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Subsidy removal: FCTA to introduce bicycle lanes in Abuja

Beloved JOHN
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Subsidy removal: FCTA to introduce bicycle lanes in Abuja

THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to introduce bicycle lanes on roads within the Abuja metropolis.

A statement released by the Director of Information and Communication, Muhammad Sule, on Sunday, June 4, said the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Olusade Adesola, disclosed this at an event held to mark the 2023 World Bicycle Day in Abuja, on Saturday, June 3.

The permanent secretary noted that the bicycle lanes were already captured in the Abuja Masterplan.

“We need to develop them. This move will deepen the campaign to reduce the effect of climate change; emissions will be reduced if cycling is encouraged,” Adesola said.

He described cycling as an enjoyable and physically beneficial sport which should be encouraged and promoted.

”As a people, we need to imbibe the culture of riding bicycles, both as a sport, exercise and means of transportation,” he added.

“The benefits of cycling are enormous. It can improve heart health and strengthen the limbs.”

Following the declaration by President Bola Tinubu that subsidy is gone, queues resurfaced at filing stations nationwide while the fuel pump price and cost of transportation almost tripled. 

FRSC advises Nigerians to adopt bicycles as alternative means of transportation 

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has advised Nigerians to embrace the use of bicycles as alternative means of transportation, now that fuel subsidy has been removed.

The FRSC also said that carbon emissions to the atmosphere by vehicles would also be drastically reduced when Nigerians rely more on bicycles.

Oyo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Joshua Adekanye, gave the advise during the celebration of the World Bicycle Day in Ibadan on Saturday.

“Use of bicycle is economically cheap because the cost of a bicycle is not as expensive as using a car or motorcycle,” he said.

SERAP urges Tinubu to probe $2.1bn, N3.1tn unaccounted subsidy payments

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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SERAP urges Tinubu to probe $2.1bn, N3.1tn unaccounted subsidy payments

THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has charged President Bola Tinubu to set up a presidential panel to probe the missing and unaccounted US$2.1 billion and N3.1 trillion oil revenues budgeted as fuel subsidy payments between 2016 and 2019.

The civil society organisation explained that audited reports published by the Auditor-General of the Federation showed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit N663,896,567,227.58 into the Federation Account.

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SERAP stressed there is a need for the Tinubu administration to investigate and prosecute persons responsible for the mismanagement and embezzlement of oil revenues.

A statement released on Saturday, June 4 by deputy director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the Tinubu government should be non-partisan, independent, transparent, thorough and non-partisan in probing all fuel subsidy payments made by successive governments since 1999.

The group noted that proceeds recovered from the probe should be deployed as palliatives to address the impact of subsidy removal on poor Nigerians.

“SERAP urged him (Tinubu) to name and shame anyone suspected to be responsible for the alleged widespread and systemic corruption in the use of oil revenues and the management of public funds budgeted as fuel subsidy, and to ensure their effective prosecution as well as the full recovery of any proceeds of crime.

“SERAP urged him to promptly, thoroughly, independently, transparently and effectively probe all fuel subsidy paid by successive governments since the return of democracy in 1999, and to use any recovered proceeds of crime as palliatives to address the impact of any subsidy removal on poor Nigerians.”

SERAP stressed the need for speedy prosecution of officials who have brought hardship to Nigerians through the embezzlement and mismanagement of oil revenues.

“There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these serious allegations. There will be no economic growth or sustainability without accountability for these human rights crimes.

“Your government should urgently act to follow due process of law in any policy to remove fuel subsidy, ensure that suspected perpetrators of these crimes against Nigerians are brought to justice, and full recovery of any missing public funds.”

SERAP added that the arbitrary removal of fuel subsidy without addressing outstanding accountability issues in the alleged mismanagement of oil revenues and fuel subsidy payments would be equivalent to impoverishing the poor while the high-profile officials and non-state actors escape justice.

According to SERAP, “Any removal of fuel subsidy should not be used as a ploy to keep the poor in poverty while those who allegedly stole oil revenues and fuel subsidy payments keep their ill-gotten wealth.

“Allegations of corruption in oil revenues and fuel subsidy payments suggest that the poor have rarely benefited from the use and management of the revenues and payments.

