Category: News

…As Ndume counters claim, says it’s not 

Strong indications, yesterday, suggested that the candidacy of former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, may have hit a brick wall as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is said to have withdrawn his support for him in the contest for the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.

Recall that the All Progressives Congress, APC, had announced the endorsement of Senator Godswill Akpabio and three others for the topmost positions in the National Assembly.

Senator Akpabio from South-South was endorsed for Senate president, Senator Jubrin Barau from North-West for Deputy Senate President, Tajudeen Abass, North-West for speaker, House of Representatives and Kanu, South-East, for deputy speaker.

This did not, however, go down well with some members of the party, especially those aspiring for the position of presiding offices in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, following the protests and condemnation that trailed the party’s endorsements.

It was gathered yesterday that senators, mainly from the South West, have called for a meeting for tomorrow, where they would take a decision to work towards reviewing their position on choice of leadership of the Senate.

According to a senator from one of the states in the South West, the meeting is for senators from the zone to know the outcome of a crucial meeting of the leading tendency among the senators-elect scheduled for Thursday which they have strategically asked some of their members to attend.

President Bola Tinubu is said to have heeded the advice of his trusted political allies by tacitly withdrawing his support for the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The President, sources said, was resolute in running a corruption-free government, with emphasis on strengthening all the existing policies and institutions concerned with anti-corruption towards achieving this goal.

In his inaugural speech, Tinubu declared pointedly that his government would take” proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption, while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies.”

With this statement, the source said ”most of us have come to the full realization of the fact that President Bola Tinubu would not for anything support any senator with myriads of cases of corruption in the anti-graft agencies after declaring before the world that he would strengthen and make them more effective.”

A senator from one of the state in the S-West confided in Vanguard: “We have seen the follies in remaining in this camp, it will not work. We have fixed a meeting for Thursday where we are going to chart our next line of action.”

However, the Director General for the Akpabio/Barau Stability Group, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South, said in his reaction to the development yesterday: “It is not surprising that whenever a politically exposed person is contesting elections, some people would be sponsored to raise issues against him or her.

“Don’t forget that President Bola Tinubu was also severally accused when he was campaigning to be president.”

“We are not actually bothered about what the sponsored groups are saying about Akpabio, the anti-graft agencies know what to do. Why are they teaching them what to do?

“They are alleging that some corrupt activities took place under his watch at the NDDC but they did not say he misappropriated funds as governor or as minister.

“Akpabio was not the accounting officer of the NDDC, he only supervised the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

“They also accused him of not constituting the board of the NDDC but that also was not his job. The president of the country is saddled with such responsibility.”

Vanguard

…FG, labour meeting deadlocked

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Ltd, Garba Deen Muhammad, said the price adjustment was in line with “market realities”, noting that the firm had directed its outlets nationwide to sell fuel between N480 and N570 per litre.

“NNPC Limited wishes to inform our esteemed customers that we have adjusted our pump prices of PMS across our retail outlets, in line with current market realities.

“As we strive to provide you with the quality service for which we are known, it is pertinent to note that prices will continue to fluctuate to reflect market dynamics,” he had said in a statement.

According to a widely circulated list, a new table of retail prices had been adopted for different geopolitical zones of the country.

Retail managers of NNPCL outlets were instructed to implement the review from May 31 despite the claim of the provisions of N3.36trn to cover fuel subsidy payment for the first six months of 2023 by the previous administration.

According to the new price schedule, petrol will sell for N557 per litre in Maiduguri, Borno State, and Damaturu, Yobe, while it will sell for N550 per litre in the other states of the North East.

Birnin Kebbi will buy petrol at N545 to lead prices in the North West. The average price in the North Central zone will be N537 per litre, except in Ilorin, where it will sell for N515 per litre. Consumers in the South East will buy at an average of N520 per litre.

Apart from Uyo, Akwa Ibom and Yenagoa, Bayelsa where petrol will now sell for N515 per litre, the rest of the South South will get the product at N511 per litre.

A litre will sell for N500 in the South West, except in Lagos State for N488.

Petrol stations, including those of the NNPCL, across the country, have already adjusted their pump prices accordingly.

Nigerians groan as queues, hike in prices hit states

Transport fares in Abuja, Lagos and other cities increased yesterday amidst the current fuel crisis, which has led to long queues at most petrol stations.

A trip from Lugbe to Secretariat and Area 10 in Abuja that hitherto cost N200 increased to N400 while Nyanya/Mararaba to Berger is now N400 from N250/N300.

