The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu to stop apportioning blames following the protest against him administration.
Afenifere said Tinubu called for a revolution against former President Goodluck Jonathan, hence should not apportion blame now.
Prince Justice Fakiyesi, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere loyal to the Acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said the president’s speech did not address the real issues of the nationwide hunger.
Fakiyesi noted that it was disingenuous for Tinubu to claim that the nationwide protest was politically motivated when he did same under Jonathan.
Addressing newsmen on Monday, he said: “It is the same thing that happened under former President Goodluck Jonathan and he (Tinubu) called for a revolution or protest and when he is facing the same thing and even worse, he is blaming other people.
“We never believed that just calling for dialogue would change anything. He has never changed.
“I think he was pushed to read the speech because it was not a matter of dialogue or him addressing people about the exact policy that brought hunger and since he is not willing to reverse or accept responsibility, because he more or less said it was politically motivated.
“When he started, and he specifically said that subsidy is dead, he said you can protest as much as you like. He said that. He knew that his policies were going to bring protest. At his age he knows that there have been all sorts of protests against subsidy removal.”
Protest: Tinubu called for revolution against Jonathan, can’t complain – Afenifere
Protest: Tinubu called for revolution against Jonathan, can’t complain – Afenifere
‘See as Bobrisky dey glow,’ Netizens react to crossdresser’s release
Reactions have trailed the release of controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos State.
The social media celebrity was released on Monday morning after serving six months imprisonment.
In a video sighted by our correspondent X, Bobrisky was seen greeting his fans, who came to give him a welcoming reception.
According Online reported in April that Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos jailed Bobrisky for Naira abuse.
Justice Awogboro, who sentenced the cross-dresser without an option of a fine, said his sentence would serve as a lesson for others abusing the Naira.
Following the development, some netizens took to X.com to express their reactions to the crossdresser’s release from the correctional centre.
On X, a user, @toolzmoney, wrote, “Bobrisky after finally regaining his freedom. Una sure say this guy go prison??”
One tweep, OSG, posting as @OloriSupergal, wrote, “Bobrisky aka Mummy of Laygurrrrrrsssss is back!!!!”
One X.com user, Bàádì of Agègè, posting as @iamaleshinloye1, wrote, “Congratulations to all Nigerians.”
An X user, Peace Ighodaro, posting as @peace_igho, wrote, “See as Bobrisky dey glow. Abi make I go prison??”
Another tweep, Ehime, with the username @ehime24, wrote, “Deep in our hearts, we all know Bobrisky did not go to prison……Omo get money OOO, make prison no be like a vacation.”
One X.com user, Chioma Agwuegbo, posting as @ChiomaChuka, wrote, “A reminder that Bobrisky’s incarceration was unjust, heavy-handed, and can be described as targeted. There are several videos of politicians, their families, & politically exposed persons spraying naira; NONE of them have been arrested or jailed. A bad thing is a bad thing.”
An X user, Motara Lawrence, posting as @_theladymo wrote, “Bobrisky looks really fresh out of prison, be like say all of us go enter prison o.”
Speaking with journalists shortly after his release, Bobrisky has advised Nigerians to obey the laws of the country and respect the Naira.
The crossdresser warned Nigerians against abusing the Naira in order not to end up in prison, adding that the country’s currency should be respected at all times.
He said, “You have to follow the rules and abide by the laws. Don’t spray money, or you will become a landlord in Kirikiri.
“It is not just about killing or any criminal activity that can bring you to prison. Something light as spaying of naira can take you there.”
Bobrisky added, “I’m only focusing on my good energy right now on people who were there for me, like my friends. You see, any other person, I’m not interested. So, I don’t want to talk about them. I’m really grateful to my friends and loved ones.”
Senators mull youths empowerment programmes
As the ongoing #Endbadgovernance nationwide protests entered day five on Monday a former senator from Ondo State, Ayo Akinyelure has disclosed that he and 15 senators would be coming up with a programme to empower many youths across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Akinyelure who represented the Ondo Central Senatorial District of Ondo State between 2011-2015 and 2019 -2023 at the senate, said the programme was to support the Tinubu administration in ameliorating the suffering of the people.
