Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly declared his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, ahead of the crucial Edo State governorship election slated for September 21, 2024.
Bashir, known for his outspoken views on national politics, took to social media to express his endorsement of Ighodalo, a significant move considering his father’s longstanding ties to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his statement on X, Bashir wrote, “Asue Ighodalo. Edo state.”
The endorsement has raised eyebrows in political circles, as it is rare for a member of the El-Rufai family, traditionally associated with the APC, to throw support behind an opposition candidate.
Ighodalo, a former board chairman of Sterling Bank has been gaining momentum in his campaign in the last few days.
The former Anambra governor stated this in a recent exclusive interview with New Central TV which SaharaReporters monitored on YouTube, claiming that his ambition is to get people to move Nigeria forward in the next general election in 2027.
A former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed his willingness to consider a vice-presidential role if he finds someone who can perform better than him.
The former Anambra governor stated this in a recent exclusive interview with New Central TV which SaharaReporters monitored on YouTube, claiming that his ambition is to get people to move Nigeria forward in the next general election in 2027.
Answering questions on the possibility of him accepting to be a vice-presidential candidate in 2027, Obi said: “Quite frankly, for me, I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work. If I see people who can do the work better, I will (consider being Vice President).
“I even have people who say I should not come out in 2027 and I said to them, offer yourself. And we will not put everybody on a scale.”
Obi insisted that he would not leave the Labour Party but would consider a merger with other politicians if their purposes resonate with his political desire.
He continued: “Yes, I would be here (at Labour Party), and if anybody is coming for us to negotiate or to come together, he must tell me what his purposes.
“I will not join anybody for state capture or for winning the election. I want anybody to tell me how are we going to ensure that no child is left behind, how are we going to put those millions of out-of-school children back in school.”
Meanwhile. the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party), led by Julius Abure, on Wednesday called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate Obi, activist Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and leaders of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, for the alleged misappropriation of campaign funds in 2023.
At a press briefing in Abeokuta, the LP's National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, raised concerns over the diversion of over N12 billion and $15 million in donations meant for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign.
The party's leadership accused Aisha Yesufu and Ighodalo of working alongside Obi to siphon campaign donations.
Arabambi described Obi as a "political merchant," orchestrating the fraudulent mismanagement of funds.
He also criticised Yesufu’s recent public remarks defending herself, dismissing them as attempts to obscure the truth.
The allegations extended to leaders of Afenifere, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, whom Arabambi accused of retaining over N600 million in private accounts.
The funds, he claimed, were meant for the party's campaign but were diverted under Obi’s direction.
The Dangote Refinery, which has the capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, started naphtha exports in March, low-sulphur straight run fuel oil (LSSR) exports in May, and began selling diesel and jet fuel domestically in April.
Dangote Industries Limited has announced that it will export its petroleum products to Europe and other international markets if Nigerian oil marketers continue to refuse to purchase them.
This decision comes after marketers complained to President Bola Tinubu about the negative impact of Dangote Refinery's low prices on their businesses.
According to Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, the refinery is struggling to sell its products locally, with only 29 tankers of diesel being sold per day. As a result, the refinery is forced to export most of its diesel and aviation fuel.
The Dangote Refinery, which has the capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, started naphtha exports in March, low-sulphur straight run fuel oil (LSSR) exports in May, and began selling diesel and jet fuel domestically in April.
In June, it started exporting diesel meeting European specifications.
However, Edwin, who spoke on a Twitter Spaces session organized by Nairametrics, emphasised that if local demand does not increase, Dangote Refinery will have no choice but to export its products, including petrol, which was recently added to its production line.
This move may lead to a significant shift in Nigeria's fuel supply and pricing dynamics.
“Petroleum product marketers in Nigeria have written to President Bola Tinubu to complain that the refinery’s local prices which have dropped from N1,200 to N1,000 and now N900 per litre are impacting their businesses negatively.
“As a result of this poor local patronage, the refinery exports most of its diesel and aviation fuel,” he said.
Edwin had earlier in a radio programme stated that if Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) refused to buy its products, the company will export it to the markets that needed it.
He had said, “We have been exporting aviation fuel, we have been producing kerosene, we have been producing diesel, but yesterday, we started the production of PMS. So, that was the last stage. The only thing now left out is petrochemicals.
“So, the good news for the country is we have started producing PMS from our refinery."
