The bill proposed increasing the tenure of service for legislators from 35 to 40 years and their retirement age from 60 to 65 years.


President Bola Tinubu has declined assent to a controversial bill seeking to extend the tenure and retirement age of legislative officers at both the National Assembly and the 36 state Houses of Assembly.




The bill proposed increasing the tenure of service for legislators from 35 to 40 years and their retirement age from 60 to 65 years.




Tinubu’s refusal was communicated in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the Senate floor on Tuesday.



The harmonised bill, which has faced strong opposition, was first introduced during the 7th Assembly and reintroduced in subsequent sessions.



In February 2024, the bill was stepped down for further consultations after many senators voted against it.

"Upon thorough examination and careful consideration, I have decided to withhold my assent to the bill,” Tinubu wrote in his letter.

“This decision is made by the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the diligent work of the Senate with regard to the drafting and passage of this Bill. I hope you will receive it with understanding. Please accept the assurances of my highest regard."

https://saharareporters.com/2024/09/24/tinubu-declines-assent-bill-seeking-extend-federal-state-lawmakers-tenure

FAKE'FAKE''FAKE'''FAKE''''FAKE''''

The PDP collation agent in the election, Dr Iyoha Tony, made the demands in the petition in which the party alleged “fragrant disregard and breach of the electoral process in the collation of results of Edo State Governorship Election held on 21st September, 2024.”
The Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the results of the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 over alleged irregularities and breach of due process in the collation of results.

The party which came second with its candidate, Asue Ighodalo scoring a total of 247,274 votes, petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the return “all collation at the wards, local governments to their lawful venues”.


The PDP collation agent in the election, Dr Iyoha Tony, made the demands in the petition in which the party alleged “fragrant disregard and breach of the electoral process in the collation of results of Edo State Governorship Election held on 21st September, 2024.”

The petition issued on Sunday and signed by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Edo State PDP Chairman, reads, “It has come to our attention that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin-City, Edo State, has taken steps to violently disregard and breach the stipulated process for the conduct of the ongoing Edo State Governorship election.

“Aside from the widespread failure and refusal to use the mandatory BVAS Machine for accreditation of voters in the voting centres in Edo North, there is the intentional refusal by electoral officers at various levels to duly and properly collate the election results in line with the mandatory provisions of the INEC Regulations.


“The officers of INEC have illegally and unlawfully moved the collation of Wards and Local Government results from the designated places to the INEC State Headquarters reportedly to give room for manipulation of the results in fragrant contravention of the provisions regulating the process.

“Of direct relevance are the provisions of the Part III Paragraphs 44-49 of the REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS, 2022, which provides as follows;

“‘44. Collation and declaration of results shall take place at locations designated by the Commission.

“45. Collation and Returning Officers as appointees of the Commission, shall abide by the oath of loyalty..... and act in accordance with extant Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission.

“47. The Collation and declaration of election results shall be done at the following levels depending on the type of election: i) Registration Area-RA/Ward (Collation for all elections)…

“ii) Local Government Area -LGA/Area Council (Collation for all elections).”

He added, “Furthermore, it is apparent from the available records that the number of accredited voters on the BVAS Machine does not tally with the results returned from Estako West and Estako East LGAs, also in fragrant disregard to the provisions of the INEC Regulations.

“Clearly, results from polling units particularly in Estako West, Estako East, Akoko Edo LGAs as well as Ikpoba-Okha Ward 10, where the BVAS accreditation records are less than the votes returned must not be accepted for collation.”

According to him, “Following from the above, we demand: To query the BVAS machine in the aforementioned LGAS. Return all collation at the wards, local governments to their lawful venues.”

Meanwhile, INEC on Sunday night declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, winner of the election
https://saharareporters.com/2024/09/22/edodecides-pdp-rejects-governorship-election-results-over-alleged-irregularities

LP= 4
APC= 90
PDP= 90

Politicstoday:
Congratulations to
Asue Ighodalo of Pdp in advance. He won massively in Benin city also. Even in Etsako in Edo north senatorial district, he got massive 25% votes margin.