The former federal lawmaker and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress stated this in a statement issued on Monday.
The statement was titled, ‘Press release to the great youths of Ondo state on the ongoing national protest on hunger and unemployment’.
Akinyelure who commended the youths in Ondo State for peacefully handling the protest, said the proposed #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria: Senators seek empowerment programmes for Nigerian youths
He said, “Let me use this medium to assure you that very soon youth unemployment will be a thing of the past in Ondo State and Nigeria in general. The planned programmes of President Bola Tinubu when fully rolled out and implemented, I am sure the people of our great country will be celebrating him as a great leader of our time.
“That is why I have stayed in Abuja more this period to give support indirectly to his administration to succeed by working underground as the National Committee Chairman of voices of supporters of Tinubu-Shettima government with my other distinguished 15 senators colleagues from six geopolitical zones of the country. We are working seriously to develop some youth empowerment programs that will soon be unfolded in all the six geopolitical zones of our great nation with the approval of the National Chairman of APC to make a big difference.”
Commending the Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for working with security agencies by maintaining law and order during the protest, Akinyelure called on the governor to utilise the natural resources in the state for the industrialisation of the state to create more revenue for the government and provide mass employment for the youths of the state.
“The state government should also work in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources to tap the exploration of bitumen deposits in Ondo State which is said to be the second largest deposit in the whole world. This will provide over 5,000 – 10,000 youth employment in the state and as a permanent source of internal revenue generation for the state in perpetuity.
“In addition, the state government should focus on how to industrialise the state by inviting investors for the development of a seaport and refinery in the Olokola area of Ondo South Senatorial district that was negligently abandoned through greed by the past administration in the state. This will lead to massive employment generation of our youth to solve unemployment problems ravaging the state”, he implored.
Don’t spray money or you’ll become kirikiri landlord, Bobrisky says after release from prison
Controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has been released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Bobrisky was released on Monday, after spending six months in incarceration for abusing the naira by spraying it at parties.
In an interview with GoldMyneTV after his release, Bobrisky said, “Follow the rules, abide with the law. Don’t spray money, unless you’ll be a landlord inside kirikiri.”
He added, “It’s not just about killing or any criminal activity, something light like this can take you there.
“I’m only focusing on my friends who were there for me, and I’m grateful. I’m not thinking about any other person.”
Recall that he was sentenced to six months imprisonment on April 12, 2024, for abusing the naira.
At the court, Bobrisky had told the judge, “My Lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.
“I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money. I will not repeat this, My Lord. I regret my actions, My Lord.”
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JUST IN: Bangladesh to form interim govt after PM’s resignation
Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said Monday he will form an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, who had fled the capital in the face of overwhelming protests.
“We will form an interim government,” Waker said in a broadcast to the nation on state television.
Details later…
AFP
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CSOs to monitor NNPC compliance on crude sale
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has announced their intention to closely monitor the compliance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited in its crude oil sales to the Dangote Refinery.
This move, according to the CSOs aims to ensure transparency and adherence to regulatory standards in the dealings between the state oil company and the privately owned refinery.
The CSOs made their accusation known during a facility tour of the 650,000 bpd refinery in Lagos.
Speaking, Solomon Adodo of the Rise Up for A United Nigeria, spoke on behalf of the 28 CSOs through a statement issued on Monday.
Adodo expressed dismay over the government’s apparent reluctance to support the local refinery, despite its potential to alleviate the nation’s fuel crisis and foreign exchange challenges.
The group further accused the NNPCL of disregarding President Bola Tinubu’s directive to sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in Naira.
The CSOs vowed to intensify advocacy efforts to compel the government to prioritise the Dangote Refinery and ensure its smooth operation.
The statement read, “The disposition of the NNPCL and the regulatory agencies is a clear indication that they deliberately held down the nation’s refineries so that they could continue importing petroleum products.
