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Following the arrest of the national president of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, the union has placed all Nigerians workers and affiliated unions on red alert.

DAILY POST earlier reported that operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, arrested Ajaero on Monday morning.

He was picked up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while boarding a flight to the United Kingdom, UK, for an official assignment when DSS operatives picked him up.

In a post on its official X handle, NLC demanded immediate release of its national president.

“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero,” it wrote.

The union further urged “all affiliate unions, state councils, civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians should be on red alert”.

DAILY POST recalls that the NLC president was recently invited by the Nigeria Police Force for questioning over alleged link to terrorism financing and other related offences.

The union, after the invitation, vowed to shut down the nation’s economy if Ajaero is arrested.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the 2023 New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso as inconsequential in Nigeria’s political sphere.

PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, said Kwankwaso is struggling to lead the NNPP which controls only Kano State in Nigeria.

Responding to Kwankwaso’s comment that PDP is dead, Ologunagba said NNPP can’t be compared to the former ruling party.

Speaking in Kano, Kwankwaso said he and his supporters dumped PDP because the party is dead.

“I wish to remind you that PDP is dead because we left the party. Since they have gone out of the line, we decided to check out,” he said.

Responding, Ologunagba said Kwankwaso’s self-centeredness has shown he’s not a leader.

In a statement he signed, Ologunagba said: “Our reaction to the statement credited to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is that he is very inconsequential in the Nigerian national politics today judging from the fact that he is struggling to lead a party called NNPP which is also struggling to control only one state.

“It is unfathomable to imagine that a failed and inconsequential politician with only one state would claim that a party that has 13 governors, many Senators, many members of the House of Representatives, several States Assembly control and strong presence in all the local government areas and wards across the country is dead.

“More disturbing is that Sen. Kwankwaso has exhibited extreme selfishness and self-centeredness, which shows that he is not a leader.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has provided the reason for its decision to declare the result of the 2023 presidential election in the middle of the night.

The electoral umpire announced Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the presidential election with 8,794,726 votes, ahead of his challengers, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi.

INEC, led by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared Tinubu’s victory on Wednesday, March 1, at about 2 am before the media.

Most Nigerians who awaited eagerly for the result to be declared had to wake up to it. The timing of the announcement raised concerns among some citizens, especially those whose political parties were on the losing end.

Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, while fielding questions from the INEC Press Corps on Friday, explained that Nigeria is treated as a single constituency during the presidential election, thereby requiring a detailed process of collating results from ward, local government, states and national levels.

He explained that the chairman had to wait for the 36 returning officers from across the country, including those from distant locations like Sokoto and Maiduguri, to present their results in Abuja as required by law.

He stated that the constitution or Electoral Act does not specify a particular time for declaring election results.

According to him: “In a presidential election, the country is treated as one constituency. Results are declared at polling units, then collated at the ward, local government, and state levels before being presented in Abuja to the Chief Electoral Commissioner,” he said. People didn’t understand this and criticised the 2 am announcement.

“The chairman had to wait for the 36 returning officers, including those from distant locations, to present their results. The electoral act requires that results be brought and the returning officers be interviewed. The chairman questions the returning officers. Only after accepting all figures from the returning officers and the FCT can results be collated and announced. The delay led to claims that we declared results in the middle of the night.

“However, Prof. Attahiru Jega declared the 2015 results around 4 am. The constitution does not prescribe a specific time for declaring election results.”

Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has advised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, to go back to the old price of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as Petrol.

NNPCL had a few days ago increased the price of PMS across the country.

MURIC in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, also advised NNPCL to allow Dangote Refinery to operate freely without undue interference.

Akintola, in the statement made available to DAILY POST on Friday, noted: “Nigerians are going through severe hardship. There is hunger in the land. Inflation has made life difficult for many, particularly after the removal of fuel subsidy, which shot the price of petrol to the rooftop. But Nigerians were assured of coming relief as they were told that the price of petrol would reduce drastically when Dangote Refinery starts to function.

“To make matters worse, NNPCL made itself the only marketer of Dangote fuel, thereby sandwiching the latter’s product. By taking these two actions, NNPC has effectively taken control of Dangote’s fuel and the real owner cannot determine the price of its product. This is an ambush, a punch below the belt.

“If NNPC had not increased the price of its own fuel, the decision to monopolise Dangote’s fuel would have favoured the hoi polloi, but by increasing the price and restricting the supply of Dangote’s fuel to itself alone, NNPC has rendered Dangote Refinery helpless.

“MURIC finds NNPC’s action to be anti-people, immoral and lacking in conscience. It is an open secret that the prices of most products, particularly food items, are tied to the umbilical cords of petroleum and its price. The latter is the engine room that moves the economy.

“Nigerians are hungry today because the price of petrol skyrocketed and the prices of foodstuffs rose astronomically and spontaneously.”

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obonujoker:
Trek if you no fit pay

The Chinese government says it will partner with Nigeria in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

A joint statement issued by both countries said the agreement aimed at supporting Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard the stability of its financial and foreign exchange markets and crack down on financial crimes.

The agreement followed a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and President Xi Jinping of China on Tuesday.

At the end of the meeting, both presidents signed various memoranda of understanding (MoUs), which included a cooperation plan between Nigeria and China to jointly promote the belt and road initiative.

According to the joint statement, both countries are considering regional and monetary cooperation, as well as encouraging flexible and diverse cooperation such as local currency swaps to facilitate trade between China and Nigeria and contribute to global financial stability.

“Both countries agreed to support Nigeria’s geographical and development advantage in West Africa to establish Africa’s flagship projects on cross-national and cross-regional cooperation,” the statement reads.

“They also agreed to deepen cooperation on the infrastructure connectivity between the two countries.

“China proactively supports Nigeria in developing its domestic infrastructure construction, including transportation, ports, and free trade zones, towards achieving integrated development and connectivity for industries.

