| SOURCE | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Page No./Weblink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUNCH | 01-Aug-24 | NLC threatens showdown as Governor says Gombe can’t pay N70,000 | The Nigeria Labour Congress, on Wednesday, threatened a showdown as the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Yahaya, declared that the state would not be able to pay the N70,000 new minimum wage. President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law on Monday, making N70,000 payment mandatory. But the Gombe governor, while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday at the state Government House in Gombe, said, “I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament.” | NLC; MINIMUM WAGE; GOMBE | PUNCH |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 01-Aug-24 | Live Updates: Youths converge in different locations across the federation for the nationwide protests, violence breaks out in some States | Organisers of the protests are calling for the reversal of the fuel price hike, the restoration of affordable electricity tariffs, and the reduction of import duties to their previous rates. The groups also demand the reversal of many institutions’ hikes in tertiary education fees. They are also demanding full transparency and accountability in governance, including the public disclosure and reduction of public officials’ salaries and allowances and an emergency fund to support SMEs. The State Security Service (SSS) alleged that the protests were intended to undermine the government and plunge the country into chaos. Also, the Nigerian Army warned that the protests could lead to anarchy and has promised to take proactive measures to maintain control. The stance of Nigerian government officials and security agencies regarding the planned nationwide protests has raised serious concerns. | PROTEST; ENDBADGOVERNANCE; HARDSHIP | PREMIUMTIMES |
| THIS DAY | 05-Aug-24 | Nationwide Protest: Criticisms and commendations trail Tinubu’s broadcast over hardship protests | President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Sunday morning broadcast in the wake of the ongoing nationwide hardship protests has attracted reactions, both negative and positive, from Nigerians, but with many dismissing it as empty and largely evasive. The protests, which began August 1, and billed to last for 10 days, have resulted in violence, in some parts of the country, and loss of lives. However, former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, struck a patriotic note yesterday, when he said the nation’s democracy had come to stay and everyone must do everything possible to safeguard it. But Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, called on the security agents to be tactical in the handling of the protests to avoid fatalities. Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and Edo State Government commended the peaceful protests in their states, even though they reiterated preference for dialogue as the best option for addressing issues. | PROTESTS; BROADCAST; NIGERIA | THISDAY |
| GUARDIAN | 05-Aug-24 | Nationwide Protest: Minister of Labour laments looting, says N52 billion worth of looting constitutes a setback to entrepreneurs | The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has lamented the looting of businesses and livelihoods that took place in some states at the weekend. Saying that the loss of 21 lives is saddening, she condemned the miscreants who used the opportunity of the protest to loot businesses and people’s homes. According to her, approximately N52 billion worth of goods were looted, or destroyed. Describing this as a severe setback for the economy and entrepreneurs, she said it does not help in the government’s drive to attract investments into the country to stimulate the economy. Beyond the losses to businesses owing to looting, the Minister while calling for constructive dialogue from the protest leaders, noted that the overall economic sabotage to the country was over N500 billion. She listed 15 states with cases of violence, regretting that economic activities were affected in those states. | PROTESTS; #ENDBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA; LOOTING | GUARDIAN |
| GUARDIAN | 05-Aug-24 | Local Government Autonomy: Oyo chairmen pull out of ALGON to form new association | The 33 local council chairmen in Oyo State have dumped the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) over the Supreme Court’s judgment granting financial autonomy to councils across the country. The council chairmen also declared their unalloyed support for Governor Seyi Makinde. They said that the establishment of the new association would enable them to continue serving the people of the state at the grassroots, adding that the intended association would be registered under the relevant laws of Nigeria. According to a communiqué signed by all the 33 chairmen after a closed-door meeting, the decision for all to operate under a new association was made as a result of the need to protect and provide for the people in their various councils. | LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY; OYO; ALGON | GUARDIAN |
| GUARDIAN | 05-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: Former Labour Party Governorship candidate appeals Olumide Akpata's nomination as LP Governorship candidate | A former governorship aspirant of the Labour Party (LP), Kenneth Imansuangbon, at the weekend, dragged the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the forthcoming Edo State election, Olumide Akpata, to the Court of Appeal, apparently dissatisfied with the judgments of a Benin High Court and Federal High Court, Abuja, respectively. Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) joined in the suit before the appellate court. Recall that Justice Babatunde Quadri of the High Court in Benin and Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had dismissed Imansuangbon’s applications on July 15 and 22, 2024, respectively. Justice Quadri declared, in his ruling, that Imansuangbon’s lawsuit was premature and without substantial evidence to support its claims. | EDO 2024; LP; APPEAL | GUARDIAN |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 05-Aug-24 | FG, Gombe APC Governor disagree over rice palliative as Governor claims no truck arrived Gombe State | The federal government has rejected a claim by the governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, that the state has yet to receive 20 trucks of rice palliatives from it. Mr Yahaya, on Tuesday in a meeting with civil society organisations, Organised Labour and the Amalgamated Unions of Traders in Gombe, said the state was yet to receive the federal government rice palliative. The governor, however, commended the federal government for the initiative. | GOMBE; PALLIATIVE; HUNGER; APC | PREMIUMTIMES |
| THE CABLE | 06-Aug-24 | Criticisms trail Doyin Okupe's comment that Tinubu’s speech rekindled hope of a brighter future. Okupe was a former DG of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council | Doyin Okupe, a former presidency spokesperson, says President Bola Tinubu’s speech on the #EndBadGovernance protest was not disappointing. On August 4, the president told protesters railing against the pervasive economic hardship, that he has heard them “loud and clear”. The president also highlighted some of the steps his administration has taken to ameliorate the suffering. In a post on X, Okupe, a former director-general of the Labour Party presidential campaign council, said “for the first time, the president clearly stated the precarious and daunting economic situation his administration met on ground”. “President Bola Tinubu’s speech has not disappointed Nigerians,” Okupe said. | LP; APC; TINUBU; PETER OBI | CABLE |
| THE CABLE | 06-Aug-24 | Benue PDP suspends Former Governor Ortom for one month over ‘anti-party activities’ | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue has suspended Samuel Ortom, former governor of the state, over alleged anti-party activities. In a statement issued on Monday, Joseph Nyam, secretary of the PDP in Benue, alleged that Ortom masterminded the disruption of a ward congress organised by the party and the snatching of voting materials. “During the Ward Congresses held on the 27th July, 2024 at the 276 Ward headquarters, you led and abated the snatching of election materials at your various local governments, resulting in the non-conduct of the congresses at Buruku, Gboko, Ushongo, Guma, Tarka, Rwande, and Ohimini local government areas,” the statement reads. “These acts constitute anti-party activities. Consequent upon the above, you are suspended for one month in the first instance and recommended to the State Disciplinary Committee for further adjudication.” | BENUE; PDP; | CABLE |