“Poor and socio-economically vulnerable Nigerians should not be made to continue to pay the price for the stealing of the country’s oil wealth while state and non-state actors pocket public funds.”

The organisation further advised that the committee which would be set up by the President should comprise impartial individuals with the highest level of integrity.

“The proposed panel should be headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal, and its members should include people with proven professional records, and of the highest integrity that can act impartially, independently, and transparently.

“A comprehensive approach that prioritises accountability and full recovery of missing crude oil and public funds is required to address the problems of the implementation of fuel subsidy since 1999,” the statement added.

SERAP warned that it would drag the Tinubu administration to court if it refused to adopt its recommendations.

Highlighting the missing sums which it wants the President to probe, SERAP noted: “The NNPC reportedly failed to account for the allocation of crude oil to refineries in 2019. 107,239,436.00 barrels of crude oil were lifted as domestic crude without any document. The Auditor-General fears that the crude valued at N55,891,009,960.63 may have been diverted.

“The NNPC in 2019 also failed to remit N1,955,354,671,268.66 and N55,157,702,848.74 of generated revenues into the Federation Account, contrary to Section 162(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended). The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted.”

It added that the Auditor-General’s report further pointed out that the NNPC failed to account for N4,572,844,962.25 of ‘domestic gas receipts’ which led to the reduction in the distributable revenue in the Federation accounts.

“The NNPC also in 2019 failed to account for 22,929.84 litres of PMS pumped from refineries and valued at N7,056,137,180.00.

“The NNPC also ‘illegally classified’ 239,800 barrels of crude oil valued at N5,498,045,220 as crude oil losses.”

The statement added that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) failed to remit US$1,278,364,595.49 in revenue to the Federation Account in 2019.

According to the statement, the fund was deducted by the NNPC from the Oil and Gas Royalty assessed by the DPR.

“The DPR in 2019 also deducted N19,840,081.29 as ‘stamp duty’ payments from contractors and consultants, but the DPR instantly paid back the money to the contractors and consultants instead of remitting it to the treasury.

“The DPR in 2019 also paid N137,225,973.35 to contractors and consultants for various contracts and consultancies but failed to deduct stamp duty. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.

“The DPR also paid N11,856,088,271.92 as salaries for 2019 but failed to deduct N118,560,882.72 as contribution of 1% Industrial Training Fund (ITF). The DPR in 2019 also failed to transfer a US$ 35,738,342.95-year balance. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.

“The DPR in 2018 also withdrew without any explanation US$759,387,755.10 from DPR Signature Bonus Account rather than paid the money into the Federation Account,” the statement said.

The statement further revealed that subsidy records showed that N443,940,559,974.80 was paid as total subsidy for 2016 despite lack of provision in the budget.

It noted that the payments were for outstanding Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) commitments for the year 2015.

“However, there was no payment in 2016. Only outstanding payments for previous years 2014 and 2015 and interest payments were made in 2016.

“The Auditor-General fears that the oil marketers that received the subsidy payments may not have been ‘eligible to draw from the Petroleum Support Fund as the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Authority (PPPRA) failed to provide any documentation on the payments.

“N39,141,210,181.74 was also paid from the Federation Account in 2016 to different Oil Marketers in 26 transactions, being Payments of Interest and Foreign Exchange Differential on Subsidy but without any document.”

SERAP noted that the NNPC made ‘zero profit’ and recorded ‘losses from its joint ventures in 2016, contrary to government expectations that profits should be made from the joint ventures.

Also, SERAP noted that the Ministry of Petroleum breached regulation of public procurement by awarding a contract without competitive bidding in 2016.

“The Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Abuja in 2016 paid N14,490,000.00 for the supply of three Nissan Almera Saloon vehicles 1.5 to the Ministry without proper documentation.

“The purchase of the vehicles was made through direct procurement without competitive bidding by at least three companies, as required by Financial Regulations. There was no advertisement and bidding for this contract.

“Although ‘N12,442,500.00 was approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement for the vehicles, the Ministry made an overpayment of N2,047,500.00 to the car company.”

According to SERAP, the immediate investigation, naming and shaming of suspected perpetrators and recovery of any missing public funds would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation, and guarantee non-repetition of the offences.

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on your (Tinubu) government to conform with, observe, and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution. Section 15(5) imposes the responsibility on your government to ‘abolish all corrupt practices and abuse,” the organisation insisted.