According to Daily Trust, when he was asked if the petrol would be sold locally, he simply said, “Well, I explained how there has been a kind of a blockade from lifting our products within the country. The traders have been trying to block (it), and so now we have been exporting our petroleum products. PMS, we are ready to pump in as much as possible to the country.”
“But if the traders or NNPC are not buying the product, obviously, we will end up exporting the PMS as we are doing with the aviation jet and diesel,” he declared.
Edwin expressed surprise that the company started facing different challenges it never expected when the refinery was set to commence operations, noting that it's philosophy of adding value to the economy is being frustrated.
“The philosophy is to take the crude, and instead of exporting the crude, refine it, add value; export the finished products, and supply the finished products locally. But unfortunately for us, we started facing challenges with the crude supply.
“What is happening today? We are struggling to get the crude. We are now importing the crude from the US, we are importing from Brazil, and from other parts of the world. So, the whole philosophy has gone upside down. After all these decades, we are exporting crude, importing products.
“The same thing is continuing. We are not getting enough crude allocation, and the crude is still being exported. We are forced to import crude from outside. Yes, we are getting some crude locally, but it’s not adequate.”
Nigerians have on Monday stormed Abuja in protest against fuel scarcity.
The protests led by the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria, was initiated to create awareness and push the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act in response to the scarcity of fuel in the country.
Convener of the group, Comrade Aminu Abbas in a rally held at the Abuja Unity Fountain on Monday blamed the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari for the unfortunate development.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “We are tired of hearing stories about our refineries”, No direction, Kyari is just drifting with the wind”, “We want accountability in the affairs of NNPCL”.
The coalition while decrying the state of disrepair of the refineries, alleged sabotage of local refineries, claiming that the situation has gone from bad to worse, with no end in sight.
“Why do we, the people, have to endure endless queues, inflated prices, and the daily uncertainty of whether we can fuel our vehicles or power our homes? The answer lies in the gross incompetence and mismanagement.
“We ask: what has Kyari done to alleviate this crisis? Where are the solutions? Why are our refineries, which should be the backbone of our fuel supply, still in disrepair?
“We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda promises a new beginning for our country, a path to prosperity and security for all Nigerians”.
A Chinese investment group racing to recover up to $70 million in arbitration awards from Nigeria has concluded plans to list two residential structures it confiscated from the country for sale on global online marketplace eBay, Peoples Gazette was told by people familiar with the arrangement.
Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd took possession of two buildings linked to the Nigerian government in Liverpool, United Kingdom, in June 2024, years after Nigeria failed to settle an arbitration judgement handed down in 2021, The Gazette learnt.
The properties, 15, Aigburth Hall Road, Liverpool and Beech Lodge, 49, Calderstones Road, Liverpool, were targeted after a December 2021 British court order gave Zhongshang executives the power to seize Nigerian assets in the UK to retrieve the $70 million payment, which remained outstanding as of August 20, 2024, with two per cent monthly interest accruals.
Zhongshang was awarded $55,675,000 plus interest of $9,400,000 and costs of £2,864,445 as of the date of the arbitration verdict on March 26, 2021, court documents said. The case stemmed from a dispute between Zhongshang and Ogun State. The firm said the state violated a 2001 trade treaty between Nigeria and China when its rights to a free trade zone were rescinded in 2016.
The company dragged Nigeria before the arbitration panel in the UK in 2018, alleging that Nigeria allowed its federal organs like the police, immigration and export processing authority to be deployed by Ogun State without due process. Court documents said two Zhongshang executives were expelled from Nigeria between mid and late 2016 after one of them had allegedly been detained and tortured by the police.
The case has once again thrown Nigeria into confusion, barely months after the country luckily escaped a similar arbitration decision that awarded over $11 billion to a consortium called P&ID. The arbitration verdict was thrown out after it was later discovered that P&ID owners were involved in bribery and corruption.
However, the Zhongshang case appeared different, with several European courts already granted enforcement orders in the UK, Belgium, France and other countries, where Nigerian-owned jets and other assets are being tracked down. An appellate panel recently declined to grant Nigeria sovereign immunity protection over Zhongshang’s recovery efforts in the United States.
A consultant working with Zhongshang said the company has been working to put the two Liverpool houses up for sale, including on eBay, where the source said up to $2.2 million would be asked for both.
