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Police officers with heavy weapons storm INEC office in Lagos

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Police officers with heavy weapons storm INEC office in Lagos

A police detachment of about 30 has arrived at the INEC headquarters office in Lagos with just two days until the presidential and federal parliamentary elections to increase security in the area.

The operatives arrived at the INEC office on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. with their weapons and belongings while INEC was busy loading trucks with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for distribution to different local government areas in Lagos.

Read Also: Shehu Sani warns Nigerians: Elect wrong leaders, go back into darkness in 2023

When the police arrived for election duty, they immediately started chanting various songs.

The Central Bank of Nigeria delivered sensitive materials for Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary elections to INEC in Lagos on Wednesday.

Read Also: EFCC moves against vote buyers, deploys operatives to states, FCT

Additionally, the commission had started distributing the materials to Lagos’ 20 local government areas. The presidential and federal parliamentary elections will be held on Saturday.

FG orders verification of NSITF workers’ NYSC certificates

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FG orders verification of NSITF workers’ NYSC certificates

Yesterday, the federal government gave the newly appointed management board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) instructions to start screening the National Youth Service Corps certificates being displayed by all fund employees and determining their legitimacy right away.
During the board’s inauguration at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, stated that the decision had become necessary to repair the commission’s damaged reputation due to the immediate Managing Director of the fund.

Read Also: Atiku chosen as ‘political doctor that will heal Nigeria’ – Christian group

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Remember that the police invited the former NSITF boss, Micheal Akabogu, with the discharge certificate number: A030544, after receiving a criminal complaint against him. Akabogu is accused of forging his NYSC Discharge Certificate.
The NYSC denied Akabogu’s discharged certificate in a letter of response to the police with reference number: NYSC/CCD/VER/10/S.1/VOL/07.
President Muhammadu Buhari fired Akabogu as a result of the development.
Speaking about the situation during the inauguration, Ngige said that the fund and the entire ministry of labor and employment could not afford to receive negative press once more due to the situations that could have been avoided, particularly among workers.
“To maintain, safeguard, and advance a very viable and flourishing organization, I have four major tasks before the new Management Board of the NSITF.
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“To screen and vet the academic and NYSC Certificates of National Service (CNS) of ALL staff in the Fund. To ensure the full implementation of the NSITF Restructuring Report.
“To ensure the swift completion of E-NSITF Phase I and Phase II to enable maximum collection of Contributions from the Public and Private Sectors and inch into the Informal sector of the Economy.”

Read Also: EFCC moves against vote buyers, deploys operatives to states, FCT

In response to the accusation, the board chairman, Emmanuel Nwosu, stated that he and his team would stop at nothing to remove anyone from the system who had fake academic credentials in order to improve the fund’s reputation.
The fund’s new managing director, Mrs. Maureen Allagoa, promised to take all reasonable measures to ensure accountability in the fund, which has reportedly been lacking in the past.

In Enugu, Chukwu, Senatorial candidate for LP, shot dead, burnt inside his vehicle

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In Enugu, Chukwu, Senatorial candidate for LP, shot dead, burnt inside his vehicle

With the reported assassination of Oyibo Chukwu, the Labour Party’s (LP) candidate for the Enugu East Senatorial Zone election on Saturday, it is regrettable that Enugu has returned to its old ways of violent political killings.

When Enugu entered the democratic realm of the current regime, it had already established a reputation as the center of political killings in Nigeria thanks to the assassinations of some well-known figures, including:

Victor Nwankwo, the younger brother of Arthur Nwankwo, the creator of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), and Chimere Ikoku, a former vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as Sunday Ugwu, the older brother of Nwabueze Ugwu, a lawyer and assemblyman.

In Chukwu’s case, the veteran politician was reportedly attacked by yet to be identified gunmen, who waylaid the vehicle he was travelling in with some party stalwarts within the Amechi Awkunanaw axis of Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The old time politician is one of those favoured to win Saturday’s election in which former governor of the State, Chimaroke Nnamani of the Peoples Democratic Party and Ada Ogbu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are also contesting.

Read Also: U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles sweat on Daga’s fitness ahead of Egypt clash

The Advocate, an Enugu-based online newspaper, quoted a source, who does not want to be named as saying that Chukwu and his driver were assassinated, adding: “Our candidate is dead! He was killed inside his campaign vehicle; a Sienna bus. We finished campaign in parts of Nkanu West and he was heading home before the assailants attacked him and killed him.
Identities of the victims were yet to be ascertained but Labour party leaders who spoke to our reporter said the Senate candidate’s phones were not connecting.

