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•Say, many people on the streets are walking corpses •Can’t bear the hardship for 15 years•FG’s reforms harsh, elitist, unsustainable — Professor Uremadu •World Bank advice misguided, insulting to millions of Nigerians — ActionAid Last Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Nigerians got the shock of their lives even as they grappled with hunger and pains occasioned by government policies. The World Bank Senior Vice President, Indermit Gill, declared in Abuja that it would take at least 10 or 15 years for President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms to transform the economy and advised the Federal Government not to waive but continue with the reforms in the said years ahead. In his special remarks at the Nigeria Economic Summit, the World Bank official said among others that the “oil wealth that should be used for the welfare of all Nigerians, has for too long been used to benefit just the elites. The elites are also being hurt by these reforms that started last year, but they have done very well in the past, and they have built big buffers. The ordinary Nigerians are being hurt even more, and they were hurt much more by the policies of the past. Nigeria will need to stay the course for at least another 10 or 15 years to transform this economy. It’s very difficult to do these things but the rewards are massive. ”This advice from the World Bank has provoked many Nigerians who rejected it. Nigerians from different strata of life have therefore warned President Bola Tinubu that he would face the threat of implosion by angry citizens should the Federal Government go ahead with the World Bank’s advice to sustain the prevailing stinging reforms for the next 10 to 15 years. They urged President Tinubu to ignore the World Bank, saying there was experiential evidence worldwide, including Nigeria, that the financial institution was not delivering the sustained economic growth, prosperity, and better standards of life it promised with its package. Nigeria on the throes of catastrophic collapse – Prof Ochonu A Nigerian academic, historian, author, and professor of African History at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America, Prof. Moses Ochonu, asserted: “We may be on the throes of an implosion, a showdown between suffering Nigerians and their rapacious and unfeeling leaders. The 10-15-year timeline of sustained hardship suggested by the World Bank is humanly impossible to bear or adapt to. It may come down to a choice between predictable, defeatist death by hunger and heroic death by mass social upheaval, and I warn that it is not too late for Tinubu and his people to defuse the ticking incendiary device of hardship they have cultivated, incubated, and unleashed on Nigerians. They can still change course and remove the impossible choice of death by hardship and death by uprising. Any people, no matter how resilient and creatively adaptable they may be, have their limits. People are not machines, even machines break down when subjected to stress and tension over a long period. The World Bank is notorious for prescribing a self-annihilating path of economic reforms to developing countries whose leaders depend on loans to support budgets that are largely mismanaged projects. This pattern of subservience and dependence emboldens the World Bank to recommend harmful reforms to our leaders. The World Bank, we should remember, is a distant hegemonic player with no empathy for Nigerians. Its only interest is to push for so-called reforms and adjustments that fulfil the ideological fantasies of its Western funders and principals. Past Nigerian presidents since 1999 and even before proved themselves pliable, to various degrees, to the World Bank’s manipulative influence and allowed the institution to influence some aspects of their fiscal, economic, and monetary policies. Sadly, President Tinubu has taken this to unheard-of levels. He has essentially outsourced every facet of his government’s economic policy to the World Bank and its neo-liberal agenda of stripping the poor of subsidies, cushions, and state-funded opportunities to increase the pool of revenue available to political elites and to repay dubious multilateral loans. Tinubu is the most World Bank-compliant president we have ever had—no question about it. His devotion to the World Bank reform orthodoxy is uncritical and total, and he is blinded to the contradiction in the World Bank’s rhetoric on Nigeria. As long as the World Bank praises their action and they have access to World Bank financial facilities, Tinubu, and his economic team will continue to allow the World Bank people to have it both ways and escape the scrutiny they deserve. The duplicity of the World Bank is numbing. It advances reforms that decimate the Nigerian middle class and intensify the precariousness of the poor, while at the same time claiming that it is not the reforms that are deepening poverty and hardship. World Bank’s advice not only unacceptable but inhumane — ActionAid ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, in a reaction by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said: “The recent statement made by the World Bank Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Mr. Indermit Gill at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES30) in Abuja urging the Nigerian government to sustain its current economic reforms for the next 10-15 years with no clear plans on how it will cater for the people is misguided and insulting to the millions of Nigerians living through unprecedented economic hardship. This call assumes that continuity and persistence in these policies will yield transformative results, but the evidence tells otherwise. While long-term reform is important, the strategies proposed by the World Bank seem disconnected from the immediate socio-economic realities of Nigeria, especially regarding poverty, weak institutional capacity, and structural economic deficiencies. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been deeply involved in Nigeria’s economy for decades, pushing policies that have done far more harm than good. The Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) introduced in the late 1980s remains one of the most devastating legacies of this relationship. It crippled our local industries, especially the textile sector, and opened the floodgates for Nigeria to become heavily dependent on imported goods. Before the SAP, Nigeria’s textile industry was a vibrant hub employing hundreds of thousands of workers. While the World Bank celebrates the unification of Nigeria’s exchange rate as the most effective in 20 years, it has led to severe hardship for citizens, driving inflation to a 28-year high. Additionally, the sudden removal of fuel subsidies without robust compensatory mechanisms has further eroded household incomes. These reforms disproportionately affect Nigeria’s poorest, pushing the country deeper into poverty while global financial institutions and foreign investors reap the benefits of Nigeria’s open economy. “It is not only unacceptable but inhumane to ask Nigerians to endure 15 more years of suffering in the name of reforms that have historically failed us. Millions of Nigerians can barely afford food, fuel, or basic services today. Asking them to wait for over a decade for things to get better is an affront to their dignity and a reckless gamble with the nation’s future. The question is, how many Nigerians will be alive till then to reap the benefits of these reforms, what does the future hold for our children who are currently feeling the brunt of the hardship, will there still be hope for them in 15 years’ time? “Nigerians cannot and will not wait for 15 years for economic policies that will continually inflict hardship. The people of this nation deserve urgent action, not promises of long-term recovery. Every passing day under the weight of these reforms pushes more citizens into extreme poverty and despair.“ We demand that the government rethinks its blind allegiance to the World Bank’s economic blueprint and starts prioritizing the welfare of its people.“ The government must reject the idea that growth must come at the expense of human lives and begin to invest meaningfully in local industries, small businesses, and sustainable economic models that empower Nigerians rather than enslave them. The government must impartially fight one of the root causes of this hardship which is corruption starting with the NNPC as they are at the middle of corruption and responsible for the mismanagement of funds from recent reports of the $300 million ‘bailout funds collected from the Federal Government. Amongst all, accountability to the people must take precedence and reforms must be people-centered.” Scheme to hold the nation hostage – Gbemre N-Delta activist A Niger Delta activist, Zik Gbemre, who dismissed the World Bank’s advisory, said: “I do not agree with this, it is a conspiracy aimed at keeping Nigeria perpetually in bondage, in chains and handcuffs. We were told under Ibrahim Babangida’s military administration that if Nigeria devalued her currency, that would end poverty, but since then, Nigerian currency has been worthless. Nigeria’s problems are visible and we do not need a microscope to see them.There are too many leakages in the public treasury, appointing people without capacity, and with worthless accumulated certificates and degrees/diplomas to head government parastatals and ministries/agencies. Nigeria needs sincere people. If all these wastages are stopped, credible people elected and appointed, Nigeria will overcome inflation, hardship, and poverty. Few individuals control the public treasury.” An assembly of impostors — Prof Muoboghare A Niger Delta leader and former Commissioner in Delta State, Prof Patrick Muoboghare, retorted: “The World Bank is an assemblage of first-world fraudsters braying upon the third-world and having her for a success dinner.” They have taken our govt captive —Egi, activist An activist, Engr. Mike Egi, added: “Nigerians have no choice, an agent of the World Bank and stooge of imperialism has kidnapped their government.” It is provocative —West, Bayelsa CLO chair The chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, in Bayelsa State, Mr. David West, declared: “I disagree with the World Bank on its opinion to give President Bola Tinubu administration’s reforms another 10 to 15 years or that Nigerians should continue to endure this extraneous hardship for another 10 to 15 years. It is provoking as a matter of fact. Nigerians are tired of exercising patience on this suffering. In Europe or elsewhere, the hardship is not equitable to what we are going through here in Nigeria. If what we are passing through happens in any of the European countries, I do not think they will condone it. Let us not deceive ourselves, Nigerians cannot give the government another 10 years to endure further hardship. Therefore, the federal government should not rely on this postulation by the World Bank, they should abandon it and begin to see how they will bring Nigeria out from this terrible, excruciating, hunger, hardship, and poverty.” Enemy of Nigeria – Akpan, activist The Executive Director of COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peace Building in Akwa Ibom State, Saviour Okon Akpan, said: “When groups like the World Bank give out such advice to countries like Nigeria, the first question I ask is: Is Nigeria an independent country? And to what extent can we exercise such independence? Secondly, from the advice of the World Bank, I have seen the institution as Nigeria’s enemy because if the World Bank is serious about reforms as it claims, it should have put its feet down and stop Nigeria from the menace of borrowing to loot and re-looting the recovered stolen funds.The World Bank as far as I am concerned does not care about the lives of Nigerians, rather they are interested in protecting the economic interest of their owners through the weaponization of poverty at all fronts, not minding the effects. But what will be their gain by not allowing nations to operate their home-grown economic system within their needs, but based on what the World Bank wants? It is disheartening because our elected representatives, including the President, unfortunately, do not have a clear-cut blueprint and escape strategy to revive the economy. It will be too touchy for Nigerians – Ovo, economist Charles Oyo an economist who resides in Warri,, opined: “It is very likely those offering the advice to the federal government do so from the comfort of their air-conditioned offices and houses. They know Nigerians are going through the most severe hardship they have ever had since its creation in 1960. The eastern part of the country suffered more during the civil war no doubt, but as one entity, Nigerians have not had it this tough. The advice from the international agency could be the right step but the realities on the ground do not support it. It will be tough for Nigerians to bear.” Ploy to keep us in perpetual penury —Professor Uremadu Professor of Banking & Finance, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, Professor Sebastian Uremadu, described the advice by the World Bank Vice President as hypocritical and anti-people. Prof. Uremadu said Tinubu’s policies are elitist, retrogressive and unsustainable, regretting that they have rather brought pain on Nigerians. He said: “God forbid such unsolicited advice. In fact, it’s no advice but a prescription of the World Bank to keep us in perpetual penury. Nigerians are already walking corpses. From May 2023 when he unilaterally removed fuel subsidy, things went awry. Fuel subsidy affects everything, once the transportation cost goes up, it can’t come down. There is insecurity everywhere, farmers can’t go to farm again and there’s hunger everywhere. Tinubu should restore fuel subsidy, no country exists without one form of subsidy or the other. Even America subsidies for her farmers. The President’s policies on taxation are hurting and should not be sustained. Many multinationals are pulling out of Nigeria and even local companies are folding up because they can no longer cope. When you have multiple taxation you are imposing a heavy burden on the people because they are the ones that will eventually pay the tax. So, for me, the World Bank advice is bad. It’s not in the best interest of Nigerians, the people are finding life difficult, we can’t sustain Tinubu’s reforms “ . Nothing wrong with Tinubu reforms — Ambakederimo, S-South leader Convener of the South-South Reawakening Group, Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, who differed in his view, said: “Often, we have managed the Nigerian economy in an ad-hoc manner with no one leader willing to take some hard decisions that will pivot the country towards sustainability. The quick-fix measure that we have tried many times was to keep postponing the evil day. President Bola Tinubu’s economic elixir for the country is looking bad for the people with everyone shouting and even asking for the reversal of the reforms until the World Bank President spoke in favour of the reforms, asking us to allow it go through for another ten years or more before we begin to see the results. We should support the reforms and allow them to take their full course, which should be a one-off pain. The fact that the oil wealth has benefited a tiny majority of Nigerians is no news, but the question is how do we turn the narrative around for the good of the people. This is where the problem lies because mismanagement and misapplication of resources have become rife. The oil wealth is held down by a few with the majority sulking with very little or nothing, therefore, we must strive to ensure that violators of the management of our common patrimony are punished. This is the only way we can have some respite.” World Bank not after our interest, should be ignored — COSEYL President General of COSEYL, Comrade Goolldluck Ibem said: “The activities and advice of World Bank before now have shown that it is an organization that is not interested in the welfare of African countries but rather only interested in advancing her objectives and goals while pretending to care for the country they are advising. The World Bank is the reason the naira is on its knees today. Its advice to the former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida to implement the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, led to the galloping devaluation of the naira. Since then, we have not recovered from that huge mistake. President Bola Tinubu should ignore any advice from the World Bank. Any President who wants to succeed must prioritize the interest of his people above any interest from any quarters.” Rev. Joseph John Hayab, former CAN Chairman, of Kaduna state, said“ Many visiting world Bank chiefs love making anti-people statements whenever they come to Nigeria. Nigerians have not quickly forgotten the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) of the Babangida era, which also came from advice from some international monetary organisations that pushed the country into a poor economic state. These world bodies always advise our leaders to introduce policies that will not yield any positive results. The World Bank and other international groups cannot give leaders of European countries and the USA any economic advice that will make their citizens suffer because they know every responsible government puts its citizens first in every decision and action. Some of their statements do not show respect for our citizens, instead, they are taking our patience for granted and misleading our leaders. I will therefore advise President Tinubu to know that he is the President of many hungry Nigerians and he should find an urgent solution to the acute hunger and poverty in the land. Any economic policy or international advice that will not address hunger, poverty and lift up the standard of living of the common men and women should be discarded. The World Bank and all other international monetary agencies should only advise our government on how to reduce poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor. They must not help to increase the hardship our citizens are facing already which may push the citizens to revolt”. Suleiman Abdul-Aziz, spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), said“ I think while the World Bank’s advice to sustain the Tinubu reforms may have merit, it is essential to ensure that these reforms benefit all Nigerians and address the current hardships faced by the population. The government must prioritize the welfare of the people and implement policies that promote inclusive growth and development. Nigerians should not have to bear the burden of economic reforms alone; it is the responsibility of the government and international institutions to ensure that the benefits of these reforms are felt by all. Anthony N Z Sani, former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF): Read the full article