Ah Ah bros no rush now which congrats abeg

South Carolina has executed 43 inmates since 1976, though the state’s death row population has shrunk since the last execution in 2011.

Freddie Eugene Owens, 46, is scheduled to be executed on Friday evening at a Columbia prison, marking South Carolina's first execution in 13 years.




South Carolina is a southeastern U.S. state.



Owens, convicted of killing a Greenville convenience store clerk in 1997, has exhausted all appeals, Associated Press reports.




Governor Henry McMaster’s decision on clemency is expected just before the execution, as the former prosecutor promised to review the petition but said, "I tend to trust prosecutors and juries."



Owens allowed his lawyer to choose his method of execution, as South Carolina law permits lethal injection, the firing squad, or the electric chair. Owens stated he refused to participate in the choice due to religious beliefs denouncing suicide.



His execution could be the first of several, as five other inmates are also out of appeals. The state had to pass a shield law protecting drug suppliers' identities to restart executions after its previous lethal injection drug supply expired.



Owens, who changed his name to Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah, was also linked to a jail murder.



He confessed to killing fellow inmate Christopher Lee after being convicted of the convenience store clerk’s murder, saying he did it "because I was wrongly convicted of murder."



In a last-minute appeal, Owens' attorneys argued there was no scientific evidence that he killed the clerk, and a new statement from Steven Golden contradicted previous trial testimony.



“South Carolina is on the verge of executing a man for a crime he did not commit. We will continue to advocate for Mr. Owens,” his attorney Gerald “Bo” King said.



Owens’ legal team also cited his brain damage from abuse while in juvenile detention. A vigil is planned outside the prison before the execution.



On the eve of South Carolina's reinstatement of executions after a long hiatus, a vigil was held at Washington Street United Methodist Church in downtown Columbia to honor Freddie Owens, Greenville News reports.



Approximately two dozen people gathered, including locals from Columbia and Charleston, as well as an advocate from Asheville, North Carolina, who joined to show solidarity.



South Carolina has executed 43 inmates since 1976, though the state’s death row population has shrunk since the last execution in 2011.
https://saharareporters.com/2024/09/20/us-state-execute-first-inmate-13-years-protesters-seek-clemency

The PDP governors earlier this week said they had resolved to replace Damagum with someone from North Central as the party’s acting National Chairman.

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has expressly declared his support for the decision made by the People's Democratic Party Governors' Forum to remove IIiya Umar Damagum as the party’s acting national chairman.




The PDP governors earlier this week said they had resolved to replace Damagum with someone from North Central as the party’s acting National Chairman.



This was announced on Tuesday by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors' Forum, hinting that the next chairman of the party will be from the North Central region of the country.




This decision automatically disqualifies Damagum who is from Yobe State, northeastern region.



Damagum is a loyalist of the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.



He started having issues with the party’s stakeholders and governors when he handed over the party’s structure in Rivers State to Wike.



Some stakeholders in the party including Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had declared their support for Damagum to continue leading the party.



However, Adeleke of Osun State in a statement he shared on Friday morning on his X account, said he is aligning himself with the party’s leadership to remove Damagum.



The governor wrote: “Yesterday, I clarified my position on the ongoing leadership crisis affecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I reaffirmed my commitment to the Constitution of our great party, which clearly outlines the succession procedure in the event of the exit of an elected chairman.



“I also fully support the resolution of the PDP Governors' Forum, of which I am an integral part.



“At this critical time, our party must adhere to its Constitution, as it must at all times. This is the only way to build a responsible and enduring political party.”

Tweet URL

However, the position of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State is that Damagum should not be removed.



He wrote: “@GovernorAUF Solidly in support of Amb. Umar Damagum as National Chairman of @OfficialPDPNig! His leadership has restored public confidence, and we are confident he will steer the party to greater heights. Let's respect the court ruling and uphold our democracy.”



Follow the Sahara Reporters channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFClvtH5JM6SSsP7M2Y


Topics
Politics
https://saharareporters.com/2024/09/20/osun-governor-adeleke-backs-decision-remove-wikes-loyalist-damagum-pdp-acting-national

But, in a statement, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media, said, "The Edo State government insists that the ESC is a body set up by law passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The Edo State Government has said that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has no constitutional power to suspend the Edo Security Corps, as it is a creation of the Edo State House of Assembly.

