The sacked chairman of the disciplinary committee of the Park Management System (PMS), in Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, has said the police cannot declare him wanted.
Better known as Auxiliary, Lamidi who has been declared wanted by the police for alleged gun-running, said Govrnor ‘Seyi Makinde, governor remains his destiny helper.
He added that he is committed to peace, noting that he would abide by whatever decision the governor takes on transport unions.
Reacting to the allegations of violence allegedly perpetrated by his boys few days ago in Ibadan, Auxiliary who spoke on Saturday morning from his hideout on a live radio programme in Ibadan, said, he is a peace-lover, who could not have turned the state to a theatre of war over the dissolution of the PMS by the governor.
On the position of the Oyo State Police that declared him wanted, Auxiliary said, such declaration was not meant for him, adding that: “When I’m not a fool, how could I have hidden or stockpiled those weapons at my residence?”
He, however, warned his boys not to forment trouble or engage in any act of violence in Ibadan and other parts of the state, saying they should desist from such plans.
The former PMS boss added that no individual, no matter how highly influential he or she is, is bigger than government.
He spoke glowingly about Governor Makinde and his ally, Otunba Seye Famojuro, declaring that both are his benefactors.
Auxiliary, however, promised to comply and cooperate with the reform and integration of other driver unions into the PMS, stating that if the new reform doesn’t favour him, he would accept the outcome.
Following the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to its affiliate unions to mobilise their members and be ready for a total shutdown of economic activities across Nigeria on Wednesday 7 June 2023, should the Federal government fail to reverse the recent fixed fuel pump price by NNPCL, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has directed its teeming members to prepare to join the action.
NUJ in a press statement signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, said the Central Working Committee of the pen-pushers union, deliberated on the issues and found NLC’s position and proposed action worthy as it’s in the interest of Nigerian citizens.
The Directive in part read; “An emergency Central Working Committee meeting of the Union (NUJ) was convened online today, Saturday, June 3, 2023, to discuss issues surrounding the decision by the Federal Government to remove Fuel Subsidy and the position taken by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“After presentations by the National President, Chris Isiguzo, and the National Treasurer, Bamidele Atunbi on the position taken by NLC on the matter, members unanimously adopted the position of NLC on the issue.
“CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations which can be channelled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could however lead to social unrests and protests as people may perceive Government as being insensitive to their plight.
“CWC also notes that already there is an astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens.
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“Accordingly CWC directs all State Councils of the Union to mobilise members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide from Wednesday next week, 7th June 2023, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limiter (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the Oil sector.”
Some suspected gunmen on Saturday allegedly attacked the convoy of the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who was on his way from Abuja to Lokoja.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications and made available to newsmen stated that the governor’s was blocked and attacked by people believed to be supporters of Alh Muritala Yakubu Ajaka at about 12.30 hours on Saturday.
The statement read as follows, “The attack took place near the Naval Base, few kilometres from Lokoja where the convoy of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, having sighted that of the Governor, blocked the road and some of his armed thugs started shooting sporadically at the convoy of the Governor.
A Tundra branded with the logo of the SDP and with SDP flags also blocked the Governor’s vehicle and occupants of the SDP-branded Tundra were armed with Rifles and short guns. The Governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic as the Governor is in high spirit
“Some security aides and other aides attached to the Governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for medical attention
“We urge the people of Kogi State to remain calm as security agents are in full control to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums behind the attack. The State Government will ensure that law and order are maintained as the attackers will be brought to justice
“The Governor has warned that no APC member should involve in any reprisal attack as insecurity from any quarter will be met with stiff penalties.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju has described as “handiwork of mischief makers”, the rumours making the rounds that the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu is dead.
Ademola-Olateju stated this in a statement signed by her, while reacting to the rumour that went viral across the country on Saturday that Akeredolu had passed on, said the governor was very much alive.
The Commissioner who urged the people of the state and the country to ignore rumour about Akeredolu’s death said “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
“We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.
“Though the Governor has been indisposed for sometime but he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary.
