Ahead of the 2027 general elections, leaders from the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones in Rivers State are seeking a replacement for incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

They converged on Nonwa in the Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday at an event tagged “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.”

The gathering was attended by prominent politicians, most of whom are loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, is currently in a running battle with Fubara, his estranged political godson, and has vowed not to support Fubara again.

Among the attendees were personalities such as Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom.

The Assembly emphasized unity and cooperation between the two ethnic nationalities, which fall under the same senatorial district (Rivers South-East) that produced Fubara as governor.

As part of their resolution, read by Senator Mpigi, they demanded the Ogoni/Oyigbo governorship slot in 2027 and called for unity and cooperation between the Ogoni and Oyigbo people.

They also called on major political parties to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo candidates for the governorship, while condemning the activities of Governor Fubara.

Senator Mpigi alleged that some political actors were visiting Aso Villa at night to declare their support for President Bola Tinubu and urged them to do so openly during the day.

He called on President Tinubu to contest the 2027 general election to consolidate his efforts in improving the economy and complete his developmental projects.

The resolution reads: “The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, a multi-political convergence of five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, met today to reaffirm their support for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and pledged total loyalty to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, as the political leader of Rivers State. They also reiterated the obvious fact that the senatorial district’s upland is due for a governor and should produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2027.”

Mpigi further stated: “I call on Mr. President to contest the 2027 election and finish the numerous projects, including the Coastal Roads, Badagry Express Road, and others.”

The leaders commended the FCT Minister for uniting Ogoni and Oyigbo politically and condemned recent comments by the Ijaw leader and elder statesman Edwin Clark against Wike.

Speaking earlier, Ambassador Akawor, who was the chairman of the occasion, said that since the Ijaw people within the senatorial district had segregated themselves from the upland, the upland would make a statement that would change the political history of the state come 2027.

Chief Victor Giadom, South-South Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, thanked President Tinubu for his people-oriented reforms and urged major parties to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo for the governorship slot in 2027.

On his part, Senator Abe emphasized the importance of peace and unity, while Dumnamene Dekor, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, stressed Ogoni/Oyigbo’s capacity to produce the next governor.

Former federal lawmaker Emmanuel Deeyah also praised President Tinubu and Wike for their love for the Ogoni people and their developmental strides in the country.

Telecommunications operators are expected to start disconnecting mobile telephone lines that are not linked to National Identification Numbers, following the expiration of the September 14 deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

The NCC said in a statement in August that it expected that no SIM card would remain active without a verified NIN from September 15.

The telecom regulator had encouraged subscribers who were yet to complete their NIN-SIM linkage or have faced issues due to verification mismatches to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline.

As of March 2024, data from the NCC showed 219 million active lines across mobile networks such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, with 153 million already linked to NIN. This leaves approximately 66 million unlinked lines at risk of disconnection.

Between July 28 and 29, millions of lines were temporarily barred due to unverified NINs, causing widespread disruptions in the country. The NCC had reversed its decision, giving subscribers more time to comply. However, with the deadline now expired, disconnections will commence.

Speaking to The PUNCH, an NCC official, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to comment on the matter, dismissed any possibility of an extension.

“We will disconnect anyone who refuses to comply; the grace period is over. The reason why we extended the last time was the misconception of Nigerians who claimed that the NCC wanted to frustrate the August 1 protest.”

The official clarified that the commission has no intention of deliberately disconnecting subscribers. “A significant number of Nigerians have opted not to link their SIMs to their NIN for various reasons.

“While there may be challenges at the Centres, it remains crucial to revisit and complete the process. Let me be clear—there will be no further extensions,” the official emphasised.

A few weeks ago, subscribers expressed frustration over the challenges they face in uploading their details on the National Identity Management Commission portal.

The President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Adeolu Ogungbanjo, described the situation as “terrible” after visiting some telecom centres, including MTN and Airtel.

He told our correspondent earlier that the existing portal challenges are obstructing the timely completion of the NIN-SIM linkage, adding, “Without immediate action, subscribers will struggle to meet the deadline.”

He pleaded that the NCC should consider extending the deadline due to the technical issues that marred the process of registration last week.

“NCC must be commended after a series of extensions but I believe they can still do that for maybe one week,” he told Sunday PUNCH.

In March, the NIMC and NCC strengthened their partnership to streamline the NIN-SIM linkage process. Both agencies launched public awareness campaigns, stakeholder training, and the dissemination of accurate information to help citizens comply with the directives.

According to financial results from the first half of 2024, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa barred a combined 13.5 million lines for non-compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage directive.

MTN reported it had blocked 8.6 million lines, while Airtel stated that 8.7 million of its customers had completed verification.

The compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM cards began in December 2020, when the government ordered telcos to bar unregistered SIMs and those without NIN links.

