Gov. Bello’s Chairmanship Of APC Hits Rock As INEC Disowns Him

March 11, 2022

Chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, by the Niger State Governor, Sani Bello has hit the rock as the Independent National Electoral Commission appears to have disowned him.

The Commission, today, March 11, rejected a letter inviting it to an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the ruling party.

INEC’s response, dated 9th March 2022, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran Anthony, was titled “Re: Invitation to the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee.” and addressed to the National Chairman, APC CECPC.

The Commission drew the attention of the CECPC to the fact that the letter of invitation was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC, Mala Buni (Yobe State Governor) and Senator John Akpanudoedehe, respectively.

This, it said, was contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).

INEC also reminded those who wrote and signed the letter of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, “which requires ‘at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, Congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of merger and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.”

It urged the ruling party to note the key issues raised for compliance.

The letter by INEC is a big clog in the wheels of a plot by a bloc in the party to stage a coup against Buni, who duly transferred power to Governors Sani Bello of Niger State, to enable him to attend briefly to health issues, according to a leaked letter yesterday, March 10.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, had indicated on a TV program on Wednesday night that Buni was pushed aside because he was working against holding the APC’s planned National Convention, a claim Buni’s letter, dated February 28, 2022, and addressed to CECPC members, countered.

INEC’s letter read, “Please refer to your letter Ref.APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/022/32, dated 8th March 2022.

“The Commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).

“Furthermore, the APC is reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires ‘at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, Congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.

“While hoping these issues are noted for compliance, please accept the assurance of the Commission’s warm regards.”

State Governors Fund Police, Army More Than Federal Government – Gov. Fayemi

Editorial staff

March 10, 2022

The Ekiti State Governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, has said that state governors spend more on police and army out of the security votes they collect than the Federal Government.

“Quote me, state governors fund police more than the Federal Government. We buy them vehicles. We pay them allowances. In some cases, we even buy ammunition, of course, under the authority.

“And if we are to engage our military in aid to civil authority, which you will find actually in 36 states in this country, we fund it.”

Governor Fayemi, who addressed participants today, March 10, at a two-day multi-stakeholders meeting on the Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative, organized by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in partnership with the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) in Abuja, said that security votes collected by state governors are used to support security agencies and their operations to enhance security in the states.

He was responding to questions on what the governors do with security votes and why they are against local government autonomy.

The governor said that not all the governors collect security votes, governor Fayemi, adding: “I can’t speak for others, but I also get feedback from other states in my capacity as chairman of the governors’ forum.

“There are hardly any of these institutions that you are talking about that we do not fund. We fund the police.

“Today, the military is involved in internal security operations, which really is a problem, because for me, when you inflate the role of the security institution, beyond its primary responsibility, you also have consequences that will come with that. That may not be palatable.

“But that is where we are because most Nigerians don’t trust the police. They will still come and beg governors to say ‘can you ask the brigade commander to put a roadblock in my area’.”

“If you engage the military, in a civil authority, your state is responsible to pay for the operations of the men that are engaged in that activity and not expect the military also to share that burden because that is not their primary responsibility.

“You have taken them out of their primary responsibility, you have to pay for it. So we pay for that, we pay for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.

“There is no security institution that you have that states are not responsible to more than the Federal Government that has primary responsibility for them.”

Iyorcha Ayu Fears Gov Obaseki May Quit PDP And History Repeat Itself Over Crisis In Edo

Editorial staff

March 10, 2022

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, has expressed fear that the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki may quit the party over the infighting within the party thereby allowing the history to repeat itself.

Iyorcha Ayu, who spoke today, March 10 in Benin, at a rally organized in his honour, said that the party lost Edo State in 2008 because of the infighting between the camps of Late Tony Anenih and Chief Igbinedion.

The national chairman, who promised set up a team to resolve the crisis, recalled: “the same history is repeating itself today. Now Edo is PDP. The party will set up a team to resolve the crisis and we will ensure that the governor does not leave.

