A purported 2027 presidential campaign poster featuring Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, and Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President, has been dismissed as a “figment of people’s imagination” by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR).
The spokesman for the group, Yunusa Tanko stated, “It’s just people’s imagination. There’s no hint of a presidential run, but we’re working for the good of the people.”
The disputed poster, which has been circulating online, shows Saraki as the presidential candidate and Obi as his running mate, with the slogan “Let’s restore our country back, come 2027.”
It should be noted that both Saraki and Obi have yet to officially declare any intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Saraki is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Obi is still a member of the Labour Party (LP), having defected from the PDP during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.
We Were Pressured To Ask INEC To Cancel 2023 Presidential Elections – Gen. Abdulsalami’s Peace C’ttee
AFOLABI
The National Peace Committee (NPC) has revealed details of behind-the-scenes maneuvers by partisans and other unnamed elements during the 2023 Presidential Election, disclosing that it came under immense pressure to persuade the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to either halt the collation of results or cancel the election entirely.
The NPC, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, made these revelations on Friday in Abuja during the public presentation of its 106-page report on the 2023 General Elections, titled ‘Nigeria’s Pursuit of Electoral Compliance: National Peace Committee NPC 2023 General Elections Report’.
General Abubakar highlighted the immense pressure exerted on the committee during the election process as partisan forces sought to influence the election outcome through various means.
According to him, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges faced during the election and recommendations for improving future electoral processes in Nigeria.
Before the public presentation of the report, the NPC had earlier met with INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and other senior management staff of the commission.
During the meeting, they were briefed on INEC’s preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
Other members of the committee are Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe (Vice Chairman); Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (Convener); Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; John Cardinal Onaiyekan; business icons, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola; Vanguard Newspapers Publisher, Sam Amuka Pemu; Ameze Guobadia; Idayat Hassan; Dame Priscilla Kuye; Gen. Martin Luther Agwai; Mahmud Yayale Ahmed; Channels TV owner, John Momoh; Roseline Ukeje; and, Fr. Atta Barkindo, its Head of Secretariat.
The report reads, “As the election day progressed, criticisms and counter criticisms became abundant. The NPC was already being faced with a flurry of phone calls and the need to call INEC to order. The Peace Committee was flooded with requests for intervention. Both the Chairman of the Committee, General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, the Convener, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and the Head of NPC Secretariat, Fr. Atta Barkindo, were inundated with calls, requests, and petitions demanding the intervention of the NPC.
“Some of the requests wanted the NPC to prevail on INEC to stop collating election results because there were gross violations and lack of compliance with the electoral act. Others demanded that the tenets of the Peace Accord signed were not adhered to and therefore the Committee should call for cancellation of the election entirely.
“The most significant call was related to the 25% threshold for Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory. Some of the analysts who reached out to the committee asked that the final election result should not be announced because the resumptive president-elect did not score the required 25% as stated in the electoral act. If anything, there should be a runoff.
“For example, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy described the silence of National Peace Committee (NPC) as deafening in spite of the avalanche of election petitions and likely far-reaching outcomes that could follow the decisions. The Centre stated that the NPC led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) had prior to the 2023 elections engaged political leaders on the need for a peaceful and credible election. However, what was missing was a post- election formal statement of the NPC on the outcome of the election and the sort of intervention needed to prevent widespread violence.
“The biggest bone of contention was the significance of the 25% threshold for the FCT, the vacuum created by pre-election legal interpretation that was not given by INEC.
“Within the general context of the mandate of the Peace Committee, there were requests that demanded the Committee to go beyond its mandate and to interfere in an electoral process that only agencies empowered by law can do so.
“The interventions provided by the NPC is purely and squarely moral, particularly in a context that trust deficit is widespread, the culture of impunity and lack of compliance with laws. The mandate is founded on the need to promote peace, prevent widespread violence and encourage parties and candidates to uphold the rule of law.
“The NPC has no mandate to arrest violators of process or interfere with the constitutional duties of INEC. It is set up to provide moral intervention, defined by mediation and moral persuasion to ensure that there is peace. It is also expected to, on behalf of public interest, speak truth to power when things are going terribly wrong. After the presidential elections, the NPC has continued with its engagements with political parties, youth and women led groups, persons with disabilities, the security agencies, traditional rulers and religious leaders, including the Independent State-based Peace Architectures.
