President Bola Tinubu has pleaded with aggrieved Nigerians, especially youths planning a national protest over the high cost of living to shelve the action, saying there is no need for it.
The President also assured those behind the planned protest that he has heard their grievances and is working seriously to ensure that all their concerns are addressed.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the President’s plea while speaking with State House correspondents after he met with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President’s assurance came as the face-off between Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayou Onanuga; and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, took a new twist, yesterday.
Obi’s lawyers, yesterday, wrote Onanuga, demanding N5 billion and an apology within 72 hours for accusing him and his supporters of high treason in allegedly being masterminds of the planned “EndBadGovernance protest.”
In like manner, former presidential aspirant and a chieftain of the LP, Professor Pat Utomi, challenged Onanuga to produce evidence of his involvement in the planned protest or face N500 billion litigation.
Tinubu’s assurance
The minister said that at the meeting with the President, general issues on the country were discussed and that the President said he is working assiduously to ensure the country’s economy is placed in a good position.
His words: ‘’We discussed the issue of the country in general and Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.
“Mr President said he listens to them and takes what they say seriously and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today, but also for the future.
“The issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that, he asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas, he has listened to them.’’
Obi’s lawyers write Onanuga demand N5bn, apology
However, former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has given Mr. Onanuga, 72 hours within which to pay N5billion as damages as well a public apology published in four national newspapers for defamation and libel or face legal action.
Obi demanded that Mr. Onanuga, retract his wild allegation linking him to the planned mass protest scheduled for August.
Recall that the Presidential spokesman had on July 20, 2024, claimed in his X handle @aonanuga1956 that: “ Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held responsible for anarchy.”
Onanuga’s post was tagged, “Revealed: Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria. Obi should be held responsible for anarchy.”
He claimed that individuals who hijacked the 2020 ENDSARS protests are behind the EndBadGovernance and Tinubu Must Go protest. He described the masterminds as anarchists and bad losers who cannot wait for for the 2027 elections but instead were seeking to destabilise Nigeria through a civilian coup, and asked that Obi be held responsible if the protest turned into anarchy.
Onanuga warned that the protesters’ call for revolution and ending an elected government amounted to high treason and called on security agencies to take action against those threatening Nigeria’s stability.
The post read in part: “Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.
“The protest planners are also the same people who were instigated by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to launch the destructive #EndSARS protest in Nigeria in October 2020.
“#EndSARS began as a genuine protest by youths against the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, notorious for its high-handedness.
“IPOB members planning to extricate the South East region from Nigeria infiltrated the protest and hijacked it for their agenda.
“Lagos still bears the scars of the malicious destruction by IPOB elements until today. Two years after #EndSARS, the IPOB and gullible innocents joined the Labour Party in 2022 to support Peter Obi, a sympathiser of their cause. They are the people spreading the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance’, ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024.’
“They are not democrats but anarchists. They are attempting to call out our people via propaganda because their Messiah, Peter Obi, failed to win the Presidency in the 2023 election.
“As bad losers, they don’t have the patience to wait for another election in 2027; they would rather destabilise Nigeria by staging a civilian coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason. Wanting to end an elected government is high treason.
“Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason. I have been on the trail of one of the protest planners, who is nameless but claims to have an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja.”
The post elicited immediate response from the Labour Party and Obi’s Media office. While LP denied involvement saying the party, its supporters and Obi were not planning any protest, Obi’s Media Office, said the Presidency’s allegation was a ploy to arrest Obi.
Legal action
Going further, yesterday, Obi, writing through his counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN of the Madiba Chambers, said that the allegation which was widely published in social and mainstream media and read by many within and outside the country, maligned his hard-earned reputation as a man, who indulges in violence when all his antecedents are vivid that he abhors violence even in the face of extreme provocation.
The legal counsel wrote: “It’s our client’s conviction that the publication was a calculated plot to demean, ridicule, humiliate and embarrass him by the estimation of every right-thinking member of the society.”
The letter further stated that the allegation may have achieved its insipid motive as well-wishers from all around the globe have inundated Obi to register their shock.
“His appellation as ‘Okwute’ (the Rock) notwithstanding, the demeaning and scandalous publication has also caused a serious emotional injury to our client, given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life.
“Consequently, we have our client’s mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in not less than four national Dailies to wit: Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch and The Cable, including your verified X”@aonanuga1956.
