News

Rep. Agucha Responds To Planned Peaceful Protest By Group

Published

4 weeks ago

August 25, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…reiterate commitment to constituents, Abia state

By Gloria Ikibah

Member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Obi Aguocha has responded to a planned peaceful protest by a group under the auspices of “Niger Delta Youth Peace Builders”, scheduled to hold in Abuja on September 4th, 2024.

Rep. Aguocha who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia state alleged that the group was being sponsored by “certain individuals defeated in the last general election and vowing to declare the Abia State governorship seat vacant in 2027, whilst fully being in cahoot with an aspirant to the Abia local government election”.

According to the Abia lawmaker, the said Niger Delta group is allegedly being sponsored, all expenses paid, to fly in and host paid agents in posh hotels within Abuja to protest under the guise of lack of constituency projects, accountable representation, and the management of rice palliatives in Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency.

In a statement signed by the Media Team, Rep. Aguocha said he fully respects and recognizes their right to a peaceful assembly of citizens and of expression as enshrined in section 40 of 1999 constitution as amended.

“These rights are fundamental to our democracy. We encourage them to carry out their activities peacefully and in compliance with the extant laws”, he stated.

The lawmaker however expressed concerns on the safety and well-being of all his constituents, regardless of their political persuasion, and urges them to ensure that their protest remains a positive and constructive engagement.

In response to their demands Rep. Aguocha questioned the involvement of a Niger Delta based group in the affairs of his constituency and said it has political undertone.

He also reiterated his commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability and assured to continually provide regular updates to his constituents.

The statement reads further: “However, we would like to take this opportunity to address the concerns raised in their notice;

“Constituency Projects:

Hon. Obi Aguocha has consistently worked hard to secure viable projects, including infrastructure and human capital development opportunities in the Appropriations Act 2024, for our federal constituency. The Appropriation Act is an open source and easily verifiable. This is in line with his avowed campaign promises for projects aimed at improving the lives of our great people.

“These projects will be executed when funds are released by the federal government to contractors for their implementation. However, it is significant to note that projects in the Appropriation Act do undergo rigorous due process, including their award to eligible contractors who have bidded for them. It is also significant to understand that NO government project funding at any level is released to the account of any Honourable Member.

“Accountable Representation:

Accountability has always been at the core of Hon. Aguocha’s public and community service to his constituents. He has sponsored fifteen [15] bills to him name and co-sponsored three [3], including the South East Development Commission Act 2024. These are open and easily verifiable facts on the official website of the House of Representatives.

“He has consistently engaged with his constituents, holding regular meetings, interative radio shows and in other social media platforms listening and attentive to the needs and concerns of his constituents, including his continued bold and courageous demand for the unconditional release of his brother and constituent, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from political detention, among others, in the gap of injustice.

“Management of Rice Palliatives:

As the Honourable Member has repeatedly posited. The distribution of rice and now fertiliser palliatives will be carried out in the thirty-two [32] wards of our federal constituency with utmost care and fairness, ensuring that those most in dire need receive support.

Any allegations of mismanagement are entirely unfounded and are being used by mischief makers as tools of propaganda. We stand by the integrity of the processes we intend to use for the rice and fertiliser distribution. We welcome any genuine concerns or otherwise minded, to be brought forward through appropriate channels for redress”.

Aguocha expressed his unalloyed commit to serving the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency; even as he prayed that the planned protest be conducted peacefully.

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.”