The persons responsible for this arsonic acts still remain unknown.

Similarly, , the driver of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, House of Representatives candidate for Enugu South and North constituency, Hon Offor Chukwuegbo was killed along same axis by gunmen reportedly shouting “No election in Biafra land”

The campaign vehicle belonging to Chukwuegbo that he was driving was also set ablaze in the incident.

It was learnt that Barr Chukwu was billed to be hosted for a reception by his Amurri community on Thursday by 2.00pm.

Sources stated that the Hilux vehicle bearing the gunmen had overtaken his branded Sienna bus at the Amaechi axis and opened fire severally at it. It ignited in the process and burnt the entire occupants in it.

Younger brother of the candidate, Lucky Chukwu said last night ” the story is terrible. I cannot say more than this for now, but this is bad”. He was said to be returning home after a campaign tour”

Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the state, Chijioke Edeoga however confirmed the story, saying that ” the entire occupants of the sienna car were burnt to ashes”.

” This is a devastating blow for us. I was with the candidate on Tuesday and we were planning how to attend the reception by his community. It is unfortunate that this can happen”, Edeoga said.

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Chukwuegbo added that the shooters may have attacked him first before allegedly coming across the Labour Party candidate after confirming the death of his driver.

However, he continued, those who attacked the Labour Party candidate rode a Hilux car, whereas those who attacked his driver rode a tricycle.

Read Also: President Buhari approves constitution of New boards in FCT

“I must inform you that, based on what I heard, nobody managed to escape the Labour party’s Vienna bus. It’s possible that my driver was attacked before the Labour Party in Amechi Awkunanaw’s well-known Eke Otu market.

EFCC moves against vote buyers, deploys operatives to states, FCT

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EFCC moves against vote buyers, deploys operatives to states, FCT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, has sent agents to the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory in advance of Saturday’s general elections to fight vote-buying.

The anti-graft agency has released incident reporting hotlines for the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT in addition to the teams deployed throughout the nation.
The move was made to ensure the integrity of the February 25, 2023, Presidential and National Assembly elections, according to Wilson Uwujaren, head of media and publicity for the EFCC.

Read Also: New naira: APC govs might seek out-of-court settlement – Atiku loyalist

Uwujaren said executive chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, charged the operatives to be conscious of the interest of the nation and to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“You are out on a national assignment and I expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly in line with our core values of professionalism, integrity and courage. You have a responsibility to ensure that this election is devoid of financial malpractices, especially inducement of voters. The attention of the world is focused on Nigeria and we must do what is necessary to ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections”.

The Commission also exhorted the public to use these hotlines to report any instances of vote buying or selling as well as any other proof of financial misconduct intended to skew the results of an election.

Read Also: Breaking: Naira wrap: Supreme Court fixes March 3 for judgment

“Users of the EFCC financial crimes reporting app, Eagle Eye, which can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple store, can also report anyone attempting to buy or sell votes.

The public may also contact the Commission by email at info@efcc.gov.ng or through our official social media account, @officialefcc.

Breaking: Naira wrap: Supreme Court fixes March 3 for judgment

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Breaking: Naira wrap: Supreme Court fixes March 3 for judgment

The Federal Government was sued over the contentious Naira re-design policy, and the Supreme Court wrapped up the hearing on that case on Wednesday. The court set a decision date of March 3 for that date.

After hearing arguments in support of and against the lawsuit filed by some States of the Federation, Justice John Inyang Okoro set the date.

The states, led by Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara, are asking the Supreme Court to nullify and set aside the policy because it is putting innocent Nigerians through hardship.

Read Also: President Buhari approves constitution of New boards in FCT

The states demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive be revoked on the grounds that he had usurped the authority of the Central Bank of Nigeria, or CBN.

Abdulhakeem Mustapha, a legal stalwart, presented the case for the states.

Details to come…

President Buhari approves constitution of New boards in FCT

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President Buhari approves constitution of New boards in FCT

The appointment and renewal of the Chairmen and Members of the Board of Agencies of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has been approved by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (FCTA).
According to Abubakar Sani, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, received notification of the President’s approval on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
The Minister pointed out that some of the appointees were replaced by people who resigned due to other obligations or political realignments, while others were reappointed for second terms in office based on their commendable performance.

