The 2023 presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reminded the presidency that Nigerians need the fulfillment of their campaign promises in tackling insecurity in the nation.
The former Anambra State Governor stated that even if the present administration cannot achieve 100 percent of those promises, they should show 100 per cent effort.
Obi took to social media to call on the presidency to the killings and kidnapping not only in the capital city but the entire country.
He said, “Nigerians therefore now implore them to fulfil their campaign promises. Even if they do not achieve 100% results, we want to see 100% effort.”
He opined that no government official should be allowed to travel abroad, stating that it is the duty of all to solve insecurity problems in the country.
“We deal with the ugly situation facing us at home,” his post read on Tuesday. “It is now time for we the leaders, to take all forms of serious measures to tackle the situation.
“As terror attacks, banditry, kidnappings and violence continue to rage through the country, it is more concerning now with the surge of violence spreading through the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” he said.
“It is now time for we the leaders, to take all forms of serious measures to tackle the situation. It is unfortunate that President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015, campaigned and won the elections on three items; Security, Economy and Corruption (SEC).
“After his Eight years in office, the situation has worsened in all three areas. The present administration, on assuming office, promised to deal decisively with the same situation — Security, Economy and Corruption.
“At the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association held in Lagos in August 2022, the then Vice Presidential Candidate, Sen Kashim Shettima categorically stated that if APC is elected, he as Vice President would be in charge of security, while the President as an expert in economy would handle the economy.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is on the verge of introducing a Special Intervention Squad (SIS) aimed at quelling the activities of kidnappers, causing chaos in various areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The imminent commencement of special operations is set to cover all the Area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In recent times, Bwari residents in the FCT have faced assaults from kidnappers, resulting in the abduction of numerous community members. Tragically, some individuals have lost their lives during these incidents, as their family members experienced delays in paying the ransom.
IGP Orders Intensified Efforts To ‘Decimate Kidnappers’ In FCT
In response to the concerning state of security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has urged for increased efforts to “neutralise kidnappers and other individuals involved in criminal activities.”
The IGP made these remarks on Tuesday following a meeting with the Force Management Team and Tactical Squads in Abuja.
“The IGP expressed deep concern over the unfortunate events and emphasised the need for decisive action to curb such heinous crimes,” Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said in a statement.
He said in the meeting, which focused on a “comprehensive review of current security challenges, strategic planning, and the deployment of tactical resources to tackle emerging threats, the IGP emphasised the need for a coordinated and intelligence-driven approach to address the evolving security landscape.
“Tactical squads were briefed and directed to intensify efforts on the deployment of proactive measures to prevent criminal activities and protect citizens.”
Despite the deteriorating security situation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he provided assurance to the residents of Abuja that conditions would see improvement.
The police chief was quoted as instructing the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, to “personally coordinate the upscaled security strategies emplaced to decimate kidnappers and other criminally minded individuals in the FCT and immediately restore normalcy“.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the devastating explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Naija News reports that the explosion killed two persons, wounded about 80 others and destroyed several buildings, vehicles, and other properties.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu said the cause of the blast being attributed to the activities of illegal miners is worrisome.
Tinubu said those responsible for the explosion that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished.
“It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to the activities of illegal miners. Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished,” the President said.
President Tinubu also commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State, calling on all concerned government agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to the tragedy with alacrity.
The President directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Oyo State Government to offer immediate and comprehensive relief to the victims.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the election of Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo as the member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives.
Recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had, after a supplementary election in the constituency, declared Ukpong-Udo of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, winner of the February 25 elections.
His victory was, however, challenged by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Glory Edet.
The Akwa Ibom State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal subsequently sacked the YPP candidate and ordered a rerun.
Not satisfied with the verdict, Ukpong-Udo approached the Appeal Court seeking to set aside the ruling of the tribunal.
But ruling on the matter on Wednesday, a panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Abba Mohammed upheld the tribunal’s verdict, ordering a rerun.
It is, however, unclear if the rerun was ordered in the entire federal constituency or in the polling units where INEC had declared the results as inconclusive.