| THE CABLE | 06-Aug-24 | House of Reps dissolve panel probing adulterated petroleum products and petrol queues, says ‘negative media coverage’ has affected probe. New committee to be formed to prevent 'undue exposure of the House.' | The leadership of the house of representatives has dissolved an ad-hoc committee probing the importation of adulterated petroleum products into Nigeria and the resurgence of queues. The committee was led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, a lawmaker from Imo state. In a notice to lawmakers on Monday, Akin Rotimi, house spokesperson, said the house leadership decided to dissolve the committee because of the “widespread negative media coverage”. Rotimi said the lower legislative chamber would form a new committee which would have members who have “industry knowledge, proven competence, and unquestionable integrity”. | HOUSE OF REPS; PROBE; PETROL | CABLE |
| THE CABLE | 06-Aug-24 | #Edo2024 & #Ondo2024: INEC records 119,206 new voters in Edo and 58,708 in Ondo. Recall that the elections are slated for September 21 and November 16 in Edo and Ondo respectively. | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 177,914 new voters have been registered in Edo and Ondo states. In a statement on Monday, Sam Olumekun, INEC national commissioner and chairman of information and voter education committee, said 119,206 were registered in Edo, while 58,708 have been registered in Ondo. | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP; ONDO 2024 | CABLE |
| THE CABLE | 06-Aug-24 | Nationwide Protest: Russian Embassy distances itself from flags flown during Nigeria's #Endbadgovernance protest | The Russian embassy in Nigeria says the Russian government is not involved in its national flags flown during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest. In a statement on Monday, the embassy said neither the government nor Russian officials were connected to the trend. “The Embassy has noted the reports in Nigerian media and the circulation of videos and images in digital media depicting protesters in northern states of the country carrying Russian flags and chanting slogans to Russian President Vladimir Putin,” the statement reads. “The Government of the Russian Federation as well as any Russian officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way. | #ENDBADGOVERNANCE; RUSSIA; NIGERIA; PROTEST | CABLE |
| VANGUARD | 09-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: PDP mocks APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo over failure to articulate manifesto | The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has mocked the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate in the Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for September 21, Senator Monday Okpebholo, over allegedly failing to articulate his manifesto. In contrast, the PDP said its flagbearer, Dr. Asue Ighodalo is campaigning and engaging the people of Edo State on issues ahead of the election. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, yesterday, said: “The PDP mocks the candidate of the disoriented APC, Monday Okpebholo, for failing to articulate any purposeful campaign manifesto, ideas or plan that can benefit the people of Edo State; the reason he remains alienated from the electorate. | #EDO2024; EDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION; #EDODECIDES2024 | VANGUARD |
| VANGUARD | 09-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: Parties fail to meet nomination rrequirements; nominate only 55.6% of polling units, collation agents — INEC | Seventeen political parties participating in the forthcoming Governorship election in Edo state have nominated only 44,687 of the 80,410 agents required for the elections. Data released by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on Thursday and signed by Sam Olumekun, it’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, indicated that Edo State has 4,519 polling units and 211 collation centres, comprising 192 ward centres, 18 Local Government centres and the State collation centre in Benin city. | #EDO2024; EDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION; #EDODECIDES2024 | VANGUARD |
| VANGUARD | 09-Aug-24 | Atiku, Obi, others fume over raid of NLC HQ by security agents as DSS denies involvement | Angry reactions yesterday trailed the invasion of the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, by some security agents late Wednesday night. Although operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, were said to have carried out the attack, the secret police were, however, quick to deny its involvement yesterday. Recall that agents of the state raided the NLC offices at about 10 pm, which is what sources described as being connected with the recent nationwide protests against hardship in the country. | NLC; PROTEST; DSS; ATIKU;OBI | VANGUARD |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 09-Aug-24 | Local Govt Autonomy: Supreme Court judgement enforceable, Mike Ozekhome tells critics | A prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, responded on Thursday to critics of the Supreme Court judgement ordering direct payment of Nigeria’s 774 local governments’ shares of federal allocations directly to them. The judgement, delivered in July, upturned the longstanding arrangement of paying the local government areas’ federal allocations into joint accounts controlled by the state governors in their respective states. The Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal and unconstitutional for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to local government areas in their states. Mr Ozekhome said the judgement is binding and must be enforced nationwide. He said the Supreme Court’s interpretation of section 162 of the Nigerian constitution was unambiguous, leaving no room for delay in its implementation. | LG AUTONOMY; SUPREME COURT; | PREMIUMTIMES |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 12-Aug-24 | Two federal lawmakers trade words over political tension in Kano | A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has accused one of his colleagues in the House, Ado Doguwa, of being responsible for the feud among political elites in Kano State. Mr Jibirin, the lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State on the platform of New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), made the allegation in a statement by his media aide, Sani Paki, on Sunday. Mr Doguwa, on his part, represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency on the platform for All Progressives Congress (APC). He was accused of the murder of three people believed to be members of the NNPP during the 2023 general election. | NASS; KANO; INSECURITY | PREMIUMTIMES |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 12-Aug-24 | Senate replies Obasanjo, denies fixing own salaries, allowances | The Senate has denied allocating new salaries and allowances for senators contrary to what is prescribed by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, the body authorised by law to prepare public officers’ remunerations. It also denied receiving incentives from the presidency, as claimed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he hosted some members of the House of Representatives in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, issued the denial in a statement on Sunday. Mr Adaramodu said the lawmakers received only the salaries and allowances fixed by RMAFC. | NASS; OBASANJO; SENATE; SALARIES | PREMIUMTIMES |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 12-Aug-24 | NLC demands apology from FG for raid on secretariat, suspends operations over safety concerns | The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded a public apology from the federal government and the police authorities for the recent invasion of its headquarters in Abuja by police operatives. The union rejected the police’s explanation for their operatives’ raid on its secretariat, describing it as an afterthought. NLC condemned the police’s conduct in a communique issued following an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) held on Saturday to deliberate on the incident. The labour union said Wednesday’s invasion of its headquarters was a deliberate and provocative government action. | NLC; FG; INSECURITY | PREMIUMTIMES |
| DAILY TRUST | 12-Aug-24 | APC Senator chides Governor Bala over comments on Tinubu’s economic reforms; says he is the cause of poverty in Bauchi | Senator Shehu Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticised Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, for blaming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the current economic hardship in the country, which led to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. During the flag-off campaign for local government election candidates in the state, Governor Mohammed, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, flayed Tinubu for the hyperinflation affecting the economy. | APC; NASS; GOVERNORS; APC; PDP | DAILYTRUST |
