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Rep. Agucha Responds To Planned Peaceful Protest By Group

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…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.
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PHOTOS Of Prisoners Who Escaped Borno Prison And Those Recaptured

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By Mario Deepromoter

Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday disclosed that about 281 inmates escaped from Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following severe flooding in the capital city.

NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, said the agency had alerted the Nigerian Immigration Service, and Nigeria Police Force among other security agencies to help recapture the fleeing inmates.

“Every security agency in the country has been notified and they are on alert to help track down the fleeing inmates wherever they may be. With their help, we will capture them and return them to our custodial centre,” Umar said.

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In a statement on Sunday, he said of the 281 fleeing inmates, seven had already been recaptured and returned to the facility.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment.

The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri as well as the staff quarters in the city.

“Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service, with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.

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Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on the ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody,” the statement read in part.

Abubakar further stated that details of the fleeing inmates had been made available to the public while noting that efforts were underway to track them.

“However, it is important to note that the service is in the custody of their details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public. The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate them. While this effort is ongoing, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” the statement added.

Recall that the flood affected many parts of Maiduguri, leading to the displacement of over 300,000 residents and the deaths of over 30 people, including children.

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Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Saturday said he was “seriously worried” that jailed Boko Haram terrorists might have escaped from the prison facility.

See Pictures Below;

Prisoners

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SEE new price of petrol across all 36 states

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By Mario Deepromoter

Despite the counter accusations by both Dangote Refinery and NNPCL over prices, the price list of petrol has emerged online.

According to reports, this is because NNPCL bought petrol at a higher price from Dangote Refinery on Sunday.

NNPCL also mentioned that Dangote Refinery sold the petrol in US Dollars, not naira, against the federal government’s directive.

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However, Dangote Refinery will sell its petrol in naira starting in October.

According to a breakdown from NNPCL, Dangote Refinery sold petrol to NNPCL at N898.78 per litre.

NNPCL paid Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fee of N8.99, inspection fee of N0.97, a distribution cost in Lagos of N15, margin N26.48.

NNPCL’s statement added that the estimated pump price in:
Lagos will be N950.22
Sokoto State N999.22
Kano State N999.22
Borno State N1,019.22
Kaduna N999.22
FCT N992.22
Oyo State N960.22
Lagos State N950.22
Rivers State N980.00
Imo State N980.22

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An analysis of the chart showed that except from Lagos State, other states of the federation will be paying higher because of distribution costs.

The distance from Dangote Refinery and NNPCL‘s depot in Lagos State to other states of the country majorly would determine the price differences.

The report also showed that the six geo-political zones would be paying differently.

The North East states would be paying the highest per liter from N1,019.22, followed by North West states from N999.22, followed by North Central states from N992.22, followed by South East states from N980.22, South South states from N980.22 and South West states paying the least from N960.22, except Lagos State paying from N950.22.

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At the time of filing this report, the presidency is yet to speak on the latest development.

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Rivers 2027: Ogoni powerful men snub Fubara, throw weight behind Wike

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By Mario Deepromoter

Political heavyweights from the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones have formally withdrawn their support for Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The leaders have dumped Fubara and lace their boots with the action packed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The leaders gathered on Saturday in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area, at an event tagged “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.”

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The assembly, which focused on fostering unity between the two ethnic zones, was heavily attended by politicians loyal to Wike, who remains locked in a bitter political feud with Fubara, his estranged protégé.

Prominent personalities, including Senators Barinada Mpigi and Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom, attended the meeting.

The group emphasized that after years of marginalization, it was time for Ogoni and Oyigbo to produce the next governor of Rivers State.

Speaking on behalf of the assembly, Senator Mpigi declared, “The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, a multi-political convergence of five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, met today to reaffirm their support for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and pledged total loyalty to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.

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“We also reiterate the obvious fact that the senatorial district’s upland is due for a governor and should produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2027.”

Tensions between Wike and Governor Fubara have been mounting, with Wike publicly withdrawing his support for his former ally.

Wike, who was instrumental in Fubara’s rise to power, has accused the governor of straying from their shared vision for the state.

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