“We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive”
Meanwhile, the Ondo state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the resignation of Akeredolu over his ill health, saying the state should not be grounded because of the governor’s health conditions.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, who asked the ruling party and the state government to stop playing politics over Akeredolu’s health, asking the governor to resign if he is no longer fit to be governor.
Peretei challenged the state government and handlers of the governor to prove that Akeredolu is alive and shod stop taking people of the state for granted.
According to him, “Since Sahara Reporters reported that the governor is bedridden and incapacitated, Akeredolu’s handlers responded by fueling public anxiety and suspicion, instead of telling the State, where exactly he is, or getting him to address Ondo State, from wherever he is on planet earth.
“When Akeredolu did not return to his duty post after his celebrated annual leave in March this year, tongues started wagging. At the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Akeredolu was conspicuously absent.
“The deafening silence from government information machinery suddenly saturated social media space with old videos of Akeredolu dancing and singing praises.
“On the eve of the inauguration of 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, there were reports of an ‘Owo cabal’ led by Akeredolu’s heir apparent, Babajide mobilising Members-elect to make a legislator from Owo Speaker, as a fall back position to retain the leadership of the state in Owo, in the event of the worst happening, after impeaching the incumbent Deputy Governor”
He said “These speculations almost put the state on edge until this morning when the Ondo State House of Assembly retained the present power structure of Speakership of the Assembly in Ondo Central Senatorial District.
“If Akeredolu’s handlers had done the needful, the state would have been spared the unnecessary anxiety.
“As mortals, any human being can fall sick. Whether in public office or private life. Rotimi Akeredolu is employed by the people of Ondo State, maintained with taxpayers’ money. So, it is criminal and a great disservice to keep mum over his health status and his whereabouts”
He, however, said “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, demands that, those hiding the governor should tell the people where he is to save the state from speculation.
“In 2010, when then-President Umar Yar’Adua was incapacitated due to ill health, Akeredolu was one of the most vociferous voices, calling for his resignation and allowing the then Vice-President to take over.
” If for whatever reason, Akeredolu can no longer discharge his official responsibilities, the most reasonable thing to do is to hand over to the Deputy Governor as required by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Our party joins millions of Ondo State people to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery, but nobody should play politics with his ill-health. Nobody should ground the state beyond its present state. Let Akeredolu resign, if he is no longer fit to be governor.”
At least 25 persons have been reportedly killed in an early Saturday morning attack by unknown gunmen, on Imande Mbakange and other neighbouring communities in Mbacher Council Ward of Kastina-Ala Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
The attackers who were reported to have razed many houses and farmlands in the affected communities also inflicted injuries on many survivors of the attack.
It was gathered from a source in the area that the gunmen invaded the communities at about 4am when the people were still in bed, shooting sporadically to wake the people from sleep.
He said: “The gunshots woke the people from sleep and as they made efforts to flee for their lives, anyone they caught up with was killed.
“As they killed the people, they also set their houses and nearby farmland on fire. As we speak the place is like a war zone. The communities have been deserted and residents of neighbouring communities are also fleeing for fear of being attacked.”
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Mr. Alfred Atera who condemned the attack appealed to security agencies to intensify patrols in the communities to end the carnage.
The Chairman in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Tsar Tartor said “in the early hours of Saturday there was an attack on Imande Mbakange community and other neighbouring communities in Mbacher Council Ward by unknown gunmen which claimed at least 25 lives and left several others injured and houses burnt with properties worth millions.
“The Chairman describe the senseless killings by the unknown gunmen as inhumane and barbaric and calls on all security formations to double their efforts in combating the renewed attacks as a matter of urgency. The chairman calls on security operatives to intensify surveillance in the areas prone to attacks to avert further breakdown of law within the Local Government.
“The Chairman while expressing his profound sympathy to families of the victims, promises to continue to support and implement every lawful means in a bid to permanently end the senseless killings of innocent people of Katsina-Ala Local Government and all her inhabitants.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene confirmed the attack but said she was yet to receive full details of the incident.