Speaking with Vanguard at the scene, Mohammed said he was rushed to the hospital and discharged this morning.
He said he escaped death by the whiskers because he offered to help his neighbor put out the fire that preceded the explosion.
Recall that his claim that foreign illegal miners caused the explosion was earlier voiced by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Narrating the events that preceded the explosion, Mohammed said: “Around 7 p.m. last night (Tuesday), I was going to pray.
“As I was standing to start the prayer, I noticed some fire burning in the next house. So, I stopped the prayer and quickly picked my fire extinguisher.
“I told my boys that the neighbor’s house is on fire, let’s go and help.
“I then came downstairs. One guy saw me and said the fire was beyond what an extinguisher can put out. I then picked my phone to call the fire brigade men.
“However, the next thing I heard was that blast. It threw me off the ground and landed me on the stairs. Part of the house had cracked. My boys advised that I should jump.
“Fire started just a metre away from that house and as of the time we came downstairs, there was no one on the premises.”
Also, speaking on the occupants of the house, he said: “The house where the fire started is occupied by a Senagalese or Namibian and they engage in mining activities.
“Definitely, they had explosives inside the building. The explosion was as a result of the explosives kept in the building.
“The foreigners have been living in here since 2013. They go in the morning and come back in the evening. I wouldn’t know if their immediate neighbour knows they are into mining.”
“The foreigners ran out before the explosion.”
Furthermore, he clarified that immediately after the foreigners saw the raging fire, they knew the implications because of what they kept inside.
Mohammed said: “They, including their children, ran out of the house and they didn’t alert us so that we could run away too.
“They knew the implications when they saw the fire. So they ran out without alerting us. Thank God I came down trying to help put out the fire. I would have been dead by now.
“The whole house would have collapsed on me. I wanted to save the house of my neighbor from being burnt. That’s what saved me. If anyone had been in the house, the person would have gone.”
Asked if he knew his neighbors were illegal miners he said: “We have them all over. They are also at Orogun. That’s their trade and that’s what they came to Nigeria to do. And explosives are part of the things they use in blasting. Definitely, they had kept them in the house.”
The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party, (LP), has pegged the cost of obtaining its Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the Edo Governorship Election at N30 million.
Interested aspirants are to pay N5 million for expression of interest and N25 million for nomination forms for the election scheduled to hold in September.
This decision was taken at the party’s NWC meeting held in Abuja. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, said this in a statement, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the NWC approved the sale of the form to every interested aspirant who is a Nigerian, an indigene or resident of Edo State.
Ifoh said, the “NWC approved that the Fees for Expression of Interest shall be Five Million Naira only (N5,000.000.00) while the Nomination Form shall be Twenty Five Million Naira only (N25,000.000.00).
“NWC approved the commencement of the sale and submission of Expression of Interest and the Nomination Forms to be between January 25 and February 11, 2023. It exempted female aspirants from paying for Expression of Interest Form only.
“NWC approved Indirect Primary election wherein a Ward and Local Government congresses shall hold to elect the flag bearer.
“NWC also approved February 14 for Screening of Aspirants; February 22 for primary election; February 23 for resolution of dispute or appeal arising from the primaries, if any.
“NWC appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC which carried out its verification duty earlier in the day and for also commending the leadership of the party for complying with INEC’s rules and regulations.
“The NWC passed a Vote of Confidence on its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure for effectively piloting the affairs of the party and giving it a proper direction.”
The LP Spokesperson also said the NWC noted the milestone the party achieved in the recently concluded general election where it won as many as one governorship, 7 Senate, 34 House of Representatives and numerous States House of Assembly seats.
The party however, expressed regret that the number of seats won were depleted following a number of disappointing court judgements.
Ifoh maintained that the party remains optimistic that a number of more seats will be won in the coming days as a result of rerun elections in some states.
He said, “The NWC also pledged its loyalty to the national leader and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi for his commitment to the party in spite of the electoral robbery witnessed in the country recently.”
The Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto Area command has intercepted 1,198 unregistered and expired drugs in Sokoto State.
The drugs include 450 cartons of Real Extra Tablet, 405 cartons of enhancement drugs, 148 cartons of condom, 30 cartons of vernos chewable drugs, among others.
Handing over the items to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control on Wednesday, the Customs Area Comptroller, Musa Omale, warned smugglers to desist from the act, saying the Command was battle ready to curtail nefarious activities.
“Importation of pharmaceutical drugs through the land border is not allowed.
“The Service streamlines the importation of all pharmaceutical drugs through designated sea port, and are only cleared after meeting the pre-requisite documentation,” he said.
The Area Controller underscored the danger counterfeit and unregistered drugs posed to the nation, noting that it was a scourge the whole world was grappling with.
He assured NAFDAC of the Command’s unflinching support to the fight against counterfeit drugs.
Receiving the items, the state Coordinator of NAFDAC, Garba Adamu, thanked the Service for the unwavering synergy and collaboration towards safeguarding the life and health of Nigerians.
According to him, some of the drugs were not only unregistered but have already expired.
A former deputy governor of Oyo State, Barrister Iyiola Oladokun, has cried out that he and his family has been rendered homeless after the explosion that rocked Ibadan on Tuesday night.
Oladokun spoke in an interview with DAILY POST on Wednesday.
Recall that the explosion occurred at Dejo Oyelese Close, Bodija Housing Estate in Ibadan
Our correspondent reports that Oladokun’s residence was among the houses affected by the explosion.
The former deputy governor, while speaking with DAILY POST on Wednesday, said that he and his family members cannot sleep in his house again due to the damage from the explosion.
According to him, a friend had to provide accommodation for him and his wife after the explosion on Tuesday night.
He noted that property worth millions of naira was destroyed in his house as a result of the incident.
Oladokun said, “I am one of the residents of Dejo Oyelese Close. My house was affected.
“We were just watching the football match when the explosion occurred. All the doors that were closed were forced open.
“It was very devastating. All the doors, burglaries, windows and even the roof have gone.
“We give glory to God that me and my wife were not hurt.
“I am just coming back now because we can’t sleep here again. We couldn’t sleep here yesterday. We have to use our phone to move out yesterday. We had to find somewhere to sleep yesterday.”
Petroleum product retailers have revealed what Nigerians should expect as fuel prices following the commencement of operations at Dangote refinery.
Recall that the Dangote refinery announced the commencement of production last Friday.
The company had expressed readiness to supply the Nigerian market diesel and JetA1 or aviation fuel pending approval from the Federal Government.
It added that fuel production will commence in the coming months.
Reacting to the development in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Monday, the President of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, said price reduction would be one of the benefits of the coming onstream of the Dangote refinery.
According to him, it will be surprising if domestic refineries do not impact the price of fuel.
He added that Nigerians should expect to pay less for fuel.
“The promise that Dangote refinery petroleum products will be rolled out this month is good.
“There are remarkable benefits for Nigerians. When you import petrol products, you incur some costs. Common sense dictates that the in-country’s refining capacity should impact the price of the products.
“I will be surprised if we produce petrol in Dangote and Port Harcourt refinery and there is no price reduction benefit for Nigerians. Nigerians should expect to pay less. What the amount will be, I can’t determine right now”, he stated.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is in the eye of the storm over his links to the scandal rocking the Humanitarian Ministry.
The young minister’s company, New Planet Project, got paid hundreds of millions of naira as consultancy fees for some work done for the scandal-ridden Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The revelation has prompted calls for his suspension.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu has already been suspended by President Bola Tinubu.
In addition, President Tinubu has equally suspended all programmes under the NSIP.
Public opinion on the Minister of Interior has been divided.
Many believe that he should be given the same treatment as Edu, while others have described him as the star of the Bola Tinubu administration due to his work in reforming the knotty international passport process; hence, they believe he should be spared.
The minister has maintained that he has done no wrong.
According to him, he resigned from the company following his election into the House of Representatives in 2019 in accordance with the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
But critics said resignation is not enough because he remains the beneficial owner of the company hence the argument of conflict of interest.