“Obaseki is not going anywhere, we have captured him and through him we are going to unite PDP. Let no one deceive you, Obaseki is not leaving PDP. Nigerians will see how we will receive all those from other parties. In 2023, we shall be back in power.

“Edo people should learn from my own state, Benue. If you fight, you will lose the election. I am going to bring a team that will settle the issue in Edo.

“I have been working from behind, I am happy that the Deputy Governor, Shaibu said the truth that the leadership of the party in the state is not working. We are very close to solving the crisis in Edo.

“Once the leadership is divided, you won’t get a good result. All our emphasis is on unity. We cannot talk about taking over power in 2023 if our state leadership is not on good terms,” he said.

This was even as governor Godwin Obaseki said that Edo would support the PDP to reclaim the presidency, as it is the only party that could rescue the country.

“The only issue that can stop us is the small quarrel in Edo PDP; once you can solve the quarrel in Edo and other states, we will take over power in 2023,” he said.

Earlier, the State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said the executive of Edo APC led by Aslem Ojezua and other members resigned and followed the Governor to the PDP in 2019, when Governor Obaseki was disqualified from contesting the primary election in the party.

“Obaseki will only remain in PDP when his foot soldiers remain in PDP. If all of us, with way we are being treated now, decide to leave, the Governor will follow us.

“Mr. Chairman, we are angry and we want you to solve this problem. If we continue with impunity, PDP is not going any where and there would be problem because wherever Edo go is where Nigeria go,” he said.

The PDP National Vice Chairman (South South), Dan Orbih and some other chieftain of the party, were however absent at rally.

But present at the rally were former Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Senator Walid Jibrin; Senator Matthew Urhoghide; Senator Clifford Odia; Chief Tom Ikimi and PDP National Women Leader, Josephine Anenih; Edo House of Assembly speaker, Marcus Onobun and State Chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, among others.

Ebonyi High Court Asks Gov Umahi, Deputy To Remain In Offices

Editorial staff

March 10, 2022

A High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has asked Governor David Umahi and his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, not to vacate their offices.

The order followed an Ex Parte motion filed by Governor Umahi and his deputy, over a Federal High Court judgment on March 8, ordering them to vacate their offices for defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The order asking Umahi and his deputy, not to vacate their offices, was made by Justice Henry Njoku today, March 10.

Recall that Justice Njoku had on February, 28, in a suit No HAB/13/2022 dismissed a suit seeking to sack Gov Umahi and his Deputy from offices for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The suit was filed by Senator Sunny Ogbuorji who contested governorship on the platform of the APC in 2019, and his running mate, Justin Ogodo Mbam.

The plaintiffs had asked the Court to order Umahi and his deputy to vacate their offices having defected from the PDP on which platform they were elected as Governor and deputy and relinquish the positions for them, having came second in the governorship election.

But barely seven days of Justice Njoku’s ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in another suit, on Tuesday sacked Umahi and his deputy for defecting to the APC.

But delivering ruling on a motion ex-parte motion brought before the Court by Barrister Roy Umahi, Counsel to the defendants (Umahi and his deputy), today, Justice Njoku maintained that his earlier judgment which came before that of the Federal High Court remains valid and subsisting.

He said: “an interim order of this Honourable Court for seven days (7) subject to renewal is hereby granted, in view of its judgment in Suit NO HAB/13/2022 delivered on 28th Day of February, 2022 being a judgment in view, and having precedence over any subsequent contrary judgment.

“The applicants hereto, Engr David Umahi and Dr Kelechi Igwe shall accordingly remain and not removed from office as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.”

Justice Njoku also called on all parties to obey the Court orders and refrain from abusing judicial process.

Domestic Airlines Groan As Scarcity Of Aviation Fuel Bites

Editorial staff

March 9, 2022

Report reaching us at the Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that only few of the airlines are currently getting regular supplies from aviation fuel marketers.

It was gathered that the price of the Jet A1 has been fluctuating between N580 and N600 per litre in the last few days, compare to the N450 it was being sold before.