“Most people are not aware that the NPC provides only a moral intervention, and it has no constitutional duty to arrest, punish or prosecute any citizen for any wrongdoing. Rather, the Committee has the moral obligation to encourage, persuade and appeal to political actors, community leaders and other stakeholders on the importance of peace. This limited awareness has forced some Nigerians to question the significance of engaging with the NPC if only what the committee brings to the table is moral persuasion. This is a challenge for the work of the Committee.”
The arrest of Alhaji Bashir Hadejia, a former aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has sparked widespread outrage.
Hadejia, who served as a special adviser to Matawalle during his tenure as Zamfara State Governor, was arrested on Monday by security operatives.
According to a search warrant issued to the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Police Command, dated August 12, 2024, Hadejia is accused of “treason and subversion against the state.”
The arrest has raised significant concerns, with many questioning the nature of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Shortly after news of his arrest broke, photos and videos of Hadejia with prominent politicians and celebrities began circulating on social media.
In one particular video clip, seen by Saturday Punch on X (formerly Twitter), Hadejia is seen displaying what appears to be a gold bar with the image of former Libyan leader Muammar Ghadaffi.
In the 14-second video, Hadejia is heard saying, “One tonne, total 24 carats, 1kg. In each box, we have 50kg; in total, we have one tonne.”
Thirteen boxes, labelled “Central Bank of Libya,” were seen filled with gold bars on the table.
A photo that has since gone viral shows Hadejia accompanying Matawalle in presenting some gold bars to the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2020.
Bashir Ahmad, an aide to Buhari, also shared photos on social media showing Hadejia assisting Matawalle in presenting the gold to the former president.
The post read, “President Muhammadu Buhari last night at his residence, the State House, Abuja, received Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Matawalle accompanied by Alhaji Bashir Hadejia. Gov. Matawalle was at the State House to present some gold bars and other precious stones mined in his State. Describe the visuals.”
He was also seen in another picture having a handshake with President Bola Tinubu.
According to Punch, Hadejia was nicknamed ‘Villa boy’ because of his close connection to the Villa.
In pictures seen online, Hadejia was standing side-by-side with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.
He was also seen in several photos facilitating a meeting between the Arewa Consultative Forum and northern politicians with President Tinubu.
A popular Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, also known as Kwam 1, dedicated a track to extol Hadejia in his Timeless album.
In the track, KI described Hadejia as his friend and that of former governor of Jigawa and now Minister of Defence, Badaru.
“I am going to the North, from Jigawa to Abuja. I am going there to see a distinguished personality, Alhaji Bashir Hadejia is the husband of Aisha, the child of Mohammed Ali, a very big man. He is K1 de ultimate’s friend. He is an ally of Jigawa State calculator, friend to governor Badaru,” Ayinde sang.
Northern Forum Demands Probe
A spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, has expressed deep concern over the recent arrest of Bashir Hadejia, a former aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The revelations surrounding Hadejia’s alleged involvement in criminal activities have sent shockwaves through the nation, with Suleiman describing them as “appalling” and a significant threat to Nigeria’s stability.
While the NEF has yet to discuss the matter at the organizational level, Suleiman, speaking in his personal capacity, did not mince words.
“As a Nigerian with conscience, I can competently say that the revelations surrounding the arrest of Bashir Hadejia are appalling. The nefarious activities reportedly uncovered by the arrest pose a severe threat not only to the sovereignty of our great nation but also to the very fabric of our society,” Suleiman said.
Hadejia’s arrest has reportedly unveiled a complex network of crimes, including gun-running, treason, and cross-border activities linked to international criminal syndicates.
Suleiman commended the Nigerian security agencies for apprehending Hadejia and unravelling such a complex criminal network but warned that the arrest was just the beginning.
“The roots of this menace run deep, and Nigerian authorities must act decisively,” Suleiman emphasized, stressing the need for a comprehensive investigation to dismantle the entire network.
Of particular concern, according to Suleiman, were Hadejia’s alleged connections to international criminal syndicates, including smuggling stolen gold from Libya and supporting terrorism.
He described these activities as “an affront to our sovereignty and an invasion of our peace,” warning that criminal networks like these do not respect national borders.
Adding to the alarm, Suleiman pointed to Hadejia’s alleged role in sponsoring protests such as the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, which led to violence in the North.
He criticized how criminal elements exploited legitimate grievances to sow instability.
“It is shocking to learn that anyone connected to the devastations of recent protests in northern Nigeria had ulterior motives,” he stated.
Furthermore, Suleiman raised concerns about Hadejia’s reported connections with powerful political figures, including a former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and urged the government to take decisive action.
NYSC To Prosecute Bread Seller, 53 Other Fake UNICAL Graduates Mobilized For National Service
AFOLABI
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced the demobilisation of 54 corps members who the University of Calabar improperly mobilised.
