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El-Rufai deposes two Kaduna monarchs, sacks three district heads

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El-Rufai deposes two Kaduna monarchs, sacks three district heads

The traditional chiefs of the Piriga and Arak Chiefdoms, His Highness Jonathan Paragua Zamuna and His Highness General Aliyu Iliyah Yammah (retd. ), respectively, have been approved for removal by Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

The two traditional rulers will no longer hold their respective positions as of Monday, May 22, 2023, according to a statement released by the state’s commissioner of local government, Hajiya Umma Ahmad.

The commissioner further stated that the depositions were conducted in accordance with Section 11 of the Traditional Institutions Law No. 21 of 2021 and Ministry of Local Government recommendations.

The commissioner stated that “the Council Secretary has been directed to initiate the process for the appointment of a new Chief, while the District Head of Garun Kurama, Babangida Sule, will oversee the affairs of Piriga Chiefdom, pending the appointment of a new chief.

Gomna Ahmadu, the Council Secretary of the Arak Chiefdom, will be in charge of managing the chiefdom’s affairs and starting the selection process for a new Chief.

The government found General Iliyah Yammah’s response to the question about his appointment of four district heads—which was against the one authorized for his chiefdom—and his non-residence within the Arak chiefdom—inacceptable, according to the statement.

Jonathan Zamuna was removed from office as a result of recent hostilities between the Gure and Kitimi communities of the Piriga chiefdom in the Lere LGA and his absence from the chiefdom.

Doguwa’s murder charges ruled unconstitutional: Court

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Doguwa’s murder charges ruled unconstitutional: Court

A Federal High Court in Kano ruled on Monday that Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, was not the target of criminal conspiracy charges for culpable homicide.

Justice Mohammad Yunusa, the court’s presiding judge, further declared that he had the authority to hear the ex parte application for bail of Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the embattled majority leader of the House of Representatives, and to grant it in the amount of N500 million.

In ruling on Doguwa’s motion on notice challenging his fundamental rights and the lower court’s unlawful detention, Justice Yunusa declared that the Chief Magistrate Court lacked the authority to hear any case involving a potential criminal conspiracy.

Justice Yunusa cited Section 251 (1) as well, which gave the Federal court exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving firearms, such as those in the charges brought against Doguwa. Doguwa was granted bail, but the judge made it clear that this was not to shield him from going to trial. Justice Yunusa insisted that the law must be followed.

In affidavits filed with the court, Doguwa requested that his fundamental rights, as protected by the constitution and other legal charters, be upheld. Doguwa’s attorney was Nureini Jimoh, SAN.

According to the senior attorney, Doguwa was unlawfully detained by the police and violated his right to liberty and freedom in violation of several provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended. According to the affidavits, the applicant’s attorney had argued that the Chief Magistrate’s imprisonment of his client was illegal and unconstitutional because lower courts lack the authority to try criminal cases.

Dissatisfied with the court’s decision to release Doguwa, the prosecution’s attorney, AB Saleh, questioned the Federal High Court’s authority to carry out the rulings, insisting that Justice Yunusa’s actions amounted to a gross abuse of the legal system.

In its 26-paragraph counter-affidavits, the prosecution argued that police have a legal obligation to look into any related case of criminal conspiracy for any amount of time, adding that doing so does not violate a citizen’s fundamental rights.

According to Justice Yunusa’s ruling, citizens have the right to file a lawsuit in any high court to protest an attempt or violation of their fundamental rights under the terms of section 46 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Justice Yunusa acknowledged the provisions of the law that specifically mention the state high court as the venue for challenging violations of fundamental rights.

However, he disclosed that hearing cases involving fundamental rights falls under the concurrent jurisdiction of both the State and Federal high courts.

He added that the police’s justification for holding charges before the lower court was not recognized by the law and that Doguwa shouldn’t have been remanded in custody in the first place because he hadn’t been properly charged and arraigned.

As a result, the court granted the applicant’s request and barred the police from detaining, harassing, or arresting Doguwa or taking any other further action.

