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| DAILY TRUST | 01-Nov-24 | #ONDO2024: SDP Deputy Governorship candidate joins APC | Barely two weeks to the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, Susan Gbemisola Alabi, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (PDP), has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mrs Alabi was received into the APC by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during his campaign tour to the Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday. Alabi said she was attracted to the ruling party by the style of leadership qualities of Aiyedatiwa at ensuring dividends of democracy in every nook and cranny of the state. “I’m here today to officially dump the SDP for the APC because Mr Governor (Aiyedatiwa) has the qualities of what it takes to lead this state. “I have been following his campaign, and I must confess that he needs our support for him to win this upcoming election. I have decided to bring my supporters from the SDP to also join the winning train,” she said. | #ONDO2024; APC; PDP; GOVERNORSHIP; | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 06-Nov-24 | Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, is dead | The Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, is dead. He was 56. Mr Lagbaja, a lieutenant general, died in Lagos after a brief illness, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga wrote in a Wednesday morning statement. “He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness. “President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation,” Mr Onanuga wrote. He was rumoured dead two weeks ago but the Defence Headquarters debunked the news, explaining that he was on leave. A week after the rumoured death, PREMIUM TIMES reported that President Bola Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede, a major general, as acting chief of army staff. On Tuesday, Mr Oluyede was decorated with the new rank of lieutenant-general, an indication he is set to be made substantive army chief. | #CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF; TINUBU | PREMIUMTIMES | ||||
| THE CABLE | 08-Nov-24 | #EDO2024: Obaseki to hand over to APC November 12, says "EFCC may arrest me but I have nothing to hide." | Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, says he has been told that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will come knocking when his tenure elapses next week. Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be handing over to Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 12. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, during the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, ThisDay reports Obaseki as saying that he would spend his time in EFCC custody doing some research. “I hear that the EFCC will pick me next week after my tenure. Wherever they keep me, I’ll spend time doing research,” he said. Obaseki, who has served as Edo governor since 2016, said he has left a legacy in the state. “There are many things we have done that can be described as legacy projects,” he added. “I believe in Edo state. One of the things that will last for a very long time to come is the fact that we were able to focus on Edo people and the things that matter to them, reform and implement those things.” Obaseki said he is being hounded by a “cruel and wicked” opposition in the state, adding that he would gladly hand himself over to the anti-graft agency when the operatives come calling. | #EDO2024; OBASEKI; EFCC; APC; PDP | CABLE | ||||
| THIS DAY | 08-Nov-24 | DHQ confirms emergence of "Lukarawas", a new terrorist group in the North West. Reports say these terrorists are from Niger Republic | The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorist group known as ‘Lukarawas’ exacerbating insecurity in the North-western part of Nigeria. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military in Abuja Thursday. Buba said that the new terror group emerged from the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger. He said that the terrorists began incursion into northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in Niger Republic. According to him, prior to the coup, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces which kept the terrorists at bay. “The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North-western states to spread their ideology,” he said. Buba said that the group was accommodated by the locals who initially thought that the group meant well for them, adding that they failed to report the movement to the military and security agencies. He gave the assurance that troops had sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to degrade the terrorists. He added that the terror group had continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals. | #INSECURITY; #TERRORISM; NIGER REPUBLIC; | THISDAY | ||||
| THIS DAY | 08-Nov-24 | Sule abolishes State/LG joint account in Nasarawa State | The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has abolished the joint account system between the state government and the 13 Local Government Areas in the state. Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, disclosed this at a press conference yesterday in Lafia. Ahemba explained that the action complied with the decision of the Supreme Court on the autonomy of the area Councils in the country. He further said the administration of Governor Sule was law-abiding and had decided to grant full autonomy to Local Government Areas in the state to enable them to achieve their full potential. “The governor is one of the accountable and transparent administrators in the country who believes in the rule of law and has nothing to hide,” he added. On the implementation of the new minimum wage, the governor’s aide said that the state government was willing to implement the N70,000 minimum wage. “You could recall that the governor wanted to implement the new wage since August with the arrears of three months. But the organised labour preferred the implementation of their promotions first, and the governor agreed with their request. “The state government is ready to begin a discussion