The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed not to give recognition or legitimacy to the leadership of the national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure.
NLC vowed not to rest until it unseat Abure as national chairman of the party.

The Congress also stated that the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, is free to leave the party if he chooses to.

The NLC spokesman, Benson Upah stated this on Sunday during an interview with Punch.

According to him, “Our position on this matter is clear and has not changed. Abure remains unknown to us. It is not a question of removal. As far as we know, he does not exist.”

Speaking further, Upah said the issue of whether Obi should stay or leave the party should not be debated, saying the former governor was free to determine his destiny.

According to him, the NLC cannot stand in the way of the presidential candidate should he decide to defect to another political platform.

While describing him as an asset, the spokesman reiterated that the congress would not stand in his way if he chose to leave.

“The right of choice is available to Mr Obi. If he chooses to leave the party, that is his preference. We can’t sit in judgment over him on that. But if he chooses to remain, of course, Peter Obi is an asset any day. I rest my case on that,” he added.

Former Governor Nasir El–Rufai of Kaduna State has come under intense pressure to jettison the idea of dumping the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to form a mega political party with some like minds. That was even as an ambassadorial appointment is being dangled before him as an alternative. It would be recalled that the El – Rufai, who played a major role in the formation of the APC in 2014, recently paid a visit to the secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in reciprocation to the earlier visit of the National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, in company with National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and a chieftain of the APC, Kashim Ibrahim – Imam. The trio went to break their fast in El–Rufai’s Abuja home. However, some people are prevailing on him not to leave the party, which he helped in its formation and winning the elections in 2015, a credible source conversant with the issue confided in Sunday Telegraph. The Source said: “Some persons are trying to broker some rapprochement, telling him not to leave the party as a founding member of the APC, who played a major role; he should not jettison the party.

“However, the trouble at home is further putting pressure on him to find a new platform to become more relevant because the governor in his home state in his revelation has further damaged him in some way, his reputation as an astute manager of resources and men. “But some of his men are saying that the money was borrowed for some developmental purposes and therefore, what the loan was used for is very visible everywhere; that when you want to kick-start an infrastructural revolution, you need extra finances. That is making him more estranged from the party.” Furthermore, our source said that it was not without reason.

“He has two reasons why he is looking for another party,” our source adds: “Number one: He believes that he was deliberately schemed out of being minister of the federal republic by some entrenched interests and he believes that he was not duly rewarded for the key and critical role he played in the emergence of candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the candidate of the APC and also his emergence as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “He believes that he has not been well treated by the leadership of the party and by the government. His critical role has not been acknowledged and rewarded like others, who did not play half of the role he played. “So, it is obvious that he is very angry with the system and he believes that what he did in 2014, and 2015, leading to the formation of the APC can be done again. However, some persons from within the party are also said to be reaching out to him that he should not be angry.

“They are dangling before him the ambassadorial compensation. Whether that will materialize is another thing. “He also needs to be cleared in one way or the other. He is reluctant to take that leap because he believes that it may lead to another humiliation and of course, he also believes that some of the things happening in his home state are orchestrated to haunt him. “That is their response to his move in the last few days by people who believe that they will pay you back, you want to form a mega party. He believes that what is happening in his home state is being orchestrated by the same people, who denied him the ministerial slot.

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says the recent hike in electricity tariffs could impact negatively on the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Emeka Obegolu, ACCI’s president, spoke in an interview with NAN on Saturday in Abuja.

Obegolu acknowledged the various challenges already faced by entrepreneurs and investors in the country.

He said small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial to the country’s economy, would be greatly affected by the hike in tariff.

“The ease of doing business is a critical factor for fostering economic growth, attracting investments, and creating job opportunities,” he said.

“Regrettably, the increase in electricity tariffs can hinder these efforts by imposing additional financial burdens on businesses, especially SMEs, which are the backbone of our economy.”

According to Obegolu, any disruptions or cost increases associated with electricity supply could lead to higher operational expenses.

He said it would hinder businesses’ ability to invest in innovation and expansion and impede their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

Obegolu also expressed concern that the tariff hike, combined with other economic challenges such as the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange unification, could further compound difficulties faced by businesses.

