News

Confusion in Edo as INEC postpones collation of results

Published

3 hours ago

September 22, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

There is confusion in Edo State over alleged attempts to tinker with the result of the governorship election held on Saturday, September 21.

Sundry media reports said that there has been a stunnorn resistance of the planned attempt to relocate the collation centres contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Sprcifically, a report by TheNiche stated that after immense pressure from Governor Godwin Obaseki, his Delta State counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori and other stakeholders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), decided to postpone the collation of results of the governorship election to 10 am on Sunday, September 22.

In a statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, announced the development in the early hours of this morning following increased pressure from the PDP for the umpire to stick to the provisions of the electoral law, against an earlier decision to jettison collation procedures.

“This is to inform the general public, political stakeholders and observers that the collation of results for the ongoing Edo State Governorship election will resume today (Sunday) 22nd September, 2024 at 10.00am,” the REC said.

PDP supporters had stormed the State INEC office after the umpire had stopped collation in several local governments in Edo South and moved the exercise to the state party secretariat over supposed security concerns.

Governor Obaseki, his Delta counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori and other concerned stakeholders raised the alarm over the jettisoning of the collation procedures, as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the PDP, Osarodion Ogie Esq., noted that collation was halted in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area and moved to the State INEC office with party agents restricted from accessing the collation exercise.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State in the wee hours of today, Sunday, September 22, 2024, arrived at the head office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State.

The INEC head office in Benin, Edo capital, is the main collation centre for the ongoing governorship election.

Accompanied by his security aides, the governor walked into the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha. for a meeting which did not last more than 30 minutes.

Members of the All Progressives Congress led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa, led protesters to demand the exit of Governor Obaseki from the INEC premises about 3.30am.

Idahosa, who was shouting on top of his voice from outside the gate, demanded alongside others for the exit of the governor as he stated that he had no business being there.

He said, “Obaseki must come out. He is not supposed to be here. He is not an INEC staff member. Nigeria Police should not compromise.”

The protesters at interval tried to gain entrance into the premises of INEC, but they were prevented from entering even when they repeatedly banged on the gate.

At some point during the drama, the DIG in charge of the election, Frank Mba, came into the premises with his team and headed to where Obaseki was sitting.

Late Saturday night tensions were rising in the ongoing Edo State Governorship election as the INEC acknowledged a second complaint regarding discrepancies in polling unit results.

In a statement posted on its official X account late Saturday night, INEC assured the public of swift action, vowing to investigate allegations of incorrect figures being entered into result sheets. [With TheNiche report]

News

China-Nigeria Relations Poised for Growth Amidst Global Reforms

Published

2 mins ago

September 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as stakeholders say partnership key to economic and cultural growth

By Gloria Ikibah

As a fallout of the just concluded Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing, China, which had President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria in attendance, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has held a seminar focused on “Taking New Opportunities for China-Nigeria Cooperation in Deepening Reform in a New Era”.

During this recent visit, in addition to economic cooperation, President Xi Jinping of China and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and this agreement is expected to deepen political trust and strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, and international diplomacy.

In his welcome address the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Yu Dunhai emphasized the strengthening relationship between China and Nigeria.

The event gave insights into China’s ongoing reforms and their relevance to Nigeria, calling attention to the deep potential for collaboration between the two countries.

The Chinese Ambassador referenced the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which concluded in July 2023. This meeting according to him, emphasized comprehensive reforms aimed at advancing Chinese modernization.

Ambassador Yu, also explained that these reforms, which included over 300 key measures, play a crucial role in China’s continued development, even as he drew parallels between China’s past and Nigeria’s current situation, and stressed how similar reforms could benefit Nigeria’s growth.

He highlighted the historic significance of the Third Plenary Sessions in China’s transformation and said the 1978 session, which introduced reforms and opened China’s economy to the world, was pivotal in moving the country toward modernization.

Adding that over the last 45 years, these reforms have driven China’s rapid growth, raising its per capita GDP from $200 in 1978 to $12,000 by 2000.

The ambassador noted that Nigeria, with a current per capita GDP of approximately $17,000, is well-positioned for significant economic advancements, provided it adopts similar reform and development strategies.

Yu underscored the importance of continuous reforms, explaining that outdated policies can become obstacles to progress.

China’s success, according to him, lies in its ability to adapt and reform when necessary.