on the new minimum wage now that the promotion was successfully implemented and the template was released by the federal government,” he added. He, therefore, assured that the state government would continue to prioritise the welfare of the citizens through the provision of quality infrastructure and investment in the agricultural sector to address hunger and poverty. | #LOCAL GOVERNMENT; NASARAWA; SULE; MINIMUM WAGE | THISDAY | ||||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 08-Nov-24 | Ondo 2024: Court dismisses suit seeking to disqualify NNPP candidate | An Ondo State High Court in Akure has dismissed a suit filed by some members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP) seeking to nullify the candidature of Olugbenga Edema as the governorship flagbearer of party in the forthcoming governorship election. The court in its ruling on Thursday said it lacked justification to hear the matter. Oluwatosim Ayeni, and his running mate, Kemi Fasua, were first nominated as candidates for the election until Mr Edema came to the party and was used to substitute Mr Ayeni after he stepped down. Mr Akintan and others then approached the courts to challenge the arrangement with a view to ensuring that Mr Edema did not run in the election. | #ONDO2024; NNPP; GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION | PREMIUMTIMES | ||||
| VANGUARD | 08-Nov-24 | #Ondo2024: 17 political parties sign the Peace Accord in Akure ahead of the November 16 polls | Seventeen political parties and their governorship candidates in Ondo State have signed a peace accord ahead of the gubernatorial election set for next Saturday. The event, held in Akure, was organized by the National Peace Accord Committee, led by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. General Abubakar emphasized that the peace accord aims to ensure a credible and peaceful electoral process, urging candidates and their parties to uphold the principles of peace and democracy. “The signing of this peace accord commits gubernatorial candidates and party leaders to support a peaceful and credible election,” he said. Addressing party leaders and candidates, Abubakar called on them to accept the results of the election if they are deemed free, fair, and credible, and to pursue any grievances through lawful and peaceful means. “It is our hope that the Ondo election sets a positive example for other off-cycle elections in the country,” he added. | #ONDO2024; PEACE ACCORD; GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS; | VANGUARD | ||||
| THIS DAY | 11-Nov-24 | #Ondo2024: IG forbids Amotekun, all other quasi-security outfits from election, pledges peaceful poll | Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, ordered that no quasi-security organisation, including state-backed groups, like Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, would be permitted to participate in the Saturday election. Reaffirming the established guidelines governing election security management, Egbetokun also issued stern warning to political thugs and individuals or groups that might contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during, or after the election, saying they would face the full force of the law. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also appealed to the people of Ondo State not to sell their votes. They reminded the people that selling their votes meant selling their right to question the government in power. A statement by the force spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, “The message is clear. Those who attempt to jeopardise the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished.” Egbetokun further assured the public of the unwavering readiness of the police to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process across all 18 local government areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units in the state. He stated that the security of the election was a responsibility entrusted solely to the police and other federal security agencies, along with the broader membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). | #ONDO2024; GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION; NOVEMBER 2024 | THISDAY | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 11-Nov-24 | As Obaseki's tenure ends tomorrow, Okpebholo decries that Obaseki is frustrating peaceful transfer of power | Edo State governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, has accused Godwin Obaseki of sabotaging a peaceful transfer of power. Obaseki’s tenure as Edo governor elapses on November 12, 2024. The development is the latest in the back-and-forth that has characterised the duo’s relationship after the governorship election. On Friday, Governor Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was planning the swearing-in of his successor without input from the state government. He added that the APC had not bothered to invite him to the inauguration. According to Obaseki, the APC had already borrowed about N5 billion from funds kept for the payment of the contractors for some roads in the state. The governor further claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intends to arrest him as soon as he hands over the reins of power. But a PDP chieftain in the state, Kassim Afegbua, pushed back on the allegation, noting that inauguration is part of the government activities. However, in a statement on Sunday, Godspower Inegbe, media aide to Okpebholo, said Obaseki had deployed every tool in his arsenal to frustrate the handover. | #EDO2024; OBASEKI; OKPEBHOLO; APC; PDP | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 12-Nov-24 | As lawmakers deliberate on home-grown parliamentary system of govt, Shekarau objects, decrying factionalism and narrowness | The League of Northern Democrats (LND), chaired by former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has rejected the return of Nigeria to a parliamentary system of government, advocating instead for the continued use of the presidential system. This position was detailed in a paper presented by Shekarau on Monday at the National Dialogue on a Home-Grown Parliamentary System in Abuja. Shekarau