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AYM Shafa, A.A. Rano, Matrix challenge Dangote’s refinery dominance in court

Bankole ABE
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AYM Shafa, A.A. Rano, Matrix challenge Dangote’s refinery dominance in court

Three oil marketers have jointly filed a counter affidavit to dismiss a suit initiated by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The marketers AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, in their response, dated November 5, 2024, and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, contest Dangote Refinery’s claims that the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) violated Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing import licenses to the marketers.

According to the marketers, granting Dangote Refinery’s application would have disastrous consequences for Nigeria’s oil sector, as it would lead to monopolisation.

They emphasised that Dangote Refinery does not produce enough petroleum products to meet daily national consumption and failed to provide evidence to support its claims.

The marketers argued that they are qualified to receive import licenses under Section 317(9) of the PIA, having met all necessary legal requirements. They urged the court to dismiss Dangote Refinery’s suit, which named Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, and five other companies, including the three marketers, as defendants.

Dangote Refinery’s originating summons, dated September 6, 2024, alleged that NMDPRA’s issuance of import licenses violated the PIA and hindered local refineries like itself. However, the marketers countered that they fulfilled all conditions for import licenses and that Dangote Refinery’s suit aimed to dominate the oil sector.

“The import licenses issued to the defendants by the 1st defendant are in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, and other relevant laws,” the marketers claimed.

They maintained that the competitive pricing of petroleum products in Nigeria would be eliminated if Dangote Refinery were granted the monopolistic authority it sought in the current lawsuit. Highlighting how such a move will worsen the already dire state of the nation’s economy.

They also claimed it would “unleash untold hardship on Nigerians, all of which constitute a recipe for disaster in the polity.”.

The marketers clarified that Nigeria will lose energy security if she puts all of her energy eggs in one basket by prohibiting the importation of petroleum products and permitting the plaintiff to be the only manufacturer and supplier of petroleum products in Nigeria, with the freedom to set the prices at which it supplies the products.

They added that the nation will be thrown into a heated mess of an energy crisis if the refinery fails because it is a monopolised sector.

They also informed the court that granting the plaintiff’s requested relief was intended to leave Nigeria and Nigerians at the plaintiff’s mercy about the availability and price of buying petroleum products in the nation.

The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, fixed January 20, 2025, for a further hearing of the matter.

The ICIR reported that the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) insisted that the price of premium motor spirit, also known as petrol, it planned to import by December will be cheaper than the current rate if healthy competition is promoted in the sector.

In a statement by its national public relations officer, Joseph Obele, on Monday, November 4, the group said competition must be allowed in a deregulated environment.

Obele disclosed that the group had incorporated a business unit that would enable it to bring in petrol before December.

It disputed the allegation by Dangote Refinery that the marketers intend to import substandard products at a cheaper rate, saying the claims were not surprising.

PETROAN disclosed that it was not aware of the cost of petrol from Dangote Refinery until the refinery released a press statement on Sunday, November 3.

The ICIR has earlier reported that the chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday, October 29, urged petroleum marketers, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to source petrol directly from his refinery to meet local demands.

National grid collapses for second time in three days, tenth in 2024

Mustapha USMAN
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National grid collapses for second time in three days, tenth in 2024

NIGERIA’S national power grid collapsed again on Thursday, November 7, marking the second failure in just three days and the tenth since February 2024.

This latest outage plunged several regions into darkness, disrupting businesses, essential services, and daily life across the country.

According to data from the Nigerian System Operator’s portal, power generation dropped to an unprecedented zero megawatts at 11:30 a.m., affecting all 22 operational generation companies (GenCos) nationwide. Earlier this week, a similar collapse led to widespread outages, with power restored to key areas only after several hours.

This blackout is another blow to Nigeria’s struggling power sector, which has been plagued by instability, insufficient capacity, and frequent grid disturbances. The repeated failures have fueled public frustration and raised concerns over the stability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

In the past ten months, Nigeria has faced frequent outages, exposing systemic issues within the country’s electricity network. The ICIR reports that each failure affects households, businesses, and critical sectors like healthcare, where a consistent power supply is essential.

