Former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo, says the attributes and characters needed to build a nation are lacking in many Nigerian leaders.
He stated that many Nigerian politicians and leaders are not fit to occupy public positions and should be languishing in prison or sent to the gallows.
Obasanjo shared this view while addressing six lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Friday.
He expressed discontent at the current state of the country, saying the country would not move forward until leaders changed their mentality.
Obasanjo asserted that in choosing good leaders, characters must be considered and questioned.
“Our main problem is ourselves and until we take care of ourselves, we may have one term of four years, one term of six years, one term of seven years, if it’s the same people and same mentality and way we do things, then it won’t change”
Obasanjo, who argued that the nation needs to rethink democracy and its style of governance, said priority needs to be given to the kind of leaders we select and their track records.
“Yes system, yes democracy, we have to rethink democracy, we have to rethink the form of government, but what is the character of the people in government?
“With all due respect, most of them should be behind bars, some should even be in the gallows and that is the truth.
“Now if these are the people that are ruling us, then what do you expect? So, the point is the character of the people that are coming to the government. Their attributes, the sort of people they truly are.
“We need to really think about how we select leaders, what should be the character of a leader we select? What should be their track record ?
“Where should we find them? Are they role models? And I think those are the first things we have to think about,” he stated.
The lawmakers’ entourage included Abdulmalik Danga from Kogi, Dr Usman Midala from Borno, Matthew Nwogu from Imo, Peter Aniekwe from Anambra, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi and Ugochinyere Ikenga from Imo
The EndBadGovernance protesters have commenced a one-milion-man protest in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.
DAILY POST reports that the protest against high cost of living which began on August 1 is expected to end today, August 10.
The organizers had vowed to stage a one-milion-man protest in the 36 states and the nation’s capital to mark the grand finale of the hunder protest.
The protesters, who stormed the street early hours of Saturday morning, were seen carrying different placards and chanting “we are hungry”.
Media
BREAKING: DAY 10 of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeriaProtest has commenced already in Abuja. pic.twitter.com/eB5WY3LAXP
— Peter Obi Grassroots Mobilization. (@PO_GrassRootM) August 10, 2024
A chieftain of the People Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has charged President Bola Tinubu to disclose the true state of fuel subsidy to Nigerians.
George said Tinubu should tell Nigerians if his administration still pays subsidy on fuel through the back-doors.
Speaking on Arise Television, the former PDP deputy national chairman, knocked Tinubu’s administration for lack of transparency.
There have been reports that the Tinubu government secretly returned the fuel subsidy regime.
Former governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda accused the Federal Government of paying more for fuel subsidy than before.
Amid this claim, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun disclosed that Nigeria currently spends $600m on fuel importation monthly.
Reacting, George said: “I’m so miffed about the goings on about this particular industry. On one side you hear the subsidy is still there, on another side you hear that there is no subsidy, who is telling the truth?
“Let us know the truth for God’s sake, it is our fundamental right and if the people know what the truth is, they will support you to succeed.
“The NNPCL is owned by the Federal government which means it is owned by all Nigerians, we want to know what exactly is going on there.
“I’m not in that field of operation, but I’m educated enough to listen to A and listen to B and then conclude in mind if there is need to support the operations or the policies of the government we will and if there are shortfalls in what they are telling us, we will say.”
- Massive cops deployment in flashpoints, protest venues nationwide
- Organisers tackle FG on rights violations, demand release of demonstrators
Hundreds of policemen and security operatives have been deployed in major cities across the country as organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest prepare for a one million-man march today, Saturday PUNCH has learned.
The protest, scheduled to last for 10 days and expected to climax today, has been marred by killings and attacks on protesters and journalists.
The nationwide protesters are demanding a reversal of the fuel subsidy removal, an increase in the minimum wage to N250,000, and an end to bad governance, among other issues.
Although the protest appeared to have lost steam in some parts of the country, momentum was sustained in states like Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, and Bauchi.
The organising groups threatened to lock down the entire country today (Saturday) to press home their demands, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday speech was not convincing.
Tinubu had, in a televised statewide broadcast, begged the protesters to end the rallies, asking for patience to fix the country’s problems.
However, the protesters, speaking to Saturday PUNCH, noted that they were mobilising the one-million-man march to climax the 10-day rally.