The IGP had at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s Stakeholder Meeting on Wednesday, September 11, announced that the outfit had been suspended ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the state.


But, in a statement, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media, said, "The Edo State government insists that the ESC is a body set up by law passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

"This is tantamount to the IGP disbanding the Western Nigeria Security Network popularly known as Operation Amotekun ahead of the governorship election in Ondo State billed for next month."

He added however that in the interest of peace in the state, Governor Godwin Obaseki has directed that all the officials of the ESC should proceed on leave from Wednesday, September 11 till 23, after the election.


"Government notes that it is unconstitutional for the IGP to make such a declaration since Sec 11 (1), Sec 11 (2) empowers the State House of Assembly to set up structures for public safety and security of the state, " he noted.


TOPICS
ELECTIONS
https://saharareporters.com/2024/09/11/edo-govt-says-nigerian-police-chief-lacks-power-suspend-state-owned-security-outfit

Di 21-year-old daughter of South Africa former President, Jacob Zuma, dey marry Eswatini king for love. Na so di tok tok pesin for Africa only remaining absolute monarchy tell BBC.

Nomcebo Zuma engagement to King Mswati III become official earlier dis week afta di eight-day reed dance ceremony – dat na di traditional rite of passage wey dem dey do for every year for young women.

Di polygamous 56-year-old King currently dey married to 11 wives - and im bin don marry 15 times in total.

Eswatini tok-tok pesin Alpheous Nxumalo dismiss suggestion say di marriage na political alliance.

"Love no get eyes to see or dey count age. Love dey happun between two pipo. E fit happun between one pesin wey dey 100 years old and pesin wey dey above di average of wetin dey permitted constitutionally," e tell BBC Newsday programme.

Already, Zuma, wey be president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, and King Mswati be relatives through marriage.

Pipo don accuse King Mswati, wey dey rule by decree and don sidon for throne for 38 years, of living in luxury wit im polygamous household - while most of im pipo dey suffer in poverty.

Eswatini, wey dem bin sabi before as Swaziland, get population of 1.1 million citizens and na one of di world highest rates of HIV/Aids infection.

Eswatini King Mswati III for di reed dance for 2023
Wia dis foto come from,AFP
Wetin we call dis foto,King Mswati for last year reed dance - bin face criticism in di past ova di age of im brides
Strong traditional ties dey between Eswatini and South Africa Zulu King - di current king, Misuzulu ka Zwelithini, na Mswati III nephew.

Zuma, wey bin resign in disgrace ova corruption allegations during im presidency and e still dey face court case for one 1999 arms deal (e say im no do anytin) currently dey enjoy political renaissance.

Di newly party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) wey e just form bin come third for South Africa general election dis year.

Di 82-year-old dey enjoy serious respect from im supporters for upholding im cultural and traditional Zulu beliefs - e get many wives and di believe be say e get 20 children.

Nomcebo, wey her mama na Zuma long-standing fiancée Nonkululeko Mhlongo, bin dress in di bright colours of Eswatini kingdom on di last day of di reed dance ceremony for di Ludzidzini Royal Palace on Monday.

Di purpose of di rite of passage wey dem dey call Umhlanga ceremony, na to discourage dem from from becoming sexually active at young age.

Di king dey allowed to choose bride from di participants - and for dis occasion dem present Miss Zuma as "liphovela", wey mean royal fiancée in Swati.

Pipo don dey criticise di King before over di age of im brides.

For 2005, im bin choose one17 years old Phindile Nkambue as wife few days afta im cancel one ban on sexual relations for girls younger dan 18.

Just two months afta dem originally impose di law for 2001 - to help fight HIV/Aids – im fine imsef wit one cow for breaking di ban, sake of say im marry one 17-year-old as im number nine wife.

Xangaroo congress

No PDP Congress was Held in Rivers, Says G-60 Federal Lawmakers
Nigeria | 11 hours ago
Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The G-60 federal lawmakers in the House of Representatives have declared that there was no congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State last weekend, stressing that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, merely held a party with his friends. The G-60 lawmakers in a statement by its spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), pointedly said Wike merely held a party with his friends, under the guise of a party congress.