“Having gone round to see this world-class project, we are at a loss as to why the government could decide to turn against Nigerians in this manner.
“We are ready to defend this facility with everything as civil society organizations.
“We are going to set up a situation room to monitor the compliance of the NNPCL with the directive of Mr President that Dangote Refinery would be supplied with Crude in Naira because we know that the enemies of the people would want to adopt another strategy to sabotage the presidential directive.”
The Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, echoed the CSOs’ concerns, highlighting the refinery’s potential to transform Nigeria’s economy.
“This is what Dangote refinery seeks to correct, we did the same in the Cement and Sugar sectors where Nigeria was a leading importer of those products and with the coming of Dangote leading the backward integration programme of the government, others came into the sector and together Nigeria now exports cement to other countries,” Edwin explained.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including difficulties in securing crude oil supply, the Dangote Refinery remains committed to its vision of transforming Nigeria’s petroleum industry, according to Edwin.
Bangladesh PM flees as protesters storm palace
Bangladesh’s Channel 24 broadcast images of crowds running into the compound, waving to the camera as they celebrated.
A source close to Hasina, 76, had earlier told AFP she had left her palace for a “safer place.”
Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman would address the nation on Monday afternoon, a military spokesman told AFP without giving further details.
Before the protesters had stormed the compound, Hasina’s son urged the country’s security forces to block any takeover from her 15-year rule.
“Your duty is to keep our people and our country safe and uphold the constitution.
“It means don’t allow any unelected government to come in power for one minute, it is your duty,” her son, United States-based Sajeeb Joy, said in a Facebook post.
Security forces had supported Hasina’s government throughout the unrest, which began last month against civil service job quotas and then escalated into wider calls for her to stand down.
But the protesters defied curfews and deadly force.
No fewer than 94 people were killed on Sunday, including 14 police officers, in the deadliest day of the unrest.
Protesters and government supporters countrywide battled each other with sticks and knives, and security forces opened fire.
The day’s violence took the total number of people killed since protests began in early July to at least 300, according to an AFP tally based on police, government officials and doctors at hospitals.
Waker told officers on Saturday that the military “always stood by the people,” according to an official statement.
The military declared an emergency in January 2007 after widespread political unrest and installed a military-backed caretaker government for two years.
– ‘Final protest’ –
Hasina has ruled Bangladesh since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote without genuine opposition.
Rights groups accuse her government of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent, including through the extrajudicial killing of opposition activists.
Demonstrations began over the reintroduction of a quota scheme that reserved more than half of all government jobs for certain groups.
The protests escalated despite the scheme having been scaled back by Bangladesh’s top court.
Soldiers and police with armoured vehicles in Dhaka had barricaded routes to Hasina’s office with barbed wire on Monday morning, but vast crowds flooded the streets, tearing down barriers.
The Business Standard newspaper estimated as many as 400,000 protesters were on the streets but it was impossible to verify the figure.
“The time has come for the final protest,” said one of the key leaders in the nationwide civil disobedience campaign, Asif Mahmud.
In several cases, soldiers and police did not intervene to stem Sunday’s protests, unlike during the past month of rallies that repeatedly ended in deadly crackdowns.
“Let’s be clear: The walls are closing in on Hasina. She’s rapidly losing support and legitimacy.
“The protests have taken on immense momentum, fuelled by raw anger but also by the confidence that comes with knowing that so much of the nation is behind them,” said, the director of the South Asia Institute at the Washington-based Wilson Centre, Michael Kugelman.
In a hugely symbolic rebuke of Hasina, a respected former army chief demanded the government “immediately” withdraw troops and allow protests.
“Those who are responsible for pushing people of this country to a state of such extreme misery will have to be brought to justice,” ex-army chief Gen. Ikbal Bhuiyan told reporters Sunday.
The anti-government movement attracted people from across society in the South Asian nation of about 170 million people, including film stars, musicians and singers.