Concert: Burna Boy becomes first African to sell out London stadium

Itoro ETUKUDO
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Concert: Burna Boy becomes first African to sell out London stadium

GRAMMY award winning singer, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, widely known as Burna Boy, has achieved a historic milestone as he becomes the first African artist to sell out at the London stadium for a concert.

The concert was held at the 80,000- capacity London stadium in the United Kingdom (UK) on Saturday, June 3.

The official Twitter account of the London Stadium management announced Burna Boy’s latest achievement in a tweet.

The tweet read: “NOW SOLD OUT!!
@burnaboy’s RECORD BREAKING concert has now officially SOLD OUT! What an incredible achievement for the first ever African artist to solo headline a UK stadium! For those lucky enough to make it, enjoy the show. @cokobarcom @RoboMagicLive.”

Burna Boy’s London Sold Out Concert. Source: London Stadium, Twitter
The London Stadium was sold out for Burna Boy’s concert. Source: London Stadium, Twitter

Burna Boy delivered an inspiring performance during the “Love Damini Stadium Tour” concert, creating an immense wave of excitement among his fans.

At the concert, the artist confidently showcased his skill and celebrated his remarkable achievement.

“I told them this was going to happen right from the beginning. I told them I’m a genius, I had to show them what the reason is”, he said.

On Friday, June 2, the artist unveiled his debut single of 2023, titled “Sittin on Top of the World,” which received a positive response from his global fan base.

Over the years, Burna Boy has continually etched his name in history through his remarkable artistic prowess, earning numerous accolades including the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021, as well as the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2019 and 2022, among many others.

His fans have taken to various social media platforms to celebrate and express their admiration for him.

@Kinglamarr__ tweeted “Burna boy selling out 80,000 capacity stadium is crazy!!! are y’all not seeing this?! Burna boy just keeps setting the bar so high”.

Another Twitter user, @AEzenyili wrote in a tweet “The king. Concert Massively Sold out!!! @burnaboy is Sure Sittin on Top of the World”.

Another fan, @CoKoBahamasLove, wrote: “Happy I was apart of this SOLD OUT historical event. It was beyond great. Words are really not enough.

“Burna team did an exceptional job. His hard work really shows every time he hits the stage. #LoveDaminiStadiumTour thank you London. See you in New York @burnaboy.”

“Odogwu didn’t come to play. Burna is who he says he is!! It was spectacular! #LoveDaminiStadiumTour,” @7HEODOR3 said in another tweet.

Burna Boy’s impact on the music industry and cultural landscape has solidified his status as one of Africa’s most influential and successful musicians.

Stocks rally amid subsidy removal, investors gain N1.55trn in week

Ehime ALEX
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Stocks rally amid subsidy removal, investors gain N1.55trn in week

AMID the President Bola Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidy and its economic implications, the Nigerian stock market rallied well last week as investors gained N1.55 trillion.

Some market watchers believed the impressive rally was not unconnected with the new administration’s economic position, as read by President Tinubu in his inaugural speech.

Tinubu, besides declaring in his speech on May 29 that his administration was removing the subsidy, also promised to improve the economy by tackling inflation and unifying the exchange rates.

He also said his administration would ensure that foreign investors are able to repatriate their funds.

The message seemed to have resonated well with the investing public, analysts told The ICIR. They said the President’s economic highlights promised transparency in the investment market.

The market gained a whopping N1.55 trillion on the first day, Tuesday, May 30, after the President’s inauguration, based on solid optimism as contained in his speech, an investment and portfolio analyst, Abel Ezekiel, explained.

“A major policy statement which I considered to be the major icing on the cake is allowing easy and unhindered repatriation of dividends and profits by portfolio and direct investors.

“This has been one of the major challenges hampering inflow of foreign investors into the economy,” Ezekiel said.

The portfolio analyst attributed the solid positive performance of the equities market, in the review week, to the President’s remark to tame inflation.

Inflation had gone high to 22.22 per cent in April, forcing the apex bank to hike the monetary policy rate (MPR), once again, to 18.5 per cent.

He argued that the MPR had driven most investors away from the equities market into the fixed-income market, which he considered less risky.