| THE CABLE | 12-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: Obaseki’s SSG resigns, to contest as Ighodalo’s running mate | Osarodion Ogie, secretary to the Edo state government, has stepped down from his position. Ogie has been picked as Asue Ighodalo’s running mate ahead of the governorship election billed for September 21. Ighodalo is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state. Ogie said his resignation, effective August 9, complied with the electoral law’s requirement for political appointees to vacate their positions at least a month before contesting an election. | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP | CABLE |
| THIS DAY | 13-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: Following his resignation to contest election, Obaseki appoints Joseph Eboigbe as new Edo SSG | Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has sworn in Mr. Joseph Eboigbe as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Eboigbe’s appointment followed the resignation of Osarodion Ogie, who held the position until August 9, when he left to pursue a political career as running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21 governorship poll in the state. Before his appointment, Eboigbe had served as Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning and, later, Commissioner for Finance. He is also the chairman of the 20-member transition committee to pilot the smooth transition to the next administration. Obaseki, who inaugurated the new SSG at the EXCO Chambers at Government House, in Benin City, expressed confidence in the capacity of Eboigbe to deliver. | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP | THISDAY |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 13-Aug-24 | Shaibu replies Obaseki’s impersonation allegation | Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has responded to the impersonation allegation levelled against him by the Edo State Government. The Edo State House of Assembly removed Mr Shaibu from office on 8 April over an allegation of disclosing the government’s secret, an allegation Mr Shaibu said was “hatched” because of his governorship ambition. He had vowed to challenge his removal at the court. After removing Mr Shaibu, the lawmakers confirmed Governor Godwin Obaseki’s nomination of Omabayo Godwins as a replacement for the impeached deputy governor. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja on 17 July overturned Mr Shaibu’s removal and reinstated him as the deputy governor. | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP | PREMIUMTIMES |
| THE CABLE | 13-Aug-24 | Tinubu signs bill to increase salaries of ALL judicial officers by 300% | President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judges in the country by 300 percent. The judicial office holders’ salaries and allowances bill, which was passed by the senate in June, will allow the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) to earn N64 million annually. In a statement on Tuesday, Basheer Lado, special adviser to the president on senate matters, said Tinubu’s signing of the bill marks his “unwavering commitment” to the welfare of Nigeria’s workforce. | TINUBU; JUDICIARY; SALARIES | CABLE |
| THE CABLE | 13-Aug-24 | IGP says a freigner involved in Sudan crisis was traced to NLC | Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), says one of the masterminds of the Sudan conflict was traced to the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja. Sudan is currently experiencing a civil war triggered by a power tussle between two military factions in the North African country. Egbetokun spoke on Monday during a youth summit organised by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The event held at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja. The IGP said some individuals wanted to use the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest to destabilise the country. | LABOUR; IGP; POLICE; SUDAN; PROTEST | CABLE |
| THIS DAY | 13-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: Following his resignation to contest election, Obaseki appoints Joseph Eboigbe as new Edo SSG | Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has sworn in Mr. Joseph Eboigbe as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Eboigbe’s appointment followed the resignation of Osarodion Ogie, who held the position until August 9, when he left to pursue a political career as running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21 governorship poll in the state. Before his appointment, Eboigbe had served as Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning and, later, Commissioner for Finance. He is also the chairman of the 20-member transition committee to pilot the smooth transition to the next administration. Obaseki, who inaugurated the new SSG at the EXCO Chambers at Government House, in Benin City, expressed confidence in the capacity of Eboigbe to deliver. | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP | THISDAY |
| DAILY TRUST | 14-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: Igbinedion’s daughter resigns from PDP as her moves suggest defection to APC | Less than 38 days before the September 21governorship election in Edo State, Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion, daughter of the People Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and business mogul, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, has resigned from the party. Omosede, who represented Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019 on the PDP platform, attributed her resignation to the marginalisation of what she described as “Aboriginal PDP members.” While Omosede has not disclosed her next political move, she has been associated with the APC in the state. It could be recalled that Omosede belonged to the legacy coalition group of the PDP led by the suspended party National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih. Several members of the legacy coalition group have resigned and joined the APC, while others who remain in the PDP have also shown support for the APC’s governorship candidate. | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP | DAILYTRUST |
| VANGUARD | 14-Aug-24 | Council of State describe national protest as attempted regime change as they pass vote of confidence on Tinubu | THE Council of State yesterday described a recent protest against bad governance in the country as an attempted regime change. The council, comprising former Presidents and Heads of State, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the serving and retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, as well as state governors, also passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The former leaders that passed the confidence vote on President Tinubu included Generals Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as former President Goodluck Jonathan. Both former Presidents Buhari and Jonathan attended the meeting physically, while Generals Gowon and Abubakar joined virtually. However, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, were absent and there was no reason given for their absence. | TINUBU; COUNCIL OF STATE; PROTEST | VANGUARD |
| GUARDIAN | 14-Aug-24 | House of Reps panel wants special fund for NSCDC, Customs to tackle oil theft | The House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses has canvassed special intervention funds for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to enable them to perform optimally. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alhasan Ado Doguwa, said this on Tuesday during a special session/hearing on the utilisation of special intervention funds to combat crude oil theft across the country. Doguwa expressed displeasure over the lack of support for the NSCDC to carry out its constitutional mandate. It would be recalled that the Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses was inaugurated on October 30, 2023, by the Speaker, Hon. Tajudden Abbas, pursuant to section 62 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. | HOUSE OF REPS; PROBE; OIL THEFT | GUARDIAN |
| GUARDIAN | 14-Aug-24 | Reinstated APC Chairman affirms 26 embattled Rivers lawmakers as members of the party | The reinstated Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Emeka Beke, has declared that the 26 lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, are members of the party. This comes amid lingering controversy over the lawmakers’ legitimacy, following their December 2023 defection to the APC and subsequent attempts to renounce membership of the party. While speaking at a press briefing after his reinstatement by the Rivers State High Court, Beke emphasised that the lawmakers cannot deny their membership. He announced plans to invite them to party meetings, stressing that they cannot escape their actions. | RIVERS; LAWMAKERS; APC; PDP | GUARDIAN |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 15-Aug-24 | House of Reps Speaker withdraws controversial bill seeking jail term for people who ‘disrespect’ govt officials, refuse to recite National Anthem | The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has announced the withdrawal of a controversial bill he sponsored that would have allowed for the jailing of people who embarrass or disrespect government officials. The announcement was made in a post on the official X handle of the House of Representatives. “In response to the voices and concerns of the people, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has decided to withdraw the Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation,” part of the post reads. Mr Tajudeen has faced criticism for the bill which contains other obnoxious provisions such as criminalising the refusal to recite the national anthem. Additionally, the bill proposed the death penalty for separatist activities that lead to the death of anyone. The provision criminalising refusal to sing the national anthem generated the most public outrage. | HOUSE OF REPS; NATIONAL ANTHEM; COUNTER SUBVERSION BILL | PREMIUMTIMES |