The Peoples Democratic Party kicked against the result of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, which ushered in the All Progressives Congress candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo as the new governor of the state. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who is the Chairman, Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council, on Sunday, stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission should be held accountable for violating the Electoral Act. Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who came second with 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who emerged third with 22, 763 votes. Of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, the APC won 10 while the PDP settled for eight, but the PDP, in solidarity with its Governors Forum, insisted Ighodalo “clearly won the election.” In a statement on Sunday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba responded by explaining that Fintiri presented results from the polling units showing Ighodalo in a clear lead. The PDP stated, “The Peoples Democratic Party stands by the results of the Edo State Governorship election as garnered by its polling agents across the state and echoed by the Chairman of the Edo PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, which indicate that the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, clearly won the election. “The PDP asserts that the rush, venom, and hauling of insults with which the All Progressives Congress attacked Governor Fintiri only confirms APC’s violent desperation to cover its manipulations and steal the mandate freely given to Dr. Asue Ighodalo by the people of Edo State as reflected in the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units. “As Governor Fintiri presented, the results collated from the Polling Units have Asue Ighodalo in a clear lead before the state collation exercise was hijacked by the APC, which, in connivance of some unscrupulous INEC and security officials, engaged in blatant alteration and substitution of the genuine results with fabricated figures in favour of the defeated APC candidate.” The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said the Independent National Electoral Commission must live up to the expectations of the people as an “impartial umpire.” The PDP governors urged INEC to announce results that accurately reflected the wishes of the Edo people as expressed through their votes on Saturday. “This becomes more imperative, especially in the face of the threat to democracy by the total state capture inclination of the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress government,” the forum stated. “As the country perches on the horns of grave economic and security challenges, it is our expectation that INEC and everyone involved in the Edo Governorship Elections will respect the sovereign wishes of the people of Edo State and spare the nation the unpredictable consequences of a disputed result at this time.  “The PDPGF unequivocally reiterates its commitment to democratic best practices, and the peace and stability of a united Nigeria in which the citizens are not only spared the contrived ordeal of the moment but, more importantly, provided alternative opportunities to realise their legitimate dreams. “Finally, we stand with our Governors, H/E Fintiri, H/E Diri, H/E Agbu Kefas, and H/E Oborevwori of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Delta States respectively, on all the actions and positions that they have taken on our behalf, with respect to maintaining the sanctity of the elections.” At the collation centre on Sunday, the state agent of the PDP, Iyoha Osaigbovo, stated that the figures credited to APC were not a true reflection of the wish of the electorate. Osaigbovo said, “We do not accept this result as it’s clear that the figures were allocated to the APC by INEC to aid their victory. The result, which is not a reflection of the people’s wish, may come to hunt you the people presiding over the announcement.” However, Jarrett Tenebe, the acting APC chairman in the state, who took exception to Osaigbovo’s reference to his party in almost all his observations, said he was okay with the outcome of the election. He stated that Edo North, which his party won, had been a stronghold of the APC and became stronger after the state’s reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, rejoined the party. Reacting to the claim by Osaigbovo that the BVAS did not function or was tampered with, Tenebe said, “I would like to urge the CoS to leave the APC out of his observations and complaints. He should direct his complaints to the collation and announcement of results.” However, the state chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, alleged alteration of results, demanding re-collation and re-computation in a letter titled, ‘Re: Protest against manufactured vote entries and unjust inflation of APC votes and deduction of PDP votes in the collation of results of Edo State Governorship Election held on 21 September 2024.’ In the letter addressed to the office of the INEC chairman in Abuja and made available to journalists in Benin City on Sunday, the ruling party alleged that the INEC Result Viewing had inflated the votes to favour the APC. The chairman alleged that results from some units in three Local Government Areas – Akoko Edo, Egor, and Etsako West were manipulated. The letter read, “It has come to our attention that the Electoral Officers appointed by the INEC for the conduct of the Edo State Governorship election, made entries that are different from the actual results as uploaded on the INEC IREV, thereby unjustly inflating votes in favour of the APC and deducting the votes of the PDP. “In Akoko Edo Local Government Area, a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling units results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 25,010 votes while 34,847 votes was recorded in the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, a collation of the votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 18,620 but 15,865 was returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. “It would interest you that in Ward 9 of Akoko Edo LGA, from the 36 Polling Unit results uploaded on the IREV, the total votes obtained by APC is 2,350 while 9104 was entered into the EC8B result for APC. However, the total votes for PDP is 1,359 while 633 were entered in the EC8B. Also, in Ward 6 Akoko Edo LGA, where elections were not held in Ward 6 Units 12, 17, 15, 18, 14, and 16, results were returned for the said polling units in the ward result sheet (EC8B).” It added, “In Egor LGA,  a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling unit results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 10,972 votes while 16,760 votes were recorded in the ECBC declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, a collation of the votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 14,485 but 14,658 were returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. It would interest you to note that the collation of the Egor Local Government Area was not done at the designated LGA centre but was moved to the INEC state headquarters and the PDP agent was not allowed access to be part of the exercise. “In Etsako West, a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling unit results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 29,858 votes while 32,107 votes were recorded in the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, a collation of the votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 16,712 but 17,483 was returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. “The above highlighted irregularities which are very apparent are extremely scandalous and a brazen attempt to steal the mandate of the PDP and also a terrible embarrassment to the commission.” The state’s Labour Party PRO, Sam Uruopa, told The PUNCH that his party was still reviewing the results and would come up with a position after that. When asked if he thought that INEC skewed the result in favour of the APC, he replied, “After we review the result we will come up with a position. It is, however, disheartening that the electorate was induced with money on Election Day, which puts a dent on the credibility of the process.” Youths protest Some youths, who are members of the PDP, staged a protest at the office of INEC against the results. They alleged that the results had been tampered with, adding that the results announced were different from what transpired at the polling units. Though they were restricted to Ramat Park in Ikpoba Hill area of the city by security operatives, the youths sang solidarity songs while some waved leaves to show their displeasure. Meanwhile, a top official of the PDP told News HQ that the party would consider options it has, including using legal means to reverse the decision. He noted that the party chairman had already written to the INEC chairman in Abuja, calling for a re-count and re-computing of the results. He said, “The idea of reclaiming our mandate in the court is not a bad one but the state chairman of the party has already written a letter to the INEC Chairman’s office in Abuja and we are hoping for a favourable reply. “However, if nothing changes, we will have to consider other options, which may also include going to court.” The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, urged the citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property following the announcement of Okpebholo as winner of the poll. He said, “In the last few months, the various political parties have embarked on very rigorous campaigns to sell their respective candidates for the office of governor to the people of Edo State in an exercise which came to a climax yesterday with the gubernatorial election. “The attractive thing about democracy is the power it bestows on the people to choose who governs them. Therefore, when this power is blatantly seized from the people, it is not just a tragedy, but a travesty of democracy. “Regrettably, the outcome of the September 21st governorship election appears to have daunted the spirit of many Edo people who feel powerless in the face of the brute force of the institutions that are supposed to protect them. It is therefore understandable that many people feel sad and aggrieved. “But in the midst of this despair, I am urging all my fellow Edo citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property in spite of this provocation. “Peace and justice will always win at the end and this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time.” He added, “Clearly, it is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election. “In a democracy, there are safeguards for addressing grievances, and we hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process.  “With this in mind, I implore all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses and rest assured of the commitment of our government to your wellbeing and security.” ‘God decreed Okpebholo’ Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Okpebholo, promised to replicate in the state the achievements of Senator Godswill Akpabio during his time as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Okpebholo spoke shortly after INEC declared him winner of last Saturday’s governorship election on Sunday. He was at the Benin City residence of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole alongside other chieftains of the party, including Philip Shaibu, the state’s Deputy Governor. Okpebholo thanked Edo people for standing behind him and promised not to fail them. Oshiomhole, on his part, said, “When some people say election is about do-or-die, we say no it is about choice and power, the people having the power to hire and fire even those that have the power to sign the death warrant. Power resides only with God. “God has decreed Senator Okpebholo to make up for the eight years disaster of Obaseki and Asue together. We did all those campaign without violence. “Edo will now be governed by a man enriched with native wisdom, a man familiar with the custom and tradition of Edo State, a man who has used his resources to show love to the community. He has crude credentials in terms of community service. God has put those who said there will be a bloodbath in shame.” On his part, Senator Akpabio said the victory was a turning point in the politics of Edo State. “The will of God for the people is nothing but happiness, joy, and prosperity. The outcome of the election is a reflection of the confidence Nigerians have continued to express in President Bola Tinubu that his administration is doing its best to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria. “What has happened in Edo is a clear reflection of what will happen in Ondo in November.” Tinubu, Buhari speak President Bola Tinubu on Sunday congratulated Okpebholo on his victory at the election. The President’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, and made available on Sunday evening. Tinubu commended the party’s national leaders, Edo State leaders, and governors for working hard to achieve victory. “The victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians,” the statement read. He urged Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service. He further encouraged him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development. The President urged all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels. “I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful, and largely hitch-free exercise. “INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country,” the President said. The immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari also congratulated Okpebholo on his “prized, historic electoral victory.” Buhari, in a statement by Garba Shehu, said he was very hopeful that both leaders of the incoming administration and the party that lost would work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of the state’s development. “Congratulations to the APC and the election winner, Senator Monday Okpebholo on the historic electoral victory and my warmest wishes for a new lease of life for Edo State and its people. “I very much hope the winners and the losers would work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of development in the state. “I commend law enforcement agencies for the efforts that they put in ensuring a peaceful election and the multitude of election officials who strive to improve their act with each election. “I pray that Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country, will continue to achieve remarkable progress under democracy,” he said. Speaking after the declaration of Okpebholo as winner of the election, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was in Benin for the election, said “I strongly believe that the election in Edo, though tense at the beginning, is a reflection of the confidence that Nigerians continue to express in President Tinubu.” Read the full article