highlighted how the presidential system, which requires leaders to seek a broad electoral mandate, fosters national unity by compelling candidates to appeal across ethnic and regional divides. In contrast, he said, the parliamentary model adopted at independence, with representatives accountable mainly to local constituencies, often entrenched narrow regional interests at the national level, as seen during the First Republic. | NASS; PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM; PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM; NORTH | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 12-Nov-24 | Tax Reform Bills: FG assures that Nigerians earning minimum wage will be exempted from PAYE | The chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has said that Nigerians earning minimum wage and slightly above will be exempted from the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax once the Tax Reform Bills are signed into law. Oyedele stated this on Monday while answering 10 questions on the bills as part of moves to sensitise Nigerians on the proposed tax law that has continued to draw criticisms in some parts of the country. Recall that President Bola Tinubu in July this year approved a new national minimum wage of N70,000 for workers, pushing it up from N30,000. The tax reform bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly have sparked controversy, with northern elites outrightly rejecting them because they may not benefit their region. | TAX; HARDSHIP; MINUMUM WAGE | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| CABLE | 12-Nov-24 | #Ondo2024: Sensitive election materials have arrived Akure ahead of Saturday polls | Sensitive materials for the November 16 Ondo state governorship election have arrived Akure, the state capital. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the materials were delivered by the Nigeria Airforce and received by officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). “Sensitive materials for the Ondo State Governorship election, scheduled for Saturday 16th November 2024 have arrived in Akure, the State capital, and received by officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” INEC said in a tweet on Monday. | #ONDO2024; GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION; NOVEMBER 2024 | CABLE | ||||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 17-Nov-24 | INEC declares Aiyedatiwa as winner of 2024 Ondo State election, presents certificate of return | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the certificates of return to the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Olayide Adelami. The commission’s National Commissioner for Ondo State, Kunle Ajayi, presented the certificates at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. Mr Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was accompanied by the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje; the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, and other members of the party. Mr Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor, was pronounced the winner of the elections after he secured 366,781 votes to defeat Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 117,845. | #ONDO2024; GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION; NOVEMBER 2024 | PREMIUMTIMES | ||||
| CABLE | 21-Nov-24 | #EDO2024: Okpebholo dissolves governing councils of state-owned tertiary institutions | Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has approved the dissolution of the governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions. Umar Ikhilor, the secretary to the state government (SSG), announced the directive in a ‘special announcement’ notice on Wednesday. The governor also approved the disengagement of management staff at Edo Specialist and Stella Obasanjo hospitals in Benin, the state capital. “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of the governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions in Edo state with immediate effect,” the notice reads. “Accordingly, all affected members of the governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions are to handover all government properties in their possession to their respective heads of the institutions. “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the disengagement of the management staff of Edo Specialist Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City, with immediate effect. | #EDO2024; OBASEKI; OKPEBHOLO; APC; PDP | CABLE | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 21-Nov-24 | Senate passes resolution for the sack of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman over ‘misconduct’ | The Senate has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Danladi Umar as chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over allegations of corruption and misconduct. The request was sequel to a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), during plenary on Wednesday. Senator Bamidele said the conduct of Umar fell short of the requisite standard of a public officer. He said, “That the Senate has been inundated with series of petitions and allegations of corruption/misconduct against the chairman, a situation that necessitated the 9th senate, through the Senate Committee on Ethics Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to invite him to series of its investigative hearings in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding those allegations. “However, he appeared before the Committee only once and therefore avoided subsequent invitations. “Also concerned about his alleged absenteeism from office for more than one month, without permission and recuse to his position, coupled with preponderance of corruption allegation, misappropriation, and physical street brawl with a security man in the FCT vis-à-vis his current investigation by the EFCC, ICPC and the DSS. “All these are tantamount to acts of negligence and gross misconduct, unbecoming of a chairman of such a reputable tribunal.” Bamidele’s motion was adopted by senators after it was put to a voice vote by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio. | SENATE; CODE OF