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Kaduna senator slams group over recall threat

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Kaduna senator slams group over recall threat

The Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Lawal Adamu, on Wednesday, lashed out at a group, Kaduna Peace and Tranquility Forum, over a threat to mobilise for his recall from the National Assembly for alleged non-performance.

Fondly called “Senator LA” by his constituents and supporters in the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Adamu also deplored the purported 14-day ultimatum issued to him by the group to account for his stewardship since his election.

The KPTF had, at a press briefing, accused the senator of non-performance and asked him to, within 14 days, account for his stewardship as the representative of the senatorial district at the National Assembly.

Reacting through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Segun Olatunji, in Kaduna, on Wednesday, Adamu described the outbursts of the KPTF as “the ranting of a discomfited group of meddlesome interlopers seeking to misinform unsuspecting members of the public for the selfish political gains of their masterminds and sponsors.”

He urged the people of Kaduna Central senatorial district and the general public in Kaduna State not to be deceived by what he termed the gibberish being churned out by the KPTF.

He also stated that the threat by the group to mobilise for his recall from the National Assembly did not cut any ice with him, urging the good people of the district to remain calm, disregard the threat and treat the ranting with the disdain it deserved.

The lawmaker noted that it was needless to remind the group and their ilk that being the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Financial Matters was no child’s play.

He said such committees of national importance were not for the lazy and weak-minded politicians like the sponsors of their group.

“No one should be surprised by the outbursts of this group. They are not to be taken seriously as far as we’re concerned.

“When people wake up from the wrong side of their beds, they’re bound to be still groggy and not know when they talk bunkum and misfire,” the statement read.

It added that the threat by the KPTF “smacks of a dress rehearsal for a light-hearted comedy of errors show.”

It added, “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator LA believes in serious change rather than a hopeless gimmick. He believes in grip and not drift. Right from the run-up to the 2023 elections, he had rolled up his sleeves for the big task ahead and since his election into the National Assembly, he has continuously been doing the hard graft, working his fingers to the bones, so to say, all in the corporate interests of the good people of Kaduna Central Senatorial District.”

He listed some of his achievements in education, infrastructural development, economic empowerment and delivery of dividends of democracy to the senatorial districts and others.

“His comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of the good people of Kaduna Central Senatorial District and even beyond is nonpareil and unprecedented,” the statement added.

The lawmaker said he had fulfilled his earlier promise to pay tuition of indigent students across the state, by giving the sum of between N100,000 and N150,000 to over 200 students in the Humanities and Sciences, respectively.

He said he earmarked N250m for settling the tuition of hundreds of students of tertiary institutions in his constituency.

The statement also listed the lawmaker’s effort in securing the release of Kuriga kidnap victims, including his efforts to interface with President Bola Tinubu on the matter.

It said the KPTF had left no one in doubt that it lacked the requisite mental capacity to assess Adamu’s performance in the National Assembly in the past year.

“The KPTF’s gibberish submission on the performance of the Distinguished Senator LA exposes its purveyors as people lacking the least cognitive capacity to make any assessment of the lawmaker being constantly applauded beyond the confines of his senatorial district.

“We know those beating the drums producing this incoherent and shameful rhythm being shamelessly danced to in the public by these meddlesome interlopers. Members of KPTF are hiding behind a veil, they shall soon be exposed and disgraced, Insha Allah,” the statement concluded.

Abacha family appeals judgment revoking late dictator’s property

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Abacha family appeals judgment revoking late dictator’s property

The family of the late military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, has gone before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the high court judgment affirming the revocation of their property by the Federal Government.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Monday dismissed the family’s lawsuit challenging the revocation of their property located in the Maitama District of Abuja.

Abacha’s wife, Hajia Mariam Abacha, and son, Mohammed Abacha, who are the plaintiffs in the suit, had contended that it was wrong for the Federal Government to revoke the property and sell it to a private company, Salamed Ventures Limited, without their knowledge or compensation.

They urged the court to order the President and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who are defendants in the suit, to return the property to them.

However, in his judgment on Monday, Justice Lifu said the suit was statute-barred at the time it was filed in 2015, adding that the plaintiffs had no locus standi to initiate the court action.

Dissatisfied, however, the family has, through their lawyer, Reuben Atabo (SAN), proceeded to the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the lower court’s judgment.

