Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma has appointed himself as the commissioner for lands in the state.

The unexpected announcement was made by the governor on Tuesday, April 30, during the inauguration of 24 newly appointed commissioners at the Government House in Owerri.

According to him, the self-appointment is a measure to prevent a repeat of past incidents.

He cited the example of a previous commissioner who was embroiled in controversial land deals towards the end of his first tenure.

The campaign coordinator of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Supare, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo state, Alaba Abbey, has been shot dead.

Late Abbey was shot dead on Saturday evening at his residence in Supare.

He was the Returning Officer for the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ondo state.

Abbey was also the ward coordinator for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization Foot-Soldiers (LACO-SF), in Ward 10 in the locality.

The elder brother to the deceased, Samuel Abbey, said the assailants struck at about 9 pm shortly after his brother returned home while relaxing in front of his house.

The Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council (LACO-FSIC)-SF, which condemned the murder of its members, urged security agencies to give protection to its members across the state.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has announced results of the council poll held on Saturday, April 27.
The rulling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state won all chairmanship seats in 33 local government areas of the state.

OYSIEC chairman, Aare Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebola Hamzat and other security agencies in the state commended conduct of the poll, describing it as free, fair, credible and violence-free.

However, All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has said the council election was a sham capable of causing the state untold disrepute if allowed to stand.

Below are results from each local government as being announced by INEC Returning Officers.

1) Irepo
PDP: 17,497
APC: 2,638

2) Orelope
PDP: 24, 569
APC: 5,519

3) Surulere
PDP: 19,493
APC: 1,619

4) Kajola
PDP: 11, 232
APC: 9,373
SDP: 1,28

5) Ogo-Oluwa
PDP: 9011
APC: 854
LP: 12

6) Olorunsogo
PDP: 8,501
APC: 3002
NNPP: 175

7) Ido
PDP: 20059
APC: 3059
LP: 498

Ibarapa East
PDP: 13,896
APC: 1,606
SDP: 08

9) Iseyin
PDP:69,896
APC: 8,241
NNPP: 581

10) Saki East
PDP: 9,732
APC: 1,571
ADC:36

11) Saki West
PDP: 19,621
APC: 4,920
ADC: 1,846

12) Ogbomoso South
PDP: 20,102
APC: 3,471
ADC:06

13) Ibadan Northwest
PDP: 21,810
APC: 3,848
ADC: 22

14) Ogbomoso North
PDP: 13,681
APC: 4,691
ADC: 11

15) Akinyele
PDP: 66,325
APC: 3,477
ADC: 147

16) Ibarapa Central
PDP: 14,124
APC: 3,500
ADC: 14

17) Ibadan Southeast
PDP: 23,220
APC: 4,265
ADC: 27

18) Atiba
PDP: 19,259
APC: 5,086
ADC: 06

19) Itesiwaju
PDP: 7,303
APC: 3,795

20) Atisbo
PDP: 25,336
APC: 6,567
ADC: 139

21) Egbeda
PDP: 24,573
APC: 5,637
ADC: 30

22) Iwajowa
PDP: 5,610
APC: 2,969
ADC: 150

23) Afijio
PDP: 18,662
APC: 198

24) Oyo West
PDP: 12,974
APC: 3,712
ADC: 90

25) Orire
PDP: 15,301
APC: 5,579
ADC: 12

26) Lagelu
PDP: 65,786
APC: 4,172
ADC: 150

27) Oluyole
PDP: 17,063
APC: 3,536
ADC: 55

28) Ibarapa North
PDP: 17,307
APC: 6,963

29) Oyo East
PDP: 27,567
APC: 3,051
ADC: 16

30) Ona-Ara
PDP: 13,093
APC: 4,187
ADC: 15

31) Ibadan North
PDP: 73,240
APC: 5,548
ADC: 0

32) Ibadan Southwest
PDP: 25,702
APC: 5,978

33) Ibadan Northeast
PDP: 17,920
APC: 7,958
ADC: 0

The Naira on Thursday rose to an eight-month high of 1,120 per dollar on the parallel market, popularly called black market, driven by a series of foreign exchange (FX) reforms of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that has unlocked dollar liquidity.

With the current exchange rate the Naira has gained 62.95 percent (N705) over the dollar compared to the level of N1,825/$1 in February 2024, according to the data compiled from online platforms and street traders.

“The dollar has fallen because there is no demand. The market is calm due to the holidays and there are enough dollars in the market now,” one trader told BusinessDay on Thursday.