The Peoples Democratic Party kicked against the result of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, which ushered in the All Progressives Congress candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo as the new governor of the state. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who is the Chairman, Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council, on Sunday, stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission should be held accountable for violating the Electoral Act. Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who came second with 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who emerged third with 22, 763 votes. Of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, the APC won 10 while the PDP settled for eight, but the PDP, in solidarity with its Governors Forum, insisted Ighodalo “clearly won the election.” In a statement on Sunday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba responded by explaining that Fintiri presented results from the polling units showing Ighodalo in a clear lead. The PDP stated, “The Peoples Democratic Party stands by the results of the Edo State Governorship election as garnered by its polling agents across the state and echoed by the Chairman of the Edo PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, which indicate that the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, clearly won the election. “The PDP asserts that the rush, venom, and hauling of insults with which the All Progressives Congress attacked Governor Fintiri only confirms APC’s violent desperation to cover its manipulations and steal the mandate freely given to Dr. Asue Ighodalo by the people of Edo State as reflected in the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units. “As Governor Fintiri presented, the results collated from the Polling Units have Asue Ighodalo in a clear lead before the state collation exercise was hijacked by the APC, which, in connivance of some unscrupulous INEC and security officials, engaged in blatant alteration and substitution of the genuine results with fabricated figures in favour of the defeated APC candidate.” The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said the Independent National Electoral Commission must live up to the expectations of the people as an “impartial umpire.” The PDP governors urged INEC to announce results that accurately reflected the wishes of the Edo people as expressed through their votes on Saturday. “This becomes more imperative, especially in the face of the threat to democracy by the total state capture inclination of the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress government,” the forum stated. “As the country perches on the horns of grave economic and security challenges, it is our expectation that INEC and everyone involved in the Edo Governorship Elections will respect the sovereign wishes of the people of Edo State and spare the nation the unpredictable consequences of a disputed result at this time.  “The PDPGF unequivocally reiterates its commitment to democratic best practices, and the peace and stability of a united Nigeria in which the citizens are not only spared the contrived ordeal of the moment but, more importantly, provided alternative opportunities to realise their legitimate dreams. “Finally, we stand with our Governors, H/E Fintiri, H/E Diri, H/E Agbu Kefas, and H/E Oborevwori of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Delta States respectively, on all the actions and positions that they have taken on our behalf, with respect to maintaining the sanctity of the elections.” At the collation centre on Sunday, the state agent of the PDP, Iyoha Osaigbovo, stated that the figures credited to APC were not a true reflection of the wish of the electorate. Osaigbovo said, “We do not accept this result as it’s clear that the figures were allocated to the APC by INEC to aid their victory. The result, which is not a reflection of the people’s wish, may come to hunt you the people presiding over the announcement.” However, Jarrett Tenebe, the acting APC chairman in the state, who took exception to Osaigbovo’s reference to his party in almost all his observations, said he was okay with the outcome of the election. He stated that Edo North, which his party won, had been a stronghold of the APC and became stronger after the state’s reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, rejoined the party. Reacting to the claim by Osaigbovo that the BVAS did not function or was tampered with, Tenebe said, “I would like to urge the CoS to leave the APC out of his observations and complaints. He should direct his complaints to the collation and announcement of results.” However, the state chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, alleged alteration of results, demanding re-collation and re-computation in a letter titled, ‘Re: Protest against manufactured vote entries and unjust inflation of APC votes and deduction of PDP votes in the collation of results of Edo State Governorship Election held on 21 September 2024.’ In the letter addressed to the office of the INEC chairman in Abuja and made available to journalists in Benin City on Sunday, the ruling party alleged that the INEC Result Viewing had inflated the votes to favour the APC. The chairman alleged that results from some units in three Local Government Areas – Akoko Edo, Egor, and Etsako West were manipulated. The letter read, “It has come to our attention that the Electoral Officers appointed by the INEC for the conduct of the Edo State Governorship election, made entries that are different from the actual results as uploaded on the INEC IREV, thereby unjustly inflating votes in favour of the APC and deducting the votes of the PDP. “In Akoko Edo Local Government Area, a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling units results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 25,010 votes while 34,847 votes was recorded in the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, a collation of the votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 18,620 but 15,865 was returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. “It would interest you that in Ward 9 of Akoko Edo LGA, from the 36 Polling Unit results uploaded on the IREV, the total votes obtained by APC is 2,350 while 9104 was entered into the EC8B result for APC. However, the total votes for PDP is 1,359 while 633 were entered in the EC8B. Also, in Ward 6 Akoko Edo LGA, where elections were not held in Ward 6 Units 12, 17, 15, 18, 14, and 16, results were returned for the said polling units in the ward result sheet (EC8B).” It added, “In Egor LGA,  a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling unit results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 10,972 votes while 16,760 votes were recorded in the ECBC declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, a collation of the votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 14,485 but 14,658 were returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. It would interest you to note that the collation of the Egor Local Government Area was not done at the designated LGA centre but was moved to the INEC state headquarters and the PDP agent was not allowed access to be part of the exercise. “In Etsako West, a simple collation of all the votes recorded in the polling unit results uploaded on the IREV shows that the APC obtained 29,858 votes while 32,107 votes were recorded in the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. For the PDP, a collation of the votes from the results uploaded on the IREV is 16,712 but 17,483 was returned on the EC8C declared by the LGA Returning Officer. “The above highlighted irregularities which are very apparent are extremely scandalous and a brazen attempt to steal the mandate of the PDP and also a terrible embarrassment to the commission.” The state’s Labour Party PRO, Sam Uruopa, told The PUNCH that his party was still reviewing the results and would come up with a position after that. When asked if he thought that INEC skewed the result in favour of the APC, he replied, “After we review the result we will come up with a position. It is, however, disheartening that the electorate was induced with money on Election Day, which puts a dent on the credibility of the process.” Youths protest Some youths, who are members of the PDP, staged a protest at the office of INEC against the results. They alleged that the results had been tampered with, adding that the results announced were different from what transpired at the polling units. Though they were restricted to Ramat Park in Ikpoba Hill area of the city by security operatives, the youths sang solidarity songs while some waved leaves to show their displeasure. Meanwhile, a top official of the PDP told News HQ that the party would consider options it has, including using legal means to reverse the decision. He noted that the party chairman had already written to the INEC chairman in Abuja, calling for a re-count and re-computing of the results. He said, “The idea of reclaiming our mandate in the court is not a bad one but the state chairman of the party has already written a letter to the INEC Chairman’s office in Abuja and we are hoping for a favourable reply. “However, if nothing changes, we will have to consider other options, which may also include going to court.” The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, urged the citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property following the announcement of Okpebholo as winner of the poll. He said, “In the last few months, the various political parties have embarked on very rigorous campaigns to sell their respective candidates for the office of governor to the people of Edo State in an exercise which came to a climax yesterday with the gubernatorial election. “The attractive thing about democracy is the power it bestows on the people to choose who governs them. Therefore, when this power is blatantly seized from the people, it is not just a tragedy, but a travesty of democracy. “Regrettably, the outcome of the September 21st governorship election appears to have daunted the spirit of many Edo people who feel powerless in the face of the brute force of the institutions that are supposed to protect them. It is therefore understandable that many people feel sad and aggrieved. “But in the midst of this despair, I am urging all my fellow Edo citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property in spite of this provocation. “Peace and justice will always win at the end and this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time.” He added, “Clearly, it is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election. “In a democracy, there are safeguards for addressing grievances, and we hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process.  “With this in mind, I implore all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses and rest assured of the commitment of our government to your wellbeing and security.” ‘God decreed Okpebholo’ Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Okpebholo, promised to replicate in the state the achievements of Senator Godswill Akpabio during his time as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Okpebholo spoke shortly after INEC declared him winner of last Saturday’s governorship election on Sunday. He was at the Benin City residence of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole alongside other chieftains of the party, including Philip Shaibu, the state’s Deputy Governor. Okpebholo thanked Edo people for standing behind him and promised not to fail them. Oshiomhole, on his part, said, “When some people say election is about do-or-die, we say no it is about choice and power, the people having the power to hire and fire even those that have the power to sign the death warrant. Power resides only with God. “God has decreed Senator Okpebholo to make up for the eight years disaster of Obaseki and Asue together. We did all those campaign without violence. “Edo will now be governed by a man enriched with native wisdom, a man familiar with the custom and tradition of Edo State, a man who has used his resources to show love to the community. He has crude credentials in terms of community service. God has put those who said there will be a bloodbath in shame.” On his part, Senator Akpabio said the victory was a turning point in the politics of Edo State. “The will of God for the people is nothing but happiness, joy, and prosperity. The outcome of the election is a reflection of the confidence Nigerians have continued to express in President Bola Tinubu that his administration is doing its best to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria. “What has happened in Edo is a clear reflection of what will happen in Ondo in November.” Tinubu, Buhari speak President Bola Tinubu on Sunday congratulated Okpebholo on his victory at the election. The President’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, and made available on Sunday evening. Tinubu commended the party’s national leaders, Edo State leaders, and governors for working hard to achieve victory. “The victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians,” the statement read. He urged Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service. He further encouraged him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development. The President urged all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels. “I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful, and largely hitch-free exercise. “INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country,” the President said. The immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari also congratulated Okpebholo on his “prized, historic electoral victory.” Buhari, in a statement by Garba Shehu, said he was very hopeful that both leaders of the incoming administration and the party that lost would work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of the state’s development. “Congratulations to the APC and the election winner, Senator Monday Okpebholo on the historic electoral victory and my warmest wishes for a new lease of life for Edo State and its people. “I very much hope the winners and the losers would work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of development in the state. “I commend law enforcement agencies for the efforts that they put in ensuring a peaceful election and the multitude of election officials who strive to improve their act with each election. “I pray that Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country, will continue to achieve remarkable progress under democracy,” he said. Speaking after the declaration of Okpebholo as winner of the election, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was in Benin for the election, said “I strongly believe that the election in Edo, though tense at the beginning, is a reflection of the confidence that Nigerians continue to express in President Tinubu.” Read the full article