Barring any last-minute change of plan, President Bola Tinubu will any moment from today announce his appointment of former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser (NSA).
Sources close to the presidency informed THE WHISTLER that Ribadu was picked ahead of two other candidates that were being considered for the top security job.
As part of his efforts to fulfill his promise of delivering a “bold, no-nonsense crime prevention reform” to safeguard Nigerians, President Tinubu evaluated the three candidates for the NSA position before finally settling for Ribadu who is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s experienced individuals in the field of security and law enforcement.
The two other candidates that were also considered are former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, retired General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau; and the current Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
The NSA serves as the principal adviser to the President on security matters, responsible for coordinating various security agencies, providing intelligence assessments, and formulating policies to address the nation’s security challenges.
The NSA position requires a capable and experienced individual who can navigate complex security issues and provide effective counsel to the President and Tinubu, according to sources, was determined to pick an individual who can help to effectively address the pressing security challenges facing the nation.
While the appointment is yet to be officially confirmed, insiders told THE WHISTLER that President Tinubu holds Ribadu in high regard and values his expertise and dedication to public service. The selection of Ribadu, when announced, will count among the first few important appointments to be made by the newly sworn-in president.
The State House had earlier announced the appointment of the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, and Senator Akume George as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
With national security being one of the focus areas listed in his ‘Renewed Hope’ manifesto, Tinubu intends to leave no stone unturned in bringing lasting security and peace to the citizens.
“We will mobilise the totality of our national security, military and law enforcement assets to protect all Nigerians from danger and from the fear of danger,” Tinubu promised in the 80-page policy document.
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NUHU RIBADU
Ribadu boasts a commendable track record in fighting corruption during his tenure as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His pursuit of high-profile corruption cases during his time earned him both praise and criticism.
A lawyer, former police officer, and anti-corruption crusader, Ribadu gained significant recognition during his tenure as the pioneer of the EFCC.
But sources told THE WHISTLER that his background as a former police officer could have counted against him as the NSA position has customarily been occupied by persons with military backgrounds.
Ribadu studied law at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, and later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He also attended several professional courses and workshops on law enforcement and anti-corruption strategies.
Ribadu, who hails from Adamawa State in Nigeria’s North East region, began his career as a police officer in Nigeria and held various positions within the Nigerian Police Force. He served in different capacities, including as a divisional police officer, chief superintendent of police, and assistant commissioner of police.
He was appointed EFCC chairman in 2003 by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, tasked with investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, particularly corruption, money laundering, and fraud.
ABDULRAHMAN DAMBAZAU
Dambazau, who was also being considered for the position, served as Minister of Interior in the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past president.
As minister, Dambazau was charged with helping the former president manage the country’s internal security challenges.
His experience and understanding of security operations, coupled with his extensive military background, must have counted in his initial consideration for the NSA role.
An indigene of Kano State in North-West Nigeria, Damazau served as Chief of Army Staff from 2008 to 2010.
AHMED RUFAI ABUBAKAR
Currently serving as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Rufai graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in French from the Bayero University Kano (BUK) in 1984.
He worked in the same institution as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of English and European Languages and rose to the position of Assistant Lecturer in 1987.
In November 2015, President Buhari appointed him as Senior Special Assistant on International Relations and Foreign Affairs before appointing him DG NIA on January 10, 2018.
Professor Kenneth Kalu, who assumed the position of Secretary to the Abia State Government early this week, is taking a proactive stance in ensuring accountability and proper use of public resources in the state.
This comes as Kalu has commenced recovery of properties diverted by appointees in the immediate past administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
He issued a directive to the former officials to return all government properties currently in their possession or face the wrath of the new administration of Governor Alex Otti.
The directive includes the return of vehicles, gadgets, and other assets that were provided to the officials during their tenure.
The directive carries a deadline of June 6, 2023, warning that appropriate legal action would be taken against those who fail to comply.
“It has come to the knowledge of the State Government that some Government officials, including appointees of the past administration, are still holding on to Government properties, such as vehicles, generators, laptops and other assets.
