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NNPCL: Coalition accuse Rep Osawaru, others of collecting kickbacks, threaten recall for supporting Kyari, others

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Some Members of the House of Representatives, led by Hon. Billy Osawaru, have been threatened with recalls, over their support for the alleged corruption regime in the country’s oil and gas sector.

The Save Nigeria Proactive Coalition, SNPC, which made this known in a press statement on Friday, also accused Osawaru and others of receiving kickbacks to support the nation’s oil regulatory agencies.

This comes after the House of Representatives called for the investigation of the international Oil Companies, IOCs in Nigeria, for allegedly conspiring to frustrate the survival of Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals.

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The House had also demanded the sack of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA boss, Farouk Ahmed, with Mele Kyari of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL coming under serious pressure.

In a statement co-signed by its National President and Secretary General, respectively, Arome James Otairu and Bilikus Adamu, the Save Nigeria Proactive Coalition described Osawaru and his colleagues as “dishonourable members of the National Assembly who are masquerading as agents of the people, but their actions betray their true allegiance to corruption and mismanagement.”

The group, therefore, dared Osawaru’s other “faceless” lawmakers to publish their full identities and constituencies within the next 24 hours and see if their constituents would not recall them.

Additionally, the Coalition said it would not hesitate to mobilise Nigerians against Osawaru and his cohorts in Abuja, Lagos, and Kaduna, to force them to resign after Kyari and Ahmed might have been shown the way out.

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“We are outraged and disappointed by the actions of some so-called 50 lawmakers who rallied support for Mele Kyari and Farouk Ahmed, despite their glaring failures and incompetence in managing the oil industry,” the statement said.

“These dishonourable members of the National Assembly are masquerading as agents of people, but their actions betray their true allegiance to corruption and mismanagement.

“Their attempt to shield Kyari and Farouq from accountability is a clear indication of their complicity in the massive failure, corruption, and mismanagement that has characterised the oil industry under their watch.

“It is unacceptable that they would prioritize the interests of these failed appointees over the welfare of Nigerians who are suffering from the consequences of their incompetence.

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“We warn these lawmakers that their actions will not go unchallenged. Their constituents will not forget their betrayal, and they will be held accountable for their actions.

“We call on Nigerians to begin the process of recalling these lawmakers who have clearly demonstrated that they are not representing the interests of their constituents.

“Their threat to the investigative committee to be impartial is a clear indication of their desperation to cover up the truth.

“We demand that the committee ignores their threats and continues to uncover the truth behind the failures in the oil industry. Nigerians deserve to know the truth, and those responsible must be held accountable.

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“Furthermore, we challenge these lawmakers to disclose the source of the $10 million received to run their scheme, with only 12 lawmakers invited by Hon. Billy Osawaru, who is notorious for raising nebulous groups within the new members’ caucus to attract favour from the House leadership. This is a clear case of corruption and abuse of office.

“We demand that Kyari and Farouq resign and go home, or face the wrath of Nigerians who will not hesitate to call for their removal. Their continued presence in office is an insult to the intelligence and patience of Nigerians.

“We also call on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to address the crisis in the oil industry. The removal of Kyari and Farouq is a necessary step towards restoring sanity and accountability in the industry.

“Furthermore, we demand that these dishonourable lawmakers publish their full identities and constituencies within the next 24 hours. We dare them to make this information public and see if Nigerians will not recall them within 21 days.

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“Their constituents have the right to know their true representatives and hold them accountable. We are confident that once their identities are revealed, Nigerians will take swift action to recall them.

“Finally, we warn these lawmakers that their actions will have consequences. They will be forced to face the wrath of Nigerians who will not tolerate their antics forever.

“We will organise mass protests and rallies to demand their resignation and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. We will not rest until they are removed from office and replaced with true representatives of the people”, the Coalition added.

All efforts to get Hon. Osawaru’s response to this allegation proved abbortive, as his cellphone was switched off Friday morning.

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China Reaffirms One-China Principle, Commends Support From Nigeria

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…caution against engaging Taiwan’s unofficial representative office in Lagos
 
By Gloria Ikibah 
 
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has strongly reaffirmed China’s long-standing stance on the Taiwan issue, urging media professionals and the general public in Nigeria to continue supporting the One-China Principle as a matter of international law and diplomatic integrity.
 
Speaking during an interactive session, Ambassador Yu offered a detailed historical context behind the Taiwan question, tracing it back to the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki when Taiwan was ceded to Japan after China’s defeat. 
 
He emphasised that Taiwan was returned to China in 1945 following Japan’s defeat in World War II, citing two major international treaties. 
 
He said: “Which is not an equal agreement because China was defeated. So, according to the agreement, Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895. So that’s why, if you go to Taiwan, many people speak Chinese, even nowadays.
 
