identifies as #Emmabest, raised concerns, stating, “Most of these persons are not aware of this loan. Suddenly, they receive a call asking them to pay back the money they borrowed.”
The loan app’s public shaming strategy has sparked a debate about privacy, ethics, and the legality of such practices. While some support the need for debt recovery, others criticise the method as an infringement on individual rights.