Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, says his state has enough water to quench the fire that Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), threatened to put in the states of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors supporting Siminalayi Fubara.

Fubara, governor of Rivers, and Wike have been at loggerheads for months now.

Speaking at a PDP congress in Rivers recently, the FCT minister warned governors in the party against interfering in the affairs of the opposition party in Rivers state.

Wike then said he would “put fire” in the states of the governors siding with Fubara.

While hosting some members of PDP’s national working committee (NWC) meeting in Bauchi on Tuesday, Mohammed said nobody could set Bauchi on fire.

“We are together; nobody can put fire in Bauchi,” the governor said.

“We have volumes of water that will quench the fire – even my friend (Wike) that said so, it is because he is annoyed. But it is not personal.

“My friend is my friend, and my job is my job, leadership is leadership.

“This unsolicited visit by the NWC shows that in Nigeria, we have hope,and we are connected by the value and the stability of PDP for peace and stability in our party and in our country.

“Yes, none of the parties is isolated in terms of crisis here and there. Crises are there, that is why leadership is also there. That is why we have to take the bull by the horn to discuss and look at the constitution of our party PDP.

“All the parties must do things by the rule of law. We must respect people, we must put our interest aside, we must respect our diversity, we must meet and close ranks especially when the issue has to do with our party, the PDP.

“Our party has pedigree and most of the development in this country was done by the PDP.

“When PDP left, nothing was done.”

Kamaldeen Adeyemi, national legal adviser of the party, said they visited the Bauchi governor to “identify with him”.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) says some powerful forces are bent on preserving fuel importation in Nigeria.

Muda Yusuf, chief executive officer (CEO) of CPPE, spoke on ‘Morning Brief’, an interview programme on Channels Television, on Tuesday.

Yusuf said some individuals who are heavily profiting from the importation of petroleum products are opposed to the transition to local production.

“There are powerful forces bent on preserving the status quo and by the status quo, I mean the continued importation of petroleum products,” Yusuf said.

“Apparently, a number of people are benefiting from that and such people are not really excited about this domestic production, which is the way to go.”

The CPPE CEO emphasised the need for political commitment to drive the transition from import dependency to local production, particularly focusing on petroleum products.

‘NNPC, DANGOTE REFINERY PRICING DRAMATISATION BAD FOR ECONOMY’

Yusuf also frowned on the public exchange between the Dangote refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Limited.

He urged both entities to resolve their differences internally, warning that public disagreements could harm investor confidence and the economy.

“I’m really worried about the dramatisation of the price, the cost that NNPC is buying from Dangote,” he said.

“When did NNPC start to tell us how much they bought petroleum products? They have been importing for ages.

“How many times have they told us, this is where we bought it from, this is how much we bought it. Why is it that it is when we are now buying from domestic sources, you are now giving us all sorts of statistics.

“So you are now giving the impression as if this current wave of pricing pieces is because you are buying from Dangote. That is the impression that has been created.”

Yusuf, however, said the real issue is the burden of petrol subsidy, which is overstretching the NNPC and the government.

“If you want to walk away from the subsidy, you make that announcement. You cannot tell us that what we are buying from Dangote is costlier than what we are importing in terms of landing costs. It is not possible,” he added.

On Sunday, the NNPC started lifting petrol from the Dangote refinery after a protracted period of price negotiations.

The national oil company said the refiner sold the product at N898 per litre.

However, Dangote refinery countered the claim, describing it as “misleading and mischievous”.

Following the dispute, NNPC, on Monday, released the estimated pump price of petrol based on prices set by the Dangote refinery.

President Bola Tinubu has assented to the Bill establishing the National Center for the Control of small arms and light weapons (NCCSALW) to curb proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu disclosed this on Tuesday at the workshop on gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and West Africa.

The NSA who was represented by the Director External Affairs, Office of the NSA, Am. Ibrahim Babani said the workshop aims to address an issue of immense importance to Nigeria’s national security.

The NSA said that the President’s assent to the bill was a major milestone in the government’s commitment to curbing the proliferation of illegal arms.