“Many enterprises are already struggling with reduced demand, supply chain disruptions, and financial constraints. The burden of higher electricity tariffs exacerbates their challenges and threatens their long-term viability,” he said.

“As advocates for the business community, we urge relevant authorities to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that prioritise the needs of businesses and support ease of doing business.

“It is vital to strike a balance between ensuring a sustainable energy sector and mitigating the adverse effects of tariff hikes on businesses, particularly during these trying times.”

The ACCI president called for constructive dialogue with stakeholders to find collaborative solutions that addressed concerns from both energy providers and businesses.

“Through fostering open communication, promoting transparency, and adopting policies that facilitate business growth and competitiveness, we can create an environment conducive to sustainable economic development and prosperity for all,” he said.

Obegolu said ACCI stands ready to collaborate with stakeholders to address challenges posed by the tariff.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to refund customers wrongly billed with the new rate.

Abba Terab, NERC deputy general manager in charge of market competition and rates, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to NERC, customers should be refunded through energy tokens no later than April 11, and file evidence of compliance with the commission by April 12.

On April 3, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

The commission said customers under the classification, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, will pay N225 per kilowatt (kW), starting from April 3 — up from N66.

The NERC also directed all electricity distribution companies to provide as much clarity as possible to all affected customers.

“All DisCos shall ensure that only the newly approved Band A feeders listed in their April 2024 supplementary orders are maintained as band A for the purpose of vending to prepaid customers and billing for post paid customers on their networks,” Terab said.

“All DisCos are required to immediately post on their websites the schedule of approved Band A feeders that have been affected by the rate review.

“All DisCos shall set up a portal by 10th April 2024 on their website that allows all customers to check their current Bands by entering their meter or account numbers.

“All customers wrongly billed at the new rate should be refunded through energy tokens no later than Thursday 11th April 2024, and file evidence of compliance with the Commission by 12th April 2024.

“The Commission shall monitor compliance with the requirements listed above and shall continue to provide support to all stakeholders as required.”

On Aprile 5, NERC fined Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) N200 million for overcharging customers.

NERC said AEDC must reimburse affected customers by April 11.

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress has vowed not to rest until it unseat Julius Abure as national chairman of the Labour Party.

Disclosing this in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, said that despite the ‘illegal’ national convention that returned Abure to office, the union would never confer legitimacy or give recognition to his leadership.

He said, “Our position on this matter is clear and has not changed. Abure remains unknown to us. It is not a question of removal. As far as we know, he does not exist.”

The development is coming at a time when a group of retired workers under the aegis of Lagos Assembly of Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists also called for the resignation of the embattled national chairman of the party and the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, over their contentious leadership struggle.

The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also seems to be at loggerheads with the leadership of the LP over the manner it conducted the convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, despite his plea for wider consultation.

The former Anambra governor had expressed his frustrations at an X (formerly Twitter) Space session organised by Parallel Facts last Friday night.

While explaining his absence at the national convention that got Julius Abure re-elected as the party’s national chairman, Obi told his audience that he didn’t attend the event because the party’s leadership failed to heed his appeal for wider consultation with relevant stakeholders before the exercise.

His speech has since set tongues wagging and further fuelled earlier speculations that the LP presidential candidate may have started shopping for a new platform despite being guaranteed the 2027 ticket at the convention.

But Upah said the issue of whether Obi should stay or leave the party should not be debated, saying the former governor was free to determine his destiny.

According to him, the NLC cannot stand in the way of the presidential candidate should he decide to defect to another political platform.

While describing him as an asset, the spokesman reiterated that the congress would not stand in his way if he chose to leave.

“The right of choice is available to Mr Obi. If he chooses to leave the party, that is his preference. We can’t sit in judgment over him on that. But if he chooses to remain, of course, Peter Obi is an asset any day. I rest my case on that,” he added.

Barring any last-minute change of mind by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, a former member of Edo House of Assembly (1999 – 2003), Pascal Ugbomhe, has been tipped to replace the state’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, till November 12, 2024, when his second term will end.