“Taiwan was returned to China in 1945, after the Second World War, because Japan was defeated. There are two international treaties. The first one is the Post-Taiwan Declaration. The second one is the Post-Taiwan Proclamation. According to those two international declarations, Japan should, under no condition, return Taiwan, and its adjacent islands, including Penghu and Jinmen and other islands, back to China. So it’s specified in international laws”.
 
The Chinese envoy also referenced the 1971 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognised the People’s Republic of China as the only legal representative of China in the UN. 
 
Yu praised Nigeria for its consistent and clear support of the One-China Principle.
 
“The UNGA took the Resolution 2758, which got the support of African countries, and that restored China’s seat in the UN, and expelled the Kuomintang from the UN, Taiwan from the UN. And recognized that Taiwan is part of China.
 
 “For Nigeria, Nigeria has followed, has abided by the One-China Principle very strictly. There is no ambiguity, no other room, there is no other interpretation. So we appreciate that,” he added.
 
He further noted the joint statement issued by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President, Xi Jinping, reaffirming Nigeria’s support for China’s reunification efforts. 
 
“When it comes to the Taiwan issue, you know, he said that Nigeria recognizes Taiwan, there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is part of China. The People’s Republic of China is the sole legal representative of China. And it also adds that the Nigerian government opposes any form of Taiwan independence. And the Nigerian government supports all the efforts of the Chinese government to achieve its reunification.”
 
 
He stressed that the Taiwan issue is 
“the core interest of China” and called for caution in how the issue is handled by Nigerian media and institutions. 
 
“It’s a red line. I would ask all of you, number one, you know, to follow this One-China Principle, as the government has done. That means that you will be very careful when it comes to the Taiwan issue. For instance, how do you use the name? You will see that Taiwan-China, or Taiwan-Province-China, or Taiwan-Region. It’s all fine. But not, you know, see Taiwan as a country.”
 
Ambassador Yu also warned against engaging with Taiwan’s unofficial representative office in Lagos. 
 
“Because there is still a three-representative office in Lagos, which was actually moved out from Abuja to Lagos. But still, the representative there is trying to make troubles. From time to time, you know, he tried to advocate the separation of Taiwan and Taiwan independence. So that’s why I would ask all of you to be very careful not to engage in any, how to say, activity with the government. Because he will try to use particular media as a platform to expand his, you know, ideas”, he warned.
 
This statement from the Chinese envoy comes as Nigeria and China continue to deepen bilateral ties under the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
 
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Senator Natasha on FB listed 3 politicians that should be arrested if anything happens to her

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The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken to her verified Facebook page to raise a serious alarm, alleging that her life is in danger following a reported attack on her family house in Kogi State.

In the strongly worded post, the Kogi-born lawmaker fingered some high-ranking political figures in Nigeria, declaring that should anything happen to her, the Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and the current state Governor, Usman Ododo, should be held accountable.

“Nigeria Police, I reiterate, should any harm befall me, Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ex Gov. Yahaya Bello & Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi state should be held responsible,” she posted.

Her statement comes, hours after her family home in Kogi was attacked, although details surrounding the incident remain sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

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Recall that this is not the first time the Kogi senator is making such allegations against the trio. She made the same statement few weeks ago during her homecoming to Kogi State where she accused the senate president, Akpabio and Yahaya Bello for plotting evil against her.

Senator Natasha has been a vocal political figure and critic of the ruling establishment in Kogi, and this latest development adds to the growing tension in the state and national political landscape.

Authorities are yet to issue an official response to her recent allegations.

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Emergency Rule: We should be thankful to President Tinubu -Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, saying he wanted the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the oil-rich state.

In a move that has continued to divide opinions, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly following months of political crisis in Rivers State.

But Wike said the president’s move saved Rivers from implosion, arguing that the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension was a step in the right direction.

The former Rivers governor said this on Friday in Abuja during a media parley with select journalists.

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“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.” Wike said.

However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.

“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”

In February, the Supreme Court waded into the months-long political crisis in Rivers State, asking the Martin Amaewhule-led members of the state’s House of Assembly to resume sitting.

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The apex court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop releasing funds to the Rivers State government over what it labelled as disregard for court orders. It dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker and asked the governor to re-present the budget to the lawmakers.

After weeks of back and forth between Amaewhule and the lawmakers over the budget re-presentation and moves to impeach Fubara, President Tinubu stepped in.

He suspended Fubara and his deputy and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, citing security reasons. Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the sole administrator, a step Wike said saved Rivers.

“Mr president came in and saved the situation, saved Rivers people from that calamity and anarchy,” the FCT minister argued.

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