An official of one of the domestic airlines, who does not want to be named, said: “the price of jet A1 touched N600. The high cost of aviation fuel, which account for almost 40% of airline’s cost of operations, has been one of the reasons the airline operators recently increase the cost of tickets. The least ticket for an hour flight currently goes for N50,000.

A statement from Ibom Air read: “we have encountered a situation where aviation fuel is scarce and therefore unavailable at almost all our flight destinations. This has significantly impacted our flight schedule.

“We sincerely apologize to all our passengers affected by the current situation. At this time, we have no indication when the issue will be resolved, however, we are working with our fellow airlines and fuel suppliers to find a solution. Our passengers and the public should please be informed. We will give an update once we have further information,” the airline said.

Arik Air also said: ”Nigeria airlines are currently experiencing acute scarcity of jet A1 and this situation is having serious impact on our operations. The commodity is not readily available across the country and where available goes for between N590 and N625 per litre. On Tuesday March 8, 2022 we had to delay most of our flights across the network while a few others were cancelled. There is no certainty as to what the situation will be in the coming days. We are appealing to our esteemed customers to please bear with us as we engage the oil marketers and other stakeholders on ways of resolving the current jet fuel situation”.

Dana Air had also cried out about the crippling effect of the Jet A1 scarcity on their operations. The airline management said: “the aviation fuel crisis is taking a new turn and has continued to have effect on our operations in the last few weeks.”

Speaking on the causes of the scarcity and current high price, the Chief Executive Officer of Cleanserve Energy, Chris Ndule said the current price of crude oil in the international market has affected the prices of all petroleum products.

Ndule said: ”it is not only aviation fuel price that has increased. Other petroleum products prices have also increased.

“This is partly due to the current price of crude oil in the international market which is going for between 110 to 125 dollars per barrel. The raging war in Ukraine has affected international trade. For instance, I was to bring in some shipment of Jet A1. But my foreign partner decided we should hold on and watch the international shipping routes.

“The current exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar has also affected the prices of petroleum products. The Naira is currently being sold for 580 Naira to the dollar in the parallel market. This added to other logistics will definitely add to the cost of landing of Jet A1.”

The Cleanserve Energy CEO however said that there is hope the price of aviation fuel might come down as Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has imported some aviation. This NNPC importation might bring down the price and also mitigate availability of aviation fuel.”

I’ll Give PDP Bloody Nose, I’ve Assembled 17 Senior Advocates – Embattled Ebonyi Gov

Editorial staff

March 9, 2022

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has made it clear that he is ready to fight the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the finish over the court judgment that sacked him as governor for defecting from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Umahi, who addressed over two thousand members of the ruling APC in Ebonyi State at a solidarity rally that took place today, March 9 at the Udensi roundabout, staged to declare their support and loyalty to him, said that he has mobilized over seventeen Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to Appeal the judgment of the Federal High court sitting in Abuja. The SANs are being led by justice Inyang Ekwo, wherein he was sacked for defecting from the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling APC.

Umahi said he has no regrets in defecting to the ruling APC and threatened to engage in battle with the opposition party, the PDP in Ebonyi State, especially for trying to distract his administration.

“I’m still the Governor of Ebonyi State and I’m still working. I said the lawyers of PDP are the ones doing forum shopping and I’m going to write against the lawyers to NBA to discipline them because the judge was misled. The blame was not on the judge. The blame is on the PDP lawyers who misled the judge.

“And I’m using the opportunity to let Nigerians know that nobody castigated the judge and we will not and because the matter was not before any judge.

“Today, we have appealed the judgment. We have done three things; we have done the appeal at Enugu, and when I say that, we have two judgments, I say that the judgment in Ebonyi state, which has equal powers with that of Abuja. We said we will obey the judgment in Ebonyi State. We will appeal the judgment of Abuja. We didn’t say we will disobey otherwise we would have not have appealed.

“We are before the Appeal Court of Enugu state and that of Abuja. We have also filed a stay of execution. So, we are still the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.”