In the Notice of Appeal, containing 11 grounds, the Abacha family prayed the appellate court to invoke Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act to take over the legal battle as a court of first instance and do justice to the matter.

The family contended that Justice Lifu erred in law when he relied on Section 39 of the Land Use Act to hold that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction under the Land Use Act to recover land, contrary to the decision of the Court of Appeal which held that the proper court to handle such case is the Federal High Court.

“By Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution,  judicial powers are vested in our courts and it is the duty of courts to determine disputes between individuals and government or government agencies. Where a party to a proceeding transfers title to the property in a dispute, such attitude is an affront to the authority of our courts and the same will not be condoned

“The trial judge of the lower court erred in law when he held that the revocation of the appellants’ title to Plot 3119 Maitama, Abuja, was valid even when the purported revocation was not carried out following Section 28 of the land,” the family said.

The court has yet to fix a date for the hearing.

Perils of LG Electoral Commission

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Perils of LG Electoral Commission

NIGERIA’S brittle federalism is under a serious threat. After a dubious Supreme Court judgement granted financial autonomy to the 774 local governments, anti-federalist forces are at it again. This time, it comes in the form of a bill in the Senate that has passed the first reading. Sponsored by the Chairman, Committee on Finance, Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), the ‘Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024’ is to establish a federal agency to conduct LG elections. This is preposterous.

It is a power grab, another assault on federalism, without which Nigeria faces existential threats. Indeed, elections are local, and it is absurd that the centre tries to impose its whims on the federating units at all costs.

Before now, Section 197(c) and the Third Schedule 4 (B) of the 1999 Constitution vest in the State Independent Election Commission powers to organise LG polls. In the Third Schedule Part II (F), the Constitution established the Independent National Electoral Commission to organise general elections. This is sensible because Nigeria is supposed to operate in federalism.

Among others, the President will appoint the chairperson and members of the NILGEC to conduct elections every four years. This is not an antidote to dodgy elections. It grants omnibus power to the centre, which is open to abuse. It is simply replacing the tyranny of the state governor with that of the President, who wields enormous power already.

Moreover, the President is not an independent observer in LG elections, and his partisan leaning toward his political party might taint his appointments to the NILGEC. This should be avoided at all costs. It is a minus that the President wields overarching powers in the appointments to the INEC board.

Over the years, the major complaint is that some state governments do not conduct LG polls regularly. Instead, they impose illegal caretaker committees on LGs. In the states that organise elections, the polls are notoriously one-sided. These are strong arguments, but weak for a federal body to take over the conduct of LG polls in a federal polity.

First, the polls conducted by INEC are also tainted by rigging, ballot stuffing, violence, and logistics issues. Recent general elections have recorded low voter turnout – the election that brought in Bola Tinubu as President in February 2023 recorded a paltry 27 per cent voter turnout. INEC-organised elections are marred by pre- and post-election litigation.

A note by Kimpact Development Initiative said 1,209 petitions were filed after the 2023 general elections. This is a deluge, costing INEC and the petitioners millions to prosecute. Worse, even the off-season governorship elections reach the Supreme Court.

Second, the NILGEC is anti-federalist; it advances the unitary form of government. In a country with over 250 ethnic nationalities, this is perilous. It undermines the crusade for restructuring.

Third, with the economic situation, it is unwise because it creates another cost centre. It advances the big government syndrome. Nigeria has 1,316 MDAs according to the Federal Civil Service Commission. The Federal Government has tabled a bill to establish the Ministry of Livestock. Although Tinubu pledged to implement the Steve Oronsaye report, the NILGEC repudiates this.

Unlike in other decent polities, Nigerian lawmakers do not link the creation of MDAs to a funding source. This is bad governance ethos.

Nigerians are losing interest in democracy. Therefore, the National Assembly should discard the bill. Lawmakers should concentrate on reviving and deepening federalism. This is the way out of the country’s political woes.

The state governments should unite against any bill that further constricts their sphere of constitutional influence in this warped federal arrangement. Since this is a constitutional issue, states’ parliaments should refuse the bidding of the federal lawmakers.