CONDUCT; TINUBU; CHAIRMAN | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 22-Nov-24 | National Assembly amends NDLEA Act, unanimously approves life imprisonment for drug traffickers | The Senate on Thursday amended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to accommodate life imprisonment for persons found guilty of storing, moving or concealing hard drugs and other illicit substances. The amendment was considered during the plenary, which was presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, after the majority of the senators supported it. The amendment followed the recommendation of the conference committee of the two chambers of the National Assembly on Section 11 of the NDLEA Act. Recently, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to the NDLEA law to prescribe life imprisonment for drug traffickers, In contrast, the Senate version of the amendment prescribed the death penalty for the offenders. Consequently, the two chambers set up a conference committee to harmonise their respective versions. During the plenary, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Tahir Monguno, told his colleagues that the Senate will adopt the amendment of the House, prescribing life imprisonment to drug traffickers. Mr Monguno, who is the chairperson of the conference committee, explained that if the National Assembly adopts the death sentence, it means over 900 accused persons behind bars in drug-related cases will be executed. He urged his colleagues to support the resolution to reduce the effects of drug consumption and trading in the country. After the presentation, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, put the resolution to a vote, and most senators supported it through a voice vote. | NASS; NDLEA; DRUG TRAFFICKERS; SENATE; HOUSE OF REPS | PREMIUMTIMES | ||||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 22-Nov-24 | Senate approves Tinubu’s request to borrow $2.2bn for financing 2024 budget deficit | The Senate on Thursday granted President Bola Tinubu permission to obtain a $2.209 billion external loan. The loan, equivalent to N1.767 trillion, would be part of the funds used to finance the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget as incorporated in the Appropriation Act. It will be sourced from the country’s Eurobonds in international capital markets and gains from its financial laws. The loan was approved after considering the report of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, presented by its Chairman, Aliyu Wamakko, during plenary. A Eurobond is a debt instrument denominated in a currency other than the home currency of the country or market in which it is issued. Eurobonds are important because they help countries or organisations raise capital while allowing them to issue them in another currency. President Tinubu requested the approval on Tuesday in accordance with the provisions of Sections 21 (1) and 27 (1) of the Debt Management Office and the approval of the Federal Executive Council. While presenting the report, Mr Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North) said if the external borrowing request is approved, it will strengthen the nation’s foreign reserve. He explained that the loan will be sourced through Eurobonds in the International Capital Market, the Issuance of debut sovereign Sukuk in the International Capital Market, with a Guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), and Bridge Finance/Syndicated Loans. The senator said the loan will be at the official exchange rate of $1.00/N1,640 for implementing capital projects as contained in the 2024 budget. | SENATE; NASS; TINUBU; BORROWING | PREMIUMTIMES | ||||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 22-Nov-24 | Lawmakers reject bill proposing six-year single term for President | The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking a six-year single term for Nigeria’s presidency. The constitution alteration bill, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) and 33 others, was rejected on Thursday during a debate on its general principles. Some lawmakers in the House, who introduced the bill in June, also proposed rotating the presidency between the North and the South and creating a second vice president. In addition, the bill sought to amend the Constitution to create the offices of two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of Nigeria. The 1st Vice President shall be a succession vice president, while the 2nd Vice President shall be a minister in charge of the economy. Both vice presidents shall be ministers. The bill also proposed that the President and the 1st Vice President shall come from the same part of the country (North or South), and the 1st Vice President shall become President whenever the President becomes incapacitated, i.e., V.P. (Succession), V.P. (Administration and Economy). During the plenary, Mr Ugochinyere’s colleagues did not allow him to lead the debate on the bill before rejecting it. He had moved a motion to read the bill for a second time, but when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen put it to vote, members overwhelmingly voted against it. | NASS; TENURE OF PRESIDENCY; ATIKU | PREMIUMTIMES | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 25-Nov-24 | Gov Okpebholo sets up panel to probe Obaseki | Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state has constituted a 14-man State Assets Verification Committee to probe the eight years tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki. The panel headed by the retired Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, would be inaugurated on November 26, 2024. This is contained in a statement on Sunday by the governor’s media aide, Fred Itua.The statement reads in part. “In furtherance of the Governor’s initiative to set the State on the path of development and accountable leadership, the need to set up a State Assets Verification Committee becomes very imperative. “Despite repeated calls for a more holistic database of the Assets and Liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led Government came up with very scanty and limited Assets and Liabilities of the