Ezekiel also attributed investors’ positive sentiment seen in last week’s trading to Tinubu’s “assuring” disposition to business, unlike his predecessor’s.

“He is going to bring business-friendly policies. A bullish rally greeted the smooth handover to President Tinubu,” a stockbroker, David Adonri, corroborated.

Adonri, an executive vice chairman of Highcap Securities Limited, also viewed Tinubu’s policy as resonating well with investors.

“The massive increase in investors’ confidence translated into the big rally. The equities market remained upbeat throughout the week despite the negative effect of removing fuel subsidy,” he said.

How the market traded

The market opened for four trading days, May 30 to June 2, as the Federal government had declared Monday, May 29, a public holiday for the inauguration.

The All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 5.37 per cent to 55,820.50 basis points, and the market capitalisation increased by the same percentage to N30.395 trillion.

Investors traded a total turnover of 2.586 billion shares worth N46.643 billion in 35,122 deals on the floor of the Nigeria Exchange Limited, compared to a total of 1.963 billion shares valued at N33.899 billion in 30,827 deals that exchanged hands in the previous week.

The financial services industry, measured by volume, led the activity chart with 1.890 billion shares valued at N23.041 billion traded in 17,806 deals, and contributed 73.10 per cent and 49.40 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.

The conglomerates industry followed with 170.218 million shares worth N638.188 million in 1,830 deals, while the consumer goods industry had a turnover of 132.432 million shares worth N3.837 billion in 4,938 deals.

Access Holdings, United Bank for Africa Plc and FBN Holding were the top three stocks that traded the most when measured by volume.

The stocks accounted for 915.908 million shares worth N10.916 billion in 6,575 deals, contributing 35.42 per cent and 23.40 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.

NDLEA destroys 3 tons of skunk in nationwide raids

Mustapha USMAN
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NDLEA destroys 3 tons of skunk in nationwide raids


OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have set ablaze a large warehouse of skunk used to store 231 jumbo bags of the psychotropic substance weighing 3,003 kilograms (over three tons) in Iwe community, Owan West Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State.

The operation by the NDLEA operatives on Tuesday, May 30, was prompted by intelligence indicating that a notorious drug kingpin had stockpiled a substantial amount of the illegal substance within the forest, with intentions to distribute it to various regions of the country.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babfemi, on Sunday, June 4.

According to the statement, about 76.9 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, were recovered from four used vehicles in a container marked MSDU6686346 from Canada at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state between Thursday June 1 and Friday June 2, during a joint inspection of the shipment with men of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The request for examination of the shipment followed earlier intelligence received by the NDLEA on the container. 

Parts of the statement read: “In Kano State, two suspects: Ma’aruf Rabiu and Abubakar Mustapha were arrested on Tuesday 30th May along Zaria-Kano road with 260 blocks of cannabis weighing 139.4kg, while Auwal Ibrahim was nabbed with 38kg of the same substance the following day Wednesday 31st May along Kaduna-Abuja road, same day 35-year-old female suspect, Bilkisu Isiya, was arrested at Birnin Yero, Kaduna in possession of 5.6kg cannabis.

“In Borno State, two suspects: Abubakar Usman (aka Alhaji Mai Kero) and Adamu Yusuf were arrested at Bargu village, Shani LGA, on Saturday 3rd June with 165 blocks of skunk weighing 140.7kg. Their arrest was effected deep inside a fluid insurgents’ environment with military support.

“A female suspect, Hauwa Ibrahim, 25, was also nabbed in the same village with 6.4kg of the psychoactive substance, while another suspect Alhaji Abubakar, 27, was arrested at Njimtilo checkpoint with 4,200 ampoules of pentazocine injection and different quantities of D5 and exol-5 tablets.”

The statement added that a 30-year-old suspect, Iroko Wasiu, was arrested at a drug joint at Sabo Aba-Owolowo along Oyo-Ogbomoso expressway on May 30, and 31.2kg of cannabis recovered from him, while two suspects: Deji Adelabu, 35, and Mutiu Salau, 37, were nabbed the following day, May 31, in the Sabo area along Oyo-Ogbomoso road and Awuro Dada area in Orire LGA of Oyo State, while a total of 8kg cannabis recovered from them.