Naija News reports that the service took this decision in its ongoing commitment to ensure that only qualified graduates receive the national service certificate,
During a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, explained that the individuals guilty in this regard would be subject to legal action.
Ahmed disclosed that 19 others who had registered online for mobilisation had been barred from participating in the service, and the organisation did not issue four Certificates of National Service for other offenders.
This adds to the previously voided 101 certificates, bringing the total to 178, Naija News reports.
The Director General also commended the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi, for her transparency in alerting the NYSC about the mobilisation of unqualified graduates from her institution.
General Ahmed concluded that the NYSC is dedicated to thoroughly reviewing and improving its mobilisation procedures.
“The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar came here to report that she observed some names appeared on the institution’s list and they ought not to have been there.
“She checked the list the school gave us and I told her that their certificates would be invalidated. I give kudos to the Vice-Chancellor.
“Previously, a bread seller was mobilised on the graduation list from the same institution; there are bad eggs in many places that generate matriculation numbers and courses for their candidates”, the DG said.
General Ahmed further emphasized that the initiative would enhance its cooperation with all Heads of Corps Producing Institutions and pertinent stakeholders across the nation to combat the issue effectively.
He also remarked that any shortcomings in the mobilization efforts from any educational institution reflect on the integrity of that institution’s management.
“Those who are responsible for imputing the data of graduates should be people of integrity”, General Ahmed said.
He called on all labour employers in the country to verify the authenticity of the certificates of national service being presented for job placement by the NYSC
Buhari’s Aide Reacts As Kano Govt Pegs LG Chair, Councillor Forms At ₦10 Million, ₦5 Million
AFOLABI
A former aide to ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmed, has decried that the party’s candidates cannot afford the price of the nomination form for the Kano State local government election.
The Kano State Independent National Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) put the nomination form for chairmanship and councillorship positions at ₦10 million and ₦5 million, respectively.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bashir Ahmed, said no party member interested in the positions can afford the nomination forms.
Ahmed further questioned the decision of KANSIEC to put nomination forms for sale instead of the political parties.
“I am asking this question again because I still haven’t gotten a satisfactory answer, why did KANSIEC, the Kano electoral body, set a nomination fee for those interested in contesting in the upcoming chairmanship and councilorship elections in the state, instead of allowing the political parties to do so?
“I’ve been asking because the electoral body has set the nomination fee at ₦10 million for the chairman and ₦5 million for the councillor. I doubt that our party, as the opposition in the state, can afford such high fees if even the ruling party can.
“The electoral body only provides election forms to successful candidates after parties have conducted their primaries, and these forms are given for free. What the Kano electoral body is planning to sell are the nomination forms, which are typically purchased from parties,” Ahmed said.
A check by our reporter showed that under the immediate former governor of Kano State, Umar Ganduje, the then KANSIEC chairman, Mukhtari Yahya Usman, announced the sale of nomination forms for local government election from October 19 to December 03, 2020.
The Bishop of the Living Faith Church worldwide, David Olaniyi Oyedepo, has advised youths to follow God’s plans.
David Oyedepo urged youths not to make decisions without God. He said only God can lead anyone to stardom in one’s career and not otherwise.
“Don’t pack your bag and ask God if you should go. Don’t tempt God. Asked God for his plan because his plan is already blessed,” Oyedepo said.
He explained that knowing the plan of God requires one to “separate yourselves to a quiet place to hear God“.
“You need an ornament of a quiet and meek spirit to hear God speak. One must be in the spirit to hear the voice of the spirit, and one must be spiritual to embrace the voice of the spirit,” he emphasized.
The Living Faith General Overseer said at the church’s Annual Youths Alive Convention, AYAC2024, on Saturday.
“Access to the voice of God is what takes you to stardom. We are where we are today as a church by following the voice of the spirit.
“Staying where God says you should stay and doing what God says you should do is what guarantees your stardom.
“The voice of the Lord is in the Bible, and following what God says makes you a frontline in your chosen career. But you need an open ear to hear what God is saying. The voice of God guarantees supernatural victory and supernatural favour.
“It allays all fears. If you hear from God, you become fearless and unstoppable. God’s voice instills supernatural confidence.
“The reason you shake is because you didn’t hear from God. You can’t hear from God and lack confidence,” Oyedepo told the church youths.
The Presidency’s statement that prices of foodstuffs have been falling recently has been rejected by Nigerians.
The Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership to President Bola Tinubu, Rinsola Abiola, while speaking on AIT Weekend Show, on Saturday (10 August), said online vendors confirmed that food prices have started decreasing.