Diddy allegedly ‘paid’ $1m for 2Pac’s assasination

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Diddy allegedly ‘paid’ $1m for 2Pac’s assasination

Popular American Rapper Sean Diddy Combs has been linked to an alleged involvement in the murder of Tupac Shakur with court documents alleging that he paid $1m to have the late rap icon assassinated.

According to the U.S.SUN, a court document filed by the prosecutor in charge of Tupac’s murder case had mentioned the artist more than 70 times, stating that Combs has been accused by the man currently being prosecuted for the murder – gangster Duane “Keefe D” Davis – of paying $1 million for Tupac’s assassination.

Combs is named 77 times in papers filed on Thursday by his various pseudonyms, including Puffy, Puff Daddy, and Puff, and his real name is Sean Combs.

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Dangote invited to invest in Gabon amid accusation of monopoly

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Dangote invited to invest in Gabon amid accusation of monopoly

When he is being accused of plans to monopolise the oil sector in Nigeria, the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has been invited by President Brice Nguema of Gabon to invest in cement and fertiliser production in the country.

According to a statement by the media office of Dangote Group, the billionaire was invited to explore investment opportunities in cement and fertiliser in Gabon.

“President Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon has invited the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, to invest in cement and fertiliser production in Gabon.

“The President urged Dangote to explore potential investment opportunities in the country’s cement and fertiliser sectors, specifically urea and phosphate production,” the Dangote Group stated.

According to the statement, Dangote had talks with Nguema and other top government officials during the visit.

“The talks focused on how Dangote Industries could contribute to Gabon’s economic growth by establishing cement and fertiliser plants, which are vital for the country’s infrastructure development and agricultural productivity.

“President Nguema expressed enthusiasm about the potential partnership, highlighting Gabon’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investments.

“He noted that the collaboration with Dangote Industries would bring significant benefits, including job creation, technology transfer, and enhanced industrial capacity,” the statement added.

Dangote had underscored his company’s dedication to fostering economic development on the continent.

He emphasised that investing in Gabon’s cement and fertiliser sectors aligned with Dangote Industries’ strategic vision of expanding its footprint and supporting sustainable development across Africa.

“We expressed excitement about the opportunity to invest in Gabon, saying the goal was to contribute to the country’s economic diversification and industrialisation efforts.

“By leveraging our expertise in cement and fertiliser production, we aim to support Gabon’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors,” Africa’s richest man noted.

Dangote Group said the visit signified a significant step towards deepening economic ties between Nigeria and Gabon.

The company said that as it continued to explore and finalise investment opportunities, both nations anticipated mutual benefits that would propel economic progress and regional integration.

“The potential investment by Dangote Industries in Gabon is expected to bolster the country’s industrial landscape, ensuring a steady supply of essential materials for construction and agriculture.

“This development aligns with President Nguema’s vision of transforming Gabon into a diversified and self-sustaining economy.

“In the coming months, further discussions and assessments will be conducted to finalise the investment plans. The collaboration between Dangote Industries and the Gabonese government holds promise for a robust partnership that will significantly impact Gabon’s economic landscape,” it added.

Recall that Dangote recently said the company would no longer invest in steel to avoid being tagged as a monopolist.

This came after the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, stated that the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery had a higher sulphur content than imported ones; a claim Dangote described as an attempt to demarket his refinery.

Ahmed also said the country would continue to import fuel to stop the Dangote monopoly.

Mayhem as Fubara, Wike’s supporters clash in Rivers

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Mayhem as Fubara, Wike’s supporters clash in Rivers

A baby was reportedly tear-gassed and became unconscious on Wednesday as supporters of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, clashed with the loyalists of ex-governor Nyesom Wike in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the clash happened during a government medical outreach in the  Eliozu community, Obio/Akpor LGA.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that trouble started when officials of the state Ministry of Health were carrying out a medical outreach for women at the Eliozu Health Centre.

It was gathered that no sooner had the programme started than some supporters allegedly loyal to the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, arrived at the venue to find out the reason for the gathering.

The venue is said to be near the residence of  Amaewhule, who is the leader of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.

But supporters of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Chijioke Ihunwo, loyal to Fubara, who were at the venue allegedly stopped them from accessing the venue, leading to a heated argument and subsequent clash.

Following the fisticuffs, stones were pelted from several directions, as the medical outreach was disrupted abruptly.