“Our client is also making an unequivocal demand for the monetary damage of N5b for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family.”
The letter further read: “In the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our client shall be constrained to approach a court of competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel.”
Utomi vows to sue Onanuga for N500bn if…
Also, renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, who denied involvement in the planned protest, vowed to sue Onanuga.
Reacting in a statement he personally signed, Utomi advised Onanuga to withdraw his statement or provide evidence of his claims.
He warned that he would sue Onanuga and claim N500bn if he failed to provide sophisticated evidence.
“If no evidence of Mr. Onanuga’s false assertion is shown I will assume it reasonable that the object is to water the ground for false treasonable felony charges that can result in the claim of one’s life. I intend to therefore proceed to the international criminal and other human rights courts if a reasonable explanation is not forthcoming.
“I will also have no choice but to institute a claim of N500 Billon for fake news, hate speech and intent to procure state murder of an innocent citizen. If judicial capture makes justice problematic in Nigeria I expect that I can trust extra-national institutions and global human solidarity.”
Onanuga’s evil incitement against Obi will fail —MASSOB
Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has frowned at Onanuga’s attack on Obi, saying that the incitement against Obi would come to nought.
The group advised Onanuga and the Federal Government to leave Obi alone and focus on how to save Nigerians who are starving to death.
“The heavy and massive incoming protest against hunger, high cost of living, government high corruption, impunity and government insensitivity against the welfare of the citizens is not planned or orchestrated by Mr. Peter Obi or his nationwide supporters.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria led Bola Tinubu knows that the protests are neither motivated nor influenced by Mr. Peter Obi but the Northern oligarchic leaders which includes some powerful Northern political, religious, opinion and traditional leaders.
“Mr Bayo Onanuga and Omokri are two leading internal and external figures waging wars of character assassination, blackmail and incitement against Mr. Peter Obi,” MASSOB said in a statement by its leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu.
Allegation against Obi, reckless —SERG
Also reacting, the South-East Revival Group, SERG, condemner Onanuga’s allegation against Obi.
In a statement by its National Secretary, Hon. Agu Chineme, the SERG said “this shameful position by a government that has chosen to spread falsehoods and lies about Peter Obi instead of finding ways to help hungry and suffering masses of Nigeria who are struggling to find their next meal amid insecurity, unemployment, and lack of access to adequate healthcare across the country is unacceptable.”
The frontline South-East socio-political pressure group urged the Federal Government not to politicize hunger and deprivation in the land.
It warned that “President Tinubu’s handlers could plunge the country into chaos with their reckless propaganda and desperation to continue the now nine years of blame games” of successive All Progressives Congress, APC administrations.
[Vanguard]
The house of representatives has asked the federal government to suspend Farouk Ahmed, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), over “unguarded comments”.
The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary session on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Esosa Iyawe from Edo.
The motion was titled ‘Urgent Need to Address the Outrage Resulting from Unguarded Comments by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority’.
The NMDPRA and Dangote refinery have been embroiled in a dispute that began recently.
On July 18, Ahmed said local refineries, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, were producing inferior products compared to the ones imported into the country.
He also said Dangote requested all importation of petroleum products — especially automotive gas oil (AGO) or jet kero — be suspended or stopped, and all oil marketers be directed to his refinery.
This, Ahmed said, is not good for Nigeria in terms of energy security and also not good for markets because of monopoly.
Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote Group, denied Ahmed’s claims.
On Monday, Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state petroleum resources (oil), met with Dangote, Ahmed, Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Mele Kyari, group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, to resolve the matter.
The house of representatives joint committee on petroleum resources (downstream and midstream) has also launched a probe into Ahmed’s claims.
The committee is also investigating the allegations that international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria are frustrating the survival of the Dangote refinery.
‘CARELESS STATEMENT, UNPROFESSIONAL’
Moving the motion, Iyawe described Ahmed’s statement as “careless,” as well as “unprofessional and unpatriotic” in the wake of calls for protest against the federal government.
Iyawe said Ahmed made the statement without conducting any prior investigation.
The lawmaker said the “unguarded statement” by the NMDPRA CEO has “sparked outrage from Nigerians who tagged his undermining of local refineries and insistence on the continued importation of fuel an act of economic sabotage, as the imported products have been shown to contain high levels of dangerous compounds”.
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The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.
