Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has refuted the claim made by ex-Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, about informing him (Saraki) before withdrawing for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2022 presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, held inside the velodrome of the National Stadium in, Abuja.

Tambuwal had made the claim in an interview on the Arise TV programme titled ‘Untold Stories With Adesuwa’.

However, in a statement by his Media Office signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki stated that Tambuwal never informed him that he would withdraw for Atiku.

Saraki said Tambuwal took him by surprise at the PDP presidential convention when he returned to the podium to announce his withdrawal after he had addressed the delegates seeking their votes to fly the PDP presidential flag in the 2023 general elections.

He added that Tambuwal should take responsibility for his decision and actions, noting that he had nothing to do with the former Governor’s withdrawal for Atiku.

The statement reads: “I need to set the record straight. When I saw Tambuwal returning to the podium after he had earlier addressed the delegates to canvass for their votes, I wondered what was happening. His announcement that he had withdrawn from the race and that the delegates who were supporting him should vote for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar took me by surprise.

“Tambuwal is my friend but he should take responsibility for his decisions and actions. He never discussed withdrawal from the race with me. I never contemplated withdrawing my candidature from the race and had nothing to do with the decision process that led to his withdrawal in favour of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”

THE Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, led by the South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has hailed the people of the Niger Delta region, especially leaders of ethnic youth organizations, community-based and civil society groups, as well as activists, ex-agitators, and youths in general, for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region during the nationwide protests.

A statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ken Robinson, PANDEF said, “The leadership of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, commends the people of the Niger Delta region, especially leaders of ethnic youth organizations, community-based and civil society groups, as well as activists, ex-agitators, and youths in general, for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region in the face of the nationwide protests.

“In light of reports of looting, destruction, and loss of lives in some parts of the country, PANDEF urges the protesters in some states of the region to end their protests to prevent criminal elements from hijacking the process and causing disruptions to the relative peace in the region.

“It is important to note that the point has already been made. YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD!

“We call on the government at all levels to take necessary and urgent steps to address the difficulties citizens are facing.”

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has charged President Bola Tinubu to listen to Nigerians who have taken to the streets to protest the current hardship in the country.

Nigerians had set August 1 as the date to commence protest against bad governance and hardship and the first day was deemed successful. Some lives and properties were, however, lost and destroyed in the process.

Atiku took to his verified Facebook page on Friday to commend the protesters and charge Tinubu’s government on the way forward.

He wrote, “To the government, I admonish you to heed the voices of the people and come down from your high horses. It is time to demonstrate a sincere commitment to addressing the demands of the protesters. The nation cannot afford further days of unrest; let this be the moment where leadership listens and acts with integrity and urgency.

“The commencement of public protests across the country yesterday is noteworthy. These demonstrations have opened a vital channel for the public to express disapproval of government policies, furthering the essential conversation about good governance in our nation.

“For the most part, protesters have conducted themselves with admirable peace and must be commended for their restraint and dedication. However, in some isolated instances, there have been reports of violence, leading to regrettable clashes and brutalities by the police.

“I urge the protesters to maintain their peaceful stance and call on more Nigerians to show solidarity and support for the #EndBadGovernance peaceful protest. This is a pivotal moment for our collective voice to be heard, and it must be done with dignity and respect for the law.

“The police must refrain from the molestation of journalists who are merely reporting the protest. It is imperative that security agencies exercise restraint while enforcing law and order,” he added.

“Security agencies are encouraged to identify and isolate the minority elements who are resorting to violence and looting, ensuring that the actions of a few do not tarnish the majority of peaceful protesters,” he concluded.

...advise Tinubu to address issues

The Sultan of Sokoto and President of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Friday called on the Nigerian youths to put an end to the ongoing nationwide protest.

The two religious leaders made the call in a statement they jointly signed with the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua.

Yesterday, the Sultan appealed to protesters and the conveners of the protests to sheath their swords and come to the dialogue table.

“With the ongoing protests in Nigeria and the information reaching His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, he once again appeals to the protest conveners, their covert and overt benefactors, as well as  other critical stakeholders to sheath their swords and urgently come to the table for dialogue.

