TOP STORIES: President Buhari signs Executive Order 14.

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed an Executive Order on the Facilitation and Management of Presidential Transitions.

This development was made public in a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday.
The President also revealed he has approved the establishment of a Presidential Transition Council, which would be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

Buhari wrote: “I have signed Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 on the Facilitation and Management of Presidential Transitions. The new Executive Order puts in place a legal framework for the seamless transition of power from one Presidential Administration to another.

“I have also approved the establishment of a Presidential Transition Council, to be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to facilitate and manage the 2023 Presidential transition programme.”

CBN issues fresh promise to commercial banks over new Naira scarcity.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Thursday promised to supply commercial banks with plenty of funds to address the new Naira note scarcity in Kogi State.

Kogi CBN Branch Controller, Ahmed Sule, made the vow while speaking with NAN in his office in Lokoja.
Recall that protesters had on Wednesday picketed some commercial banks over purported non-compliance with the apex bank’s directive to make the new notes available to citizens across the nation.

According to Sule, the scarcity of the new Naira might have resulted in some commercial banks not opening for customers on Wednesday and Thursday.

He said, “I wish to announce to you that we’re expecting our stock of the New Naira notes very soon for distribution to the commercial banks operating here in Kogi.

“We’re aware of the difficult times our fellow citizens are in right now, and we expect the [commercial] banks to help ameliorate the people’s sufferings by dispensing as we so directed them.
“We’ll soon invite them [commercial banks] to come for their allocations as we’re expecting it today, being Thursday.
“What we give the banks is weekly allocations and a very substantial one for the week.”

The Nigeria Police Force has described the call for the sack and imprisonment of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Alkali Usman Baba, by some retired police officers who claimed to have gotten a judgment for their reinstatement into the Force as baseless and mischievous.

It would be recalled that some retired police officers went to the National Industrial Court in April 2022 to challenge their retirement. Judgment was however delivered in their favour by the court. The said judgment, which has been appealed in suit number: NICN/AB/21M/2023 filed by the Nigeria Police legal team on Wednesday 8th February, 2023, and is currently in court awaiting a hearing and subsequent judgment on the appeal, is inconsistent with the provisions of the Public Service Rules on the basis for retirement from public service.

Force spokesman CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement noted that, “For the records, the said retired police officers joined the Nigeria Police Force as recruit constables in 1984 and 1986 respectively. Having served for ten years and over, they were privileged to be admitted as Force Entrants into Cadet Inspector Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the Nigeria Police Academy in 1994, 1996, and 2000 respectively. It is pertinent to note that “Force Entrant” is a scheme by the Nigeria Police Force where deserving officers with requisite educational records are upgraded to a higher cadre after a brief training period at the Police Academy or at any approved Police College, and as such, not a fresh appointment.

Essentially, this implies that the service duration of such officers continues counting and does not automatically restart. Therefore, according to the Public Service Rules, the retired officers, having served in the public service and received salaries as required by law, cannot insist on remaining in service beyond the legally permitted period. Consequently, the purported call for their reinstatement is strange to the law and unrealistic.

It is imperative to emphatically state that the Nigeria Police Force has filed a motion for a stay of execution while the appeal is slated for hearing at the Court’s convenience. The Nigeria Police hereby urges members of the public to discountenance publications that were widely circulated in the news, calling for the sack of the IGP on the above grounds as they are baseless, malicious, and mischievous.

The Nigeria Police assures the public of its continued commitment to entrenching respect for the rule of law both within the policing system and in the discharge of policing services to the general public.

IGP orders posting/redeployment of DIGs, AIGs, CPs to various departments, commands, formations.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, has ordered the posting/redeployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to Departments, Commands, and Formations in line with his manpower development policy of placing round pegs in round holes.

According to a statement by the Force spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi who noted that DIG Danmallam Mohammed, fdc, has been redeployed to the Department of Finance and Administration while the following Assistant Inspectors-General of Police have been posted to take up the duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police in charge of the following Departments of the Force as indicated against their names; to DIG Department of Training and Development – AIG Hafiz M. Inuwa, mni; to DIG Department of Research and Planning – AIG Aji A. Janga, mni; to DIG Department of Operations – AIG Adeleke A. Bode, mni. AIG Habu Sani Ahmadu has been posted as Force Secretary while AIG Shuaya’u Lafia Abdulyari assumes office as the AIG in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Similarly, the following Senior Police Officers have been posted to also take up the duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Police Commands as indicated against their names –
i. AIG Police Mobile Force – CP Matthew Akinyosola, mni
ii. AIG Zone 6 Calabar – CP Jonathan Towuru, mni
iii. AIG Zone 2 Lagos – CP Sylvester A. Alabi, fdc
iv. AIG Zone 11 Osogbo – CP Akande Sikiru Kayode
v. AIG Zone 17 Akure – CP Abimbola Adebola Shokoya