AFP
Shehu Sani blames North for its problems, lists causes
The former lawmaker for Kaduna Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has blamed Northern leaders and the people for the problems that have dogged the region over the years.
Sani, who made the assertion in a post on his Facebook page on Monday, said the problems of the region are self inflicted.
He urged the people of the North not to blame others for their woes.
In the post titled “The North; after blaming others, let’s probe ourselves,” the politician-turned- activist listed the self-inflicted travails of the north.
1. Most public schools are free, our young ones still don’t want to go to school.
2. Most of us don’t want our spouses to work or use their skills or talents to earn a living or contribute to the family. When we die, we leave them as helpless widows at the mercy of a hostile society.
3. Most young ones don’t want to serve as apprentices in workshops or retail outlets because they don’t have the heart and the patience to serve.
4. Most parents in rural areas hands over their children to a religious teacher in the city and the religious teacher depends on the children to beg or steal in order to feed him and his family.
5. For ethnic, religious and sectional reasons, we protected, defended, praised and refused to hold to account all our kinsmen who led the country at every wasted opportunity for over five decades.
6. The bandits and terrorists that kill and kidnap our people and deny our farmers from going to their farms and denied our children from going to school are not from any country or from the south of the country; they came from our homes and from our families up north. We worshipped with them in the same mosque.
7. We used to live together as one region in peace, brotherhood and love and then we divided and hate ourselves along religious lines.
8. We don’t vote for people who will serve us, we vote for those who will give us spaghetti and grains.
9. We concoct and spread all sorts of religiously inclined conspiracies to deny our children free health immunisation against diseases and we end up hundreds of thousands of blind, lame, crippled and deaf children who grow up as impaired victims of polio, glaucoma or leprosy, begging in the streets of northern and southern cities. Even the kind of Bill Gates who regularly shows interest in us, we have no kind words for him.
READ ALSO:Shehu Sani lauds S’East govs plan to meet Tinubu over Kanu
10. Most of our women and girls don’t have a business capital of 100k but they have an IPhone of N1.5m. They don’t have a capital of 100k but can ‘struggle’ to meet up a wedding ashobi of 500k.
11. We deny most of our girls child their right to go beyond secondary school because of the negative thoughts about the university.
12. We don’t want our female children to wear uniforms. Whenever the recruitment portals for the Army, police, customs, immigration, civil defence are on, we don’t want our female wards to apply.
13. When our children are graduating from universities, especially public universities, most of the parents that attend to celebrate and appreciate their children in such events are parents of the southern students from the south.
14. Most of our industries and factories in Kano, Kaduna and Jos have since closed down when our kinsmen were in power.
15. Our Farmers in rural areas are still farming with hoes for the whole period our kinsmen have been in power. The groundnut and cotton pyramids and fields disappeared long when our kinsmen were at the helm.
16. All the spare parts, building materials and pharmaceutical stores in the north are private businesses owned by people from other regions whom were not in anyway backed, funded or supported by any Government.
17. When our kinsmen were in power, we attributed our poverty and insecurity to God and to our sins; When our kinsmen are out of power, we attribute our sufferings to the king.
18. The FCT is in the north,
can anyone explain why the people from the region couldn’t dominate the private businesses in the FCT and Suleja and Marraraba? Who should be blamed for this one?
19. God gave us the largest land mass, the largest number of people, the most of the Rivers and the resources and livestock and gave us power for the most part of our history; Which of the favours of our Lord can we deny?
20. The North, eighty percent of our problem is ourselves and not anyone ‘outside of ourselves’.”
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Police arrest two over attempted looting in Plateau
Operatives of the Plateau State Police Command have arrested two hoodlums in the Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest of the hoodlums on Monday came amidst the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Jos and Bukuru metropolis by the state government following an attempt by some persons to breach the peace in the state capital under the guise of #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protests.
It was learnt that the hoodlums were trying to vandalise and loot shops located around the C Division in Jos when the operatives swooped on them and arrested two persons while others fled the scene
The command’s spokesman, Alabo Alfred confirmed the development to The According in Jos on Monday.