| DAILY TRUST | 15-Aug-24 | Kano Government claims that protesters who invaded Kano Court carted away Ganduje’s corruption trial documents | The Kano State government has said those who invaded the State High Court during the nationwide protest carted away some of the documents used in the corruption trial of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Kano government had dragged Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat, Umar, his Son, Umar Abdullahi, and five others to the court over 8 charges bothering on misappropriation, and diversion of funds during his eight-year tenure as governor. The court is among the properties vandalised and looted by hoodlums during the #EndBadGovernance protest. On Wednesday, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf visited the court to assess the damages. The governor was conducted round the court premises by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, Chief Registrar of the High Court, Alhaji Abdullahi Ado Bayero, and some judges. According to the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Yusuf described the vandalization as a staged-managed mission in which hired miscreants carted away corruption charges documents of Ganduje who is facing multiple charges before the court. | KANO; GANDUJE; CORRUPTION; HIGH COURT | DAILYTRUST |
| DAILY TRUST | 15-Aug-24 | Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea to sign security agreements | President Bola Tinubu has arrived Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, for a three-day official visit, which will include signing of petroleum resources and security agreements. President Tinubu, who arrived the Presidential Wing of the Malabo International Airport at about 2.07pm, was received by the Prime Minister of the country, Manuela Botey. It is said that the two countries will be signing bilateral agreements focusing on oil and gas, security and others. Among those accompanying President Tinubu are Mr Yusuf Tuggar, Foreign Affairs Minister; Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Defense; Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) and Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior. | GUINEA; NIGERIA; TINUBU; MBASOGO | DAILYTRUST |
| DAILY TRUST | 15-Aug-24 | EFCC seeks Special Court to prosecute oil theft | The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sought the establishment of a Special Court to prosecute suspected crude oil thieves and other crimes in the oil and gas industry. Officials of the Commission made the call on Wednesday during their appearance at the investigative hearing of the House of Representatives Special Committee investigating ‘Crude Oil Theft and other Losses’ on Wednesday. Speaking separately, the Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman, Michael Uzokwe said, the Commission was facing challenges of delayed prosecution of suspects in courts, hence the need for a special court for speedy prosecution. According to him, they have filed hundreds of cases in various courts, but only a negligible number were adequately prosecuted and the suspects convicted while a larger number were still ongoing and fresh ones being filed. | EFCC; SPECIAL COURT; OIL THEFT | DAILYTRUST |
| DAILY TRUST | 15-Aug-24 | More revelations trail NASS salary controversy as Kano Senator says he gets N21m monthly as cost of running his office | Lawmaker representing Kano South, Senator Sumaila Kawu, has revealed that he earns over N21m monthly as a total take-home package. In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Kawau said the official pay of N1 million fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) drops to around N600,000 after deductions but there are other allowances that take their total pay to N21 million per month. He spoke 24 hours after RMAFC, the body empowered by law to fix salaries and allowances of political office-holders, claimed that each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06m in salary and allowances per month. RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, said this as a form of clarification in response to recent controversies over the real amount each lawmaker earns per month. But in his BBC Hausa interview, Kawu said, “The amount of salary received per month is less than N1 million. If there are cuts, it comes back to about N600,000. In the senate, each senator is given N21 million every month as the cost of running his office.” | NASS; SALARY; SENATOR | DAILYTRUST |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 16-Aug-24 | Rivers APC Crisis: Members reject court judgement that reinstated Emeka Beke, holds NEC meeting 12 September | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that it is not bound by the Rivers High Court judgment that reinstated its dissolved Emeke Beke-led State Executive Committee, as it was not a party to the suit. The party’s Deputy National Secretary, Festus Fuanter, said this while speaking to journalists on Thursday in Abuja, after the National Working Committee (NWC) closed-door meeting. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Rivers High Court had dismissed the APC Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee and reinstated the dissolved Beke-led executive. Mr Fuanter explained that Mr Beke, who was reinstated by the court, had previously been removed by another court and had filed an appeal but chose not to await its outcome, instead engaging in an abuse of court processes. | APC; RIVERS; NEC | PREMIUMTMES |
| THIS DAY | 16-Aug-24 | FG to Chinese Firm: Our jets Are sovereign assets; they are Immune from seizure | The federal government, yesterday, reacted to the alleged seizure of three presidential planes in Paris, France, following a dispute between a private Chinese firm and the Ogun State government, saying those aircraft are sovereign assets and, therefore, immune from confiscation. Citing extant principles of international law, the government acknowledged that the actions of a sub-national or local entity were attributable to the state or country itself. However, the Nigerian government said it had commenced both legal and diplomatic moves to recover the three aircraft in the presidential fleet. At the same time, Ogun State Government faulted the judicial process that led to the provisional attachment of the aircrafts, and said it had begun steps to vacate the order. Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi, described the reported seizure of three presidential jets as international embarrassment and demanded full explanation. | FG; CHINESE; JET SEIZURE | THISDAY |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 16-Aug-24 | Abia Governor swears in new Commissioners, creates 6 new ministries | On Wednesday, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State swore in six new commissioners in the state. The commissioners took oaths of office and allegiance administered by the state solicitor-general and permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice. The new commissioners’ portfolios are as follows: David Kalu (Science, Technology & Innovation), Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha (Trade & Commerce), Uwaoma Ukandu (Finance), Ijeoma Aghukwa (Women Affairs), Goodluck Ubochi (Basic & Secondary Education), and Ogbonnaya Uche (Health). The governor also announced the reshuffling of his cabinet and the creation of new ministries. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the governor created six new ministries. The six new ministries are Basic & Secondary Education, Tertiary Education, Poverty Alleviation & Social Protection, Labour & Productivity, Industry & SMEs and Arts, Culture & Creative Economy. This newspaper observed that, in the reshuffled cabinet, some existing commissioners were moved to other ministries. | ABIA; ALEX OTTI; COMMISSIONERS; MINISTRIES | PREMIUMTIMES |