Nigeria’s currency on Monday before the holidays strengthened to 1,230.61 per dollar on the official FX market, despite the declining external reserves.

After trading on Monday, the Naira gained 1.66 percent as the dollar was quoted at N1230.61, stronger than N1,251.05 quoted on Friday at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), according to the data released by the FMDQ Securities Exchange.

The intraday high closed at N1,261 per dollar on Monday, stronger than N1,281 closed on Friday. The intraday low appreciated to N1,200 from N1,220 on Friday.

Dollar supply by willing buyers and willing sellers dropped by 49.43 percent to $125.55 million on Monday from $248.27 million recorded on Friday.

The external reserves, which gives the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) the firepower to defend the Naira have been declining, following the apex bank’s interventions to stabilise the currency.

Data from the CBN showed that Nigeria’s foreign currency reserves declined by 2.95 percent in the last 10 days to $33.434 billion as of April 4, 2024 compared to $34.449 billion in March 18, 2024.

The apex bank last month said it has successfully resolved all valid foreign exchange backlogs, as pledged by Governor Olayemi Cardoso, addressing inherited claims amounting to US$7 billion.


Dollar supply seen rising on CBN’s new directive
Total inflows into the NAFEM increased by 41.7 percent to $3.75 billion as against $2.64 billion in February – the highest level since March 2019 ($6.07 billion), data from the FMDQ indicated.

Nigeria’s Central Bank on Monday reviewed the exchange rate for the Bureau De Charge (BDC) Operators to N1,101 per dollar from N1,251/$1 as it plans to sell $15.88 million to 1,588 eligible BDCs.

As part of measures to control inflation and stabilise the Naira, the CBN last month raised its benchmark interest rate, known as the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 200 basis points to 24.75 percent from 22.75 percent in February 2024.

On June 14, 2023, the CBN enacted several significant reforms, including the abolishment of market segmentation, consolidation of all segments into the Investors & Exporters window (now called the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange), and the reintroduction of the Willing Buyer, Willing Seller framework.

In August 2023, the CBN resumed Forex sales to BDCs but implemented a restriction on the buying and selling spread by BDCs to +/-2.5 percent of the weighted average of transactions executed the previous day on the I&E window.

In January 2024, the apex bank imposed a limit on the Net Open Position (NOP) of banks in Nigeria, setting it at a maximum of 20 percent short or zero percent long holding of foreign currency assets and liabilities. Additionally, the CBN directed International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) to quote an exchange rate for Naira payout to beneficiaries based on the prevailing market price.

In February 2024, the CBN removed caps on the spread on interbank Forex transactions and lifted restrictions on the sales of interbank proceeds. Furthermore, the CBN restricted the payout of Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and Business Travel Allowance (BTA) to electronic channels only.

According to FSDH Research, the implementation of these measures has contributed to the reduction of volatility in the Naira in the FX markets.

By March 2024, the volatility of the Naira had further decreased following additional reforms by the CBN aimed at enhancing transparency and inflows into the FX market. On March 28, the NAFEM closing rate stood at N1309.4, reflecting a significant appreciation from its peak of N1,650 on February 26, 2024, a report by FSDH stated.

Analysts at FSDH expressed optimism, stating, “We believe that the recent FX reforms, coupled with high interest rates and improved oil production, will bring stability to the FX market.”

The National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on Wednesday night suspended the ongoing strike.

The unions said the suspension followed the intervention of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Our correspondent gathered that the meeting which commenced at a few minutes past 7 pm lasted for close to one hour during which various affiliates and state chapters reviewed the outcome of the meeting held between the leaders of the organised labour and Ribadu.

The National Deputy Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, made this known in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja.

“The NEC of the NLC and the TUC have suspended the strike. We did this based on our trust for the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who gave us his words,” he said.

The PUNCH reports that the labour leaders met with Ribadu alongside the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, at the Office of the NSA on Wednesday afternoon.

The NSA had announced that the individuals responsible for the brutalisation of Ajaero had been arrested.

The organised labour is protesting against the alleged brutalisation of its National President, Joe Ajaero, and the failure of the government to implement some of the agreements reached on October 2, 2023 effectively.

There have been growing indications that some governors in the country are governing their people from outside of their state.

Some of them allegedly govern their states from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and other parts of the world.