State. “In line with the Governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in Government, and to deepen the governance process, a Committee made up of respected sons and daughters from Edo State has to be constituted”. | EDO2024; OKPEBHOLO; APC; PDP; GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 25-Nov-24 | Daniel Bwala: "Tax Reform Bills is part of Tinubu’s campaign manifesto," says his zeal for its passage shows his passion to deliver on good governance | Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, says the controversial tax reform bills before the National Assembly is part of the President’s manifesto and campaign promises. Daily Trust reports that the bills, particularly the proposed amendment to the distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, have sparked widespread debate. The bills are: The Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country; and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes. Others include: the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman. Our correspondent also reports that the Presidency has been accused of being obsessed with the passage of the bill. However, speaking on Trust Tv’s Sunday Politics programme, Bwala said it was not an obsession, but part of the president’s mandate. “Remember when he went on campaign, he campaigned on those promises. And it is encapsulated in his manifesto, actually. So he is trying to make good his promise to the Nigerian people. And so there is no obsession there. It is passion to deliver on good governance. | TAX REFORM BILL; DANIEL BWALA; GOOD GOVERNACE; | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 25-Nov-24 | PDP Crisis: Governors bemoan the Party's dishevelled state, urge Damagum to convene NEC by February at the latest. | Governors elected on the platform of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from their meeting with a “strong advice” for the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) to call for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party latest by February. Since August, the NWC has continued to postpone the NEC expected to discuss some issues bedeviling the party and present a substantive National Chairman of the party who will take over from Damagum and complete the tenure of the suspended Iyorchia Ayu. In April, the NEC was set for August 15, but was postponed to October 24, and then latter rescheduled to November 28 before it was indefinitely postponed. In a communique read to journalists by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State who is also the chairman of the Forum, the governors said, “The Forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, PDP founding fathers, elders and members of our great Party of seeming divisions within the ranks and files. “The Forum wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion of this great Party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform for democratic governance. “The Forum is constrained to accept the latest postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Party in empathy with our colleague, Governor Umo Eno whose late dear wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for NEC. “The Forum is strongly advising the NWC to call NEC latest by the first week of February 2025 to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the Party. The period between November and February is to address the existential problems confronting the Party, with a deliberate timeline of activities within the period under review to address issues of leadership and litigations confronting the Party.” | PDP; DAMAGUM; NWC; NEC; | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 26-Nov-24 | FG assures Nigerians that probe of workers receiving salaries from Abroad is still ongoing | The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has said the probe instituted by the Federal Government to identify civil servants receiving salaries after relocating abroad is still ongoing. She said this on Monday in Abuja at a briefing to celebrate her 100 days in office and stock-taking of her stewardship in the civil service. She said that the process had not been swept under the carpet and that government had sustained the momentum to ensure workers who left the country in search of greener pastures abroad are no longer drawing salaries from the system. Daily Trust reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2024, directed that all civil servants drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad should be sanctioned and made to refund the money. The President also directed that the supervisors and department heads of the culprits must be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch. The directive came after the immediate past HCSF, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, said efforts were being to track Nigerians who had relocated abroad, but were still under the payroll of the civil service. “The Federal Government is going hard on them, as many of them are voluntarily resigning after the physical verifications. Civil servants who are outside the country without official permission and still on the payroll will be sacked after the verification is completed,” Yemi-Esan had said. | FG; JAPA; CIVIL SERVICE; | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| PUNCH | 26-Nov-24 | EFCC places Obaseki on watch list, begins contracts probe | Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is on the watch list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. This is just as our correspondent gathered that the anti-graft agency had commenced an investigation into transactions, including contracts awarded during his tenure as the governor of Edo State. Obaseki, who bowed out of office on November 12 after an eight-year tenure, had said the EFCC planned to arrest him soon after stepping out of office. His successor, Monday Okpebholo, has just established a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate his tenure. Similarly, the EFCC had on November 2 arrested five Edo government officials who served under Obaseki, including the Accountant General, Julius Anelu, over huge withdrawals from the state treasury within a short period of time. But Obaseki had on November 8 said he was not scared of a probe by the EFCC. The former governor said he would be willing to submit himself to the anti-graft agency to give an account of his tenure. | EFCC; OBASEKI; EDO STATE; GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION | PUNCH | ||||