Some of the board members are institutional representatives, according to applicable extant laws and regulations governing the respective agencies, the Minister stated. Among the appointees are, Town Planner and former acting Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Mrs. Zaliha’u Ahmed, fnitp, who would serve as the Chairman of the FCT Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Tribunal while a renowned transportation expert and the former FCTA Transportation Secretary, Mr. Kayode Opeifa has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd. (AUMTCO).
Bello, while wishing all the reappointed officials a successful term in office, further stated that AUMTCO, would be expanded to take responsibility for the Abuja Light Rail Mass Transit System.
The Minister went further to illustrate the comprehensive list of agencies’ board membership as approved by the President as follows:
Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA):
The FCDA Board is headed by the Hon. Minister of FCT as Chairman while the Executive Secretary, FCDA, is to serve as Secretary of the board. Other members are: Hussaini Mongono, Haruna Hamza, Alhaji Bala Mamman, Hon. Lawrence Onuchuku, Omasan Magrete Agbajoh, Solomon Ayuba Dagami, Solomon Adebayo Jemilehin and Hadiza Ladi Abdullahi.

Read Also: 2nd runway: FCT ministers charge contractor to complete project by May 29th

While Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) is headed by Mal. Yahaya Ibrahim as Chairman. Other members are: the Group Managing Director, (AICL), Representative of FCTA Economic Planning Secretariat, Representative of FCDA, Salamatu B. Umar-Eluma, Alh. Yusuf Tsayyabu, Alh. Hassan Y. Gwagwa, Mamuda Lawal Musawa, Joash Ojo Amupitan and A’isha Ismail Mukhtar. Others are: Pius Odioko Ovbije, Kabiru Usman, Hon. Osita Opara and Kabir Muhammad Dankaura.
For Abuja Property Development Company (APDC): The Board is headed by Mohammed Idris as Chairman. Other members are: the Managing Director/CEO, (APDC), Representative of Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), Representative of Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Representative of FCDA, URP Dept., Director Development Control, Hon. Yakubu Adamu, Shaban Ishaku Tete and Pastor Illoh Samuel.
Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB): The Board is headed by Dr. Engr. Bawuro Yahaya as Chairman while the Director AEPB is to serve as the Secretary. Other members are: Prof. Muhammad A. Garba, Chairman, Abaji Area Council, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Chairman Kuje Area Council and Chairman Kwali Area Council. Others are: Director of Health Services, FCTA, Director of Planning, Survey, and Land FCTA, Hashimu Sa’idu Angama and Hon. Musa I. Jatau.
Similarly Abuja Investment and Infrastructure Centre (AIIC): The AIIC Board is headed by the Secretary, Economic Planning RG & PPP as Chairman while the Coordinator AIIC is to serve as the Secretary. Other members are: Aisha Yakubu, Felix U.C. Uzozie, Shagari Baba, Thomos Musa and Hon. Daniuma Dauda. Others are: Engr. Dahiru Dasin, Polycarp Nwabueze, Udah Ugochukwu Beke and Group Capt. Zagi Rabo Zakka.
The FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT-SEB) is headed by Alh. Musa Yahaya as Chairman while the Director, SEB is to serve as the Secretary. Other members are: Mr. Sunny Monedafe-Permanent Member I, Haruna Muhammad Nabayi- Permanent Member II, Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council and Chairman, Kwali Area Council. Others are: Mrs. Chimezie Nwaobiara J.O., Aliyu Danjuma Kawu, Hassana Nyelang, Usman Ibrahim and Mrs. Aisha A. Jijiwa.
FCT Scholarship Board (FCT-SB): The FCT-SB Board is headed by Barr. Yakubu Haruna Gana as Chairman while the Director, FCT Scholarship Board is to serve as the Secretary. Other members are: HRH Alh. Jibrin H. Tanko Gomo of Kuje, Representative of FCDA, Haj. Safiya Tukura and Yunusa Dantani Sarki. Others are: Mr. Mathew Bejakai, Mr. Dogo Williams, Mr. Dogara Simon Ginnade and Alh. Abbas Baba.
Abuja Broadcasting Corporation (ABC): The ABC Board is headed by Abubakar Jijiwa as Chairman. Other members are the Managing Director, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation, Chairman, NUJ, FCT, Ayodele Samuel, Salamatu Bello Jibrin, Mr. Joshua Tokura, Comrade Adamu Muhammed, Hon. Aminu Danmaliki, Ibrahim Modibbo Hamman and Bala Muhammad. Others are: Yusuf Nuhu, mni and Ibrahim B. Magaji.