This latest collapse adds to an increasingly alarming trend. The first major blackout of the year occurred on February 4, 2024, when the grid’s capacity fell from 2,407 megawatts to just 31 megawatts by midday, eventually reaching zero. Since then, breakdowns have recurred, with collapses on August 5 and three times in October. Notably, the October 14 collapse was followed by a partial failure the next day, and another disturbance occurred on October 19, narrowly avoiding a complete collapse.

While TCN has yet to issued comments on the collapse, Ikeja Electric and Jos Electricity Distribution PlC, have confirmed the collapse, nothing that the current outage being experienced within their franchise states is a result of loss of power supply from the national grid.

“The current outage being experienced within our franchise States is a result of loss of power supply from the national grid. The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this morning at about 1128 hours of today, Thursday, 7th November 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.

“We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid supply is restored back to normalcy,” a statement by the Head, Corporate Communications of Jos DISCOS, Friday Adakole Elijah, read in part.

Also, Ikeja Electric wrote: “Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today 07 November 2024 at 11:29Hrs affecting supply within our network.

“Restoration of supply is ongoing in collaboration with our critical stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, an industry analyst has attributed the frequent collapses to outdated and deteriorating transmission infrastructure. “The transmission infrastructure is obsolete and decayed infrastructure. TCN needs to take its maintenance activities seriously and not wait until there’s a crisis for them to be giving excuses for Nigerians,” Kunle Kola Olubiyo, a power sector governance expert and president of Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Network, told The ICIR.

In October, The ICIR reported that the national power grid collapsed three times within one week, exacerbating frustrations nationwide. The ongoing outages are impacting businesses, households, and essential services, highlighting the need for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s power sector.

US Election 2024: Obama Offers congratulations as Harris pledges peaceful transition

Bankole ABE
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US Election 2024: Obama Offers congratulations as Harris pledges peaceful transition

FORMER President of the United States of America (USA), Barack Obama, has congratulated Republican Donald Trump on his victory in the presidential election held on Tuesday, November 5.

Obama offered his congratulations in a joint statement with his wife Michelle on Wednesday, November 6.

According to Obama, it is not the outcome he had hoped for, given his profound disagreements with the Republican ticket on many issues.

“But living in a democracy is about recognising that our point of view won’t always win out and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power,” Obama stated.

He added that the USA had been “through a lot” over the last few years—from a historic pandemic and price hikes resulting from the pandemic to rapid change. According to him, the good news is that the problems are solvable – but only if they listen to each other and abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made America great.

“In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace even to people we deeply disagree with. That’s how we’ve come this far, and it’s how we’ll keep building a country that is fairer and more just, more equal and more,” the former president stated.

He commended Vice President Kamala Harris Democratic presidential contender, and his vice president, Tim Walz, the Democratic presidential contender, and Kamala Harris for running a ‘remarkable’ campaign.

In the closing days of the campaign, Obama firmly endorsed Democratic presidential contender Harris, saying she would defend the people.

Meanwhile, Harris has promised a peaceful transfer of power to Donald Trump.

The vice president said this on Wednesday, November 5, in a concession speech where she urged her supporters to “keep fighting” for their ideas.

“We must accept the results of this election. Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory.”

“I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.”

Harris said in a speech at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington.

Harris opened her speech to a jubilant throng by imploring her supporters to continue fighting for their beliefs despite their deep loss a day after Trump’s resounding victory.

The ICIR reported on Wednesday that former President Trump declared victory in the 2024 US presidential election after leading in key states.

Trump, while addressing a jubilant crowd of supporters in Florida, claimed an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” after securing pivotal wins in battleground states Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, which left his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, with limited options to reach the required electoral votes.

He was joined on the stage by many of his people, including his running mate JD Vance, his wife Melania Trump, and campaign staff.

As of press time on Wednesday, the BBC reported that Trump has garnered 68,769,655 popular votes, representing 51.1 per cent while Harris has polled 63,551,488 votes (47.2 per cent).