In a statement on Friday, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Sanyaolu Juwon, said the August 10 protest would represent a pivotal moment in the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign.
He said, “The Take It Back Movement, along with other organisers and organisations, will lead a one-million-man protest in each of the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on August 10.
“This event will mark a critical juncture in our nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign, which began on August 1, 2024.
“It started as a planned 10-day protest but has evolved into a sustained and widespread movement, drawing participants from every corner of Nigeria and the Diaspora.”
Juwon also demanded the release of the protesters and organisers arrested by security agents.
He said, “On the troubling matter of unlawful arrests, we unequivocally condemn the detention of Michael Adaramoye (Lenin), Babatunde Oluajo, and others who were arrested on August 5, and on previous and subsequent days. Their continued imprisonment by the DSS and the police is a gross violation of their rights. We demand their immediate release and call for an end to these unjust detentions.”
Increased surveillance
One of our correspondents, who toured the Business Central District area in the FCT, observed an increased presence of security agencies, who mounted roadblocks, slowing down vehicular movement.
In addition, our correspondent observed that the number of security operatives at Eagles Square had increased.
Speaking with our correspondent on the arrangement by security agents on Friday, Juwon said the increased presence of security agents and the recent clampdown on protesters would not affect the turnout on Saturday.
He said, “It’s a nationwide one-million-man march. Aside from the fact that we are not prophets, Nigerians have also shown resilience in the face of violent state repression. So, I’d say, let’s meet at the barricades.”
Hundreds of policemen in Lagos
In Lagos, policemen were stationed around major bus stops, including Ojota, Ketu, Obalende, Berger, and other locations where it is believed the protest would take place.
Scores of policemen, led by Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade, accompanied the protesters during a candlelight procession organised to mourn demonstrators who died during the rallies nationwide.
Our correspondent also saw soldiers from Operation Mesa, personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies on the scene.
This is as the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organising Committee called on President Tinubu to compensate families of slain protesters.
The group claimed that more than 40 people lost their lives during the protest.
Recall that the committee, based at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos, had declared three days of mourning for those killed nationwide during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
In mourning the deceased protesters, the group held a symposium at the Rights House, Adeniyi Jones area, and a candlelight procession to the ShopRite area in Ikeja, amid heavy security presence.
Addressing the protesters, a member of the committee and National Spokesperson of the Youth Rights Campaign, Mr Hassan Taiwo, called on President Tinubu to compensate the families of the deceased protesters.
He also demanded the dismissal of the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
“We are here in mourning and to honour all the protesters who lost their lives while protesting against the hardship. We blame Tinubu for what has happened and we are calling for the immediate sacking of the Inspector General of Police,” he asserted.
Also, another activist, Akinola Foluso, stated that protest is a fundamental human right and as such, the people must not be intimidated for exercising it.
Earlier, some police officers deployed by the Lagos State Police Command stopped protesters from carrying out a candlelight procession to the Alausa area, as against their initial plan.
Tension in Kano
In Kano, men of the Nigeria Police Force, soldiers and NSCDC officials, take over several roads in preparation for the one-million-man march.
Saturday PUNCH, while monitoring the situation, observed several stern-looking security personnel patrolling some major streets in the commercial city, mostly from the ever-busy Ibrahim Taiwo Road to both BUK new sites.
Besides patrolling popular streets, there was also a huge security presence on France Road, a strategic artery in the Sabon Gari area of the metropolitan city, linking the popular Abubakar Rimi/Singer market.
Following the hunger protest, which degenerated into violence and looting, traders at the Singer/Abubakar Rimi Market, engaged additional services to prevent the place from being looted by angry protesters.
As of the time of filing this report, there were reports of intermittent clashes between law enforcement agents and some protesters who insisted that they would begin the march from Friday.
As the protest raged, the spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, told Saturday PUNCH that his life was being threatened for daring to arrest 322 protesters, who looted shops and the warehouse of the National Identity Management Agency.
Police take over Rivers roads, parks
In Rivers, there was an increased presence of policemen at the Federal Secretariat and the Pleasure Park along Aba Road in Port Harcourt ahead of the one-million-man march.
However, the protesters did not gather on Friday at the two venues, which are the usual meeting points.
