The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has confirmed that three suspects arrested by soldiers during the just concluded governorship election in Kogi State are police officers.
DAILY POST recalls that soldiers on election duty in Okene, on Saturday, intercepted black-coloured security vehicles and arrested occupants of the cars.
The soldiers made other arrests during the election. Most of the miscreants were suspected to be political thugs.
However, the IGP, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that three of the suspects are policemen.
The police boss, while thanking officers who participated in the Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa State off-circle election, vowed to sanction erring officers.
The statement reads partly, “In Kogi State, it has been confirmed that three officers who were arrested by soldiers and handed over to the Police were indeed police personnel but were found to be escorting a VIP contrary to directives.
“Others who were arrested by election officers escorting VIPs during the polls will also be sanctioned as such actions are against established protocols, and the officers involved will face disciplinary measures as a consequence.”
[DailyPost]
Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria on Tuesday, November 14, blocked entrance into the National Assembly in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for workers to embark on strike.
Both the main gate and the annex gate into the National Assembly were locked by officials of the union making it difficult for workers who came to work to access their complex.
However, lawmakers and management staff were forced to use the gate leading to the Presidential villa to access the complex.
The staff who came to work complained of not being informed by the leadership of the union about the strike only to come to work and be told that they could not gain access because of the strike.
“You should have put this on the platform yesterday that we are joining the strike today. But you did not do that. Now, we come to work and you are telling us to go home”, some angry staff were heard complaining to some PASAN officials.
Details shortly…
[TheNation]
The Congress of Nigerian University Academics has said that its members are not part of the ongoing nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
According to a statement signed by the National President, Niyi Sunmonu, , and made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday, the union said that it is not part of the strike as it was not consulted by the organising bodies NLC and TUC.
The statement read, “As at the moment of putting together this release, the TUC with whom CONUA submitted affiliation request has not communicated this position on strike action to it.
“Distinguished comrades should therefore note that CONUA cannot be part of the strike action that is not communicated to it. In addition, the affiliation process with the TUC has not been officially established.”
The labour unions on Monday ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.
[Punch]
The attorney-general of the federation (AGF) has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to obey the court order restraining them from embarking on a strike action.
The unions announced that the strike would commence by midnight on Tuesday.
The planned nationwide strike is a protest against the alleged brutality of Joe Ajaero, president of the NLC, in Imo state.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, Kamarudeen Ogundele, AGF’s spokesperson, said going ahead with the strike action would amount to contempt of court.
“We wish to remind the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress that there is a subsisting court order stopping the unions and their affiliates from embarking on the strike,” the statement reads.
“The interim order was granted on November 10 by the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice B. B. Kanyip.
“The unions have been served the court order and, therefore, must surrender themselves to the authority of the court which is already seized with the facts of the case.
“Any action taken contrary to the order will be tantamount to contempt of court.
“We use this medium to urge the unions to respect the court order and adhere to the principle of the rule of law. There is no need to resort to self-help.
“We urge workers to report for duties and not to entertain any fear as their safety is guaranteed and will be protected within the ambit of law.”
[TheCable]
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has reacted to the rising debt profile of Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and plans to borrow more.
Naija News reports that the PDP chieftain, in an interview with the Sun, said it was time for governance and management of the country’s resources for the benefit of the masses.
He also questioned the economist in Aso Rock considering the amount of debt the country owes, adding PDP will continue to play the role of an opposition party and keep Tinubu on his toes to ensure that the right thing is done.
He said, “I don’t know who is the voodoo economist in the Villa because the amount of money we owe now is N88 trillion. Are we joking? This is the time for governance and managing the resources of this country for the betterment of the people,ple but is that what they are doing? I want to appeal to the President, it is not a matter of joining his party, we must have a solid opposition to put them on their toes and as long as I live, in the next four years that will be the role that we are going to play.
“And it is good for them because if everybody is telling them that they are doing well, they will be the first to condemn them once they get out. Tinubu is not a young man, he has been there, so he knows whether people are polishing him and pretending that he is the best fellow.”
Speaking on Tinubu’s plan to form a unity government for the progress of Nigeria, George said it is a collective effort from other political parties and not about an individual.
He said, “Well, if he says he wants to have a unity government, it cannot be from me as an individual. Each party will sit down, look at the situation, and open it to people to contribute for and against before you start jumping.