The PDP state congresses took place penultimate Saturday but were marred by complaints from several states, including Rivers, Benue, Katsina, and Kogi. Significantly, the congress in Rivers State took place despite a subsisting court order stopping the process. The development led to a major dispute between the National Working Committee (NWC) that gave the go-ahead for the congress and the PDP Governors’ Forum, which insisted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara must be accorded his right as the leader of the party in the state.

However, the former governor of Rivers State, Wike, and his faction of the PDP in the state are also claiming control of the structures of the party after the congress that was boycotted by Governor Fubara and his supporters. Following the confusion, the PDP NWC that was to meet on Wednesday, shifted the meeting to next week, assuring that the process would be subjected to a review by the party’s organs. The G-60 federal lawmakers in a statement yesterday by Ugochinyere, described the purported congress held by the Wike-led faction as laughable and a jamboree.

It specifically said that the purported congress was a nullity and an exercise in futility as there was still an existing valid order against any conduct of congress in Rivers, stressing that because of the order, the purported congress would be set aside “as you can’t put something on nothing.” Ugochinyere pointedly said that no PDP congress was held in Rivers State, rather Wike out of desperation to look good before his dwindling followers who were losing confidence in him held an ‘owambe’ party and called it state congress.

The G-60 federal lawmakers noted that there was an interim order of the court stopping PDP from holding congresses in the state, adding that taking a cue from there, it was clear that what Wike conducted for him and his friends was an exercise in futility.

The G-60 lawmakers further said: “Take it from me; there is no PDP state Congress yet in Rivers state. Wike, out of desperation to look good before his dwindling followers, who were losing confidence in him, held an owambe party and called it state congress. “Recall that in July, a State High Court, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and presided over by Justice Charles Wali had issued an interim order stopping the PDP from holding congresses in the state.

“The court decision was clear and the congress was stopped from holding so if people out of desperation gather to hold a family or kindred meeting from their hideout under the guise of congress, you can only but pity and laugh at their political frolicking caused by joblessness and desperate quest for power.

“Defying the court orders, some members of PDP hobnobbing with the APC reportedly attempted to pass off some family gatherings of their faction as PDP congress,” he said.

jyz200:
na them
them billionaires

Na who?

Oyewale said the suspect, 35, was arrested at Ever Green Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, following intelligence about his suspected involvement in internet fraud and money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested billionaire Hyginus Nkwocha for alleged involvement in internet fraud and money laundering in Abuja




The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Thursday.



Oyewale said the suspect, 35, was arrested at Ever Green Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, following intelligence about his suspected involvement in internet fraud and money laundering.




The statement reads, “Items recovered from him include a sum of 2,200 dollars, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and a MacBook.



“Other items recovered include a gold chain and pendant, a gold bracelet, a gold neck chain, Mercedes Benz ML 350, a Chevrolet Camaro, and a Mustang car.”



“Also recovered are some properties at Cookies Court 2, located in Ocean Palm Estate, Ajah, Lagos; Unit C8, Lugbe Airport Road, Abuja; and Cookies Court 2, 2nd Avenue, Ocean Palm Estate, Ogombo, Lagos State," Oyewale stated.



Oyewale added that investigations were still ongoing and the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded

uthorities investigating the recent Brazilian plane crash that claimed the lives of all 62 passengers and crew members have obtained the complete transcript of the flight's "black box" recording, according to local TV station Globo.




However, Reuters reports that the transcript's contents do not immediately reveal the cause of the accident.



Sources close to the investigation told Globo that the cockpit voice recorder transcript indicates the pilot and copilot noticed a sudden and significant loss of altitude approximately one minute before the crash.




The audio and transcript have not been released to the public.



According to TV Globo, the cockpit voice recorder transcript spans approximately two hours of audio, capturing a critical exchange between the pilot and copilot.



The copilot is heard asking the pilot what's happening and expressing concern that the plane requires "more power" to stabilise.



In response to TV Globo's report, Brazil's aviation accident investigation centre, Cenipa, issued a statement late Wednesday assuring that no media outlet has access to the voice recorder's audio, transcript, or data.