ABUJA— MARKETERS have expressed optimism that they would be able to lift premium motor spirit (also known as petrol) directly from Dangote Refinery as scarcity of the product persists across the country. Checks around Abuja, yesterday, showed most retail outlets were still without the product three months after the current shortages began. Speaking to Vanguard, the Public Relations Officer, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, explained that the marketers were optimistic about reaching an agreement that would allow them to get supply directly from the $20 billion refinery. Chief Ukadike disclosed that a meeting has been scheduled this week between the independent marketers and officials of the refinery. He said: “There is a meeting scheduled for this week between Dangote and IPMAN. We are happy that Dangote has set on a new course in terms of looking to other stakeholders to distribute its products. ”It is now distributing to major marketers and we are hopeful that with time it will start distributing to independent marketers. “For the refinery to also start distributing through the coastal areas with vessels is a good move. This will remove the ghost scarcity that has persisted for a long time. Once it takes off effectively, ghost scarcity will be gone.” He noted that pricing remains a big issue in the distribution of petrol, stressing that independent marketers have to lift the product at a price that would allow them to be competitive. Speaking on the N766 per litre supply to major marketers, Ukadike said: “It’s not a good price now but I must tell you that supply will determine price. Deregulation is all about competition and the factors of demand and supply come to play. When the product is enough within the country, the price will go down.” Read the full article