A few minutes later, a team of anti-riot policemen arrived at the scene, firing teargas to disperse the opposing groups and quell the situation from getting out of hand.

It was gathered that a child was tear-gassed during the mayhem and became unconscious.

The situation led to the relocation of the medical outreach to a state-owned medical facility at the Waterlines axis of Port Harcourt where the programme was launched.

Reacting to the incident, the Obio/Akpor CTC Chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, accused Amaewhule, of leading policemen to disrupt the outreach.

Ihunwo stated, “This morning there was an incident at the Eliozu Health Centre where the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led some security men to disrupt a programme by the Ministry of Health.

“A few minutes later, some policemen came and started beating up our women, shooting tear gas at pregnant women who were at the Health Centre.

“We want to say that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not be under siege. We want to call on the President, Bola Tinubu that the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the FCT are tarnishing the image of your government.

“We are calling on you to rein them in so that Rivers State can have peace. Let the FCT Minister concentrate on his job in Abuja and leave our dear governor alone.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.

Iringe-Koko, in a short message to our correspondent, said the police responded to a distress call over the scenario, adding that the investigation was ongoing.

She stated, “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community today, 24th July 2024, where supporters of two separate political factions were engaged in a fight.

“The police responded by sending operatives to the scene to restore law and order.

“The police deployed anti-riot tactics, including the use of canisters, to disperse the crowds. An investigation into the matter has been initiated.”

Terminal operators pledge support for Dantsoho

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Terminal operators pledge support for Dantsoho

The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria has said that the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has all it takes to reposition the agency for improved efficiency and increased revenue generation.

The group disclosed this in a congratulatory message to the new NPA boss on Tuesday, signed by its chairman, Vicky Haastrup.

Haastrup lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing a professional from within NPA to head the agency.

“On behalf of the STOAN, we extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Abubakar Dantsoho on his well-deserved appointment as the MD of NPA,” Haastrup said.

She said that the appointment was a testament to his hard work, dedication, and expertise in the industry.

“I do not doubt that he will excel in leading the NPA to greater heights. His leadership and vision would undoubtedly have a profound impact on the agency and the industry as a whole,” she said.

Dantsoho was appointed as NPA managing director by President Bola Tinubu on July 12, 2024, to succeed Mohammed Bello-Koko.

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Construction begins at Midoil refinery

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Construction begins at Midoil refinery

Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited has finally performed the turning of sod ceremony, marking the commencement of construction activities in Lagos.

The turning of the sod took place at Shekungba, Ikosi/Ejinrin Local Council Development Area of Lagos State recently.

 The Executive Chairman of Midoil, Mrs Elizabeth-Omolara Akintonde, led dignitaries to the large expanse of land spanning various communities at Ikosi/Ejinrin Local Council Development Area.

Akintonde assured leaders and members of the communities that the refinery would transform their areas by bringing immediate development, creating both direct and indirect jobs.

She commended the village heads for refusing to be misled by some individuals who tried to bribe them to renege on their agreements.

Akintonde, whose 74th birthday coincided with the turning of the sod, stated that the Midoil refinery would boost Nigeria’s energy landscape with a refining capacity of 100,000 barrels per day.

“All these bushes you see today, in the next couple of months, you will see them no more,” Akintonde stated, assuring the people of her determination to see the project to reality.

 One of the Directors of Midoil and Chairman of Serenecity Staff Housing Estate, Hajia Amina Abdullahi, expressed joy that the project had finally commenced after over a decade delay.

“We have faith in God that we will witness the inauguration of the refinery. We know this is a big project that will go through many processes, but with the turning of the sod today, we have taken the right step,” she stated.

A founding member of the proposed refinery, retired Justice Olusola Hunponu-Wusu, opined that the country needed more refineries to boost its refining capacity and stop fuel importation.

Hunponu-Wusu advised the country to ramp up its current low oil production, expressing confidence that feedstock would not be a setback when the Midoil refinery finally comes on board.

While performing the turning of the sod, the Bishop of Lagos Anglican Communion, Ifedola Okupevi, prayed for the completion of the project at the right time.

 The According recalls that the Chairman of Midoil, on March 17, 2024, signed agreements with the representatives of Shekungba, Arogbo and Ererufu, presenting cheques to the host communities.