Read Also: Bandits kidnap scores in Zamfara along Gusau-Funtua highway

The Chairman of the Board of the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited (AUMTCO) is Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Gusau. The managing director of AUMTCO, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, two AICL representatives, the director of transportation at FCTA, and engineer Bello Ahmed Roni round out the group.
FCT Urban Regional Planning (URP) Tribunal: The Chairman and Secretary of the URP Tribunal Board are Mrs. Zaliha’u Ahmed and Tpl. Chinyere Patience Ome, respectively. Other members include Barr. Timothy Peter Manjuk, Surv. Kazeem Ajibike, Arc. Bashir Adamu Hussaini, and Engr. Ali Akawu.

2nd runway: FCT ministers charge contractor to complete project by May 29th

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2nd runway: FCT ministers charge contractor to complete project by May 29th

Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, have given the contractor working on the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, three months to complete the project.

They made this statement while visiting the construction site and urged the contractor to step up efforts so that it would be finished by May 29th, 2023.

They claimed that the project was a legacy with far-reaching implications beyond the runway itself.

Read Also: Atiku chosen as ‘political doctor that will heal Nigeria’ – Christian group

The project is actually an aviation city with all the amenities of a modern city, such as hotels, shopping centers, schools, cinemas, and hospitals, according to the aviation minister, who thanked the FCT minister for allocating 12,000 hectares of land for the project. This is known as an aeropolis.

A statement issued by the Director Press to the Minister of FCT, Anthony Ogunleye, said the area is designated as a Free Trade Zone, Sirika said that the project will tremendously boost economic activities not just in the FCT but across the country, stressing that the facilities will also include a cargo hub and also serve as the hub for the national carrier.

The statement read: “The start will also serve as a base for the aviation leasing company and it already had within it the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau offices”

Responding, the Project Consultant, Engr R. Baba, said that the 2nd runway was a 4.2 kilometer stretch and will contain all modern associated facilities, including a CAT III ILS landing aid that will enable aircrafts land with minimal visibility and other facilities like a new control tower and fire station.

During the site visit, the Chief of Jiwa, Dr. Musa Idris, stated that the indigenous community would work with the administration to build the Aviation City and the second runway project.

He argued that the communities should receive compensation and claimed that all of the land acquired for the project had been counted, with the exception of 20 hectares.

Read Also: Court dismisses suit seeking sack of IGP Alkali Baba Usman

The FCT Minister stated that the project would have the full support of the Administration and that indigenous communities and individuals would stand to gain the most from it because it will result in significant economic activity and job opportunities for them.

2023 polls: Peter Obi will free Nigeria – Adebanjo

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2023 polls: Peter Obi will free Nigeria – Adebanjo

Pa Ayo Adebanjo has urged Nigerians to support Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, on Saturday.

At a meeting with Atunluse Initiatives, Afenifere, the head of the top Yoruba organization, solicited support for Obi.

On Tuesday in Lagos, the elder statesman hosted the political and sociocultural leaders of the Yoruba people, according to NAN.

Read Also: 2023: Atiku, Peter Obi, Tinubu others to sign final peace accord on Wednesday

According to Adebanjo, Nigeria’s people depend on the former governor of Anambra to free the country from the shackles of poverty and poor leadership.

In this weekend’s presidential election, “all citizens have the duty to fight for their freedom,” he said.

We don’t have the resources to fight them, but we must take all necessary steps to secure our freedom, he insisted.
According to Adebanjo, there was a gentleman’s agreement that the North and the South would share power at the center.

The nonagenarian remembered that Olusegun Obasanjo presided over the South-West and Umaru Yar’Adua presided over the North.

“Goodluck Jonathan did his own thing, going south to south and back north. Returning to the South, he said, “In the interest of equity, it should be given to the South-East.

Read Also2023: Atiku, Peter Obi, Tinubu others to sign final peace accord on Wednesday

Later, Adebanjo and other Afenifere leaders met partially behind closed doors with the chairman of Atunluse, Akinsola Akinbobola, and his delegation.