Alabo said that those arrested will be investigated and prosecuted in line with extant laws
The PPRO said, “Our duty is to enforce the imposition of the curfew and that is what we are doing. The state is calm.
“Two persons were arrested around C Division who attempted vandalising property of innocent Nigerians. They will be investigated and duly prosecuted ”
The PPRO urged the people of the state to be vigilant and remain law abiding as they observe the curfew by the government
“We want the people of the state to continue to be peaceful and support the security agents and state government in their efforts to maintain the prevailing peace in the state,” the PPRO added.
Protesters vacate Jos street
Meanwhile, the Old Airport junction in Jos, the Plateau state capital was on Monday deserted by protesters
The area had served as a convergent point since the #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest began last Thursday in the state.
When our correspondent visited the area on Monday, it was empty and devoid of any protesters at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, protesters in Plateau state have vowed to continue with their protests after the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state Government.
Addressing the protesters in a statement on Monday, the leader of the EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest in the state, Isa Elbuba, criticised the state government for imposition of the curfew saying that the action was meant to silence the voice of suffering Nigerians.
The cleric who is also the Convener of the Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria highlighted the peaceful nature of the protests in the state since it began last Thursday, emphasising the unprecedented unity between Christians and Muslims during the demonstrations.
“I declare to you, Nigerians, we are amazed and so disappointed in the declaration by the state government of the curfew. There is nothing that warrants that. Plateau State has been adjudged as hosting the most peaceful protest all over the world. History has been made here,” El-Buba said.
He recounted the solidarity shown by participants, noting how Christian protesters shielded their Muslim counterparts during prayers, and vice versa, throughout the protests.
“Thousands of Muslims on the day of the protest, the first day, the second day, the third day, have been shielded by their Christian brothers and sisters. And today, Sunday, the massive turnout of Christians in their thousands were shielded by Muslims in their thousands. It has never happened,” he added.
El-Buba dismissed an alleged incident at a restaurant, which reportedly led to the curfew, as a minor issue that did not justify such a drastic response from the government.
He insisted that the curfew was an attempt to demoralize and silence the young people driving the protests, but insisted that their mission to “take back the soul of their nation” would continue.
“I want to say this at this particular moment, that the soul and the voice of the Nigerian people can never be silenced. I want you to remain peaceful and law-abiding. I want you to obey the rules of the game and immediately after the curfew is lifted, we shall resume the protest,” El-Buba declared, urging protesters to stay focused and avoid any confrontation with law enforcement.
El-Buba reaffirmed the legitimacy of the protest, stressing that the goal was to end bad governance in Nigeria and to secure a brighter future for the country’s youth. He urged Nigerians to stay calm and united in their efforts until their mission is accomplished.
“Stay calm and make sure that you lift the banner of Nigeria and no other nation. And until we recover the soul of our country, bad governance will end in Nigeria. God bless you and God bless Nigerians,” he stated
BBNAIJA SEASON 9: Tami duo become first housemates to be evicted
The Tami duo which comprises Toyosi and Damilola are the first housemates to be evicted from the ongoing Big Brother Naija (BBN) reality TV show Season 9.
Despite putting in their best effort to win over other housemates and viewers alike, the pair did not receive enough support and were eliminated from the game.
The evicted housemates and three other pairs (Chekas, Radicals, and Streeze), were left at the bottom of the viewers voting results.
READ ALSO:Actress Destiny Etiko criticises Nigerians celebrating return of BBNaija despite hardship
The Ndinne Duo, the first champions of Season 9’s Custodian Challenge, had utilized their custodian authority to save one pair in order to keep the Radicals in the house, leaving Chekas, Tami, and Streeze pairs vulnerable to elimination.
Following the eviction of the Tami Pair from the House after a week-long stay on Sunday night, 26 housemates, or 13 pairs, remain to battle for the N100 million top prize in the 2024 Big Brother reality television show tagged “No Loose Guard” house.
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