“Anyone who is in possession of Government properties is hereby directed to return such to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, on or before 4pm on Tuesday, June 6th, 2023, and obtain necessary acknowledgement from the SSG’s Office,” Kalu stated on Saturday.
In a ceremony on May 29, 2023, Otti was inaugurated as the new Governor of Abia State.
Amidst a palpable atmosphere of optimism and renewed hope, the inauguration marked a significant turning point for the people of Abia, as they anticipate progress, development, and effective governance under the new administration.
Otti, an economist and former banking executive, ended 17-year reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when he won the March 18 governorship election that was characterized by a dramatic collation of results.
Following the removal of fuel subsidy, Pastor OlorunLeke Mathew of Christ Life Church, Ilorin, has admonished religious leaders to empower and be responsible to their members.
Mathew, on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said religious leaders should empower their followers through financial support, food support and palliatives to help cushion the effects on them.
According to him, this is not the time to start asking them to fund or support ongoing projects in the church or mosque but rather to support and empower the needy to survive the harsh economic situation.
“Religious leaders must understand they need to give out at this time to help sustain the situation. Give in whatever way you can to relieve your followers.
“Don’t just seek their support on projects. Nothing is small to give out be it food, money or anything you feel can relieve them to survive the hardship.
“When you give, God will bless you in multiple folds. Make them happy through giving,” he advised.
The cleric also called on the public to show love and support the less privileged in society.
He also advised citizens to endure and not allow the situation to push them into criminal acts like stealing and joining bad gangs.
Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, has reacted to reports that he is set to dump his party.
He denied that he is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), after meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Friday.
Wike met Tinubu along with his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde and a former Governor lmob of Delta State, James Ibori.
However, the chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insisted he only visited Tinubu to offer him support four days after he was sworn-in as the president of Nigeria.
When asked by State House correspondents if switching to the APC was on the agenda of the meeting he had, Wike replied: “No. No plans. Nothing like that in the offing.
“We are Nigerians and we have come to give the president support.
“That is what is required. There is no big deal about that.”
A comparative analysis of the newly reviewed petrol prices in Nigeria after subsidy is removed with those of its West African neighbours shows the business of smuggling the country’s petrol is no longer viable as cost differentials are no longer attractive enough, BusinessDay reports.
Data sourced from Global Petrol Prices, a website that tracks retail prices of refined petroleum products, show that prices across Africa are no longer as wide, which creates arbitrage incentivising the smuggling of petrol from Nigerian borders.
The price difference between the average price in Nigeria and Benin is less than N150 and about N200 per litre for some other West African neighbours, indicating that Nigeria’s subsidy removal will roil the market for illicit petrol across Africa.
“People smuggle because they have historically gotten the commodity cheaper here in Nigeria and can make a reasonable margin selling to neighbouring countries even after all costs considered; once the subsidy is removed and there is a free market, the margins will not be such as to substantially encourage smuggling,” said Ayodele Oni, energy lawyer and partner at Bloomfield Law Practice.
Oni said that when the product is delivered at the market rate and marketers are allowed to compete, smuggling will not be as attractive, considering haulage costs and other costs.
Mele Kyari, group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), in an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, alluded to this, explaining that when a marketer hauls a full tanker to the North for sale, profit margins could hover around N250,000 but taken across the border, the subsidised petrol can turn in a profit of over 30 million.
This incentive has fuelled the widespread smuggling of subsidised petrol from Nigeria across West Africa. Investigations have shown that Nigeria’s petrol gets to as far as Sudan.
Subsidy removal, said Billy Gills-Harry, president of the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, aligns Nigeria’s pricing with its neighbours and “eliminates the price disparity that previously existed, which created an incentive for smugglers to illegally transport petrol across the borders.”
Several efforts to check the smuggling of petrol from Nigeria have failed because the illicit activity involved highly placed Nigerians including government officials, security agencies including the Nigerian Customs Service and even officials of the NNPC.