“The two countries agree to carry out international cooperation on financial intelligence on anti-monetary laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) and support Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard the order of its financial and foreign exchange markets and to crack down on financial crimes, including money laundering.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that Nigeria is not difficult to manage, blaming the country’s woes on a lack of quality leadership.

He maintained that the country is a complex one that must be well understood to be managed properly.

The former president spoke on Wednesday in Lagos at the maiden memorial lecture in honour of the late Akintola Williams, themed, “Leadership Dynamics: Current Realities and Way Forward.”

The lecture was organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, in Lagos.

“I always say Nigeria is a complex country. You must understand that. But Nigeria is not a difficult country to manage. You have to be honest with yourself, Nigeria and your God,” Obasanjo said.

He said while in office, he did his best to move the country forward.

He recounted his time as president, asserting that he served the country with the resources available at his disposal, claiming the country enjoyed good economic fortunes.

Obasanjo said: “When I was there, I did everything I should do for Nigeria and I can beat my chest and say that.

“I took over the affairs of Nigeria as elected president with N3.7 billion in reserves and we were spending N3.5 billion to service debt, so I decided we must seek debt relief and I went out for it, even though we were the fifth country in all exporting in the world and we got debt relief.

“Not only did we get relief from a quantum debt of N3.36 billion, we came to a quantum debt of N3.6 billion and I left with over N25 billion in what we call excess crude, that is, the money we saved from the budget and what we actually received and we had a reserve of over N45 billion,” he said.

He described the late Akintola Williams as a sage who served humanity during his lifetime.

“He deserves every honour that we can confer posthumously, not for what he did for this country but what he did politically, socially and economically,” he said.

Nigeria has become the third largest debtor to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) as of June 30, 2024, marking a significant increase in the country’s borrowing from the institution.

This development has reflected a substantial shift in Nigeria’s financial landscape under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the World Bank’s latest financial statements, Nigeria’s exposure to the IDA has surged by 14.4%, rising from $14.3 billion in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 to $16.5 billion in FY2024.

This $2.2 billion increase in borrowing has propelled Nigeria into the top three IDA debtors for the first time, moving up from its previous position as the fourth-largest borrower in 2023.

The fiscal year 2024 spans from July 2023 to June 2024, during which Nigeria received at least $2.2 billion from the World Bank.

This period aligns with President Tinubu’s administration, underscoring the growing reliance on international financial support amid domestic economic challenges.

Notably, this debt pertains exclusively to the IDA and is separate from any outstanding loans Nigeria has with the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

In comparison to other top IDA debtors, Bangladesh retains its position as the largest borrower, with its exposure increasing from $19.3 billion in 2023 to $20.5 billion in 2024.

Pakistan follows on the second position with a stable exposure of $17.9 billion over the same period. Meanwhile, India, previously the third-largest borrower with $17.9 billion in 2023, saw its IDA exposure decrease to $15.9 billion in 2024, allowing Nigeria to surpass it.

Other notable IDA borrowers include Ethiopia, whose exposure grew from $11.6 billion in 2023 to $12.2 billion in 2024.

Kenya and Vietnam both hold exposures of $12.0 billion. Alongside Tanzania, Ghana, and Uganda, these countries round out the top ten IDA debtors, collectively accounting for 63% of the IDA’s total exposure as of June 30, 2024.

The IDA, a crucial arm of the World Bank, focuses on providing concessional loans and grants to the world’s poorest countries. These loans feature low interest rates and extended repayment periods, aiming to foster economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve living conditions in developing regions.

According to reports, Nigeria secured a total of $4.95 billion in loans from the World Bank under Tinubu’s administration, amid growing concerns over the country’s escalating external debt servicing costs.

However, only about 16 per cent of these new loans have been received so far. The World Bank may approve an additional four loan projects for Nigeria this year, potentially totaling $2 billion.

Furthermore, data from the external debt stock report of the Debt Management Office (DMO) indicates that Nigeria’s total debt to the World Bank stood at $15.59 billion as of March 31, 2024.

The Chairman of the Dangote group, Aliko Dangote, has assured that the 650,000 barrels per day refinery will be able to track Nigeria’s true fuel consumption.

Dangote made this promise while addressing the press during the official rollout of petrol from the refinery on Tuesday.

Recall that there was a controversy in 2022 over Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption amidst uproar on fuel smuggling and subsidy payment.

The then Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), Colonel Hammed Ali (rtd), questioned the 60 million litres claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), saying the nation’s oil company released 98 million litres from its depots daily.

However, Dangote, stated that with the refinery working, it would be easy to know the true figure of Nigeria’s fuel consumption.

He said, “I want to personally thank Mr. President for creating this idea of Naira for crude. And also Naira for the product. Doing that, it’ll give a lot of stability for the Naira. You know, where now you remove 40% of the demands of dollars in the market and that would actually stabilise the market.


“As you know there’s quite a lot of what you call round trip where people are now doing documentation and the fuel does not come into Nigeria. And this is a fact.

“So, right now, as we have this refinery working, it’ll show the true consumption of Nigeria. We can track every single loaded truck and we can try as much as possible to track loaded ships.

“Trucks, we can tell you where they are….but that’s a discussion for another. Today’s discussion is just to celebrate and thank God Almighty for bringing us to this stage of now producing gasoline. And I know a lot of people have not actually believed that we would be able to deliver. But we’ve been able to deliver.”

Amid the controversial $6 billion debt being owed to petrol suppliers by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, a Northern group, Arewa Democratic Front, ADF, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action.

DAILY POST recalls that the Chief Communications Officer of the NNPCL, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the debt, highlighting the severe financial strain it had imposed on the company’s operations.

The confirmation comes at a time fuel crisis has persisted in the country despite promises by the NNPCL.

In a statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday, the ADF, through its National Coordinator, Engr. Mustafa Yusuf and the National Secretary, Malam Muazu Haruna said Nigerians had suffered enough under the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL.

