₦airaland Forum

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed not to support Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in his political life again.

Wike stated this during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday.

He said, “I will never support Fubara in my political life again. Anybody knows me, it’s not about me. People laboured to put up a structure.

“People laboured; you wouldn’t have even taken the 50th position. I sacrificed to talk to the Ogonis; I sacrificed to talk to several other people who let us go this way.

“You turned it that I am asking for N50 billion, N100 billion. You turned up lies against me; I brought you up and put you here. Today, I turned out to be overdemanding.

“What is Wike demanding? In every politics or political family, you run elections under people, and people work together. We must have to keep our political structure.”

Wike also denied his rift with the governor is causing a setback for the development of Rivers State.

“What is causing the setback? Wike asked. I’m not interfering with governance. I don’t want to be there. I had no crisis with anybody in the country as a governor. I survived it. If you don’t want to take leadership position, you don’t want to. That’s the truth about it.”

Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Edo governorship election, has signed the Peace Accord, despite his party's earlier decision to abstain.

The APC had initially refused to sign, citing the unresolved murder of police inspector Onuh Akor, who was part of Okpebholo’s campaign team, and accusing the state government of shielding those responsible.

However, Okpebholo's decision to sign the agreement, intended to ensure a peaceful electoral process, comes after similar hesitations from Governor Godwin Obaseki's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had also threatened not to sign due to mistrust in the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Less than two hours before the signing of the Peace Accord between contending political parties ahead of the September 21 governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said it was not disposed to signing the peace accord, News360 Nigeria gathered

This position is barely 12 hours after Governor Godwin Obaseki while receiving the Chairman of the Presidential Peace Committee, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar said his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not sign the peace accord because the party have lost faith in the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Addressing a press conference at the party secretariat, Emperor Jarret Tenebe said the reasons for their declining to sign among others was that for over two months after a police inspector Onuh Akor who was the orderly to the candidate of the party, Sen Monday Okpebholo was shot and killed along Airport Road, nobody has been arrested and prosecuted, despite claims by the former Commissioner of Police, Funsho who “told Nigerians that the command had the names of those who murdered Inspector Onuh Akor at the Benin airport.”

He said instead of them being arrested, Governor Godwin Obaseki is allegedly keeping them in the government house.

Tenebe said, “This failure of the police has emboldened the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his Peoples Democratic Party to attack members of our political party at rally grounds and in their private business premises ceaselessly.”

He claimed that the governor has made inflammatory statements that have undermined his position as the Chief Security Officer of the State.

He chronicled the various attacks the APC campaign team have suffered in different communities Akoko-Edo, Etsako Central, Esan West local government area while mobilising supporters for the election.

“In the wake of this very worrisome and dangerous trend, Governor Obaseki kept mute and refused to condemn the attacks as the Chief Security Officer of the state. Instead, one Odion Olaye, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Edo State, while in the company of Obaseki, openly threatened the country that, “Nigeria will burn if INEC fails to declare the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election.”

He mentioned several other chieftains of the PDP who he alleged have publicly boasted that they would do anything and go away with it and that the party’s petition to the police about these incidents with the names of suspects attached have not been treated.

He said “The summary of these episodes is the unwillingness of Obaseki to embrace peace and the refusal of the security agencies to guarantee a peaceful environment for the conduct of September 21st, 2024 scheduled election.”

As part of its demand to sign the peace accord, Tenebe said the police should be seen to taking steps to declare those fingered in the killing of the police allegedly being hidden in government wanted.

The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the Akure South local government area of Ondo State, Oluwatuyi Olasoji, is dead.

News360 Nigeria gathered from a news tabloid in Ondo state that Olasoji slumped last week while trying to purchase fuel at a filling station in Akure and was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Center in Owo.

The deceased reportedly underwent an operation prior to his death.

The House of Representatives on Monday accused management of Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) of wasting about N10 billion on registration of two companies for the Nigeria Postal Service, only for the companies to fold up one year after take-off, News360 Nigeria reports.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bamidele Salam gave the ruling during the investigative hearing into the audit queries issued against the Bureau by the office of the Auditor General of the Federation (oAuGF).

In his address, Hon. Salam observed that there was no way a reasonable Nigerian will believe that N10.4 billion was spent to register the two companies only for them to fold up barely one year after.

