The Federal Government has said the 2023 June 12 democracy day celebration will be low-key.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said this during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.

 

According to him, the low-key celebration was due to the recent presidential inauguration on May 29 which was elaborately celebrated.

“The activities lined up for celebration are the press briefing and the president’s address to the nation by 7 am on Monday.

“It is important to note that the Democracy Day has been reviewed to be celebrated annually from May, 29 to June 12 to honour the heroes who championed the struggle and made extraordinary sacrifices for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria from 1999 till date.

“However, May 29 remains the date or anniversary of handing over or taking over of power, and this happens every four years according to the Nigerian Constitution.

“It is pertinent to state that having had an elaborate presidential inauguration some weeks back, activities to mark the 2023 June 12 democracy day will be low-key with just two major activities. The press conference and then a presidential broadcast on Monday by 7 am,” Akume said.

He also said that to commemorate this year’s anniversary, it is expedient for citizens and foreigners alike to take stock of how the nation has fared so far and assess the dividends that democracy has ensued as well as areas where the nation need to make improvements.

He said, “It is in light of this that the theme of this year’s Democracy celebration is Hope Reassured.”

Akume assured Nigerians that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure citizens’ safety, before, during, and after the celebration.

[DailyTrust]

Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN has berated the outrageous severance packages for politicians in the country.


The renowned legal luminary, who equally proposed that the National Assembly lawmakers should not receive salaries but sitting allowances says it hinders growth and development.

The ABUAD founder, who stated this during the 63rd yearly general meeting of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) held at the university’s campus, said the current office holders should be forbidden from having foreign accounts.

He, however, tasked NACCIMA not to be silent on the current travails facing the country, wondering why the body remained aloof to the nation’s indebtedness.

Babalola also urged the association to set up a committee to review how foreign debts accumulated by previous regimes were disbursed.

In his remarks, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, urged NACCIMA members to take advantage of the favourable investment opportunities to invest in the state.

Oyebanji said that Ekiti had taken proactive steps by enacting laws to promote private sector involvement in infrastructure, education, agriculture and health sector.

He said part of the incentives for would-be investors include the simplified tax payment, easy access to land, among others.

Also, the former Minister for Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, said the immediate past administration did well in agriculture and health and the fight against corruption.

He said that for the first time, an investment policy was designed and approved for the country, a feat that has not been achieved before.

The Speaker of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, has asked the people of the state and beyond to stop peddling rumour about the health of the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, but to intensify prayers for his quick recovery.


Rt. Hon Olamide, gave the advice during a prayer session for the quick recovery of the governor, held at St Andrew Cathedral Church, in Owo.

While speaking at the intervention program, the Speaker, urged the people not to be despair adding that all shall be well with the governor.

He appealed to the people of the state “to stop peddling rumours about the health of the governor of the State but intensify prayers to God to grant him quick recovery.


Olamide was optimistic that the governor would come back stronger and continue to work for the upliftment of the state and the betterment of the people of the state.

Several prayer sessions were held by clergymen for restoration of sound health for the governor and his quick recovery.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Rev. Jude Arogundade, also appealed for continued support and prayers for the governor Akeredolu

Arogundade, speaking during the rededication ceremony of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owaluwa, Owo, lauded the governor for taking it upon himself to bring consolation to the people of Owo, the Catholic Church, and the families affected by last year’s tragic massacre

The ceremony was part of a weeklong activities to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the massacre that claimed the lives of 41 church worshippers and several others injured.

He also lauded the governors “unwavering determination to go to any lengths, even risking his position, to seek justice for the victims and families of the June 5 terrorist attack on the Catholic Church.

” ln a special way, I want to express my gratitude to Arakunrin Akeredolu. I am thankful to him because he took the attack personally. He was willing to do anything, even risking his position, to fight for justice.

“The Governor assumed the responsibility of bringing consolation and solace to all those who were wounded. When it comes to compassion and doing what is right, there is no state like Ondo state.

He also appreciated members of the Relief Fund Management Committee of the State government for their efforts in taking care of the victims.