According to him, this legislative backing strengthens the centre’s mandate and paves the way for more coordinated and decisive action.

Ribadu also emphasised the need for gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

He commended the National Coordinator and the entire team at the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for their dedication in organising the very important workshop, adding that their tireless efforts towards addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria were “invaluable”

He stressed that the workshop was anchored on key international frameworks, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

According to him, the resolution emphasised the critical need to protect women from the impacts of conflict while also ensuring their full participation in peacebuilding and security initiatives.

“Moreover, the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons underscores the collective responsibility of our region in cutting the spread of these dangerous weapons, which disproportionately affect women and children in conflict zones.

“The importance of gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of SALW cannot be overstated as it strengthens our strategies, and ensures that our approach to security is inclusive and sustainable,” he said.

Ribadu commended the centre for their efforts towards addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

The National Coordinator of NCCSALW, DIG Johnson Kokumo (Rtd), said the centre has in recent times, made some significant achievements in the fight against illegal proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

Kokumo said the centre had on July 1, retrieved a substantial cache of illegal arms through the Nigeria Customs Service and subsequent arrest of 10 suspects involved in the illicit importation.

He said the suspects were currently being prosecuted by the NCCSALW for illegal importation into Nigeria, prohibited 544 Firearms and 112,500 rounds of cartridges contrary to Section 3 (6) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 among other offences.

This, according to him, underscores the centre’s commitment to not only intercepting arms but also ensuring that those responsible for these acts face the full weight of the law.

“In addition to the above, the National Centre has retrieved a total of quantity 3,383 decommissioned, unserviceable, obsolete and illicit small arms and light weapons and 26,749 various calibres of ammunition from the arms bearing agencies of government.

“Later in this quarter, NCCSALW would be conducting an Arms Destruction Exercise which is a critical step in ensuring that recovered arms are permanently removed from circulation,” he said.

Kokumo said the control of small arms and light weapons proliferation was not only a national concern but also a matter of international importance.

He said that the illegal flow of small arms and light weapons had devastating consequences, fuelling violence, instability and insecurity in various parts of the world.

He added that gender mainstreaming in SALW control was not only a moral imperative but also a strategic move, considering the grave impact of armed conflict on women and children.

This, he said, highlighted the need for a gender-sensitive approach to disarmament and security policies.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced it will maintain the Ways and Means Advances to the federal government at a 5% limit for the fiscal years 2024-2025, despite a recent bill from the National Assembly increasing the limit to 10%.

This decision was outlined in the CBN’s Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade, and Exchange Policy Guidelines for the 2024-2025 fiscal period, released on Tuesday.

These guidelines emphasize the importance of macroeconomic stability and align with the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF), aiming to manage expectations, respond to economic shocks, and sustain the ongoing economic recovery.

The document stated, “Ways and Means Advances shall continue to be available to the Federal Government to finance deficits in its budgetary operations to a maximum of 5.0 per cent of the previous year’s actual collected revenue. Such advances shall be liquidated as soon as possible and shall in any event be repayable at the end of the year in which it was granted.”

Additionally, the advances will now be calculated after accounting for the sub-accounts of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), which are connected to the Consolidated Revenue Fund to determine the Federal Government’s overall cash position.

Ways and Means Advances are short-term loans from the CBN designed to help the government address temporary budget shortfalls.

Section 38 of the CBN Act of 2007 limits these advances to a percentage of the previous year’s revenue and mandates repayment within the fiscal year.

In recent years, the CBN’s handling of Ways and Means Advances has sparked controversy, particularly in 2023 when former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele was accused of printing ₦22.7 trillion for the federal government without National Assembly approval.

Critics argue that excessive borrowing through this facility has fueled inflation and increased money supply in the economy.

In February 2024, current CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso informed the Senate Committee that the CBN would halt further advances to the federal government until outstanding loans were repaid.

This move is part of broader efforts by the bank to address the economic challenges facing the country.