This accounted for the setting up of several petrol stations in border communities in Nigeria, with some as many as over a dozen in communities where there are barely 100 vehicles. These petrol stations accept products transported from Lagos by fraudulent marketers who in the night smuggle them across the borders in active connivance of compromised border protection agents.
According to NNPC’s own admission, over 20 million litres of petrol is smuggled outside Nigeria daily. The sale of smuggled petrol across the West African sub-region oils black markets and distorts the price mechanisms of these countries.
It also fuels corruption in the NNPC and serves as a convenient excuse to explain away outrageous subsidy claims. This has made it impossible to determine Nigeria’s exact consumption.
Prior to President Bola Tinubu’s confirmation that fuel subsidy is gone, Nigeria’s price peg of N195 per litre was not only hurting investments and creating a boom for smugglers.
On roadsides in Cameroon and other West African countries, vendors fill customer’s cars, using the cut-off top of a plastic bottle as a funnel.
In 2021, the NNPC raised alarm over the sustained nefarious activities of some cross-border fuel smuggling syndicates that made it difficult to account for about 20 million litres of fuel daily.
Petrol smuggled from Nigeria is known as “Funge” or “Zoa Zoa”, in Cameroon’s North West region. This is despite the fact that Cameroon is one of Africa’s biggest oil producers producing over 70,000 barrels of crude daily in 2019.
The African petroleum market is set to become vibrant with Angola following Nigeria’s lead to eliminate fuel subsidies on Thursday.
Countries with the highest petrol prices are Hong Kong (an equivalent of N1,824.09), Monaco (N1,370.22), Iceland (N1,380.675), Barbados (N1,292.73) and Denmark (N1,290.885). The lowest petrol price is in Venezuela at an equivalent of N2.46, followed by Iran at N17.83, Libya at N19.065, Angola at N174.045 and Algeria at N206.
[Leadership]
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The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has chided the stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state for disregarding his directives on political appointments.
The Governor insisted that he would not accept any mechanically fabricated list for political appointments.
Fintiri claimed the party stakeholders “disregarded his earlier directives to present their best eleven for political appointment through proper consultations with their constituents.”
In a post via his verified Twitter handle on Saturday, the Governor said he would ensure everybody is carried along for a proper representation.
He maintained that any list that did not meet the criteria or instructions he previously laid down would be rejected.”
“I will not accept any mechanically fabricated list from @OfficialPDPNig stakeholders in Adamawa, who disregarded my earlier directives to present their best 11 for political appointment through proper consultations with their constituents.
“It is essential to ensure that everybody is carried along for a proper representation. Any list that does not meet the criteria or instructions I previously laid down will be rejected,” the Governor said.
[DailyPost]
The Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday slated June 7 for ruling on an application seeking to remove Peter Mbah as the Governor of Enugu State.
The application filed by the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Chief Chris Agu is challenging the qualification of Mbah to contest the March 18 governorship election.
He claimed that Mbah presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prior to the governorship election. Petitioner’s counsel, Alex Amujiogu who spoke on the outcome of the hearing said that his client had asked the court to disqualify Mbah because he had filed false information to INEC and that there was an act of forgery on the candidate’s certificate.
He said: “These are the grounds on which we are seeking that he be disqualified. Another is the issue of non-compliance and corrupt practices.
“The issue is that the respondents saw the viability of the case we filed against them so in order to prevent the tribunal from hearing merit of the petition against their candidate, they now want the tribunal not to entertain it by asking that it be struck out. But we are saying no that the tribunal should hear it on its merit.”
Counsel to the PDP and Mbah, Alex Izinyon argued that the tribunal should not entertain the application on the grounds that there is a judgment on the issue of certificate forgery against Peter Mbah in a court in Abuja.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Kudirat Akano after listening to the submissions of the parties adjourned the matter to June 7 for ruling.
The PRP governorship candidate, Chris Agu, had gone to court seeking to be declared the winner of the election on the grounds that he won the highest number of valid votes cast during the March 18 governorship election.