Mrs Abiola said the decrease in the prices of foodstuffs is a testament to the federal government’s initiatives towards addressing economic hardship and hunger, which are yielding results.
Nigerians on social media, X platform, said the statement from the Presidency did not tally with what is obtainable in the markets.
Nigerians made their opinions while reacting to a poll by Obianuju Udeh, known as DJ Switch, one of the leaders of the #Endsars protest.
DJ Switch, on Friday, wrote, “I have come across some tweets and a report saying food prices are down. My question is, is it true prices are down? If so, that would be good news. Please share what you are experiencing on ground.”
In reaction, Nigerians disagreed with the position of Rinsola Abiola. They said prices of food remained the same. On tomatoes price Mrs Abiola said came down from ₦180,000 to ₦35,000; an X user, Chinedu Okoli said there was more supply in the market due to the harvest period and not actually as a result of government policies.
For IBEZYMAKO, @Bis_realibeh, “Prices of food items remain the same. Transportation fare is on the increase because of cost of PMS and nobody is talking about it. Government of deceptive propaganda.”
Ozagu. enterprises, @OzaguE98786, argued that “it is only in the Tinubu market that items are cheap. Semo 10kg a year ago ₦6400, two months ago ₦12,300, now ₦16000-₦18000, Beans ₦5000, Yam(3) ₦7500, Milo refill ₦5500, Garri ₦2000, Rice bag ₦78000. The truth is, most have stopped eating a lot of food; Items are not affordable by most Nigerians.”
Joseph Olawale Bamidele, @olawale_bam, said, “A liter fuel now sells for at least ₦700 to ₦900. Black market goes for ₦1,300. Mudu of rice is still ₦2,700. Food price coming down is propaganda. APC will crumble.”
Chinedu Okoli, @chineduokoli_,: “The truth is that this is harvesting period for some crops. It will slow inflation but this is just temporary cos once this phase wears off, the food prices will double.
“Prices that have gone down are perishable goods o, like tomatoes and pepper that can not be stored for long period.”
Saint Adaugoijele, @JustAdaugoijele, said, “Please, no food price is down. It’s still increasing.”
Daniel Alabi, @alabi_daniel, argued, “We bought rice last month btw ₦1,200 – ₦1,300 per Derica in Itele area of Ogun State and Lagos. We still buy it same today.”
SPECIAL, @special_Ada_Ide, said, “Which food prices come down? Shey for this Lagos Nigeria abi from other states?
“A bag of rice (my choice ) ₦82k, fuel ₦900 per liter, black market is more than this, beans – a derica cup is ₦2,200, semo ₦15k.”
Operatives of the Special Tactical Squad of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a 30-year-old woman, identified as Hauwa Yusuf, for concealing an AK-47 rifle and four AK magazines inside a sack of garri.
Naija News understands that the suspect was arrested on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway during a routine stop-and-search operation.
During a press conference at the Special Tactical Squad Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that Yusuf admitted to receiving instructions from a notorious bandit, Aminu Basullube, who has been terrorizing Katsina State, to carry out the arms delivery at the Danum Madam Camp, a location within the state.
Adejobi said, “On August 14, 2024, just recently, acting on intelligence, operatives of STS intercepted one Hauwa Yusuf ‘F’ 30 years of Dutsin-Ma LGA of Katsina state. The suspect was arrested while in transit from Lafia Nasarawa State to Katsina State, inside a Sienna Bus along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
“A search was conducted and One AK-47 Rifle without breach Number and Four AK magazines concealed inside a white Sack of Garri were recovered from the suspect. “During the interrogation, the Suspect confessed that it was One Aminu Basullube, a notorious Bandit terrorizing Katsina State general axis who sent her to take delivery of the arms in Danum Madam Camp, Katsina State.”
The suspect, however, while responding to questions from journalists, claimed she didn’t know a gun was concealed in the sack of garri.
She said, “I never knew that it was an arm that was inside. They asked me to go and bring millet. And unfortunately, they did not bring Gari for me. Even when I saw the thing, I was apprehensive.
“I was given 130,000 to take the garri to Katsina. My transport fare is ₦15,000. I made a mistake by not asking questions.”
Adejobi further disclosed that a group of operatives affiliated with the FID-STS departed for Igbowo in Oyo State on April 29 to investigate the activities of Musa Saidu.
Adejobi further stated that a group of operatives from the FID-STS departed for Igbowo in Oyo State to examine the actions of Musa Saidu on April 29. He noted that the investigations indicated the suspect had been absent from his community for five years.