Breaking: Protesters Invade Tribunal, Demand Justice in Ruling on Tinubu’s Victory [Photos]

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Breaking: Protesters Invade Tribunal, Demand Justice in Ruling on Tinubu’s Victory [Photos]

There has been a significant influx of protesters into the premises of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal is currently holding a session at the present time.

It was reported that the messages demanded justice and the “restoration of their stolen mandate” from the contentious presidential election that took place on February 25.

The winner of the presidential election in 2023 was officially announced to be Bola Tinubu, who was running as a candidate for the All Progressives Congress, which was the party in power.

However, the victory he claims to have won is being challenged in front of the tribunal by a number of different parties and candidates representing each of those parties.

Read Also: INEC can learn from Igbo traders union election – Obiora Okonkwo

There are a variety of statements written in bold letters on the placards, including “INEC, Let Nigeria Win,” “Nigerians Not For Sale. #We Fight for Justice,” and others. “A Fraudulent Election Cannot Produce a Credible Leader,” “President Muhammadu Buhari. #Keep Your Promise,” “#Occupy INEC Now,” and “We Stand for Justice” are some of the slogans that have been used recently. We Fight for a New Nigeria” and “Buhari, Mr. Integrity, Sack Mahmood Now” are some of the slogans that have been used recently.

According to the reports, the demonstrators, who were rallying under the banner of the #Free Nigeria Movement, passionately chanted slogans that championed justice and transparency in the legal proceedings that were taking place at the tribunal.

Dr. Moses Paul, who serves as the convener of the group and gave a speech to the supporters who had gathered, emphasized that their cause is not affiliated with any one particular political party. Instead, he stated that they are steadfast in their support for justice and good governance in Nigeria and that they stand united in solidarity with the Nigerian people.

He said, “We are standing here and decisions are being made right now inside the Appeal Court, and we are demanding that the right thing be done.”

“Any judge that decides to collect money, any judge that decides not to follow the constitution of Nigeria, any judge that decides to do the wrong thing so that Nigeria can go down, e no go better for una!

Read Also: Nwaebonyi, senator-elect, advises IGP to resign if they can’t stop extortion

“The entirety of Africa and the world is waiting for us to show dignity, honesty, direction, and leadership because until Nigeria takes its seat in the comity of nations, Africa is going nowhere. We cannot watch our nation degrade to nothing when the world is watching and waiting for us,” he said.

2023 polls : Obi’s mandate divine, cannot be shortened — IPOB

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2023 polls : Obi’s mandate divine, cannot be shortened — IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned those who are linking the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, to the recent attack on a US convoy in Anambra State to desist from the allegation. IPOB described the allegation as mere demonization by those who it noted do not want him to succeed. Obi is running for the presidency on the ticket of the Labour Party (LP).

Emma Powerful, the spokesperson for the organization, revealed this information in a statement. She said that Obi’s mandate is divine and cannot be shortened by anyone at any time.

While also denying that his members were involved in the attack as was alleged by the Nigerian security, Powerful accused those responsible for it of being responsible for the deaths of the majority of its innocent members in the South East region of the country.

Read Also: Tension rises in NASS leadership contest as Yari, Kalu, G-6 decline Tinubu’s invitation to step down

“It is essential to point out that those who accuse IPOB of being responsible for the attack on the US Embassy convoy are the real masterminds,” said one of the IPOB leaders.

“In their quest to blackmail IPOB on a global scale, they have resorted to murdering innocent people in Biafra Land,” the author writes.

“For example, these government agents assassinated Gulak in Owerri. Additionally, they assassinated an army couple in Biafra at a location that has not been made public.

“They murdered Dr. Akunyili in Anambra. Dr. Akunyili was the husband of the late Dora Akunyili. IPOB was accused of involvement in all of these and many more of the state-sponsored murder cases, but to this day, not a single one has been investigated by the police.