Arogundade also praised the governor for the establishment of the magnificent Memorial Park, which demonstrates the State’s recognition of the value and sanctity of human life.


Cash were presented to the victims and family members of the Owo massacre by the Owo Terrorists Attack Relief Fund Management Committee of the State government.

The gesture was to further assisting them and alleviating the effects of the barbaric attack.

The Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have urged the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja to set aside its interim order restraining workers from embarking on strike action until the determination of the motion on notice filed by the federal government and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

THE WHISTLER reported that Justice O. Y. Anuwe had on Monday directed Nigerian workers not to proceed on strike following the removal of petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government.

President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration that subsidy “is gone forever” had resulted sharp hike in fuel prices as well as instant increase transportation fare across the country.

But the AGF posited that the proposed strike was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector.

In a motion on notice filed by Femi Falana SAN and made available to THE WHISTLER on Friday, the NLC, however, urged the court to vacate the interim order in the interest of justice for the Nigerian workers.

The orders sought by the NLC are as follows,” An order of this Honourable Court setting aside, discharging and/or vacating the ex parte interim order of injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their members, their agents, employees, workmen, servants, proxies or affiliates from embarking on the planned Industrial Action and/or strike of any nature pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants/Applicants motion on notice for interlocutory injunction made on the 5th June, 2023, Coram: Hon. Justice O.Y. Anuwe in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 between federal government of Nigeria & anor. Vs Nigerian labour congress and anor.

“AND for such order or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit and proper to make in the circumstances.”

Listing the grounds of his application, Falana argued that the court lacked the jurisdictional competence to hear and determine the case because it was filed in violation of Section 17 {2} of the Trade Disputes Act, which authorises the Minister of Labour and Employment to refer a trade dispute directly to the National Industrial Court, not the federal government or AGF.

Falana further contended that industrial action or protest is the constitutional right of every Nigerian citizen.

“The Defendants/Applicants and their members have a right to strike under the Trade Unions Act, the Trade Disputes Act, the ILO Convention and under several international treaties the 1st Claimant/Applicant is a signatory to.

“By virtue of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Nigerian workers have the fundamental right to protest against policies of government considered inimical to their interests as reiterated in the cases of IGP VS ANPP {2008} 12 WRN 65, MUSA VS INEC” he stated in his preliminary objection.

He accused the federal government of filing the suit to harass, irritate and embarrass the Nigerian Labour Congress and by extension the Nigerian workers.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday met with prominent traditional rulers across the country under the auspices of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Naija News reports the meeting, which is the first by the President with traditional rulers after his inauguration is part of ongoing consultations with various stakeholders across the country.


The traditional rulers were led into the meeting by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar who is the chairman of the council.

In his opening remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto said the traditional rulers were at the Villa to congratulate the President and pledge their commitment to supporting him in the huge task of running the nation.

He pointed out that the traditional rulers have various professional backgrounds and this would be a ready pool for the President to draw from.

The Sultan on behalf of his colleagues also expressed the confidence of the traditional rulers in the ability of President Tinubu to steer the affairs of the nation aright.

He said: “We thank God for the smooth way the elections took place. Many negative people thought this country will collapse but we are still here.


“We are here for you, for our people and our country. If you don’t reach out to us, we will reach out to you.

“We wish you the most successful tenure in good health.”

On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Adewusi, who is the co-chair of the council, assured President Tinubu of their readiness to work with him in the area of insecurity. He urged the President not to underestimate what they can do.

“There are areas we will like to work with you, one of which is security. It is time to use us the more, we are not saying we are idle…but to make your work easier use us.


“The foundation of this country today are the traditional rulers. We are here to pledge our loyalty and support. We want to work with you to ensure you leave a legacy.

“Don’t underestimate what traditional rulers can do,” he said.

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has warned President Bola Tinubu to be wary of former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai following his recent statement against Christians and support for Muslims in the State.

The former governor in his statement was quoted to have justified his choice of Muslims to occupy relevant positions in Kaduna following their roles towards APC’s victory in the State.

Reacting, Primate Ayodele said El-rufai’s “careless statement” may start a religious war in Nigeria if the latter is not cautioned.