Consequently, the lower chamber asked the federal government to suspend the NMDPRA CEO pending the conclusion of the investigations into the claims.
President Bola Tinubu has pleaded with aggrieved Nigerians, especially youths planning a national protest over the high cost of living to shelve the action, saying there is no need for it.
The President also assured those behind the planned protest that he has heard their grievances and is working seriously to ensure that all their concerns are addressed.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the President’s plea while speaking with State House correspondents after he met with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President’s assurance came as the face-off between Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayou Onanuga; and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, took a new twist, yesterday.
Obi’s lawyers, yesterday, wrote Onanuga, demanding N5 billion and an apology within 72 hours for accusing him and his supporters of high treason in allegedly being masterminds of the planned “EndBadGovernance protest.”
In like manner, former presidential aspirant and a chieftain of the LP, Professor Pat Utomi, challenged Onanuga to produce evidence of his involvement in the planned protest or face N500 billion litigation.
Tinubu’s assurance
The minister said that at the meeting with the President, general issues on the country were discussed and that the President said he is working assiduously to ensure the country’s economy is placed in a good position.
His words: ‘’We discussed the issue of the country in general and Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.
“Mr President said he listens to them and takes what they say seriously and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today, but also for the future.
“The issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that, he asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas, he has listened to them.’’
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar has condemned attempts by the federal government and security agencies to scuttle the nationwide protests planned to take place from August 1.
Vanguard reports that plans are in motion to stage nationwide protests against bad governance, the current economic hardship, and a range of issues.
Taking to his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, the 2023 presidential candidate under the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, expressed concern that even supporters of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC are not left out of the hardship.
He wondered why President Tinubu and some key figures who were part of the nationwide protest against the Goodluck Jonathan government in 2012 were attempting to stop the planned protests.
He wrote, “For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are ENSHRINED in the Nigerian Constitution and AFFIRMED by our courts. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.
“Chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government.
“It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012. A responsible government must ensure a SAFE and SECURE environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to PEACEFUL PROTEST.
“Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to our democracy,” he said.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, to retract his alleged defamatory statement against him.
Onanuga had alleged that supporters of Obi are behind the proposed nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country.
In a letter by Alex Ejesieme, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Obi’s lawyer, the former governor of Anambra is also asking Onanuga to tender a public apology published in four national newspapers over the “widespread defamation and libel” or face legal action.
Obi is demanding N5 billion in damages from Onanuga.
There have been reports of a youth-led nationwide protest over the rising cost of living and economic hardship.
The protest is reportedly slated for August 1 to 15.
Onanuga further alleged that the organisers of the planned protest were the same individuals who “hijacked” the #ENDSARS protest of 2020.
“Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action,” Onanuga had written on X.
However, Obi said the allegation, which went viral on social and mainstream media and was read by many within and outside the country, maligned his hard-earned reputation.
He added that the allegation dented his image as “a man who indulges in violence”.
“It’s our client’s conviction that the publication was a calculated plot to demean, ridicule, humiliate, and embarrass him by the estimation of every right-thinking member of the society,” the letter reads.
“His appellation as ‘Okwute’ (the Rock) notwithstanding, the demeaning and scandalous publication has also caused a serious emotional injury to our client given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life.
“Consequently, we have our client’s mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in not less than 4 National Dailies to wit: Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and TheCable, including your verified X“@aonanuga1956.
“Our client is also making an unequivocal demand for the monetary damage of N5b for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family.
“In the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our client shall be constrained to approach a Court of Competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel.
The United Nations (UN) department of safety and security has warned that the planned protests in Nigeria may be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives.
Recent reports indicate that various Nigerian groups are planning a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10, dubbed “10 days of rage,” to address the country’s soaring cost of living and economic hardship.
In a threat and risk assessment finding dated July 19, the UN expressed concerns about the possibility of violence, citing past instances where similar protests in Nigeria escalated.
“Recall that in the 13–16 February 2023 interval, tensions generated by the paucity of new Naira currency (financial crisis) reached high levels amongst the civilian population, which materialized in violent protests in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, in the states of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers,” the threat and risk assessment reads.
“During the civil unrest in the different states, several bank branches and ATM points were vandalized, and major roads were blocked.
“As the turnout for the ’10 days of rage’ protest is expected to be high, large-scale disruptions to normal economic and social activities cannot be discounted.”