| CABLE | 26-Nov-24 | Damagum asks INEC to conduct bye-election to fill seats of pro-Wike Rivers lawmakers | The Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the immediate conduct of bye-elections to fill the 27 seats vacated by lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike in the Rivers State House of Assembly. In a letter titled “Demand For Immediate Conduct of Fresh Elections in 27 State Constituencies of Rivers State Which Have Become Vacant Pursuant To Section 109 (1)(g) Of The Constitution,” dated November 13, 2024, Damagum highlighted the unlawful defection of the 27 lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023. He stated that, according to constitutional provisions, their defection had caused them to forfeit both their membership in the PDP and their legislative seats. The letter read in part, “The Leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), wishes to draw the attention of the Commission to the gross violation of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following their unlawful defection from our Party, the PDP, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Monday, December 11, 2023.” | INEC; DAMAGUM; RIVERS; FUBARA; WIKE | CABLE | ||||
| CHANNELSTV | 26-Nov-24 | Quote me. No request was brought to NASS for the purchase of a presidential jet," Sen Abaribe addresses Nigerians | The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said that nobody approached the National Assembly with a request for a new presidential jet before the purchase was eventually made. The Presidency had in August unveiled a new Airbus A330 purchased for President Bola Tinubu. Following the new jet purchase, the Presidency faced so many criticisms from Nigerians who felt the President prioritized his luxury while neglecting the economic hardship faced by the masses. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga had in one of his explanations, said that what was purchased was not a new jet as was reported but a “refurbished jet. National Assembly members were not spared in the criticisms regarding the jet purchase, as many labelled them as rubber stamp easy approval of the Presidency’s request to purchase a new jet. However, Senator Abaribe, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, said such a request was never brought to the National Assembly. “I am in the national assembly, but I can tell you for a fact that nobody, quote me, nobody brought anything to the national assembly to say please approve this for purchase of a new plane,” Abaribe said on the programme. “It was done without my knowledge, nobody brought anything. I never saw any document and I have always been in the national assembly. Ask anyone, none.” | NASS; PRESIDENTIAL JET; TINUBU; NIGERIANS; LAWMAKERS; BAYO ONANUGA | CHANNELSTV | ||||
| LEADERSHIP | 27 NOV 2024 | Alleged N110 billion Fraud: EFCC arraigns Yahaya Bello, pleads not guilty | The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has produced the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Maitama for arraignment. Bello is billed to enter his plea to a 16-count charge ordering on his alleged complicity in a N110billion fraud. The erstwhile governor’s whereabouts remained unknown till yesterday when he surrendered himself after a protracted hide-and-seek game between him and the anti-graft agency. Dressed in white caftan and blue cap, was marshalled into the court premises by armed operatives of the EFCC before 9am, for his arraignment. He will be docked before trial Justice Maryann Anenih, alongside his two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu. The charge against the defendants, marked: CR/7781, borders on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully obtained property. | EFCC; KOGI; YAHAYA BELLO; FRAUD | VANGUARD | ||||
| VANGUARD | 27 NOV 2024 | Fed. High Court strikes out suit seeking to restrain EFCC probe after Sanwo-Olu's tenure as Lagos Govt. denies briefing any lawyer to pursue such cause. | The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the suit seeking to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from arresting Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, at the end of his tenure. The presiding judge Joyce Abdulmalik, dismissed the suit after Gbenga Akande, the counsel who appeared for Sanwo-Olu, moved the motion to discontinue the case. The court struck out the case on October 31. In October, the lawsuit instituted on behalf of Sanwo-Olu against the EFCC over an alleged plan to arrest and prosecute him after his tenure was heard in court. Darlington Ozurumba, a lawyer, filed the suit on behalf of the Lagos governor, who will complete his eight-year tenure on May 29, 2027. In the suit, the lawyer argued that the alleged plan to arrest Sanwo-Olu is “unconstitutional and a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of movement as stipulated under sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the constitution”. The suit sought an order to restrain the EFCC from harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining, interrogating, or prosecuting Sanwo-Olu in connection with his tenure as the governor of Lagos state. But reacting to the suit, the Lagos government had said that Sanwo-Olu did not instruct anyone to file a case against the EFCC. The State Attorney-General, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the state will investigate “how the case came to be without the knowledge” of the governor Pedro said neither the governor nor his aides are under investigation by the EFCC, adding that there is no threat of arrest by the anti-graft agency. | LAGOS; SANWO-OLU; FEDERAL HIGH COURT; EFCC;PROBE | VANGUARD | ||||