TAJBank, NIPOST collaborate on PPP initiatives
According to the audit query, the two companies namely: NIPOST Transport and Logistics Limited and NIPOST Property reportedly took off in May 2023 and folded up through a Presidential directive in May 2024.

In his response, BPE’s Head of Finance and Accounts who stood in for the Director General of the Agency, Imam Rilwan explained that while about N10 billion was given to the two companies as take off fund, about N400 million was given to the BPE to prepare the ground for the take off of the companies.

He said the issue of registering the two companies for NIPOST was approved in 2017, paving the way for the BPE to expend about N423 million in registering qnd carrying out other activities for the eventual take off of the companies.

He said when the money eventually released in 2023, the Bureau had to recover its money, adding that the N423 million given to the BPE was used to rent office accommodation and carry out other essential services.

He said while the Bureau paid rent for the two companies from 2022, the companies took possession of the offices in May 2023, while they folded up in May 2024.

He said all property belonging to the two companies have been officially handed over to NIPOST management

Unsatisfied with his presentation, Hon. Salam said spending money from. Government coffers before the money is released is a clear violation of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, adding that such an action was not laughable.

Aside trying to justify the expenditure, the representatives of the Bureau could not explain why they would spend money meant for other activities for the two companies, demanding relevant approvals from the Bureau.

While expressing displeasure about the development, Salam directed the Director General of BPE, Ayodeji Gbeleyi to personally appear before the committee on Wednesday September 11 at 12.00pm with all relevant documents relating to the transaction.

In the same vein, the Committee also directed the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) and the Investment and Security Tribunal to at into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, about N3.457 billion and N6.327 million respectively within 30 days and tender evidence of payment before the Committee.

While ruling on the presentation by the Joint Admission ans Matriculations Board, Salam said their refusal to reply letters from. The fiscal responsibility commission informing them of their liabilities was an admittance of their indebtedness to the government.

Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Bello Aliyu Gulmare affirmed that the Board was defaulting in its remittance, remitting only 25 percent of its IGR instead of 50 percent

He said the Commission wrote to the Board in April informing them of their indebtedness and another letter in August, adding that the Board did not respond to any of the letters.

But the Director of Finance and Account of JAMB who represented the Registrar said the Board was not receiving any capital and overhead funding from the government and was therefore required to remit 25 percent of their IGR.

He said there was a government circular that exempted them from remitting 50 percent of their IGR to government’s coffers, a claim that was disputed by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

He said the Board has a letter from the Ministry of Finance granting them waiver from paying the 50 percent waiver.

While insisting that the FRC was trying to impose on them revenue theybare not supposed to pay, he said they refused to respond to the letters from the commission because they have been doing the back and forth since 2017.

Ruling on the submission, the committee chairman and members frowned at the refusal of JAMB to respond to the letters insisting that government administered based on correspondence.

He said the board should pay into the government coffers, the amount standing against them within 30 days.

While addressing the audit query issued against Investment and Security Tribunal, Hon. Salam directed the Tribunal to immediately recover and pay into government account taxes not deducted from five contractors and the accompanying fine among other liabilities standing against them.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a Monday midnight ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the unconditional release of its President, Joe Ajaero, News360 Nigeria reports.

The NLC warned of severe consequences if Ajaero is not freed.

In preparation, the NLC has scheduled a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting for 9am on Tuesday to decide on the next course of action should Ajaero remain in detention.

In a communiqué at the end of its National Administrative Council, NAC, meeting signed NLC Deputy President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, the NLC said “The National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting today to address the alarming and unlawful arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, by agents of the Nigerian Government.

“Comrade Ajaero was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.

“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows: The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification.

“The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offense warranting such action. His detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.

“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today. The Council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labor movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/Litre.

“State of Alert: The Congress places all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely.

“The NLC will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon. This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.

“The NLC reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens. The Congress will not relent in its efforts to oppose all forms of oppression. NAC – in – session therefore summons an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by 9:00 AM tomorrow, the 10th day of September, 2024 to take compelling action to engage the current forces of retrogression.

“The NAC urges the Nigerian Government to reverse this dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness, which threatens the country’s democratic fabric. NAC in session demands the immediate implementation of the New National Minimum Wage which has been signed into Law. The Nigeria Labour Congress will not waver in its duty to protect the rights of workers and the freedom of all Nigerians.