The threat assessment also showed that confrontations between groups supporting the government and those disagreeing with its policies cannot be ruled out from the end of July towards August 10-15.
“While acknowledging the economic hardship in the country, some organizations and leaders of ethnic groups (especially in South-South and South-East) were discouraging participation in any of the 1-10 August protests (E.g. Ọhanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organization in Nigeria, claiming to represent the interests of all Igbos),” the UN said.
“This highlights the possibility of the events being hijacked by other interest groups/detractors, thus complicating the security landscape of different areas.”
Those calling for the protests are asking for a reverse of some policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu believed to have engendered hardship in the country.
Some of the demands include the reinstatement of petrol and tertiary education subsidies, restoring affordable electricity tariffs, and reducing import duties to previous values established before the economic crisis.
Others are declaring a state of emergency on inflation, more transparency in public administration, publicly disclosing and reducing the salaries and allowances of political office holders, and reforms to the judicial system.
In a statement addressed to Tinubu, Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said it would be hard to prevent Nigerians from expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s policies.
Aliko Dangote, the chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, has been invited by President Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon to invest in cement and fertiliser production in the country.
According to a statement by the media office of Dangote Group, the billionaire was invited to explore investment opportunities in cement and fertiliser (urea and phosphate).
“President Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon has invited the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote to invest in Cement and Fertiliser production in Gabon,” Dangote Group said.
“The President urged Dangote to explore potential investment opportunities in the country’s cement and fertilizer sectors, specifically urea and phosphate production.”
According to the statement, Dangote conversed with Nguema and other top government officials during the visit.
“The talks focused on how Dangote Industries could contribute to Gabon’s economic growth by establishing cement and fertilizer plants, which are vital for the country’s infrastructure development and agricultural productivity,” Dangote Group said.
“President Nguema expressed enthusiasm about the potential partnership, highlighting Gabon’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investments.
“He noted that the collaboration with Dangote Industries would bring significant benefits, including job creation, technology transfer, and enhanced industrial capacity.”
‘INVESTING IN GABON ALIGNS WITH DANGOTE INDUSTRIES GOALS’
On his part, Dangote underscored his company’s dedication to fostering economic development in the continent.
He emphasised that investing in Gabon’s cement and fertilizer sectors aligns with Dangote Industries’ strategic vision of expanding its footprint and supporting sustainable development across Africa.
“We are excited about the opportunity to invest in Gabon. Our goal is to contribute to the country’s economic diversification and industrialization efforts,” Dangote said.
“By leveraging our expertise in cement and fertilizer production, we aim to support Gabon’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors.”
Dangote Group said the visit signifies a significant step towards deepening economic ties between Nigeria and Gabon.
The company said as Dangote Industries continues to explore and finalise investment opportunities, both nations anticipate mutual benefits that would propel economic progress and regional integration.
“The potential investment by Dangote Industries in Gabon is expected to bolster the country’s industrial landscape, ensuring a steady supply of essential materials for construction and agriculture,” the statement reads.
“This development aligns with President Nguema’s vision of transforming Gabon into a diversified and self-sustaining economy.
“In the coming months, further discussions and assessments will be conducted to finalize the investment plans. The collaboration between Dangote Industries and the Gabonese government holds promise for a robust partnership that will significantly impact Gabon’s economic landscape.”
The invitation comes days after Dangote announced he will halt investment in Nigeria’s steel industry.
On July 21, the businessman said Dangote Industries would no longer continue with plans to enter Nigeria’s steel industry to avoid being accused of wanting to be a monopoly.
Dangote’s threat comes two months after his company said it was making plans to invest in the steel industry and expand the economy.
180 members of the House of Representatives Minority Caucus have unanimously called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu from custody.
The motion which was moved by Rep Obi Aguocha, representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South Federal Constituency, appeal to the minority caucus of the 10th House of Representatives for the release of Kanu which was unanimously adopted by the caucus at a meeting in Abuja.
Neighbor recounts how woman abused 12 years old niece, burnt her with hot knife and forced.....
Appealing, Aguocha urged his colleagues to take a definitive position on the ongoing discourse surrounding the detention of Kanu and to explore a political solution to his release.
The caucus is made up of members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 115 seats, Labour Party (LP), 35 seats, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), 19 seats, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), 5 seats, Social Democratic Party (SDP), 2 seats, Young Progressives Party (YPP),2 seats, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), 2 seats.
