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Tag: President Tinubu

  • Police invite NLC President Joe Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing

    Police invite NLC President Joe Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing

    In a move described as fascist and targeted to cow him, the Nigeria Police Force has invited the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero for questioning over an alleged link to terrorism financing and other allegations.
    The invite was contained in a letter issued from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Department of Force Intelligence.
    The letter, which was signed by Adamu S. Muazu, threatened that failure to honour the invitation would lead to arrest.
    According to the letter, the IRT is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrimes.
    Reacting to the letter, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his official X handle, called for action against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
    He wrote: “The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime is going completely fascist, and we must all together and stop him now! See a letter from @PoliceNG summoning @NLCHeadquarters President @JoeAjaero94024 practically accusing him of treason, terrorism financing and all sorts of heinous crimes.
    #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #RevolutionNow”.
  • President Tinubu returns from another foreign trip

    President Tinubu returns from another foreign trip

    President Bola Tinubu returned from his three-day official trip to Equatorial Guinea yesterday. This makes it his 22nd foreign trip barely 15 months after assuming office, May 29th, last year.

    Like his predecessors since 1999, the President is reported to be embarking on these trips in hot chase of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into various sectors of the resource rich Nigerian ecosystem.

    During this last trip, Tinubu and his Equatorial Guinean counterpart, Teodoro Mbasogo, were reported to have signed an agreement on the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project.
    The agreement covers legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline, establishment and operation, transit of natural gas, ownership of the gas pipeline, and general principles.

    In previous engagements, two Nigerian companies were reported to have signed Memoranda of Understanding with German counterparts in November 21, 2023 for gas supplies.

    In one of such agreements, it was stated that a certain Nigerian company named Riverside LNG would collaborate with the German company Johannes Schuetze Energy Import AG to provide 850,000 tons of liquefied natural gas to Germany annually. The president’s office stated that gas exports would rise in the coming years, with the first delivery of gas anticipated in 2026.

    Presidential Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, in an earlier interview on Channel TV talked about how President Tinubu:

    “… is personally conducting an open-door policy to investors from around the world, … to ensure that they have direct access to all of the regulators and government officials that will further enhance the environment in which foreign direct investments will be coming into the country,”

    The President and his team are also seeking investments in other sectors such as electricity, rail transportation, agriculture and others.

    Before President jets out to another oversea destination for what some term as an elusive chase for FDI, experts advise for greater introspection and more strategic outreach, seeing as such forays by previous administrations had remained a wild goose chase.

    As one analyst put it, “investment money is a very discerning guest that goes only to where it is welcome.”

     

  • We Will Not Be Intimidated – NLC To FG

    We Will Not Be Intimidated – NLC To FG

    “NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the invasion of its headquarters, the letter of threat from the Registrar of Trade unions and the Arrest of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), executive, Opalua Eleojo, were acts by the federal government to intimidate the organized labour.”
    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said the labour union will not be intimidated by the federal government.
    NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the invasion of its headquarters, the letter of threat from the Registrar of Trade unions and the Arrest of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), executive, Opalua Eleojo, were acts by the federal government to intimidate the organized labour.
    Ajaero also accused the federal government of insincerity in its activities and promises to Nigerians. The organized labour regretted that the government fooled citizens into believing they would buy a 50kg bag of rice at ₦40,000.
    NLC President said this on Thursday, in a press conference in Abuja. “For instance, in the days preceding the End-Hunger protests, the Registrar of Trade Unions acting on orders from above wrote a letter of threat on our relationship with Labour Party, citing Section 15 (ss) 2, 3, 4 of the Trade Unions Act.
    “In their bid to suppress our voice, they forgot the provisions of Sections 39 – to 40 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), the Supreme Court decision on the right of public servants to hold political views.
    “The government is also frantically working to reduce to two the number of years trade unionists could hold office. This constitutes a gross interference in the internal running of the trade unions in violation of the corpus of Labour Law and ILO Conventions,” he said.
    The organized labour explained that the statement by Nigeria Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuwiya Adejobi that the raid of NLC’s headquarters had nothing to do with the labour union was false.
    NLC said no intentional terrorist hid in the union’s headquarters. “If the police truly had credible intelligence and if Congress was not their target, what was wrong in taking the leadership of Congress into confidence. And if they felt that would jeopardise the operation, couldn’t they have confided in the leadership at H-hour?
    “The police and government should stop playing on our intellect. They should also stop diverting attention from the real issues that still stare us in the face, economic policies that continue to unleash hardship on the people.
    “The insincerity of government is so manifest. They claimed they were selling bags of rice at 40k and had to stop when the rice was being resold at ₦80,000. Up till this moment no one has been able to tell us where rice was sold at ₦40,000.
    “We advise the government to stop further acts of intimidation against the Nigeria Labour Congress and indeed against the generality of Nigerians,” he added.
  • CJN: NJC recommends Kekere-Ekun