Following his return to Kigakwu in Kaduna State after this prolonged absence, further inquiries were conducted, and it was discovered that “He started spending money extravagantly, buying different brands of new motorcycles (BAJAJ) and twelve (12) cows in a day amounting to the sum of N5,000,000.00.
“Upon interrogation, he confessed to the above-mentioned crimes, he further confessed that he is operating under the leadership of one Haruna ‘m’ in Birnin Gwari forest of Kaduna State. Throughout his operations under the gang Commander Haruna ‘m’ he was using AK 47 rifles.”
“That twenty-five (25) cows were given to him as his proceed of his above mentioned criminal activities, that he sold the cows in Kaduna State, all at the rate of N4,700,000.00, that’s the money he used in purchasing the Bajaj motorcycles and twelve cows, ten female, two male in Igboho Oyo State,” Adejobi stated.
He clarified that his involvement in cattle rustling began after he was a victim of such acts.
The individual further stated that he was apprehended upon returning home to indulge in the gains from his illicit activities.
He said, “I went to Oyo because there were too many problems in Kaduna. I had my cattle but they were rustled. I know cattle rustling is a crime but I did it because of what was done to me. After I made money, I stopped and went back to the village to spend my money.”
Nigerian comedian, Oluwaseyitan Lawrence, popularly known as Seyi Law, has reiterated his support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Naija News reports that Seyi Law, during an interview with Punch, said despite being constantly trolled online, he is at peace with himself and unbothered about his followers dropping to zero over support for Tinubu.
He said, “Every entertainer needs people, but some people want to determine the lives of others and one must not give them that chance. I want to live the way I please, as long as I have not caused any harm to anyone. I am at peace, knowing that I support someone (President Bola Tinubu) who I believe can make the nation better. Even if my followers drop to zero, it doesn’t bother me.”
Speaking on his new position as the Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment and Tourism to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Seyi Law stated that he aims to drive the governor’s vision, which is to transform the entertainment and tourism sector of the state.
The comedian also insisted that he did not get the appointment due to his support for Tinubu, who belongs to the same All Progressives Congress (APC) as Aiyedatiwa.
He added, “I am only a vehicle for the governor to do that, and I am hoping to support the governor by providing ideas that are useful to the entertainment and tourism industry. We aim to bring in more private participation and leverage the proximity of the state along the coastal line to Lagos. We also want to revamp a lot of our tourist sites, and organise more events that will bring people to the state, among other initiatives.”
Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, has argued that his team deserved to beat Manchester United in their Premier League opener on Thursday, August 16, as he blamed a lack of emotional control for the defeat.
Fulham started their 2024-2025 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford after putting up a brilliant display, especially in the first half of the encounter.
New Manchester United signing Joshua Zirkzee came from the bench and scored the match-winner for the Premier League giants in the 87th minute.
After the game, Fulham coach Marco Silva explained that his team made adjustments at half-time, improving performance in the second half.
He, however, expressed disappointment that they lost their composure in crucial moments, allowing Manchester United to score.
Silva said: “We started well and had good counter-attacks to score. We adjusted things at half-time and the second half was much better.
“We had good moments, two against one, we should have done better.
“The main thing for us was to keep the emotional control. When the game becomes open we should have kept the balance and kept compact. But in those moments, we lost emotional control, and that allowed them to score.
“The game was open and broken, we tried to rush our decisions. Many times we started to lose the ball too quickly. We let the game go too emotional and we didn’t want that.”
On the other hand, Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, explained why Jadon Sancho was not included in the squad to face Fulham.
Ten Hag emphasized the necessity for squad depth in a demanding season and clarified that Sancho was not fully fit due to an ear infection.
“First of all, we need squad depth. There will be a long season, and it will be survival of the fittest, but I can only put 20 players in the squad, and Jadon in the week had an ear infection. He was not 100 percent fit,” Ten Hag said.
More...
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has berated Governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to recognise the court judgment on his reinstatement to office.
Naija News recalls that the duo have been at loggerheads over issues regarding the governorship election in the state.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Shaibu said he was asked to be Obaseki’s deputy to add political value to the party’s ticket because the Governor was not a politician.
Shaibu also stated that it took former governor, Adams Oshiomhole, three months to convince him to support Obaseki to become governor.
He said, “Obaseki was not a politician, even financially, Obaseki was not financially strong to even contest the election. Oshiomhole brought him and when Oshiomhole brought him, some of us argued that he could not be him. It took Oshiomhole three months to convince me and some of our supporters to support Obaseki.