| THE CABLE | 16-Aug-24 | Nigeria loses sovereign immunity claim as US court upholds $70m award to Chinese firm | An appeal court in the United States (US) has authorised Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, a Chinese firm, final charging orders over two residential properties owned by Nigeria. This comes as the Chinese firm seeks to enforce a $70 million arbitration award against the Nigerian government. The majority ruling, in a verdict delivered on August 9, affirmed the judgment of the US district court for the District of Columbia that held that the arbitration award is enforceable. Daily Trust reports that the latest development worsens a crisis that the Nigerian government has been attempting to manage in Europe and prevent from spilling to other jurisdictions. A French court had earlier authorised the seizure of the three presidential jets due to the ongoing dispute between Zhongshan and the Ogun State government. However, the Presidency said it is aware of the development, accusing Zhongshan of attempting to take over offshore assets of the country through subterfuge. | FG; CHINESE; JET SEIZURE; US | DAILYTRUST |
| DAILY TRUST | 16-Aug-24 | Court orders forfeiture Of over $2m, 7 landed properties linked to Emefiele | Nigeria’s claim to sovereign immunity cannot stand in a commercial venture, a US appeal court has ruled. The court rejected Nigeria’s sovereign immunity defence to the enforcement of a $70 million investment treaty award won by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese investor, in a free trade zone. Nigeria had “gruesomely” violated both fundamental and commercial rights of the Chinese firm, judges at the US Court of Appeals in Washington DC ruled. In a 2-1 verdict delivered on August 9, the majority ruling affirmed the judgment of the US district court for the District of Columbia that held that the arbitration award is enforceable. | EMEFIELE; COURT ORDER; CBN | DAILYTRUST |
| THIS DAY | 19-Aug-24 | SERAP asks NASS to disclose specific amount for running cost or face legal action. Recall that a lawmaker had revealed that he receives up to N21m as office running cost | Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to disclose the “exact amount of monthly running costs” allotted to members of the National Assembly. SERAP requested the spending details of any of such running costs as well. This information was made known in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare. The group’s demand came on the heels of the recent controversy surrounding the salary of senators. A former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, had stated that Senators receive over N13 million monthly, but the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission faulted his claim. SERAP urged the NASS leadership to “promptly end the alleged practice by the National Assembly of fixing its own salaries, allowances and running costs, in conformity with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and the country’s international obligations.” | NASS; SALARY; LAWMAKERS | THISDAY |
| CABLE | 19-Aug-24 | Tinubu travels to France today for a ‘brief work stay.’ It is not clear when he will be returning. | President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Monday to France. In a statement on Sunday, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said the president will return to the country after his “brief work stay in France”. Ngelale did not state the exact day the president would return to the country. The president’s visit is coming days after a Paris court in France ordered the seizure of three jets belonging to the Nigerian government over the dispute involving an arbitration award in favour of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, a Chinese firm. | FG; TINUBU; FRANCE; CHINESE; JET SEIZURE; US | CABLE |
| CABLE | 19-Aug-24 | APC alleges irregularities as PDP wins Bauchi LG poll by landslide | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the 20 chairmanship seats in the LG election in Bauchi state. Ahmed Makama, chairman of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), announced the results on Saturday. He said the polls held peacefully across the state, adding that: “For the chairmanship election, PDP won all the 20 seats as declared at the local government levels. “And for the councillors, the results were declared in the wards with other parties emerging victorious.” However, the APC Chairman in the state, described the election as a “murder of democracy”. He cited alleged irregularities, including inadequate election materials, withheld sensitive materials and result sheets, and votes allocation to the ruling PDP. Hassan also alleged an absence of returning officers and the abandonment of election materials at the polling units. “There were also instances of ballot box snatching, massive thumb printing of ballot papers for PDP and votes allocation to PDP candidates across all the local governments,” Hassan alleged | APC; PDP; LG ELECTIONS; BAUCHI | CABLE |
| DAILY TRUST | 19-Aug-24 | Benjamin Kalu says ECOWAS Parliament is using diplomacy to resolve issues with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger | The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep Benjamin Kalu, has said that the ECOWAS Parliament is deploying parliamentary diplomacy mechanisms to handle issues with Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic who are all threatening to exit the sub-regional bloc. Kalu disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on the sidelines of a meeting of the parliament’s Joint Committee on Administration, Finance, Budget, Public Accounts, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, of which he is Chairman. Kalu said there was no cause for alarm over the bloc’s perceived existential threat posed by violent extremism, and the exit threats from ECOWAS by the three West African countries. “There are already mechanisms in place, through what is called parliamentary diplomacy, to reach out to them. Letters have been sent to them, and very soon, some of us will start visiting those countries to engage the heads of government." | ECOWAS PARLIAMENT; NASS; SAHEL STATES | DAILYTRUST |
| VANGUARD | 19-Aug-24 | BREAKING: Oyo State APC Chairman dies in USA after brief illness | He was said to have succumbed to death after close to a year of receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment in the United States, where he was a citizen. The Otu-Itesiwaju-born politician was a commissioner at different ministries, during the administration of late former governor, Abiola Ajimobi. He recently completed his law degree and law school. Olawale Sadare, Publicity Secretary of the APC, confirmed his death in a terse message. | OYO; APC; USA | VANGUARD |
| CHANNELS TV | 20-Aug-24 | Police invite NLC President Ajaero to answer for terrorism financing allegations | The Nigerian Police Force has invited the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, for investigation over allegations of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime and other related offences. The invitation is contained in a letter dated 19th August 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team. The police warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero fails to comply. The letter reads: “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime in which you have been implicated. | POLICE; NLC; JOE AJAERO; PROTEST; TERRORISM | CHANNELSTV |
| THIS DAY | 20-Aug-24 | Tinubu says ECOWAS States must urgently ratify & implement anti-corruption protocol as he announces Nigeria's donation of an office building for NACIWA headquarters | President Bola Tinubu has called on member-nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to, as a matter of necessity, ratify and fully implement the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption. Tinubu made the call yesterday during the sixth Annual General Assembly of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja. The appeal was in line with the president’s determination to wipe out corruption in his capacity as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States. From mere commitment and intention, Tinubu urged ECOWAS member-states to take action by implementing the anti-graft protocol. Tinubu also announced Nigeria’s donation of an office building for the permanent headquarters of NACIWA in the country. | ECOWAS; TINUBU; CORRUPTION; NACIWA | |
| THIS DAY | 20-Aug-24 | Imo State: Labour Party insists on boycotting September 21 local govt election, says Uzodimma is planning a coronation, not an election | The Imo State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) yesterday described the Imo State Local Government Council elections scheduled for September 21, 2024 as coronation of selected persons to man the 27 Local Government Councils in the State and not an election. Speaking exclusively to THISDAY in Owerri, the Imo LP State Chairman, Mr. Callistus Ihejiagwa, maintained that LP chose to boycott the LG elections as it refuses to lend itself to be used to endorse the shenanigan and coronation of cronies of Governor Hope Uzodimma to man the LG Councils. “Imo State LP has no confidence in the democratic credentials of Governor Hope Uzodimma and we do not see the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ISIEC) as completely independent. Go and find out, the word on the streets is that Gov Uzodimma and the Imo APC have already compiled a list of those who would be announced as winners in the so called election. The LP refuses to be part of such coronation. The party will not lend itself to endorse such shenanigans”, Ihejiagwa affirmed. | IMO STATE; LABOUR PARTY; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; UZODIMMA | THISDAY |