“This constant evolution has qualified China to become the world’s second-largest economy, surpassing Japan in 2010, and Ambassador Yu believes that Nigeria, with its large youthful population and abundant talent, can achieve similar milestones through dedicated reforms and sustained efforts toward modernization.

Another thing which was part of the conversation of Ambassador Yu, was the importance of opening Nigeria to the world, by drawing from China’s historical lessons, he cautioned against isolation, stressing that countries must learn from others while retaining their unique cultures and identities.

He cited China’s experience with electric vehicles (EVs) as an example of how opening up and fostering competition can drive innovation, especially as of today, China produces over half of the world’s EVs, a remarkable achievement he attributed to the country’s open market and global competition.

The Chinese ambassador therefore expressed optimism about the future of China-Nigeria relations, stating that both countries stand to benefit from deeper collaboration, even as he emphasized that his mission was to promote stronger ties between the two nations, working closely with various stakeholders in Nigeria to achieve mutual growth.

In his remarks, President of the China Alumni Association of Nigeria, Mohammed Sulaiman, emphasized the importance of cultural identity and partnerships in fostering national development.

Mohammed who is also the National President of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), drawing comparisons between Nigeria and China, underscored how China’s economic rise has been driven by a strong adherence to its cultural heritage.

He noted that many African countries, including Nigeria, have struggled with development because they often drift from their cultural roots in an attempt to mimic foreign models.

Suleiman who opined that China’s success in maintaining its cultural traditions while pushing for economic reforms is something Nigeria can and should learn from, and stressed that Nigeria must focus on its own identity to create sustainable development.

According to him, “If China can become a global power by staying true to its culture, why can’t Nigeria do the same in Africa?”

Emphasising on the growing relationship between Nigeria and China, particularly in infrastructure projects, he noted that Nigeria has benefitted from China’s investments, such as the expansion of railways and seaports, which have created jobs and boosted the economy. For example, the construction of rail lines across the country has provided employment opportunities and improved transportation, which in turn supports trade and commerce.

In addition to infrastructure, the Alumni President applauded the trade relationship between the two nations, and stated that Nigeria’s trade with China reached $22.6 billion in 2023.

Sulaiman also discredited the notion that China is merely dumping goods in Nigeria, and emphasised that China is a significant buyer of Nigerian raw materials, and called it a “win-win situation” for both countries.

However, he warned against relying solely on international partnerships and urged Nigeria to develop its own reform strategies, much like China’s periodic review system, to ensure steady progress.

“We cannot just sit and wait for things to happen because we are partnering with China,” he stated.

He also touched on social reforms, recommending for a revival of traditional Nigerian culture, an expansion of education and healthcare, and increased civic engagement, as he believes that these cultural and social changes are essential for Nigeria to achieve true development and strengthen its position on the global stage.

In conclusion, Sulaiman called for enhanced nationalism and a stronger focus on the values that define Nigeria, even as he urged the country to deepen its reforms in line with its cultural identity, following China’s model of balancing tradition with modernity.

“Nigeria must develop its own deepening reforms alongside China’s,” he said.

He added that this approach will help the nation secure its place in the world.

The seminar provided a platform for attendees to understand the significance of China’s reforms and how they might inspire Nigeria to chart a similar path toward modernization.

With China’s support, Nigeria could leverage new opportunities for economic development and global cooperation.

News

NDLEA intercepts N14.9bn opioids, arrests octogenarian, community leader’s wives, son +Photos

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

. . As Iran-bound drug mule excretes 76 wraps of cocaine at Kano airport

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a total of Twenty-Five Million (25,000,000.00) pills of tapentadol, an opioid three times stronger than tramadol and Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (350,000) bottles of codeine-based syrup at the Tincan port complex in Lagos.

The seizures were made on Tuesday 17th and Friday 20th September 2024 from three containers which had been on the watchlist of the Agency following processed intelligence. As a result, the NDLEA had requested for 100% joint examination of the shipments with men of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies. The 25 million pills of tapentadol have an estimated street value of Thirteen Billion Seven Hundred and Twenty-Five Million Naira (N13,725,000,000.00) while the codeine consignment has an estimated street value of Two Billion Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N2,450,000,000.00), bringing the total value of the seizures to Fourteen Billion Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N14,950,000,000.00).