Bandits abduct over 50 persons in Zamfara, demand ransoms

Mustapha USMAN
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Bandits abduct over 50 persons in Zamfara, demand ransoms

ATLEAST 50 people were abducted on Wednesday, November 6, by bandits in Wanke and Gurusu villages in Gusau and Gummi Local Government Areas,  Zamfara State. 

According to locals who spoke to Daily Trust, some of the victims were taken while working on their farms, with others abducted along the Anka-Gurusu road in Anka Local Government Area.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the heavily armed bandits invaded farms, abducting unsuspecting villagers at gunpoint. 

According to the report, affected villages, including Kucheri, Kwalfada, and Magazawa, face specific levies ranging from N7 million to N20 million each. The levies reportedly coincide with the harvest season, when bandits anticipate villagers will have the resources to pay.  

Attempts by The ICIR to reach the Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, for a comment on the incident proved abortive, as calls to his line were picked up by a third party who stated that the PRO was in a meeting at the time of press.

Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Bala Muhammad Mairiga, confirmed the abduction in Wanke village to Daily Trust. 

He, however, stated that he could not ascertain the exact number of people abducted, as no official report has been received from security agencies or the traditional institution.

“On the issue of levy, sincerely speaking, we have not received any complaint from the affected villages. Nevertheless, we will investigate the matter and see what we can do about it. Zamfara State government will not fold its arms and allow the bandits to extort people.

“Governor Dauda Lawal-led administration is doing its best to tackle banditry and will continue to do everything possible within its power to end the menace,” he said.

Insecurity in Zamfara

The ICIR reports that Zamfara State has faced security challenges over the years, ranging from insurgent attacks to banditry. Many communities across about 14 LGAs have been displaced, with residents of Maru, Anka, Shinkafi, Maradun, Zurmi, Gusau, and Bungudu LGAs being the worst affected.

Kidnapping in the country has become an industry where abductors demand money from families and communities before releasing abductees. This is prominent in Zamfara, which has recorded a plethora of cases of school children and other kidnappings.

According to data analysed by The ICIR, 2,336 people were killed in various violent attacks in the first three months of 2024 across Nigeria, with Zamfara state topping the list.  

This is an approximate average of 26 persons killed daily between January 2024 and the end of March 2024.    

The ICIR gathered the data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a data bureau that collects real-time data on the locations, dates, actors, fatalities, and types of all reported political violence and protest events worldwide.

The deaths were connected to 1,395 incidents reported to have taken place in the country within the period. 

According to the data, the states with the highest killings within the first quarter are Zamfara (439 deaths), Borno (437 deaths), Kastina (362 deaths) and Benue (221 deaths).

Controversies that trailed Beta Edu’s ouster from Tinubu’s cabinet

Fatimah QUADRI
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Controversies that trailed Beta Edu’s ouster from Tinubu’s cabinet

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has sworn in the seven ministerial nominees forwarded on Wednesday, October 23 after after dismissing five ministers from his cabinet.

Among the five dismissed, three were women, reducing the number of female ministers in his cabinet to five. These three were replaced by three other female others—Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Jumoke Oduwole, and Suwaiba Ahmad.

However, questions had lingered over the status of Betta Edu, whose name did not appear among the dismissed ministers, despite her suspension earlier in January.

Betta Edu was the former minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development ministry until her suspension in January and her official sack recently.

One of the nominees, Nentawe Yilwatda was designated for Edu’s former position, implying her removal from the cabinet and signalling that the government likely found her culpable in the allegations against her.

Events leading to Edu’s suspension

Edu’s troubles began in January when she was suspended over an alleged transfer of N585 million to a private account. She claimed that the payment, intended as grants for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos States, had received approval from the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein.

However, Madein refuted Edu’s claims, stating that her office neither approved nor processed the payment, as bulk payments to individual accounts were against standard procedures.

Edu argued that the recipient, Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, was a legitimate project accountant within the ministry. However, this assertion contradicted Nigeria’s Public Sector Financial Regulation Act of 2009, which governs public fund disbursements.