Men from the Department of State Services (DSS) have reportedly invaded the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) News360 Nigeria reports

Reports indicate that the officers were demanding to see the rights group’s directors. SERAP's X (Twitter) account posted a statement alleging that the DSS officers are unlawfully occupying their office and calling on President Tinubu to intervene.

The statement reads: “Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors.

President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation, and attack on the rights of Nigerians.”

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, regarding his involvement in alleged contracts and job racketeering during his tenure.

The probe centers around the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), where Ngige reportedly played a role in questionable contract approvals and gratuity payments.

Ngige, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was questioned for nearly five hours on Wednesday.

This follows concerns raised about a N47 million gratuity paid to the former Managing Director of NSITF, Mrs. Maureen Allagoa, while she was still in office.

A December 2022 report by News360 Nigeria further implicated Ngige in the approval of a last-minute N20 billion contract for the NSITF.

Allegedly rushed through without due process, the contract with P2E Technologies involved the digitalization and automation of NSITF activities, raising red flags regarding the potential misuse of government funds.

“This is one of too many fictitious Contracts awarded that will not be executed within this short ministerial cabinet reshuffle. This is an Emergency Contract Agreement Awarded by the NSITFMB. It was hurriedly prepared by the Head of Legal Department and it was transferred to one Madam Ijeoma Okoronkwo, Board Secretariat Office Department on Thursday,” the source had revealed.

“The said contractor who was already seated at the Madam Board Secretary’s Office signed the Agreement. The Contract Agreement was immediately smuggled to Ngige on same Thursday by the Board Secretary of the NSITF for the minister’s urgent consideration. This is one of such Emergency contracts in the midst of many others,” [/b]another source had confirmed.

[b]“If the NSITF Accounts are not immediately frozen between now and next week, minimum of N20billion will be lost. Minister Ngige has prepared this last minute contract of N20billion before he later decided to withdraw his presidential ambition.”

Earlier, Ngige said he had withdrawn from the 2023 presidential race and he hence remained in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet as a minister.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb9TBnAEUGA

Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has declared that he and his associates are unafraid of death, emphasizing that their willingness to take up arms demonstrates their lack of fear.

In a video circulating online and obtained by
News360 Nigeria Turji issued a threat to the government for sending Service Chiefs to Sokoto State in an effort to combat his group.

“If they were afraid of dying, we wouldn’t have taken up arms in the first place. Stop sending Service Chiefs after us,” Turji stated in the video.

This declaration comes shortly after videos surfaced showing Turji and his men celebrating their seizure of two Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs) belonging to the Nigerian Army.

However, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) denied the claim, explaining that the MRAPs were demobilized after getting stuck in a swamp during anti-banditry operations in Zamfara State.

Earlier this week, Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, along with other high-ranking military officials, visited Sokoto to prepare for a military offensive against Turji and other bandit groups causing unrest in the North West.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has summoned the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

Also summoned on Thursday at the Presidential Villa is the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu over the recent hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, News360 Nigeria gathered

The Vice President is meeting with the trio in his office at the State House, Abuja.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the redeployment of its Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr. Peter Afunanya.

News360 Nigeria gathered that Afunanya revealed his reassignment during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday but did not specify his next position.

He described the move as part of the DSS's routine internal reshuffle aimed at enhancing service delivery.

Afunanya, who had been in the DSS media section for over a decade, was appointed spokesperson six years ago when the agency faced credibility issues.

His tenure followed a period when the DSS had no spokesperson after the compulsory retirement of Marilyn Ogar in 2015 due to allegations of misconduct, which she denied.

Speaking on his redeployment, Afunanya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation and pledged continued dedication to his duties, emphasizing love, loyalty, and honor in service.

The announcement comes just after the newly appointed DSS Director-General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, assumed office. Ajayi has committed to refocusing the agency towards discretion and addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Gunmen have reportedly shot a security guard at the Action People’s Party (APP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The attack which was reportedly carried out at midnight comes less than a month after the party’s secretariat in the New GRA of Port Harcourt was bombed, News360 Nigeria reports.

The state chairman of the party, Sunny Wokekoro who addressed journalists at the party’s secretariat on Wednesday said details surrounding the shooting remain unclear.

He said the injured security guard is currently receiving treatment at a hospital, while police officers deployed to the secretariat after the bombing incident are yet to brief the party on the latest attack.