“They said the value of both properties should be around $2.2 million, so they already put together a plan to sell them to willing buyers,” the consultant said under anonymity to discuss client deliberations. “Some websites like eBay might bring buyers faster than other methods.”
Even though the properties belonged to Nigeria, they were seized because they weren’t listed as Nigerian diplomatic or consular assets. The Gazette learnt that those currently occupying the properties had no ties to the Nigerian mission in the UK. It was unclear when Nigeria bought the assets, but a senior judge said its officials had regularly rented out both places to guests.
In her June 14, 2024, ruling allowing Zhongshang to seize the buildings from Nigeria, Master Lisa Sullivan of the UK High Court, King’s Bench Division, said: “The properties are currently used for the purpose of leases to residential tenants unconnected with Nigeria and its mission. Those are commercial purposes for the purpose of s13(4) of the SIA and therefore the enforcement against the properties is not barred by state immunity.”
The source said the sale wouldn’t be done in secret because the Nigerian people deserved to know how much all recovered assets were being sold until the full amount had been recovered.
“Zhongshang promised to be transparent with the sale because of the keen public interest of Nigerians in the matter,” the consultant added.
NSA Ribadu, EFCC lied about seizing $37 million to smear #EndHunger protesters; crypto address shows zero balance, never operated
Nigeria’s national security adviser and the anti-graft EFC are pushing a false narrative aimed at smearing the citizen-led movement to force the Tinubu administration to address the searing hunger and deprivation besetting a vast majority of the country’s nearly 230 million people.
Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA, told a gathering of council of state on Tuesday in Abuja that his office had purportedly discovered large cash assets traced to alleged sponsors of the protests, including $37 million in a crypto address.
Mr Ribadu said politicians looking to undermine President Bola Tinubu were behind the protests and he had been working to expose their financial ties. The claim further amplifies the government’s weeks-long characterisation of the protests as politically motivated without supplying any evidence in support.
Shortly after Mr Ribadu’s claim about his efforts to the council, which he said had been coordinated with the EFCC, court documents circulated on social media containing the order of a federal judge that sought to confiscate crypto accounts on allegations of money laundering and terrorism financing.
EFCC HeadquatersA photo of EFCC Headquaters used to illustrate the story[photo credit:BBC] While the ex-parte warrant granted to the EFCC did not contain names of alleged sponsors of the protests, Mr Ribadu had deployed generic terms in his address to the council of state that appeared geared towards advancing a smear gambit against millions of Nigerians who took to the streets nationwide from August 1-10.
The EFCC listed four crypto addresses in its application for a warrant to the Abuja judge, Emeka Nwite, on August 9, claiming to have found large sums in the accounts and arguing it was in the national interest to confiscate them.
But Peoples Gazette looked through the crypto addresses listed in a court warrant obtained by the EFCC and found that the government’s claim was mostly falsified and partly misleading. Of the four addresses listed, only one, TUpHuDkiCCmwaTZBHZvQdwWzGNm5t8J2b9, has funds in it up to $518,000 as of the time of this story, and even that lone account belonged to a crypto firm, not an individual as the government claimed.
The second wallet, TGVCWYLdeCyjmSpojd4n7hqfJp2ucwuGAx, which the government listed as having purportedly been used to fund protests, only had N273,000 (or about $175) in it.
Another wallet, bclqd6803rg24sgh4pjaprvh47apvgmleps9zagdt, does not appear to be a valid crypto address as it returned no hits when The Gazette checked via multiple platforms. It was unclear whether or not the government mistakenly typed the address. Still, the EFCC said the account contained only $90 in its court application.
Most notable, however, was the government’s claim that it found $37 million in the crypto wallet TB37WWozkkenGVYWD7Do2N5WT2CedqDktJ. But when The Gazette tracked the wallet, it found nothing in it. Not only was there no money in the wallet, the wallet had never been used to conduct any transactions in the past. It was like opening a free bank account without ever depositing any money into it.
A composite showing the crypto address the Nigerian government claimed holds $37 million actually has zero balance and no transaction historyA composite showing the crypto address the Nigerian government claimed holds $37 million actually has zero balance and no transaction history Mr Ribadu has become notorious for his overzealousness since Mr Tinubu tapped him as his administration’s lead person on national security last year. He had previously smeared Nasir El-Rufai in order to undermine the former Kaduna governor’s nomination to a ministerial position.