In his address, Aguocha emphasized the importance of a united stance within the minority caucus, highlighting that the resolution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case is crucial for national peace, stability, and unity.
He called for immediate and strategic engagement with relevant stakeholders to advocate for a peaceful and political resolution to the matter, which has significant implications for the socio-political landscape of Nigeria.
He further underscored the potential benefits of addressing the situation through dialogue and reconciliation rather than a prolonged abuse of legal processes and confrontation. He expressed his belief that a political solution could pave the way for enhanced national integration and the restoration of trust among various communities.
“Today, the opposition parties have taken a decisive stand on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the planned protest, insecurity, the dilapidated infrastructure, and the economy.
“The adoption of the position on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the influential caucus comes off the heels of my recent visits to the former President Muhammadu Buhari, successful mobilisation of 50 of our fellow colleagues across all parties and also the southeast caucus of the National Assembly. It will be recalled that the Southeast Governors forum also joined in the call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“This call to action by my colleagues serves as a reminder of the critical role that legislative bodies play in fostering peace and stability in the nation. I remains committed to championing initiatives that promote justice, equity, and harmonious coexistence across Nigeria.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Tuesday, raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), which measures interest rates by 50 basis points, from 26.25% to 26.75% amid soaring inflation and skyrocketing food prices.
The Governor of the apex bank, Olayemi Cardoso, announced this after the apex bank’s 296th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja.
The MPC had maintained a hawkish stance to tame inflation since it resumed meeting this year and thus far, it has hiked rate by more than 500 points.
The rate was raised to 26.25 per cent in May.
However, with inflation moving to 34.19 per cent in June, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, the headline inflation increased by 0.24 per cent relative to the May 2024 headline inflation rate which was 33.95 per cent.
On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.40 per cent points higher than that of June 2023 (22.79 per cent).
Also, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in June 2024 was 2.31 per cent, which was 0.17 per cent higher than the rate recorded in May 2024 (2.14 per cent), meaning that the rate of increase in the average price level was higher in June than in May.
Repeatedly, the CBN governor has maintained that the MPC members were committed to price stability and were willing to keep tightening until inflation is tamed.
Multiple reports from investment houses had projected that the MPR would be hiked,
Cowry Asset Management, in its weekly report, projected a 25bps to 50bps hike in interest rates, while the Meristem report anticipates “a 100 basis point increase in the monetary policy rate to 27.25 per cent while likely keeping other parameters unchanged. Overall, we anticipate that the committee will prioritize inflation control and capital inflow sustainability, crucial for maintaining a stable exchange rate system, and accordingly, implement a rate hike to achieve these objectives.”
A member of the Labour Party or LP, Mr Ezenwo Onyewuchi, representing Imo East has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Onyewuchi’s defection letter was read on the floor of the red chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday.
Imo State Governor, Mr Hope Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), was in the chamber when the letter of defection was read.
Details soon…
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The House of Representatives has approved the amended 2024 budget, raising the total to ₦35.5 trillion, an increase from the initial ₦28.7 trillion.
This decision comes after President Bola Tinubu sought an amendment to the budget in a letter sent to the House last week, requesting an additional ₦6.2 trillion.
The passage of the amended budget reflects an increment of ₦600 billion over the requested amount, showcasing the House’s commitment to addressing the country’s fiscal needs comprehensively.
In addition to passing the amended budget, the House has also approved the minimum wage bill and the police act amendment bill, aligning with similar actions taken by the Senate.
President Tinubu’s request for the budget amendment was articulated under Section 58, subsection 2 of the Nigerian Constitution, allowing for adjustments in the fiscal plan to meet the evolving economic demands and priorities of the nation.
The President’s letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read at the plenary session on Wednesday, underscored the necessity of the budget increase to cater to various developmental projects and economic stabilization measures.
“I forward herewith the above bills for consideration and passage by the Senate.
“The Appropriation Act Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to amend the principal Act to provide the sum of ₦3.2 trillion for Renewed Hope infrastructure projects and other critical infrastructure projects to be undertaken across the country.
“And the sum of ₦3 trillion to meet further recurrent expenditure requirements, necessary for the proper operation by the Federal Government expenditure, which is to be funded by expected revenue accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the letter read.