Says purchasing product with dollar illegal

Human Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has stated that it is ‘illegal” for the National Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) to determine prices of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol after deregulation.

Falana in a statement on Tuesday said the action of the NNPC violates Section 205 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He said, “On September 5, 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) stated that foreign exchange (forex) illiquidity had been a significant factor influencing the fluctuation in prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) governed by unrestrained market forces, as provided for in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“The NNPCL was explaining the pump price of PMS imported into the country at the material time. Specifically, the Executive Vice President of Downstream NNPC Ltd Mr. Adedapo Segun, explained that Section 205 of the PIA, which established NNPC Ltd, stipulated that petroleum prices were determined by free market forces. According to him, “The market has been deregulated, meaning that petrol prices are now determined by market forces rather than by the government or NNPC Ltd. Additionally, the exchange rate plays a significant role in influencing these prices.”

“But contrary to the well-publicised statement, the NNPCL has fixed the price of PMS produced by the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited. The action of the NNPCL is a violent contravention of Section 205 of the PIA, which stipulates that the prices of petroleum products shall be determined by market forces.

“Furthermore, since the petrol sold by Dangote is not imported into the country but produced at the Lekki Economic Free Trade Zone, the NNPCL cannot justify the sale of petrol at N950 per liter without freight cost, lightering cost, jetty depot fees, storage fees, foreign exchange costs, NPA charges: NIMASA charges, Customs duties, etc.

“In fact, by selling the petrol produced by Dangote Refinery at a higher price, the NNPCL has confirmed its resolve to continue to sabotage the national economy through the reckless importation of cheaper petrol from foreign countries at a cost that the nation cannot afford.

“The NNPCL has justified the hike by saying that petrol is sold in dollars by the Dangote Refinery. Why should the NNPCL buy petrol in dollars since the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has directed that crude oil be sold to Dangote Refinery in Naira?

“Are the management staff of NNPCL and Dangote Refinery not aware that it is a criminal offence under Section 20 of the Central Bank Act to refuse to accept the naira as a means of payment for any transaction in the country?

“Furthermore, the exclusive purchase of petrol from Dangote Refinery by the NNPCL is completely at variance with the letter and spirit of section 205 of the PIA. Therefore, other marketers should be at liberty to purchase petrol directly from Dangote Refinery and distribute to outlets in all the states of the Federation.

“Henceforth, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission should stop the NNPCL from exercising monopolistic control of the petrol produced by Dangote Refinery.”

Falana’s outburst came after the commencement of PMS lifting by the NNPCL from the Dangote Refinery on Sunday.

However, as soon as lifting commenced, NNPCL announced that the product would sell for ₦950 per liter in Lagos State and its environs, and above ₦1,000 per liter in states such as Borno.

Reacting to the development, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Monday, criticised NNPCL, saying it was not right to sell petrol lifted from the Dangote Refinery higher than imported ones.

IPMAN National Welfare Officer, John Kekeocha, stated this on Channels Television, saying, “If NNPC can sell Dangote products higher than the imported products, then, it doesn’t make sense. What is the celebration we are having all these while then?” he queried.

Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have apprehended Shizzer Joy Nasara Bada, the former Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General under Nasir el-Rufai’s administration in Kaduna State.

Bada was reportedly arrested on Sunday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos while attempting to travel abroad.

The arrest comes amid growing suspicions that Bada might be fleeing the country due to ongoing corruption investigations linked to both herself and former Governor el-Rufai.

ICPC officials had reportedly been tracking her movements after receiving intelligence that she might attempt to evade questioning.

This move is part of a broader investigation targeting several high-ranking officials from el-Rufai’s administration.

According to Saharareporters, sources suggest the scrutiny is centered on alleged financial mismanagement during their time in office, with multiple individuals under investigation for their roles.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly recently indicted el-Rufai for allegedly embezzling ₦423 billion from the state treasury.

Though the exact charges against Bada have not yet been disclosed, insiders believe they involve significant financial irregularities and misappropriation of public funds.