Ugbomhe, also an Etsako man as Shaibu, is a frontline member of the Chief Dan Orbih-led Legacy Coalition in Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with his choice being to get the support of the party’s National Vice Chairman, Southsouth (Orbih), and his teeming supporters, ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

It was also learnt yesterday in Benin by our reporter that Obaseki wouldn’t want to take chances in Edo North Senatorial District, which has as representative, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is an ex-governor of Edo state.

Ugbomhe, who hails from Ekperi in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo, according to a source close to Obaseki, would ensure victory for PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, in Edo North senatorial district, thereby reducing the influence of Oshiomhole and Shaibu, since Ighodalo is from Edo Central with the least voting strength, and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, is an indigene of Benin Kingdom in Edo South, with the highest voting strength.

Ugbomhe, a Law graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who is a former Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Council, according to the permutation in Obaseki’s camp, would be able to convince the preferred governorship aspirant of legacy coalition, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, an influential former member of the House of Representatives, to also support Ighodalo’s aspiration, thereby ensuring unity and peace in Edo PDP.

The Justice Stephen Omonua (rtd.)-led seven-member probe panel, put in place by Edo Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, on March 25 this year, to probe the allegations levelled against Shaibu, rounded off its three-day sitting on Friday, and would soon submit its report to Justice Okungbowa, for the state’s 24 lawmakers to proceed or not, with Shaibu’s removal.

The decisions of the remaining 20 state governors on the proposed establishment of state police are expected to be submitted within the next four weeks.

This is according to the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Asishana Okauru, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH on Friday.

Sixteen state governors had earlier thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police as a panacea for the insecurity ravaging the different parts of the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nwkocha, had earlier disclosed in a statement that discussions were held at a meeting of the National Economic Council and that 16 out of the 36 states had already submitted their reports on the state policing initiative.

The NEC received the reports from the 16 governors at its 140th meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa on March 21, 2024.

Nwkocha said there was an expectation that the remaining 20 governors, whose identities were not disclosed, would also submit their reports, stressing that all the states across the country expressed their support for the establishment of state police.

Okauru explained in a telephone conversation with one of our correspondents that the governors were unanimous in their support of the state police. 

He added that the remaining 20 governors were already in the process of submitting their reports, and would turn them in a few weeks from now.

According to him, it became clear after the NGF’s last meeting that there was a need for the governors to speed up “whatever report they were putting together in respect of state police and submit it.”

He said, “The official position of the forum is in favour of state police. I don’t know of any state that is not in support of state police. I can tell you that I don’t know of any state not in support of the idea. That the governors have not submitted their reports for now is not saying they are not in support of it (state police).

“They are in the process of submitting their reports and I can tell you that in the next couple of weeks that would have been resolved. This is the only way to go. The forum has come a long way. So, there’s a very strong consensus in support of state police.”

Asked if funding would be a major challenge for the state police, the NGF director-general added that the government should begin to think about innovative ways to fund the security architecture of the country.

“Even the way the police structure is configured, funding is still an issue. So, the funding issue will always be there. In some other countries, the police institution is to some extent revenue-generating. You know, it has revenue-generating potential. I mean, if done well, you know that everybody will agree to it. Let’s accept that the funding issue will always be there whether it is done centrally or you are for state police.

“Another point that must be made is that it is not because some states have not submitted their reports that the idea hasn’t taken off. It became very clear after the last meeting that they needed to speed up whatever report they were putting together in respect of state police and submit it. So, a maximum of about four weeks, and it should be done,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu had on Thursday, February 15, 2024, agreed on the need to establish state police as recommended by state governors to curb rising insecurity in the country.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to State House correspondents after a meeting between the President and the governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the possibility of creating a state police structure will be further discussed.

He further said that a lot of work needed to be done, and the President and the governors agreed on working out the modalities for the idea.

In October 2023, the President mooted the idea of increasing the numerical strength of the police, which is just a little over 300,000.

At the end of the Nigeria Police Council conclave, which Tinubu chaired, he set up a Constitutional Review Committee to carry out comprehensive police reforms.