Powerful also claimed that its intelligence unit prevented the assassination of a former British High Commissioner named Catriona Laing in the year 2022, when Laing proposed traveling to the country.

“If it weren’t for the intel from IPOB M-Branch on the plans to assassinate ex-British High Commissioner Catriona Laing in 2022, and the warning from IPOB leadership for her not to visit South East, they would have assassinated her as well. ”

“This recent attack on the US Embassy convoy is likely another state-sponsored attack to discredit the peaceful IPOB movement and to make it more unsafe for investors to continue coming to Biafra to invest.” “This recent attack on the US Embassy convoy was likely carried out in an effort to discredit the IPOB movement.” They are once again behind schedule because the response to our call for investors has already begun to materialize.

Powerful issued the following warning to those who are linking Peter Obi to the attack on the US envoy: “Those linking Peter Obi to these attacks on US Embassy Convoy are the ones that fingers are pointing to regarding the crisis that is taking place in the South East region.”

Because Peter Obi hails from Anambra State, there is no way that authorities will be able to link him to this incident. Does this imply that Atiku Abubakar and Buhari in Aso Rock are jointly responsible for all of the attacks that have been taking place in Adamawa State and Katsina State, respectively?

“No matter how good the work that ESN security agents do, there is no way that the Nigerian government and its security agents will ever consider it to be good or right. What basis is there for making the connection between Peter Obi and the criminal activity that is taking place in the Southeast?

Can it also be said that their criminal politicians, who evidence shows aid and abet terrorists, are the masterminds behind all of the banditry and terrorism that is taking place in Northern Nigeria?

“We are aware that a number of terrorist organizations and bandit gangs in the North are sponsored by the shady characters who are located in the area where they operate.” We need to inquire as to the motivation behind their reference to Peter Obi.

“Is it because he mustered the bravery to challenge their method of selection, which they referred to as an election, and won by a significant margin? Because he is of Igbo descent, they are now attempting to strip him of the mandate that was granted to him by the people of Nigeria.

Read Also: Nwaebonyi, senator-elect, advises IGP to resign if they can’t stop extortion

“In their haste to demonize IPOB, they are currently demonstrating how clueless they really are.” The United States of America possesses one of the most advanced intelligence systems in the world and therefore cannot be fooled by Almajiris working for the government in Abuja.

According to what he said, “we expect the government of the United States to carry out an independent investigation into the attack.”

Buhari joined five African leaders in commissioning Dangote Refinery today.

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Buhari joined five African leaders in commissioning Dangote Refinery today.

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, along with his counterparts from Ghana, Togo, Senegal, Niger, and Chad, will commission the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals in an event that will go down in history as a watershed moment and positively transform the landscape of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

Today, May 22, is the day that is set aside for the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery, which was founded by Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa.

The petroleum refinery is situated on 2,635 hectares of land in the Dangote Industries Free Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. It has the capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), and it will offer employment to more than 100,000 people.

It is anticipated that the completion of the enormous project will mark Nigeria’s departure from the league of oil-rich nations that are also significant consumers of petroleum products.

Togo’s President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, Senegal’s President Macky Sall, Niger Republic’s President Mohamed Bazoum, Chad’s President Mahamat Déby, and a host of ambassadors are among those who are anticipated to attend the historic event. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, who will not be physically present but will present his goodwill message virtually.

As of the time this report was written, all 36 state governors and the majority of governors-elect, ministers, senators, and captains of industry in Nigeria, as well as others from outside the country, global oil traders, top international bankers, and international multilateral agencies, have indicated their readiness to grace the ceremony.
It is anticipated that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect of Nigeria, will attend the event. Tinubu’s administration as Governor of Lagos in 2002 was responsible for establishing the Free Trade Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, which is where the Refinery is located.

In the meantime, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) stated that the Dangote Refinery, which has the capacity to process 650,000 barrels of oil per day, may be the key to the nation’s long-awaited industrial renaissance.

MAN extended its congratulations to the president and management of the Dangote group on the completion and planned commissioning of its Petroleum Refinery located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. The refinery is currently in the process of being commissioned today.