Following multiple deadline extensions by the NCC since December 2023, April 15, 2024, was set as the final deadline for fully barring subscribers with four or fewer SIMs having unverified NIN details.

Rivers United clinched their first victory of the season with an impressive 3-1 win over Heartland at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt earlier today, September 14.

This victory leaves coach Finidi George‘s team unbeaten in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Recall that they recorded a 0-0 draw in their league opener against Bendel Insurance on September 8.

On the other hand, Heartland, managed by former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke, have faced a tough start to the season, suffering defeats in their first two matches. Recall that they recorded a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Enyimba in their league opener on September 8.

Unfortunately for Amuneke, who was contending for the Super Eagles of Nigeria coaching job, his club recorded the exact scoreline against Rivers United, who are managed by Finidi, a former coach of the national team.

Rivers United’s new signing, Taofeek Otaniyi, made an immediate impact, opening the scoring with a goal from Aniekeme Okon’s assist just three minutes into the game.

Despite this setback, Heartland fought back and managed to equalize just before halftime through Christian Molokwu.

However, the second half belonged to the hosts as Kabir Abdullahi scored twice to secure the victory for Rivers United.

The team’s performance demonstrated their attacking prowess and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, ultimately securing them a well-deserved 3-1 win over the newly registered NPFL side.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen registered as assist on his debut for Galatasaray in their 5-0 thrashing of Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen was thrown right into the fire upon his arrival at Galatasaray as he was named in the starting eleven for their Super Lig game against Rizespor at Rams Park.

The stadium was packed to the brim as Galatasaray fans turned up in numbers to see their latest star acquisition.

Galatasaray were the overwhelming favourites to win the fixture, and they got into the business of the day quickly, as Davinson Sanchez gave them the lead just three minutes in.

Even after scoring, the Super Lig champions kept on piling the pressure. And in the 15th minute, they almost got their second. Osimhen showcased his prowess in the air, latching onto a cross from the wing and planting a header amid pressure from Rizespor defenders. Unfortunately for him, his effort just dragged wide.

After their constant pressing, Galatasaray got their second goal of the game. A cross was swung in from a set piece, and Osimhen met the ball with a fine header. The ball looked like it was destined for the net, but a Galatasaray player Abdulkerim Bardakci got his foot to it just before it entered the net. As such, Osimhen was credited with the assist, while Bardakci was credited with the goal.

Nonetheless, all the Galatasaray players celebrated with Osimhen after the goal.

The home side continued dominate play after their second goal. Osimhen got another chance to score just before halftime, but it was clear that the Rizespor players were keen on keeping him out as they threw themselves at his strike from inside the box.

In the second half, Galatasaray did not stop pushing for goals, and they got their third just three minutes in, courtesy of Gabriel Sara. Then in the 61st minute, Dries Mertens added one more to make it 4-0 for the Super Lig champions.

Osimhen got another good opportunity in the 78th minute as he struck a ball at goal from inside the box. But Ivo Grbic made a great save to deny him. Nonetheless, Galatasaray wrapped up the scoring with a goal from Kaan Ayhan in the 80th minute. It eventually ended 5-0 in Galatasaray’s favour.

Osimhen had seven attempts on goal goal, but he failed to convert any of them. Despite the disappointment, he will be looking to get his first goal in their next game against Gaziantep.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has launched a legal challenge against President Bola Tinubu over the recent increase in petrol prices and alleged corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The lawsuit, filed on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, bears the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024.

SERAP seeks a court order compelling President Tinubu to direct the NNPCL to reverse the controversial hike in petrol prices from ₦845 to ₦600 per litre.

The suit names the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the NNPCL as respondents. SERAP’s legal action demands not only a rollback of the price increase but also an investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL.

In its application, SERAP argues that the increase in petrol prices is unjust, illegal, unconstitutional, and unreasonable, impacting the economic well-being of Nigerians and calling for accountability in the management of the country’s petroleum resources.

SERAP is also asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, including the spending of the reported $300 million ‘bailout funds’ collected from the Federal Government in August 2024, and the $6 billion debt it owes suppliers, despite allegedly failing to remit oil revenues to the treasury.”

SERAP is asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anticorruption agencies to prosecute anyone suspected to be responsible for the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and to recover any proceeds of corruption.”

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The increase in petrol price is causing immense hardship to those less well-off. As the economic situation in Nigeria deteriorates, the increase is pushing people further into poverty.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “Holding the NNPC to account for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would serve legitimate public interests.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, read in part: “The increase in petrol price constitutes a fundamental breach of constitutional guarantees and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

“Corruption in the oil sector and the lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds to support the operations of the NNPC have resulted in persistent and unlawful hike in petrol prices.”