Bandits kidnap scores in Zamfara along Gusau-Funtua highway

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Bandits kidnap scores in Zamfara along Gusau-Funtua highway

During an operation along the Zamfara-Funtua highway, gunmen believed to be terrorists abducted a large number of commuters heading to different parts of the nation.

The terrorist operations were carried out on Friday and Saturday at various locations between Gusau- Gidan Dawa-Yandoto Daji in the Tsafe Local Government Area of the State, according to an eyewitness named Mr. Nura Ola Tsafe.

According to him, the bandits began their nefarious operations on Friday and carried them out until Saturday, taking the kidnapped victims to a forest.

Read Also: Breaking: House of Reps candidate dies 4 days to election

The infamous bandits kidnapped innocent travelers who were headed to the annual Islamic Maulud. Between Yandoton Daji and Kwatarkwashi, terrorists kidnapped passengers from two commercial vehicles, he claimed.
He added that some Tsafe residents had also been attacked on Friday along Yandoton Daji-Gidan Dawa, but that they had narrowly escaped due to the quick action of the military personnel.

Nura Tsafe bemoaned the fact that the operations on the Gusau-Funtua road had grown so concerning, particularly in light of the upcoming general elections in 2023.

Read Also: Court dismisses suit seeking sack of IGP Alkali Baba Usman

Recall how the Zamfara-Funtua highway underwent a mop-up operation led by State Police Commissioner Mr. Kolo Yusuf and his tactical team to increase road security and commuter confidence.

New naira: APC govs might seek out-of-court settlement – Atiku loyalist

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New naira: APC govs might seek out-of-court settlement – Atiku loyalist

The aggrieved APC governors, according to Timi Frank, a former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress, are frantically trying to persuade President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.) to change his mind about the old N500 and N1,000 notes before they agree to settle the dispute out of court.

A supporter of former vice president Atiku Abubakar named Frank claimed that there was such intense pressure to resolve the naira redesign policy cases outside of the Supreme Court that he feared the president and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami might give in.

He made the claim in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
His concern is coming in the wake of Sunday crucial meeting between the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Adamu and governors at the secretariat in Abuja.

Twelve governors and two deputies attended the meeting, which got under way at around 2:37 p.m.

Read Also: In Lagos, 17 passengers narrowly escape death as boat capsizes

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the party’s presidential nominee, eventually joined the meeting at around 4.45 p.m.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, were urged by the ruling party and the Progressive Governors Forum to respect the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the naira redesign policy.

In a similar vein, Adamu met behind closed doors once more on Monday with Malami and the three disgruntled governors who had sued the FG for a restraining order to prevent the full implementation of the CBN’s naira redesign policy.

Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Bello Matawalle were the governors (Zamfara).
Although the meeting started at about 1.35 pm and took a little over an hour, none of the participants agreed to speak to the press.
There appear to be discussions about a potential out-of-court settlement as a result of recent changes at the party’s national headquarters.

In response to the development, Frank asserted that the AGF was considering the APC’s request for an out-of-court settlement before the Saturday election, according to intelligence.

The politician also urged Malami to stand up for the people by refusing to give in to the intense pressure from the governors, while pleading with Buhari to remember his promise to leave Nigerians the legacy of free, fair, and credible elections.
He said, “Buhari must keep to his words by not bowing to the unholy pressure of the APC’s governors to settle out of court and to have N1,000 and N500 notes reintroduced.

“APC governors don’t have the interest of Nigerians at heart. We have seen how they have serially blackmailed the president to do their bidding in recent past.

Now they’re attempting to use blackmail to get the AGF to drop his lawsuit opposing their own request for an out-of-court settlement during the Wednesday hearing of the Supreme Court.

“Nigerians need to be aware that we only have three days left. Let’s put up with the discomfort for the next three days. Otherwise, the APC and its governors would buy a significant number of votes, tainting the elections, and the dysfunctional system would remain in place.

Read Also: U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles sweat on Daga’s fitness ahead of Egypt clash

Festus Keyamo, the chief spokesperson for the APC presidential campaign council, responded to the likelihood of an out-of-court settlement by asserting that nothing is legally impossible.

He said to our reporter, “Let’s cross our fingers.”

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