Fisayo Soyombo, a Nigerian journalist posted on X that the “Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo will NEVER be able to revolutionise Nigeria’s messily-corrupt passport application system. Zero percent chance!”
“You know why already: his hands are not clean,” he claimed in the post.
However, there are many people out there who believe that the current push for the minister’s ouster is a matter of corruption fighting back.
“The digitization reform for processing International passport that Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (introduced/embarked on) clearly threatened the livelihood of so many “civil servants.” And there is a huge fighting back going on. Unfortunately Nigerians, in their ignorance, will be used as pawns in this battle,” Kelvin Odanz, a popular handle on X posted.
But the minister is not new to scandal, here are some of other scandals involving him.
NDDC off your mic scandal
Tunji-Ojo, who was the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC in the 9th Assembly, also faced corruption allegations during the probe of the NDDC under Daniel Pondei.
It would be recalled that Pondei staged a walkout during the investigation, stating that “we are not comfortable with the chairman of this committee presiding over a matter he has been accused of.”
He added that “There is no point of order here. As long as he is the chairman of this committee, the NDDC will not make any presentation here.”
According to the NDDC, Tunji-Ojo’s company was also a beneficiary of some of the questionable contracts in the NDDC.
Subsequently, Tunji-Ojo was forced to recuse himself from that investigation due to the corruption allegations against him and his company.
NYSC scandal
During the ministerial screening, Tunji-Ojo also faced scrutiny over his NYSC certificate prompting allegations of certificate forgery.
The minister claimed to have concluded his NYSC in 2020 which raised two questions- one, he was well above the 30-year age limit.
Secondly, the date raised another issue, which is that he was serving while he was in the National Assembly as a lawmaker. Lastly, the certificate carried 2023 as the date of issuance.
NYSC later “authenticated the genuineness” of the certificate, stating that Tunji-Ojo was initially mobilized in 2006 but absconded before the completion of the one year mandatory service.
Despite the controversy, Tunji-Ojo was cleared by the Senate and confirmed as minister.
Minister’s strategy of dealing with scandal
The minister has beat all previous scandals, and in the ongoing one, the president appears not ready to suspend him.
Many believe that Tunji-Ojo’s relationship with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila may be a major factor.
A former aide of the Minister, who spoke with DAILY POST on the condition of anonymity, said the strategy of the minister is to always allow “time to address issues”.
“Honourable (Tunji-Ojo) appeared on Seun Okinbaloye’s programme (on Channels TV) to discuss the passport portal knowing fully well that Seun will ask him about the Edu matter. Some politicians will avoid speaking, thereby creating more doubt,” the former staffer said.
Many believe the minister’s strategy is working.
It would be recalled that during the interview, he emphasized that he resigned from the company in 2019, hence, those who support him argued that he complied with the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that the minister failed to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau on Tuesday as scheduled.
He was requested to appear before the Bureau yesterday, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB Headquarters, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.
A letter of invitation was signed by the CCB Director, Investigation and Monitoring, Gwimi S.P., on behalf of the CCB Chairman, Murtala Aliyu.
“The Bureau is investigating a case of alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in which your name featured prominently. Consequently, you are invited for an interview scheduled as follows:
“Date: Tuesday, January 16 January, 2024. Time: 1100hrs prompt. Venue: CCB Headquarters on 5th Floor, Annex III, Phase I, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja,” the letter read in part.
Emerging reports indicated that the minister asked for a new date to make his appearance.
[DailyPost]
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‘It Can Only Happen In Nigeria’ – Peter Obi Reacts To Report Of N3bn Approval For National Social Register Verification
AdminThe Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has reacted to reports that the federal government approved the huge sum of N3bn for the verification of the national social register.
Obi, in a post via his X platform account on Wednesday, questioned the rationale behind such approval and lamented that such could only happen in Nigeria.
Naija News recalls there are reports that President Bola Tinubu approved the release of N3 billion for the verification of the National Social Register. This has triggered mixed reactions from Nigerians both on and off social media.