Bada’s arrest has sparked widespread speculation, with many questioning whether this marks the start of a larger investigation into the former governor’s administration.

The ICPC is expected to release further details as the investigation progresses, potentially revealing the extent of corruption within the previous leadership.

Former Governor el-Rufai, meanwhile, has launched a legal challenge against the Kaduna State House of Assembly after it accused his administration of mismanaging ₦432 billion during his eight-year tenure.

His attorney, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, filed a fundamental rights lawsuit in June, seeking to contest the claims made against him.

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, would sign the Peace Accord.

Governor Obaseki stated this in a statement on Tuesday. He explained that the decision was reached by the caucus of the party after a closed-door meeting.

Naija News reported the state’s PDP chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi and Obaseki withdrew their threat to boycott Saturday’s governorship election.

They added that they were convinced by the new commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

On his X handle, on Tuesday, Obaseki disclosed, “Arising from a closed-door meeting of the caucus of our great party, the PDP in Edo State, we wish to thank the Police IG and the Chairman of the INEC for their assurances of providing a level playing field for all players in Saturday’s gubernatorial election in the state.

“As a party, we are ready for the election and confident that the people will make the right choice by voting for our candidates, who stand head and shoulders above the others.

“We are hopeful that with the courts resuming today, all our members who have been detained in Abuja will be released or granted bail to reunite with their families. On that ground, we will consider signing the Peace Accord.”

Hours after it was shut on Monday, the Lagos State Government has reopened the De-Angels Donald’s Fast Food, belonging to celebrity barman, Cubana Chief Priest.

The fast food restaurant was shut for violating the state environmental laws.

Donald’s Fast Food was unsealed by the team of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency  (LASEPA) officials in the early hours of Tuesday.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the decision to unseal the business place followed the signing of an undertaking by the proprietor of the restaurant to adhere to the State’s environmental regulations.

A part of the commitment for reopening the restaurant is ensuring that the facility will operate solely as a fast-food business as initially approved against using it for clubbing or partying, just as it is situated in a residential area of the state.

Recall LEADERSHIP reported that LASEPA had stated that there had been repeated warnings, as a result of complaints from the nearby residents and businesses regarding the high levels of noise emanating from the lounge, which has been disrupting the peace and tranquility of the area.

In a statement during the closure of the facility, Director-General of the Lagos State Environmental and Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Tunde Ajayi, disclosed that the Management of Donald’s Lounge had been advised to take necessary measures to mitigate its noise level and comply with other State’s environmental standards before the lounge would be reopened.

Ajayi restates that the Lagos State government is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all Lagosians.

American music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been indicted on federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, following his arrest in Manhattan by federal agents on Monday night.

The indictment, unsealed on Tuesday, marked the latest development in a series of legal challenges for Combs, whose career has recently been marred by multiple lawsuits accusing him of physical and sexual abuse.

According to the 14-page indictment, Combs, 54, allegedly transformed his business empire into a criminal enterprise involved in sex trafficking, forced labour, and other illicit activities.

The indictment outlined claims that Combs coerced and threatened women to “fulfill his sexual desires” and, in some instances dating back to 2009, physically assaulted them by “striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at, and kicking” his victims.

Prosecutors accused Combs of supplying drugs and financial incentives to women in exchange for their participation in sexual activities with male sex workers.

These encounters were allegedly orchestrated as “highly choreographed performances.” One of the more serious incidents detailed in the indictment describes a 2016 altercation at a hotel, during which Combs allegedly threw a vase at a woman who was attempting to leave. When a security staff member intervened, Combs reportedly attempted to bribe him.

Combs was expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday to address the charges. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment with the indictment, calling it an “unjust prosecution.”

In a statement, Agnifilo defended his client’s character, stating, “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.”

Agnifilo also noted that Combs had voluntarily relocated to New York ahead of the charges, signaling his readiness to face the legal battle.

The indictment is the culmination of a year in which Combs has faced mounting legal pressures. In November 2023, his former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, sued him for physical abuse, sexual slavery, and rape during their decade-long relationship.

