Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has voiced his disapproval of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s recent decision to hand over the Port Harcourt refinery to a private firm for operation and maintenance. Atiku expressed his belief that selling the refinery before its rehabilitation would have been a better financial decision for the country. Atiku emphasized that he has consistently advocated for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s oil sector and other parts of the economy. He highlighted that his proposals, outlined in “The Atiku Plan (2018)” and “My Covenant With Nigerians (2022),”…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has issued a public notice calling for Expression of Interest (EOI) from qualified oil and gas firms to operate and maintain the Port Harcourt refinery. According to the notice, this move aims to enhance reliability and sustainability in meeting Nigeria’s fuel supply and energy security needs. NNPCL highlighted that the “operate and maintain” model is a crucial requirement mandated by the lender for the Port Harcourt refinery project. The company seeks reputable and credible Operations & Maintenance (O&M) companies to ensure the refinery’s efficient operation. In December, NNPCL announced the “mechanical completion” of…
Concerned citizens of Ishi-Ozalla community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State have urged Governor Peter Mbah to intervene and halt the alleged harassment and intimidation of individuals who supported his candidacy during the 2023 general elections. The community, which had previously declared its support for Governor Mbah over the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr, now alleges intimidation against its members. Addressing journalists in Enugu, Chief Ike Ogbodo, the leader of the Concerned Citizens, stressed the need to distinguish between politics and governance, emphasizing that citizens should support the government for…
The Minister of Defence for Nigeria, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has expressed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to bolstering its collaboration with France to address security challenges. During a meeting with members of the French Parliament and the Defence Commission, led by Gassilloud Thomas at the Ship House in Abuja, Minister Abubakar emphasized the significance of the Nigeria-France relationship in combating terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities in the country. Highlighting the existing ties between the two nations, the Minister stressed the need for further strengthening in areas such as military equipment provision, training, and overall cooperation. Since assuming office as…
The Kogi State House of Assembly has approved three nominees presented by Governor Yahaya Bello after a thorough screening process. The nominees, Abdulraheem Ohiare for the role of Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Security Trust Fund, Abdulrazaq Mohammed for the position of Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board, and Sule Saliu Enehe for the role of Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, underwent rigorous questioning by the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday. In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, urged the newly appointed officials to bring their…
The Election Evidence Nigeria Project (EEP), a group of independent researchers focusing on Nigerian elections, has identified key reasons for the growing voter apathy in the country. According to the researchers, Nigeria should be concerned about the declining voter turnout despite an increase in voter registration since 1999. They noted that while elections have improved since 2011, voter turnout continues to decrease. During a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Suleiman Suleiman, a member of the initiative, provided an analysis of the elections. He acknowledged certain issues but affirmed the overall credibility of the electoral process. Dr. Suleiman’s remarks…
Former Zamfara State lawmaker, Senator Kabiru Marafa, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for his non-interference in the Supreme Court’s judgments regarding the 2023 governorship election, stating that this action has preserved Nigeria’s democracy. In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Marafa, who represented Zamfara Central at the National Assembly from 2011 to 2019, commended Tinubu and the justices of the apex court for upholding the will of Nigerian voters. “Posterity will judge them well for allowing the will of the Nigerian voters to prevail,” Marafa stated. He emphasized that Tinubu’s decision not to interfere in the Supreme Court’s rulings…
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has been sworn in for his second term in office, several months after his re-election. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, around 3:24 pm on Monday. The inauguration of Governor Uzodimma was swiftly followed by the oath-taking of Lady Chinyere Ekomaru as the Deputy Governor of Imo State. Notable dignitaries present at the event included President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. Governor Uzodimma’s re-election was declared by the…
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) challenging the victory of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor of Rivers State. This dismissal comes as the apex court reserves judgment on the appeal presented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Patrick Tonye-Cole. During the proceedings, Innocent Kere, the counsel for the APM and its candidate in the last state gubernatorial election, opted to withdraw the appeal, leading to its dismissal by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Tonye-Cole…
The Presidency has reiterated that President Bola Tinubu would not spare any of his appointees indicted by the ongoing probe of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said there must be no sacred cow in the ongoing investigation. Last week Monday, Tinubu had suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu for allegedly ordering the payment of over N585.2 million to a private account. A leaked memo indicated that she approved the payment of N585 million into the private account of a civil servant. Ngelale while…