Sri Lanka's new president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been sworn into office, promising "clean" politics as the country recovers from its worst economic crisis. The left-leaning Dissanayake has cast himself as a disruptor of the status quo, and analysts see his victory as a rejection of corruption and cronyism that has long plagued the country. Saturday's election was the first since 2022, when discontent over the economy fuelled mass protests and chased former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa from power. "We need to establish a new clean political culture," he said. "I commit to achieving this. We will do the utmost to win back the people’s respect and trust for the political system." The 55-year-old, also known as AKD, told Sri Lankans that "democracy doesn’t end with appointing a leader". "We need to strengthen democracy. I pledge to do my utmost to safeguard democracy," he said. "I have said before that I am not a magician – I am an ordinary citizen. There are things I know and don’t know. My utmost objective is to gather those with the knowledge and skills to help lift this country." Dissanayake received a Buddhist blessing at the end of his speech. Representatives of Sri Lanka's other religions - Islam, Hinduism and Christianity - were also present during the oath-taking, highlighting the new president's emphasis on diversity. In a statement on the eve of the ceremony, Dissanayake said the "unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning". During the campaign, Dissanayake promised voters good governance and tough anti-corruption measures. He has promised to develop Sri Lanka's manufacturing, agriculture and IT sectors. He has also committed to continuing the deal struck with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to bail Sri Lanka out of the economic crisis while reducing the impact of its austerity measures on the country’s poorest. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned before Dissanayake was sworn in, paving the way for the dissolution of parliament. In an earlier interview with BBC Sinhala, Dissanayake signalled that he would dissolve parliament soon after being elected. "There is no point continuing with a parliament that is not in line with what the people want," he said at the time. Dissanayake won after the counting stretched into a second round on Sunday, as no candidate was able to win more than 50% of the total votes in the first round. Once the second and third-choice votes for president had been tallied, the Election Commission said Dissanayake had won with a total of 5,740,179 votes. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa came in second at 4,530,902. Outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe got 2,299,767 during the first round of counting and was excluded from the second round. Wickremesinghe congratulated his successor, saying: "With much love and respect for this beloved nation, I hand over its future to the new president". Until this weekend's vote, all of Sri Lanka's eight presidential elections since 1982 had seen the winner emerge during the first round of counting. This poll has been described as one of the closest in the country's history. Dissanayake's anti-corruption platform resonated strongly with voters who have been clamouring for systematic change since the crisis. This enabled him to overcome trepidation over the violent past of his political party, the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which carried out two armed insurrections against the Sri Lankan state in the 1970s and 80s. Dissanayake's alliance, the National People’s Power – of which the JVP is a part – rose to prominence during the 2022 protests, known as the Aragalaya – Sinhala for struggle. Dissanayake has also sought to moderate the hard-left stance of his party in more recent years. The country's new president will be faced with the twin tasks of reviving the economy and lifting millions from crushing poverty. An economic meltdown fuelled the Aragalaya uprising that unseated Rajapaksa from the presidential palace in 2022. At that time, Sri Lanka's foreign currency reserves had dried up, leaving the country unable to import essentials such as fuel. Public debt ballooned to $83bn while inflation soared to 70%. This made basics such as food and medicine unaffordable to ordinary people. The country's economic misery has been blamed on major policy errors, weak exports and years of under-taxation. This was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which choked tourism, a key economic driver. Many people have also blamed corruption and mismanagement, however, stoking anger against Rajapaksa and his family, who collectively ruled Sri Lanka for more than 10 years. "The most serious challenge is how to restore this economy," Dr Athulasiri Samarakoon, a political scientist at the Open University of Sri Lanka, told the BBC Sinhala Service. During his termWickremesinghe secured a $2.9bn lifeline from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is crucial to opening additional funding channels but comes with strict economic and governance policy reforms. Sri Lanka is restructuring the terms of its debt payments with foreign and domestic lenders, as mandated by the IMF. The main focus has been the country's $36bn worth of foreign debt, of which $7bn is owed to China, its largest bilateral creditor. Like Dissanayake, Premadasa also pushed for IT development, as well as the establishment of 25 new industrial zones. He said tourism should be supported so that it becomes the country's top foreign currency earner. Wickremesinghe said during the campaign that he would double tourist arrivals and establish a national wealth fund, as well as new economic zones to increase growth. Read the full article