This discrepancy prompted President Tinubu to authorise an investigation into Edu’s conduct, leading to her suspension on January 8, 2024.

The following day, Edu was questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), marking her as one of the high-profile individuals currently under investigation, although the government has not yet released further updates on her case.

Attempt to whitewash Edu

In February, The FactCheckHub uncovered an attempt by social media users to launder the image of the former minister in what looked like a coordinated campaign.

The report identified over fifty X accounts working to portray the suspended minister in a positive light and minimise the severity of her alleged offenses despite the ongoing investigation.

These accounts consistently refer to her as “Dr Betta Edu,” seemingly aiming to make her name trend and steer social media discussions in her favour. Each account meticulously maintained the same format for her title and name, avoiding hashtags to evade detection.

The uniformity in their posts, along with synchronised content and posting times, points to a coordinated effort to sway public perception regarding the case.

Recovered funds from the ministry

Prior to Edu’s suspension, the national coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu was also arrested and detained by the EFCC over the probe of N37.1 billion allegedly laundered in the ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development under the former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk. 

Umar-Farouk was also invited by the anti-graft commission over these allegations which she granted which was interestingly the same time Edu was being investigated.

In April, EFCC announced it had recovered N32.7 billion and $445,000 from the ministry after indicting Edu, along with her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and the National Social Insurance Programmes Agency coordinator, Halima Shehu, in a public fund’s misappropriation case,

The commission further disclosed that the investigation uncovered additional fraudulent activities connected to COVID-19 relief funds, a World Bank loan, and recovered Abacha loot, which were allocated by the Federal Government to support the ministry’s poverty alleviation initiatives.

Party cronies Tinubu rewarded with ministerial slots after losing elections

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Party cronies Tinubu rewarded with ministerial slots after losing elections

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu maintained the trend of rewarding his All Progressives Congress (APC) loyalists who lost elections with ministerial positions following a recent cabinet reshuffle during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

On October 23, 2024, President Tinubu announced a significant cabinet reshuffle. He sacked five ministers and reassigned ten others to different portfolios. He also appointed seven new ministers, who have been confirmed by the Senate and sworn into office.

Those sacked are: Uju-Ken Ohanenye as minister of women affairs; Lola Ade-John as minister of tourism; Tahir Mamman as minister of education; Abdullahi Gwarzo as minister of State, housing and urban development; and Jamila Ibrahim as minister of youth development.

He replaced them with Maigari Dingyadi as the minister of labour and employment, Jumoke Oduwole as the minister of industry, Idi Maiha as minister for the newly created livestock development ministry, Yusuf Ata as the minister of state, housing and urban development, with Suwaiba Ahmad as minister of state education.

Tinubu appointed Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu as the minister of state foreign affairs, and Nentawe Yilwatda as the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction; thereby bringing an end to the tenure of suspended Betta Edu.

Yilwatda is the APC gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State in 2023, who lost to Caleb Muftwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction.

A chieftain of the APC, he was born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State to the family of the late Toma Yilwatda. 

The current governor of the state, Caleb Muftwang polled 525,299 votes to defeat his closest rival and Yilwatda, who polled 481,370 votes in the keenly contested election.

Below is a detailed look at other figures who were appointed ministers after losing elections:

Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy

Adegboyega Oyetola served as governor of Osun State between 2018 and 2022. He ran for re-election as the candidate of the APC in 2022 but was defeated by Ademola Adeleke of the PDP. Born on September 29, 1954, in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, Oyetola completed his secondary education at Ifeoluwa Grammar School, Osogbo, in 1972. 

He became the third governor in Osun State since 2003 to lose a re-election bid, following the emergence of Olagunsoye Oyinlola, whose victory was voided by the court three years after he was sworn in for a second term. Despite his electoral loss, Oyetola was appointed as a minister in Tinubu’s cabinet.

Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and national planning  

Atiku Bagudu served two terms as governor of Kebbi State from 2015 to 2023 under the platform of the APC. Before then, he won a by-election for the Kebbi Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the PDP in 2008 when the seat became vacant after the appointment of Adamu Aliero as minister for the FCT. In the lead-up to the 2015 general elections, Bagudu defected to the APC and was elected governor.

He was re-elected in 2019. Bagudu has been embroiled in various allegations of corruption. Bagudu contested the 2023 Kebbi Central Senatorial election under the APC but lost to Adamu Aliero of the PDP, who had moved back to the PDP after losing the APC primaries. Despite these setbacks, Bagudu was appointed as the minister of budget and national planning.

Bayo Adelabu, minister of power  

Bayo Adelabu, born on September 28, 1970, is a former deputy governor, Operations, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He retired from the CBN in 2019 to run for governor in Oyo State under the APC but lost to Seyi Makinde of the PDP. Adelabu contested again in the 2023 governorship election but was defeated. He was appointed deputy governor of operations, at the CBN by former President Goodluck Jonathan in February 2014. Despite his electoral misfortunes, Adelabu was appointed minister of power in Tinubu’s administration.

Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence  

Bello Matawalle, former governor of Zamfara State, served between May 2019 and May 2023. His administration was heavily criticised for failing to curb the rampant insecurity in Zamfara, which became one of the states most affected by terrorist attacks, particularly by bandits, during his tenure. Thousands of people were killed under his watch as banditry spread across the northwest region.

 Matawalle contested for a second term in the 2023 elections but was defeated by Dauda Lawal of the PDP. Nevertheless, he was appointed as the minister of state for defence by President Tinubu.

Simon Lalong, minister of labour and employment

Simon Bako Lalong served as the governor of Plateau State from 2015 to 2023. Born on May 5, 1963, in Shendam LGA, Lalong trained as a lawyer before entering politics. His political career began in the early 2000 when he was elected to the state house of assembly, eventually becoming Speaker from 2000 to 2006.

Lalong rose to national prominence after winning the 2015 governorship election on the platform of the APC, defeating the then incumbent, Jonah Jang. In 2023, Lalong contested for the Plateau South Senatorial seat but lost to Napoleon Bali of the PDP.

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Lalong was appointed minister of labour and employment in August 2023. He was involved in a legal tussle over the senatorial seat, with the National Assembly appeal court affirming on November 7, 2023, that he won the election.

Uche Nnaji, minister of innovation, science, and technology

Uche Nnaji Nwakaibie hails from Enugu State and was the APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 governorship election, where he lost to Peter Mbah of the PDP. Nnaji has a long history in politics and has held several positions within the PDP before joining the APC.

He gained prominence in 1999 when he won the Enugu East senatorial district ticket for the Alliance for Democracy (AD), though he stepped down for Jim Nwobodo, a former governor of old Anambra State, who was eventually elected senator. Despite losing the 2023 gubernatorial race, Nnaji was appointed minister of innovation, science, and trechnology by President Tinubu.

Court restrains CBN, others from withholding Kano LG allocations

Bankole ABE
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Court restrains CBN, others from withholding Kano LG allocations

A KANO State High Court has issued an interim injunction, preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), and Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) from withholding allocations meant for the 44 local governments in the state.

This decision follows an Ex-Parte Motion filed on November 1 by the Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ibrahim Muhammed, and five concerned residents of the state.

The concerned residents, including Ibrahim Shehu, Ibrahim Abubakar, Usman Isa, Sarki Kurawa, and Usman Imam, filed the motion through their counsel, Bashir Yusuf-Muhammad and Usman Bala-Salisu.

Their primary concern was the potential withholding or delay of essential allocations for local governance in the state.

The respondents in the case include the AGF, the CBN, the RMFAC, the 44 Kano Local Governments, UBA, Access, and six other commercial banks.

Judge Ibrahim Musa-Muhammad granted the Order of Interim Injunction, restraining the respondents from interfering with the applicants’ rights in this suit.

This implies that the aforementioned respondents are not permitted to act in any way that might impair the applicants’ rights with regard to the allocations, either directly or through agents, officers, or representatives.