NDLEA chairman Mohamed Marwa commended the officers and men of the Edo, Onne Ports, Kano, Kaduna, Borno and Oyo state Commands for their commitment and synergy with other law enforcement agencies in their areas of responsibility.

Marwa further urged the officers and their compatriots across the country to intensify the offensive action against drug cartels while ensuring a balance with drug demand reduction efforts.

Subsidy removal: NUJ, NULGE direct members to join nationwide strike

Beloved JOHN
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Subsidy removal: NUJ, NULGE direct members to join nationwide strike

THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has directed its members to join the industrial action scheduled to commence on Wednesday, June 7.

The NUJ National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, June 2.

The union said journalists in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would join the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the hike in fuel pump price, following the removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS).

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The statement said the NUJ Central Working Committee (CWC) deliberated and found the NLC’s position and proposed strike a worthy action, as it is in the best interests of Nigerian citizens.

The ICIR reported that the NLC decided to embark on a nationwide industrial action against the hike in the cost of fuel and had written to all its affiliate unions to mobilise members and ensure full compliance with the directive.

“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th June 2023. To this effect, all National Leadership are expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with the directives as services in both the Public and private sectors are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th June 2023,” the NLC said in a letter.

Leman, the NUJ secretary, said the CWC decided that although the removal of fuel subsidy would free allocations, the sudden removal could lead to severe hardship and social unrest.

He said the NUJ CWC had directed all state councils to mobilise members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector.

An emergency Central Working Committee meeting of the NUJ was convened virtually on Saturday, June 3, to discuss issues surrounding the decision by the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy and the position taken by the NLC.

“After presentations by the National President, Chris Isiguzo, and the National Treasurer, Bamidele Atunbi, on the position taken by NLC on the matter, members unanimously adopted the position of NLC on the issue.

“CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations which can be channelled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could, however, lead to social unrests and protests as people may perceive government as being insensitive to their plight,” the statement said.

Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has directed its members nationwide to join the proposed strike.

In a statement by its General Secretary, Isah Gambo, NULGE said it would align with the NLC to stage demonstrations on Wednesday.

“In solidarity with a directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in respect of the above subject and total compliance, the National President, Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji, has directed that all state chapters, branches and members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) across the 774 Local Governments should be mobilised to embark on a nationwide action and withdrawal of service against the fraudulent increase in the price of fuel across the thirty-six states of the Federation and the FCT.

“Please note that this nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th June 2023.

“All officers of the Union are expected to strictly comply with this directive, give it the widest publicity and ensure total implementation.”

The ICIR reported that President Bola Tinubu declared that “fuel subsidy is gone” in his inaugural speech Monday, May 29.

He noted that the subsidy was unsustainable and rising costs could not be justified as resources dwindled.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in Public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” Tinubu added.

The ICIR also reported that with this declaration, fuel queues resurfaced and prices and transportation costs have almost tripled.

10th NASS: Atiku charges PDP lawmakers to form strong opposition

Beloved JOHN
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10th NASS: Atiku charges PDP lawmakers to form strong opposition

AHEAD of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, has urged the newly elected lawmakers in the party to form an effective and constructive opposition.

Atiku said PDP lawmakers must oppose any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to make the legislature a rubber stamp.

He said this on Saturday, June 3, at a retreat organised for lawmakers-elect of the PDP in Bauchi State.

“Based on the results announced by INEC and pending the determination of the electoral challenges in the court, our members-elect are not the majority in the National Assembly.

“So, for the time being, they have to prepare to work as an effective, constructive opposition while also preparing for a possible role as the majority party when the cases are resolved,” he said.

Atiku in the same vein said the party’s lawmakers must show readiness to govern, describing the PDP as a government-in-waiting.

He urged members of the party to remain hopeful while awaiting the decision of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

“You’re representatives of the party and your constituents. Do not be tempted to abandon your party because of a temporary setback. In the end, the truth and good shall triumph over falsehood and evil,” the former Vice President said.

“Therefore, you must please remain resolute. Do not work in isolation from one another. You’re a team and should always work as a team to achieve meaningful results and also remain connected to your roots, your constituents and other stakeholders.

“Our democracy must endure; you can and you should help to make that happen. As you know, the PDP remains the only true political party that is owned by its members rather than by one or a handful of godfathers. No one member or group of members is bigger, better or more important than the party in the PDP.”

The 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13.