    CJN: NJC recommends Kekere-Ekun

    By Vivian Michael, Abuja
    “…recommends the appointment of 27 others as Judges of various courts.
    The National Judicial Council (NJC), has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
    This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will formally bow out of office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday, August 22.
    This was part of the outcome of the meeting of the NJC, which also recommended the appointment of 27 others as Judges of various courts.
    The decision was confirmed by the spokesman of the NJC, Soji Oye, in a statement on Thursday.
    The emergence of Kekere will be subject to confirmation by President Bola Tinubu and screening by the Senate.
    The recommend twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of States Courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja to their various State Governors and Mr. President as follows.
    Six judges for high court of Kwara state are; Olawoyin, Ibijoke, Abdulrazaq, Fatimah Funsho, Folorunsho, Oba Muritala, Dikko, Yusuf Adebayo, Adeniyi, Oluwatosin Adenike, Osuolale-Ajayi and Temitope Olalekan.
    One judge for high court of Lagos state; Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru.
    Four judges for high court of Benue state includes, Kor, Vincent Tersoo; Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna; Adagba, Nguhemen Julie; Tor, Damian Tersugh.
    Two judges for customary court of Appeal, Benue state are Onche, Ogah Inalegwu, and Igba, Theophilus Terhile.
    Others are eight judges for high court of River State which includes, Onyiri, Frank Ugoji, Victor Chinedum, Obomanu, Godswill Vidal, Oguguo, Rita Chituru, Fubara, Alatuwo Elkanah, Kokpan, Bariyima Sylvester Obu, Ibietela Innocent Madighi and Wifa-Adedipe, Lesi.
    The recommended Six judges for high court of Ondo state are Daomi, Williams Adebisi, Fabuluje, Adewumi William, Ogunwumiju, Mobayonle, Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo, Inumidun Happiness, Kpemi, Ojufisintei Justinah, Adegoroye, Olufunke Adeola.
    Concluding, it recommend one Kadi for Sharia court of Appeal, FCT in the person of Muhammad, Lawal Munir.
    All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors.
  • I will support Jonathan’s 2027 presidential ambition with my blood – Gov Bala Mohammed

    I will support Jonathan’s 2027 presidential ambition with my blood – Gov Bala Mohammed

    The taste of the pudding, the saying goes, is in the eating. So, it is no surprise that former FCT Minister and Governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed vows to throw his full weight behind his former boss and erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan, should the latter choose to join the  presidential race in 2027.
    Mr. Mohammed, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors’ forum, said if Dr. Jonathan were persuaded to contest in the 2027 presidential election, he would support the ex-president.
    “With regard to your call for me to present myself, I am still contemplating my chances as the leader of the opposition. I know there are good leaders within the PDP, especially my boss, Goodluck Jonathan.
    “I have always said that as long as Jonathan is around, I will not present myself for leadership of this country unless he decides not to run. If we can persuade him to come forward, I will support him with my blood. Out of modesty, he is still not ready.
    “I hope you will meet him and encourage him to run,” the Bauchi governor stated while responding to a group urging him to run for president in 2027.
    Citing Dr. Jonathan’s experience and inclusive approach to economic reforms during his tenure, Mr. Mohammed said he was optimistic Dr. Jonathan would perform better than President Bola Tinubu if elected.
    “He will do a better job because he has the experience. We know the prices of things. We know the level of inflation. During Jonathan’s regime, he was inclusive, addressing issues like the Almajiri system and creating initiatives for unemployed youths,” Mr. Mohammed explained. “His (Jonathan) leadership recruitment was exemplary. We need leaders like him—young people with energy, foresight, and drive.”
    Dr. Jonathan, was Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015.
    However, his government was largely characterized as corrupt and weak by an opposition that has turned out to be worse.
  • Constitution not our problem —Arewa leader, Tanko Yakasai  

    Constitution not our problem —Arewa leader, Tanko Yakasai  

    Akin to the popular saying that a bad workman quarrels with the tools, a founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Tanko Yakasai, has asserted that Nigeria’s challenges stem from its leadership, not the constitution itself.
    Yakasai made this remark in response to a recent call by The Patriots, a group of elder statesmen, who advocated for a new constitution during a visit to President Bola Tinubu.
    In a statement on Wednesday, Yakasai emphasized that without a shift in mindset and behavior among the country’s leaders, even the most well-designed constitution would be unable to bring about progress and stability.
    The statement reads, “I have observed with deep concern the recent visit by some members of The Patriots to the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where they canvassed for a new constitution for our beloved country, Nigeria.
    “As a founding member of this esteemed group and an elder statesman committed to the well-being of our nation, I must express my reservations about both the process and the content of the submission made during this visit.
    “First, it is regrettable that due process was not followed in articulating the views that were presented to the president. A matter of such national importance requires thorough consultation, inclusive deliberation and the consensus of all founding members.
    “The exclusion of key voices, particularly in a group like The Patriots, undermines the credibility and unity of our mission. It is essential that our decisions and representations are rooted in collective wisdom and not rushed or unilateral actions.
    “Second, I align with the views expressed by President Olusegun Obasanjo that the core problem facing Nigeria is not necessarily the constitution or the tenure of office. The crux of our challenges lies in the attitude and character of those who operate the constitution.”
    He urged President Tinubu to exercise caution and consult widely on the demand by The Patriots.