The APP chairman expressed concern about the ability of the police to identify the culprits behind the recent attack, especially since they are yet to disclose any details about last month’s explosion.

Wokekoro and other leaders of the party also took journalists to the hospital where the injured security guard was being treated.

However, the hospital staff prevented journalists from speaking with the victim.

The APP Chairman insisted that the attacks will not deter the party from carrying out its activities and participating in the local government election next month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a5PpTC1vNY

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, is spearheading a mission to Sokoto State with a team of service chiefs to address the issue of banditry in the North West region.

News360 Nigeria had earlier reported that in move to address the escalating security challenges in Nigeria’s North-West, the Federal Government had directed the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, along with other top military officials, to relocate to Sokoto State to lead efforts in eradicating the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism in the region.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a new board for the Bank of Industry (BoI) Limited, signaling a fresh start for the nation’s premier development finance institution.

This was contained in a statement on Monday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale and obtained by News360 Nigeria .

Dr. Mansur Muhtar, a veteran finance expert and former Minister of Finance, will chair the 13-member board, which includes seasoned professionals from various fields.

Dr. Olasupo Olusi takes the reins as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, bringing his wealth of experience to the helm of the bank.

Other members of the board include Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’Okpala, Executive Director, Large Enterprises; Mr. Shekarau Omar, Executive Director, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises; Mr. Usen Effiong, Executive Director, Corporate Services; Ms. Mabel Ndagi, Executive Director, Public Sector & Intervention Programmes; and Mr. Rotimi Akinde, Executive Director, Corporate Finance & Risk Management.

Non-Executive Directors on the board are Mallam Tajudeen Datti Ahmed, representing the Ministry of Finance Incorporated; Mr. Adedamola Olufemi Young, representing Central Bank of Nigeria; Reverend Isaac Adefemi Agoye, representing Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Mallam Muhammad Bala, representing Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment; Mr. Oreoluwa Adeyemi, Independent Non-Executive Director; and Mr. Sulaiman Musa Kadira, Independent Non-Executive Director.

Tinubu tasked the new board with working harmoniously and diligently to achieve the bank’s objectives, saying “the nation expects nothing but the best from this critical institution”.

The appointments take effect immediately, with the new board set to commence work on the bank’s strategic plans and programs.

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the following qualified Nigerians to the board of the Bank of Industry Limited:

[b]“Dr. Mansur Muhtar, OFR, — Chairman; Dr. Olasupo Olusi — Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer; Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’Okpala — Executive Director, Large Enterprises; Mr. Shekarau Omar — Executive Director, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises; Mr. Usen Effiong — Executive Director, Corporate Services.

“Others are Ms. Mabel Ndagi — Executive Director, Public Sector & Intervention Programmes; Mr. Rotimi Akinde — Executive Director, Corporate Finance & Risk Management; Mallam Tajudeen Datti Ahmed — Non-Executive Director, representing the Ministry of Finance Incorporated; Mr. Adedamola Olufemi Young — Non-Executive Director, representing Central Bank of Nigeria; Reverend Isaac Adefemi Agoye — Non-Executive, representing Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Mallam Muhammad Bala — Non-Executive, representing Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment; Mr. Oreoluwa Adeyemi — Independent Non-Executive Director; Mr. Sulaiman Musa Kadira — Independent Non-Executive Director.
[/b]
“Dr. Muhtar’s career spans decades in finance, international development, public service, and academia.

“He served as Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Development from 2008 to 2010 and was Vice-President, Operations of the Islamic Development Bank, before his recent appointment.

“The President expects the new board of the Bank of Industry to work harmoniously, diligently, and with utmost fidelity to the nation in driving the mandate of this critical institution as a development vehicle for providing support for projects that enhance job creation, poverty alleviation, and the socio-economic conditions of Nigerian families,”the statement reads.

Dada Yar’adua, the mother of Nigeria’s former President, Umaru Yar’adua, and former Vice President, Shehu Yar’adua, has passed away.

She died on Monday evening at the Katsina Teaching Hospital, according to reports gathered by News360 Nigeria gathered.

Details surrounding her death remain sparse, but her passing has already begun to generate an outpouring of condolences from across the country.

Dada Yar’adua’s legacy is closely intertwined with the history of Nigeria, as she was the matriarch of a family that has significantly shaped the nation’s political landscape.