The Arewa group said it was compelled to speak out against the current fuel crisis and the disastrous mismanagement of the petroleum sector under the NNPCL.

According to ADF, “It is both alarming and deeply disheartening that under the watch of Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPCL, Nigerians are being forced to purchase Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at exorbitant prices exceeding N1,000 per liter in some areas.

“This situation, which has pushed many citizens to the brink of despair, is a direct consequence of the gross inefficiency that has come to characterize the NNPCL.”

“The suffering inflicted on the masses, who have already been battered by economic hardships, cannot be overstated.

“It is a travesty that a country as rich in oil resources as Nigeria should find itself in such a deplorable situation,” ADF lamented.

It added that the NNPCL’s alleged failure to manage the petroleum sector effectively was evident in the long queues at petrol stations across the country, which served as a daily reminder of the company’s ineptitude.

“The most damning evidence of this failure is the revelation of a staggering N6 billion dollars debt due petrol to ‘secret’ subsidy payments, despite the supposed cancellation of fuel subsidies over a year ago.

“This debt, which has been accumulated under the guise of subsidy payments, raises serious questions about the transparency and accountability of the NNPCL under Kyari’s leadership.

“Furthermore, the ADF is outraged by the blatant implementation of unfair subsidy practices, racketeering, and middlemen trading, all of which have exacerbated the fuel crisis and further undermined the credibility of the NNPCL.

“The recent shady acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing by NNPCL, coupled with the indiscriminate issuance of licenses to private operators, points to a deeply entrenched culture of corruption that has taken root within the corporation.

“These practices not only betray the trust of the Nigerian people but also pose a serious threat to the integrity of the Tinubu administration’s agenda.

“Mele Kyari’s failure to revive Nigeria’s moribund refineries, despite being provided with all necessary resources and support by the Tinubu administration, is yet another testament to his unsuitability for his position.

“The recent suggestion to hand over the management of these refineries to private firms is nothing but another scheme to defraud the nation under the guise of privatization.

“This proposal, if implemented, would only serve to deepen the crisis in the petroleum sector and further impoverish the Nigerian people.

“Kyari’s actions demonstrate a clear lack of respect for the rule of law and highlight his determination to operate with impunity. Such conduct is unacceptable from a public official, and it must not be tolerated.

“Given these grave concerns, the ADF calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act swiftly and decisively.”

ADF said to pave the way for a thorough investigation, President Tinubu should suspend Kyari.

“The Nigerian people have suffered enough under the weight of this fuel crisis.

“The continued presence of Mele Kyari at the helm of NNPCL is a clear and present danger to the nation’s economic stability.

“It is clear that he has run out of ideas and lost the moral authority to lead. The time has come for a complete overhaul of the NNPCL’s leadership.

“A new team, free from the taint of corruption and committed to transparency and accountability, must be appointed to steer the company— and by extension, the nation, towards a brighter future.

“The ADF stands with the suffering masses of Nigeria and will not relent in its advocacy for justice, equity, and the rule of law.

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organizations, and international partners to join us in this demand for accountability.

“Let the poor breathe. Let the suffering cease. The future of our nation depends on it,” the group further stated.

DAILY POST reports that several other Nigerians, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, have all demanded a thorough probe of the issues surrounding the fuel subsidy payment.

A former Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Labour Party, Dr Doyin Okupe, has stated that his relationship with the party’s candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, ended immediately after President Bola Tinubu emerged.

Okupe also mentioned that he had agreed with Obi never to accept any political appointment from him upon his emergence.

The former presidential spokesperson made these remarks to journalists in Lagos on Monday to ward off insults from Obi supporters, popularly known as Obidients, who were criticising him on X for backing the policies of the present administration.

According to him, those abusing and insulting him for supporting Tinubu’s economic recovery plan are ignorant, stressing that Nigeria’s project is bigger than that of any individual or political party.

He said, “I supported Peter Obi out of a commitment to patriotism and nationalistic fervour, not because I don’t know who I am in national politics or where I come from. I told Peter Obi, and we both agreed, that I would not hold any position in his government if he won. Obi is alive, kindly verify. If it is not true, let Obi publicly say that I am lying.

“Obi and I left the PDP because we both agreed and believed that the next President must be a Southerner, preferably an Igbo man from the South-East. Unfortunately, we lost that election. Another Southerner, Bola Tinubu, won the election. This is God’s will. He gives power to whom He wishes. My political commitment and agreement with Obi ended and expired there. I am too experienced in this game of politics for my subsequent political disposition and destiny to be tied to Obi’s ambition. Impossible.

“For me, that cooperation ended with the Supreme Court judgment, right or wrong. There must be order in a society.

To me, the allegations of rigging do not hold water. All elections in Nigeria from the 1st Republic to date have been rigged in one way or another, except perhaps Abiola’s election. In America today, the majority of Republicans believe the election that brought Biden in as POTUS was rigged. However, the Americans did not bring down their country because of that. They patiently waited for the next election and are making efforts to correct the imperfections.”

Providing insights into his reasons for supporting Obi from the beginning, the LP’s former campaign DG maintained that he was convinced that the presidency was going to the South and that he aligned with the Igbo candidacy since they had not had the opportunity before in the country’s history.

“I was convinced in my heart that if the presidency was going to the South, then it must be an Igbo man from the South-East because I believe in equity and justice. You can also verify this with Papa Adebanjo. He is still alive. I did not support Obi because he was politically superior to me or because he was a friend or an associate.

“My unalloyed support and commitment to Obi was based on principle. Throughout my period as a DG campaign, I used my own car and never received one naira from Obi as a salary. It was a mutual friend who funded me personally throughout. This can be verified. In difficult times, I borrowed a substantial amount of money to ensure our zonal campaign in the South-West was a grand success. I was refunded by Peter Obi months later.