Cenipa declined to comment on the specifics of the report.



The ill-fated flight, operated by Voepass on an ATR-72 turboprop, was en route from Cascavel to Sao Paulo when it crashed in Vinhedo, 80 km northwest of Sao Paulo, at 1:30 p.m. local time. Tragically, all 62 on board perished, while no one on the ground was injured.



Disturbing video footage shared on social media captured the harrowing moment the ATR-72 aircraft spiralled out of control, crashing behind a row of trees near residential homes and sending a massive plume of black smoke into the air.



Notably, the pilots did not declare an emergency or report adverse weather conditions, according to the Brazilian air force's statement on Friday.



Investigators privy to the crash probe told TV Globo that analysing the audio recording alone may not be sufficient to determine the cause of the accident, suggesting a more comprehensive investigation is needed.



Authorities have neither ruled out nor confirmed the possibility of wing icing as a contributing factor to the crash, according to TV Globo.



However, analysis of crash videos by aviation experts has sparked speculation that ice accumulation on the plane's wing may have played a role in the accident. The icing issue remains a topic of investigation, with no definitive conclusion drawn yet.

Topics
International

The family has demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Inyama’s death.

The Registrar of Wigwe University, Ulonna Inyama, has died under mysterious circumstances in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.




According to a family source, Inyama died on Monday, due to complications from fibroid surgery and a wrong blood transfusion.



The source revealed that she was initially admitted to a hospital in Abuja for fibroid treatment but suffered a fatal reaction after receiving the wrong blood type, Vanguard reports.




“She died of loss of blood due to fibroid complications under mysterious circumstances. We were told that wrong blood transfusion led to her death.



“When her condition worsened due to complications, she was referred to another hospital, where she passed on,” the source said.



The family has demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Inyama’s death.



Inyama’s death comes just months after the tragic loss of Wigwe University’s founder, Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in California, USA, along with his wife and son.



The university community is still reeling from the loss of its founder and now faces another devastating blow with the loss of its Registrar.
https://saharareporters.com/2024/07/30/wigwe-university-registrar-inyama-dies-after-alleged-wrong-blood-transfusion-abuja

Mohammed Shuaibu, Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, noted that some stations might be closed due to product unavailability.

Amid growing concerns over a planned nationwide protest, oil marketers in Abuja and neighbouring states of Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi states shut down their filling stations on Friday.



Retail outlets, including those operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Kubwa, Salbas Oil, Eterna, and Gegu Oil, stopped dispensing fuel along the Kubwa-Zuba expressway.



According to PUNCH, similar scenes unfolded inside Abuja and parts of Niger and Nasarawa states, causing significant disruption.




Oil marketers confirmed that filling stations in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, were also closed.



This development led to the reappearance of fuel queues at outlets like AYM Shafa in Dei-Dei and NNPC in Zuba, Niger State.



In Lagos, several filling stations were shut down, creating fears of an impending fuel scarcity. Observations by correspondents indicated that most stations were not dispensing fuel, while the few operational ones sold at N800 per liter.





Some marketers attributed the closures to fuel unavailability, while others blamed the apprehension over the planned protest.



In Ogun State, the situation reached a crisis point as long queues formed at filling stations. In Magboro and Ibafo areas along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, and buses, lined up chaotically for fuel.



At Quest Filling Station in Magboro, motorists struggled in a queue over a hundred meters long, with only one of three petrol pumps operational.



Saheed, a commercial bus driver heading to Ibadan, expressed frustration after spending over an hour in line. "I didn't expect such a long queue," he lamented. "My passengers are complaining, but there's nothing I can do." At NIPCO Filling Station in Magboro, diesel was priced at N1,200 per liter, while petrol cost N675 per liter, with four out of five petrol pumps operational.



Meanwhile, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri called for calm and urged Nigerians to avoid participating in the proposed protest.



Mohammed Shuaibu, Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, noted that some stations might be closed due to product unavailability.



He emphasized that the fear of the protest led many marketers to take preventive measures, causing fuel queues as fewer stations remained operational.