The tapentadol consignment packed in 500 cartons was discovered in one of the containers on Tuesday 17th September while another container examined same day contained 175,000 bottles of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine packed in 875 cartons. The third container containing 175,000 bottles of CSC cough syrup with codeine was examined on Friday 20th September.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Lagos State Strategic Command of the Agency on Friday 20th September arrested an 80-year-old grandfather, Pa Aremu Shojobi with 14 kilograms of cannabis at his home in Iyana Ipaja area of the state. In his statement, the Octogenarian claimed he has been in the business of selling illicit drugs for 25 years. He further claimed he gets his supplies from Benin republic, and sells to his customers from his residence between 7am and 10pm every day.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Wednesday 18th September raided the two homes of a community leader and Sarkin Yamma of Badagry West LCDA, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Talba, where a total of 226kg of cannabis was recovered from his two wives and son. Though Alhaji Talba is currently at large, a search of his house in Ashipa area of Seme Badagry led to the recovery of 93 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 57.6kg from his first wife, Asma’u Bashiru, 35, and son, Sadat Bashiru, 22, while another search of his house at Aketegbo area of Seme Badagry led to the seizure of 302 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 168.6kg from his second wife Hauwa Bashir, 42.
No less than 720 blocks of Arizona, a strain of cannabis weighing 390kg were also recovered from a Mitsubishi delivery van marked MUS 720 XH at Ojo area of Lagos on Monday 16th September.
At the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 15th September arrested a 38-year-old drug mule, Okafor Ifeanyi Anthony while attempting to board a Qatar Airlines flight to Iran via Doha with 76 wraps of cocaine in his stomach. After three days in excretion observation, Okafor excreted the 76 pellets of the ingested cocaine weighing 1.267kg.

In Kogi state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway on Tuesday 17th September recovered 700,000 pills of exol-5 coming from Lagos for distribution in Kano and Kaduna, while a suspect Udemefuna Chibuike, 23, was arrested by operatives on Friday 20th September along Mokwa-Jebba road, Niger state, in possession of 49,000 tablets of tramadol, 20,000 tablets of diazepam, 100 ampoules of tramadol injection and 50 bottles of cough syrup with codeine.

A total of 451 blocks of cannabis weighing 213kg were intercepted along Azikiwe road, Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Wednesday 18th September, by NDLEA officers who apprehended a suspect Ogochukwu Paul, 33, conveying the consignment to a notorious drug haven in Borikiri.

While operatives in Plateau state on Friday 20th September arrested a wanted suspect Jonathan Ali Abuttur, 46, at Agingi- Rukuba road Bassa LGA in possession of 808kg of cannabis sativa concealed in 68 bags of sugar and fertilizer, their counterparts in Kwara also nabbed Shaibu Musa with 28kg of the same psychoactive substance.

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Rayhaan Model Academy, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state; Government Day Secondary School, Danrimi, Malumfashi LGA,Katsina state; Technical College, Ihe-Achi, Oji River LGA, Enugu state; Corpus Christi College, Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti state; fresh students of Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele Ibadan, Oyo state; traders at Agboju market, Festac town, Lagos and the palace of Oloola of Ilara, Oba Mutiu Adedimeji Lawal Oyede and his chiefs, at Ilara, Ogun state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of Tincan, MAKIA, Lagos, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Kogi, Edo and Kwara Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

News

Wasted bandit kingpin, Halilu Sububu reportedly died with Gov Lawal’s treasures

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Security analyst Col. Anthony Wonah (Rtd), has shed more light on the reasons why Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, embarked on media campaign against the Federal Government and his predecessor, the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

“In my opinion, one among the reasons why Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal is attacking Matawalle is because of the neutralization of some bandits kingpins terrorising the northwestern region, especially Halilu Sububu, who is believed to be Dauda Lawal’s right hand man in gold mining business, which I think happened to die with Dauda untraceable fortunes, that’s number one.

“Two, Gov Dauda Lawal is seeing the current Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle as his potential nightmare against 2027 general elections, so long as he remains in office as the defense Minister,” Said Col. Anthony during a lecture he delivered in Abuja at the weekend, tittled, “150 tactics to stop terrorists funding”, which was organized by a non governmental organisation.

In Col. Anthony words: “Dauda Lawal’s style of governance is quite different from other sitting governors, looking at the way he abandoned his expected responsibilities as a Governor, to embark on blame games to cover up his weakness, adding that, “Dauda Lawal should have known that any government must inherit assets and liabilities.

Col. Anthony also urge Governor Dauda Lawal to fully explain to Nigerians the motive behind the already leaked memo where some bandit kingpins were captured as beneficiaries of hundreds of Millions of Naira including late, bandits kingpin Halilu Sububu, and the reshufflement of Treasury Staffs after the memo was leaked.