Why Mr Ribadu decided to push a divisive narrative against ordinary citizens remained unclear. Both the NSA and the EFCC did not return requests seeking comments about the status of the crypto accounts.
The protests were seen as the most unifying demonstration in recent decades for bringing both the predominantly Muslim North and Christian-dominated South together in one voice against poverty. Cities, notably Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Abuja, among others, saw passionate marches through the streets over the first 10 days of August.
The president initially acknowledged the agitations and promised his government was pursuing a multi-pronged measure to pacify citizens who had fallen on hard times.
Northern protesters and TinubuNorthern protesters and Tinubu But as the demonstration got underway, the government unleashed a series of crude tactics to contain its effects. First, telecom firms were ordered to significantly hobble internet access across the country. Then the police were also allowed to get away with using live rounds at civilian protesters, leading to at least 15 fatalities and many injuries.
Rights activist Zainab Umar said the government has been seeking to discredit the protesters for weeks.
“Many of us who participated in the protest in Kano are still wondering why the government has chosen to target us rather than focusing on the fundamental issues that provoked the protests in the first place,” Ms Umar said by telephone on Wednesday afternoon. “The president and his people seem to be telling us that they want to continue chasing shadows, and we won’t hesitate to return to protest grounds if we cannot see any improvement in our lives in the coming months.”
The United Kingdom has warned its citizens against travelling to several parts of Nigeria, noting that another wave of nationwide protests may erupt anytime with little notice.
“Political rallies, protests and violent demonstrations can take place with little notice. Get advice on areas to avoid,” the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said in a travel advisory issued on Tuesday.
The FCDO warned UK citizens against all travels but essential to Abuja, Lagos, Borno, Kano, Imo and other major cities with the view that nationwide protests might recur following the conclusion of the initial wave of days-long demonstrations earlier this month.
The travel advisory indicated, “Widespread public demonstrations took place across Nigeria from 1 to 7 August, including in major cities of Abuja and Lagos. This resulted in disruptions, reports of violence, and use of tear gas by security services in various locations.’’
The FCDO noted that “Protests have now largely receded but may reoccur with little notice. Exercise caution when travelling, consider avoiding travel after dark, avoid large crowds and gatherings, and monitor local media reporting, as well as UK Travel Advice.”
In previous travel advisories, the FCDO advised Britons against travelling to most northern states including Borno, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi states over terrorism. It also warned against travelling to Abia State, non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom and Anambra and Imo states over insecurity.
Britons have been advised to be cautious travelling to several other places across the West African nation over instabilities.
“Incidents of inter-communal violence occur frequently and often without warning throughout Nigeria. Although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack. Monitor local government announcements and media reporting.”
The latest FCDO travel advisory was issued days after several countries including Nigeria warned its citizens against travelling to the UK amid violent far-right protests targeted at mostly black and brown immigrants.
Anti-immigrant protesters stormed several British cities after a 17-year-old second generation immigrant, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, who is of Rwandese descent, stabbed and killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport late last month.
Southport mosque, hotels housing asylum seekers and property suspected to belong to immigrants were targeted and burnt by violent mobs calling for deportation of immigrants. People were also assaulted on the street by the protesters.
A Nigerian soldier, identified only as Warrant Officer Suleiman has been attacked by a bandits gang, armed with sophisticated weapons.
The incident was said to have occurred at the soldier’s residence in Sabon Wuse, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday.
A source told SaharaReporters that the gunmen also abducted Suleiman’s wife and son.
"He is being treated at an undisclosed hospital in the state," the source added.
According to some of his colleagues, the Army personnel has few months to retire from service.
“WO Suleiman was attacked in his personal residence at Sabon Wuse in Tafa LGA on 6 August 2024 at midnight.
“After the attack, his wife and her son were kidnapped and nobody is aware of their whereabout uptill now. This soldier is one of those going to Oshodi in Lagos State for the retirement training and he was once working for General Agwai’s wife.”
There appears to be a cold war between two of President Bola Tinubu’s media aides over a video that appeared on his verified social media page on Wednesday.
Around 3:29 pm, a video was posted from Tinubu’s page, in which he urged Nigerians that “[as we navigate through these temporary pains, please remember that every effort is being made to ensure a stable and prosperous future for all Nigerians.