Lokpobiri, in a statement issued by his media aide Nneamaka Okafor, urged Nigerians to shelve the planned protest.



He highlighted the need for unity and patience as the government works to address the country's issues. Lokpobiri stressed the importance of constructive engagement and warned against those who might exploit the protest for malicious purposes.



In Kwara State, no fuel queues were reported, with petrol sold between N600 and N800 per liter. Various filling stations in Ilorin, the state capital, sold fuel at varying prices, indicating no immediate shortage

Rivers Crisis: Pro-Wike Lawmakers Direct Police To Arrest 23 LG Caretaker Chairmen
The Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has called on the State Police Command to arrest persons parading themselves as caretaker committee chairmen of the 23 local government areas in the state.

The lawmakers further asked the police to immediately withdraw their personnel attached to such persons following what they referred to as the refusal of the state’s governor, Siminialayi Fubara, to dissolve the caretaker committees in obedience to the judgement of the Supreme Court.

NEWS
Descirbing the job as a modern slavery, she said the teaching job employment offer letter from the state Post Primary School Service Commission came with two years probation, 10 years compulsory service and a N397,471 annual salary, which translates to N33,122.65 monthly salary.

A newly employed teacher in Anambra State who did not want to reveal her identity for security reasons has alleged that the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led state government offered primary school teachers a job in June 2024 and demanded that they backdate their acceptance letter to October 2023.

In a call to Governor Soludo for an urgent intervention, she narrated how she resigned from her previous job in Lagos and returned to Anambra, which is her state of origin and was among the 3000 teachers recently recruited by the state government.

Descirbing the job as a modern slavery, she said the teaching job employment offer letter from the state Post Primary School Service Commission came with two years probation, 10 years compulsory service and a N397,471 annual salary, which translates to N33,122.65 monthly salary.

SaharaReporters sighted the offer letter dated June 7, 2024 and signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Anagor Benedine Ngozi, with the conditions she mentioned.

She said, “I studied a course in Education, and came out with Second Class Honors, Upper Division. I started my second job in Lagos state in the educational sector and my TRCN certificate saved the school from being shut down.

“In October 2023, I heard that my State government was recruiting teachers. I applied and my name was among the 3,000 selected. So, on the 1st day of April, 2024, I put in my one month Notice of Resignation.

“The best phase of my life (as I thought) commenced as I travelled back for the Anambra State Teaching job with so much excitement and hope. Alas! after staying for almost two months at home with no Employment Letter in sight and a fast depleting bank account, I nearly gave up.

“A few more weeks later, the State sent for us to come and pick up our Employment Letters. I went and collected mine but when I saw the salary, nature of employment and conditions, I nearly went mad with incredulity or maybe slumped.


“My dear State offered a temporary employment with 2 (Two) years probation period, no possibility of transfer for 10 years and a meagre salary of N33,122.65, tax excluded. (Annual salary of N397,471.00).”

She alleged, “My dreams died as I stared at the Offer of employment. The worst is that I and others that received the offer letter were told to backdate our Acceptance letter to bear a date in October, 2023 which raises the suspicion that since October 2023.

“Someone in government has been collecting salaries of all those recently offered employment in July, 2024 and wants to use our Acceptance letters to cover up, isn't it? What is the reason for the backdate? Something is fishy and should be investigated.

“I dare ask: what is the hope of an educator in a state like my dear Anambra under a Professor of repute and governor?

“Does governor Soludo know that such an appalling offer is being made to new recruits who came from far and near to serve in their own state and communities.

“How in the world would N33,000+ be enough for transportation or even rent, let alone, for a month and within the next 10 years of my life?

“I used to be a good writer but I feel my writing skills have disappeared from me at the instance of this ordeal.

“All I feel is depressed in the state I longed to return to and help build through education.

“The saddest thing is watching my parents get older and I wonder how this meagre Salary that can't even fend for me would be enough to cater for them. At this point, they are catering for me.

“For someone in her early 30s, I ask again, what is the hope of an educator in Anambra state or in Nigeria as a whole? This is too much to bear. I need urgent help.”

However, when SaharaReporters contacted the Chairperson of the Anambra State Post-Primary School Service Commission (PPSSC), Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, she denied the allegation, saying that the person who made the allegation was being induced by political opponents to paint the state government black.