The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, stated that the refinery is the “World’s Largest Single Train 650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refinery with a 9000 KTPA Polypropylene Plant ever built.” The refinery is located on land that is approximately 2,635 hectares in size.

“It is heartening to learn that the Refinery is capable of fulfilling one hundred percent of Nigeria’s demand for all refined products (gasoline, 57 million litres per day; diesel, 27 million litres per day; kerosene, 11 million litres per day; and aviation jet, nine million litres per day), as well as having a surplus of each of these products available for export.

“Therefore, the coming onboard of the Dangote Refinery promises to bring to a pleasant end, the nightmare of long queues at gasoline filling stations and the disruption of social and economic activities that come with it,”

In addition, he mentioned that once the refinery is fully operational, it is anticipated that it will bring in $10 billion from the sale of refined petroleum products and save Nigeria an estimated $10 billion in foreign exchange.

According to him, the refinery is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and it is designed to produce with one hundred percent Nigerian Crude, in addition to having the flexibility to process other crudes from Africa, the Middle East, and the United States of America.

“It possesses a Self-sufficient Marine facility that is equipped with the capacity for freight optimization. The refinery will be able to produce Diesel and Gasoline Products that are Compliant with Euro V Specifications by Placing the Largest Single Order of 5 SPMs Anywhere in the World. The design of the refinery meets the emission and effluent standards set forth by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the World Bank, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and European Union.

“To cushion the potential impact of an increase in mean sea level due to global warming, the company took the appropriate measures, including using the world’s largest, seventh and 10th largest dredgers to elevate the sea height by 1.5 meters.

“Dangote Group is one of the few companies in the world that is executing a Petroleum Refinery and a Petrochemical complex directly as an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Contractor. According to what he said, “globally, apart from three companies, no individual owner has done the complete EPC Contract for a petroleum refinery.” This is something that he mentioned.

According to Ajayi-Kadir, the Refinery has the highest number of employees of any private company. This number includes 100,000 people who are employed indirectly at retail outlets, 26,716 filling stations, and 129 depots throughout Nigeria.

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He went on to say that the 16,000 trucks that will be used for transport will result in the creation of additional jobs and that the company has already trained over 400 artisans from the host communities in the areas of masonry, carpentry, air conditioning electricians, plumbing, welding, iron-bending, and automobile mechanics as part of the process.

The commissioning of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is noteworthy due to the fact that it is the first time that a refinery of such magnitude that was built by an individual is being put into operation.

It is anticipated that Dangote’s petroleum refinery will be able to satisfy the demands of Nigerian consumers as well as those of consumers in neighboring countries, while also enabling exports to countries outside of the African continent. Over half of the countries that make up the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are dependent on imported refined petroleum products, which is why the refinery will be a driving force in the promotion of the AfCFTA.

According to the Facts Sheet on Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the new refinery has the capacity to meet 100 percent of Nigeria’s demand for all refined products (Gasoline, 53 million litres per day; Diesel, 34 million litres per day; Kerosene, 10 million litres per day; and Aviation Jet, 2 million litres per day), as well as have a surplus of each of these products available for export.

“The refinery is designed for the processing of 100 percent Nigerian Crude, but it also has the flexibility to handle other crudes.” It possesses self-sufficient marine facilities with the capability for freight optimization and holds the record for the largest single order of five SPMs anywhere in the world. Products such as diesel and gasoline that come from the refinery will adhere to the Euro V specifications.

The design of the refinery adheres to the emission and effluent standards set forth by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the World Bank, and European Union. technology that is at the forefront of its field. According to the Facts sheet, “Designed to process a large variety of crudes including a significant portion of the African Crudes, some of the Middle Eastern Crudes, and the United States Light Tight Oil.”

It also stated that “65 Million Cubic Metres of sand would be dredged at a cost of approximately Euros 300 Million, using the world’s largest, the second largest, and the tenth largest dredgers to elevate the height by 1.5 Meters, to insure against any potential impact of an increase in mean sea level due to global warming.” In order to improve the local capacity for site works, over 1,209 different pieces of equipment were purchased.