| PUNCH | 27 NOV 2024 | #EndSARS: 'Unguarded' tweet by Sanwo Olu's suspended aide stirs more controversy as Nigerians call for probe. | Controversy has continued to swirl around a statement made by Mr Wale Ajetunmobi, the suspended Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Ajetunmobi had claimed in a now-deleted post on Sunday that some arsonists who burnt down Television Continental during the #EndSARS protests in the state had been “hunted and executed.” Following the comment, many Nigerians on social media interpreted the comment as an admission of state involvement in suspected extrajudicial killings during the 2020 protests against police brutality and the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The protests were followed by intense debates over the true number of casualties, with the Lagos State Government consistently maintaining that no extrajudicial killings took place. In the tweet, Ajetunmobi claimed that one of the allegedly “executed” individuals was a young boy, whose name was not disclosed, and who worked as a cooking gas trader in the Ketu area of Lagos. The deleted tweet read, “The full story of people who burnt down TVC in 2020 will be told one day, with gory clips and images. One thing to note: the majority of them have been hunted down and executed. “One of them, a young boy trading in cooking gas around Ketu, was found with an AK-47 at the site. Even his neighbours were shocked. But the full gist is better saved for later.” Ajetunmobi later refuted claims of extrajudicial killings, stating that the use of the term “execution” in his comment was an unintended “error.” | SANWO-OLU; LAGOS; #ENDSARS; NIGERIA | PUNCH | ||||
| THE CABLE | 27 NOV 2024 | Tinubu nominates three new Code of Conduct Bureau board members | President Bola Tinubu has nominated three new members to fill existing vacancies on the board of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). In a statement issued Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, said Tinubu announced the nominations in a letter sent to the senate president. The nominees are Fatai Ibikunle from Oyo, Kennedy Ikpeme from Cross River, and Ibrahim Buba, a retired federal high court judge from Taraba. The nominations complete the required 10-member board of the CCB. Established in 1979, the CCB plays a critical role in maintaining integrity within public service and ensuring compliance with the country’s ethical standards. Last month, Tinubu swore in Abdullahi Bello as the board chairman, laying the leadership tussle in the bureau to rest. The current board members include Muritala Kankia, E. J Agbomayinma, Ben Umeano, and Juwayriyya Badamasiuy. Other members are Bulus Zephaniah and Abdulsalam Olawale. | TINUBU; CODE OF CONDUCT; NOMINATION | CABLE | ||||
| CHANNELSTV | 27 NOV 2024 | Shettima leaves Nigeria for Côte D’Ivoire as Tinubu jets to France | Vice President Kashim Shettima, Wednesday morning, departed Abuja for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Advertisement A statement by Senior Special to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha on Wednesday, said Shettima will be attending the opening ceremony of the International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources (SIREXE) 2024 conference. The SIREXE conference is an international event organised by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire that focuses on “Policies and Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the Extractive and Energy Industries”. The conference will be held from November 27 to December 2, 2024, at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre. | SHETTIMA; TINUBU; FRANCE; COTE D'IVOIRE; PRESIDENT; VICE PRESIDENT | CHANNELSTV | ||||
| VANGUARD | 28 NOV 2024 | Senate screened the acting COAS, Oluyede behind closed doors yesterday | The Senate has screened the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for appointment as the substantive COAS in a closed door session, just as there are strong indications that he will be confirmed today (Wednesday). Addressing journalists shortly before the doors of the meeting venue were shut, Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, APC, Katsina Central said that the Army Chief was being screened in closed session for security reasons. Yar’adua who noted that the screening and legal confirmation process of nominees form an important part in legislative engagement, said that Senate at its sitting on Tuesday, read the request of the President, seeking the confirmation of Oluyede’s appointment as Chief of Army Staff. The Chairman, who noted the National Assembly remained the only arm of Government vested with powers to make for peace, order and good governance of the country, said, “As a result, the Parliament must be seen to respect and take active notice of and uphold any law relating to national legislation, institutional provision and judicial pronouncement made by court of competent action in matters affecting the nation. He said there is no doubt that security sector governance seeks to establish standards that enhance both state and human security. | SENATE; COAS; | VANGUARD | ||||
| CHANNELS TV | 28 NOV 2024 | Tinubu appoints MKO's son, Jami’u Abiola as SSA on Linguistics & Foreign Matters. Until his appointment, he was the SA to the President on Special Duties. | The appointment takes effect from 14th November, 2024. A statement by Director, Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said the appointment is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.Until his appointment, Jami’u served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President. President Tinubu tasks the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment. | SSA; TINUBU; APPOINTMENT | CHANNELSTV | ||||