A former governor of Ñasarawa State and senator representing the Southern senatorial district of the state, Umaru Tanko Al-makura, has given reasons why he withdrew his ongoing case before the National Assembly and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal presently sitting in Lafia.
In a statement issued yesterday in Lafia, the former governor said he withdrew his case challenging the election of Hon. Mohammed Ogboshi Onawo because no sacrifice is too much for the stability of Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large.
The senator had earlier challenged the declaration of Onawo as winner of the National Assembly election for the Nasarawa South senatorial district during the last poll in the state, alleging irregularities in some wards especially in Lafia metropolis.
However, the senator shocked his supporters by announcing the withdrawal of his petition during a pre-hearings of the tribunal.
In a statement over the development, the senator hinged his action on patriotism and need to make the necessary sacrifices “in order for the state and country to move forward”.
He said politics is not a do-or-die affair and that there is every need to renew the peoples hope for a better future.
” A lot has happened in the last few months from the beginning of the campaign towards the 2023 elections. This has resulted in unforseen happenings that is alien to our polity. We must therefore think out of the box to arrest the ugly trend.
” Usually, where the outcome of election has shown certain violations of the law, it is normal to seek redress in the tribunals. However, our situation today calls for a more pragmatic approach and consolidation of the stability that is gradually returning to our state,” Al-makura stated.
While noting that litigation come with lots of acrimony and some level of instability in governance, he decided to withdraw his case before the election petition tribunal, following pleas from revered traditional rulers and other leaders.
“After due consultation with stakeholders. I directed my lawyers to withdraw my petition against the candidate of the PDP. I am convinced that we have had enough distraction and time is of the essence in governance,” he added.
Senator Al-makura used the opportunity to express his deep appreciation to all his supporters, friends, family and citizens of Nasarawa South, as well as the entire state who stood firm throughout the struggle.
“I cannot thank you enough. I call on all the people of Nasarawa State to continue to live peacefully and harmoniously together and we should play politics without bitterness as our destiny as a people is irrevocably bound together,” the immediate past governor said.
[Leadership]
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday said it would embark on a nationwide protest from next Wednesday if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector.
The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, disclosed this while addressing journalists on the resolutions of its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Friday.
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, in his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, declared that there would no longer be a petroleum subsidy regime as it was not sustainable.
“We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime, which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources,” Mr Tinubu said.
Following the announcement, the NNPCL on Wednesday directed its outlets nationwide to sell fuel between N480 and N570 per litre, an almost 200 per cent increase from the initial price below N200.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Ajaero said the union is calling for a proper investigation in the process of subsidy to know those who are beneficiaries and the amount that is involved.
He said the attempt to downplay the issue of “fraudulent practices in the subsidy regime” should not be tolerated by all well-meaning Nigerians.
He warned that the leadership of NLC should be conscious of negotiating with people without portfolios.
“It is instructive that until the government is properly constituted and (there are) people who will negotiate with labour and such people with mandate and capacity to commit to the government of the day, such negotiations may not be valued.
“Consequently, the NLC decided that if by Wednesday next week the NNPCL, a private limited liability company, that illegally announced a price regime in the oil sector, refuses to revert itself for negotiation to continue, that the NLC and all its affiliates, will withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide until this is complied with.
“And that the NNPCL doesn’t have the monopoly to act illegally, even as a private company. The NLC NEC, therefore, directed all state councils and all industrial unions to commence mobilisation from this moment to make sure that this action is enforced,” he said.
Subsidy
Nigeria spent over N4 trillion last year on petrol subsidy, more than it spent on healthcare and education with many experts arguing that such was unsustainable.
This year, the immediate past Muhammadu Buhari government only provided budgetary allocation for petrol subsidy until 30 June after saying it would leave the incoming administration to make a final decision on the matter.
However, the three leading presidential candidates in the 25 February presidential election (Mr Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi) promised to remove the petrol subsidy if elected.
Opponents of the removal, such as the NLC, however, argue that it would lead to an increase in the prices of goods and services and further impoverish millions of citizens in a country where almost half of the population already lives in poverty.
[Premium Times]