Second Niger Bridge Gulps N400 Billion, To Be Commissioned In October – Presidency

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

Ongoing construction of 2nd Niger Bridge

The Presidency has revealed that so far the resumed work on the second Niger Bridge in the Southeast has gulped a total sum of N400 Billion. This is even as the Presidency announced that the bridge will be ready for commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari in October this year.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who spoke today, March 8, after inspecting the progress of work on the bridge along with senior government officials, confirmed that work on the Bridge has so far gulped over N400 billion and that the administration is satisfied that the project would finally be delivered in October.

Professor Gambari said that out of the N400 billion already spent, the previous administration committed N10 billion into the project, adding that contrary to insinuations, the project is being funded 100 percent by the Nigerian government.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who led the Chief of Staff on the inspection tour announced that there would be power disruption around the bridge head for two weeks in April this year to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria to relocate and realign the transmission lines to pave the way for the completion of the ring roads connecting the bridge from all routes.

The minister also announced that with the completion of concrete work on the bridge, making it possible for a walk from the beginning to the end of the 1.6 kilometres stretch, the minor alignments on the structure would be wrapped up before the end of April.

Speaking on whether there would be tollgate at the Second Niger Bridgehead, Fashola said that his priority is to complete the road before delving into the suitability or otherwise of the road for tolling.

The minister said that although there is a Federal Executive Council approval for the tolling of 12 highways in the country, the decision on tolling the 2^nd Niger Bridge head is yet to be made by the federal government.

He said that there are ongoing to be construction of facilities that have the semblance of toll gates at the bridgehead.

Speaking to the presidential entourage, which also included the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Dr. Uche Orji, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, Lars Richter, said that the level of work on the bridge, which they started in earnest in 2018, had reached 93 percent.

Richter said that despite the difficult terrain where the bridge is situated, the company deployed a special technology to stabilise the ground for the construction work to progress in earnest and provide environmental safety for all the communities around the area.

It will be recalled that the 2^nd Niger Bridge, which was officially started in 2014 by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, however gathered much steam in 2018 when the project was given adequate and sustained funding by the Buhari government.

Women Cannot Be Relegated For Long, They Are Proving It, Buhari Swears

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has looked into his crystal ball and said that women can no longer be deprived for too long, as they consistently prove that they can hold their own on all fronts, and in all fields.

President Buhari, on the International Women’s Day today, March 8, said that though women are not where they should be yet in different spheres of endeavor, but that “they are coming fast.”

He gave the example of the women in the current administration, who have performed wonderfully as Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Executive Directors, Executive Secretaries, and many others.

According to President Buhari, “women are pulling their weights, and making it impossible for anyone to downplay their essence.”

The President said that the celebration, under the hashtag #Break the Bias, and the theme; Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, is an opportunity to reflect on the vital roles women play in society, homes, governance, the professions, and in all walks of life.

Buhari rejoiced with women and mothers, around whom the tranquility of homes and society revolves, praying to God to grant them peace, joy and satisfaction, as they celebrate today and always.

We’ve Released N10 Billion On VIP’s Wing Of State House Clinic, Presidency Tells Senate

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

Permanent Secretary in the State House, Tijanni Umar has said that the Federal Government has since 2021, released the sum of N10.06 billion to the contractors for the ongoing work on the Presidential (VIP) Wing of the State House Clinic, in the Presidential Villa, scheduled to be completed by December 2022.

According to Umar, the N416.6 million budgeted for the project in 2020 and N1.06 billion in 2021, have already been paid in full.

The Permanent Secretary, who was briefing members of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs today, March 8, during an oversight inspection visit, said that out of the N20.8 billion budgeted for the project in 2022, the Federal Government has paid N8.5 billion.

Umar recalled that in line with due process, President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval to engage Messers Julius Berger Plc to review and develop the concept design and proceed with the construction of the project as a turnkey contract.

”Accordingly, on 29th July 2021, the company was instructed to proceed with the review of the concept design and other site works simultaneously, based on which a roadmap/timeline for the construction of the facility was developed.

”In furtherance to this, the site was handed over to M/s JBN on 23rd August, 2021 which proceeded to undertake necessary and extensive site survey and other ancillary works paving the way for the ground breaking and foundation laying that was performed by the Chief of Staff to the President on 1st November, 2021.