| LEADERSHIP | 28 NOV 2024 | APGA petitions NJC over leadership tussle as the Supreme Court affirms Sylvester Ezeokenwa as Nat. Chairman | The Supreme Court has affirmed Sylvester Ezeokenwa as the legitimate National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In a unanimous decision on Wednesday in Abuja, a five-member panel led by Justice Stephen Adah ruled that Edozie Njoku had no legal basis to claim the party’s leadership. The leadership tussle between Ezeokenwa and Njoku, ongoing since 2023, has triggered multiple court cases and conflicting rulings. At one point, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew its recognition of Ezeokenwa and acknowledged Njoku following a court order in July 2024. Meanwhile, the leadership of the party under the chairmanship of Edozie Njoku has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over a judgement delivered by Justice J.K Omotosho on the leadership feud rocking the party. Founder and chairman of Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie disclosed this at a press briefing held in Enugu. Okorie noted that Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered a verdict on the leadership tussle in the party on November 20, 2024 when a similar case was still pending at the Supreme Court. He added that in the judgement, the Justice ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw its recognition of Edozie Njoku as the national chairman of APGA and replace him with one Sly Ezeonwuka. | APGA; NJC; SUPREME COURT | LEADERSHIP | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 28 NOV 2024 | Tax Bills: Senate disagree over tax bills as Presidential Committee make presentation on the merits of the bills. | The Senate leadership on Wednesday resisted the opposition mounted by Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) and Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) against allowing top officials of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to defend the tax reform bills. Before the government officials were given access to the chamber for their presentation, the Senate descended into a heated session. The commotion began when the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti), moved to suspend Order 12 to allow the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy & Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Tanimu Yakubu, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, to address the chamber on the bills. Bamidele argued that the officials were experts in the field, and the motion was seconded by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to allow the visitors in. However, some senators opposed the motion, saying it was improper to allow such presentations during plenary. The deliberation on the tax reform bills took some senators by surprise as it was not listed as part of the agenda for the day on the Order Paper. | TAX BILLS; SENATE; FEDERAL GOVERNMENT | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| THE CABLE | 28 NOV 2024 | NASS moves to establish a Tech Transfer Commission to monitor the inflow of foreign products/technology into Nigeria | A bill to establish the National Commission for Technology Transfer, Acquisition, and Promotion has passed the second reading at the house of representatives. Clement Jimbo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal constituency of Akwa Ibom state, sponsored the bill. When passed into law, the commission will monitor the inflow of foreign products/technology into Nigeria. Leading the debate on the bill, the lawmaker said the commission, when established, will “leverage on our huge and active population to create jobs for youths, process our raw materials into finished goods/products, increase our gross domestic product (GDP), and transfer technology to Nigeria”. | NASS; HOUSE OF REPS; TECHNOLOGY | CABLE | ||||
| THE CABLE | 29 NOV 2024 | Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as WTO Director-General. WTO says reappointment will take effect from September 1 | The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its director-general for a second term. In a post on X on Friday, WTO said the reappointment will take effect on September 1, 2025. | WTO; NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA | CABLE | ||||
| PUNCH | 29 NOV 2024 | Edo lifts suspension on state security outfit, renames it | The Edo State Government on Friday lifted the suspension imposed on the state security outfit and renamed it Edo State Security Corps. The state security outfit, which was known as Edo State Security Network, was banned by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in September before the governorship election in the state. The decision to lift the suspension was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, on Friday. The statement added, “The decision made by the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marks a comprehensive shift in the state’s quest for enhanced safety and security. | EDO STATE; STATE SECURITY; SUSPENSION | PUNCH | ||||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 29 NOV 2024 | Tinubu writes Senate, seeks confirmation of Code of Conduct Governing Council members. Recall that they were nominated on Tuesday | President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to screen and confirm the appointments of three nominees as members of the Governing Board of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The president’s request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary on Thursday. The nominees are Fatai Ibikunle from Oyo State, Kennedy Ikpeme from Cross River State and Ibrahim Buba, a retired judge of the Federal High Court. They were appointed by President Tinubu on Tuesday and asked to assume duty pending their confirmation of the Senate. | SENATE; CODE OF CONDUCT BUREAU; TINUBU | PREMIUMTIMES | ||||
| CHANNELSTV | 29 NOV 2024 | House Of Reps adopts report of its ad–hoc committee confirming Oluyede’s appointment as Chief of Army Staff | The House of Representatives on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). While the constitution does not make provision for confirmation of appointments by the House of Representatives, the lawmakers adopted a report of its ad–hoc committee on the confirmation/screening of the Acting Chief of Army Staff and confirmed the appointment of Lieutenant General Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff. Chairman of the committee Babajimi Benson in presenting the report, said Lt. Gen. Oluyede had satisfied all requirements. President Bola Tinubu appointed Oluyede in an acting capacity in October following former army chief Taoreed Lagbaja’s illness. | SENATE; COAS;TINUBU | CHANNELSTV | ||||