As our correspondent observed the area on Friday, scores of armed policemen were seen patrolling the area in their vans.
Saturday PUNCH gathered from several sources in the area that there would be a final showdown at the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Government House, Pleasure Park, and major areas like Elelewon, Oyigbo, Rumuokoro, Choba, among others.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development, adding that law-abiding citizens should go about their lawful business.
Iringe-Koko explained that although the deployment had been ongoing, the addition followed credible intelligence that some miscreants were planning to loot and disturb the peace of the state.
She said, “You know before this time we had restricted the protest to the Pleasure Park and Isaac Boro Park. But we got credible intelligence that some individuals are planning a one-million-man march tomorrow. And that some of them are planning to loot and cause security breaches.
“We are saying all genuine protesters should continue to use the two designated places. We will not allow anyone or group to try to loot, steal, or cause any security breach in the name of protest.”
But the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, told Saturday PUNCH that the police were not aware of the one-million-man march.
He said, “We are not aware of any one-million-man march. As we have seen the infiltration of criminally minded elements who have hijacked the protest, if we truly have the interest of the citizens at heart, we should avoid unnecessary gatherings.”
Also speaking, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Buba Edward, said the military would be involved at the invitation of the police. He stated, “The military only gets involved at the invitation of the police. We will remain on standby until invited by the police.”
Group demands release of protesters
Meanwhile, a coalition of 20 civil society organisations has called on security agencies to release all protesters detained since the #EndBadGovernance protest began. At a press conference on Friday in Abuja, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, who also serves as the group’s coordinator, Peter Ameh, alleged that security forces had been secretly arresting protest leaders from different parts of the country.
He disclosed that many individuals connected to the protest were detained by security agents. Ameh expressed concern that the current administration had militarised the civil space because citizens demanded necessities, including an end to hunger, a reduction in the cost of living, and a decrease in wasteful government spending.
He stated, “The 1999 Constitution, as amended, protects our inalienable rights, including the right to protest. According to the constitution, one should not be held without being charged in court for more than 48 hours. Yet, people like Alhaji Khand Aminu remain in detention without charges, languishing in SSS custody in Kaduna.”
“This is unacceptable! Nigeria may be a lawless place, but our fundamental rights will not be taken away from us. We demand that all those detained in connection to the ongoing protest be released with immediate effect; otherwise, President Tinubu should be ready to arrest all of us.”
Opposition urges Tinubu to reevaluate policies
Opposition political parties in Nigeria, under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Political Science Association, urged President Bola Tinubu to reevaluate his policies to address the demands of the protesters.
The CUPP National spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, lamented that the presidency mismanaged the #EndBadGovernance and hunger protests due to a lack of proactive ideas and necessary actions to forestall the accompanying carnage.
Adebayo, in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH, noted that a truly concerned, patriotic, and competent president would have immediately sprung into action by first addressing the nation.
He stated, “The lives that were lost were a needless tragedy; the property destroyed was avoidable, and the huge economic losses were preventable. But we have a president who is too far removed from the realities of his people’s suffering to care.
“His address after the bloodshed and losses was nondescript, ineffectual, uninspiring, demeaning, and hope-crushing. President Tinubu was prepared to be president but never prepared to govern.”
The NYCN President, Sukubo Sara-Igbe, pointed out that the challenges faced by Nigerians did not originate with the current administration, but there was an expectation for President Tinubu to tackle the issues. Sara-Igbe urged protesters to prioritize the country’s stability and peace, advocating for a move towards dialogue.
The NPSA President, Professor Hassan Saliu, observed that the external factors involved in the protest indicated that the situation was escalating. In an interview with one of our correspondents, Saliu emphasized the need for a careful approach, noting that while the beginning of a conflict could be known, its outcome remained uncertain.
Opposition parties condemn use of live ammunition
Opposition parties in the country have openly denounced the continued use of lethal force to intimidate and disperse civilians during peaceful demonstrations.
The opposition vented their anger and frustrations in separate interviews with our correspondent.
Their fear comes on the heels of the recent killing of a 16-year-old protester in the Samaru community, Zaria, Kaduna State. The teenager was identified as Ismail Mohammed.
The incident occurred when troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call to help disperse some hoodlums who were burning tyres and attacking security personnel in Samaru.