”It is instructive to note that the schedule of payment plan which is linked with the work plan that was negotiated with the company in line with the advice of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning outlining milestones at which the client is expected to effect regular periodic payment for work done in order to sustain the momentum of work and to deliver/commission the project by 31st December, 2022 is yet to be fully aligned.”

Earlier the leader of the committee, Senator Danjuma La’ah, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work on the project.

”For the remarkable steps so far reached on the project site, I am highly impressed.

The Senator, who described the progress of the work as fantastic, commended the contractors, Julius Berger Plc and the management of State House for complying with the time schedule for the completion of the project.

”We will take it as a point of duty to keep a tab on this project until it is completed.”

Senator La’ah recalled that when he assumed the leadership of the Committee, he had pledged that the Senate would ensure that the clinic is properly equipped to provide world class medical services to principal officers in the Presidential Villa.

Members of the Senate Committee who inspected the project are Senators Istifanus Gyang (PDP- Plateau North) , Mpigi Barinada (PDP-Rivers South-East), Tofowomo Nicholas (PDP-Ondo South), Nmachi Ama (PDP-Ebonyi South), Gershon Basset (PDP-Cross River South), Bulus Amos (APC-Gombe South), Dimka Ayuba (APC-Plateau Central), Frank Ibezim (APC-Imo North APC) and Halliru Jika (APC-Bauchi Central).

The regional manager of Julius Berger Nigeria, Oliver Berger, who took the lawmakers through the projects, assured them that the project which is situated on an area of 2800sqm will be completed on schedule.

Stakeholders Rise Against Extinction Of Yoruba Language, Endorse Millionaire Contest

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

Stakeholders in the Southwest Yoruba speaking area, including education commissioners, leaders of Yoruba language practitioners’ associations and book publishers have risen against the extinction of Yoruba language in the area.

The stakeholders, who converged on Ibadan gave the go-ahead to the proposed annual Yoruba language millionaire contest among secondary schools in the region, as a means of reclaiming the youths from the grip of foreign language, and representing the language as a tool for regional and national development.

The success of the programme being organised by the Yoruba World Centre in conjunction with Oodua Investment Company Limited and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission necessitated the meeting of the stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye, said that the time to save Yoruba language is now, and tht all should work towards its revival.

The Group Managing Director of Oodua, Adewale Raji, said also that the focus of the Group has always been looking for way to bring all-round development to the region even as the Coordinator of the Yoruba World Centre, Ogbeni Alao Adedayo, unveiled the programme.

It is about the Yoruba Language Millionaire Contest to which all the stakeholders agreed.

Modalities and plans were advised to be put in place immediately, and a day for the inauguration of the programme that will bring all the Yoruba speaking states together be announced soonest.

In attendance were the Commissioner of Education, Oyo State, Dr Rahman Abdu-Raheem, his colleagues who were ably represented by top Directors: Mr Adebayo Adeyemi, Director of Special Duties and Innovation (Lagos), Mrs Bamidele Makinde, Director of Education Support Services (Ogun) and Mrs Tola Adeniyi of School Services (Ondo). Also present were the President of Egbe Akomolede ati Asa (the Yoruba secondary teachers Association), Aare Omowumi Faleye; President of YSAN (Association of Yoruba Language Lecturers in Universities), Professor Dele Orimoogunje and his Deputy, Dr Adeola Faleye; President of Yoruba Lecturers Association in Colleges of Education, Dr Soji Aderemi Fajenyo; Professor Dele Layiwola of Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan; Professor Adedotun Ogundeji of Yoruba Language Centre, University of Ibadan; Mrs Labake Owolabi of Centre for Yoruba Language Engineering (CEYOLENG), Dr Tunde Odunlade of Tunde Odunlade Arts Gallery, Mrs Folakemi Bademosi, Director of Publications, University Press Limited, and Mr Emmanuel Abimbola, Executive Secretary of Nigerian Publishers Association.

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