| THIS DAY | 20-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: INEC PVC distribution begins Thursday, 22 August 2024 and ends Monday, 26 August 2024 | Ahead of the Edo State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will commence the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in 192 wards from Thursday, August 22, 2024. The electoral body noted that collection of PVCs would end on Monday, August 26, 2024. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Monday in Abuja at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP; INEC; PVC | THISDAY |
| DAILY TRUST | 20-Aug-24 | Ogun REC dies after INEC meeting In Abuja | The Ogun REC was said to have slumped and died in Abuja on Monday evening after he attended a meeting with other RECs at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters. Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room, when the tragic incident occurred. The meeting, according to Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, focused on two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, and seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies. | OGUN; DEATH; INEC; REC | DAILYTRUST |
| DAILY TRUST | 20-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: Oshiomhole decries inability to access public facilities for APC campaigns | Ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial election in Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has condemned the denial of access for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use public school premises for campaigns by the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki. Speaking in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, during the APC’s ward-to-ward campaign, Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, expressed his frustration over the issue. He noted that many of these schools were constructed during his tenure as governor, making it all the more perplexing that his party would be denied the use of such facilities for campaign purposes. | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP | DAILYTRUST |
| THE CABLE | 20-Aug-24 | ‘He’s relocated abroad’ — Constituents move to recall Ondo Rep, Abiola Makinde | Constituents of Ondo east/Ondo west federal constituency have commenced mobilisation for the recall of Abiola Makinde, a member of the house of representatives. In a statement on Monday, Ekimogun Roundtable, a socio-economic group of Ondo indigenes, alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker has abandoned his legislative duties and relocated abroad. The group claimed that the constituency has been without any representation for months because of the poor performance of the lawmaker. Ekimogun Roundtable said “over 30 legal practitioners across the country” have shown interest in providing free legal services to challenge the action of the legislator. | ONDO; HOUSE OF REPS; APC | CABLE |
| THIS DAY | 21-Aug-24 | NLC seeks time extension for Ajaero to honour Police invitation, threatens strike | Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has formally written to the police stating why NLC president, Joe Ajaero, could not honour an invitation by the police yesterday. However, in light of the budding face-off between the labour union and the Nigeria Police, NLC asked its members to be ready to commence a nationwide strike if need be. Likewise, Amnesty International (AI), Nigeria, accused the federal government of trying to undermine and intimidate NLC and its leadership with allegations of terrorism financing. International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) also expressed concern over what it called escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria. Ajaero was billed to appear before the police investigation team yesterday for interrogation over allegations of terrorism financing and treasonable felony. But the labour movement urged the police to shift the date to August 29. | NLC; AJAERO; POLICE; PROTEST; STRIKE | THISDAY |
| DAILY TRUST | 21-Aug-24 | Wike Must leave for PDP’s survival, Clark tells Damagum | The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has urged the acting national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, to summon the courage to see to the exit of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, from the party for the party to stand a chance of survival. Clark, in an open letter to the PDP leadership delivered in Abuja on Tuesday, sharply criticised Wike for allegedly leveraging his ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to undermine the PDP. He also alleged that Wike’s influence is being used to pressure his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Despite Wike’s insistence on remaining a PDP member after losing the last presidential primary to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Clark claimed Wike’s actions have been detrimental to the party. | WIKE; PDP; APC; DAMAGUM; EDWIN CLARK | DAILYTRUST |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 21-Aug-24 | Nigeria wasted over $500,000 at COP28," Ngelale says as he announces the Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal to ensure prudence in COP29 | A presidential audit revealed that the Nigerian government wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars at COP 28 in Dubai last year including nearly $500,000 spent on a showcase pavilion in addition to a number of wasteful sub-contracts and consultancies, among many other avoidable expenses, an official has said. President Bola Tinubu‘s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja, according to an official statement. Mr Ngelale said President Tinubu has thus set up an efficient and prudent system for this year’s climate conference, COP 29, in Baku, Azerbaijan. | COP28; COP29; CLIMATE CHANGE | PREMIUMTIMES |
| PREMIUM TIMES | 21-Aug-24 | Appeal Court affirms Philip Shaibu as Edo Deputy Governor | The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Philip Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo State. The court, in its judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by the Edo House of Assembly which sought to uphold Mr Shaibu’s impeachment, Punch newspaper reported. The newspaper, however, did not state when the judgment was given. With the ruling, the Court of Appeal has affirmed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja which earlier dismissed the Edo Assembly’s impeachment of Mr Shaibu. | APPEAL COURT; EDO; SHAIBU; DEPUTY GOVERNOR | PREMIUMTIMES |
| THIS DAY | 21-Aug-24 | FG institutes Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce Supreme Court judgement on Local Government autonomy | The federal government has inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee to enforce the Supreme Court judgement delivered on July 11, 2024, which granted financial autonomy to local governments in the country. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, performed the exercise yesterday. The 10-man committee is to be chaired by the SGF. Other members of the committee include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and the Accountant General of the Federation. The rest are the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary (Federal Ministry of Finance), Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, representative of state governors and the representative of local governments. | FG; LOCAL GOVT AUTONOMY; SUPREME COURT | THISDAY |
| VANGUARD | 21-Aug-24 | #EDO2024: INEC presents voters register to parties | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo on Tuesday presented soft copies of voters register to political parties participating in the Sept. 21 Edo governorship election. Dr Anugbum Onuoha, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo, presented the register to the chairmen and secretaries of political parties and other officials at INEC office in Benin. He also presented the register to Mr Olumide Akpata, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the Edo governorship election. Onuoha said that Akpata was given because of the leadership crisis rocking the party in the state which had polarised the party. “The register will be presented to the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Olumide Akpata, as the sole candidate of the party in the election,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the LP has other executives led by Mr Kelly Ogbalo and Ms Elizabeth Ativie. The REC said that the presentation of the register of voters to the political parties was in line with the relevant section of the Electoral Act. e said that the act mandated the commission, to within 30 days to the election, present the voters register to political parties. Speaking, Prof. Rhoda Gamus, the National INEC Commissioner, supervising Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa, said that a total of 2, 629, 025 voters registered for the governorship election in Edo. Gamus urged the leadership of the political parties to mobilise their supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). | EDO; INEC; PVC | VANGUARD |