The mob had attempted to attack the troops, an action that led the soldiers to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away. However, the bullet hit Mohammed, leading to his death. No fewer than 17 persons have so far been reported dead in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa during the #EndBadGovernance protest, which was held across the country.
The rally began peacefully but took a violent turn in some cities, leading to violent confrontations between the police and the protesters.
In Abuja, the demonstration also claimed a victim who was shot dead along the Kubwa expressway. Reacting to the high number of casualties recorded at the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ibrahim Abdullahi, raised the alarm that the country is gradually sliding into dictatorship.
Abdullahi insisted that the bloodletting and intimidation of peaceful protesters could have been averted had Nigerians heeded their warning against voting in the current administration.
He said, “We have been warning that these people, in their desperation to ensure they gag Nigerians through silencing of the voices of dissent and deployment of the instrument of coercion against citizens innocently protesting, are sliding into raw dictatorship.”
Yunusa Tanko, the chief spokesman of Labour Party presidential flag bearer Peter Obi, shared the same sentiment. Tanko further vented his anger over the killing of the Kaduna teenager, saying he was a familiar face in Samaru.
“That teenager was shot right here in my area, Samaru community. I was there. It was not as if it happened in my presence but I was a distance away from the house where it occurred,” Tanko said.
Operatives may deploy arms if lives are threatened – APC
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress has called for restraint. In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, disclosed that while the introduction of live ammunition at protest grounds is condemnable, life-threatening circumstances might warrant the operatives to introduce them at some points.
He said, “That is wrong. In a peaceful demonstration, the use of lethal force is not allowed. However, the word ‘peaceful’ must be respected. If the protest turns violent and security agents are being attacked, they have a right to protect themselves. The operatives have the right to use reasonable and reciprocal force.
“For instance, if someone attacks you with an AK-47, you can use arms that are equivalent in force to save yourself and others. If the protest is peaceful, lethal weapons have no place. But when they become life-threatening, the narratives will change.”
Hundreds of protesters still in detention – Adeyanju
Meanwhile, lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has disclosed that hundreds of the scheduled #EndBadGovernance protesters are still being detained across the country by the Nigeria Police Force.
Adeyanju, who serves as legal adviser to the protesters, also added that the police had charged some of the protesters in court but said the legal team was yet to receive the charge sheet since the detained protesters were being charged all over the country, stating that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the protesters.
Protest over, citizens have embraced dialogue – Lagos
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has dismissed insinuations that the #EndBadGovernance protest would erupt on Saturday (today). The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, stated this during a phone interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
He pointed out that the Governance Advisory Council had visited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday and lauded what they called “mature leadership” which has prevented the state from descending into chaos during the protest.
He said, “The protest in Lagos has been peaceful so far, and it is over in Lagos. Lagosians have embraced peace and dialogue, and the governor has opened up engagement channels for protesters to dialogue.”
“The state has provided phone numbers through the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and the Office of Civic Engagement. We have been receiving calls from citizens and there has been fruitful dialogue, so there is no more protest in Lagos.
“Today, the GAC, led by their chairman, Tajudeen Olusi, paid a solidarity visit to Mr. Governor at the State House and commended the way our governor handled the recent expression of grievances through the protests. He has demonstrated mature leadership. The good people of the state have chosen peace.”
A former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, on Friday, charged President Bola Tinubu-led government to admit its mistakes and review its policies.
The Nigerian economy has been affected by some policies like the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, implemented by the Tinubu government.
The value of the naira, which is the nation’s currency, has sharply fallen in the wake of these policies, prompting recent protests by Nigerians.
To address the issues, Shekarau said Tinubu and his team should have a review of its economic policies and admit to mistakes where necessary.
Shekarau, while speaking on Channels TV Politics Today, said, “As we say in the teaching job, the best learning is when you learn through your mistakes.
“Let the government sit back and identify: ‘What areas have you made some errors? What mistakes have you made? What pronouncements have been made in error? What policies were put in place that are really breeding this kind of crisis of hunger and high cost of living and inflation [food] of 40 percent’?
“Admit there are some wrongs that have been committed; some errors and probably certain things have been taken for granted.
“This is the time to sit back and address them.”
