The presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has reminded the Judiciary of its ‘bounding duty’ to protect society’s value system after the apex court adjourned the appeals challenging the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25 election.

It would be recalled that a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court led by John Okoro, on Monday, adjourned the appeal for judgement after taking the arguments of lawyers to the parties to the case.

Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) are challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was declared winner of February 25th general elections.

Speaking in a lengthy post on Tuesday, the LP candidate in a statement shared on X and titled: “THE RULE OF LAW AND THE CREDIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP” stressed the judiciary’s role in upholding transparent rulings.

Obi maintained that the rule of law remains the lifeblood of democracy and the foundation for all fundamental rights as humans, adding that when the fairness and transparency of the judiciary is not assured, the rule of law will come under severe threat.

 

What Akeredolu Discussed With Southwest Governors In Ibadan.

Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has disclosed details of his meeting with Southwest governors during a meeting on Tuesday.

Governors present at the meeting, held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, includes, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.

Sharing photos of the visit via his X handle, Akeredolu said he met with governors from the region to discuss national and other issues affecting the region and the people. He appreciated the Governors’ solidarity and harped on continuous collaboration among the Southwest States.

Lawmakers Summon CBN Gov Over Decision Of Lifting Ban On 43 Forex Items.

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has been summoned by the House of Representatives regarding the decision to lift the forex ban on 43 items.
Recall that the said items, including toothpicks, and cement, among others, were initially restricted from accessing forex in 2015.

As a result, importers of these commodities were compelled to obtain foreign exchange from the black market, often at inflated rates. However, days after the ban was lifted, the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday passed a resolution during plenary, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Sada Soli, a lawmaker from Katsina, to summon the CBN governor.

This summon comes at a time of heightened volatility in the FX market, following the consolidation of all trading windows into the investors’ and exporters’ (I&E) window.

While moving the motion, Soli expressed concern that the decision could result in the closure of factories and ultimately weaken the nation’s ability to develop the local economy. He emphasized that the Nigerian economy would be negatively affected by this decision, and there was a possibility that “middlemen” could exploit the new policy.

 

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso, on Wednesday, upturned the appointment of the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.

The state government announced Redeemed Pastor, Olaoye as the new Soun and made him king, on September 8, 2023.

The stool became vacant after the demise of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, in December 2021, at the age of 95 years after he reigned for 48 years.

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde had approved the appointment of Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomosoland.

 

APC reacts as INEC removes Bayelsa Guber candidate in forthcoming elections

The Bayelsa Gubernatorial Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged its supporters not to be deterred by the delisting of its candidate for the Nov. 11 poll, Chief Timipre Sylva.

This is contained in a statement issued in Yenagoa by Mr Perry Tukuwei, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Council on Wednesday.

“The Bayelsa APC Gubernatorial Campaign hereby urges our dear people of Bayelsa not to be deterred with recent happenings in the polity as we match towards the victory post at the Nov. 11 Governorship Election.

“We are clearly miles ahead with a well thought out Renewed Hope for Bayelsa agenda as well as resounding successes recorded in campaign activities across communities culminating in the decision by people of the state.

“To look the way of Chief Timipre Sylva and Joshua Maciver as the next Governor and Deputy Governor respectively.
“Our dear people of Bayelsa, do not fear. Do not be discouraged. We are on course with no distractions,” he said.

He added:“Our lawyers are very well on top of the situation as we expect victory at the Court of Appeal. We will win.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday published the list of candidates for the election without the name of the APC candidate in compliance with the ruling of a Federal High Court that disqualified him from the election.

The APC had filed an appeal challenging the court decision and applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the outcome of the appeal. (NAN)

 

Free Fall Of Naira Shows CBN Leadership Incompetent – Reps Deputy Spokesman.

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said that the new leader of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is not meeting with the expectation of Nigerians.

Agbese shared his concerns during a courtesy visit from elder statesman and former Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh.

The lawmaker argued that the current leadership of the apex bank is not different from the previous one led by Godwin Emefiele.
On Monday the naira had fallen to N1,200 per dollar in the official market.
Reacting to the development, Agbese asserted that the spike in the exchange rate of the dollar shows the new leadership is ‘incompetent’.

It Is Not Initial Gra Gra, Something Will Happen – Wike Warns Abuja Residents.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has reiterated his resolve and commitment to get things done the right way in Abuja.

Wike on Tuesday during a meeting with the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo cautioned those thinking he would soon calm down to have a change of heart and be ready for what will happen.

According to him, he and the FCT Minister of State have the political will to take steps against defaulters of ground rents in the territory and ensure such persons offset their outstanding liabilities.

The Minister warned that once the grace period is over, actions would be taken to revoke such plots. He added that the era of abandoned projects in the FCT was over.

CAC uncovers 189 fake companies.

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has uncovered 189 companies it described as fake, saying they were registered by fraudulent lawyers, in collaboration with unscrupulous staff, to deprive government of revenues.

New CAC Registrar General, Hussaini Magaji, disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, barely a week after assuming office. He told reporters that a syndicate of criminals that specialises in operating numerous unregistered companies was nabbed by the commission and handed over to the police for prosecution.