“332 cranes to build up the capacity for equipment installation.” We constructed the largest granite quarry in the world so that we could obtain coarse aggregate, stone column material, stone base, stone dust, and material for break water. 10 million tonnes of annual capacity for production.

Read Also: INEC can learn from Igbo traders union election – Obiora Okonkwo

“Developed a port and constructed two quays with a load bearing capacity of 25 tonnes/sq meters to bring Over Dimensional Cargoes close to the site directly. In addition, the company built two more quays in the port with the capacity to handle up to Panamax vessels in order to export the fertilizer and the petrochemicals. Additionally, the company built two quays in order to handle liquid cargoes. As a result, the port will have a total of six quays, one of which will be a roll-on/roll-off quay,” the sheet stated.

Nwaebonyi, senator-elect, advises IGP to resign if they can’t stop extortion

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Nwaebonyi, senator-elect, advises IGP to resign if they can’t stop extortion

On Sunday, the senator-elect who will represent the Ebonyi North senatorial zone, Barr. Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, announced that the 10th National Assembly will summon the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to account for the various funds extorted from innocent Nigerians at checkpoints. Nwaebonyi is representing the Ebonyi North senatorial zone.

Nwaebonyi, who spoke to newsmen a few hours after a thanksgiving service that took place at the ecumenical center in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state, demanded that the Inspector General of Police, Usman, step down from his position if he will not put an end to the extortion that takes place at checkpoints.

The lawmaker expressed his dismay at the persistent acts of intimidation, harassment, and torture that innocent Nigerians are forced to endure at the hands of brutal police officers at the various checkpoints across the nation, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.

Read also: Lagos pregnant woman stabs housekeeper over bag

Within seven (7) days, he demanded that the Inspector General of Police, Usman Akali Baba, step down from his position if he was unable to put an end to the extortion.

“I have observed with astonishment the activities of the uniform men, not just at Onuebonyi junction, but all over Nigeria. Not only did I see them there, but I saw them everywhere in Nigeria. My travels have taken me to every single state.

Even in the Federal Capital Territory, also known as Abuja, you can expect to be stopped by law enforcement officers who, rather than searching your belongings, will be interested in how much money you are willing to give them. If you give them one thousand naira, they will sometimes retrieve your outstanding balance for you if you ask them to.

“They are going to charge you any amount of money that they want you to pay, and it will all depend on your personal evaluation. At the tenth National Assembly, one of the topics we will discuss will be how to handle situations like these. This nonsensical behavior cannot go on. Nigeria is not a Banana republic. A federation is what we have here. In addition to this, we uphold the legal system.

It needs to be formalized if the Nigerian government is going to engage the Nigerian police to collect taxes while they are out on the road. We can’t continue to keep quiet. It shouldn’t go on like this.

This is a brazen attempt to steal money from innocent Nigerians. And then all of us big men will come in, and when they see us, the police will let us through. However, the average citizens will be present, and they will be robbed with firearms. What kind of a nation? The largest country in Africa is Nigeria. This can’t go on like this.

“When the 10th National Assembly is inaugurated, the Inspector General of Police, also known as the IGP, will be summoned because as we speak, I have video evidence of over one hundred of these extortions taking place,” the speaker said.

This is a conundrum that we will present to the IGP; why can’t this be resolved? If it can’t be stopped within seven (7) days, he ought to quit his job as soon as possible. It is not possible for him to hold the position of Inspector General of Police.

Read also: Ajaka steps down as APC’s deputy spokesperson

“We will be completely honest with ourselves. It will not be the Angels who come down to reshape this country; rather, it will be us, the people, who do it. “The proper action needs to be taken,” he emphasized.

Ajaka steps down as APC’s deputy spokesperson

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Ajaka steps down as APC’s deputy spokesperson

Murtala Ajaka, who was serving as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has resigned from his position within the party.