In a response to SaharaReporters’ inquiry on the allegation, the PPSSC boss explained that the advert for the recruitment of teachers by the Commission was posted online on September 26, 2023 and application from interested candidates lasted till October 14, 2023.

Ikediugwu said that at the issuance of the appointment papers, “Candidates were asked to backdate their handwritten application for teaching job to October 3, 2023 and not Acceptance letter.”

According to her, “This is to tally with the month they applied online.

“The N397.471.80 salary captured in the appointment letter is the basic, other allowances are yet to be added to sum up the total amount as the system demands.

“It is clear the writer is being induced by political opponents to paint the government of Anambra State black by claiming that salaries of candidates that are yet to resume work are being collected by someone in government since October. This is laughable.

“The assumption date for the newly recruited teachers is 1st September 2024 (new academic session) and the effective date for payment of their salaries is 1st September 2024.”

Ikediugwu said Governor Soludo-led state government recruited 5,000 teachers in the 2022/2023 session and another 3,115 teachers in 2024.

“The general public should therefore disregard the report of the anonymous writer as it is baseless and lacks merit,” she said.
https://saharareporters.com/2024/07/16/how-anambra-govt-officials-asked-new-employees-backdate-acceptance-letter-june-2024

Tell am i see this one pain am well

The Supreme Court had declared it unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.



The court further declared that a state government has no power to appoint a caretaker committee and a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government.




However, Governor Makinde while speaking during an emergency consultative stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan, said the state could solve its own problems and prioritise its people.



He emphasised that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) would continue to deposit local government allocations into the States/Local Governments Joint Account as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.



Governor Makinde announced that the FAAC would delay the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision for the next 90 days, starting at its meeting on Tuesday, July 16.



During the meeting, two committees, technical and legal were established to review the Supreme Court’s verdict and present their findings within four weeks.



His said; “Let me thank you all for joining this important consultative meeting. I want us to discuss the decision of the Supreme Court as it concerns the financial autonomy of the local government councils.



“I believe a lacuna has been created between the decision and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We all swore to uphold the constitution but the law is the law.



“If the law is in conflict, it behoves us to look for our home-grown solution that can ensure that we have transparency and operate with our people. This is because when two elephants are fighting, the grass will suffer.



“Since the beginning of this administration, we have conducted two local government elections. When I was sworn in, I dissolved the local government.



“The Supreme Court just basically said to us that governors don’t have the right to dissolve the councils, but why did I dissolve them then?



“It was because elections were held into the LCDAs, and the same Supreme Court has now said that only 774 LGAs are in Nigeria. So, there is confusion in the land.”



Governor Makinde highlighted the state’s efforts in addressing local governance challenges, emphasising the administration’s achievements since 2019, including the payment of backlogged salaries, pensions, and gratuities, as well as improvements in primary healthcare facilities and education infrastructure.



“We were able to clear those salary arrears. We paid N18billion in pension and gratuities over these periods. We upgraded about 209 PHCs, equipped about 264, and completed 60 model schools.



“We constructed and renovated hundreds of primary school classrooms and fixed some inner roads, but there are still challenges that we have to address.



“We still have a backlog of gratuities and pensions. The local government is owing about N55billion in pension and gratuities.



“Our people do not care if the road is fixed by the FG or the state government or the LG. They just want to see good roads."



“For us in Oyo State, we can solve our own problems, deal with our situation, and prioritise our people. Our pass mark is to discuss among ourselves and whatever we agree upon,” he added

The illegal operation was led by the Divisional Police Officer of Gwarinpa in Abuja, Babale Hamza Galadima, arresting all occupants and destroying properties in the hotel during the invasion.

The Nigeria Police Force said it has commenced investigation into a midnight invasion of Hotel VIMA in the 1st Avenue area of Gwarinpa in Abuja by some of its officers.




This was announced on Tuesday morning by the Spokesman for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Ade in a post on X.



She wrote: “Investigation into this incident has commenced, the hotel management and alleged victims have been invited. They will be interviewed by the CP this morning.”