In line with the IGP’s mandate and strategies to strengthen the operational structures of state commands, the Police Boss has equally ordered the provisional posting of the following Commissioners of Police to Commands indicated below pending the approval of the Police Service Commission;
i. CP Adamawa State – CP Adebola A. Hamzat, fdc
ii. CP Ogun State – CP Emeka Frank Mba, mni
iii. CP Taraba State – CP Suleiman A. Yusuf, mni
iv. CP Lagos State – CP Idowu Owohunwa
v. CP Ebonyi State – CP Faleye E.S. Olaleye

The IGP has therefore charged the newly posted officers to hit the ground running to ensure the mission, vision, and policy statements of his administration are effectively complied with in the areas of crime-fighting, public cooperation, and safety. He also called for support and cooperation from members of the public to enable the newly posted senior officers to perform optimally on their mandate.

The posting is with immediate effect.

2023: APGA Has No Guber Candidate In Abia – Appeal Court.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has declared that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has no governorship candidate for the 2023 election in Abia State.
A unanimous verdict of a three-member panel of justices read by Justice Stephen Adah on Wednesday ruled that the failure of the party to conduct a valid primary within the time set by law robbed it of the opportunity participate in the elections.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had in December 2022 nullified the May 29, 2022 primary of APGA in Abia on the grounds of irregularities in the conduct.
The court presided by Justice Binta Nyako then ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary within 14 days.
The primary has been marred by controversy with Prof Greg Ibe, Etigwe Uwa and Chikwe Udensi all laying claims to the governorship ticket.

Naira Swap: Supreme Court Lacks Jurisdiction To Entertain The Suit – AGF.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to dismiss a suit filed by three state governments challenging the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
In a preliminary objection filed by the AGF through his lawyers – Mahmud Magaji and Tijanni Gazali – the Federal Government argued that the Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

In court filings dated February 8, 2023, the AGF contends that “the plaintiffs have equally not shown reasonable cause of action against the defendant.”
They are asking the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
Citing grounds in support of the objection, they argue that the State Governments’ suit challenges the Federal Government through its agency, the CBN, to withdraw old banknotes from the financial system and introduce new ones.

With reference to Section 251 of the Constitution, the defence lawyers argue that the suit falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in matters of monetary policy of an agency of the Federal Government.
“The claims or reliefs are not against the federation, but the Federal Government and its Agency, the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is distinct from the Federation or the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Plaintiffs have no grievance whatsoever against the Federation of Nigeria.
“This suit has disclosed no dispute that invokes this (Supreme) Court’s original jurisdiction as constitutionally defined,” the AGF added.

Three state governments – Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara –  had sued the Federal Government over the naira redesign policy of the CBN.
In the suit filed on February 3, the states urged the Supreme Court to compel President Muhammadu Buhari, the CBN and commercial banks to rescind the February 10 deadline for the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes as Nigeria’s legal tender.
Ruling on an ex parte request by the plaintiffs, the Supreme Court, ordered the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the currency redesign policy pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Osun Guber: INEC Appeals Election Tribunal judgement.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has appealed against the judgement of Justice T. A. Kume led Election Petition Tribunal in Osun State on 44 grounds.
INEC filed the the petition at the Court of Appeal in Akure, through its lawyer, Paul Ananaba (Senior Advocate of Nigeria) on Wednesday.
The electoral body said the election petition tribunal erred in law by failing to consider and rule on the various preliminary objections filed by the 1st respondent challenging the competency of the petition and jurisdiction of the Election Petition Tribunal to hear the Petition but proceeded to determine the merit of the Petition.

The petitioners, Former Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, and his party, All Progressive Congress faulted the declaration of candidate of People Democratic Party, Ademola Adeleke on 17th of July, 2022, by the electoral body as the winner of the July 16th governorship election in the state.
Oyetola said APC premised their petition with reference no: EPT/OS/GOV/01/2022, on Adeleke’s eligibility to contest and over-voting and the Tribunal on 27th January, 2023 declared Oyetola as the validly elected Governor of the state.
The appellant said the Tribunal totally misconstrued Section 47(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, which must be read purposefully, communally and holistically to arrive at the true intention of the legislature and justice.
INEC sought an order of the Appeal Court to set aside the whole decision of the trial Tribunal and dismiss and/or striking out the Petition for want of competence and jurisdiction.