- Only Dangote has refused to join access system – LASG - Lagos State deceived us on system – Dangote - Trucks already killing people – LG Chairmanl - Call-up system commences today amidst disagreement We’re not yet on same page – Truck owners THERE are indications that the electronics call-up truck management system introduced by the Lagos State Government to prevent a repeat of Apapa port gridlock in the Lekki Port corridor may have hit a the rocks as key stakeholders disagree on  implementation several years after the programme was initiated. The two key stakeholders are Lagos State Government which is the owner and driver of the initiative, and Dangote Group, the dominant operator on the corridor. News HQ learnt that while the state government wants to on-board every stakeholder opearating in that axis on the call-up system, Dangote Group said it could not come onboard because governmnent did not provide adequate truck park capacity. Already, following commencement of mainstream operations at the Dangote Refinery a week ago, trucking operations have increased exponentially without commencement of the system or alternative provision to address the traffic challenges on temporal basis. Dangote Refinery indicated that it could have provided adequate truck park capacity before commencing operations, according to the initial plan it had, but lamented that the state governmnent disuaded it on grounds that the state was already set to provide the facility. But Managing Director of Call-up Technologies, promoters of the e-call-up system, Mr. Timi Koledu , said that everything about the system is ready and the Information Technology equipment has been deployed appropriately. Call-up system commences amidst disagreement With the traffic crises now imminent, another stakeholders meeting was called by the state, last week, at the Lagos State Secretariat, Ikeja, where the Commissioner  for  Transportation, Mr. Seun Osiyemi said that the E-call-up system for traffic management will commence today, Monday, September 23, 2024, adding that if there are issues to be corrected and resolved, they will be done as the system is operated. Meanwhile, Mr. Yinka Akande, representing Dangote Group at the meeting stated that a truck park was part of the plan for the refinery, adding that the company was ready to build its own park until the state government dissuaded the company, claiming that government had decided to establish truck parks to service all operations in the Lekki Free Trade Zone. News HQ also learnt that Akande insinuated that the invitation to Dangote Group for the meeting was an after-thought because it only got the notice less than 48 hours before the meeting adding, however, that because the group has respect for constituted authorities, it had to find its way round constraints by getting a high executive to discard all other pre-scheduled engagements to attend the meeting. He stated further: “Dangote Group is desirous of the call-up system but we have a problem about the sequencing of activities and where the priority seems to be. “A precursor activity happened before your regime, before you came into power,” apparently referring to present government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Financial Vanguard learnt that initial discussions between Lagos State and Dangote on construction of truck parks started during the regime of Akinwunmi Ambode  as state governor. Akande further stated: “We have already acquired a 33-hectare piece of land in the vicinity for the purpose of building a modern truck park but the governor dissuaded us from that, saying, “don’t worry, the state government is in participation with some private entity and we are going to put a very standard truck park in place; all you need to do is to be off-takers’. ‘‘So the governor said, ‘concentrate on your construction of the refinery; This is logistics and logistics is not your core function, leave that to us’. “We agreed. But years after, nothing happened, it has not materialized and that put us in a twist. And we started running helter-skelter wanting to identify where trucks would park because we do not want a repetition of what happened in Apapa and because we are a responsible organization. “We have had so many meetings with Call Technologies team, promoters of the E-call-up system, and we have been ready to key into the project but where are the parks? “We went to investigate the parks and we found out that the scale and scope of the parks were nowhere near what we require. We are talking about an operations that when it comes to peak of production, we will need 2,700 to 2,800 trucks per day. “There are ten parks and the park with the highest capacity is 300 trucks, so we are more desirous of putting more efforts on the development of these parks and once they are ready, we will be very ready to be onboard the e-call-up match up within our system. We are very desirous to be part of this after everything has been put in place, but we do not seem to have seen that everything has been put in place. We may be wrong but that is our perception and that is why we have come today.” Responding to Akande, Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, assured stakeholders that the call-up system is the best way to control and manage the influx of trucks into that axis, adding that government wants to ensure that both human and vehicular traffic have unfettered access to the roads He stated: “We understand where you are coming from and we appreciate what Dangote has done and obviously, what is going to happen in that area is nothing compared to what happened to Apapa and Ijegun combined if we do not start the e-call-up system now. “We understand very well that all the bolts and nuts should be in place, but I am coming from the experience of how we started late in Apapa several years after the ports were concessioned. So we are actually playing catch-up. We do not want to play catch-up, let us start; we know there will be teething problems; we have met with everyone here more than ten times. That is a government that is serious; we are showing that we are proactive but we know that we cannot coarse you into this; you have to be our willing partner to make this work and that is the reason why we are here to start the process. “It took the intervention of Mr. Governor to bring Dangote and Flour Mills to come up to this stage. So what I am saying is that you will be onboard the e-call up. We know that you want to do 2,700 trucks per day and I hope you can imagine, based on the vehicular density of Lagos and the explosion of that place, what is going to happen if we do not put in place a process by which you can sequence these trucks into your facility for them to load. “We have about ten truck parks and in total, they have over 2,000 capacity and there is room for expansion’’. In his additional comment, Osiyemi disclosed that Dangote is the only company that has not complied with the e-call-up because of the issue they raised. He further disclosed that there was a stalemate between Dangote and the State Government on the e-call-up system earlier, a development which according to him made the project to be suspended. He said that trucks will be as much as 15 kilometres away from the port corridor and can only come in when they are needed.     He further explained that the government is also in talks with a private company that will be taking containers via waterways. He said: “We are not just looking at the land, we are looking at a multi-modal system. We are having a high level discussion with a private company that will take containers via water to reduce the stress on the road.” Trucks already killing people Also speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Ibeju–Lekki Local Government Area, Mr. Sesan Olowa, lamented incessant accidents that has led to the death of people of the council area and supported the call for all stakeholders to be on the e-call-up platform with a view to controlling and managing vehicular movements in the Lekki port corridor. Olowa stated: “A few months ago, a truck ran into a hospital destroying properties and killing people. We cannot continue to have these trucks move around the Council without proper monitoring. “Honestly, the call-up system has to start almost immediately because we are not enjoying the current traffic situation in that axis. Everybody is focused on the money to be made and nobody care about the people in the locality. “We have seen situation where truck ran into the General Hospital and killed people; we have had cases where tankers loaded with gas fell on the roads and these companies do not even care. “As we plan ahead of the commencement of the call-up system, please I urge you all to consider safety and security of the people of  Ibeju-Lekki. “Most times, the speed of the trucks is not regulated and they drive anyhow and cause accidents; so for us this is a major concern. “With proper enforcement, there will be sanctions and convictions because of the caliber of these drivers; most of them are young people that cannot be controlled; they misbehave. So there is a need for a proper enforcement to be put in place. “The general perception of the people around that axis is that, there is so much happening around there and so little or nothing coming to them by way of opportunities and benefits. ‘‘I cannot put all on you, but what I am trying to say is that, we must come up with some form of framework to see how the people can also be integrated into that value chain.”   Speaking on the issue, Mr. Daniel Odibe, Deputy Managing Director of Lekki Deep Seaport, said that the Standard Operating Procedures, SOPs, must be defined and made available to all stakeholders operating in the Free Trade Zone.  We’re not yet on same page – Truck owners The National President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Mr. Yusuf Lawal, said that one grey area that is yet to be cleared is the issue of the fee payable for the call-up service. Lawal said that most members of NARTO have not been informed as to how much is to be paid adding that a lot more sensitization and awareness need to be created so that every stakeholder are on the same page.  Read the full article

President Bola Tinubu has noted that the victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Saturday’s Edo State governorship election is a testament to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.  A statement issued on Sunday night by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President  (Information & Strategy) noted that Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, having defeated other contenders for the position. Congratulating him, President Tinubu commended APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory. He urged Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service. He encourages him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.  President Tinubu also praised other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democracy. Read the full article

Six people have been killed and 10 others are missing after record rainfall caused floods and landslides in parts of Japan's Ishikawa prefecture. The cities of Wajima and Suzu, which are still recovering from a deadly earthquake that devastated the area on 1 January, are among the hardest hit by the deluge, which began on Saturday and continued until noon local time (03:00 GMT) on Monday. On Sunday, both cities saw twice the amount of rainfall they typically receive in September in an average year, local media reported. Dozens of rivers burst their banks, cutting off roads and isolating more than 100 communities across the prefecture, the reports added. Two of the people who died were found near a landslide-hit tunnel in Wajima. One of them was a construction worker carrying out road repairs. Two elderly men and an elderly woman were among the other fatalities, the Japan Times said citing local authorities. Japan's meteorological agency issued its highest "life-threatening" alert level for Ishikawa on Saturday and downgraded it to a regular warning on Sunday. However, authorities have called for continued vigilance as the torrential rain was likely to continue until at least noon on Monday. The floodwaters inundated temporary housing built for people who had lost their homes in the New Year's Day earthquake. Footage aired by NHK showed an entire street in Wajima submerged under water. The region is still recovering from the powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake in January which killed at least 236 people, toppled buildings and sparked a major fire. Some 4,000 households were left without power on Monday, according to the Hokuriku Electric Power Company. More than 40,000 residents across four cities in Ishikawa - including Wajima, Suzu and the town of Noto - have been evacuated over the weekend. Another 16,000 residents in the Niigata and Yamagata prefectures north of Ishikawa were also told to evacuate, the AFP news agency said. Read the full article