Ajaka, who was a candidate for governor of the APC in Kogi and was hoping to win the party’s nomination, did not succeed in doing so. Ahmed Ododo, who had served as Auditor-General of the state’s local government previously, defeated him.

In order to leave nothing to chance in advance of the governorship election that will take place on November 11 in Kogi, the APC deputy spokesman penned a letter to the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu.

Ajaka tendered his resignation as a member of the National Working Committee in a letter dated May 17th. In the same letter, Ajaka tendered his resignation from his position.

It was written in part as follows: “I write to inform your good self and the National Working Committee of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress, of my decision to resign my office as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary and also as a member of the NWC,” the letter stated in part. “I write to inform your good self and the National Working Committee of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress.”

Read Also: Tension rises in NASS leadership contest as Yari, Kalu, G-6 decline Tinubu’s invitation to step down

“This gesture is a consequential act to the resignation of my membership, a notice of which I have already communicated in writing to the APC Chairman of Ajaka Ward 1 in Igalamela/Odolu LGA of Kogi State,” she said. “The resignation of my membership was a consequence of this act.

“Please allow me to extol the exemplary brinkmanship, astuteness, sagacity, and political dexterity with which Your Excellency, being supported by the current National Working Committee, has successfully bonded the hitherto fragile fabrics of the Party, firmly enough to record the most eminent victories in the most recent general elections. I would also like to thank the current National Working Committee for their assistance in this endeavor.

“Having triumphantly won the presidential election, therefore, I have the utmost faith that the Party, under your able charge, will assist the incoming administration in elevating the standard of governance for the greater good of Nigerians,” he said. “It is my hope that you will take this opportunity to congratulate me on my victory.”

The politician from Kogi failed to provide any indication that he will be joining any other party in the future, despite the fact that he is no longer a member of the APC. However, there are rumors that he is attempting to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in order to be selected as the party’s candidate for governor in the upcoming election. This would put him in a better position to win the election.

Tension rises in NASS leadership contest as Yari, Kalu, G-6 decline Tinubu’s invitation to step down

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Tension rises in NASS leadership contest as Yari, Kalu, G-6 decline Tinubu’s invitation to step down

Tensions have been ratcheted up across the political landscape as a result of the refusal of invitations by several candidates vying for various leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly to meet with individuals claiming to represent President-elect Bola Tinubu.

It was reported that a source close to one of the candidates for the presidency of the Senate revealed that the candidates had received a request for a meeting on Saturday evening at a prestigious hotel in Abuja. This information was contained in a report.

Abdulaziz Yari and Orji Uzor Kalu are currently in the lead for the race to become president of the Senate. Meanwhile, the G-6 Aspirants Forum is currently in the lead for the race to become speaker of the Senate. This forum is comprised of Idris Wase, Aliyu Betara, Sani Jaji, Sada Soli, Ahmed Gagdi, and Mariam Onuoha.

After having a discussion among themselves, the aspirants came to the conclusion that they should not attend the meeting that was scheduled to take place on Sunday (yesterday) at 8 o’clock in the evening.

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They cited the unpredictable nature of politics as the reason for their preference to engage in one-on-one conversation with the incoming president in order to facilitate more meaningful conversations.

The source reportedly stated that “anything can happen in politics.” It is impossible to anticipate everything that might happen, so after discussing the matter among themselves, they all decided not to attend and insisted that they would prefer to meet the president-elect individually for “meaningful engagement.”

In the meantime, it has come to the attention of this newspaper that Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is getting ready to make a presentation to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in which he will present endorsements from newly elected lawmakers in favor of Tajudeen Abbas for the position of speaker.
In spite of his initial denials, Gbajabiamila has since confirmed that he will vote for Abbas and Benjamin Kalu to hold the positions of speaker and deputy speaker in the 10th House of Representatives.