“You (Obidients) all hailed, praised, and honoured me because, in your understanding, you believed I was just a foolish politician who left his comfort zone to come and help you fulfil your own agenda. You were all wrong,” he added.

Okupe further stated that he was not narrow-minded when he was a critic and that Obidients should adopt a similar approach in the future.

The Deputy National Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Abdullahi, has said the three leading opposition figures in Nigeria are discussing the possibility of a merger to salvage Nigerians from hunger and widespread insecurity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Abdullahi made this statement on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday.

According to him, the three opposition candidates in the last elections—PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)—would put personal interests aside and form a formidable alliance to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 and salvage Nigerians from hunger.

He said that had the party’s past leadership managed differences and party conflicts well, high-ranking chieftains like former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Kwankwaso, and Obi would still be full-blooded members of the PDP, and the party would have defeated Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election.

“We’ve lost Kwankwaso, we’ve lost Peter Obi, all of these people; imagine if they were in the party, we would have won the elections.

“This APC said they defeated us with one million plus (votes); just one of these names that I mentioned would have covered that gap for us, and we would have been in power today, and certainly Nigerians would not have been confronted with this despair and despondency in the land,” he said.

The corps marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has ordered an immediate clampdown on the transportation of inflammable substances like petroleum products across the country.

Mr Mohammed said this in a statement issued by the corps public education officer (CPEO), Corps commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the directives included massive deployment of patrol operatives on the nation’s highways to conduct searches and identify vehicles carrying these products.

He also said that operatives have been directed to ensure that the drivers empty the fuel into their cars.

The corps marshal also directed operatives to embark on an awareness campaign for drivers and passengers on the dangers of carrying petroleum products in vehicles.

Mr Mohammed also stated that, unlike conventional operations, drivers could be prosecuted for compromising the safety of their passengers during the intervention patrol.

“No excuse is acceptable for such dastardly act.

” It is to be a civil engagement that targets at ensuring that those products, when sighted, are emptied into the fuel tank of the vehicles,” he said.

“I also directed a full-scale investigation into the recent fire-related road crashes to determine the source of the infernos and prevent future occurrences.

“The investigation report revealed that drivers often carry petroleum products while in transit.

“As such, in the event of a crash, the impact often results in flames leading to heart wrecking fatalities that would have been avoided,” he said.

The corps marshal also directed the CPEOs nationwide to compliment the intervention patrol with aggressive sensitisation of road users in order to bring this to a halt.

Mr Mohammed, however, called on passengers to always ensure that they took their safety into their hands.

This, he said, should be by reporting to FRSC patrol teams or through emergency lines whenever they suspected the vehicle they boarded had inflammable substances in it.

“This will help curtail these excesses and enhance the safety of lives and properties as commuters transit from one destination to another,” he assured.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has evoked the “No Work, No Pay” policy against the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over its recent warning strike.

NARD had embarked on a nationwide seven-day warning strike on Monday over the continued detention of its abducted member , Dr. Ganiyat Popoola-Olawale.

In a statement Thursday signed by its spokesman, Ado Bako, the ministry expressed deep disappointment over NARD’s decision to embark on the warning strike.

The ministry said the association did so disregarding all negotiations and plea attempts by the federal government to resolve its concerns and ensure continued industrial harmony.

The ministry also said it found the decision to proceed with the strike action, in the midst of the ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable saying it believes that continued dialogue is the best approach to resolving any outstanding issues.

” In view of this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to bring to the notice of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), that in line with extant labour laws, the Federal Government will evoke the “No Work, No Pay” for the number of days the strike was observed. This measure is not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of our medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services are not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public,” the ministry said in the statement.

The statement said the ministry would not relent in its efforts to guarantee the safety, improve the welfare and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors.

“Significant strides have been made in recent negotiations, and the government has demonstrated good faith by addressing many of the concerns highlighted by NARD,” it said.


The ministry further said that it had been working tirelessly over the past months, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of Dr Ganiyat Popoola.

While saying that high-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway, it said it remains confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome.

The federal ministry of health also enjoined all resident doctors to return to the negotiation table so that they could collaboratively find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the healthcare sector.


“As always, the ministry remains open to constructive dialogue and is committed to working together with all stakeholders to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution,” it said.

Activist politician, Omoyele Sowore on Monday accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of being evil.

Sowore was reacting to the decision of Abuja Federal High Court to secretly detain 75 peaceful EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters for attempting to overthrow Tinubu.

He disclosed that some of the affected protesters are aged 15 and 16.

Nigerians had filed out for 10 days to protest against hungry and hardship under the Tinubu’s administration.

Some protesters were arrested and charged for terrorism, treason and treasonable Felony.

An affidavit sworn to by a police officer attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja in Abuja, Gregory Woje attached to their charge said: “The preliminary investigation revealed by some suspects arrested that they were being recruited by some financiers to cause mayhem and destroy life and properties.

“The preliminary investigation further reveals that the financiers were sending money to recruit the indigent and other vulnerable individuals to carry banners and overthrow a democratically elected government.”

However, Sowore said the secret detention of the protesters was horrendous and must be resisted.

In a chat with DAILY POST, he said: “A Federal High Court judge in Abuja SECRETLY granted a 60-day detention order to the Nigeria Police Force against 75 peaceful #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria protesters since August 8 2024, accusing them of terrorism, treason and treasonable felony under the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act; some of the protesters are aged 15 and 16.

“They accused them of planning to overthrow the govt with cards—unbelievable!

“The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime is evil. This is horrendous and must be resisted by ALL. #RevokutionNow #FearlessInOctober”.

The Federal Government has prohibited individuals under the age of 18 from taking part in the National Examinations Council and West African Examinations Council exams.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman disclosed this when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program on Sunday night.

Mamman explained that the federal government has directed WAEC, which conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and NECO, which oversees the Senior School Certificate Examination to enforce the 18-year age requirement for candidates wishing to take these exams.