She explained that a large expanse of land was acquired from the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, stating that the land allocation letter was received from the Lagos State Government on April 24, 2014.

“Subsequently, on January 24, 2017, we got the licenses to establish the refinery from then Department of Petroleum Resources,” she remarked.

Akintonde said: “It has taken Midoil 10 years to secure interested investors that are willing to invest in Nigeria and our project. But to the glory of God Almighty, we now have three consortiums of investors willing to invest $5bn with us.

 “The sourcing of the required funding from overseas has been the major reason for the delay.”

Lagos plans e-registration of interstate motor parks

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Lagos plans e-registration of interstate motor parks

The Lagos State Government has disclosed its plan to introduce the digital registration of interstate motor parks across the state as part of measures to ensure the security of citizens.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists which was organised by the ministry at Ikeja GRA on Tuesday evening.

Osiyemi said, “We all know the importance of creating a safe environment for our people, so to this end, we will soon begin the digitalisation of interstate transportation. Lagos is the new London; people ‘japa’ from different states to Lagos and the influx of the people in the state necessitates that we get complete data of people that come in and go out of buses at our interstate parks.

“So, we are in partnership with consultants who are working with us on all our interstate parks whereby there will be a standardisation of these parks. We will have the numbers of the state parks in the ministry, so we will classify each park into grades and they will be labelled and registered with the ministry.

“Anyone that uses that park will have their details taken electronically and we will know those that go in and come out of Lagos. This is to ensure collective security, proper planning and efficient transport structures in place.”

Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, noted that the activities of fake traffic enforcement officers extorting motorists had been reported to the ministry.

“Unfortunately, these fake traffic enforcement officials play on the people’s intelligence. But once we get a report, we will act. We already have a standing army that is dedicated to addressing this issue but the problem is we don’t always receive complaints on time because people would rather go on social media to report rather than report to us,” he stated.

Last week, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olawale Musa, promised to arrest and prosecute illegal personnel who hid under the pretext of enforcing traffic laws to extort money from motorists across the metropolis.

Shareholders decry attack on Dangote refinery

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Shareholders decry attack on Dangote refinery

The Progressives Shareholders Association of Nigeria have slammed the attempts to demarket the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals built by Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote.

In a statement made available to The According on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of PSAN, Bisi Bakare, expressed dismay over recent allegations from the petroleum regulatory agency regarding the quality of diesel produced by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority Farouk Ahmed, came under fire recently for comments on the Dangote Refinery, with many Nigerians demanding his resignation.

Even the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend Ahmed pending the conclusion of the investigations of allegations against what it called the unguarded statement by the CEO.

In the statement from the shareholders on Wednesday, Bakare commended Dangote for his visionary approach to establishing one of the world’s foremost refineries in Nigeria. She highlighted Dangote’s commitment to national development, stressing his patriotism and resolute character through substantial investments like the refinery.

“Dangote has ensured that the bulk of his business investments are local, contributing significantly to economic development through tax payments, extensive job creation, and consistent returns for shareholders, “Bakare stated.

She went on to condemn what she termed as “unwarranted efforts to demarket the refinery” by regulatory bodies and cautioned that such actions could deter both local and international investors and undermine government efforts to stabilise fuel prices and ensure availability.

“We must rally around Dangote Refinery,” Mrs Bakare urged, “to provide crucial support such as crude oil allocation, cooperation from international oil companies, and regulatory agency collaboration.”

She stressed the refinery’s potential to save Nigeria significant foreign exchange currently spent on offshore refining, which could alleviate the country’s foreign exchange challenges.

“As shareholders,” Mrs Bakare affirmed, “we remain steadfast in our support of Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision to bolster the nation’s economy and create more opportunities for our citizens.”

PSAN has become the latest to join the list of Nigerians rallying support for Dangote in the ongoing spat between it and the authorities.

Individuals and associations such as the President of the African Development Bank Group Akinwumi Adesina; billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola; federal lawmakers; former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; former Anambra state governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture; and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria have all voiced their support for Dangote Refinery.

Bakare emphasised that Dangote’s efforts are crucial in providing local solutions to Nigeria’s refining needs and reducing dependence on imports.

She also highlighted the potential positive impacts on job creation and economic stability that the Dangote Refinery represents, reiterating the importance of supporting local industries.

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