The following message was conveyed to the individuals who make up the Unity Group: “Good morning, honorable members. Please, you are cordially invited to accompany Tajudeen Abass to a meeting with the national chairman and members of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the APC on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at the party secretariat. The meeting will begin at 3:00 p.m. and will last until 5:00 p.m.. Time 2.00 pm. Please have all members assemble at the Stratton Hotel no later than noon. Thank you and may God bless you.

According to a report from Vanguard, a returning lawmaker from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) expressed confidence in Abbas’s ability to gather sufficient support and confirmed that the speaker would lead Abbas and a group of lawmakers to the APC national headquarters on Tuesday.

Concerns were voiced, however, regarding the lack of comprehension displayed by other disgruntled APC aspirants.

Read Also: INEC can learn from Igbo traders union election – Obiora Okonkwo

According to the source, “It is true that we are meeting the National Working Committee of the APC on Tuesday.” It should be noted that not all of us are affiliated with their party, but despite that, we support the candidate that the outgoing speaker has proposed. Our team’s meeting with the APC’s national leadership would be under his direction as our leader. As of right now, we are confident that we will be able to form a majority vote in order to elect Abbas as speaker. The only thing we ask of the other APC candidates is that they show some level of understanding, because the party stands to lose if they don’t work together.

INEC can learn from Igbo traders union election – Obiora Okonkwo

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INEC can learn from Igbo traders union election – Obiora Okonkwo

Professor Obiora Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to learn from the recent smooth election run by the Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association.

He said this as he described how Igbo traders, particularly those who live in Lagos State, give Nigeria’s economy trillions of naira every year.

Speaking when Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association members visited him in Abuja to inform him of recent developments in the association, Okonkwo, the association’s grand patron, urged the members to increase their visibility and highlight their economic contributions in order to gain the respect they needed.

It was learned that the association predominately operates in more than 58 markets throughout Lagos State.

“You have done something commendable by electing your new executive members, and INEC needs to follow your lead,” he said. I didn’t meddle in your election as your grand patron at the federal level. People in positions of leadership ought to let the people choose their own leaders.

This Association is made up of about 58 markets. Additionally, a greater proportion of your members hail from the South East. You produce trillions annually. The government must acknowledge this group.

“In order for you to be respected, you must show off the wealth and resources you bring to Lagos State. You must accord this Association the nationwide respect it deserves in Nigeria. Being a trader is not wrong in any way. I teach trading because I am a professor and a trader.

“Traders ought to be pleased with themselves. Many billionaires received their training in Onitsha market. I am an Onitsha market product, and we are Nigeria’s global ambassadors.

Warri: I know, I did the right thing – Okowa

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Warri: I know, I did the right thing – Okowa

It is striking that in the past eight years, development has shifted away from Warri, the capital of Delta State and the Niger Delta’s oil hub, which serves as a melting pot primarily for the Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, and other ethnic nationalities.

An oil city, which has expanded to include the neighboring city of Effurun, should not have rickety roads, slum-like homes, an unstable electricity supply, widespread unemployment, poverty, and filthy living conditions.

While former Governor James Ibori (1999–2007) handled more of a crisis in the oil city under the new political regime, his successor, Emmanuel Uduaghan (2007–2015), showed only modest interest in roads and beautification; however, the efforts, with the exception of those on the Effurun flyover, petered out after a while.

A flood of complaints

When he finally spoke out about the state of Warri last year, South-South leader Chief Edwin Clark of Kiagbodo, Burutu local government area of the state, said that the oil city had been abandoned without development, just as the leaders had feared before the state’s creation in 1991.

He added that the current situation in Warri vindicates the fears that some leaders had back then that they would demote Warri if it did not become the seat of government for the then-new Delta State.

Recent comments from him included, “It may be too late, but finally, I wish to advise you (Okowa) not to reduce Warri to a deserted village, as Chief Onanefe Ibori did to Sapele,” in which he criticized outgoing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for allegedly under-developing Warri. He relocated the majority of the offices from Sapele to his hometown of Oghara.

The senior state leader had spoken with this reporter prior to his outburst to express his worries to Okowa about the poor state of the roads in Warri.