Fuel, Currency Scarcity: TUC Gives FG Seven Days Ultimatum.

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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), yesterday gave the Federal Government seven days ultimatum to make fuel and currency available to Nigerians, failure of which it would call out its members for a nationwide industrial action.
The TUC in a statement by the President, Festus Osifo and the Secretary General Nuhu Toro, said it has already puts its members on red alert.

“Congress is however, not going to wait in perpetuity for the political leadership to put on its thinking cap. Therefore, we demand that the Federal Government within seven days, beginning from Tuesday 7th February, 2023 provides a solution to the twin problems of currency unavailability and fuel shortages,” the statement read.
The labour centre said it shall be monitoring the situation closely and will give further directive should the situation not improve.
“All State Council executives are hereby put on red alert,” it said, adding that Nigeria belongs to the people, not to the government or the birds of passage who hold power.
The TUC leadership said the centre would be willing to make the needed sacrifices, if necessary, to salvage the country.

It lamented that like the rest of the Nigerian populace, is bewildered that the country is being dragged through the twin crises of currency and fuel shortages.

According to the labour centre, never in the history of the country have Nigerians been subjected to so much pain, sorrow and anger which threatens to boil over into the streets, “Indeed, pockets of protests have broken out in some states.”
It stated, “Nigerians have never been subjected to the nightmare of being unable to access their hard-earned money in the banks leading to business closures and inability to pay for food, transportation and medical bills amongst other necessities.
“Also, the situation where the populace is forced to buy Nigerian currency or part with a significant percentage of cash just to get access to their own money is disheartening and evil. It is unacceptable that a country of laws with a plethora of government and security services in place is unable to curb these crimes against the people and bring perpetrators to book.”
The Congress warned the politicians that it is not interested in the blame game going on in government and political circles, neither is it fascinated by the endless promises and assurances made by the Federal Government that the situation will soon be brought under control.

But rather it expressed that it is bothered that even the smaller denominations of N100 naira notes and N50 notes that were not affected by the Naira redesign, paradoxically are not in circulation anywhere in the country.
“President Muhammadu Buhari needs to give a marching order to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the commercial banks to make available the legal tender, unconditionally to Nigerians without further delay,” it charged.

The TUC leadership opined that all it demands is the immediate return to normalcy so that Nigerians who are already subjected to an unprecedented runaway inflation, can have access to their hard-earned money.
It added that the lengthy explanations on why there are long queues at fuel stations and prices of PMS being far above the official price can no longer be tolerated.

“All we demand is that petrol returns to fuel stations and is available at the official price across the country,” the Congress stated, warning that the time for government to act is now before the situation gets out of hand and the populace take matters into their own hands.

2023: INEC Must Sanction Mr. Agbaje For Insisting On Using MC Oluomo’s Committee – Shaibu.

Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos, Olusegun Agbaje.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said it was curious that Agbaje had insisted on using the Lagos State Park and Garage Management Committee led by Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
Shaibu described as watery Agbaje’s excuse that INEC would not be able to use the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) because they had been barred in Lagos State.
He stated, “The law Is clear that only a court has the power to proscribe an organisation. That was why the Federal Government had to go to court to proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).
“What Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu did in Lagos State was to arbitrarily announce a ban on the activities of the NURTW because the organisation suspended MC Oluomo, the APC’s henchman. INEC must not promote illegality by working with a partisan organisation which is filled with APC members that are working for Bola Tinubu.

“How could such people be given sensitive materials to be distributed across Lagos on election day? This has already undermined the possibility of a free and fair election. INEC must sanction Mr. Agbaje for insisting on using MC Oluomo’s committee despite protests from members of the public.”
Shaibu recalled that Agbaje was the REC who superintended over the 2018 governorship election rerun in Osun State.

He added, “Recall that It was Mr. Agbaje who superintended over the fraudulent and violent Osun governorship rerun which produced Gboyega Oyetola as governor. US Consul General, John Bray was spot on when he stated, ‘We witnessed what appeared to be incidents of interference and intimidation of voters and heard reports of harassment of party monitors, journalists and domestic observers.”

Shaibu noted that even election monitoring groups like the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) dismissed the Osun rerun as “fraudulent and anti-democratic”.
He added, “We remind the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, that this will be his last general election before the end of his tenure. We ask him to protect his legacy by removing Mr. Segun Agbaje if he insists that MC Oluomo must be the one to handle sensitive INEC materials. This election must not only be fair but it must be seen to be fair as well.”
Shaibu noted that as of Wednesday morning, over 17,000 Nigerians had signed a petition on Change.Org titled, ‘Remove Olusegun Agbaje as the Lagos INEC Commissioner for Incompetence and Bigotry’.