President Bola Tinubu says the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will continue persuading Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to return to the bloc.
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso severed ties with ECOWAS after sanctions were imposed on them by the bloc following coups in their domains.
In a statement on Friday, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, quoted Tinubu, chairman of ECOWAS, as saying that the bloc would continue to be friendly to the countries.
Ngelale said Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Friday when he met with ECOWAS defence chiefs.
“It is in our hearts to make sure that security is enhanced, and that constitutional government is defended and promoted in our region,” the statement reads.
“It has been a challenging tenure for me since three members indicated their exit. We will work hard to persuade them to return, whichever way.
“No one man is smarter than the group of heads that is here. We will do everything to offer a hand of friendship to them and give them reasons to come back to us.
“The solution to terrorism and other challenges lies in our hands. We have to do it together.
“The ECOWAS standby force must be ready. We will continue to invest in this, as well as in the economic prosperity and opportunities across our region.”
On his part, Christopher Musa, chairman of the ECOWAS chiefs of defence staff, said insurgency and unconstitutional changes in government must be addressed collectively.
[PRESS RELEASE] The 1981 Class of The Nigeria Law School Salutes An Uncommon Jurist, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola
Admin![[PRESS RELEASE] The 1981 Class of The Nigeria Law School Salutes An Uncommon Jurist, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola](/media/k2/items/cache/c4326c4b08939db60ae0900c53572de5_S.jpg)
1.The entire 1981 Class of the Nigeria Law School (81 Setters) felicitates with your Lordship, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, CJN, GCON,on your graceful retirement as the 19th Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
2.We are very proud of your Lordship’s remarkable achievements and exemplary leadership of the Nigerian Judiciary as the Chief Justice of Nigeria ( CJN) in the past two years. You are a worthy Ambassador of our Class and we all take collective pride in the fact that you are one of us.
3.Right from our days back at the Victoria Island, Lagos Campus of the Nigeria Law School, you had left no one in doubt that you were destined for the topmost echelon of the legal profession through the judiciary.Your dedication to duty, maturity, integrity and focus have always defined you.
As a State Counsel in the Oyo State Ministry of Justice, you distinguished yourself by your industry and diligence. In the High Court of Oyo State, your Lordship succeeded in laying the foundation for a sterling judicial career as a brilliant and incorruptible Judge. At the Court of Appeal, your Lordship exemplified the excellent virtues of an outstanding Justice whose primary concern was nothing but the doing of justice to all manners of people,irrespective of tribe, gender,station in life,religion or language.
Your Lordship’s elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011 therefore did not come to us as a surprise, for it was a further confirmation of your track record as a trailblazer. Our Class was therefore delighted when your Lordship was appointed the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2022, a position that was richly earned. In the short span of just two remarkable years in the saddle, your administration as the Chief Justice of Nigeria was action-packed, reformative, innovative, and eventful.
As your Lordship takes a well deserved bow on your retirement from the Bench as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, we are proud of the fact that you are leaving behind a stronger Judiciary, a united Supreme Court and a well-funded Bench. The passage of the Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters, the enactment of the Supreme Court Rules, 2024, the historical attainment of the full complement of 21 Justices for the Supreme Court, the landmark decisions of the apex court,and many more,all speak volumes of the evergreen legacies of your Lordship’s outstanding administration. There is no doubt that your leadership and commitment to justice have left an indelible mark on our nation’s legal landscape.
On behalf all all our 1981 Classmates.( 81 Setters), I congratulate your Lordship and I wish you a blissful retirement in good health and with peace that passeth all understanding.
Prof. Mike A.A. Ozekhome, SAN, CON,0 OFR, FCIArb, LL.M, MA,PhD, LL.D, D.Litt, D.Sc, DA,JD, DHL.
CHAIRMAN.
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday identified purposeful leadership and team work, as factors that can bring positive change and development to the country.
Obasanjo, also noted that Nigeria, as a nation cannot progress without changes in the way governance is administered.
Former President stated this when he played host to six lawmakers from the House of Representatives, who co-sponsored bills seeking a single six-year term for the president and governors, power rotation between the northern and southern parts of the country, and a single day for presidential, governorship, national assembly, and state assembly elections, led by Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga, representing the Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta.