“Our collective strength and unity will pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. We are in this together, and we will overcome.”
A quick search showed that the message had initially been posted on the page of O’tega Ogra, who is a Senior Special Assistant to the president.
Ogra uploaded the same video at 1:49 pm and wrote: “A Passionate Plea from President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT to all Nigerians.”
However, there was a twist later in the day.
At exactly 10:18 pm, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, posted the video with a different text.
Onanuga wrote: “Trending video of President Tinubu is an old video
“A trending video of President Tinubu which came out on Wednesday is not a new video. It’s a clip from the broadcast he made last year.
“President Tinubu has not made any other public statement since his last broadcast on Sunday.”
Onanuga’s post led to a lot of interesting takes on the social media app.
@I_Am_Ilemona wrote: “Omo!!! We have never had such an incompetent presidency. This video was posted on the president’s personal and official handles and passes off as current. Now one of the president’s media aides is disavowing it. Kai! Kai!! Kai!!!”
@Osi_Suave said: “If the president knows what is good for him he needs to clean that comms department from top to bottom. Because what is this.”
@MCARIZONA5 pointed out: “If you guys have sense you will know that there is a crisis in Villa also because the presidency posted this video today also which means there is a war going on, for Bayo to come here to deny this Omo great time ahead!”
Some youths in Bauchi State have burnt down the palace of District Head of Lere town in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.
Daily Trust gathered that the youth attacked the palace following a clash between military and supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Lere.
At least one person was killed while six others sustained injuries in the incident.
Zaharedden Mohammed, a resident of Lere who was shot in the eye during the military raid, said the mob who torched the palace acted on the suspicion that it was the district head of who encouraged the military to impose curfew on the community.
“Some youths in the campaign team had a misunderstanding with the military and the military decided to hide under the curfew to attack certain individuals; before the time of the curfew, they launched their onslaught,” he said.
Another resident of Lere, Alhaji Sule Abdullahi, told Daily Trust that the youths ventilated their anger on the district head.
“On Wednesday, the angry youths trooped to the palace and set the buildings on fire.”
Effort made to get the reaction of the District Head was not successful at the time of filing this report.
Nigerians Continue March In Oyo, Rivers States In Day 7 Of #EndBadGovernance Protests
Thousands of Nigerians gathered on the streets of Ibadan, Oyo State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday morning, continuing the nationwide protests against poor governance and economic hardship that have been sweeping the country.
In a series of posts made by the Take-It-Back Movement, the large crowds of demonstrators were seen in both cities, demanding action from the government to address the country's pressing issues.
The protests, which have been ongoing for the past seven days, show no signs of slowing down as citizens continue to voice their discontent with the current state of affairs.
In Ibadan, the protesters were seen at Agbowo-UI area of the town, while in PortHarcourt, they were seen storming major streets in the South-South state.
TIB wrote: “LIVE from Agbowo-UI, IBADAN. Day 7: PortHarcourt marching against bad Governance
#EndBadGovernaceInNigerian.”
Meanwhile, Amnesty International, a global human rights organisation, had reported that over 1000 Nigerians who participated in a nationwide protest against worsening hunger and misgovernance are currently being held in prison custody across the country.
The organisation criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for responding to the peaceful protests with a crackdown, rather than addressing the economic issues that are exacerbating hunger and harming families.
According to the Amnesty International, at least 632 protesters are being held in Kano State, while over 109 are being detained in Sokoto prison custody.
The organisation expressed concerns over the mass arrests and called for a more constructive approach to addressing the protesters' grievances.
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of its personnel who gunned down a 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed during the ongoing EndBadGovernance protest in Kaduna State.
DAILY POST reports that the young boy was killed on Tuesday when the troops of the Nigerian army stormed the Samaru community in Zaria to despers the protesters.
The security operatives were enforcing a curfew earlier imposed on the ancient city by the Kaduna State Government.
Confirming the incident, the NA in a statement issued on Tuesday night by its spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu said the officer responsible for the incident has been arrested.
The statement reads, “on 6 August 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tires on the road and pelting stones on security personnel.
“The troops immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the State Government.
“On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums brazenly attempted attacking the troops prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away, which unfortunately led to the death of a 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed.
“The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation as at the time of this report”.