“And when we decided because of the respect for Oshiomhole to support him, he did not bring money – we brought our resources and our friends to bring money and we brought our political capital to make him governor. So, when you are talking about deputy governors and governors, he is not the one that made me, I made him.”
[NaijaNews]
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised a significant reduction in deductions from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Aviation Agencies from 50 per cent down to 20 per cent.
LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that aviation unions had threatened to commence a nationwide protests over the 50 percent deduction from the IGR of the agencies, a policy the workers said undermined operational efficiency and financial stability.
The protests were expected to affect airport operations nationwide, as workers demonstrated their frustration and called for the policy reversal.
However, in a statement shared by one of the aide to the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Saka Gbenga, the reduction showed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the Aviation sector.
According to Saka, the President will thoughtfully address workers’ demands by seeking a balanced, lasting solution that meets both government fiscal needs and the operational requirements of Aviation Agencies.
“This move aligns with the minister, Festus Keyamo’s assurance to workers’ unions and other stakeholders that President Tinubu is deeply committed to enhancing the Aviation sector. The President aims to thoughtfully address their demands, seeking a balanced, lasting solution that meets both government fiscal needs and the operational requirements of Aviation Agencies.”
However, earlier in the day, the minister on his verified X handle said the concerns of the workers, especially regarding the negative impact the deductions had on investment, maintenance of critical infrastructure, and overall operations of the Agencies, have been duly noted.
“We understand the significance of the issues raised and recognize the vital role that our aviation workforce plays in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and smooth operation of the industry. The ministry is committed to addressing these challenges in a manner that ensures the continued viability and sustainability of the sector while maintaining the highest standards of service delivery.
“The minister wishes to assure the workers’ Unions and other stakeholders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very concerned about improvement of the Aviation sector and will give their demands due consideration with the goal of finding a lasting solution that balances both the fiscal needs of the government and the operational requirements of the Aviation Agencies.
“We appeal to all workers to remain calm and maintain industrial peace while the government is working assiduously towards amicably resolving the matter. The Ministry appreciates their patience and understanding and remains committed to ensuring a conducive work environment for all. We thank the workers for their understanding and continued dedication to the aviation sector.”
[Leadership]
Barely 10 months after a court overturned $11 billion damages against Nigeria in the controversial Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) deal, the federal government is facing another legal battle involving a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, which is seeking to enforce a $70 million arbitration award against Nigeria.
But does the federal government stand a chance of emerging as the victor in the current case?
Seasoned analysts weighed the odds in what they described as a mismanaged deal in separate interviews with Weekend Trust on Friday.
Zhongshan recently got an order from a court in France to enforce the award following an aborted contract between the company and the Ogun State Government, which was initiated in 2007.
The order, which authorised the seizure of the three presidential jets under maintenance in France, has since been validated by a United States court, dismissing Nigeria’s sovereign immunity defence to the enforcement of the $70 million award.
The Ogun State government and Zhongshan have been at daggers drawn over the management of an export processing zone in the Gateway state.
In 2010, Zhongshan Fucheng, through its parent company, Zhuhai Zhongfu Industrial Group Co. Ltd, acquired rights to develop a free trade zone in Ogun State, Nigeria.
In 2011, Zhongshan established Zhongfu International Investment (NIG) FZE, to manage the project with the Ogun State government’s permission.
In July 2016, Zhongshan accused the Ogun State government of attempting to terminate its appointment and install a new manager for the free trade zone.
Zhongshan initiated an investment treaty arbitration against Nigeria under the bilateral investment treaty between China and Nigeria (China-Nigeria BIT).
The arbitrators ruled in favour of Zhongshan, awarding approximately $70 million in compensation. In January 2022, Zhongshan sought enforcement of the arbitration award.
In addition to the seizure of the presidential jets, a court of appeal in the US has authorised the Chinese company’s final charging orders over two residential properties owned by Nigeria.
The development worsens a crisis that the Nigerian government has been attempting to manage in Europe and prevent from spilling to other jurisdictions.
Nigeria had pleaded state immunity against the arbitration but was denied by a United Kingdom High Court judge, Sara Cockerill, who noted Nigeria’s abuse of the timeframe for appealing arbitral awards.
In the majority judgement issued by Patricia Millett and Julianna Childs, the US court held that the final arbitration award is enforceable under the New York convention since the dispute is between “persons” that share a legal commercial relationship.
The court ruled that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) arbitration exception stripped Nigeria of sovereign immunity in the arbitration award case.