Speaking on the demands of the #EndBadGovernance protesters, Obasanjo said their demands were very legitimate, saying that the government should listen and hear their cry, and stop deceiving the masses that all is well.
He said, “like I have warned earlier, we should know that we are all sitting on a keg of gun powder if we fail to begin to do the right thing…for instance, what the youth are demanding are very legitimate and should be listened to or why should they be denied of what rightfully belong to them?
“They are frustrated, they are hungry, they are angry, they are unemployed, they deserved to be given listening ears”.
The Kano State Government has filed a fresh fraud charge against the immediate past governor of the state Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, his Commissioner for Local Government, Murtala Garo and two others.
According to the charge sheet, Garo, Lamin Sani and Muhammad Takai were charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, making false statements or returns and criminal misappropriation.
The state accused them of mismanaging of the 44 Local Government’s statutory allocations remitted to the State Joint Local Governments account from the Federation account.
They were also accused of criminally diverting N57.4 billion through several personal accounts of Local Government’s Cashiers and other Personal and corporate accounts, the charge sheet said.
The state government also accused them of transferring the funds into dollars for their personal benefit.
The state further alleged that they acquired a Service apartment on the Murtala Muhammad Way, a commercial apartment at Akoya Oxygen – x20868 Dubai in Tigerwood and plot 2201 Floor 22 Damac Height, Marsa Dubai Marina, a multi-billion Naira Hotel in Jabi, Abuja.
Others are filling stations, on Gwarzo Road Kano, Eastern Bypass Kano.
In the charge sheet, the state said it will call 143 witnesses.
No date has been fixed for the matter.
On April 4, the Kano government filed a suit against Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar and six others before the Kano High Court.
The six others include Ganduje’s son, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd., Safari Textiles Ltd., and Lesage General Enterprises.
On July 16, in the charge sheet with case No. K/143c/24, the state government accused Ganduje and erstwhile commissioner for justice, Musa Lawan, were charged with criminal conspiracy and misappropriation.
The Kano government accused Ganduje and Lawan of abuse of office.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to listen to the demands and concerns of the youth which necessitated the nationwide protests.
Obasanjo made the call on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while playing host to six members of the National Assembly.
The ex-Nigerian leader said what the youth were seeking through the nationwide protests was legitimate, stressing that there could be dire consequences if their demands were not met as soon as possible.
The six lawmakers are co-sponsors of a bill seeking a single six-year term for presidency and rotation between the North and the South.
Obasanjo urged the Federal Government to listen to the youth and not treat their concerns with levity.
“You are what you are today because you’re a Nigerian; I’m what I am also because I’m a Nigerian. So why should they be Nigerians and be languishing in poverty?
“They make demands and we’re not listening to them. Many of them are frustrated, desperate, angry, and unemployed. What do we expect?”
Obasanjo noted that for Nigeria to attain its highest status, all hands must be on deck, just as “our mentality should also change”
According to him, the issue is not whether the country should adopt a single six-year term or maintain the status quo.
If the mentality of the people in governance does not change, then Nigeria will remain where it is, he stressed.
More...
The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that the Dangote Refinery’s crude oil supply problem lies with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria.
Africa’s richest man disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
He was responding to a report that the NNPC supplies Dangote Refinery with about 60 percent of the 50 million barrels lifted.
In the statement, Dangote noted that the primary challenge confronting the refinery is NUPRC’s reluctance to enforce domestic supply obligations by IOCs in Nigeria.
He explained that when Dangote Refinery approached the IOCs for crude supply, they either redirected the company to a third party or responded that their cargoes were committed.
“Our concern has always been NUPRC’s reluctance to enforce the domestic crude supply obligation and ensure that we receive our full crude requirement from NNPC and the IOCs.
“For September, our requirement is 15 cargoes, of which NNPC allocated six. Despite appealing to NUPRC, we’ve been unable to secure the remaining cargoes.
“When we approached IOCs producing in Nigeria, they redirected us to their international trading arms or responded that their cargoes were committed,” he said.
Recall that in July 2024, the NUPRC directed oil refiners in the country to provide monthly price quotes on crude supply to address the challenges facing Dangote Refinery.
In a move to address the crude supply challenge faced by Dangote Refinery, President Bola Tinubu directed NNPCL to sell crude in Naira to the company and other local refineries.