This, he said was not a new policy.

He added that the age limit for candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, remains set at 18 years.

He said, “It is 18 (years). What we did at the meeting that we had with JAMB (in July) was to allow this year and for it to serve as a kind of notice for parents that this year, JAMB will admit students who are below that age but from next year, JAMB is going to insist that anybody applying to go to university in Nigeria meets the required age which is 18.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time.

“Even basically if you compute the number of years pupils, and learners are supposed to be in school, the number you will end up with is 17 and a half – from early child care to primary school to junior secondary school and then senior secondary school. You will end up with 17 and a half by the time they are ready for admission.

“So, we are not coming up with new policy contrary to what some people are saying; we are just simply reminding people of what is existing. In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations. In other words, if somebody has not spent the requisite number of years in that particular level of study, WAEC and NECO will not allow them to write the examination.”

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria on Sunday described as worrisome the state of the nation, noting that Nigeria is presently “sitting on a ticking time bomb” under President Bola Tinubu.

The Catholic body of Bishops also said that as long as the issues of poverty, hardship and corruption continue to be the lots of Nigerians, the nation should be ready to contend with more protests.

They also expressed grave concern about the nation’s growing debt burden adding that “servicing huge debts to international monetary agencies and sourcing for funds internally to balance budget deficit led to the economic reforms of Mr President, consisting mainly in the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and the floating of naira.

President of the Catholic body, who is the Archbishop of Owerri, and the President of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, stated this in his welcome address at the opening Session of the 2024 second Plenary Assembly of the CBCN taking place in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

While declaring the Conference open, Ugorji said the future of the nation depends on how the challenges bedevilling the nation are tackled, expressing optimism that trust in God would transform the country.

On the state of the nation, he said, “On August 4th, President Bola Tinubu enumerated the achievements of his administration. While we recognise that notable progress has been made in some sectors of our national life, we cannot fail to admit that the present state of the nation is worrisome. Even though insecurity remains one of our major challenges.

“As our national economy continues to decline, the Nigerian youths embarked on a nationwide protest tagged # EndbadGovernance from 1 to 10th August 2024.

“The protest was aimed at publicly voicing their disappointment and frustration on the ills bedevilling the nation. Although Nigeria has the constitutional right to express its grievances through peaceful protests, there was widespread concern it could be hijacked by miscreants.

“Likewise, we condemn in strong terms the killing of some protesting youths by security operatives. We pray for the repose of the dead, the speedy recovery of the injured and the consolation of the bereaved.

“We wish to stress that as long as the nation is afflicted with poverty, hardship and corruption, and as long as the future of youths in our nation remains bleak, we continue to experience protest. Rather than address the ill, trying to drown the nation, some government officials are busy passing the buck and looking for a scapegoat.

“We are indeed sitting on a ticking time bomb as security operatives try to crack down on some of those involved in the protest and their sponsors on trumped-up charges.

“This raises concerns about whether they are trying to strip citizens of their democratic rights and freedoms to protest or give the impression that everything in the country is fine and there was really no need for the protest. This is delusional and condemnable.”

President Bola Tinubu may have started moves to win back the support of northern leaders and those aggrieved with his administration.

Close aides to the President told Sunday PUNCH several initiatives were being implemented and new ones created.

While insisting that the President was not afraid of any political or pressure group, the sources said the plan was to counteract the recent actions of some northern leaders opposed to his reelection in 2027.

Some Northern politicians had expressed discontent with the Tinubu administration, citing what they described as unfair policies and marginalisation.

They also accused the President of nepotism and filling his cabinet with Lagos indigenes.

A former Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, had lamented that the President was not accessible to lawmakers and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress.

Ndume, who was removed by the party over the comment, was replaced by the Senator representing Borno North, Tahir Monguno.

Despite being sanctioned, Ndume initially defended his statements, insisting Tinubu was not accessible. He later apologised.

Earlier in July, a former National Vice Chairman of the party in the North-West, Salihu Lukman, also berated northern politicians in the Tinubu-led administration. He described them as a “choir group poorly singing ‘on your mandate we stand’ irrespective of the shaky and staggering reality being demonstrated by the mandate holder.”

Lukman, who recently resigned from the APC, also berated Vice President Kashim Shettima for not being a rallying point for Northern politicians.

“With every respect, hardly any official of the current administration of President Asiwaju Tinubu from the North, including Sen. Shettima, is willing and able to take the needed risk to defend the interest of the North.

“Because of self-preservation, already scheming for 2027 has commenced. Within the Presidency, there are indicative cold war dynamics and positioning, which is alleged to be responsible for the praise-singing disposition of Vice President Shettima,” he added.

About two months earlier, the Dean of the Borno Elders Forum, Prof Khalifa Dikwa, during a television interview, disclosed that the Northern elite were unhappy with Tinubu because of his “misfit and weak appointees” as well as his “anti-people policies.”

Dikwa added that even “the southern elite should be annoyed because Nigeria is more than Lagos”, describing it as “provocative.”

Some prominent northerners had also raised eyebrows following the decision of the Federal Government to relocate some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria from Abuja to Lagos.

In April, a spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum, Abdulaziz Suleiman, said the forum regretted supporting Tinubu, adding that with the increased security challenges in the region, the North had learned its lessons.

Suleiman, in an interview, noted that the North would prioritise unity and agreement in choosing the country’s next top presidential candidate.

“The North made a mistake in voting Bola Tinubu to the presidency in 2023, and it is unlikely that they will repeat the same error in the future. They have learned from their past missteps and will strive to select a candidate who can unite the country and govern in the best interests of all Nigerians.

“Moving forward, the North will be more cautious in selecting a candidate for the presidency. They will prioritise someone who is seen as more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country,” he stated.

But a credible source said the Presidency was working to address some of the issues, adding that a two-prong approach was being deployed.