However, in the dissenting judgement, the third judge, Gregory Katsas, argued that when the New York convention was drafted, the word “persons” did not include a sovereign nation.
Katsas held that the action of Ogun State cannot be attributed to Nigeria, adding that the arbitration award “arises solely out of Nigeria’s sovereign acts governed by public international law.”
Meanwhile, the Presidency had accused Zhongshan of attempting to take over Nigeria’s offshore assets through subterfuge.
“The Presidency is aware of the various failed attempts by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge.
“The Federal Government is not under any contractual obligation with the company. The case in which Zhongshan is trying to use every unorthodox means to strip our offshore assets is between the company and the Ogun State Government,” a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday read in part.
Also speaking on the development on Thursday, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said Nigeria has initiated both legal and diplomatic steps to ensure the release of three seized presidential aircraft in France and Switzerland.
In the statement by his spokesperson, Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Attorney-General said its efforts were grounded in the principle that the aircraft are sovereign assets, used exclusively for sovereign purposes, and therefore immune from attachment.
“The Offices of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation, have already set in motion both legal and diplomatic steps to ensure the discharge of the inappropriate orders against the aircrafts, which are covered by sovereign immunity,” it said.
The government also maintained that the interim orders against the aircraft were inappropriate, given their status under sovereign immunity.
Trade zone dispute mismanaged – Lawyers
Some lawyers have criticised the handling of the dispute with the Chinese firm that resulted in the confiscation of the country’s presidential aircraft.
Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) bemoaned Nigeria’s tendency to breach international agreements of this nature, urging the federal government to opt for a settlement.
He said, “If there is a dispute and one side has evinced a view for settlement, I think it is important to explore that option, irrespective of the court or arbitration panel that heard the matter.
“The more reason we should opt for settlement is because they are producing what we cannot on that land mapped out for the FTZ.”
In his view, Nkem Okoro Esq, called for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of officials involved in the mishandling of the contract to show that the government of Nigeria is not complicit in the breach and to avoid soiling its image further.
“The only honourable thing for the Nigerian government to do now is the payment of the sum awarded against it by the arbitration panel. At least this way, Nigeria can reassure would-be international investors of the safety of their investments in Nigeria.
“Nigeria breached the agreement it had with the Chinese company; an arbitral award was made against Nigeria, and Nigeria has refused to do the most honourable thing: pay and atone for your shortcomings.
“The seizure of Nigeria’s assets is a colossal and unmitigated embarrassment to the federation, already. To think that rather than paying, Nigeria will be looking for ways to defeat the award is also exacerbating the situation against the international image of Nigeria,” he said.
He said there is no doubt that Nigeria is a party in the dispute because free zones in Nigeria are managed, controlled, and administered by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, which is an agency of the federal government.
A human rights lawyer, Nkereuwem Akpan, Esq, also called for a diplomatic approach to resolving the dispute.
He, however, cautioned that under international law, sovereign states enjoy sovereign immunity from execution, and as such, it would be improper for one state to seize the assets of another, which could lead to chaos if it leads to tit for tat.
Nigeria’s image, foreign investment drive at stake
The Zhongshan matter brings to mind earlier cases of P&ID arbitration ruling over Nigeria tardiness in a failed gas supply and processing contract.
Similarly, in 2019, an Irish engineering firm was awarded $9.6 billion in damages against Nigeria by a UK court over a failed gas project. The firm instructed lawyers to identify Nigerian assets worldwide that could be seized to enforce the record-breaking arbitration award.
A former foreign Affairs Minister and professor of political science, Ambassador Bolaji Akinyemi, said there is a provision in international law which provides that where a nation is involved in commercial activities, its agency will not have diplomatic immunity—an exception to the general rule that states enjoy diplomatic immunity.
He said, “In this particular case, Ogun is not a sovereign state. It is Nigeria that is recognised, and so property belonging to Nigeria is now exposed to this exception to diplomatic immunity.
“I don’t know who the lawyers of Ogun State were when this case came up; the last judgement we had was decided in the United States Court of Appeal. And the judges ruled by a vote of two to one that the Nigerian property does not enjoy diplomatic immunity. This is bad for our image and position internationally. It should never have been allowed to get to this stage.”
Commenting on the development, Dakuku Adol Peterside, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the development raised fundamental issues worth interrogating.
He said, coming after the Dangote saga, this is one too many, and the global perception of our country is not good.
“At the time we thought we are beginning to see some increase in foreign direct investment inflow, suddenly, the government is giving out false signals. We already have economic policy challenges; we have foreign exchange volatility and there is a general clout of negative perception about the strength and health of the Nigerian economy.