“Increasing petrol prices at a time when millions of Nigerians continue to face worsening economic conditions is entirely inconsistent with constitutional and international obligations to ensure the minimum living conditions compatible with human dignity.”

“The arbitrary increase has placed a disproportionate burden on the marginalized and most vulnerable sectors of society, particularly those disadvantaged by poverty.”

“The increase is seriously jeopardizing their living conditions, as well as individuals’ physical, emotional, and individual development, and intensifying and worsening socioeconomic conditions in the country.”

“The increase constitutes a serious human rights problem because of the intensity with which it undermines the enjoyment and exercise by Nigerians of their human rights and renders their civic participation illusory.”

“The fundamental right to life includes not only the right of every Nigerian not to be deprived of his/her life arbitrarily, but also the right that he/she will not be prevented from having access to the conditions that guarantee a dignified existence.”

“The growing poverty and inequality in the country has continued to adversely affect the right of Nigerians to participatory democracy, and impede their ability to participate in their own government.”

“Nigerians have for far too long been denied justice and the opportunity to get to the bottom of why they continue to pay the price for corruption in the oil sector. The increase in petrol price has rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival.”

“The increase is not inevitable, as it stems from the persistent failure of successive governments to address the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and the impunity of suspected perpetrators.”

“Persistent increase in petrol prices keep people in poverty which in turn perpetuates discriminatory attitudes and practices against them.”

“The government has a legal obligation to mobilize the maximum of the country’s available resources to ensure people’s socio-economic rights and to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians.”

“The government also has the legal obligations to probe and prosecute allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims of corruption.”

“Investigating and prosecuting the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations.”

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the government to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution. Section 15(5) imposes the responsibility on the government to ‘abolish all corrupt practices’ including in the NNPC.”

“Under Section 16(1) of the Constitution, the government has a responsibility to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.”

“Section 16(2) further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.”

“According to our information, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited recently increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets.”

“The price of the product increased to N855 per litre, from about N600, and in some instances above N900 per litre. The apparently unlawful increase in petrol price followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt.”

“The NNPC allegedly failed to remit USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the public treasury, as documented in the recently published 2020 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

We are not involved in commercial activities — British Navy

CONTROVERSY is currently trailing the continuous issuance of bunkering permit by the Nigerian Navy, a development stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry have described as an aberration.

Speaking to Vanguard at the on-going Lagos International Maritime Week, Commodore Igbani Agwu, General Manager, Planning of the Nigerian Navy, said that the Navy had to come to issuance of bunkering permit because the space had to be regulated because of the unwholesome activities being experienced in that sector.

Agwu also said that the Navy had to come into the issuance of bunkering permit because Nigeria is the only country in the world where oil theft occurs, hence the Naval intervention.

However, some stakeholders who spoke to Vanguard debunked the claims by the Navy saying that crude oil theft occurs all over the world but that the Navies of other countries are not involved in the commercial activities of their shipping industries.

A member of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association, NISA, who pleaded anonymity,  said that Nigerian Navy’s involvement in the issuance of bunkering permit can only be permissible in Nigeria because of the entrenched interest the Navy as an institution has in commercial shipping activities.

The NISA member also said that oil theft takes place in Mexico, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Cameroon, Sudan and other parts of the world.

Also commenting, the President of the Nigerian Master Mariners Association, Capt Tajudeen Alao, argued that before the Nigerian Navy started the issuance of bunkering permit, the Nigeria Customs Service was solely in charge of such issuance.

Alao explained that the Navy got involved because of the abuse of the entire process of issuing bunkering permits and approvals adding that the Navy is also put in charge of economic breaches on the nation’s waters.

He said: “The process of issuing bunkering approval is not an easy procedure. The approval is first given to the Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, who in turn sends the approval to the Headquarters of the Nigerian Navy in Abuja before permit is finally granted to the applicant,

“I agree that there is oil theft in some parts of the world but our own situation is worse than what is obtainable elsewhere. All those areas you just mention do not have creeks like we have in Nigeria. Even with the kind of measure the government has put in place, oil theft is still going on, oil pipelines are still being broken.

“Crude oil theft is an international crime, because it is big business and the people involved are ready to invest anything, money, blackmail in order to achieve their aim’’.

A British Navy officer, Commander Dan Wiskett told Vanguard that the British Navy is not in any way involved in the commercial activities of his country.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised serious allegations against the Presidency, accusing it of orchestrating plans to rig the September 21 governorship election in Edo State in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released by the PDP’s Edo State Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, the party claimed that the Presidency has disbursed $2 million to compromise officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security operatives, and to buy votes.

According to the PDP, the funds were also handed to APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo.