“The first is to increase patronage to the north in terms of appointment. With this, we can silence the noise and complaints on the lopsided appointments, which has no basis.

“The second is to address the prominent problem of poverty and illiteracy, which is a serious issue. This was part of the reason for the creation of the North-East Development Commission,” the source added.

The senior official expressed sadness that northern governors were not acknowledging the contributions of the Federal Government to their states.

He pointed out that palliatives being distributed by the central government for the welfare of citizens were not getting to them, noting that bags of rice were being rebranded and shared by some governors.

According to the source, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had been tasked with taking up causes of the north and fighting for them.

A popular northern politician who also spoke with Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, had also been mandated to reach out to the aggrieved stakeholders.

He said, “Some political bigwigs were interested in certain positions but were not given them, and they have resorted to working against Asiwaju’s return, which is not good. But that does not bring any fear to Asiwaju’s camp. To be a little more open, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, and I are all from the North.

“We are reaching out to the aggrieved stakeholders, and we are also accessible. We are critical stakeholders who hold ground for Asiwaju in the North. We will reach out to everyone; it is a collective effort.”

Recall that last week, the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, had also lent his voice to the agitation for a northern leader in 2027, vowing to jettison his presidential ambition if former President Goodluck Jonathan agreed to contest.

According to him, the former president has the requisite experience to revamp the economy and would do a good job if given a second mandate to manage the country.

But a former Minister of Communication and prominent APC chieftain, Adebayo Shittu, said Nigerians should be wary of such moves.

He said, “If you are calling for a change in government, you still have to wait until the current one run its term. Now, you are even calling on Jonathan to come back. He, just like others, is free to return and contest election in 2027. But certainly, there won’t be any election before then and there cannot be any change of government. If Jonathan has done very well, Nigerians won’t have voted him out after spending about six years in office. Tell me, if the PDP had done very well, would the people have voted them out? Nigerians only voted them out after their term expired.”

A former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central between 2015 and 2019, Senator Shehu Sani, warned against the desperation of some northern elites to return to power.

He said, “If President Tinubu succeeds in addressing the security situation, education, and poverty in Northern Nigeria, no northern elite will stop him from being re-elected in 2027.

“The desperation to return to power in 2027 by some northern political elites is not in the interest of the North but is driven by personal reasons, as some of them have been schemed out. So, they often turn to a sectional agenda when their own personal interests are affected.”

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, a former Minister of State for Works and National Coordinator of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, said Tinubu had “sufficient loyalists on his side to confront any opposition coming from any angle.”

“I believe that by the time we approach 2027, Nigerians will know that the president will win his second term as president,” he added.

In his reaction, the President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu, said the plot against Tinubu by some northern elements was an agenda to ensure that power remained in the North.

He urged Tinubu to restructure the country by building on the recommendations of the 2014 CONFAB report and enhancing it to ensure that the constitution addressed the gaps perpetuating the North-South division.

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Temitope Ajayi, said the President was focused on delivering good governance.

He said, “The president is focused on delivering good governance to make life better for every Nigerian, regardless of the region you come from, regardless of ethnicity or the faith you profess. So, his focus now is dealing with issues that affect the lives of Nigerians. 2027 is three years away, so why should he be bothered? He is focused on the things that are more important to Nigerians.”

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Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George,said yesterday that there were chances that party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 election,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would have failed as president if he had won at the polls.

He said Atiku’s emergence as president in 2023 would have created many problems for the country including unstable polity.

Fielding questions on Arise Television, George said the PDP is crisis ridden today because of the choice of Atiku as its presidential candidate at a time the party also had its chairman (Iyorchia Ayu) from the north.

“By the time Ayu left, he should have left long before the election. There was an agreement. It was the emergence of Atiku from the north as a presidential candidate that completely disorganised the norm of the party,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “The moment we interfered with it, manipulating the whole process to satisfy Atiku, that’s where the problem started. For us to pretend as if there was not a problem, we are just wasting time.

“Let us stand by the truth because it is only the truth that would liberate you. When we had that election, we divided the party (PDP) into two.”

He did not see Atiku succeeding as president under the circumstances.

His words: “If Atiku had won, I would have stayed in my house because I know for real that in future he would collapse. This country would never accept.

“If he had won that election you think this country would have been stable? Because somebody from the north had just finished eight years and our own norm is that after the eight years, the presidential candidate must come to the south. Those who are running around for appointments, we wish them best of luck.”

He said the PDP has no moral right to query the “nuisances and nuances going on in this country by the people in government.”

The PDP, according to him,“ got some deeper problems”, with three factions battling for the soul of the party “and it’s not working.”

He declined his appointment as a member of the Disciplinary Committee set up to sanction members alleged to have worked against the party in the 2023 general elections.

He said he could not work under Chief Tom Ikimi who is the chairman of the committee.

He said: “I know Tom very well, he met me in this party. The founding fathers handed over to us. So the culture of the party, the do’s and don’ts are with us. So you don’t make me be a member under somebody that I know in terms of hierarchy of the party, and say I should go and serve under him. I made that observation to them. And they said are you going to come, I said no, I’m not.

“I will not serve under Ikimi. I’m being very frank with myself. How much information or depth does he have concerning our party? You don’t do things like that. It’s an observation and I’ve told the Chairman. At this age, I’m ready to stay home.

“Just setting up a committee, where will it lead you?”

The eight members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who were kidnapped by unknown assailants on their way from Uyo in Akwa State to Sokoto State have been released.

The Director-General of NYSC, YD Ahmed, who addressed the press on Friday, warned Corps Members against travelling at night.

He said the welfare and security of all members will continue to be the priority of the scheme.

“You will remember when these four members were travelling from Uyo in Akwa Ibom to Sokoto,” he started.

“They were kidnapped on 17 August 2024 on Funtua Bisau Road in Zamfara State.

“While in Zambara, we collaborated with the Army, Police, DSS and traditional rulers.