“There is no individualism in political organisation and it is not the property of any individual, collectively you decide. If you are a real party man, you don’t work outside your party. The party will look for and against you and make an appropriate decision. So, it depends because these are the kind of things we will look at internally in our inner chamber and tell ourselves some serious home truth if we want to come back to power.
“It is not a matter of just coming and signing up as an individual because it doesn’t make sense. We have been in government before and the first time, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo won that election, he opened the gate for all the parties to nominate people but it is not done individually; the party must give the support. But like I said, this is the end of the electoral process, we are now starting governance.
“What is the state of this nation in terms of the economy, the fiscal and monetary policies, and the cost of basic needs for the people. You hear people trying to commit suicide, you see able-bodied women scavenging the dustbins in public and the greatest joke was the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs set up by General Muhammadu Buhari. They had to bring that woman to come and explain how she distributed cash every month.”
The Nigerian Navy has disclosed that its Ship Beecroft intercepted a fibre boat containing 90 drums of 250 litres each of Petrol Motor Spirit, PMS, valued at about N15 million at the current pump price.
The Navy explained that the arrest was conducted by Operation Water Guard NNS BEECROFT’s patrol team and occurred in the early hours of November 11.
Speaking via a statement on Monday, the spokesperson of the Base, Sub-Lieutenant H. A Collins said that the large fibre boat was illegally transporting drums of PMS, approximated at 22,500 litres, when it was intercepted.
Quoting its Commander, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, the Navy said, “The team acted on credible intelligence and discovered the vessel abandoned near the Ijegun community.”
According to the commander, the oil thieves abandoned the loot and fled when they sighted the NNS patrol team.
He noted, “The prevention of illicit acquisition of such volatile products does not only curb economic sabotage but also prevents the outbreak of fire, which may have dire consequences on life and property.
“This proactive operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unweaving commitment under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, to safeguarding the nation’s petroleum resources for the benefit of Nigerians.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the victors in the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to prioritise the common good of the people over partisan interests in the spirit of fostering a harmonious and inclusive political landscape in their states.
While congratulating Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Usman Ododo of Kogi State on their victory, the president, in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said the electorate’s participation in the process affirmed the resilience of democratic institutions and the power of the people in shaping the nation’s political landscape.
The president, who said the outcome of the elections reflected the wishes of the people, emphasised that democracy thrived when voters rewarded competence, transparency and good governance.
The president, however, stressed the need for a sustained commitment to all efforts aimed at further sanitising the electoral system and enhancing the credibility of future elections.
In his own congratulatory message, former President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement on Monday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said the victory recorded by APC candidates in Kogi and Imo re-affirmed the confidence of the people of the states in the party.
Reiterating Buhari’s statement, the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said, “What gladdens me about the victory of the APC in both Kogi and Imo stated is that Nigerians are appreciative of good governance and they want continuity in peace and sustainable growth in their states.”
On his part, the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Kogi Governorship Election and governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the party’s victory in Kogi as “resounding” and an affirmation of the ruling party’s dominance in the state.
Also congratulating the duo of Uzodimma and Ododo, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, described their victories as a testament to the strength of the nation’s democracy and the power of the people to make their voices heard.
Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, added that the victories were an expression of the confidence of the people of the two states in the programmes and policies of the APC.
The federal government has stated that the country would create 340,000 jobs with transition into renewable energy by 2030 and 840,000 in 2060.
Speaking during the second edition of the German-Nigerian Symposium on Green Energy, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the energy transition would result in economic and job creation with quality power supply.
Adelabu stated that the federal government is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2060 but needs to expand power generation in the country to stop the use of diesel and petrol generators.
“Nigeria is committed to deliver adequate renewable and affordable power to its citizens in a sustainable manner. The implementation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) will not only provide economic development but result in significant job creation with up to 340,000 jobs by the year 2030 and 840,000 by 2060.”
He noted that gas would play a critical role in the transition from fuel in Nigeria, thus, the ETP would create significant investment opportunities for establishment and expansion of industries related to solar energy, green hydrogen and electric vehicles.
He said the country currently needs $1.9tn to attain net zero emission by 2060 and has identified a $32bn investment opportunity based on current programmes and projects that are directly related to just energy transition.
“Due to insufficient generation and grid constraints, the majority of households, businesses and industries in the nation generate their electricity with diesel and petrol generators. The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Annett Günther, said, “Germany and Nigeria are both committed to driving the production and use of hydrogen.”