The PDP further alleged that the Presidency instructed the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services to disrupt elections in the party’s strongholds, intending to manipulate the outcome in favor of the APC.

Responding to these accusations, the APC dismissed the claims as baseless, suggesting that the PDP might be delusional.

The APC described the allegations as unfounded and designed to distract from the election process.

The statement reads in part, “As part of the evil ploy, security chiefs have been ordered to make heavy deployments to the strongholds of the PDP, especially those of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and our party’s candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, with the plan to destabilise the voting process in those areas.

“Some of the polling unit, registration area, and ward electoral officials have been discovered to be card-carrying members of the APC. Their task, we have learned, is to delay the result of their respective units with the aim of inciting violence and creating an unfavourable atmosphere during the election to favour the APC candidate during the compilation of results.”

However, the PDP said it would win the governorship election in a peaceful and credible contest, stating that its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was poised for victory and would secure at least 70 per cent of the votes on election day.

The party called on President Bola Tinubu to live up to his responsibility as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and allow the will of the people to prevail by ensuring a free, fair, and credible election in Edo State.

“The President must realise that keeping Edo State and Nigeria safe and peaceful is his primary responsibility, and must therefore not allow the fear that his party will lose the forthcoming governorship poll in the state to lead him to disrupt peace and security, and set Edo State and Nigeria ablaze,” the party stated.

The National Deputy Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, while speaking with Sunday Punch, stated that the PDP was the party known for rigging elections.

He said, “I am hoping that it is not coming from their bad behaviour in the past when the security apparatus in the then PDP-led government of (Goodluck) Jonathan were said to have used state funds to support political endeavours.

“We hope that is not what is colouring whatever source or so-called intelligence they received. If they claim to have one, it must be something they must prove, and they are more than welcome to bring it to the public domain.

“But outside of that, it calls for concern that they are bringing up their bad behaviour, for which the party was known in the past.”

A former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has claimed that the embattled Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu has decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said that Shaibu decamped to the APC out of the frustration he suffered in the hands of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Obaseki stated this at UNIBEN during the grand finale of the APC governorship campaign.

He accused Obaseki of diverting funds and allocations from the Federal Government meant for projects in the state into his private pocket.

Oshiomhole said, “It’s only under Obaseki that his deputy governor had to decamp to APC due to his frustration.

“Obaseki has refused to sign the Peace Accord. They killed the policeman attached to our governor in waiting but Obaseki warned that they should not be arrested.”

Obaseki and Shaibu have endured a troubled relationship.

The strife led to the impeachment of Shaibu by the Edo State House of Assembly.

But an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja reinstated Shaibu as deputy governor.

Naija News reports that on September 21, the people of Edo State will decide their next governor.

Frontrunners in Saturday’s governorship election are Monday Okpebholo of the APC, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

Emerging reports indicate that the Dangote Refinery is poised to sell petrol at ₦766 per litre to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

This development follows the arrival of at least 300 trucks from NNPC at the refinery.

Multiple sources within the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPC, and major energy marketers have confirmed that the agreement to supply crude oil to the Dangote refinery in naira has significantly influenced the pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, announced on his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Saturday that the trucks have arrived and are set to begin loading petrol on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

A major marketer who spoke with Punch on the development said, “What we are going to see based on the deal between NNPC and Dangote is similar to the DSDP (Direct Sale of crude oil and Direct Purchase of petroleum products) transactions that used to exist between NNPC and foreign refineries in the past.

“And this has really impacted positively on the price of petrol that Dangote is selling to NNPC, because the cost is around ₦766/litre. But I can’t tell how much NNPC is going to sell to marketers now.”

Another senior aide to President Bola Tinubu, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the petrol would be sold at ₦766/litre.

The chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, has raised concerns about internal party loyalty, citing Senator Dino Melaye’s actions during the recent Kogi gubernatorial election.

In a recent interview with Daily Trust, Umar Iliya Damagum, addressed remarks made by Senator Dino Melaye, who had referred to the PDP as a "once upon a time party."

Damagum didn't mince words, squarely placing some of the responsibility for the party's challenges on Melaye's shoulders.

"Let me remind you about that statement credited to Dino. He's part of the problem," Damagum said, citing Melaye's run for governor in Kogi State, where, according to the chairman, the senator didn't even vote for himself. "Put that on record: he didn’t go out to vote in his own election," Damagum emphasised, highlighting what he viewed as a lack of commitment to the party.

The PDP Chairman went on to question Melaye's role in allegedly harming the party’s image, stating that anyone given the party’s platform has a responsibility to uplift its fortunes. He acknowledged that while winning or losing is part of the process, candidates owe it to the party to at least lose "credibly."

Senator Dino Melaye has been suspended by the PDP for alleged anti-party activities, further deepening internal rifts within the party.