Protesters on Tuesday ignored a 24-hour curfew imposed by the Kaduna State Security Council on Kaduna and Zaria Metropolitan cities to resume demonstrations on the sixth day of the #EndBadGovernance protest.
The Kaduna State government on Monday imposed a curfew across various cities in the state, stating that the nationwide hunger protests which started last week Thursday had been hijacked by hoodlums after violence and looting of shops.
Despite the government order restriction in the state, the protesters gathered across various locations including the front of Kaduna Polytechnic and Fidelity Bank in Tudun Wada, a suburb in the Kaduna South Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, there is heavy presence of security operatives including police officers at the venue of the demonstration, manning strategic positions to prevent the protesters from advancing through the location.
Like Kaduna, demonstrations are also ongoing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and some other parts of the country.
Lagos Police Chase Journalists Away From Protest Venue, Watch as Hoodlums Assault Them
Policemen have begun forcefully evicting journalists from Freedom Park and its environs in Ojota, Lagos State, where the #EndBadGovernance protests entered Day 6 on Tuesday, and watched as hoodlums assault them.
On Tuesday afternoon, the police told the journalists their gathering was unwelcome since #EndBadGovernance protesters were not at the venue. At about 12 noon, they told reporters from FIJ and other media outfits to get as far away from the location as possible.
Pressmen protested this directive and challenged the police to provide credible reasons for imposing their decision on them, but the police said the journalists were posing a threat to the neighbourhood’s peace.
When FIJ asked a policeman for clarity, he said our gathering there would constitute problems, and that journalists were attracting attention.
After the police began pushing journalists away, hoodlums emerged to take advantage of the situation and harm the retreating pressmen. As this was ongoing, the police turned away and did nothing.
READ ALSO: LIVE: Day 5 of Nigerians’ Protest Against Bad Governance
The hoodlums threatened hurt the retreating journalists, and pushed them some 100m away from the ground that had hosted the protest for the past five days.
FIJ observed that while protesters failed to appear at the venue on Tuesday morning, few people had begun to appear at the venue around the time the police decided to chase journalists.
The 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest began on Thursday, and will run until Saturday August 10 as Nigerians demand policy changes to stem the tide of rising cost of living.
However, after President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation on Sunday, Adegoke Fayoade, the Lagos commissioner of police, described a continuation of the protest as illegal.
“The protest has been called off because of the President’s speech. They believe that the President has spoken, and they are looking forward to him meeting their demands,” the commissioner told pressmen on Monday.
“In view of that, there should be no more gathering here or anywhere. Any of such is considered illegal and unlawful since it has been called off and if any of such gathering exists, we are going to apply the full weight of the law.”
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned protesters’ attack on the party’s state secretariat.
This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Monday by the State APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris.
“The Zamfara chapter of the APC has condemned the attack on its state secretariat today, Monday, by miscreants who have taken over the nationwide hunger/economic hardship protests in the state.
“We recalled that the APC on Friday, cautioned the state government against allowing thugs from venting their anger on the APC and its leaders.
“Recently, thugs used the same protests to attack the residence of Sen. Sahabi Ya’u (APC-Zamfara North) in Kaura Namoda and the attempt to raze the residence of the immediate past Governor, Bello Matawalle, in Gusau,” Mr Idris said.
He further said that the party had also pleaded with security agencies to ensure the full protection of people’s lives and property.
“The most unfortunate incident happened today, Monday when the hoodlums in the name of protests forcefully broke into the APC Secretariat situated along Sokoto Bye Pass Road, Gusau.”
Mr Idris added that the protesters destroyed the facility, including glasses and doors, and carted away furniture, equipment, and building materials that were kept in the office’s stores.
“They also looted the mini secretariat at the back of the main office, where all the furniture, computers, refrigerators and other valuables were carted away.
“This is unacceptable and condemnable. We are calling on the security agencies to immediately apprehend and bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to book
“We caution our members, supporters and well-wishers to continue to remain peaceful and law-abiding,” Mr Idris explained.
Several protesters on Monday took to the streets in Katsina State, waving the Russian flag and tree leaves.
They were spotted chatting “APC hunger. We are not in support” in their local language. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is the ruling party in Nigeria.
The protesters mostly young people and children kick-started the protest from the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s family house at Yar’adua quarters in Katsina and matched through Kofar Durbi street down to the defunct Yar-Kutungu Market, chanting “Hunger is killing us”.