Magaji said: “One of the milestones achieved upon my assumption of duty is our ability to bust a ring of criminals that are creating havoc in the commission. About 189 fake companies have been identified, used by this group of persons to secure lands.”

“We discovered that these non-existing entities collaborate with lawyers who claim to be accredited agents with the commission. They also work with staff of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to perfect their nefarious activities.

They collaborate with some staff of the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS), make applications at the AGIS and take priority over existing applications. With collaboration of security agents, we arrested the suspects and they have volunteered some information.”

He said the persons were arrested following complaints by FCT authorities asking CAC to verify applications made by some entities. He said upon inquiries, the commission discovered the companies were not in existence.

“The nature of their crime is that they create a fake entity, apply for land at the FCTA, manoeuvre their way to have priority over an existing application, and take over land,” he added.

 

Senate reopens probe of N11.35tr TAM cost, N1.6tr loss on refineries

The Senate in Nigeria is investigating the wasteful management of the country’s refineries, especially the high costs associated with Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) and other expenses, including a loss of N1.6 trillion on the moribund assets. The refineries are currently undergoing rehabilitation for $2.2 billion.

The Senate has constituted an ad-hoc committee to probe the contracts awarded for the refineries’ rehabilitation. Nigeria’s refineries have a history of mismanagement and underperformance, despite significant financial investments.

The Senate is also looking into the commercialization of state-owned refineries, involving the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Additionally, the Senate has justified the purchase of expensive Toyota Landcruisers for some of its members and defended the need for these vehicles. This move has drawn criticism from the public, considering the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.

The investigation into the refineries’ financial management is part of broader efforts to improve efficiency, accountability, and sustainability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

 

Gumi Using Threats To Secure Negotiation Contract With Bandits – Igboho.

Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has accused Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, of using subtle threats to secure his negotiation contract with bandits.

The Islamic cleric also labelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as “Satan” for receiving the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, in his office and planning to collaborate with Israel over security issues in Abuja.

In a statement made available to reporters on Tuesday, Adeyemo berated Gumi over comments that the nation’s security cannot be left with Christians and Southerners.
Adeyemo said Tinubu’s choice of his ministers and their activities should not be used as a decoy by Gumi to obtain the job of negotiating with bandits, as he did under the immediate past government of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

He warned Gumi to refrain from fanning the embers of disunity in Nigeria with his inflammatory statements, which he claimed were capable of causing disaffection among the citizenry.

President Tinubu Orders Implementation Of Tax Reform Committee Report.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a quick and immediate implementation of the recommendations made by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee across ministries, agencies, and departments of the federal government.

The President gave the order on Tuesday, October 24, after receiving the report on the quick-win achievements of the committee from its chairman, Taiwo Oyedele, at the State House, Abuja.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, told newsmen in Abuja that Tinubu also directed his Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, to liaise with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Oyedele to give effect to the directive.

Furthermore, the President is set to present the recommendations to the Federal Executive Committee (FEC) during their meeting on Monday.

Senate Gives Reasons For Purchasing Exotic Vehicles For Lawmakers.

The 10th Senate led by Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, justified the purchase of 360 Sports Utility Vehicles for lawmakers.
The decision of the lawmakers in the Red Chamber to purchase exotic cars has been widely condemned in the country.

The Chairman of the Committee on Senate Services, Sunday Karimi, during a press conference on Tuesday, however, stated that Nigerians are picking on lawmakers but ignoring ministers who have about four official vehicles.

Karimi said, “Somebody that is a minister has more than three Land Cruisers, Prado and other vehicles and you are not asking them questions, why us?

“These vehicles that you see, go to Nigeria roads today, If I go home once, my senatorial district, I come back spending a lot on my vehicles because our roads are bad.
“I said the decision that we took on using Land Cruiser is the cost and durability.

Why Abia, Imo, Ondo States Should Be Removed From NDDC – Edwin Clark

Prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark has called on President Bola Tinubu to remove Abia, Imo and Ondo states from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to the elder statesman during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the three states were initially included for the sake of convenience.

He argued further that the presence of Abia, Imo and Ondo States in the 2000 NDDC Act is a political aberration as they are not part of the Niger Delta.

Clark therefore called on President Tinubu to re-enact a new bill for the Niger Delta oil production states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Cross River and Akwa Ibom because according to him, the three states have to be removed for the NDDC to succeed.

U.S Court Declines Request To Compel FBI, CIA, IRS To Release Files On Tinubu.

A United States District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington D.C, has denied a request for an urgent release of President Bola Tinubu’s confidential records compiled by American law enforcement authorities.

An American transparency activist, Aaron Greenspan, had filed a motion to order the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other U.S. bodies to immediately turn over records they scheduled for release before the end of October.

Greenspan filed the emergency request after Tinubu deployed lawyers to fight against the release, saying it would violate his privacy, among other statutory rights.
He said Tinubu was trying to stall the release of the documents to foreclose any impact the disclosures may have on the ongoing election dispute at the Nigerian Supreme Court.

But in a ruling on Monday, Judge Beryl Howell denied the hearing to compel the immediate release of the documents, saying that no hearing to determine the merits of the motion is necessary.

Judge Howell, in her decision, said Greenspan did not adequately justify his request for an urgent hearing on his motion for expedited release of records, especially against the need to protect Tinubu’s interest.