“We also had a meeting with the governor of Zambara State regarding the kidnapping of the prospective corps members.

“Consequently, through the combined effort of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian army and the NYSC, the mission started yielding results with the rescue of the first set of prospective four members.”

President Bola Tinubu has extoled the virtues of the outgone Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, saying his sojourn on the bench was a testament to the reward for hard work, dedication, and service to Nigeria and humanity.

“His Lordship’s long and inspiring career on the bench is a testament to the reward for hard work, dedication, and selfless service to the nation and humanity. As Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Justice Ariwoola has used his vast experience and capacity to address the challenges facing the Supreme Court and the Nigerian judiciary,” the President said about the retired CJN.

President Tinubu spoke on Thursday during the public presentation of the book, “Judging with Justice: The Autobiography of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola”, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Justice Ariwoola, who was the 22nd CJN, had earlier retired at a valedictory session held at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, following his attainment of 70 years on Thursday.

The President, who was represented at the book launch by Vice President Kashim Shettima, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, recalled the reforms and advancements in the administration of justice during Justice Ariwoola’s tenure, including an increase in the retirement age for judges and other judicial officers to 65-70 years.

“The pensions of judicial officers have been fairly secured as retired judges will now enjoy their full pay as their pension for life. Incisive judgements that provide extensive societal reforms, such as the one that recently liberated the local government councils from the shackles of financial lack, are critical to our society’s growth and development,” he added.

Describing the outgone CJN’s career as a shining example of what could be achieved through hard work, dedication, and a passion for public service, President Tinubu said, “From humble beginnings at the Local Authority Demonstration School in Iseyin, Oyo State, to the launch of his career as a law officer at the Oyo State Ministry of Justice and now as a leading figure in the judiciary, his story inspires us all.

“The vastness of His Lordship’s academic and professional career is not in doubt. His Lordship’s commitment to the ideals of a just and fair society can also not be overemphasized. We have seen this in his exemplary leadership of the Judiciary, and I am thankful for the support the judiciary has extended to the growth and development of our dear country.”

Tinubu expressed delight that, as President of Nigeria, he was able to witness these laudable achievements in the nation’s judiciary, even as he implored the third arm of government to live up to its constitutional mandate and not be swayed by those prone to criticizing it whenever they don’t get a favourable judgement.

“I hope his (Justice Ariwoola’s) successor in office will carry on the baton passed on by His Lordship. I urge the Nigerian judiciary to live up to its constitutional mandate and ignore those who never see anything good in the Judiciary unless the pendulum of justice swings their way.

“I am hopeful that as His Lordship retires into other endeavours, his successors will continue to deliver on the ideals of justice and improve the standards set by Honourable Justice Ariwoola, GCON,” the President noted

He wished Justice Ariwoola a happy retirement and more success in his future endeavours, hoping that “his legacy inspires us to strive for excellence and justice in our public service”.

Born on August 22, 1954, Justice Ariwoola was elevated to the Supreme Court court on November 22, 2011, and was appointed substantive CJN on June 27, 2022, following the resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad

He was formally confirmed Chief Justice of Nigeria by the Senate on September 21, 2022.

The public presentation of his autobiography was part of the events marking his retirement.

Earlier, Justice of the Supreme Court tipped as the incoming CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, shared her experience working closely with Justice Ariwoola, invoking a quote from James Baikie’s “Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Rome.”

“When a nation becomes great, it is never by ferocity, or falseness, but always by something in the nation that is good and sterling. We have in the person of Justice Ariwoola a living embodiment of these qualities,” the new CJN stated.

On his part, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, highlighted Ariwoola’s significant contributions, particularly noting his role in the recent Judicial Office Holders Salaries and Allowances Act 2024.

Wike said, “This landmark achievement reflects his deep commitment to ensuring that the judiciary is independent, well-resourced and motivated.”

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), commended Ariwoola’s leadership, saying, “Your chairmanship has witnessed unprecedented stability in the justice sector, and because of your focused leadership, Nigeria has emerged more united.

“I am delighted that our country has continued to weather the political storms as a result of the collective will of all Nigerians to make a success of our democracy,” he added.

Emphasising the book’s title as a potential creed for all judges, Gen. Abubakar asked every judge to ask themselves: ‘Have I judged with justice,’ even as he said the book should be a guiding principle for everyone, no matter their profession.

Book reviewer and President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Benedict Bawaph Kanyip, noted that the autobiography primarily focuses on Justice Ariwoola’s background and guiding principles.

Kanyip noted that a key theme of the book is that “the only client a judge has is justice.”

Others present at the event included the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; Attorneys-General of States; Senior Members of the Bench and Bar; Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, among many others.

President Bola Tinubu is set to swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria tomorrow.

The swearing-in ceremony is billed to take place on August 23, 2024, at the State House Council Chambers.

Kekere-Ekun will succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired Thursday.

The President “will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024,” said his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

Tinubu also congratulated Ariwoola, whose stint in the judiciary he described as a “successful public service career,” commending him for his services to the nation.

He congratulated Ariwoola on his successful public service career in a statement signed by Ngelale.

Former president, Muhammadu Buhari swore in Ariwoola as CJN in October 2022, months after he replaced former CJN Tanko Muhammad in an acting capacity.

He had also served the nation in diverse capacities as Justice of the Court of Appeal in the Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.

“President Tinubu commends the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.

“The President thanks Justice Ariwoola and wishes him the very best for the future,” the statement further read.

Meanwhile, a special assistant to Tinubu, Dada Olusegun, also shared this on his X account.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor and the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, tomorrow at the State House Council Chambers,” he wrote.

The prices of garri, a major staple food, and tomatoes have dropped significantly in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu, bringing some respite to many households in the states.

A survey by NAN in major markets in Awka, Anambra, showed that a bag of garri now costs N75,000 as against N90,000 in June.