Agbaje has been under fire for the last one week following his comments over the inability of a large number of non-indigenes in Lagos to vote.
While explaining the development on Channels Television, Agbaje, stated that people of the southeast migrated to Lagos and engaged in double registration hence their inability to get their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC).
“We call on Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu to remove the Lagos REC, Mr. Agbaje, as his credibility is seriously in doubt. Again, we call on INEC not to use the MC Oluomo-led partisan organisation to distribute ballot papers on election day.”

INEC Chairman, Yakubu’s Meets With FEC.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday, briefed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on the preparation of the commission for the 2023 general elections.

The FEC meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Yakubu after the meeting assured Nigerians that the general elections will hold as scheduled on February 25 and March 11, 2023.

Speaking after the meeting Yakubu said, “It was a general briefing. On the eve of major elections, the commission is invited to brief the council. It is also invited to brief the council of state. The briefing with the council of state is going to take place on February 10.
“So basically, it is about the readiness of the commission to conduct the election. So, we took members of the council through all the preparations that we have put in place for the election and the few challenges that we are facing and the steps we have taken to address those challenges.

“I can tell you two of these challenges quickly. The first one is the availability of petroleum products. We had a meeting with the National Union of Road Transport Workers and they raised that as an issue of concern. Immediately after that meeting, we interfaced with the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and right now there’s a technical community working. The idea is for them to avail use the use of their over 900 land mega stations as well as floating mega stations nationwide for the purpose of stocking products to ensure that the commission doesn’t suffer any encumbrances in the movement of personnel and materials for the elections.

“The second one is the currency issue. Again, we had an engagement yesterday with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. And he assured us that the commission will not suffer encumbrances on that score. Fortunately for us, all our accounts, national and state are with the apex bank.

2023: Elections Must Hold – North, Southern Leaders Insist.

Eminent leaders from the north and south, yesterday, tasked the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the February and March general elections are held as scheduled.
The leaders Identified as The Compatriots made the call in a statement by its Chairman, Victor Attah, after meeting with presidential candidates of some political parties in Abuja.
The call Is coming among claims that some fifth columnists are frantically seeking the postponement of the general election fixed for February and March.

The group also called on Nigerians to ensure INEC’s integrity and competence were protected in order to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.  It also warned that no segment of the society should be disenfranchised.
“The Compatriots met with presidential candidates of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Kola Abiola,  Wole Adebayo of Social Democratic Party (SDP), representative of the Labour Party candidate and running mate of Peter Obi, Datti Baba Ahmed, and representative of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna.

“The other two invited candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were unable to attend. The meeting was part of a series of engagements with major stakeholders in the forthcoming elections.
“Based on their combined presentations and answers to specific questions, the interactive session revealed the collective and exceptionally high quality of the contestants, their profound understanding of the critical issues and their strong commitment to the democratic process.
“It was also clear that individually and collectively, there is a strong commitment to the development of the inalienable fortunes and power of the citizen to shape the future of our country.
“The Compatriots saw a powerful alignment between its objective of ensuring the citizen’s sovereignty is protected and the collective commitment of parties present to ensure an electoral process that protects all interests.

“At the end of a very useful and inspiring meeting, the following resolutions were reached:
“INEC’s integrity and competence should be protected by all stakeholders and Nigerians. It is necessary, however, to insist on the utilisation of capacities that represent independent audit of its systems and processes from now until the elections;
“Candidates and their supporters should recognise that all Nigerians look forward to this election as being the one that will produce a leadership that will make a difference between further decline and sustainable greatness;
“Nigerians expect a decent contest, a credible election, and a peaceful transition to great leadership from all three arms of government;

“Losers should accept defeat or seek redress in the court. At all costs, the elections must hold, and we must avoid throwing the country into crises over the elections;
“All Nigerians, who have registered, should be availed opportunities to vote. These include allowing those who are legally registered to collect their PVCs, and improving the security environment so that it does not disenfranchise voters on election day;

“The judiciary has a vital role in improving the quality of our democratic process, and this election will provide it with an opportunity to exercise its responsibility with the highest level of integrity and impartiality;
“Government should take steps to relieve the citizen of severe difficulties under which he lives at the moment. This will greatly improve the atmosphere under which the elections will hold;

“Students in tertiary institutions represent a critical segment in the entrenchment of our democracy.  Government should allow students the time and all opportunities to vote in the elections;
“Politicians should recognise that the elections are about the citizen’s right to freely exercise choices, and not just about the ambitions of the contestants;
“Nigerians are worried about negative campaigns which include damaging rhetorics and actions which strip contestants, one of whom we expect to be elected president soon, of dignity and respect;

“More Nigerians should be availed opportunities to see contestants discuss issues and contest ideas and strategies in the most mature manner as was witnessed at this meeting;
“For the new government to enjoy legitimacy and general support from the citizens, among other things, there must be an emphasis on ensuring credible elections.”