According to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, the 10th National Assembly will be the most diverse, with the highest party representation since 1999.

In the Senate, the ruling APC won 57 seats, while the major opposition party, PDP, garnered 29 seats.

Other parties that will be represented in the 10th National Assembly are: All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 1 seat; Labour Party (LP) 6; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 2; Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2; and Young Progressives Party (YPP) 1.

In the House of Representatives, APC won 162 seats; PDP 102; APGA 4; LP 34; NNPP 18; SDP 2; YPP 1; and African Democratic Congress (ADC) 2.

Many Nigerians regard the 9th National Assembly, led by Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, as a rubber stamp.

In addition to failing to carry out effective oversight on the activities of the executive, the 9th National Assembly approved all the loan requests presented by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kogi: Yahaya Bello, SDP guber candidate trade blames over assassination attempts

Beloved JOHN
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Kogi: Yahaya Bello, SDP guber candidate trade blames over assassination attempts

KOGI State governor Yahaya Bello, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Muritala Ajaka, traded blames over alleged assassination attempts on Saturday, June 3.

While the Kogi State government accused Ajaka of attempting to kill Bello, following an attack on the governor’s convoy, the SDP said the governor was behind an attempt to kill its candidate, Ajaka.

Earlier on Saturday, Bello’s convoy was attacked by thugs along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

The state government issued a statement after, saying Ajaka was responsible for the incident, which occurred near the naval base, a few kilometres from Lokoja, the state capital.

According to a statement by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the incident left many injured, including security operatives who foiled the attack.

The commissioner said the attack occurred at 12:30 pm after Ajaka’s convoy blocked the road.

Ajaka is a former national deputy publicity secretary of the APC. He defected to the SDP after he was disqualified from participating in the APC guber primaries in April.

He was adopted as the SDP candidate two weeks after.

Fanwo, the Kogi information commissioner, alleged that Ajaka’s armed thugs shot at the governor’s convoy with rifles and shotguns.

“The gunmen suspected to be political thugs of the SDP, having sighted the convoy of Bello approaching, blocked the road and started shooting at the convoy.

“A Tundra branded with the logo and flags of the party also blocked the governor’s vehicle, and the occupants were armed with rifles and shotguns.”

He, however, noted that the governor left the scene injured.

He also said security operatives who sustained injuries in the attack were sent to medical centres for treatment.

“But thank God our governor left the scene unscathed, and there is no cause for panic.

“Some security aides and others attached to the governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for attention.”

The commissioner urged the people of Kogi State to stay calm while security agents handle the incident.

He assured that those behind the attack would be brought to book as the state government would ensure that there is law and order in the state.

The commissioner also noted that “the governor has warned that no APC member should be involved in any reprisal attack as insecurity from any quarter will be met with stiff penalties”.

Meanwhile, the SDP has also claimed that Ajaka escaped assassination by the whiskers after his motorcade was attacked by gunmen personally led by the governor, Yahaya Bello, on Saturday afternoon.

According to a statement signed by Faruk Adejo Audu, Director of Communications, Muritala Yakubu Organisation, the governorship aspirant “only survived by the power of God”.

“Mr Ajaka, who was on his way to keep an appointment with the Mai Geri, a first-class traditional ruler of Lokoja and the Attah Igala in Idah, decided to abort the journey and return to Abuja after conferring with the Commander of the Lokoja Naval Base,” the statement said.

The statement claimed the state governor’s car was parked a few meters in front and was used to barricade the road while the gunmen attacked Ajaka.

“This again is another low score by Mr Yahaya Bello in the exercise of crude power and brute force.

“Bello is on record to have unleashed guns and gunmen on several citizens during his eight years draconian rule. Several persons have been killed by his hoodlums during electioneering, while others are missing.

“Ajaka, until recently, was a member of the APC who was forced out of the governorship nomination by Mr Yahaya Bello, who used minions and proxies to obtain an injunction from a Lokoja High Court restraining him from participating in the primaries.

“The brute action today is obviously a continuation of Bello’s desperation to stop Ajaka from continuing in the election.”

The SDP appealed to President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate that his administration will not permit the brigandage of the last eight years, which had led to the deaths of thousands of Nigerians.