The cleric accused the former governor of being the brain behind APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidency and the religious crisis in Southern Kaduna.

He, however, warned Tinubu against giving him any position in government to avoid the sudden collapse of the country.

‘’El-Rufai should not be trusted. The election in Kaduna was rigged in his candidate’s favour and God will take it back from him. How can he make such an insensitive statement, why is he mocking Christians? He is a religious hypocrite.

‘’The statement of El Rufai is unacceptable, we want a peaceful nation but El-Rufai is a threat to national peace. He should be warned or he will destroy Tinubu’s government. God will destroy his plans and if Tinubu brings him in, he will destroy the government completely.’’

‘’Tinubu should stop El-Rufai before he creates a religious war in this country. Christians are peaceful people, God will deal with him because he wants to create a fight in the country.’’


‘’If he becomes anything in Tinubu’s government, he will burn the country, he will start a religious crisis and he has a devilish agenda that will soon be exposed,’’ he warned.

A House of Representatives member-elect on the platform of the Labour Party, Godwin Amobi Ogar has expressed his surprise at the intelligence and preparedness of President Bola Tinubu, after his encounter with him.

Amobi who was elected to represent the Isiuakwato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State at the House of Representatives said he did not know Tinubu was intelligent and prepared to serve Nigeria.


The LP politician made this known after a meeting Tinubu had with the opposing federal lawmakers-elect to resolve the National Assembly leadership tussle on Thursday.

Vanguard reported that a meeting was attended by opposition senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), among other opposition parties at the State House in Abuja.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Amobi said, “Well, I can tell you that today is my best day, today I’m so happy that I’m an elected member seeing my President talking. In fact, I never knew that this man is so intelligent. I never knew that this man is so prepared to serve this country.


“I saw the love, I saw the character, I saw the charisma, the belief that Nigeria can be a better nation. So I’m so glad that the meeting we have today is going to take us a little bit to a more stabilised house. Now, even without talking to us again, we’ve agreed that we are going towards the government’s decision. Not minding, I’m of Labour Party.

“As at now, the party is not the issue; we’re talking about building the Nation, we’re talking about the unity of the nation.”

18 abducted passengers travelling along Isua Akoko – Abuja highway, in Ondo state, have been rescued by the joint security agencies in the state.

The Ondo state commander of the security outfit, codenamed Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye,, said in Akure, that the victims have rejoined their families.

Adeleye said, “On the June 6, we got a distress call that an 18-seater passengers bus with number plate EKP263 LG coming from Kogi State towards Ondo State was waylaid by men suspected to be kidnappers along Eti-Osa near Isua.


“Our men, both the tactical team from the headquarters and the Isua local government coordinator moved immediately to the scene and started a manhunt for the victim.

” Two female victims and the conductor were left behind when they were pursued

“Men of the Nigeria Army and the Police in a joint effort with the local hunters pursued them over the night.

“By 6am the following morning, 13 others were rescued in the thick forest between Kogi and Ondo states boundary through the combined efforts of the men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, the Nigeria Police and officers and men of 32 Artillery brigade who joined in the operation.

“The 18 rescued have since been profiled and joined their families.”

Meanwhile, speaking on the rescue mission the state police command spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said that one of the suspected kidnappers was killed in a gun duel.

Odunlami said that the traveller’s bus was waylaid by the gunmen and dragged out of the bus and marched into the forest.

“It was like a movie when 13 passengers, Abuja bound bus was waylaid by some unknown gunmen at Isua, the headquarters of Akoko South East Local Government and they marched them to the forest leaving only three of the passengers.”

The victims, the source said were rescued at Ikakumo, which is a distance of almost 20 kilometres from where they were kidnapped

” The joint security agents immediately embarked on combing the forest and their efforts yielded fruitful results.


Odunlami said one of the suspected kidnappers was shot dead during a gun battle.

President Bola Tinubu has signed the 2023 Electricity Bill that will guide the post-privatization phase of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) as well as encourage States, and private companies to generate electricity.

Recall that in July 2022, lawmakers passed the electricity act which will replace the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005, according to the president on Friday in Abuja.

