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APC chieftain urges end to protests in response to president’s appeal
By Francesca Hangeior
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged the organisers of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest to listen to President Bola Tinubu and end the protest.
Oyintiloye said that since the President had acknowledged hearing their grievances, they should embrace dialogue as suggested.
The APC chieftain, speaking to newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, said that the wanton destruction of property, looting, and killing of innocent Nigerians could not be justified in the name of a protest.
He noted that the reported killing of about 10 persons in Niger, Borno, Kano, and Kaduna during the protest was disheartening.
Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, acknowledged that there is no doubt about the hunger in the country but stated that going violent against the government and the people was not the best way to address the present situation.
He said shutting down a fragile economy like Nigeria’s for 10 days would be counter-productive, resulting in more suffering for the masses.
The APC chieftain also expressed dismay at the destruction of the federal government’s multi-million naira digital innovation park in Kano, among other properties.
Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, acknowledged the constitutional right to protest within fundamental human rights but stressed that the protest should be properly managed to avoid escalating into riots.
He said that the protest, which had resulted in killing, looting, and destruction, could no longer be described as a protest but a riot.
He added, “Such riot acts contravene section 71 of the Criminal Code Acts of Nigeria which explicitly states that ‘Any person who takes part in a riot is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.’
“Therefore, protesters must be careful not to allow their activities to be interpreted as a riot, which is a punishable offence.”
Oyintiloye noted that while the organisers of the protest might have genuine reasons for holding a peaceful protest, there were individuals, who could be described as enemies of the nation, who might want to use the protest to destabilise the government.
He appealed to the youths and the organisers to embrace dialogue, adding that President Bola Tinubu meant well for the country.
“I want to appeal to the youths and the organisers of the hunger protest to embrace dialogue and allow the President to do what is needed.
“Protest is a constitutional right, but killings, looting, and destruction of both government and private property are not permitted by the law.
“Let’s be cautious of the fact that there are some disgruntled individuals who are planning to use the protest to destabilise the government. We must not allow this.
“There is no doubt that there is hunger and poverty in the land, but we can rest assured that the President is doing his best to improve the economy, but this cannot be achieved within a year.
“Let’s give the President the chance to address the situation, and let’s embrace dialogue for the peace and stability of the country. The President has spoken; let’s listen to him and give the administration more time,” he said.
Oyintiloye commended the security agencies for their efforts in safeguarding lives and property during the protest and urged them to continue to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
He also appealed to the protesters not to provoke the security agencies, whose responsibility is maintaining law and order in society.
News
Agidigbo FM denies organising Oyo’s tragic children’s party sponsored by Ooni’s ex-wife’s foundation
Agidigbo FM, a prominent private radio station, has disclaimed involvement in the ill-fated children’s festive party that tragically resulted in multiple deaths on Wednesday morning in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The tragedy which struck on Wednesday morning at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan when a stampede occurred during a children’s Christmas party.
The station’s management clarified they were not sponsors or organisers of the event, contrary to initial reports. It identified the organiser as WINGS (Women In Need Of Guidance and Support), whose founder is Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Eyewitnesses report that many children were trampled in the chaos, with several others injured and currently receiving treatment at the University College Hospital in Ibadan.
The exact number of fatalities and injuries is still unknown, but the incident has sent shockwaves through the community.
Reacting in a press statement shared via his personal X profile, Governor Seyi Makinde also confirmed the multiple deaths during the stampede as reported by SaharaReporters.
He added that the organisers of the event had been arrested and that an investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause of the tragedy.
Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, was a key organiser of the tragic children’s festive party. Additionally, Agidigbo 88.7 FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, had actively promoted the event in the days leading up to the devastating incident.
A press statement signed by Olayinka Abdul Wahab, Director of Programmes at Agidigbo FM on Wednesday evening, however, denied the involvement of Oriyomi and its organisation in the planning of the event.
The statement reads: “This is to inform the general public that the management of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan, received the news of the tragedy that heralded the children’s fun fair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, organized by the WINGS foundation with great shock and wholeheartedly commiserate with the families involved.
“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds says that Agidigbo FM is the organizer of the children’s funfair. However, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organizer of the event but one of the media outfits used to promote the event.
“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5 am this morning at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitize the populace with jingles and public service announcements, from that time that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.
“The organizers of the event also did all they could to ensure that the tragedy was curtailed by deploying security apparatus, medical officials, and other relevant agencies to come to the aid of those affected by this tragic event.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Lagos for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at noon on Wednesday, December 18.
Tinubu had earlier today presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the 10th National Assembly in Abuja.
His arrival was disclosed in a post via the X handle of his Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, on Wednesday, December 18.
The caption reads: “President Tinubu arrives in Lagos where he will spend the Christmas. He is received by H.E #jidesanwoolu and members of the Lagos Executive Cabinet.”
Upon arrival at the Lagos airport, Tinubu met his ‘longtime friend’, Abiodun Ayo Yinka (a.k.a Papa Ajasco).
Disclosing this, Olusegun wrote: “Beautiful moment between PBAT and his long-time friend, Mr Abiodun Ayo Yinka (a.k.a Papa Ajasco) at the Presidential Wing of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.”
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https://twitter.com/TrendingEx/status/1869482391645106394?s=19
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has stated that the government of Nigeria paid N199 billion as electricity subsidy for December 2024, up from N194.26 billion in November.
The disclosure was made in NERC’s December 2024 Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) report, published on its website.
According to the report, Band-A customers continued to pay N209/kWh, while tariffs for customers in Bands B to E remained frozen at December 2022 rates.
However, the Nigerian government is expected to pay N29.10 billion in subsidies for consumers under Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) and N26.68 billion for those under Ikeja Electric.
The rise in subsidies is attributed to a higher exchange rate pegged at N1,687.45 per dollar, an inflation rate increase of 33.9%, and adjustments in available power generation capacity.
NERC also retained the benchmark gas-to-power price at $2.42/MMBTU, as determined by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Meanwhile, the Commission noted that tariffs would remain subject to monthly adjustments based on key indicators, including inflation, exchange rates, and gas-to-power prices.
Agidigbo FM denies organising Oyo’s tragic children’s party sponsored by Ooni’s ex-wife’s foundation
Video: Tinubu Arrives Lagos, Meets Old ‘Friend’ Papa Ajasco
How FG paid N199billion as electricity subsidy for Nigerians in December
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