The 2014 National Political Reform Conference recommended devolving policing by allowing states to create their police and enabling community policing. 

However, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who initiated the 2014 conference, and his successor, Muhammadu Buhari, did not implement the recommendations despite the deteriorating security situation in the country during their administrations.

Reps plan retreat

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review will host its first retreat on the State Police Bill and other related bills slated for deliberation ahead of the planned constitutional review.

This is contained in the work plan of the committee obtained by Sunday PUNCH.

The bill seeking to establish state police has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, and 14 other lawmakers proposed to transfer the term “police” in the 1999 Constitution from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

The bill, which comprises 18 clauses, seeks to amend sections 34, 35, 39, 42, 84, 89, 129, 153, 197, 214, 215 and 216 of the constitution.

On February 15, the Federal Government set up a committee to explore the creation of state police given the worsening spate of insecurity across the country.

The Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, said given the fact that the bill was a constitutional matter, the onus was now on the Constitution Review Committee, which rolled out a two-year work plan to deliberate on state police, local government autonomy, fiscal federalism and other items listed for deliberations in the constitutional amendment process.

 “The State Police Bill is a constitutional amendment. After the second reading, it was referred to the Constitution Review Committee like all other constitutional amendments. The committee has rolled out its two-year work plan,” Waive said.

The retreat, which will be held in Abuja later this month, will witness collaborative efforts between the Clerk to the Committee on Constitution Review and the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre.

In May, the committee will engage with stakeholders, including civil society organisations, to collate inputs after which the committee will call for a public hearing

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said both chambers of the National Assembly were ready to amend the constitution to accommodate state police if the decentralisation of the security architecture would end kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and other crimes being experienced in Nigeria.

 Security experts speak

Commenting on the development, a security expert, Akin Adeyi, said the adoption of state police was a welcome development and advised the remaining 20 governors to submit their reports as soon as possible.

He added that rather than waiting for the governors to submit reports, the President could submit a bill to the National Assembly for review, while the governors would only append their signatures afterward.

According to him, allowances received by the state governments from the income generated from the removal of fuel subsidy should be enough to fund the state policing initiative.

Adeyi said, “Ordinarily, it’s supposed to be the responsibility of the state governors and state governments, but they are going to complement the effort of the Federal Government. With the removal of subsidy on petrol, there should be enough money on the ground to fund state police. I have that confidence except if the governors are not prudent in managing their resources.

“State police is going to be the best because it is going to be domiciled where the people are living; so automatically I will know you, and you will know me. At least, as a community person, you will not take sides with any judgment.

 “I read a report recently that state governors don’t need to write a memo before the matter can be resolved. So, what the Federal Government should do is what a member of the House of Representatives has done. He has submitted a bill to the National Assembly. Let them review the law and that is all. Once the bill is passed by the National Assembly, the state governments will just go there and do their job.”

However, the founder of Beacon Consulting, an Abuja-based security risk management and intelligence consulting firm, Kabir Adamu, said the country was not ready for state police with the current process of governance in the states.

According to him, creating state police is dangerous as it will turn the governors into “mini-emperors.”

He said, “It is indicated in the Renewed Hope Agenda that the Federal Government will decentralise policing. What we don’t know is the form it will take. I do not think we are ready for state police as a country. While there is a need to enhance security at the grassroots, I am worried that if we hand control of policing over to the governors, we are going to have mini-emperors.

“They (governors) are ruling their states like mini-emperors. They have the legislature under their control; they have the judiciary to an extent under their control. So, if you take the instrument of power, which is security, and add to these other components, we will have stronger mini-emperors.”

He, however, said there was a need for the establishment of policies that would improve the democratic culture at the state level where the legislature could effectively check the excess of the executive before policing could be decentralised.

On her part, a professor of Criminology at the Kaduna State University, Evelyn Yusuf, said the creation of state police was important to address the security challenges in the country.

She stated, “State police would have been excellent if the ruling class would allow the personnel to work and not engage them for other things. If there will be no abuse of power, I am in support of state police, because we need more police up to the level of community police to be able to curb the insecurity in Nigeria.