“Right now, there are institutional weaknesses that investors are grappling with, including the fact that our judiciary doesn’t give people a lot of confidence. Added to all these challenges is the Nigeria-Ogun-Chinese company crisis. There is no way it will not significantly impact investors’ confidence.
“It (the confidence) will weaken, and this is not good for us. Government needs to understand the place of signalling. Perception means a lot to investment. Investment will not go to where it is not safe,” he stated.
Peterside contended that the case reeked of the untidiness that has characterised Nigeria’s international contracts.
He said states and even private companies had found ways of roping in the federal government into their untidy deals.
“In the process, our national reputation has even further cheapened,” he added.
Options available for FG
Prof. Akinyemi urged the federal government to warn all state governors about cancelling contracts signed by their predecessors, whether the agreements involved foreign or domestic companies.
“To me, it is arrogance of power on the part of the Ogun State government. Governors come in and just decide to do anything. They have ruined a lot of domestic companies whose contracts have been cancelled like that,” he added.
Prof. Akinyemi, who is the chairman of the National Think Tank, also admonished the federal government to approach the Chinese government and Chinese companies doing business in Nigeria.
“The Chinese government should call the Chinese company and put pressure on it to settle out of court with Nigeria. That is the important proposal, so that Chinese interest in Nigeria will not be adversely affected by what is going on,” the diplomat said.
On the way forward, Peterside said Nigeria could not continue to be seen as a country whose transactions are opaque and not respectful of contracts, saying these perceptions could deter foreign investors from having anything to do with the country.
Peterside, who is also a former House of Representatives member, advised that the office of the Attorney General of the federation should take a closer look at international contracts entered into by states to insulate sovereign assets from culpability.
Nigeria has a strong case
–Agbakoba
However, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has insisted that Nigeria has a strong defence on two grounds.
He said in international law, there is a compelling reason to argue that attachment of property belonging to a sovereign state such as Nigeria is free from attachment under an order of court.
“In this case, evidence that the aircraft are owned by Nigeria and are strictly used for diplomatic purposes, is in my view a good ground for Nigeria to successfully recover the aircraft from attachment.
“The second strong reason would be that the attachment of the aircraft is said to be in respect of a debt owed by Ogun State, which is a wholly different political entity from the sovereign state of Nigeria. The attached aircraft would, in those circumstances, be unjustified and I think it is reasonable to presume that Nigeria has a very good chance of success,” he stated.
Chinese firm mulls negotiations, releases seized jet
Meanwhile, Zhongshan has said it is open to negotiations with the Nigerian government over the matter. The company was quoted in a statement reported by Premium Times on Thursday that it only sought to assert its rights under international law and was confident in its case.
“Zhongshan has for a long time been ready to enter serious negotiations with the federal government of Nigeria to settle this case and still awaits an indication that the government is equally willing,” the statement said.
On Friday, the Online Newspaper quoted a Zhongshan spokesperson as saying that the company had released one of the confiscated aircraft.
“Zhongshan has consistently sought to act reasonably and fairly in the course of a legal dispute with Nigeria which was not of its making.
“It (Zhongshan) has now been made aware that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France as a result of a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to travel to a scheduled meeting with President Macron of France early next week.
“As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of that aircraft immediately. This will allow it to be used for the President’s trip.
“Zhongshan remains committed to talks with representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, this time serious and substantive on both sides, with a view to reaching a reasonable compromise settlement rapidly,” the official said.
[DailyTrust]
The ousted Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has accused former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi of planning to hijack the party in the state to fight President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Okocha, however, vowed never to allow Amaechi and his alleged stooge, Emeka Beke have their way against Tinubu.
He spoke to journalists in Abuja while reacting to the court judgment that sacked his committee on August 15.
A High Court in Port Harcourt had sacked the Okocha-led caretaker committee while reinstating Emeka Beke as the APC Chairman.
However, Okocha said: “We imagine how a person of low academic qualifications can preside over a meeting that some of us would attend but the APC leader then said they wanted somebody who had a street boy mentality.
“But the truth was that he wanted a surrogate, a stooge who would do his bidding. We fought but the APC leader was then a minister and his vestiges were here as leaders of the party.
“At the presidential primaries of the APC, Beke was the person who led the Rivers delegation of 56 delegates to vote for Rotimi Amaechi. That was how they scored 56 from the state.
“There is an intention to throw up Amaechi’s man and then he (Amaechi) becomes the APC leader and then uses the APC to fight Mr President in 2027. We will never allow that.”
[DailyPost]