The president revealed that the aim of the act is to create a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to guide the NESI and consolidates all legislations dealing with the electricity supply industry to provide an ideal Institutional framework.

Also, to ensure the de-monopolization of Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity at the National level thereby empowering states, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

The Act mandates the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) with the power to regulate the electricity sector within Nigeria without bias to the powers of the states to make laws and create electricity markets within the state.

NERC is embedded with the authority to change regulatory responsibilities from itself to state regulators when they are established, which implies that until a state has passed its electricity market laws, NERC will continue to regulate electricity business exclusively carried out in those states.

Currently, Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna states already have electricity market laws and can start regulating their market, while states without such laws will be regulated by NERC.

Issuance of licenses by states to private investors who can operate mini-grids and power plants within the state is permitted by the act, however, the act prevents interstate and transnational electricity distribution.

Electricity generation licensees are obligated to meet renewable generation obligations as may be prescribed by NERC. Under the Act.

Three ad-hoc presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, testified against the electoral umpire and President Bola Tinubu on Friday, saying despite being trained before the 2023 polls, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machine failed to transmit the scanned result sheet of the presidential election.

They were presented by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate Atiku Abubakar.

At the resumed sitting on Friday, PDP counsel, Chris Uche SAN, told the court that he would continue his case by calling his next subpoenaed witness (PW14) to give evidence.

Grace Ajagbonna, a resident of Egbe, Yagba West LGA, Kogi State, and an ex-National Youth Service Corps member, appeared as the subpoenaed witness.

Tinubu’s lawyer, Akin Olujimi SAN, rose up to restate his objection with regards to the subpoenaed witnesses being presented by the PDP.

APC counsel, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, as well as INEC lawyer, A.B Mahmoud SAN, equally raised objections, asking the court not to take the witnesses’ testimonies.

But Uche urged the court to dismiss the objections in its entirety.

“Ruling on the objection will be delivered along with the judgment,” chairman of the five-man panel of the PEPC, Justice Haruna Tsammani, said.

After that, Grace adopted her witness statement on oath, saying she was engaged by INEC to work as an ad-hoc presiding officer during the 2023 election.

She also presented the letter of acknowledgement from INEC wherein she was deployed to serve as an ad-hoc staff.

Mahmoud asked her if she played her role well and if the electoral process was successful.

She responded in the affirmative but said when she tried sending the National Assembly and Presidential election scanned results, the latter failed to transmit.

“I tried it Continuously. I was repeating it one after the other and it was not going,” the witness said.

She was asked if she was trained on the offline operations of the BVAS.

The witness said she does not remember but was only taught by INEC to use the BVAS to scan results, transmit and then proceed to the collation centre.

She went on to tell the court that she was unhappy when the BVAS machine could not send the presidential results sheets at the polling unit.

“My lord to be sincere, I am not happy that I was unable to transmit the (presidential) election results,” the witness said.

Tinubu’s lawyer, Yusuf Ali SAN, asked her whether she mentioned the name of her training officer.

The witness responded in the negative.

She was told by Ali that the acknowledgement letter she got from INEC did not automatically make her an ad-hoc staff member.

But the witness replied, saying she also has an appointment letter from INEC.

Under cross examination by APC counsel, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, the witness said after the conclusion of her assignment on election day, she wrote a report.

After her, another INEC ad-hoc presiding officer, Abidemi Joseph, announced her appearance saying she served in Niger State.

The same questions asked to the first witness were repeated, of which she insisted the election results could not be transmitted by the BVAS.

Edosa Obosa, an ex-NYSC corps member and presiding officer in Edo State came up to say she tried to upload the scanned result using a BVAS machine but it failed.

But the witnesses all admitted that they submitted the original result sheet, signed by party agents to the Ward collation centre.

The witness was subsequently discharged from the testimony dock and the PDP petition was adjourned to Saturday.

Recall that on Thursday, the PDP fielded two ad-hoc staff who stated the BVAS could not transmit the Presidential election result sheet.

Atiku is contesting the 2023 presidential election results declared in favor of Tinubu.