News

Protests: Fubara bares his fangs on Tinubu, mobilises own protesters, lavishes millions on them

Published

2 months ago

August 2, 2024

Admin

…points at properties of perceived political detractors for destruction

Again, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has bared his fangs on President Bola Tinubu as he mobilises protesters, lavishing state funds on them to go on rampage.

This is happening after the President’s plea to eschew violence during the protests.

He also pointed fingers at properties of those he perceived to be his political enemies of the state for destruction.

The primary responsibility of government at all levels is to protect lives and property while balancing citizens’ constitutional rights.

However, in the interest of safety and security, governments often limit the enforcement of these rights. This delicate balance was put to the test in Rivers State, where a recent protest exposed a matrix of governance, disloyalty, and rebellion.

Despite President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s federal government being open to peaceful protests, it has consistently advised against violent demonstrations, which can be hijacked by malicious elements.

In line with this stance, government officials across the country, including state governors and appointees, have worked to minimize the impact of processions and rallies.

However, Rivers State, known for its loyalty to the central government, took a different approach. Governor Fubara allegedly ignored calls from the Federal government to mitigate the risks associated with the protest.

Instead, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Edison Ehie, mobilized youth groups, including past and present student union leaders, to meet with the Governor, ostensibly to plan a “peaceful” protest.

It was gathered that each of the leaders of these groups received N300,000 from taxpayers’ funds on the first day.

A subsequent meeting took place, where Mr. Siminialayi addressed the youths and told them to disregard warnings not to participate in the protest from “enemies of the state.”

Each attendee received N500,000, totaling N150 million for 300 youths. Various groups received N6 million each to mobilize for the protest, which went ahead despite resistance from the anti-rally orders of the Commissioner of Police in the state.

In what appears to be a shocking revelation, Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, has indicted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, criticizing his low democratic scorecard and failure to manage the economy and stem the tide of inflation.

Governor Fubara threw a jab at President Tinubu while responding to a crowd of protesting youths gathered in front of the Government House in Port Harcourt on August 1, 2024.

Governor Fubara espoused his views, saying, “I am in your protests. The demands are germane. Hardship. Bad governance. Before this government came, the exchange rate was below N300.00, but under this government, it is now N1,600.

” The cost of living, cost of food, house rent, high cost of medical bills.” He continued, “I am thanking you because you are here to demand a better Nigeria. Like I told you yesterday, I already know your problems. Our youth, I know that you are hungry. I agree with you that there is hunger. Before you leave here, I will give you a small thing, at least, to take and buy pure water and bread. Aluta Continua.”

The planned protest was hijacked by the Governor and his Chief of Staff to prove a point to the Federal Government that he had the support of the youths. Governor Fubara wants to show that it is time to revenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he now perceives as his political enemy.

During the protest, Governor Fubara acknowledged the success of the protest, confirming he knew it would be non-violent. He aligned with the youths while blaming the federal government for the people’s suffering due to failed policies.

News

Rupture In PDP Governors’ Forum deepens

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Ojomah Austin.

The evolving fall-out, which comes barely days to the contentious National Executive Committee (NEC) of PDP, followed a back and forth between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike and the Governors forum, who declared support for Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara to be made leader of the party in the state.

After a meeting with some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Bauchi on Wednesday, Governor Mohammed, said “According to our party’s constitution, any leadership vacancy should be filled by someone from the region where it originated,” stressing that Damagum would be replaced soon considering that he hails from North East and not the North Central.

Same day, Makinde, during the groundbreaking of the upgrading of Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, to an international airport, which was attended by another set of NWC members, led by Damagum, said he would support whatever decision the Damagum-led NWC would take to reposition the party.

Damagum, who is considered a close ally of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, was appointed acting national chairman after the removal of Iyorchia Ayu in June 2023.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP led by Senator Adolph Wabara, met with members of the National Assembly caucus in Abuja.

The close door meeting comes barely hours after the BoT met with Wike in Abuja.

While Wabara refused to comment on the essence of the meeting with the lawmakers, it was noticed that most of the lawmakers didn’t honour the invitation.

News

Tears As Man Takes Own Life Over Tinubu’s Govt Hardship

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

Sad development in Marika village, Kiyawa Local Government, Jigawa, where a 40-year-old man, Jibrin Adamu, committed suicide by hanging himself.

According to eyewitnesses, Adamu’s lifeless body was discovered in a classroom at Miftahul Khairat Islamiyya and Primary School Gurdiba on Thursday.

Police spokesperson DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary investigations revealed Adamu had struggled with mental health issues.

“Police received a report on Thursday that at about 1830hrs, a tragic incident was reported at the Command headquarters that one Jibrin Adamu ‘m’ age 40yrs of Jigawar Maroka village, Kiyawa LGA has committed suicide by hanging himself over the ceiling at Islamiyya school,” the Police spokesperson told Daily Post.

The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, CP AT Abdullahi, has instructed officers to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

News

Just in: Dangote Petrol Now Available at N765.99 Per Litre

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

11plc, Total Energies, AA Rano, and other marketers have begun lifting Dangote Petrol through Nigerian National Company (NNPC) Trading Limited for N765.99 to retail outlets nationwide.

Findings showed some petroleum marketers who were able to complete their payment process on the NNPC trading payment portal commenced the lifting of petrol earlier this week under the existing agreement between marketers and the refinery.

Tunji Oyebanji, managing director, 11Plc confirmed to BusinessDay on Thursday evening that some marketers have started lifting the products at N765.99 from Dangote Refinery through NNPC who remain the sole off-taker of product.

“We were among the first marketers to complete the payment on the NNPC portal. We have no direct arrangement with the refinery,” Oyebanji said.

It was gathered that NNPC Retail, 11plc, Total Energies, A.A Rano are among the marketers that have picked up products from the refinery.

He added, “We don’t know the contractual financial arrangement between NNPC and the refinery but what I can confirm is we are buying at N765.99 from NNPC to lift Dangote petrol”.

Efforts to get the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to confirm if its members have picked up products at the Dangote Refinery proved abortive at the time of writing this report.

See also Nigeria’s Petrol Landing Cost Revealed
Adedapo Segun, executive vice-president, downstream at NNPC said marketers cannot purchase petrol directly from the refinery because the product is still sold at a subsidised rate.

“That is the same thing happening with Dangote. I said earlier that Dangote is a company and it is going to sell at market price,” he told Journalists.

According to Segun, “The market value of PMS is still higher than what N766 or N765 or N799 that NNPC is selling.

“The situation has not changed there. So, NNPC’s off-taking is only because the others would not buy at the price Dangote will be willing to sell, which is reasonable.

“As soon as the price allows for it, you will see the marketers go to Dangote and buy.”