While Combs denied the allegations, the case was settled for an undisclosed amount just one day after the lawsuit was filed.

Combs’ legal troubles have only intensified, with additional civil lawsuits being filed by both women and men alleging sexual assault and other misconduct.

Singer Dawn Richard, formerly of Danity Kane, filed a lawsuit last week accusing Combs of sexual assault, battery, sex trafficking, and gender discrimination.

Additionally, earlier this month, a Michigan judge ordered Combs to pay $100 million to Derrick Lee Smith, who claimed Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him at a party nearly 30 years ago.

Combs did not appear in court to contest the allegations, and his legal team is reportedly seeking to overturn the judgment.

The indictment also followed a February 2024 lawsuit filed by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, who worked on Combs’ 2023 album, ‘The Love Album: Off the Grid. Jones accused Combs of sex trafficking, a claim the mogul has strongly denied.

This is not Combs’ first encounter with legal troubles. In 2001, he was acquitted of bribery and weapons charges related to a nightclub shooting in New York, which left three people injured.

As Combs faced these latest accusations, his legal team remains steadfast in his defense. “We intend to vigorously fight these charges and expose the truth,” Agnifilo concluded.

Combs, who built his career as a dominant figure in the 1990s and 2000s hip-hop scene, founded Bad Boy Records and was instrumental in launching the careers of stars like Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher.

Despite his continued denial of these allegations, the growing number of legal battles poses a significant threat to his legacy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has said that fuel subsidy removal, lower import bills, and increased external debt servicing obligations could pose downside risks for the growth of external reserves by 2024/2025.

CBN disclosed this in its Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade and Exchange Policy guidelines for fiscal years 2024/2025. 

However, the apex bank in its outlook projected a positive economic output growth in Nigeria by 2024/2025 based on continued policy support in the agriculture and oil sectors, reforms in the foreign exchange market, and the effective implementation of the Finance Act 2023 and the 2022-2025 Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP).

CBN said, “The outlook for Nigeria’s external sector in 2024/2025 is optimistic, on the expectation of favorable terms of trade, occasioned by sustained rally in crude oil prices and an improvement in domestic crude oil production.

“The positive outlook is supported by the sustenance of crude oil price, propelled by the decision to cut
production, and gains from capital flows and remittances.

“However, lower crude oil earnings, fuel subsidy removal, rising import bills, and increased external debt servicing obligations could pose downside risks for the accretion to external reserves.

“In addition, the sustained monetary policy tightening by central banks across advanced economies increases the risk of capital outflow.”

On Nigeria’s output growth, CBN said: “Nigeria’s output growth is expected to maintain a positive trajectory in 2024/2025.
“The growth prospects are dependent on continued policy support in the agriculture and oil sectors, reforms in the foreign exchange market, and the effective implementation of the Finance Act 2023 and the 2022-2025 MTNDP.

“The risk to the outlook is still tilted to the downside, characterized by significant headwinds such as rising energy prices emanating from lingering effects of the Russia-Ukraine war, and the persisting security and infrastructural challenges, which could undermine the growth outlook in the short
to medium term.

“Domestic prices are expected to remain elevated through 2024/2025,on the back of spillovers from global supply constraints, and exchange rate pass-through. 

“More so, the persisting security and infrastructural challenges could exacerbate inflationary pressures.

“The performance of the fiscal sector is expected to remain on a positive recovery trajectory in 2024/2025. “This outlook is contingent on the effective implementation of the Finance Act 2023 and restructuring of key revenue-generating MDAs to boost non-oil revenue.

“However, low domestic crude oil production, growing public debt, lingering insecurity, global economic slowdown, and the Russia-Ukraine war, could pose significant downside risks to fiscal operations in the short-to-medium-term.

“The financial sector is expected to remain resilient in 2024/2025. “The outlook mirrors the efforts of the CBN in continuously monitoring emerging vulnerabilities and risks in the system, including periodic stress tests, examination exercises, and the provision of risk mitigants.”