“There should be a policy that will guide against the ruling class using them as political thugs. If that can be done, state police will be fantastic. I recommend community policing more than any form of policing because, within the community, we know ourselves and anyone coming into the community will be easily identified.”

The traditional ruler of the Azumini autonomous community in Ukwa East LGA, HRM Eze Edward Ebere Eule, has been removed by the Abia State Government.

The traditional ruler, who was suspended from office by the state government in February 2024 for alleged misconduct and actions unbecoming of a traditional ruler, has been finally removed as the monarch of his community by the state government.

A press statement signed by the Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, said that Governor Alex Otti has approved the withdrawal of staff of office and certificate of recognition from Eze Eule.

The press release said that the withdrawal of the staff of office and certificate of recognition was because of the alleged refusal of Eze Ebere Eule to comply with the directives stipulated in a letter of suspension given to him on February 23, 2024, in line with the provisions of sections 12, 14 and 20 of the Abia State Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Communities Amended Number 2 Law 2018.

According to the statement by the commissioner, the removal of the traditional ruler was a result of allegations of misconduct brought against the former traditional ruler, for which the Abia State Government set up a panel of inquiry to investigate him.

The panel, the statement affirmed, indicted Eze Edward Ebere.

The statement advised the removed monarch to cease parading himself as the traditional ruler of the Azumini autonomous community and to return the staff of office and certificate of recognition issued to him within 14 days from the day of the announcement.

The statement further affirmed that all rights and privileges previously accorded to the sacked traditional ruler have been withdrawn.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi has said they could not compete with Arsenal due to injuries, as they lost 3-0 on Saturday.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for the Gunners from the penalty spot in the first half.

Goals from Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard in the second half ensured Arsenal took all three points at the Amex.

De Zerbi, speaking to BBC MOTD, said: “We played a good first half and played well in the second half until the second goal. After that, we played not so good and deserved to lose against one of the best Premier League sides. With our injured players, we can’t compete against Arsenal.

“We are sorry and disappointed for our fans. We wanted to get points, to win the game and compete in better ways. We are having a tough moment because we are playing without a lot of injured players. It is tough.”

Ali Ndume, the Borno South senator, has called for the reversal of the hike in electricity tariff.

Ndume, who spoke in a statement made available to DAILY POST in Abuja on Saturday, said the timing of the hike is not right as Nigerians are yet to recover from the removal of fuel subsidy. 

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), recently approved a 300 per cent tariff increment for Band A consumers, allowing power distribution companies to raise electricity prices for city dwellers from N68 to N225 per kilowatt-hour with effect from April 1, 2024.

Ndume condemned the move and called on the Federal Government to reconsider its position in the interest of Nigerians.

He said Nigerians are facing many challenges, including unprecedented inflation, poor purchasing power, insecurity and other forms of hardship.

The senator said, “The news of the increment came to me and many of my colleagues as a shock. It also came at a time when the National Assembly was on a break. Personally, I think the timing of this hike is very wrong. Nigerians are grappling with many challenges.

“To put this fresh responsibility on them is very unfair. Nigerians are yet to recover from the fuel subsidy removal of last year. Many Nigerians are still grappling with the ripple effects that removal had on them. To now come up with this is wrong.

“I believe that the timing is wrong. There ought to have been some consultations, especially with the National Assembly as representatives of the people. We were not consulted. We saw the news like every other Nigerian.

“The inflation is still very high. The prices of food commodities, drugs, transportation, school fees, and other daily expenditures are still on the high side. To now add this new burden is unfair.

“The minimum wage has not been increased. Many state governments are yet to even pay the current minimum wage of N30,000. How do we expect the people to survive? We’ve to be very realistic and feel the pulse of the people we represent as a government.

“For me, I think the Federal Government should first of all provide stable electricity, reduce the inflation, stabilise the naira, and prices of food commodities. Then, the purchasing power of Nigerians must significantly improve before we can place a fresh responsibility on them as a government.

“The Federal Government needs to give the National Assembly the opportunity to also step in and consult because we represent the people. We feel their pulse, and we know what they’re going through right now.”