However, as of the time of filing this report, Tinubu’s directive is yet to be implemented.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has countered claims by President Bola Tinubu that the Federal Government granted N570 billion to the 36 states of the Federation.
Makinde spoke in a newsletter he published on the Oyo State official website on Thursday.
The governor, who said reports that the Federal Government gave the states N570 billion is not completely accurate, added that the funds disbursed were not a direct allocation from the Federal Government.
He explained that the money received by the states were actually World Bank COVID-19 funds, with the Federal Government acting only as an intermediary between the international creditor and the 36 states.
Makinde added that the funding was contingent on what the states had already spent on COVID-19 programs, meaning the World Bank was simply reimbursing what the states had used to address the pandemic crisis.
The Oyo governor said: “I responded to a question from a concerned citizen of Oyo State regarding the claim that the Federal Government ‘gave’ states over N570 billion as some kind of ‘hardship fund’ for citizens.
“Let me state categorically that this is yet another case of misrepresentation of facts. The said funds were part of the World Bank-assisted NG-CARES project—a Programme for Results intervention.
“The World Bank facilitated an intervention to help states in Nigeria with COVID-19 Recovery. CARES means COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus.”
Recall that while addressing Nigerians in a broadcast over the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests against hunger and hardship, Tinubu had said his administration had disbursed N570 billion to the 36 states.
Tinubu stated that more than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from nano-grants.
The President further said that an additional 400,000 more nano-businesses were expected to benefit.
Elder statesman and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Bode George has lamented that the crisis in the party is a resultant effect of personal ambition.
George disclosed that the ambitions of certain chieftains were tearing the party apart.
He stated that the development constitutes an obstacle to genuine reconciliation,
“Elders of the party have to come into the room to resolve the personalized ambitions of people. That is what is killing our party,” he said.
He spoke on the sidelines of an interactive session with the media on the State of the Nation, held at his office in Ikoyi.
According to the retired Commodore, the founding fathers of PDP, led by the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, put ethnicity and religion aside while laying its foundation.
George recalled that by dividing Nigeria into six zones and distributing the top six positions in the country among them, the party fostered inclusion and a sense of belonging.
He expressed fear that holding on to personal ambition may create problems of marginalization and exclusion.
George, who also reflected on the state of the nation, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restructure the country to foster true federalism.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has sent a message to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun following invasion of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja.
He warned that the invaders must be identified.
Recall that armed security operatives raided NLC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday night.
NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, said the ‘heavily armed’ security operatives broke into the second floor and “ransacked the bookshop carting away hundreds of books and other publications.”
“The invading troop claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernance Protests.” he wrote.
However, the Department of State Services (DSS) denied involvement in the alleged raid of the NLC headquarters.
In a statement on Thursday, Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the denial of DSS is not sufficient, stressing the invasion is a shameful reminder of a similar occurrence on February 28, 1988.
According to him, the invasion was designed to silence the NLC leaders for having the audacity to criticise the harassment of the #EndBadGovernance protesters by the police and other security agencies.
Falana said it is illegal for security forces to invade the homes and offices of law-abiding citizens and corporate bodies under a democratic dispensation.
The statement reads, “The invasion is a shameful reminder of the armed invasion of the NLC secretariat on February 28, 1988, following the loss of the post of the president of the congress at the triennial delegates conference of the congress by the stooge of the Ibrahim Babangida military junta.
“As if the invasion was not enough, the reactionary forces in power at the material time proceeded to seize the secretariat and impose a sole administrator to manage the affairs of the congress for over a year.
“Two years earlier, security operatives had detained NLC leaders, including its president, Comrade Ali Chiroma, who died a few months ago.
“The Gestapo tactic on that tragic occasion was to forestall a nationwide protest in response to police killings of Ahmadu Bello University students.
“For genuine democrats, it’s utterly regrettable that official actions in a democratic dispensation could be reminiscent of the atrocities that defined the dark days of military dictatorship.
“The State Security Service has denied its involvement in the invasion.
“However, the official denial of the State Security Service in the repressive activity is not sufficient.
“We are therefore compelled to call on the Inspector-General of Police to order an inquiry into the identities of the perpetrators of the illegal invasion. This should not be a case of unknown invaders!”