In his own reaction, Obi described the report as a sad surprise and lamented that the amount approved for national register verification is more than the amount budgeted for some critical activities in the 2024 budget.
He added that the political leaders in the country must learn to focus on the critical areas of national development, and national security instead of seeking their personal comfort.
The former Anambra State Governor wrote: “It is very surprising to hear that the sum of N3 billion was approved for verification of national register of the poor. This can only happen in Nigeria. I have maintained that we must decisively deal with the issue of cost of governance in Nigeria now as a matter of urgency.
“Sadly, this very huge amount approved just for verification of national register of the poor is more than three times the amount of N908,699,435 which was budgeted for our National Library.
“This is happening at a time in our nation when we need all the manpower training to to keep our work force productive. Our national library, a very critical infrastructure in our nation, seemingly abandoned, lacks books and educational materials.
“The same amount, would have made a significant impact, if prudently and transparently managed. Moreso, with more than half of our population battling with absolute and multi dimensional poverty, one wonders why such a huge sum was approved for just verification of national register of the poor, when the same amount could have been directed towards actual poverty alleviation. This approval raises a fundamental question: how come the data for poverty alleviation has not been verified on a regular basis?
“The inability of we the leaders to prioritise our expenditure and focus on the critical areas of national development, and national security, are the challenges weighing down on our nation today.
“Unless we begin to sacrifice our personal comfort for the good of society, and begin to care more for the people, especially the less privileged ones, our nation will continue to grapple with all forms of societal ills caused by high level of poverty.”
[NaijaNews]
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd has stated that there were 157 incidents of crude oil theft between December 30, 2023 and January 5, 2024 across the Niger Delta.
This was stated in the weekly TV show, Energy and You aired on service of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
According to the report, the incidents recorded range from illegal refineries, illegal connections, oil spills, illegal storage sites, pipeline vandalism etc.
It further stated that there were 52 cases of illegal refineries discovered, 32 illegal connections to pipelines, 25 cases of pipeline vandalism, 2 incidents of oil spill, 3 cases of vessel infraction etc.
The NNPCL reports that these incidents were reported by both oil companies like the AGIP, SPDC, and government and private security agencies like Tantita, the NNPCL Command and Control Centre.
Location of incidents
The report noted that 52 illegal refineries were discovered in Owazza, and Oguzor in Abia state, Ohaji-Egbema in Imo state, Omoku in Rivers state and other communities in Bayelsa state. They were subsequently destroyed.
The illegal connections reported were discovered in Olodiama and other communities in Bayelsa state, and Udu in Delta state. In Okrika and Ebocha in Rivers state, the NNPCL reported the vandalisation of oil well heads in those communities.
Of the total incidences of crude oil theft recorded, around 9 were recorded in the deep water while the majority of cases were recorded in the Central and Eastern regions of the Niger Delta with 95 and 45 cases respectively.
What you should know
- Nigeria has been battling crude oil theft across the Niger Delta which has reduced government revenues and led to environmental degradation and divestment by IOCs in onshore operations.
- Shell- one of Nigeria’s oldest international oil companies recently announced the sale of its onshore oil assets to a group of companies called Renaissance for $1.3 billion. This comes after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Shell in an $878 million oil spill case which halted the proposed sale of its onshore assets.
- The National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President stated in August that the country loses around 400,000 barrels of crude oil to theft daily during a visit to oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.
[Nairametrics]
Three chieftaincy titles handed by Anambra monarchs to the Senator representing Anambra South on the floor of the Nigerian Senate, Ifeanyi Ubah, has been withdrawn.
Announcing the development in a statement on Tuesday, the press secretary to the Anambra state government, Christian Aburime, said that the chieftaincy titles were withdrawn because the conferment contravened the state’s traditional rulers code.
Aburime explained that the action of the three monarchs ran foul of the state’s traditional rulers’ code.
The traditional rulers that withdrew their chieftaincy titles from the lawmaker includes the traditional ruler of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, Igwe F.E. Ebelendu; traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area, Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian and the traditional ruler of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu.