According to a report by The PUNCH, residents of these states, and several residents and stakeholders are complaining about the attitudes of these governors, noting that their absence from the states negates the principle of good governance

The report also revealed that most of these governors do not hand over to their deputies but prefer to make most of the decisions of the state from wherever they are, flouting the constitutional provision that stipulates that a governor has a statutory duty to sit and ensure lives and property are secured and protected. He is not expected to stay outside then state for more than two weeks because he is the Chief Security Officer of his state.

In this report, The PUNCH highlighted the five governors fingered as the worst culprits.

1. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (APC)

He doubles as the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The opposition party in the state, the PDP claims the governor is hardly in the state since he became the NGF chairman.

According to the party’s chairman, Babatunde Mohammed, the governor has been incessantly absent from the state.

Mohammed said, “Since the governor took up the mantle of leadership of NGF, he hardly comes to the state to either oversee projects or spend time with the people,” he said, adding “The continued absence of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led to the illegal conversion of security vehicles procured to enhance local security into private use by the impostors he put in charge of our local government areas as the Transition Implementation Committee chairpersons.

“It should be noted that none of the vehicles have been put into any serious use by the security agents it was meant to serve, as the TIC chairmen still cruise in them as though they are their official cars.’’

2. Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya (APC)

He doubles as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, and has barely settled in the state since becoming the chairman of the forum, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress during the 2023 poll in Gombe State, Nafiu Bala claims.

“Since Governor Inuwa Yahaya resumed, he had never anointed his deputy to take office as acting governor. This is wrong,” he added.

3. Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto (APC)

The residents of the state have urged the state governor to “spend more time with his people at home,” instead of spending more days outside the state.

They decried a repeat of the previous administration of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was accused of spending more time in Abuja than in the state.

Mallam Bala Bello, a resident of the state while speaking with our correspondent, described the previous administration of Tambuwal as not too good for the state.

“I am sure you are aware of Tambuwal’s tenure in the state when he spent more of his time outside the state than in the state.

4. Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal (PDP)

Checks by The PUNCH indicated that the state governor hardly spent a week in the state since his inauguration on May 29.

The development, it was gathered, is becoming worrisome to the residents as “they are expecting much from the Governor who had during his electioneering campaign promised to rescue the state from total disintegration.”

The situation has also led to public outcry and complaints, especially by the opposition who say they can not imagine that the governor whose state is under the control of bandits, and terrorists and is ravaged by insecurity challenges would still be traveling out of state, leaving the residents to their fate.

5. Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello (APC)

In Kogi, the story is different as our correspondent learnt that the state governor, Yahaya Bello, is more at home in Lokoja “compared to before now.”

Our correspondent observed that the governor who before now had been running the affairs of the state from Abuja has recently been more at home helping his party, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Ahmed Usman Ododo effectively prosecute his campaign strategies so that the ruling party can maintain its dominance in the state.

According to The PUNCH findings, since Bello lost the APC presidential ticket, which led to the emergence of President Bola Tinubu, the governor has been more visible in Lokoja.

President Bola Tinubu said on Tuesday, October 24, that the Nigerian economy will soon bounce back despite the difficulties being experienced by Nigerians.

The president spoke while flagging off the two-day Green Economy Summit: ‘Sustainable Future: Harnessing Green Assets and Innovation for Niger State’s Prosperity’, organised by Niger State Government.

Represented by the minister of state for Agriculture and food security, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, the President gave an insight into the newly approved solid mineral development policy during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.

He said: “To show the government’s commitment to the enthronement of a green economy, just yesterday (Monday) at the Federal Executive Council, a new solid mineral development policy was approved.

“And this policy will definitely align with and benefit the green economy that you have envisioned for Niger State because the policy is emphasizing removing all forms of illegality that are desecrating and destroying our environment.

“It also intends to ensure a new principle of resource-use efficiency while allowing people who want to operate legally to do so in the mining sector. And like His Excellency, the Governor said, Niger State is blessed with a number of mineral elements.

“I want to assure you that the President’s commitment to the enthronement of the green economy over the next couple of years, will find favour with the green economy vision you have for Niger state.”

“The government is fully aware of all the difficulties occasioned by some of the difficult decisions that have to be taken at this point in time. Very soon, we shall begin to reap the benefits of these tough decisions, as our economy will re-bounce back and for us food security which is his number one priority, will also begin to get the full attention it deserves,” Mr. President said.