“Election is still five months away, but if Mr Bello does not get a strong signal that violence would not be allowed in the new administration, several of our citizens will be killed by his thugs and gunmen before the polls,” the statement released by the SDP added.

NLC writes ASUU, other affiliates ahead nationwide strike

Beloved JOHN
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NLC writes ASUU, other affiliates ahead nationwide strike

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written to all its affiliate unions to mobilise members for the nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday, June 7.

The labour union called for the strike to revolt against the increase in the cost of fuel prices.

NLC affiliates include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), among others.

The ICIR had reported that the President, Bola Tinubu, had declared that “fuel subsidy is gone” in his inaugural speech on Monday, May 29.

He noted that the subsidy was unsustainable and rising costs could not be justified as resources dwindled.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in Public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” Tinubu added.

The ICIR also reported that with this declaration, fuel queues have resurfaced. Also, the fuel pump price and transportation costs have almost tripled.

Opposing the high cost of petrol, NLC, in a letter issued by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, asked the national leadership of the affiliate unions to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with directives.

The NLC said services in both the public and private sector are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday.

“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th June 2023. To this effect, all National Leadership are expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with the directives as services in both the public and private sectors are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th June 2023.

“All Presidents and General Secretaries are expected to help ensure the implementation of the decisions of the National Executive Council,” the NLC said.

The ICIR reported that the NLC is to commence a nationwide strike on Wednesday, June 7, if the Federal Government fails to reverse the hike in the fuel pump price.

NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the decision in Abuja on Friday, June 2, after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).

The NLC NEC at the meeting issued the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) an ultimatum to reverse the new pump price by Wednesday, June 7, failing which the union will embark on the nationwide strike.

Ajaero said the decision was taken to force a reversal of the removal of fuel subsidy by the government.

According to him, the decision to embark on strike was prompted by the pains Nigerians are going through following the increase in the cost of petrol, otherwise known as premium motor spirit (PMS), after the Federal Government removed subsidy for the product.

FCTA demolishes UTC shopping complex in Abuja

Ijeoma OPARA
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FCTA demolishes UTC shopping complex in Abuja

THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) demolished the UTC shopping complex in Area 10, Abuja, on Saturday, June 3.

UTC, one of the most popular shopping centres in the FCT, is widely regarded as the major hub for various forms of printing and allied businesses in the nation’s capital.

Traders at the trading complex allege that there was no prior notice of demolition, although they had been instructed to move into an incomplete structure nearby for the remodelling of the market.

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Chairman of the Traders Union at the market Bright Nnanna accused the FCTA of not carrying traders and stakeholders along in its plans to remodel the market and described the alternative structure provided as inhabitable.

“Fuel subsidy has just been removed. Where do you expect people to turn to? This is not a government that has the people at heart,” Nnanna said.

Another trader Hussaina Raji was spotted trying to salvage what was left of her property from the rubble. She described the demolition exercise as inhumane.

“I own shop C10 here. This is where I do my business, this is where I feed my family from. I was not informed that they are coming. They feel less concerned because they are not affected. They still have the guts to arrest a person in this situation. That is inhumane! They are not being fair to us,” she said.

Trader at UTC market, Hussaina Raji
Trader at UTC market, Hussaina Raji

Chairman Shop Owners Association in the market, Godfrey Ojarikre, said they had filed a case against the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in court, and parties involved were ordered to maintain the status quo.

He said the FCT minister, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja Investment Company, and real estate development company Urban Shelter, among others, were co-defendants in the suit.

“The matter is already in court. All the parties were duly served. There was no notice whatsoever. We built these shops with our own money, and the government did not even bother to invite us for once to any meeting for dialogue,” Ojarikre said.

He alleged that the real estate development company, Urban Shelter, played a pivotal role in the demolition of the market, as the organisation was interested in remodelling the market.

“Bala Abdullahi Kwato, the Director, Infrastructure with Urban Shelter, is the one behind all these. The day he wrote a petition against some of our men to the Zone 7 Police Station, that is when we sensed that this type of thing will happen one day,” Ojarikre added.

The ICIR reached out to Urban Shelter over the allegations, but the company’s phone lines did not connect until this report was filed.

Efforts to reach the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister Ikharo Attah were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls until press time.

In April, traders at the market staged protests at the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and the FCTA secretariats against the planned demolition of the market.

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