The statement read, “It has come to the attention of Anambra State Government that Igwe F.E. Ebelendu of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local government Area, Igwe Onwuamaeze Damian Ezeani of Neni in Anaocha Local government area and Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area have respectively apologised to Anambra State Government and withdrawn and cancelled the phantom chieftaincy titles conferred on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, as it contravenes the State Traditional Rulers’ law.
“This action by the three traditional rulers was in direct contravention of the State Traditional Rulers’ code, which outlines the rules and regulations regarding the granting and revocation of chieftaincy titles.
“Consequently, the titles of Ikemba Ojoto, Odenjiinji Neni and Dike Eji Eje Ogu earlier bestowed on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have been withdrawn and cancelled by the three Igwes.
“This was contained in their respective letters of apology to the state government which also confirmed the withdrawal and cancellation of the chieftaincy titles which they variously described as nullity.
“However, it is instructive to note that traditional rulers are kindly advised to adhere strictly to the State Traditional laws and avoid any untoward actions that could contravene the provisions of the law.”
Naija News recalls that the three monarchs had conferred various chieftaincy titles on Ubah during their respective Ofala and cultural festivals last December.
Uba, who recently decamped to the All Progressives Congress, is rumored to be interested in the state’s governorship poll billed to take place in 2025.
The Charles Soludo led Anambra government had suspended the traditional ruler of Neni Kingdom, Igwe Damian Ezeani, ffor conferring of the chieftaincy title on the Senator.
The suspension letter signed by the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, detailed that Ezeani violated the code of conduct for traditional rulers by conferring in conferring the chieftaincy title on the senator.
Recent developments suggest a concerted effort by certain influential figures within and outside the Presidential Villa to implicate Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, in the transactions of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
This comes in the wake of a series of leaked memos from the ministry and its agencies, following Edu’s suspension and ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
A particularly contentious memo dated December 18, 2023, from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, revealed President Tinubu’s approval of N3 billion from the COVID-19 Palliative Fund for verifying the National Social Register.
The disclosure of this memo led to widespread reactions on social media, with some Nigerians expressing outrage.
In response to the uproar, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the approval of the N3 billion was a direct decision by President Tinubu, countering insinuations that Gbajabiamila was involved.
Furthermore, a presidential aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity with Vanguard, indicated that the release of such memos is likely to persist, suggesting that “Gbajabiamila was the prime target” of these revelations.
The source said, “The CoS did not convey his approval. He conveyed approval of his boss, it’s the practice with Abba Kyari and others, that the Chief of Staff conveys approval or otherwise of the President to Cabinet members and institutions that might have requested one or two things from the President. The current Chief of Staff has not faced twenty per cent of the attacks one of his predecessors, Abba Kyari got over wrong allegations. President Tinubu’s verdict on his Chief of Staff’s integrity is known to the public.
“The latest memo that came out was just an attempt by some persons within and outside the Villa to tie Gbajabiamila to the Betta Edu investigation. Thankfully, one of the official spokesmen of the President, Mr Bayo Onanuga has clarified that indeed, the N3 billion was approved by the President himself and not by Gbajabiamila.
“For the sake of clarity, it is not out of place for the President via his chief of staff to raise a memo to approve N3bn for verification of 11 million people inherited from the social register of the last administration based on official request from the minister. N3bn divided by 11 million means each person was verified at about N273 only. So the media trial of the President and his Chief of Staff is of no effect.
“It is left for the humanitarian affairs ministry to prove the exercise was indeed conducted. However, the intention of those who released the memo was to soil Gbajabiamila’s name. The President will rely solely on the outcome of the investigation team he already set up on the Humanitarian ministry.”
Recall that the President had at a Federal Executive Council on October 30, 2023, stated that he was aware of the campaign of calumny launched at Gbajabiamila and even passed a vote of confidence on him.
The President said, “I have absolute confidence in my Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. So, all campaign of calumny, the buck stops here! If I make mistakes, I’ll own up to them.”