“We genuinely feared escalation to an uncontrollable scenario and the reports are tilting towards that.

“Therefore, we in the name of Allah, the Most High call for an end to the snowballing rampaging, in the name of protest.

“We should all understand that there must be a stable country called Nigeria, before we can proudly call ourselves Nigerians.

“With tomorrow being Friday, Jumu’ah mosque Imams and Muslim leaders are implored to calm nerves and call on the Ummah to appreciate peace than chaotic state of affairs, which may even deny us congregational prayers…..

“Nevertheless, the Sultan of Sokoto, implores the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria to address the nation, by assuring all Nigerians that peace, security, stability, relief to hardship and food security would be achieved under his stewardship, in-sha’Allah.

“Likewise, State Governors should also calm nerves, as silence is no longer golden at this moment of anxiety.

“In this time of challenge, we pray for guidance, protection, good health, and peace for all leaders, and for tranquility to prevail in Nigeria.

“May Allah, the Highest, also provide the quickest relief to all problems bedeviling the Nigerian state. Aamin.”

Fast forward to today, Sultan and Archbishop Daniel Okoh, opined: “The NIREC observes with heavy heart the happenings in the country at the moment. The protest that commenced in a peaceful manner on Thursday, August 1, 2024 despite pleas from all quarters, took a turn for the worse and became violent later in the day.

“In just a few hours lives and property were lost due to this unfortunate scenario,” the statement read. “NIREC hereby calls on fellow citizens of Nigeria to please call off this protest and give the government a chance to redeem itself.

“In just one day lives and enormous amount of property have been destroyed. Imagine if this continues for a prolonged period of time, only God knows the extent of damage that would be incurred,” the council said.

It also urged the security agencies to be more professional in the discharge of their duties.

NIREC urged the government to expedite action towards meeting the yearnings and needs of the citizens.

“We need a peaceful and tranquil nation we can be proud to call our own,” NIREC said.

Protesters have blocked major roads in Jos, the Plateau capital, urging President Bola Tinubu to address Nigerians over the hardships in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the number of protesters for the #EndBadGovernance# protest, has increased significantly, compared to Thursday, the first day of the protest.

The protesters blocked the Old Airport Roundabout, compelling motorists to seek alternative routes within the metropolis.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Solomon Dalung, urged Tinubu to save Nigerians the stress by addressing the nation.

“I thought the president would have saved Nigeria from the stress that the people are going through and the demonstration.

“But maybe due to ill advice, he thought the demonstration was not going to be possible, but it recorded 70 per cent success.

“Nigerians that came out yesterday and today indicate that the president should listen to Nigerians. Nigerians are talking.

“They are saying, restore the oil subsidy because you withdrew it and we are suffering; bring it back.

”Nigerians are saying that you increased the electricity tariff, and it is making us poorer.

“Nigerians are saying we want to go to the farm and do our businesses, but there is no security. Provide security.

“Are these demands too big for the government of Nigeria? I don’t think so,” Dalung said.

The convener of the protest in Jos, Prophet Isah Elbuba, said that the protest was going on peacefully and that the people were having a feeling of a festival, while at the same time, sharing their pain.

Elbuba urged the President to rise up to the occasion at this time in the history of Nigeria.

The convener urged the President to reverse the fuel price and re institute the subsidy.

According to him, the government needs to take proactive action to end hunger in the land.

Mr Sam Odeh, Programme Manager, International Organisation for Peace and Social Justice (PSJ), said in spite of their hungry state, the youths still remained peaceful, dancing and placing their demands before the government.

Odeh therefore, said the government needed to urgently address the issues that led to the protest. (NAN)

Muslim faithful participating in the ongoing nationwide protest on Friday in Lagos paused their ongoing demonstrations to observe the Jumaat prayers.

In photos on social media, Christians could be seen standing guard while Muslim faithful observe the prayer.

Juma’at is a prayer required of Muslim faithfuls every Friday.

Recall the nationwide protest against bad governance began on Thursday, August 1, and it’s ongoing in most parts of the country.