| THIS DAY | 22-Aug-24 | CISLAC worries over desperate attempt to silence the Nigeria Labour Congress | The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC) has expressed shock and concern by the “ongoing attempts to incriminate, silence, and blackmail the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for its efforts to champion the rights and well-being of Nigerian workers”. In a statement signed by Auwal Musa Rafsanjani Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC)/ Transparency International Nigeria, he said: “CISLAC recalls that on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, the NLC complex, popularly known as Labour House, was suddenly besieged by heavily armed security personnel. Furthermore, the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime. The invitation, detailed in an official letter, requires the President of the NLC to appear for an interview on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the IRT Complex in Guzape District, Abuja. While we do not oppose a police investigation, we insist that it must be conducted in an open and transparent manner. This investigation must continue so that Nigerians can clearly see that the government is not fabricating allegations. The integrity of both the NLC and the police is at stake. Only through a transparent and credible investigation process can Nigerians regain confidence in our security agencies." | NLC; AJAERO; POLICE; PROTEST; STRIKE | THISDAY |
| DAILY TRUST | 22-Aug-24 | Damagum berates Edwin Clark for accusing him of colluding with Wike to destroy the PDP | Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has berated elder statesman Edwin Clark over his open letter to the party leadership, saying he is being sentimental. On Wednesday, Clark had accused Damagum of colluding with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to destroy the PDP in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at the party headquarters on Wednesday, Damagum said, “I want to use this opportunity also to address a letter from our elder statesman (Clark) that has been brought to my attention. I don’t intend to speak much on it. “I will borrow Olisa Metu’s remarks from 2015 when Edwin Clark left the party. There’s no doubt that he is an elder statesman. But I thought that when you reach that age, God has given you the opportunity and wisdom to be a father to all, not to engage in public arguments. | DAMAGUM; EDWIN CLARK; | DAILYTRUST |
| DAILY TRUST | 22-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: APC receives more defectors from PDP, LP, ADC | Ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) have defected to the APC in Igueben LGA. The defectors were received on Wednesday in Igueben by the Director General of the APC Campaign Council in the state, Matthew Urhoghide, who emphasised that all members were treated equally in the APC regardless of whether they were new or old. The Coordinator of the APC Campaign Council in Edo Central Senatorial District, Hon. Odianosen Okojie, urged the defectors to turn out in large numbers on September 21 to vote for the APC, stating that the APC was a welcoming party for everyone regardless of when they joined. | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP; APC; PDP; LP; ADC | DAILYTRUST |
| THIS DAY | 22-Aug-24 | Court restrains APC from sacking Benue State Chairman & members of NWC; party ignores order, sacks excos & constitute 7-man caretaker committee | The Benue State High Court has restrained the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Sacking the state chairman of the party, Hon. Augustine Agada and other members of the State Working Committee (SWC). Since the assumption of office of Governor Hyacinth Alia, there had been a cold war between him and his estranged political godfather, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. The cold war over who controls the sole of the party in Benue has led to the factionalisation of the party. A faction of the party led by Benjamin Omakolo has the support of the governor, while the other faction led by Agada is loyal to Akume. However, a copy of the exparte order granted by Justice Theresa Igoche in suit no: MH /1585m/2024, was made available to journalists at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja yesterday. The court also ordered the National Working Committee (NWC) led by its National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, not to remove Agada-led State Working Committee until the expiration of its four years tenure. | APC; NWC; CARETAKER COMMITTEE; BENUE | THISDAY |
| THIS DAY | 28-Aug-24 | LP Crisis: Governor Otti wants Abure-led executive sacked, seeks NEC meeting for August end | Abia State Governor Alex Otti has asked the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of Labour Party (LP) to prepare for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on August 31. Otti also told Abure that all party executives, from ward, local government, and state, to the national, should be dissolved for a new leadership. The move followed the non-invitation of LP to the third quarterly meeting between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the political parties. At two of the meetings with INEC, Abure was asked to leave the gathering, and during last week’s quarterly meeting with political parties, the electoral umpire did not invite LP. It was in view of the above that the only governor of the party charged the Abure-led NWC to call a NEC meeting to discuss the leadership crisis in LP. But Abure fired back, saying there is no leadership crisis in the party. He said the national executive of the party was properly and constitutional elected at the March 29 national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State. | LP; ABURE; NEC; AUGUST | THISDAY |
| THIS DAY | 28-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: INEC holds mock accreditation of voters September 10 ahead of Edo Governorship election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it would hold mock accreditation of voters ahead of the Edo State governorship election scheduled to hold on September 21. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement issued yesterday, revealed that the mock accreditation would hold on September 10. Olumekun said, “In continuation of preparations for the Edo State governorship election holding on Saturday 21st September 2024, the commission is test running the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result upload to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for the election using live voters in select locations in the state. For this purpose, the commission has designated 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) covering the three Senatorial Districts of the state as centres for the mock accreditation.” | EDO 2024; GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION; INEC; ACCREDITATION | THISDAY |
| DAILY TRUST | 28-Aug-24 | FG: No timeline yet for the implementation of the Oronsaye Report | Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief Of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has said that there is no timeline yet for the implementation of the Steve Oronsaye’s Report. He stated this on Tuesday during an interview after an official visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in Abuja. Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, debunked claims of the report being stalled. He said the federal government is working out all necessary modalities to ensure a smooth run of the policy when implemented. | FG; ORONSAYE REPORT; CHIEF OF STAFF; GBAJABIAMILA | DAILYTRUST |