Tinubu added that the proposed amendments to the Finance Act 2023 were required to impose a one-time windfall tax on the foreign exchange gains realised by banks in their 2023 financial statements.
He explained that this was to fund capital infrastructure development, education, healthcare access, and public welfare initiatives.
According to the President, all of the projects are essential components of the renewed hope agenda of the administration.
Tinubu had, on January 1, 2024, assented to the ₦28.7tn 2024 Appropriation Bill passed by the Senate. On May 29, 2024, the president said he would present the 2024 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly (NASS).
Fifty-eight of the 164 member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) members have voiced support for a proposal from the African Group backing incumbent Director General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to serve a second term.
The 58 member countries of the trade association made this known at a July 22 meeting of the WTO General Council, according to a statement by the world trade body.
“The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term, and has proposed that the process of reappointing the Director-General should be started as soon as possible,” the statement partly read.
“Fifty-eight members, several speaking on behalf of groups of members, took the floor to comment and express their support for the African Group proposal. They called on DG Okonjo-Iweala to make her intentions regarding a second term known as soon as possible. Most of these members praised the DG’s hard work and her achievements during her first term.
Okonjo-Iweala, 70, said she was very grateful for the support from members. “Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together,” she said.
The director general said that she took the call of members very seriously and was favourably inclined. She said she would get back to members very soon regarding her intentions.
Okonjo-Iweala, the seventh WTO boss, took office on March 1, 2021 for a single term of four years which will expire on August 31, 2025. She is eligible for a second term.
The former Nigerian Finance Minister navigated stiff opposition to become the first woman and the first African to serve as WTO Director-General. Before her current appointment, she twice served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. She also briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.
The skilled negotiator had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the number two position of Managing Director, Operations.
[Channels TV]
- Kaduna, Jigawa governors: it’s uncalled for
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday dissociated themselves from the protest being planned by some shadowy groups.
Also yesterday Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani cautioned North’s youths to shun call for protest.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), however, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address grievances being expressed by those planning the protest.
ACF National Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman said the indices that track human progress, including poverty, illiteracy, health, and security of life and property, tend to place the North at the back.
He dissociated the group from the proposed protest, saying that it is ill-timed and counter-productive.
Osuman said: “We at ACF remain committed to articulating and defending the interests of the peoples of the North through our various activities. One such was the recently constituted Technical Committee that reviewed the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by the ACF.
“The report of the Technical Committee formed the basis of ACF’s submission to the joint committees of the National Assembly on Constitution review. Our input will be formally made available to the Northern Governors’ Forum.”
The ACF chair spoke during a meeting with the Kaduna State governor.
Sani urged Northerners to shun what he described as toxic politics and join hands to pull the region back from the brink.
The governor advised them to reflect on insecurity, which has retarded regional development, instead of embarking on protest.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, maintained that the people of Southeast will not participate in the protest.
Ohanaeze: Igbo won’t join protest
Ohanaeze said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, that Nigerians should understand that the current economic situation will not last forever.
According to the group, “tough times never last, but tough people do.”
The statement reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo seizes this opportunity to reiterate our position with respect to the widely publicised nationwide protest scheduled for the days of August, 2024.
“On February, 20, 2024, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, directed the Igbo not to join in the protest against President Bola Tinubu.
“The Igbo leader explained that “Igbo youths and youths from other ethnic groups at various times expressed their dissatisfaction with events in the country.
“It is clear to us that when youths from other tribes of the country are involved, they are reprimanded and forgiven; but when the Igbo youths are involved, they are arrested, incarcerated and even charged for serious offences. For example, the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu generated a lot of problems for the Igbos among others.
“Emphatically, the current hardship in Nigeria is the comeuppance of Igbophobia. It is an unavoidable outcome of an orchestrated injustice, marginalization, callous conspiracies, corporate shenanigans and ethnic bigotry against the Igbo.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that there can never be peace, progress and national development when there is a deliberate government policy of injustice, tantrums and brimstones against a vibrant, capacious, resourceful, resilient and populous ethnic group such as the Igbo.
The group reacted to a remark by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, that “the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi and that Obi “should be held responsible for whatever crisis that emanates from the protest.”
Ohanaeze also objected to Onanuga’s remark that Obidients are “plotting to unseat President Bola Tinubu under the guise of protests,” thereby convening the impression that “the Igbo are the propellers of the forthcoming nationwide protest”.