She also referred to the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz’s recent visit to Nigeria, in which he highlighted that the energy partnership between both nations are not only about traditional fossil fuels but also about hydrogen, the gas of the future.
The Country Director, GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, Dr. Markus Wagner, in his remarks stated that it is crucial to recognise green hydrogen has the potential to revolutionise the energy landscape as it offers a path to reducing carbon emissions, diversifying energy sources and boosting economic growth.
Senator Dino Melaye, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has seven days to review the Kogi State governorship election.
Melaye stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.
On Sunday the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election.
Ododo polled 446,237, while his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled 259,052 votes.
But during the interview, Melaye alleged that there were cases of mutilation, over voting, and suppression of voters in the election.
“It was based on the mutilation results that Yahaya Bello’s stooge was declared winner. INEC is aware that some local government results were written before the election.
“This is what happened across the local government. Seventeen local governments in Kogi State have over voting.
“We have submitted our petitions to INEC with evidences this afternoon. Our next line of action is that INEC has seven days to review petitions. We are going to see what they would do. In a just society silence is a crime.”
Melaye added that INEC must cancel election in five local government areas of the state.
He said, “INEC must cancel the election in the five local governments of Kogi central. The election in Okene, Okehi, Ajaoukuta, Adavi, and Ogori/Mangogo is a scam coordinated from the highest level of INEC.”
In a significant move towards restoring political tranquillity in Ondo State, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, OON, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), has applauded the wisdom demonstrated by Ondo State elders.
Ajulo said the State has, again, demonstrated its resourcefulness in the area of politics, governance and human development. He said "Ondo elders have demonstrated the uniqueness of the Omoluabis we are known for and it is commendable"
The state has been grappling with a political crisis, exacerbated by the absence of Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and the contentious impeachment process of Deputy Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
At a pivotal meeting hosted at the residence of Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Monday, Ondo State Elders and Leaders Forum converged on the residence of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti to discuss the peace and development of the State amidst current political turbulence.
Egalitarian Mission for Africa, a not-for-profit international Organisation, which Ajulo is the Chairman, amid the continued unrest, had on 16th October in a widely publicised press statement urged the State elders to intervene in the crisis which has generated unwarranted enmity among political players and their followers in the State and indirectly disrupted smooth governance. He made phone contact with some of the elders concerning the matter.
In the statement, Ajulo speaking for the Organisation expressed optimism in Ondo State's ability to address its challenges independently without external intervention.
He eulogised the elders for heeding the call and rising to help Ondo State in navigating its political challenges, saying "nothing is more crucial than such a meeting at this time"
The lawyer also expressed gratitude to the Leaders and Elders of Ondo State, using Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Bashoun Seinde Arogbofa as points of contact. He appreciated the royal fathers and religious leaders present at the meeting for heeding the call for peace.
"Again, I want to call on other Ondo State leaders absent from the meeting to unite for the benefit of the State and its people; Chief Olu Falae, General Bajowa, Prince Adetokubo Kayode SAN, former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, former Deputy Governors, former Speakers of the House of Assembly as well as Chief Judge and head of the State judiciary.
Also, I call on Senators representing Ondo State at the National Assembly, using Senator Niyi Adegbomire, SAN as a point of contact, Ondo State Representatives members, other traditional rulers using the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo as contact, and religious heads with the Archbishop of Ondo Diocese of Anglican Communion, Bishop Simeon Borokini and Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji Abdulmalik Yayi-Akorede as contacts respectively to join this noble cause." He said.
Ajulo expressed that the assignment is a joint effort, saying "the collective efforts of everyone are important in fostering a harmonious and progressive Ondo State."
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The Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Simon Lalong, has convened a meeting with labour leaders as the nationwide strike begins.
Our correspondent learnt that leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are expected at the meeting holding on Tuesday (today).
A source familiar with the matter disclosed this to our correspondent on Monday night.
“The minister has convened a meeting with the Labour leaders for Tuesday,” the source simply said.
The labour unions had, on Monday, ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja..
Osifo said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”
The strike is also to protest the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and some other executives of the congress in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, as well as the pending labour issues in Imo State.
Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of a state-wide protest in Imo, as disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.
Although the police denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.
The NLC and TUC later wrote their affiliates such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics among others ahead of the nationwide strike.
The letter to the affiliates was jointly signed by the National Secretary, NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Nuhu Toro.
The letter read, “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12 midnight today, November 13, 2023.