  • #EndBadGovernance : Mobilisers Of Foreign Flag, Set To Resume Protest

    #EndBadGovernance : Mobilisers Of Foreign Flag, Set To Resume Protest
    Less than a week after suspending the nationwide protest against hardship in Nigeria which held from August 1st to 10th, the mobilisers say Nigerians have the right to request the assistance of Russian govt and other countries in their struggle against hardship in the country.
    The Protesters at a media briefing in Abuja, insist that they are returning to the streets in the coming days as no amount of accusations and arrests of members will force them to back out of the demonstrations until their demands are met.
    The ten days nationwide protest that occurred in several states except in some south -eastern states in Nigeria was suspended upon the completion of the time frame given to the federal government amid efforts made by security agencies who tear-gassed and arrested some members of the #endbadgovernance protest.
    Over one week after some arrests, some members are still in the security detention centre including Michael Lenin, Sodiq, Opaoluwa and Angel.
    At a media conference in Abuja, the mobilisers defended the decision of Nigerians to raise Russian flag during the demonstration, arguing that the display is an expression of their constitutional right to free speech and solidarity with global struggles against bad leadership.
    The young Nigerians insist that they will not give up their struggle to put an end to bad governance in Nigeria as the group is set to resume the demonstration in coming weeks.
    The mobilisers however, did not reveal to the media a specific date when the protest shall resume.
    They urged Nigerians, particularly members of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the trade union congress, to prepare by refusing every possible attempt by the government to ignore their struggle.
    The mobilisers told the Tinubu-led government not to incite protesters with violent repression as they prepare to return to the streets.

  • APC tackles Bauchi Governor For Attacking Tinubu

    Ever in denial of their policy flipflops, the Bauchi State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has called out Governor Bala Mohammed for criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies.

    In a veiled attempt to deflect the subject matter, the party attributed the governor’s attack of the Federal Governments unpopular policies to the judgement of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to local governments across the federation.

    It pointed out that “the judgement has denied the governor free money the governor and his puppets have been feeding fat on,” a decision that APC believes has curbed the governor’s access to funds previously used for personal gain.

    Recall that Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the main opposition party, had criticised the president’s policies in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests, saying he is implementing policies that are inflicting hardship on the people.

    Reacting to the governor’s criticism of the Tinubu-led administration, the party, in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday by the State APC Publicity Committee Chairman, Malam Saadu Umar, argued that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office, both the nation’s economy and Bauchi State have seen significant improvements through the implementation of various projects.

    Malam Saadu Umar countered Mohammed, stating that challenges are inevitable in any nation.

    He added that it is unreasonable for the governor to blame President Tinubu for the removal of the fuel subsidy, a policy he supported as a minister in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    “While there are challenges, President Tinubu’s policies are yielding positive results. For example, these policies have significantly increased the monthly allocations Governor Mohammed receives, with his administration having collected over N87.4 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between January and June,” the statement read.

    APC mentioned that President Tinubu had provided over N135.4 billion to state governments last December to assist the poor and vulnerable, stating that an additional N438 billion was recently allocated to combat hunger in Bauchi and other states.

    Nigeria's H1 2023 foreign trade data raises questions about economic balance

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    The party accused Governor Mohammed of mismanaging public resources, stating: “Rather than paying the recently mandated N70,000 minimum wage to Bauchi workers, Governor Mohammed has spent over N11.6 billion on a questionable financial consultant by June this year. Another N9 billion was paid to the same consultant last year.

    “Instead of addressing workers’ welfare, the governor has spent over N33.5 billion on overhead costs for his government house and office.”

    APC further accused the governor of distorting public spending by focusing on projects like flyovers instead of addressing citizens’ needs, such as the payment of gratuities to pensioners.

    Finally, APC urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to remove governors from overseeing local government council elections, arguing that this is the only way to ensure free and fair elections at the local level.