Former Senate President David Mark has congratulated Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia on his victory at the Supreme Court, urging him to demonstrate magnanimity in his triumph. The Supreme Court recently upheld Alia’s electoral victory in the March 2023 governorship election in Benue State, dismissing a challenge by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. In light of this development, Mark, in a statement issued by his media adviser, Mr. Paul Mumeh, emphasized the need for Governor Alia to embrace inclusivity and unity in governing the state. Mark urged Alia to extend his leadership to all citizens of Benue State, fostering…
Daniel Bwala, the former spokesman for Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 2023 presidential election, has expressed his readiness to accept any position that would enable him to support President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for Nigeria. In an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, Bwala disclosed his willingness to work with the All Progressives Congress (APC) government and support President Tinubu’s vision for the country. He emphasized that his primary goal is to contribute to the development of the president’s agenda. “If the president makes an offer of a position that I see will…
Olugbenga Araoyinbo, an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who vied for the ticket in the primary election for the Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, has rejected the results of the exercise, citing irregularities. In a petition addressed to the national leadership of the APC, Araoyinbo raised concerns about the conduct of the primary election, alleging that it was marred by irregularities. He specifically mentioned that the guidelines set by the party for the conduct of the primary were not adhered to. The primary election, which was held in preparation for the February 3 by-election, saw Ifeoluwa…
Chief Bisi Akande, the pioneer Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has cautioned Nigerians against returning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power in the 2027 general elections, describing it as a move that could lead the nation into deeper crisis. Speaking to journalists in Ila Orangun, Osun State, on Saturday as part of activities marking his 85th birthday anniversary, Akande expressed his concerns about a proposal by opposition parties to form a coalition and challenge the ruling party. “The return of the PDP to power would be disastrous for Nigeria. It would only exacerbate the current challenges…
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Charles Chukwuemeka Ugwuh, a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, over an alleged conspiracy and fraud amounting to N3.6 billion. According to a statement released by the EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Friday, Ugwuh was arrested alongside Chief Geoffrey Ekenma on January 11, 2024, at No. 2, Musa Yar’Adua Way, New Owerri, Imo State. The arrest follows a petition to the commission from a new generation bank regarding the alleged fraud carried out through a company, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., associated with the ex-minister. Investigations revealed…
Reports have emerged that a campaign vehicle belonging to Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State and gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was attacked by armed individuals suspected to be hoodlums. The incident occurred in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday night, following a meeting of Shaibu’s supporters in Illeh, Ward 10, in preparation for the September 21 governorship elections. Confirming the incident to Leadership Newspaper, Otoide Abas, the coordinator of Shaibu’s campaign in the area, revealed that the police had recovered the vandalized vehicle. According to Abas, the attack took…
The Supreme Court has announced the reservation of judgment in the appeal brought by Patrick Tonye-Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the victory of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in the last gubernatorial election. Tonye-Cole’s appeal is directed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Governor Fubara. This development follows the November 28 decision of the Appeal Court, which dismissed Tonye-Cole’s appeal on the grounds of insufficient and unconvincing evidence. The APC governorship candidate’s appeal is based on alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act and Governor Fubara’s continued signing…
Alhaji Yusuf Dabo Dantalle, the National Chairman of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), has called upon the victorious parties in the recent Supreme Court rulings to shift their focus towards effective governance. The Supreme Court delivered judgements on the governorship elections in Kano, Plateau, Ebonyi, Zamfara, and Abia States on Friday, resulting in the emergence of new governors. Dantalle commended the candidates and their respective parties who accepted the court’s decisions gracefully, demonstrating maturity in their political conduct. In a statement released on Sunday, Dantalle urged the newly elected governors to display magnanimity in victory by reaching out to all…
Vice President Kashim Shettima has embarked on a trip outside the country to participate in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Shettima’s departure from Abuja on Sunday marks his attendance at the week-long event scheduled for January 15–19, 2024, where he will join global leaders from politics, business, and other sectors to discuss and influence global, regional, and industry agendas. Stanley Nkwocha, the vice president’s media aide, confirmed in a statement issued in Abuja that Shettima will play a pivotal role in the launch of the private sector action plan for the African Continental…
The Ekiti State Government has announced plans to initiate the review process of the State Cooperative Law, which regulates the activities of cooperative societies in the state. Mrs. Omotayo Adeola, the State Commissioner for Trade, Industries, Investment, and Cooperatives, revealed this development during a meeting with representatives of cooperative societies in Ado-Ekiti. Emphasizing the government’s dedication to formulating policies and programs that enhance the financial stability and proper management of cooperative societies, Mrs. Adeola highlighted the pivotal role played by these societies in the economic development of any society. She also disclosed the government’s intention to inject one billion naira…