“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and WC Whatsapp platforms.
“While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”
Meanwhile, the Presidency has described the planned strike as an attempt to blackmail the government.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday said the planned action is an abuse of privilege and one that contravenes a restraining order by the Industrial Court against the strike.
He noted that Ajaero’s assault in Imo though condemnable is a personal issue that shouldn’t force the whole country into punishment.
The statement read, “This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego-tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC.
“We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.
“While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered an investigation into what happened to Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state.
“Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest.”
The statement added that the strike action is a sinister move to cause further hardship on the masses, noting that the labour movement should not be seen as one that shows disdain against the rule of law.
“Our national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader.
“This flagrant disobedience to a court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour would champion.
“The labour movement has always been a champion of the rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for the court orders.
“We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable,” it concluded.
The Nigerian government on Monday said it is investigating the cancellation of visas of all the 264 passengers, who were airlifted to Jeddah from Lagos and Kano on Sunday, by the Saudi Arabian Authorities.
The Nigerian citizens aboard Air Peace were denied entrance into Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rules have been flouted, said Alkasim Abdulkadir, a media aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, in a statement on Monday.
“Nigeria has just participated in the Saudi-Africa Summit where bilateral discussions covering several sectors of the economy and mutually beneficial commitments were made.
“The Ministry will ensure such actions that impact the welfare of Nigerian citizens are mitigated in the future in line with the 4 Ds strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement said.
The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos via the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night and landed at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
But to the consternation of the airline staff, the Saudi Arabian authorities announced that all the passengers’ visas had been cancelled.
This was despite the fact that the passengers went through the Advanced Passengers Information System (APIS) during the check-in formalities in Nigeria which was also monitored by the Saudi authorities.
It was learnt that it was when the Nigerian embassy waded in that Saudi authorities reduced the number of passengers that would be returned to 177 from 264.
Vehicle owners in Abuja have begun to throng filling stations even as fuel stations have hiked the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), checks by Daily Trust have shown.
Daily Trust reports that the price of PMS, popularly known as petroleum has been jacked up to N640 in some private filling stations in the capital city, up from the N617 it was formerly sold.
Our reporter who visited some filling stations observed long queues, especially in NNPC retail stations who still maintain the old price.
The queue led to traffic gridlock along Olusegun Obasanjo Way at Wuse as the two NNPC stations along the route had long queues of cars waiting to fill their tanks.
While Total Energies’ station at Wuse Zone 6 was closed when our reporter visited, the one at Wuse Zone 2 was opened with a fairly long vehicle queues but not as much as the ones at NNPC stations.
The Mobil Filling Station at Utako also had vehicles waiting to purchase fuel even though it was sold at N640 per litre while ETERNA fuel station in Jabi was closed.
The situation was the same on Airport Road with long queues in stations like BOVAS, SALBAS OIL, AA Rano and SHEMA.
At AA Rano located at Jabi, only one fuel pump was dispensing the product from the 30 fuel pumps in the station.
Few cars were allowed into the station with the main gate to the station locked to prevent other cars from coming in.
A taxi driver, Salisu Ibrahim, who spoke with our reporter in one of the stations said the queue started on Friday with some selling at N630 and others at N640.
“Since the Friday, some of the stations have closed up and the rumour we are hearing is that they want to increase the pump price to N700 per litre.”
Daily Trust reports that the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, had last month said they received the assurance of the NNPC that there is available stock of petrol in the country.
Speaking after a meeting with all relevant stakeholders in the oil industry to ensure availability of fuel in the country, Ahmed however said independent marketers with licence to import the product complained of lack of access to the official price of dollars, thus, costing them more to import the product.
He added that they complained that the current pump price is not profitable for them and they can’t compete with the NNPC, which is importing the product at the official price of the dollar
The Imo governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Labour Party (LP) Senator Athan Achonu, on Monday, gave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to cancel last Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
They gave the ultimatum in Owerri while speaking jointly on the outcome of last Saturday’s governorship election in the state, where INEC declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) victorious.
They said that was because of the alleged massive rigging as well as the diversion of electoral materials to private homes where they were thumb-printed.
“It was not an election. it was a war. Over 70 per cent there was no collation of results. This a PDP state, where the governorship election took two days to conduct. The INEC has seven days to review these elections or cancel outrightly,” Anyanwu said.
“We have written to the INEC chairman calling for a total review of the election or outright cancellation of the election,” Achonu added.