“Irrespective of who wins the election, the new president will take over a sharply divided nation along regional, religious, and tribal lines with huge security issues.

“Consequently, the new government must immediately focus on the reconciliation of national grievances and strengthening of accountability and removal of impunity from governance.
“The candidates and the compatriots agreed that the polarisation of the nation and the insecurity issues are fuelled by unfairness, inequity, and injustices.

“It was agreed that the new president will inherit a fractured nation and must immediately embark on a journey of reunification.
“The Compatriots should collaborate with whoever wins the election to address these triple evils.

“The Compatriots believe that because of the diversity and composition of the group which represents the major tribes, religions, geo-political zones, the three generations, and all the major social cultural groups, the new administration will gain instant credibility with Nigerians by partnering The Compatriots.

“The Compatriots expressed gratitude to the contestants who accepted their invitations and have been encouraged by the realisation that Nigeria does have aspiring leaders who, given the opportunity, will lead it well,” The Compatriots said in the statement.

Senator Nwaoboshi Rearrested, Jailed Over N805 Million Scam.

The lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial district at the National Assembly, Peter Nwaoboshi, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed the latest development in a statement via its website on Wednesday.

Recall that the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal on the 1st of July, 2022 sentenced Senator Nwaoboshi to seven years imprisonment for money laundering.

But the lawmaker who was not present in court at the time of the ruling went underground and refused to present himself to the Nigerian Correctional Service.

However, the lawmaker was intercepted by operatives of the EFCC at a Hospital in Lagos on Monday, February 6, 2023.
Senator Nwaoboshi was remanded in Ikoyi Custodial Centre on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, to commence his prison term.

2023: We Didn’t Push For Election Postponement – APC.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied a media report that it is pushing for the postponement of the 2023 general elections.
A report emerged on Tuesday evening that the ruling party is putting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to shift the 2023 general elections.

But in a statement on Wednesday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the report that it is discreetly pushing for postponement of the polls as false and basless.
Morka stated that the false report is just a figment of imagination of those peddling it, adding that there is no iota of credibility in the reports.

The APC spokesman added that the report offers no substantive justifying content aside from its intended purpose of misleading and causing needless anxiety and speculations regarding the upcoming elections.
Morka added that the 2023 general election is matter of extreme national importance bordering on national security and corporate integrity and should not become a matter for idle, rash, or insensitive speculation by the media.

Naira/Fuel Scarcity: Buhari To Convene Emergency Council Of State Meeting Friday.

President Muhammadu Buhari will convene an emergency Council of State meeting on Friday to discuss the crisis bedeviling the nation.
It was gathered that some of the issues that will be discussed at the meeting are naira scarcity, petrol shortage, and insecurity ahead of the general elections.

The meeting which will be held at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 10 am, will also discuss the protests arising from the naira scarcity in various parts of the country.
According to Daily Trust, the meeting will take major decisions to douse tension ahead of elections and avert a potential national crisis given anger over the scarcity of new naira notes.
It was gathered that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, will provide an update on the new currency redesign policy to the council of state.

Also, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, are expected to brief the council on the preparation for the forthcoming elections.

Sanwo-Olu Approves 50% Transport Reduction, Creates Food Palliative, As Naira Scarcity Bites on.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday announced palliative measures to cushion effects of the crises on residents.
This is following nationwide tension caused by persistent fuel shortage and the debacle of currency exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),
In a statement on Wednesday, the governor directed 50 per cent fare reduction in all State-owned transportation services, effective Thursday.

Passengers using BRT buses, LAGRIDE taxi-scheme, First Mile and Last Mile buses, and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) will enjoy the palliative for the next one week, using their Cowry Cards.

The Governor also gave express permission to all fuel stations operating within Lagos to commence 24-hour operations to allow residents buy fuel without having to stay in queues for hours.

The controversy over the CBN currency exchange deadline, Sanwo-Olu said, has had dislocation effect on Lagosians, limiting their access to cash for daily transactions and making their means of sustenance difficult.
The Governor announced the establishment of food banks in various parts of the State for the distribution of food items to vulnerable families hit by the lingering crisis.

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