The Kaduna Electric Company ( KAEDCO) has cut off electricity supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other state government accounts due to unpaid bills. 

Kaduna Electric Head, Corporation Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi,announced the disconnection after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations.

“The outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024 alone amounts to a staggering One Billion, One Hundred and Sixty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-One Naira, Eighty-Seven Kobo (N1,166,856,991.87).”

“This figure, including the historical debt has left the State Government with a huge debt that currently stands at a total of Two Billion Nine Hundred and Fourty-Three Million Sixty Thousand One Hundred and Sixteen Naira Seventy-Seven Kobo (N2,943,060,116.77).

Despite a recent payment of N256,920,963.88 made on May 9, 2024, for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, the Kaduna State Government’s debt remains significantly high. This payment, though substantial, has not been enough to clear the accumulated arrears.”

“Kaduna Electric’s decision to disconnect power came after repeated attempts to address the payment issues, including several consultations with state officials. In contrast, other states under the Kaduna Electric franchise, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, have maintained their accounts in good standing, regularly meeting their electricity payment obligations and other repayment obligations with Kaduna Electric.”]

“A disconnection notice was formally issued on July 21, 2024, and was received by the Office of the Governor on July 22, 2024. The move reflects the company’s need to meet its own financial obligations amidst the broader challenges facing the electricity sector. Kaduna Electric has emphasized that the disconnection was a last resort after all other avenues for resolving the payment issue had been exhausted. The company is now focusing on fulfilling its commitments to the electricity market and ensuring stability in its operations and sustainability as a Company.”

“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had previously intervened in the Disco by installing an Administrator and Special Board to oversee the Company during a transitional period prior to an official takeover by the current investors.”

“The Administrator of Kaduna Electric had committed to an agreement with the Kaduna Inland Revenue Service to pay N20 million monthly, this includes statutory monthly tax payments as required, this agreement has been honored since takeover by the current Management.

The situation has highlighted the urgent need for improved financial management and timely payments by government entities to avoid disruptions in essential services.”

 “The public and stakeholders await further developments on how the Kaduna State Government will address the arrears and restore power to the affected government offices.”

A devastating incident has occurred in Abubor Nnewichi community, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where a mother and her four children have died from suspected food poisoning.

The victims, identified as Onyinye (mother) and her children, Miracle, Dominion, Amanda, and Kosi, reportedly died after consuming their dinner on Monday.

According to eyewitnesses and family sources, the family had finished eating the meal before the incident occurred, and the remnants suggested it might have been a cassava meal.

However, the exact cause of the poisoning is still unknown. The father, who was not present at the time of the incident, was rushed to the hospital after suffering a shock upon returning home to find his family members lifeless.

Two other siblings, a boy and a girl, escaped the tragedy as they were not living with their parents in Nnewi.

The police have confirmed the incident and are investigating the cause of the deaths. The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

Also, Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated: “It is a case of sudden and unnatural death reported to the command.”

Nigerians on social media have raised N1.8 million for Ogwu Benjamin Chijioke, who during Thursday’s nationwide protest, highlighted his struggle to provide for his 13-year-old son, a programmer, due to the country’s economic difficulties.

Chijioke, who was interviewed by Channels TV at the protest, shared his challenge in supporting his 13-year-old son, Goodluck Benjamin, a budding game programmer hindered by economic hardships.

Chijioke, expressing deep personal sacrifice, stated, “I’d rather die on the streets than let my son’s future go to waste. I know I may not have security in Nigeria, but my son’s future will not waste.”

His poignant story resonated with many, prompting a surge of support on social media.

Prominent Figure Morris Monye, known on X, remarked, “You can feel the passion in his soul. He’s lost hope for himself but not for his son. This is why he is protesting.”

Monye later called for action, seeking to locate Chijioke to facilitate the fundraising effort.

The campaign to support Goodluck’s game programming education quickly gained momentum, achieving its ₦1.8 million goal within hours.

Chijioke has since expressed deep gratitude for the generous response from fellow Nigerians in supporting his child’s future.