The fresh protest came barely three days after relative peace had returned to the state in the wake of the violence that greeted the first few days of the #EndBadGovernance protests.
But police officers fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. The demonstrations started nationwide on August 1, 2024, and would last for ten days, according to the organisers.
After three days of relative calm, fresh protests have erupted in Katsina, with young persons marching on the streets, waving Russian flag.
Conveners of the #EndBadGovernance protests have declared that the exercise would run from August 1 to August 10.
But in his nationwide broadcast on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu appealed to the protesters to halt their actions and dialogue with his government.
He also appealed to them not to allow enemies of democracy use them to promote an unconstitutional agenda.
“Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economy is recovering; Please, don’t shut out its oxygen. Now that we have been enjoying democratic governance for 25 years, do not let the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda that will set us back on our democratic journey. FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!” Tinubu had said.
However, the use of Russian flag gained momentum across protest grounds after the broadcast.
Russia, an Eastern power which is currently having a cold war with the West, Nigeria’s colonial master, has been fingered in the coup d’etats in West African countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, among others.
On Monday morning in Katsina, some protesters waived Russian flags, chatting in Hausa, “Hunger is killing us,”
Policemen have started trailing them, firing teargas to disperse them.
Ene Ogbole, a member of the now defunct Tinubu-Shettima campaign council, has dismissed the cries of Nigerians over hunger and the rising cost of living under President Bola Tinubu’s watch.
“Hunger is not peculiar to Nigeria. Hunger is everywhere in the world. Inflation is not peculiar to Nigeria. Inflation is everywhere in the world,” Ms Ogbole said in an interview with ARISE TV on Thursday.
Explaining her stance, Ms Ogbole cited the significant increase in her daughter’s accommodation fees at a university in Dubai.
“My daughter entered the university three years ago. By the time she got into the university, I was paying about 2,500 dirham for her accommodation,” said the politician.
Ms Ogbole added, “But within the space I’d just three years, as we speak today, I’m paying about 7,000 dirham for the same hostel. Which means inflation is everywhere in the world.”
Frank Tietie, another guest on the show, dismissed Ms Ogbole’s example as a poor comparison with the suffering poor Nigerians who could hardly earn a living.
“Your child schooling in Dubai is a poor example when we are talking about Nigerians in their millions not having what to eat to sleep,” Mr Tietie scolded Mr Tinubu’s apologist.
On Thursday, many Nigerians took to the streets to remonstrate against widespread hunger and the high cost of living blamed on Mr Tinubu’s “disjointed” and harsh economic policies.
In a rare display of youthful activism, children aged 8-13 and youths took to the streets of Jalingo on Thursday afternoon to protest the prevailing hardships.
The children chant, “Bamu ai, bamu ai,” which translates to “We don’t agree, we don’t agree,” to draw attention to the challenges they are going through.
The protest began on the popular Hamaruwa Way and proceeded towards the flyover bridge, a notable landmark in the city.
The participants, primarily children and teenagers, were vocal about their grievances, demanding immediate action to alleviate their suffering.
Our correspondent, who monitored the development, reports that the protesters were closely monitored by personnel from the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Human rights activist and Convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore has denied the postponement of the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
Sowore made this known on Wednesday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, describing the report purporting the postponement as fake news.
He wrote: “PLEASE IGNORE THE DESPERATE FAKE ANNOUNCEMENT IN CIRCULATION THAT #EndBadGovernance REVOLT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. IT IS FALSE! #nogoingback #DaysOfRage #RevolutionNow.”
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Nigerians are set to take to the streets in large numbers for a ten-day protest starting August 1 to voice their dissatisfaction with the hardship caused by the policies of President Bola Tinubu's government and poor governance generally in the country.
However, a recent circular on Wednesday announced a change in plans, shifting the protest to October 1, 2024, to align with the country's Independence Day celebrations.
But the #RevolutionNow convener, who is one of those at the forefront of the campaign for the protest, dismissed the news as fake.
There have been moves by government authorities and people loyal to the government to persuade and on other occasions threaten people not to join the protests.
For instance, a group of thugs loyal to President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday stormed a popular market in Lagos Island, Lagos State to warn traders and residents against joining the nationwide protests.
SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday how the group of thugs captured in a viral video used a loudspeaker to intimidate traders at the market, threatening them with harsh repercussions if they fail to meet their demands.