From Bwari to Berger and Area 1 is now N1,000/N1,200 from N500, while from Kubwa to Berger now cost N800/N1,000 from N300.

An official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at one of the major parks in Nyanya said the transport fare from the park to Kaduna and Kogi is now N4,000 from N3,500.

Commuters in Lagos were seen trekking long distances as a result of hike in cost of transportation coupled with traffic congestion which has been made worse by queues at most filling stations in the state.

Oshodi to Mile 2 which was previously N400 is now N800; Agbara to Mile 2 is now N1,000 from N500 while commuters from Iyana-Iba to Iyana-Ipaja are expected to pay N800 from the initial price of N300. A trip from Costain to Ikeja which was N400 is now N800 while Costain to Apapa which used to be N200 is now N400.

In Oyo state, transporters increased their fares too. A trip from Ojoo to Total Garden has risen to N500 from N200; that of Ibadan to Lagos, which hitherto was between N800 and N1,200, was hiked to between N2,000 and N3,500 across various parks in the state.

Daily Trust also observed that the transport fare to Zaria from Kano which was N1,500 had been increased to N2,000; while from Zaria to Kaduna is now N3,500 from N2,000. A trip from Kano to Abuja had been hiked to N7,000 from N5,500.

In Kano, a dispatch rider at Kwari market, Suleiman Auwal said, “We’ve increased our services per trip from N500 to N1000 because we use fuel to convey goods to different clients”

In Ibadan, a bowl of garri, which sold for N350 as of Monday, now goes for N370 at the popular Bodija market. The same applies to yam flour price which has been increased from N300 to N350 per bowl

FG, labour meeting deadlocked

The meeting between the organised labour and the federal government representatives at the State House, Abuja, on the petrol subsidy removal yesterday ended in a stalemate as no agreement was reached.

The organised labour was led by the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero and his counterpart for the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo.

The attendees included a former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole; Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar; the Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL, Mele Kyari; a director in the defunct Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organization, Dele Alake, among others.

Ajaero and Osifo told reporters after the meeting that the labour’s position was that the status quo be maintained on petrol price while negotiations continued.

They said another meeting would be held after discussions with members of their executives on the outcomes of yesterday’s interaction with the government team.

Ajaero said, “As far as labour is concerned, we didn’t have a consensus in this meeting.”

He faulted the decision of the NNPCL to review the petrol pump price before the meeting, stating that the increase put the labour unions in a difficult position during negotiations.

“That’s the principle of negotiation. You don’t put the partner, ask them to negotiate under gunpoint.

“The prayers of the NLC is that we go back to status quo, negotiate, think of alternatives and all the effects and how to manage the effects this action is going to have on the people. If it’s an action that must take off.

“The subsidy provision has been made up to the end of June. And before then, conscious people, labour management, government should be able to think of what will happen at the end of June. You don’t start it before the time,” Ajaero said.

Alake said talks on solutions to all issues at hand would continue.

He said: “We’ve been deliberating on finding very amicable solutions to the issue at hand, to the queue and all of that and the increase in pump price.

“We had a very robust engagement. We cross-fertilized ideas, ideas flew from all sides and there is one thing that is remarkable even from the labour side, and that’s Nigeria. We’re all looking at the peace, progress and stability of Nigeria. That’s what is paramount.

“Of course, the NNPCL CEO is here, Mr Kyari, we cannot go into details now because the talks are still ongoing. We cannot finish everything at one setting, so, we’ve adjourned now, we’re continuing the talks at a later date very shortly.

“But the point is that the talks are ongoing and it’s always better for all sides to keep talking with a view to arriving at a very amicable resolution that’ll be in the longer term interest for all Nigerians. That’s as much as we can say now.”

An Economist, Dr Bongo Adi, who is a senior faculty member, Lagos Business School, said the petrol subsidy removal was the right way to go as it would ensure the industry aligns with the dictates of the market.

He however warned that the government should guide against a situation where marketers formed a cartel to determine prices.

Daily Trust

Two serving Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mathew Urhogide from Edo State and Ayo Akinyelure from Ondo State, have resigned their membership of the opposition party.

The notice of their resignation was contained in two separate letters addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and read during Wednesday’s plenary.

Senator Urhogide represents Edo South Senatorial District in the red chamber while Senator Akinyelure represents Ondo Central Senatorial District.