In his address, Niger state Governor Mohammed Umar Bago said his administration has “produced its first Green Economy Blueprint, a strategic document outlining a visionary roadmap that will shape our development choices and steer our actions, in alignment with the precepts of sustainability.

He stated: “We are using this Summit to present a draft to stakeholders for their review and input, after which it shall be formally launched and applied in the preparation of our appropriation proposals for 2024 and beyond.

“This blueprint is a comprehensive guide that details our vision, objectives, strategies, and actions, designed to transform our state into a beacon of green prosperity that is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and economically robust.

Two people have reportedly been killed in Ndi Agwu community in Abam, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.

It was reported that the casualties occurred during the presidential and National Assembly polls holding in today.

Reports have it that one of the victims, identified as Samuel Arunsi Eze was said to have been beheaded by a political thug known as Daniel Mgba.

According to an eyewitness report, one of those involved in the killing has also been killed.

Voters in Ogege road, Odaba Polling Unit in Dekina Ward have fled from the voting arena following the activities of political thugs who came in large numbers to destroy voting materials.

The thugs who appeared with machetes and guns snatched ballot boxes, broke chairs and dispersed voters.

As of the time of filing this report, voters and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission have dispersed.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Friday warned that it would not tolerate any illegal broadcast signal within Nigeria.
The warning follows the announcement by the Ilana Omo Oodua Worlwide (IOOW) that it would commence radio broadcast in January.

IOOW said it would on January 1 unveil Radio Ijangbara as the official broadcaster of the Yoruba self-determination struggle.

The online radio will broadcast live from Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE).

A statement by the group’s Chairman Prof Wale Adeniran and General Secretary, Dr. Tunde Amusat, said the radio shall serve the interest of Yoruba self-determination struggle within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

Reacting to the planned unveiling, NBC, in a statement, stated that no person shall operate or transmit anywhere in Nigeria without the approval of the Commission.


The statement by the Director General, Mall Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, reads in part: “It has come to the attention of the Commission that a group, the Ilana Omo Oodua Worlwide, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and General Secretary, Wale Adeniran and Tunde Amusat, respectively, announced that it would formally unveil Radio Ijangbara, as the official broadcast radio of the group on January 1, 2023.

“Further to this statement, was that the online radio will be broadcasting from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“The Commission wishes to state emphatically that, it will not tolerate the use of any broadcast facility within or outside Nigeria to create disunity among Nigerians and intentionally, or inadvertently, mislead people in a deliberate act of subversion and sedition. Nigerians do not need another round of heartache and disruption by any tribal interest group.

“No person shall operate or use any apparatus or premises for the transmission of sound or vision by cable, television, radio, satellite or any other medium of broadcast from anywhere in Nigeria without the approval of the Commission.

“The Commission will continue to work with the appropriate security agencies to bring to book those with the intention to use the airwaves for personal or group interest to create division, and appeals to Nigerians for support, cooperation.

“The Commission urges Nigerians to unite in joining hands with the government to build a stronger and more prosperous nation and to help in the success of next year’s General Elections.”

The South West zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Wednesday said, it may direct its members in the zone to increase the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (P.M.S), as well as the A.G.O popularly called Diesel should the appropriate federal government’s regulatory agency fails to address the continuous non -supply of the products to its members.

IPMAN’s Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, who made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said his members had for the past six months, not been able to access supplies of the products from any of the six government’s owned depots, but resorted to making purchase from the private depot owners, who had continued to exploit the situation to put extra cost on his members.

Tajudeen explained that the federal government’s depots, located at Mosimi in Sagamu, Ogun State, as well as others in Ibadan, Lagos, Ore in Ondo State as well as the one in Ilorin, Kwara State capital had all refused to load any of the Independent Marketers, the development, he said compelled his members to start making purchases from the private depot owners since January, 2022.

The IPMAN Zonal Chairman further disclosed that these private depot owners had however, decided to take advantage of the non-availability of the products at government’s depots to jack up the loading price to between N157 and N158, “excluding the transportation cost to our various destinations”.

“So, by the time we add the cost of transportation to the purchasing amount, we will be arriving at a sum above N165, which is the government approved pump dispensing price”.

“But sad enough, the regulatory agency appeared incapacitated to control and compel these private depot owners to sell at government’s approved price for us”.

“As at today, the purchasing price of diesel has increased by 400%. Again, I want members of the general public to know that cost of transporting the product ranges between N6 to N8 and N10 depending on where the products are being transported to from the Lagos private depot where we make purchases”.