| DAILY TRUST | 28-Aug-24 | Citizens lament extortion at borders, says by Security Personnel are hindering free movement within ECOWAS | The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) citizens in The Gambia have said there is no practical implementation of the free movement protocol in the region. The President of ECOWAS citizens in The Gambia, Michel Koivogui, disclosed this in The Gambia on Tuesday on the sideline of a public hearing with stakeholders on the protocol on free movement, Rights of Residence and Establishment as part of the meeting of the joint committees on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (MAEP), Legal and Human Rights, Trade Customs and Free Movement. Recognising that free movement is essential to the achievement of regional integration, the ECOWAS Member States adopted, on 29 May 1975, the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and the Right of Residence and Establishment in the Region. However, close to five decades later, the leader of ECOWAS citizens in The Gambia said movement across borders within the West African subregion is still very difficult, lamenting that community citizens were being extorted at borders by security operatives. | ECOWAS; THE GAMBIA; MOVEMENT; SECURITY PERSONNEL | DAILYTRUST |
| VANGUARD | 29-Aug-24 | NLC mobilises affiliates for peaceful procession as Joe Ajaero appears before the Police today | President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, is set to appear at the Force Headquarters today in response to a Police summons over allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime. Leaders of industrial unions, civil society allies, and some lawyers are expected to accompany Ajaero. “In response to the recent summon by the Nigeria Police Force for our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges…we call on all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilize their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity,” stated NLC General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has also called on its FCT chapter to rally Abuja-based journalists in support of Ajaero and the NLC. Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK has urged the British government to “prevail on the federal government to end the violent repression and intimidation of trade unions.” | NLC; POLICE; TUC; AJAERO; PRTEST | |
| DAILY TRUST | 29-Aug-24 | Local Government Autonomy: ALGON partners with EFCC to enlighten the 774 LGAs on procurement, financial spending, accountability. | Following the financial autonomy granted by the Supreme Court, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria(ALGON) says it has entered into a partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enlighten its members across the 774 local government areas in the country on procurement, financial spending, due process, accountability, and transparency. This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the 49th National Executive Council meeting of the association held in Abuja The communique was jointly signed by the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Bala Chamoo, and the National Treasurer, Gazal Babatunde. According to the communique, the NEC reached seven key resolutions aimed at positioning the association to serve Nigerians better. The communique read in part, “The NEC is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to orient its members on procurement, financial spending, due process, accountability, and transparency. | LG AUTONOMY; SUPREME COURT; ALGON; LGA | DAILYTRUST |
| DAILY TRUST | 29-Aug-24 | Governor Yusuf orders closure of all MDA accounts in Kano State, directs banks to transfer balances to the new IGR operated by the office of the Accountant General. | Governor Kabiru Abba Yusuf of Kano State has directed the Accountant-General of the state to close the bank accounts of all ministries, departments and agencies with immediate effect. The governor gave the directive at the ongoing meeting with the Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service and heads of MDAs at the Government House. He said the decision was made to ensure that all government revenues are properly accounted for and utilised for the development of the state finances for effective governance. “I am directing the accountant general of state to as a matter of urgency, issue circular to all MDAs in the state to comply with all the provisions of the Kano state MDA revenue, harmonization law 2016. The accountant general is also expected to direct all money deposit banks as well as other financial institutions to close all bank accounts whether IGR or expenditure belonging to any MDA’s of the state..." | KANO; MDA; MDA; ACCOUNTANT GENERAL | DAILYTRUST |
| THE CABLE | 30-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: "Obaseki not funding my campaign — I’m not answerable to any godfather," Akpata insists | Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Edo, says he is not being funded by Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state. Akpata spoke on ‘Politics Today’, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday. There have been insinuations that Akpata has been recruited to play a “spoiler role” ahead of the September 21 election. The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said he is only answerable to the people of the state. Akpata described Obaseki’s performance in office as “underwhelming”. “There is a gulf between myself and Governor Obaseki, it’s night and day,” he said. “I cannot and will not be associated with his government. His performance has been underwhelming. “I have been attacked, my billboards have been pulled down. Everybody knows that I am not his choice; I am not even his Plan Z. “I am saying that Governor Obaseki has been a failure; an unmitigated disaster. In failure, there will always be flashes of positives here and there but we are talking about the whole, in the sum. | EDO 2024; LP; APC; OBASEKI; AKPATA; PDP | CABLE |
| DAILY TRUST | 30-Aug-24 | NNPP members exit in droves as Deputy Senate President, Barau welcomes them to APC | Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has welcomed members of the Association of Katsina State Indigenes in Kano to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The members of the association, also known as; ‘Na Dikko Dakin Kara’ under the leadership of Alhaji Usman Abdullahi Masari, announced their exit from the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) to the APC during their visit to Barau’s residence in Abuja. After receiving the decmapees, Senator Barau hailed their decision to join the APC, assuring them that they would be treated equally like all other party members. “I want to use this opportunity to welcome you to our great party, APC. I’m happy with the way you people are living peacefully. Your unity and cooperation have contributed to not only the growth of businesses but also the development of Kano State. I am glad you joined us in our quest to develop and transform Kano State. We have listened to your various complaints. Rest assured that you are in the right place. I welcome you all and thank you for coming,” he said. | NNPP; APC; BARAU; SENATE | DAILYTRUST |
| VANGUARD | 30-Aug-24 | #Edo2024: Ighodalo, Okpebholo, Akpata, others to sign peace pact on 12 September 2024 | AHEAD of the September 21 Governorship Election in Edo State, Candidates of the All Progressives Congress APC, Monday Okpebholo; Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Asue Ighodalo; Labour Party LP, Olumide Akpata, and 13 others will on September 12 sign a peace accord in Benin. The peace pact is being spearheaded by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee, NPC. Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja at an extraordinary meeting with political parties. He said unlike in the past when the NPC organized the signing ceremony very close to the election, the committee has decided to hold the event earlier in order to be able to monitor the compliance of parties. | #EDO2024; EDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION; #EDODECIDES2024; APC; PDP; ADC; APGA; LP | VANGUARD |
| VANGUARD | 30-Aug-24 | #ONDO2024: ZLP candidate, Mimiko kicks against rotation of governorship seats, says Ondo needs quality men. | Governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, in Ondo state, Dr Abass Mimiko, has kicked against the rotation of the governorship seat amongst the three senatorial districts in the state. Abass Mimiko, is the junior brother of the former governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko. Recall that there exist a gentleman agreement that the governorship seat be rotated amongst the three Senatorial districts in the state. The last three governor’s, the late Olusegun Agagu, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the late Rotimi Akeredolu hails from the South, Central and the Northern Senatorial districts respectively. All the candidates across the parties contesting the November 16 governorship election are from the Southern senatorial district except the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Dr Abass Mimiko. According to him ” we need quality people. First and foremost, let this system run efficiently. Then if we like, we can make rotation a law. “They will say it’s not constitutional. Yes, we can put it into law. But we can have a proper agreement within the state that from now on, it’s no more a gentleman’s agreement. | #EDO2024; EDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION; #EDODECIDES2024; APC; PDP; ADC; APGA; LP | VANGUARD |