Other politicians speak about the infrastructure crisis in Warri in low voices, aside from the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for governor on March 18 in the state, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who did so for obvious reasons.

While this was going on, Warri-area journalists, particularly those from the NUJ’s Correspondents Chapel, issued a press release warning of the appalling state of the roads in the oil city and its surroundings.

On social media, some residents, bloggers, and journalists also highlighted Warri’s run-down appearance with pictures and critical comments from locals.

Go-between function of a reporter

This reporter informed Okowa of Clark’s complaint, and in keeping with how he had responded to complaints about Warri roads in recent years, he maintained that the reason roads in Warri never held up was because they were constructed on a flawed foundation, but he would not make that error.

Before building roads, the governor insisted on building the proper foundation. He claimed that a few years after they were built, floods would typically wash away the roads, so the best course of action was to identify the issue and address it.

In order to prevent floods in Warri and Effurun, he claimed that’s why his government started a more than N20 billion stormwater drainage project.

I informed the South-South leader of the governor’s justification. Like many others, he was skeptical of the governor’s claims and questioned why Warri should be abandoned for the entire eight years Okowa was in office.

However, given the most recent developments in the oil city and the fact that the water storm project is almost finished, some people can now understand why the governor insisted on addressing flooding before building roads.
What people inquired about the roads in Warri

At the opening of the widened Warri-Sapele Road, which runs from the Effurun Roundabout to Enerhen Junction to Enerhen Junction, last week, Okowa claimed that his administration had established a strong foundation for the long-term growth of the cities’ infrastructures.

“When people questioned why we hadn’t built more roads in Warri, I replied that I like to plan for today and tomorrow. It was the same when I arrived in Asaba, the governor claimed.

“We discovered that stormwater was destroying roads. The stormwater drainage took some time to design and begin.

“Many governments won’t invest in such projects because most of the drains will be underground and hidden from view in the end.

“Therefore, when people return two or three years later, they have no memories. However, despite our efforts, you have actually made a significant contribution to the neighborhood’s stabilization.

“When I first moved to Warri, we had to study for a full 18 months before the first set of projects—which are the major projects—were finally awarded.

There are two additional projects that could be categorized as small or minor projects. We are investing a significant amount—more than N20 billion—in those drains.

“Nobody should applaud me,”

“Everywhere I go, people will cheer and applaud for me if I spend N20 billion repairing the roads in Warri. But all of those roads will be gone in a year. Therefore, I’d rather focus on laying the groundwork and let other governments construct on top of it.

This is because not many governors will take office and decide to undertake a project that will prevent people from praising them; however, for me, it is not about the praise I receive because all praise belongs to God. Okowa said he was leaving Delta in the hands of someone who could continue to build sustainable infrastructure throughout the state.

The governor stated, “Yes, I am stepping down as governor, but it is my hope that the next governor, who I will refer to as a “home boy” in Uwvie, will accomplish much more in this local government than I did.”

“I’m happy to launch this particular project today. The Storm Water drainage project in Warri, however, stands out for me among all the projects I am working on.

“Since the stormwater drainage project is not yet complete, we have not yet officially launched it. But this year, the government will finish it.
“We have set the stage for Oborevori.”

It’s all about laying the groundwork for future development. I am grateful to God that we laid that foundation so that future government road construction will result in durable roads.

“We have established that base, and we are confident that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will expand upon it.”

The country’s oil production had increased thanks to the development of the oil-producing communities, he noted, and his administration had demonstrated a strong commitment to the project.

The governor remarked, “We are glad for it because the peace itself has allowed us to have greater oil production from Delta State.”
“As of right now and for the previous three years, we have held the top spot in the nation for crude oil production, which is good for us.

“The project got off the ground under the previous governor’s leadership. I won’t go into details, but we had to pay Setraco, the contractor, some debts owed while continuing to encourage them to work as we settled the debts for certificates earned.
I must admit that not many contractors are able to work as hard as they have.

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