“I wish to equally intimate you that making purchases from these private depot owners is not the ultimate end, we also have some overhead costs to bear like running an electricity generator to power our filling stations; paying the staff salaries, as well as servicing the bank loans among other costs”.

“So, by the time we have to add the cost of transportation with the purchasing amount, this situation clearly implied that we as independent marketers will be left with no other option than to dispense the products for nothing lesser than N175 to N180 for customers in the Lagos to Ibadan axis, while those within the Ogbomoso and Ilorin axis may have to buy at a dispensing pump price of N200 per litre”.

“Now, we want to let members of the general public to be aware that the fault is not coming from our end, rather, it is the failure of the regulatory agency to direct the government’s depots to sell the products for us at their depots and at the government’s approved price”.

The National leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he remains unshaken and very confident of winning the presidential ticket of the APC.

The presidential hopeful who is in the race with over 20 other aspirants in the APC spoke weekend in Jalingo, Taraba state capital after an interface with delegates of the party.

He explained that his chances of winning the presidential ticket are very high.

According to him, “my chances of winning the ticket are incredibly high and I am very confident. I am sure I can and I will win it.”

When asked if the option of a consensus arrangement sits well with him if his party eventually opts for it, Tinubu said he prefers democracy.

In his words, “I want democracy. I am voting for democracy. One man, one vote.”

Meantime, the governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal who was also in the state to woo delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of its presidential primary election hinted at agreeing to a consensus arrangement if his party considers the option.

He explained that he and three other presidential aspirants under the platform of PDP from the North had earlier tried to work out a consensus arrangement among themselves but failed.

He further noted that despite the failed attempt, he would not kick against a Consensus arrangement if his party sees it as the best option to select the presidential flag bearer of the PDP in 2023.

He said, “I am sure you are aware that four aspirants from my party including myself came together voluntarily to try a consensus which we were unable to achieve.

“I am not averse to anything the party may decide to come up with at the national level, but what I can say is that we have tried consensus in producing our national working committee members and leaders of the party.

“The National Chairman himself, Prof. Iyorchia Ayu is also a product of consensus, so it is part of democracy.

“If our party decides to attempt it, I will be ready to participate and be part of it.”

Tambuwal also told the delegates at the instance of Taraba governor, Darius Ishaku, that he has all it takes to get Nigeria working if voted to fly the PDP’s flag at the presidential election in 2023.

National leader of the All Progressive Congress and presidential aspirant in 2023 election, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thrown a poser to his opponents, daring them to try and see who wins the party’s ticket and the election proper.

He also observed that the reward system in APC was poor, promising to change the system if elected president next year.

Tinubu also said he would address the economic and security challenges if given the opportunity.

Tinubu, who is a former governor of Lagos State spoke on Thursday evening in Abuja when he hosted the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN).

He appealed to the forum to support his presidential ambition and also ensure the unity of the the party in their various states to achieve success, starting with Osun and Ekiti elections which are afoot.

“Many of you I know, and you have participated in governance and political activities. You have given a value to your various states. When we merged as one and took broom as the symbol of party, broom has a lot of meaning.

“Let me first of all address our element of constitution, I promise to look into that if elected. Our reward system as APC is very poor, and it was late before I could recognise that. Let me assure you, I won’t repeat that mistake, if I’m elected.

“I know that you still have people who believe in you, in the system. In some states where we have divisions, please, tell us, we have to harmonise and become one. Particularly, Oyo is divided, Osun and Ekiti elections are coming, these elections are precursors to the national election.

“But for those who have decided to be an opponent, I will not dwell on that, let’s see who wins, but I want to win and I want you to work along with me and to convince more delegates,” Tinubu added.

Earlier in his remarks, the national chairman of the forum and former deputy governor of Edo State, Lucky Imasuen pledged the support of APC deputy governors to the presidential ambition of the national leader.

“You can tell from the attendance that the level of enthusiasm was extremely high, when we have a political meeting of this nature, APC members will attend APC meeting and PDP members will attend PDP meetings, same to other political parties, but when we hold meeting, we hold meetings together as one family.

“We came here to listen to you, we are going to talk less and listen to our leader,” he said.

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will today meet the Senate caucus of the party by 2.30pm.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, disclosed this in a letter read during plenary on Wednesday.

The letter was signed by the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North).

“There will be APC Senate caucus meeting with His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu today, February 16, 2022,” Lawan said.

The meeting is scheduled to hold in the Senate President’s conference room.