In the letter, Senator Urhogide, who chairs the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC), said his decision to resign from PDP with immediate effect was because of the inability of the PDP to reconcile the crisis in the party both in his Edo State and national level.

For his part, Akinyelure, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, said he inteded to quit the party at the expiration of the 9th Senate session in order to venture into other things for the development of his native Ondo State and Nigeria at large.

Leadership

NNPC Limited has confirmed the full deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry with petrol now selling at market price following the removal of subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.

NNPC, in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Deen Muhammad on Wednesday, said pump price at its retail stations have been adjusted.

The statement read, “NNPC Limited wishes to inform our esteemed customers that we have adjusted our pump price of PMS across our retail outlets, in line with the current market realities.

“As we strive to provide you the quality service we are known for, it is pertinent to note that prices will continue to fluctuate to reflect market dynamics.

“We assure you that NNPC Ltd. is committed to ensuring ceaseless supply of products.

“The Company sincerely regrets any inconvenience this development might have caused.

“We greatly appreciate your continued patronage, support and understanding through this time of change and growth”.

Checks by Vanguard and Leadership around Abuja City centre and surrounding areas showed that while NNPC retail stations have raised their prices to N537 per litre from N195 per litre, major and independent marketers dispensed at N540 per litre.

Vanguard

Vice President Kashim Shettima has affirmed the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration on removal of fuel subsidy.

In his inaugural address on Monday, Tinubu declared an end to the era of subsidy payment, saying the 2023 budget made no provision for fuel subsidy, so further payment was no longer justifiable.

“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu declared at the Eagle Square on Monday after he was sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th President.

Addressing State House Correspondents in his office on Tuesday, the Vice President corroborated his principal’s stance on the removal of fuel subsidy.

He restated Tinubu’s commitment to better the lives of the Nigerian people in the four years.

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Chetanne Chinelo & Daberechukwu Egbo, Enugu

Following the taking of oath of office and inauguration of Dr. Peter Mbah as the new Governor of Enugu State and Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai as the new Deputy Governor by the Chief Judge of the state on Monday, May 29, 2023, stakeholders, citizens and public office holders have continued to send out congratulatory messages to the duo.

In their different messages made available to Pacesetter, they commended him and his deputy for their victory at the polls, while reminding them of the promises contained in their manifesto.

In his message, a former Deputy Governor of the state and General Superintendent of the Christ Ascension Church Worldwide, Rt. Rev. Dr. Ralph Ifeanyi Nwoye, described Mbah as an astute industrialist and investor while clearly stating his confidence in the new Governor

“The hopes and expectations are understandably high; however, I am convinced you are equal to the task. I wish you well, and God willing, your years as the Governor of Enugu State will be the best we have had so far”, Nwoye said.

Patrick Nwabueze Ubru noted that “The battle was hard but Enugu people stood firm and resolute and God prevailed. Your emergence as candidates for Executive Governor and Deputy Governor is like fresh sparkling spring springing up in a desert”.

Continuing, the Head, USA REGION, Peter Mbah Campaign, Dr. Ife Sinachi Ugwuonye-Okechukwu, described the inauguration of Mbah and his expected performance as a “fait accompli”.

She said: “We are all very excited because we believe that our brand new Governor is well equipped with exceptional abilities to take our dear state, Enugu to an enviable position as the leading state in Nigeria.

“We worked hard, as a team to get here. We are proud of the outcome and very optimistic about the future for the good people of Enugu State”.

Reiterating that what will happen in Mbah and Ossai’s administration could be better imagined, the state’s immediate past Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David Ugwunta stressed: “The good people of Enugu look forward to the deployment of your fountain of expertise, brilliance, skill and wide reach in consolidating on the achievements of the past PDP administration in building a better Enugu”.

Advicing the new Sherrif, Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, Executive Director, LEAD Network Africa said: “I have three uncommon pieces of advice to you.

“Firstly, never let your government be hijacked. Ensure you are in charge always. Secondly, get rid of unproductive folks. It is counterproductive trying to achieve a noble purpose with the wrong set of people. Thirdly, the scarcest commodity in the place of power is the truth. To succeed, you must consciously surround yourself with critical minds and not sycophants.”

On his part, the General Manager of Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, ESHDC, Chukwuemelie Agu, gave his warm regards to the new Governor and wished him a fruitful and eventful tenure.

“Enugu state marches into a new era of more development and consolidation.