This court ruling guarantees that Kano State’s local governments get the funding they require, allowing them to operate efficiently and offer vital services to their constituents.

Additionally, while the motion on notice is being heard and decided, the judge prevented the 45th through 54th respondents from taking any further action that would interfere with, delay, or refuse to disburse the allocations from the Federation accounts that are due and payable to the Kano 44 LGAs for the benefit of the citizens.

To guarantee the efficient service of the court papers, Musa-Muhammad permitted the applicants to use Red Star Express Plc, Courier Service as a special bailiff to serve the court processes on the 45th, 46th, and 47th respondents.

To hear the application on notice, the Court postponed the case until November 21.

The latest case might not be unconnected with the similar issue that came up in Rivers State last week.

The ICIR reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold the Federal Government’s monthly allocation to the Rivers State Government.

The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling on Wednesday, October 30, maintained that the presentation of the 2024 budget by the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to four members of the state House of Assembly was an aberration and an affront to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended)

According to the judge, Fubara’s receipt and distribution of monthly allocations since January 2024 was illegal.

She directed Zenith Bank, Access Bank, the CBN, and the Accountant General of the Federation to stop Fubara from getting access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

The judge delivered the ruling in response to a lawsuit brought before the court by the Rivers State House of Assembly, headed by Martins Amaewhule.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024, the plaintiff had sued the CBN, Zenith Bank PLC, Access Bank PLC, the AGF, Fubara, the Accountant General of Rivers State, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSEIC), and the Chief Judge of the state, among others.

Tinubu, world leaders react to Trump’s imminent victory in US presidential election

Mustapha USMAN
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Tinubu, world leaders react to Trump’s imminent victory in US presidential election

AMID Donald Trump’s apparent success in the US presidential election, President Bola Tinubu and other world leaders have begun extending congratulatory messages, with a mixture of pledges of continued alliances, and a focus on international cooperation.

Trump’s apparent victory in key states has set him within reach of the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency.

The ICIR reports that currently, Donald Trump has 266 electoral votes—just four short of the 270 needed to win—while Kamala Harris has 219. 

This was as it reported that Trump has garnered 68,769,655 popular votes, representing 51.1 per cent while Harris has polled 63,551,488 votes (47.2 per cent).

Reacting to this development, president Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations to Trump on ‘his re-election as the 47th President’ of the United States of America.

Tinubu, in a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said he “looks forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.”

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also taken to social media to congratulate Trump on what he described as a “historic election victory,” noting a shared vision for continued collaboration.

“Heartiest congratulations, my friend @realDonaldTrump, on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability, and prosperity,” Modi stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated Trump on his “impressive victory,” expressing hope that Trump’s “peace through strength” approach could bring “just peace in Ukraine closer.” 

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.

“We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States,” he wrote on X. 

He also noted that the country is interested in developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation that will benefit both nations. 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in his message, emphasised the enduring “special relationship” between the UK and the US.

 “Congratulations, President-elect Trump, on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy, and enterprise,” Starmer remarked.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Trump’s leadership as key to maintaining alliance stability.

On his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterised Trump’s projected victory as “history’s greatest comeback” and highlighted the renewed opportunity for US-Israel relations.

Also, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed Trump’s imminent win as “a much-needed victory for the world,” calling it “the biggest comeback in US political history.”

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, while expressing readiness to work with Trump to advance peace and prosperity, also noted that he recently discussed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about aligning European interests alongside those of the US.

“I have just spoken with the Chancellor @OlafScholz. We will work towards a more united, stronger, more sovereign Europe in this new context. By cooperating with the United States of America and defending our interests and our values,” he wrote on X.

With 266 electoral votes, Trump is on the verge of securing his return to the White House. His victories in battleground states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia have left his opponent, Kamala Harris, with limited options. 

Fox News has already called the race in Trump’s favor, though other networks have yet to confirm the outcome.