  • Govt should tell Nigeria those stealing her crude with vessels – Elumelu

    Govt should tell Nigeria those stealing her crude with vessels – Elumelu

    “Meanwhile, oil-producing countries are smiling as their foreign reserve is rising. What is Nigeria’s problem? We need to hold our leaders more accountable!”
    Concerned by the very absurd occurrence of a huge chunk of Nigeria’s crude oil being stolen, prominent businessman and banker, Tony Elumelu says the government and security agents should be able to tell Nigerians who is stealing the country’s main source of revenue, especially using massive vessels that move through the territorial waters.
    Elumelu stated this in an interview published by the Financial Times on Friday, where he also spoke on denied business opportunities during the Buhari Presidency.
    Elumelu who dreads oil theft said the menace contributed to the divestment of international oil companies in Nigeria.
    He said he discovered first-hand why international oil companies were partly divesting from onshore assets after criminal gangs began stealing crude from his pipelines.
    In 2022, when things got to a point where his company had to shut down production, Elumelu took to social media, tweeting:
    “How can we be losing over 95 per cent of oil production to thieves? Look at the Bonny Terminal which should be receiving over 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily, instead, it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator Shell to declare force majeure. The reason Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC production quota is not because of low investment but because of theft, pure and simple!
    “Meanwhile, oil-producing countries are smiling as their foreign reserve is rising. What is Nigeria’s problem? We need to hold our leaders more accountable!”
    Elumelu said oil thieves still take away 18 per cent of crude from his field, lamenting, out of “42,000 barrels of crude pumped daily,” theft still takes away about 18 per cent of production.
    Asked who is behind the theft, he replied, “This is oil theft, we’re not talking about stealing a bottle of Coke you can put in your pocket. The government should know, they should tell us. Look at America — Donald Trump was shot at and quickly they knew the background of who shot him. Our security agencies should tell us who is stealing our oil. You bring vessels to our territorial waters and we don’t know?”
    Mr. Elumelu also recounted an unpleasant experience he had during the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari when his company, Heirs Holdings was allegedly denied the opportunity of acquiring an oilfield.
    He disclosed that Heirs Holdings had been looking to purchase the oilfield since 2017, having raised $2.5bn to purchase a different one. In a twist, he claimed that former President Buhari and his late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, blocked the deal.
    He said he was told Nigeria could not allow something of such strategic importance to fall into the hands of a private operator.
    “This defied logic,” he added since he would have been purchasing it from a foreign company.
    As one of the few Nigerians who made their fortunes outside of oil, Elumelu revealed that his decision to buy a 45 per cent stake in an oilfield three years ago when international oil companies such as Shell, Total and Eni were selling off their shallow water assets in Nigeria was to give the country energy security in the face of low power supply.
    “We wanted to become a Fortune 500 company and we estimated what we needed. It’s not naira, it’s huge dollars. Energy security is crucial for a country that doesn’t produce enough electricity for its roughly 200 million citizens,” he added.
    Speaking on the japa syndrome, Elumelu declared, “I support it, totally. “I don’t have a problem with people saying ‘I’m going to Canada, UK or US.’
    “Joblessness is the betrayal of a generation. You’ve gone to school and come back with your dreams and aspirations and you don’t have the opportunity . For people who decide to find solutions elsewhere, no one should stop them. But for those who decide to stay, they should try to create an impact and build a legacy.”
  • Education Is The Game Changer – Atiku

    Education Is The Game Changer – Atiku

    Former vice president and promoter of the American University of Nigeria (@aun), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said education remains one of the most sustainable means of addressing societal changes and assuring the future of children.
    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said without education, he would not have achieved what he has achieved in life. He said every child should have access to education regardless of family background.
    The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate stated this on Saturday while reacting to a viral video of a child rights activist, Ibrahim Zannah Sunoma.
    Atiku said the government and all stakeholders owe it a duty to help children achieve their destiny by providing access to education for all children.
    In the video, posted by former chairman of Nationa Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Professor Chidi Odinkalu, Ibrahim said banditry activities leading to the destruction of schools, killing of teachers and death of children’s parents are affecting the rights of children to access education.
    Ibrahim said education is the mother of all child rights and the only way for the child of a peasant farmer to become a celebrated icon.
    “If we see every child as our own child, then we will not be here today, because no parent, no leader, no government will want his child in a condition that no horror movie can explain.
    “Education is the only tool with which the child of a peasant farmer can become the celebrated icon of tomorrow and the challenges are very severe.
    “Our schools are destroyed, our teachers killed, our parents mothered, our schools burnt down, we are kidnapped. Even just looking at the physical destruction itself, it is more than that, it’s psychological.
    “It is something that will make you think that the future does not exist for you because education is the future. Children who lack access to education are lacking access to many rights because is the mother of child rights for children. The resources that children need are those destroyed,” he said.
    In reaction, Atiku wrote on his X handle, “I cannot agree more with Ibrahim. Education is the game changer. Without education, we will not all be here. Let’s help our children to share the sunshine, too.