Ohanaeze said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo views Onanuga’s dispositions towards anything Igbo as unthoughtful, loathsome, cantankerous, uncouth, repugnant, inflammable, repugnant and full of deep-seated hate.”
Tinubu not against North, says Sani
Sani dismissed the insinuation that President Tinubu is against the North, saying that it is false and absurd.
He explained that President Tinubu is doing his best to salvage the economic situation, adding that he has been giving uncommon support to state governments in the North to address many challenges.
He attributed the rumour that Tinubu is against the North to the antics of some political manipulators, who are only interested in feathering their nests.
Sani explained that in 2022, the Federal Government, through the National Bureau of Statistics, launched its most extensive measure of multi-dimensional poverty, which revealed that most poor people are in the North.
He said: “The survey revealed that 63% of persons living in Nigeria (that is about 133 million people) are multidimensionally poor. 65% of the poor (that is 86 million people) live in the North, while 35% (nearly 47 million) live in the South.
“The North is not faring any better in the area of Education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) puts the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria at 18.3 million. Out of this outrageous number of out-of-school children, about 70% are in the North.
“This is quite disturbing and must worry all of us who still care for the North and Nigeria in general. Insecurity in the North has retarded developments in the critical sectors as a lot of farmers cannot access their farms.
“Food insecurity now confronts us directly. Child and maternal mortality are on the increase. Our infrastructure has decayed and the moves to address our infrastructural deficits are equally threatened by insecurity.
“From this very disturbing picture, it is clear that the Northern Nigeria faces an existential threat. This is therefore, a time for all hands to be on deck to pull the region back from the brink. It is a time when our people must close ranks, fashion a Marshall Plan for the North and move decisively to change these negatives.”
Sani lamented that despite the indices, what is prevalent in the North is the promotion of toxic politics, opposition for opposition’s sake, and “pull him down syndrome.”
He observed that some Northerners indulge in endless blame games, devoid of attempts at soul searching or introspection.
Sani said: “We have failed to ask ourselves some vital questions. Where did the rain start beating the North? Who are those complicit in the underdevelopment of the North? What have we done individually and collectively to find solutions to the challenges facing the North?
“We must take a hard look at ourselves, tell ourselves some home truths, and move together to fashion a common strategy to address our developmental challenges and confront the criminals making life unbearable for our people.”
Sani said ACF has a major role to play in building the required consensus for the best approach to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
He said ACF should make efforts to refocus the attention of Northerners from toxic politics to development.
Police Commissioner to Abuja residents: Shun protest
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, urged residents of Abuja to ignore the protest.
He said the protest may be hijacked by criminals bent on destroying the
new infrastructure recently put in place by the FCT administration and President Bola Tinubu.
The commissioner spoke on the protest while parading suspects who allegedly killed retired Brigadier General Uwen Harold Udokwerre in Abuja on June 22, 2024.
He said: “Lions do not destroy their den. We have toiled so much to ensure and provide security for the FCT. In the cause of this, we have gone to Kaduna, we have gone to Kogi, we have gone to Nasarawa to fish our criminals who came to disturb the peace of Abuja.
“In this process, we have lost officers. Last week we lost two officers, the previous week, we lost one officer over efforts at providing security and safeguarding residents. We don’t want to lose any more person.
“So please, don’t allow the destruction of what the minister and Mr President are doing. We have been in this FCT, we know when there are changes, roads, infrastructure. I am pleading with residents, do not join this protest.
“We don’t want miscreants to come from outside the FCT to come and start destroying them. We will go back to square one where we were before. I plead, I beg of you, do not join this protest.
“Let us continue collectively to make FCT safe. Let them go and do what they want to do. But not with us. Act maturely. Act maturely. Act like people who appreciate. Even the loss we have been losing to ensure your safety. Use it to appreciate us. If you give it to us, we will be very happy. We will continue to provide security for you.”
NLC, NANS CAN not part of protest
Jigawa State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and NLC also disassociated themselves from the protest.
They said they would not join the protest during their meeting with Governor Umar Namadi in Dutse
The governor said protest will not resolve the economic crisis, urging the youths to be patient with the government.
CAN leader Rev. Father Maurice Hassan said: “CAN in Jigawa State is not and will not be part of the protest. We want peace. I am appealing to the government to find a solution. People are in serious situation”.