“Your assumption of office will witness ESHDC providing quality and affordable housing schemes for the high, medium and low income earners as never done before.”

Asso. Prof. Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu, the immediate past Commissioner for Health, wished Mbah blessings, steadiness of mind and spirit as “he takes up the baton of Governor in Enugu”.

A former guber aspirant and the immediate past Commissioner for Rural Development in the state, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, described Peter Mbah’s emergence as the new political leader of Enugu State as “A divine and eloquent testimony of his wide acceptance by our people.”

He urged him to deploy his altruistic disposition, disruptive innovation, resilience, doggedness and commitment to the service of the state.

The Registrar, Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Dr. Obiageli Igwesi, alluded to the “loud manifesto” of Dr. Peter Mbah which she said “leaves no one in doubt of the level of preparedness for the daunting task ahead”, while lauding his “compassionate attribute exhibited through the Peter Mbah Foundation”.

The Spokesman of the Enugu State PDP campaign council, Barr. Nana Ogbodo, lauded Mbah’s success and expressed confidence concerning the future of Enugu.

“… I have conviction that the tireless zeal that underpin your work ethic will translate your grand vision for Enugu State into a glorious dawn for all, regardless of creed, region or ethno-cultural bloc.”

Business Mogul, Engr. Prince Lawrence Ozoemene Ezeh, noted that “Our people look up to you for a replication of the Pinnacle Miracle in our dear state. We are certain that with God on your side, you will accomplish your robust promises to our people.”

On his part, Engr. Onyema Odo, the General Manager, Enugu State Rural Electrification Board, wished him” good tidings, the enablement, strength, ability, wisdom, courage and stamina to be able to make his mark”.

Speaking on behalf of a political support group, Peter Mbah Grassroot Canvassers, the Director General, Owelle Steve Avah, urged Mbah to replicate his entrepreneurial success in governance.

“Your stint in the private sector, the richness of your policy document, the truthfulness of your promises and the conviction in your tone validate the extent of your preparedness to serve Enugu state. May God give you the courage and political will to do all that is right for our state”, Avah averred.

Also, the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government, Hon. Uchenna Ejim, while extolling the Governor and his deputy, re-echoed: “…the time we eagerly waited for is here, and we are pleased beyond measures to know that a new sheriff is in town to disrupt the status quo and give Enugu State a unique and better style of leadership, quantum leap in economic growth and prosperity”.

Ben Nwoye, a former Chairman of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Chieftain of the party, while expressing joy over Mbah and Ossai’s inauguration observed that “His emergence…is an indication that Enugu State is poised for an astronomical growth in all sectors of the state.”

Mbah’s inauguration ceremony, which witnessed a mammoth crowd as Enugu people defied both the rain and sit-at-home order, was attended by notable leaders of the state, including former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Sullivan Chime, Okwesilieze Nwodo, and former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo as well as the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, among others.

President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, ans Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele at the State House on Tuesday afternoon.

The purpose of the meeting is believed to be linked to Tinubu’s remarks regarding the removal of fuel subsidy, which he mentioned in his inaugural speech on Monday.

As a consequence of the discussions surrounding fuel subsidy removal, fuel queues have resurfaced across the country.

The situation has caused inconvenience and frustration among the populace.

The meeting between Tinubu, Kyari, and Emefiele is likely an effort to address the concerns and find a suitable resolution to the ongoing fuel subsidy issue.

Leadership

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is insisting that he will not step down for anyone in the race for the office of the senate president.

Kalu had made his intention clear about becoming the leader of the Senate a few months ago.

“It is my turn to become the Senate President. If I’m elected Senate President, I will be Team Nigeria. I’m going to work in every corner of Nigeria,” the ex-Abia governor said,” Kalu had said

“I schooled in Maiduguri, Borno State. I started my business in Lagos and spread it across all state capitals. My first name will be Team Nigeria, and my last name will be Team Nigeria.

“I’m hoping that Nigerians will pray for me to become Senate President because it’s my turn.”

However, The National Working Committee of the All Progressive Party had shown their preference for Senators Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau for the office of the Senate President and Deputy respectively.

Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Senator Kalu says talks are at an advanced stage between himself and former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, to contest the 10th Senate Presidency on a joint ticket and the outcome of their meetings would be unveiled soon.

Senator Kalu’s position is contrary to the stand of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC which has zoned the seat of the Senate Presidency to the South-South and chose Senator Godswill Akpabio to lead the 10th Senate.

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