Also, a basket of tomatoes, which sold for N100,000 in June, has come down to between N80,000 and N85,000.

A paint bucket of the commodity came down from N12,000 in June to between N7,000 and N6,000.

Similarly, the price of a bag of chilli pepper reduced from N120,000 to N60,000, while a paint bucket that sold for N8,000 now sells for N3,500.

A paint bucket of Cayenne pepper, known as Sombo, dropped from N15,000 to N10,000.

Furthermore, a paint bucket of crayfish, which was sold at N6,500, now goes for N5,000.

A bag of onions now sells for N110,000, as against N130,000 in June.

A bag of potatoes also came down from N18,000 to N13,000.

A tuber of new yam now sells for between N3,000 and N5,000, depending on the size.

As of June, similar sizes of yams sold for between N2,000 and N5,000 per tuber.

A foodstuff seller, Mrs Chinenye Uba, attributed the drop in the prices of yam, potatoes, tomatoes, pepper and onions to the harvest season.

According to her, the prices of other food items, such as beans and rice, are still high in the market.

A 50-kg bag of beans, that was sold for N240,000 in June now goes for N260,000.

Uba said the high cost of transportation was largely responsible for the high cost of foodstuffs because they were mostly brought in from other states.

“I believe that if the Federal Government can reduce the price of fuel, prices of food items will also come down,” she said.

A farmer, Mr Godwin Mbadugha, attributed the gradual decrease in the prices of foodstuffs to seasonal variations.

“Many food items are being harvested during this period; so, when there is an increase in supply, prices will likely reduce.

“Farmers return to farms during the rainy season, which is when we usually experience a hike in prices but during the harvest period, prices come down,” [/b]Mbadugha said.

Meanwhile, [b]Governor Chukwuma Soludo launched the Anambra “Farm to Feed” campaign on August 5 as part of his administration’s efforts to tackle hunger and food insecurity in the state.

Soludo said the campaign was aimed at encouraging and mobilising residents, especially youths and women, to venture into farming to boost food and cash crop production in the state.

“The farm-to-feed campaign is a simple partnership deal with farmers to end hunger within the next 12 months.

“If everyone starts producing, the pressure on food prices will reduce,” the governor said.

During the launch, tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, watermelon, onions, okro, carrot, yam, potatoes and oil palm seedlings were freely distributed to more than 5,000 farmers.

In Ebonyi, prices of foodstuffs have continued to soar in Abakaliki, the state capital.

NAN reports that a paint bucket of iron beans sells for between N9,500 and N10,500.

A 100-kg bag of beans sells for as high as N225,000, N205,000 and N180,000, depending on the type.

NAN reports that price reduction only applied to garri, a major staple food in many households.

A dealer, Mr Jacob Ngwu, said that a bag of garri sells for between N24,000 and N28,000, depending on the grade and colour.

This is against the previous price of between N35,000 and N40,000 per bag in June.

“A paint bucket of the commodity is sold between N1,800 and N2,500,” Ngwu said.

The price of “local foreign” rice has remained high, as a 25-kg bag goes for between N29,500 and N36,000, depending on the grade.

The same thing applies to yam, which has yet to record any decrease in price in the state because the new yam festival has not been performed.

A yam dealer, Mr Steve Okoh, told NAN that a tuber of old yam still sells for as high as N3,000, N5,000 and N10,000, depending on its size.

He said: “The Izzi clan, which is Abakaliki, the state capital, has yet to celebrate its new yam festival.

“This makes it difficult for us to bring new yam to any market in the state.

“You cannot sell new yam in any of the markets in Izzi land until the new yam festival has been celebrated,” Okoh said.

Some stakeholders in agricultural sub-sectors in the state said that the continued rise in the price of food items remained worrisome to many households.

In Enugu State, the prices of garri, new yam, tomatoes and onions also recorded a significant fall.

A retailer at the New Market, Enugu, Nkiruka Chukwu, told NAN that a 100-kg bag of white garri, which previously sold for N134,400, has come down to N105,000.

Chukwu said that a 100-kg bag of yellow garri, which was sold between N168,000 and N160,000, now goes for N142,000 and N147,000, respectively.

An onions and tomatoes dealer, Adamu Musa, said a bag of onions previously sold at N85,000 is now N80,000, while a basket of fresh tomatoes sold at N60,000 had dropped to N50,000.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last year’s election, Peter Obi, has asked the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to come clean on the details of the newly acquired presidential jet and those of the old ones being sold off.

He made the call on Tuesday night on his X handle.

Daily Trust reports that President Tinubu, on Monday, embarked on a working visit to France aboard a newly acquired Airbus A330 business jet, amidst controversies surrounding its purchase.

The model, typically used as a twin-aisle passenger aircraft, was purchased last month at a cost of $100m and has now been registered to the Nigerian Air Force.

The modified jet is one of the three presidential aircraft recently seized by a French court in favour of a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, over a dispute with the Ogun State Government.

However, on Friday, August 16, Zhongshan said that it had decided to release one of the three aircraft as a gesture of goodwill, especially due to a scheduled meeting between President Tinubu and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

Obi said that despite all the denials and back and forth over the newly acquired presidential aircraft, the jet was now here, thanks to the French court that helped Nigerians get the information.

“Now that the Jet is here, can Nigerian taxpayers whose money was used to purchase it need to be privy to how much it cost and how old the aircraft is and how long its been in operation.

“In addition, Nigerians also deserve to know about how the old jets being disposed, how many of them, how old they are, and why they are being sold. Transparency and Accountability should be the hallmark of any genuine leadership,” Obi said.

He said that the federal government would lose nothing but respect, if it failed to provide adequate information about its leadership to the people whose money was being deployed and whose mandate the President was holding.

“A presidential jet is a major symbol of national sovereignty and state power. How much it costs to transport the president, is a major issue of public accountability. I hope that Nigerians will not be denied the right of full disclosure on the new presidential jet,” Obi added.