NLC Chairman Sunusi Alhassan said: “We are not and will not be part of this protest because our national secretariat is not party to it.
Also, the President of Jigawa State NANS Comrade Abdullahi Garba said student would not allow any selfish individual or group to use them to distablise the peace of the nation.
Justice Forum urges calm
A group in the the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Justice Forum, urged t to alcalm down, embrace dialogue and shun violence.
It’s leader in Ikeja Division, James Faleke, said in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Razaq Ajala, that the youths should shun disgruntled elements who want to use them to achieve a self-serving agenda.
Faleke recalled the ENDSARS protest in Lagos that was hijacked by disgruntled elements, lamenting that it led to loss of innocent lives and destruction of property.
He said: “We all witnessed how innocent lives and properties worth billions of Naira were lost during the so-called ENDSARS protest a few years ago in Lagos when a genuine agitation turned into violence.
“There is need for us to thread softly with the development in Kenya and other similar incidents across the world where genuine agitations have been hijacked by agents of devil and have resulted into loss of innocent lives and several properties destroyed.”
Faleke, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, said the policies Tinubu il administration have started yielding dividends.
He added: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has just approved a new minimum wage for the civil servant which is more than 100%.
“He has equally removed the duties payable on essential food items, payment of student loans among other efforts by the government to put the Economy back on track,” he said.
“We appeal to Nigerians to continue to support Mr. President in his resolved to institute a sustainable economy model that will benefit all.”
Faleke urged National Assembly members, state lawmakers, ministers, commissioners, council chairmen and other party leaders to educate and sensitize the populace on the needs to understand President Tinubu’s policies and be patient with the government.
[POMR PRESS RELEASE] Peter Obi screams, amid the luxury lifestyle of the government, Nigeria Economy now 4th in Africa from 1st in 2014
Admin![[POMR PRESS RELEASE] Peter Obi screams, amid the luxury lifestyle of the government, Nigeria Economy now 4th in Africa from 1st in 2014](/media/k2/items/cache/be00e9402bd1c3b19c5fffcdde37d6a6_XS.jpg)
...Says it has been nine years of Retrogression
The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi has taken a hard look at the Nigeria economy in the last nine years of APC administration and laments that it has been retrogression all through.
Writing on his X handle on Monday with statistics, Obi said that no effort is being made to address the growing poverty and unemployment in the land as the government fund its luxury lifestyle.
"When Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999, it maintained an average GDP growth of about 6.72% for 16 years from 1999-2014. The impressive growth trajectory, unfortunately, was not sustained by the then-new government and our GDP growth collapsed to 2.79% in 2015 and then recession in 2016 with a negative growth of -1.58% and 0.82% in 2017.
"For the past 9 years, Nigeria's economy has seen unprecedented retrogression on many fronts. In 2014, just before the inception of a new administration a year later, Nigeria had the biggest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product of $568.5 billion and a GDP Per Capita of about N3200. Our economic indices pointed towards hope and prospects for the future growth of the economy.
"Nine years later, the giant of Africa has retrogressed to the 4th largest economy in Africa. Reports showed our GDP in 2023 stood at $375 billion with a per capita of $1700. In 2024, our estimated GDP declined further to $253 billion with an estimated per capita of $1087. This portrays how our 9 years journey since 2015 has resulted in a sharp decline in our national prosperity.
"Today, poverty is on the increase. Unemployment is rising. Food inflation is skyrocketing. Our foreign and local investors are losing faith in the future growth of our economy and are leaving. Businesses are shutting down. Urgent actions need to be taken to salvage the nation from further collapse and move it from consumption to production!
"However, instead of concerning ourselves with all these challenges threatening our collective existence, and finding ways to recreate an inclusive and sustainable economy, pull millions of people out of poverty, and return our over 18 million out-of-school children to schools, our leaders are more concerned with funding their selfish luxuries and individual lavishness, while throwing blames at others who are only committed to solving the nation's problems.
"I have always believed that politics should be about service to the people and the betterment of society. In the face of all these challenges, we the leaders should commit to inclusive and sustainable growth to end the hardship which has continued to burden our fellow Nigerians. Only through that can we achieve a peaceful and secure society.
"A New Nigeria based on better economic and patriotic thinking is Possible."
Signed
Yunusa Tanko
POMR SPOKESMAN