Trump declares victory in US presidential election, secures key states

Mustapha USMAN
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Trump declares victory in US presidential election, secures key states

FORMER President Donald Trump has declared victory in the 2024 US presidential election after leading in key states.

Trump, while addressing a jubilant crowd of supporters in Florida, claimed an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” after securing pivotal wins in battleground states Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, which left his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, with limited options to reach the required electoral votes.

He was joined on the stage by many of his people, including his running mate JD Vance, his wife Melania Trump and campaign staff.

As of press time, BBC reported that Trump has garnered 68,769,655 popular votes, representing 51.1 per cent while Harris has polled 63,551,488 votes (47.2 per cent).

The popular vote refers to here, represents the total number of individual votes cast by citizens across the country for each candidate but still doesn’t guarantee a candidate’s victory. 

In the U.S. presidential election, a candidate needs to secure at least 270 electoral votes out of a total 538 to win the presidency. Each state, along with Washington D.C., has a set number of electoral votes based on its population, and these votes add up to 538 across the nation.

Currently, Donald Trump has 266 electoral votes—just four short of the 270 needed to win—while Kamala Harris has 219. 

“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” Trump told his supporters, following Fox News’ projection of his win, though other networks have yet to confirm the outcome as states across the US are still counting ballots.

“We’ve made history for a reason tonight, and the reason is going to be just that we overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible,” Trump said. “It’s a political victory that our country has never seen before”

His success in these swing states marks a significant comeback after his 2020 loss to Joe Biden.

In a speech punctuated with campaign slogans and chants, Trump pledged to lead the country into what he called a “golden age,” vowing to address issues such as border security. 

“We’re going to help our country heal,” adding that “this is a magnificent victory for the American people, that will allow us to make America great again.”

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris has indicated that she will not speak today, as disheartened supporters exited her watch party, according to BBC. 

Early projections also indicate that Republicans are set to regain control of the Senate, potentially shifting the legislative balance of power.

Meanwhile, in recent developments, Minnesota has been projected for Harris, after securing her an additional 10 electoral college votes. 

Minnesota is the home state of her running mate, Tim Walz. Additionally, New Jersey, a Democratic stronghold, has also been called in Harris’s favor, adding 14 more electoral college votes to her tally, according to BBC.

Presidency announces death of Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja

Bankole ABE
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Presidency announces death of Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the death of Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).

Lagbaja reportedly died at age 56.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the special adviser to the President, on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on his X account on Wednesday, November 6.

According to the statement, Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

The ICIR reported that the Nigerian Army dismissed the rumoured death of the Lagbaja in October.

The rumour of his death, which originated from a tweet by Jackson Ude, a former presidential aide and social media commentator, went viral on social media.

Reacting to the tweet in a post on X, the Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, a brigadier general, urged Nigerians to ignore the post.

He said Lagbaja was on official leave, and proper procedures were put in place for Abdulsalami Ibrahim, a major general and the chief of policy and plans of the Army, to act in his place.

Nwachukwu argued that Lagbaja’s absence was not disrupting the Army’s operations.

However, The ICIR reported on October 30 that the president appointed Olufemi Oluyede, a major general, to act in Lagbaja’s place.

According to a statement by the president’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Oluyede will act in the position pending when Lagbaja, whom the presidency said was indisposed, returns to Nigeria.

On Tuesday, November 5, Tinubu promoted the acting COAS Oluyede, who was a Major-General, to the rank of Lieutenant General amid growing speculations over the COAS Taoreed Lagbaja’s health.

Tinubu, in his remarks at the short ceremony at the Aso Rock, praised Oluyede’s dedication and service to the Nigerian military, describing the promotion as a recognition of his commitment.

Oluyede’s promotion comes amid ongoing speculations regarding the COAS Lagbaja’s health, which have not been formally addressed by the government or military officials.

However, Oluyede’s elevation to Lieutenant General suggests Lagbaja may not make a comeback again into the position.

According to the statement, Lagbaja had a distinguished military career that began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

“Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

“He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States,” the statement added

He is survived by his wife Mariya and their two children.

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