Six people have been killed and 10 others are missing after record rainfall caused floods and landslides in parts of Japan's Ishikawa prefecture. The cities of Wajima and Suzu, which are still recovering from a deadly earthquake that devastated the area on 1 January, are among the hardest hit by the deluge, which began on Saturday and continued until noon local time (03:00 GMT) on Monday. On Sunday, both cities saw twice the amount of rainfall they typically receive in September in an average year, local media reported. Dozens of rivers burst their banks, cutting off roads and isolating more than 100 communities across the prefecture, the reports added. Two of the people who died were found near a landslide-hit tunnel in Wajima. One of them was a construction worker carrying out road repairs. Two elderly men and an elderly woman were among the other fatalities, the Japan Times said citing local authorities. Japan's meteorological agency issued its highest "life-threatening" alert level for Ishikawa on Saturday and downgraded it to a regular warning on Sunday. However, authorities have called for continued vigilance as the torrential rain was likely to continue until at least noon on Monday. The floodwaters inundated temporary housing built for people who had lost their homes in the New Year's Day earthquake. Footage aired by NHK showed an entire street in Wajima submerged under water. The region is still recovering from the powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake in January which killed at least 236 people, toppled buildings and sparked a major fire. Some 4,000 households were left without power on Monday, according to the Hokuriku Electric Power Company. More than 40,000 residents across four cities in Ishikawa - including Wajima, Suzu and the town of Noto - have been evacuated over the weekend. Another 16,000 residents in the Niigata and Yamagata prefectures north of Ishikawa were also told to evacuate, the AFP news agency said. Read the full article

The Organisation of African Trade Union Unity, OATUU, and the German Confederation of Trade Unions, DGB, have joined the growing list of global trade union movements expressing concerns over perceived attacks, harassment, and persecution of labour leaders in Nigeria. Recall that the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, IndustriALL Global Union, IGU, Trade Union Congress, TUC, of the United Kingdom, and Public Service International, PSI, had earlier raised the alarm over fundamental human workers rights abuses in Nigeria. Their concerns followed operatives of the Department of the State Service, DSS, arrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joel Ajaero on Monday, September 9, 2024. Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom to attend the conference of Trade Union Congress, TUC, UK. OATUU in a statement by its Secretary General, Arezki MEZHOUD Among others, “Although the information at our disposal confirmed the release of the Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, the growing trajectory of intimidation and molestation of trade union leaders by the government and its agents must cease. “We encourage the government to embrace best-known practices and connotational ways of consultations and dialogue in resolving whatever difference might exist. It will be unhealthy to continue with non-conventional ways of harassment and intimidation to attack dissenting voices against anti-people policies of the government. “As a Pan-African Trade Union Organisation that represents all tendencies and interests of working people in 55 Africa Nations, with over 25 million memberships, we shall continue to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in its defense of workers’ rights and interests.” Similarly, DGB, in a statement by its secretary, Annika Wünsche, said, among others, “The arrest of Joe Ajero on September 9, 2024, at Abuja Airport, just before he was to depart for the annual conference of the British Trade Union Congress, is a deeply troubling sign. The repeated accusations against him—including “criminal conspiracy” and “terrorism financing”—seem to follow the mere aim of weakening the voice of trade unions in Nigeria.  “Joe Ajaero is one of the leading advocates for workers’ rights in Nigeria, and these actions show that the government seeks to suppress legitimate demands for workers’ interests and social reforms. “Also, the recent attack on the NLC headquarters by government forces highlights the extent of the intimidation directed at trade unions. The unions are being deliberately targeted. Such attacks are not merely attempts at intimidation; they are direct assaults on freedom of expression and the right to organize as an integral part of a free and open society.  “The attacks aim to undermine the legitimacy of trade union work and, last but not least, constitute a violation of the International Labour Organisation’s fundamental conventions that Nigeria has ratified.  However, opposing or critically commenting on any government policies is the right of any trade union and does not justify arrests, discrimination, or intimidation from any government. “We demand an end to the repression of trade union activities and full respect for the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly at any time. The DGB will continue to closely monitor. the situation in Nigeria and stands in solidarity with the Nigerian Labour Congress and all those fighting for a just and peaceful future.” Read the full article

•Dares PDP Govs •Ready to forgive Fubara •Yes, Edo REC is my cousin, nobody can intimidate him •Obaseki begged me to support his candidate The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged any governor or leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to publicly call him a mole. Wike, who appeared on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” dared anyone to come forward and accuse him of being a mole. The FCT minister said, “Before I accepted my appointment as Minister, I wrote a letter to the PDP in my state, I wrote a letter to the PDP in my Zone, I wrote a letter to the PDP national, who in PDP is saying I’m a mole, name names. “The problem we have in this country is that some people think they’re smart. What I want to do I will do, what I don’t want to do I will not do. “I dare anybody in PDP, I dare any governor, I dare any National Working Committee member to come on national television to say I’m a mole. “In 2023, did I not say I won’t support the PDP (Presidential) candidate because it is against equity, it is against fairness? Did I do it at the back? “Did the PDP not win the governorship? Did the PDP not win the National Assembly? Did the PDP not win the State Assembly? I challenge any of them in any of these (PDP) states who won 100 per cent as we have. How did we do it? Leadership!” He described himself as a man of his word. He revealed that Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki approached him to seek support for his preferred successor, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, but he told him to his face he would not because his support for Obaseki in the past earned him nothing but unending insults. While admitting that the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, is his first cousin, Wike said, just like him, “nobody can intimidate my cousin, not even the INEC Chairman. Nobody born of a woman can intimidate my cousin into doing what is not right.” He noted that the Edo REC was posted to the state over one year ago, he wondered why those claiming to be the PDP at all levels were raising the issue now. The former Rivers State Governor also said the decision of Governor Similaye Fubara to destroy the political family which brought him to power was an offence he was unwilling to forgive. Read the full article

n Abuja-based human rights activist, Maxwell Opara has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja with a request to declare as invalid and illegal the recent tenure elongation for the incumbent Inspector General of Police IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun by relevant authorities. Specifically, Maxwell, in the suit, is contending that the age for compulsory retirement of Egbetokun as a public servant is upon attaining the age of 60 or having served 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier. He is arguing that Egbetokun’s tenure of office cannot be extended under the amended Police Act. Opara in the suit is therefore asking the court for an order of injunction restraining Egbetokun acting by himself or through his agents and servants, from continuing to hold out, present and/or parade himself as the Inspector General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force. The grouse of the lawyer was that having regards to Section 9 of Chapter 2 of the Public Service Rules 2023, the age for compulsory retirement of Egbetokun as a public servant is upon attaining the age of 60 or having served 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier. Among others, the lawyer is asking the court to consider: *Whether having regard to the Federal Executive Bodies and their offices listed in Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), it means offices in the Public service of the Federation; *Whether officers of the bodies listed in Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), are subject to the Public Service Rules. *Whether having regards to Section 9 of Chapter 2 of the Public Service Rules 2023, the age for compulsory retirement of the 1st Defendant as a public servant is upon attaining the age of 60 or having served 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier. *Whether there is a need for formal notification of termination of an appointment where the Law provides for a frame within which such appointment ought to terminate. *Whether an appointment terminated by operation of Law can be retrospectively resurrected by a subsequent amended law. *Whether upon reaching the age of retirement as envisaged by the public service rules, the 1st Defendant can still be allowed to remain in office. Upon resolution of the issues raised, the plaintiff seeks a declaration that having regard to Federal Executive Bodies and their offices listed in Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), it means offices in the Public service of the Federation. “A declaration that officers of the bodies listed in Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), are subject to the Public Service Rules. “A declaration that having regards to Section 9 of Chapter 2 of the Public Service Rules 2023, the age for compulsory retirement of the 1st Defendant as a public servant is the age of 60 or having served 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier. “A declaration that once there is termination of an appointment by effluxion of time in Law, there will be no need for a formal notification of termination as the appointment would be deemed terminated upon effluxion of time taking place. “A declaration that an appointment terminated by operation of Law cannot be retrospectively resurrected by a subsequent amended law. “A declaration that the 1st Defendant cannot remain in office upon reaching the age of 60 on the 4th of September 2024, and is compulsorily retired as envisaged by the public service rules. “A declaration that only actively employed, non-retired Police Officers are eligible for appointment to the office of the Inspector General of Police. Plaintiff also prayed for an order of Injunction restraining the 1st Defendant, acting by himself or through his agents and servants, from continuing to hold out, present and or parade himself as the Inspector General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force. The suit supported with 18- 18-paragraph affidavit was filed by Pastor Nnenna Maxwell Opara on behalf of the plaintiff. Listed as 1st to 5th defendants in the suit are Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Police Council, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Civil Service Commission respectively. Meanwhile, no date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit. Read the full article

