News

Edo Guber Polls: Highest Theft, Electorate Clearly Robbed – LP Lawmakers

Published

6 hours ago

September 26, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

Members of the Labour Party (LP) in the House of Representatives have condemned the just concluded Edo State governorship election held last held on Saturday September21, 2024, describing it as “the highest theft of the season.”

The caucus claimed that the electorate were robbed of their votes and their democratic rights disregarded.

The Minority Whip and leader of the 33-member LP caucus in the House, Rep. George Ozodinobi, expressed this sentiment at a press conference on the outcome of the election on Tuesday at the National Assembly Complex.

Naijablitznews.com reports that in the polls, the LP’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, came in a distant third.

Rep. Ozodinobi emphasized that the Labour Party remains dedicated to upholding democratic principles and would not remain silent while the rights of Nigerian citizens are undermined. He therefore called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently address the issues raised and safeguard the integrity of future elections, particularly the 2027 polls.

He said: “Obidient movement tsunami is coming no person born of a woman will stop us. The Commission must work tirelessly to prevent similar discrepancies and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Edo State and reassure them that we will continue to fight for their rights and interests. We, members of the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives, strongly condemn the outcome of the Edo State governorship election, which many stakeholders including election observers, civil society organisations, believe does not reflect the true will of the people”.

According to the leader of the caucus, the Labour Party fielded the best candidate, but he was unfairly excluded from the process. He emphasised that Akpata, a distinguished legal professional and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, had garnered widespread support from the electorate. However, his efforts and standing in the election were allegedly sabotaged by what Ozodinobi termed “enemies of democracy.”

“It is on record that our leader and presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, His Excellency Peter Obi campaigned vigorously for our gubernatorial candidate in every nook and cranny of the state. Of course, the whole world witnessed the massive crowd that the Obidient movement pulled wherever he went during the campaign. Yet, Chief Akpata was allocated paltry votes in a state where LP just about a year and seven months ago had one Senator and two House of Representatives members. Very disgraceful of the perpetrator of this crime”, he stated.

Ozodinobi also raised concerns about the alleged irregularities that plagued the electoral process, including widespread vote buying by major parties, intimidation of voters, mass thumb-printing of ballot papers, and pre-writing and alteration of results.

“This criminal enterprise, aided by some elements within the state, including security agents and even officials of the electoral umpire, must be stopped. Such malpractice must not be allowed in any future election. Nigeria deserves a transparent electoral process devoid of interference from state agents or external forces,” he added.

News

Reps Urge NNPCL, Dangote Refinery to Allow Independent Marketers Lift Petrol

Published

10 mins ago

September 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery to allow independent marketers to begin lifting petrol from the new refinery.

This decision followed a motion by Rep. Oboku Oforji, who represents Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State.

During the debate, Rep. Oforji pointed out that although the Dangote Refinery started operations on September 15, 2024, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, only major marketers have been allowed to lift products so far.

He said, “The House is concerned that giving NNPCL and major marketers exclusive rights to lift fuel creates a monopoly, which is unfair. This is the same NNPCL that has mismanaged our crude and refineries for years.”

He added that if this monopoly continues, the fuel scarcity affecting Nigerians will persist, with harmful effects on the economy.

Rep. Oforji also quoted the late MKO Abiola, who had once criticized the lack of transparency and accountability in NNPCL.

“The House is worried that excluding independent marketers from lifting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is not beneficial,” Oforji said.

He further mentioned that representatives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) fear they may have to resort to importing fuel to keep their businesses alive.

The lawmaker commended Dangote Group for starting petroleum refining in Nigeria, stating that this could signal the country’s move towards energy self-sufficiency.

“The House recognizes that with this milestone, Nigeria is on the path to saving costs, attracting foreign investment, and boosting its economy through fuel exports and reduced foreign exchange spending,” he added.

Rep. Oforji emphasized that due to the high demand for fuel, it’s crucial that independent marketers are allowed to lift products from the Dangote refinery.

To improve fuel availability, the House urged Dangote Refinery to establish or collaborate to set up depots across the country.

Meanwhile, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has formed a panel led by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere to work with the Senate in investigating the petroleum sector crisis and finding solutions.

Other members of the committee include Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Rivers), Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), and Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), among others.

News

FG moves to allow payment in Naira to NIMASA, NPA

Published

54 mins ago

September 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The federal government is proposing the collection of charges, fines and others, by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), be in naira rather than in foreign currencies.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, spoke on Wednesday during a press briefing at the state house in Abuja.

According to Onanuga, the proposal is part of the economic stabilisation bills (ESBs) to be presented by President Bola Tinubu to the national assembly.

On Monday, the federal executive council (FEC) approved the economic stabilisation bills seeking amendment of tax policies.

Onanuga said the plan is part of an effort from the federal government to prioritise the use of naira and reduce pressure on the foreign exchange (FX) market.

“The second one has to do with the operating laws guiding NIMASA and Nigerian Port Authority (NPA). The amendment under that in the economic stabilisation bills is that all their fees, charges, levies, fines and other monies accruing to them and payable to those agencies will now be paid in naira at the applicable exchange rate,” Onanuga said.

“Hitherto, those agencies were charging in dollars but now collect it in naira. This government wants to put a lot of emphasis on our national currency instead of everything being dollarised in our economy.”

Since the unification of the naira on June 14, the country’s currency has significantly deteriorated, depreciating from N471.67 per dollar to N1667.42/$ in the official market as of Wednesday.

As part of its effort to reduce demand for dollars, the federal government said on October 1, it would commence the sale of crude oil in naira to the Dangote refinery and other local refineries.

News

Three arrested in Benin Republic over alleged ‘coup’ conspiracy

Published

2 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior.

Benin prosecutors announced that three notable individuals, including a commander of the presidential guard, have been detained under suspicion of orchestrating a “coup d’etat” in the small West African country.

The other two individuals accused of plotting a coup are a former sports minister and a businessman with close ties to President Patrice Talon.

Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, revealed that the alleged coup was scheduled to occur on Friday.

“It seems the Republican Guard commander responsible for the president’s security was recruited by Minister Oswald Homeky and Olivier Boko to carry out a forceful coup on September 27, 2024,” the prosecutor stated.

Homeky was apprehended around 1:00 am on Tuesday while transferring six bags of money amounting to 1.5 billion West African CFA francs ($2.5 million) to the commander, Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre.

Boko, a close associate of President Patrice Talon, was arrested separately overnight from Monday to Tuesday in Benin’s economic hub of Cotonou, the court disclosed.

He had recently hinted at his intention to vie for the presidency in 2026, as Talon is barred by the constitution from seeking another term when his second term concludes.