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The illegal operation was led by the Divisional Police Officer of Gwarinpa in Abuja, Babale Hamza Galadima, arresting all occupants and destroying properties in the hotel during the invasion.



SaharaReporters had obtained videos of the destruction left by the policemen during the incident which occurred on Sunday night at about 11:30pm.



The pictures and Close Circuit TV videos on Monday showed doors and room furniture destroyed by the policemen during the invasion.

BREAKING: Lawless Policemen Led By DPO Invade Abuja Hotel By Midnight, Arrest All Staff, Guests, Demand N500,000 Bail For Each Person
Jul 16, 2024
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BREAKING: Lawless Policemen Led By DPO Invade Abuja Hotel By Midnight, Arrest All Staff, Guests, Demand N500,000 Bail For Each Person
Meanwhile, the hotel guests arrested and taken to the Gwarinpa Police Division were asked to pay N500,000 as bail to secure their freedom, as SaharaReporters further learnt from the victims.





Lamenting the development, the Manager of the hotel, who simply identified as Wayne had said that all the staff of the hotel were still detained in the station as of 5:45pm on Monday.



He had said, "At about 11:30pm on 14th of July 2024, some men of the Nigerian police stormed our hotel in a way that we thought it was a robbery seen. All customers and visible staff were harassed, beaten and dehumanised, property destroyed, and everyone on scene was arrested and taken to the station.

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"The operation lasted for about an hour, only the receptionist and gateman were allowed to stay back.



"Some laptops were taken, money from the front Desk was taking and some of our customers' money was also taking.



"The following footage from our CCTV captured," he had narrated

Two Nigerian citizens in a widely circulated video that has stirred public outcry have passionately voiced their dismay over the escalating prices of essential food items and the failures of political leadership.



The video seen by SaharaReporters captures the frustration of two men who lament, "I bought a wrap of eba for N300 and a base of garri for N4,000."


These sentiments underscore the harsh economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities.



The men also directed criticism at President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of unfulfilled promises to improve living conditions.

"Tinubu promised us that if he comes, things will change, but you have not done anything," reflecting disillusionment with political leaders.



The video further delved into recent controversies involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

"The EFCC chairman said if he didn't arrest Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi state, he would resign. Have you resigned? Yahaya is now walking freely," one of the men challenged.



The men used local dialects and vivid language to emphasise the severity of the situation. "If they like dogs, fowl, eggs, they say, bawe na den si so na 300 na ya own o.



“See this eba, 300. 300 na ya own, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," they exclaimed, illustrating the stark disparity between political promises and the lived experiences of Nigerians.



Their outcry culminated in a call to action, with plans announced for a protest scheduled for August.

"We're going to run this protest. This country, we must do well. You must do well. This government, we're going to end up," one of them declared passionately.



https://x.com/AreaFada1/status/1812593384638317013?t=Pkf-mCi7AEZWs3nS21uv2g&s=08

Last Friday, Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, declared that Nigerians were now prepared to actualise the revolution that President Tinubu advocated for in 2014, when he was an opposition party member.



In a social media post, Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), noted that while Nigerians might not have been ready for revolution in 2011 and 2014, when Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari respectively called for it, they were now eager for a genuine revolution, which the current administration would inadvertently bring about.



Sowore, who revealed plans for a nationwide #RevolutionNow protest on August 5, marking its fifth anniversary, declared, “They asked for a REVOLUTION and It is here now! Bola Tinubu @officialABAT once asked for a revolution, even Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari once asked for a revolution and Nigerians now want to a real REVOLUTION.







“Nothing Can Stop An Idea Whose Time Has Come

They will serve him impeachment notice anytime soon

Fubara should get ready for impeachment notice after seven days expires

if he doesnt what next

Hope they will not say this one has no jurisdiction.

Notably, this will be the first sitting of the pro-Wike group since the Court of Appeal ruling recognised them as legitimate members of the House.

Rivers State is currently experiencing political tensions, with two factions of the State House of Assembly holding separate sittings today (Monday).
https://saharareporters.com/2024/07/08/rivers-state-assembly-crisis-escalates-pro-governor-fubara-faction-pro-wike-faction-hold

fake news no source