The body of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei who died after being set on fire by her partner in Kenya was received Friday by family and anti-femicide crusaders, ahead of her burial a day later. Cheptegei’s family met with dozens of activists Friday who had marched to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s morgue in the western city of Eldoret while chanting anti-femicide slogans. She is the fourth female athlete to have been killed by her partner in Kenya in yet another case of gender-based violence in recent years. Viola Cheptoo, the founder of Tirop Angels - an organization that was formed in honour of athlete Agnes Tirop, who was stabbed to death in 2021, said stakeholders need to ensure this is the last death of an athlete due to gender-based violence. “We are here to say that enough is enough, we are tired of burying our sisters due to GBV,” she said. It was a somber mood at the morgue as athletes and family members viewed Cheptegei’s body which sustained 80% of burns after she was doused with gasoline by her partner Dickson Ndiema. Ndiema sustained 30% burns on his body and later succumbed. Ndiema and Cheptegei were said to have quarrelled over a piece of land that the athlete bought in Kenya, according to a report filed by the local chief. Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place. Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, said that the body will make a brief stop at their home in the Endebess area before proceeding to Bukwo in eastern Uganda for a night vigil and burial on Saturday. “We are in the final part of giving my daughter the last respect,” a visibly distraught Joseph said. He told reporters last week that Ndiema was stalking and threatening Cheptegei and the family had informed police. Kenya’s high rates of violence against women have prompted marches by ordinary citizens in towns and cities this year. Four in 10 women or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022. Read the full article

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has denied saying he has agreed a deal to become a vice-presidential candidate in the 2027 elections. He also said that contrary to reports, he remains committed to the Labour Party and that anyone looking for a collaboration must state their true intentions. Obi said this on X, Saturday, as response to reactions that trailed a recent interview he had on News Central TV. He said he is not desperate to become president or for any other position, and is open to partnering with those who share his vision for advancing Nigeria’s progress. He wrote, “I have been inundated with calls and concerns regarding the interview I granted to News Central TV.  “In that interview, I took the opportunity it provided to explain my position in detail. However, some fifth columnists have resorted to propaganda, deliberately distorting the narrative.  “Let me reiterate clearly what I said, which is on record. “I do not want to be one of those preoccupied with 2027 while Nigerians are suffering from hunger, poverty, insecurity, and other pressing challenges.  “When I was asked about collaboration, I explicitly stated my openness to working with others, provided their intentions were not centred on state capture. I emphasized my commitment to partnering with those who share my vision for advancing Nigeria’s progress.  “I also made it clear that I remain committed to the Labour Party, and if anyone wishes to negotiate or join forces, they must disclose their true intentions. “As I have always maintained, I am not desperate to become president, but I am determined to see Nigeria work.  “Likewise, I am not desperate for any position at all as I believe I can make contributions as I am already doing without occupying any. When 2027 arrives, if I decide to run for any office, it will not be with those whose sole aim is state capture or merely winning an election. “I want them to explain how we will ensure that no child is left behind and how we will bring millions of out-of-school children back into classrooms, ensure healthy living and pull people out of poverty.  “My statement was unequivocal, and I am genuinely surprised by the misrepresentation of my words.  “For the avoidance of doubts, I never stated at any time that I would be vice president to anyone and it’s unequivocal. “I have consistently maintained that I am open to working with those committed to building a new Nigeria. “My commitment to Nigeria remains steadfast, and I even believe it is possible to contribute to its progress without occupying any office as I am already doing.” Read the full article

Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has explained the inability of government to force landlords in the territory to bring down the cost of rent, which he said is market-driven. Noting that such an order could be counterproductive and limit investments in real estate, the minister said the immediate priority of his administration is to focus on other areas of human development that would benefit everyone and ultimately lead to a crash in the overall cost of living. The minister spoke on Saturday when he inspected the Zeberced Quarry in Kubwa, Abuja, which he described as the largest in West Africa. His words: “No government puts a cap as regards the cost of rent. It is the market forces. You are aware that everything has actually increased because of costs. The man who built the house didn’t build that he would not make profit at the end of the day. I don’t agree with people always complaining about rent increases, there are increases in everything today, so rent should not be singled out. Do you want us to make a law and say that a 2-bed room flat should not be more than N50,000 or N100,000, for example? I don’t think you are encouraging investors. That is not our major problem now”, he stated. Speaking on his impression of the quarry, Wike said with what he saw on ground, the cost of construction ought not to be very expensive. “I have not been here before, but I have taken the opportunity to look at the environment and see what they are doing. That shows that ordinarily, the cost of construction ought not to be very expensive, particularly in the FCT.  “Apart from equipment that is being imported, that is used for this quarry, the raw material is available here, and I wonder why contractors should be talking about cost of aggregates as if these are imported. These are not imported, they are made here.  “So I really want to encourage the company. It is really amazing that we have this type of manufacturing going on here. This is the same company that is trying to build the industrial park in Idu, and we are going to give them all the necessary support. Just yesterday, I sent out a letter to the Ministry of Finance to get some tax credit to enable them to carry out the other one-carrier way to make it a double carriage,” he stated. Read the full article

Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has condemned the recent increment in school fees by the federal and Lagos state governments, describing the development as illegal. Vanguard reports that the federal government had in July 2023 increased fees for Unity Schools from N45,000 to N100,000 per term, an increase by over 120%. In a similar fashion, the Lagos State government, yesterday, announced N100,000 as the new fees for state-owned boarding schools. It was previously N35,000. Falana’s reaction, weekend, described it as a violation of the Child’s Rights Act and Lagos State Child’s Rights Law. He lamented that with the increase being above the minimum wage of N70,000, “a worker can no longer sponsor even one child either in the Unity School or any secondary school in Lagos State.” He vowed to challenge the decision in the appropriate High Courts. He wrote, “The federal government has increased fees payable in all unity schools from N45,000 to N100,000 per term. Thus, the fee payable per annum is N300,000 per student. “Similarly, the Lagos State Government has fixed fees payable in all secondary schools at N100,000 per term or N300,000 per annum by every student. “At N70,000 minimum wage, the salary of a worker per term of 4 months is N280,000. The implication is that a worker can no longer sponsor even one child either in the Unity School or any secondary school in Lagos State. “However, under the Child’s Rights Act and Lagos State Child’s Rights Law, every child is entitled to free & compulsory education from primary school to junior secondary school. To that extent, the imposition of N100,000 Fee on students in junior secondary schools in Unity Schools and secondary schools Lagos State is illegal. “In view of the clear provisions of the Child’s Rights Laws applicable in all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, the illegal imposition of prohibitive fees on junior secondary school students will be challenged in the appropriate High Courts. “Meanwhile, on July 10, 2024, the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi revealed that over N45.7 billion matching grant to state governments for the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) between 2020 and 2023 has not been accessed by many states governments.” “So I really want to encourage the company. It is really amazing that we have this type of manufacturing going on here. This is the same company that is trying to build the industrial park in Idu, and we are going to give them all the necessary support. Just yesterday, I sent out a letter to the Ministry of Finance to get some tax credit to enable them to carry out the other one-carrier way to make it a double carriage,” he stated. Read the full article