The video, which has been circulating on social media, captures the thugs moving through the market, issuing their threats to the traders.
“Things should not get destroyed in Lagos. If they close your shops, what will you do?” one of them said.
“We dare anyone to come out on Thursday to join the protest. This is just a warning.”
There was chaos at the house of representatives on Wednesday over a bill seeking to raise the ways and means cash advances from five percent to 10 percent.
Opposition parties staged a walk out during plenary after an amendment by Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader, that the ways and means be reduced to two percent was rejected.
The existing law provides that the advance by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must not exceed five percent of the previous year’s revenue of the federal government.
Some elders and stakeholders in Northern Nigeria have announced their full support for the planned nationwide hunger protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria scheduled to hold from August 1 to 10.
The elders and the stakeholders who made their position know in a statement signed by Prof. Usman Yusuf; Hajia Najatu Muhammad; Mallam Salihu Lukman; and Dr. Umar Ardo, also made seven demands to the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government.
In the statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the Northern elders and stakeholders said that Nigeria had long been facing unprecedented challenges of insecurity, excruciating poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, diseases, high cost of living, all on account of bad governance and corruption in public offices.
They said, “We acknowledge that the primary purpose of any government is to secure life and property, and enhance the welfare of its citizens.
“Any regime that cannot guarantee these basic rights loses all legal and moral authority of being in power, and would naturally incur the wrath of citizens. It can therefore only remain in office more by default than by public consent.
“This seems to be the state our dear country, Nigeria, is drifting towards. Over the years, successive governments at all levels, including the incumbent ones, fell short of delivering the requisite leadership.
“Consequently, Nigerians have been thrown into a state of social dislocation that has plunged citizens, especially the youths, into disillusionment, disappointment, frustration and hopelessness.
“To press home their legitimate demands concerning the cost of living crisis, insecurity and the worrisome drift in the ship of state, Nigerian youths have resolved to go on a 10 day nationwide protest from the 1st to 10th August, 2024.
“We therefore wrote this special text to state our position concerning this resolve to protest and the attitude of the government to it.
“First, we want to affirm the constitutionally protected right of all citizens to assemble and to protest. We also acknowledge that the cause for protest against the system is valid and justifiable.
“We wish to state clearly that we firmly stand by our youths in their resolve to exercise their right to protest.
“Second, we call on the federal government to be pragmatic in its approach to the resolution of the crisis if it hopes to amicably resolve and mitigate the risks associated with mass protests.”
They said “To this end we recommend that the government immediately takes the following steps: Engage in dialogue:
“Identify and directly engage with the youth leaders and protesters to understand and address their grievances.
“Outsourcing this responsibility to others, such as traditional, religious, labour, civil society leaders is not going to work.
“The use of state forces to intimidate, cajole and harass protesters can only further escalate an already volatile situation.
“We have recently seen that in the EndSARS protests. Engagement remains the best and most effective solution.
“Implement reforms: Sincerely address the demands of the protesters by implementing meaningful reforms, demonstrating goodwill and a commitment to change;
“Support youth empowerment: Invest in youth development programs, education, innovation, entrepreneurship initiatives.
“Enhance economic development: Implement policies that would enhance general economic development of the country;
“Improve governance: Enhance transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in governance against personalized leadership, tackling corruption and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens.
“Ensure security: Ensure that the state security forces respect the rights of protesters by allowing them access for peaceful assembly without interference, intimidation or harassment and protect them against any harm;
“Lead by example: The government and its leadership should lead by example, demonstrating sacrifice, integrity, accountability and transparency so as to inspire trust and confidence.
“Having been in the trenches himself leading several protests, from the NADECO days to 2014, President Tinubu knows more than others the value of protest.
“To the protesting youths, we want to assure you that we understand and support your decision to exercise your constitutional right to peaceful protests in demanding good governance and accountability from your leaders.
“We believe that this is a legitimate and necessary step towards reclaiming your future and ensuring a better Nigeria for us all.
“As elders, while we stand shoulder to shoulder with you on this, we urge you to remain peaceful and law-abiding during these protests, avoiding any actions that may be misconstrued as violent, harmful, destructive, offensive or threatening to public peace.
“We also call on you to engage in dialogue if the government extends a hand of fellowship to you in addressing the root causes of your discontent and grievances.”
They stressed that by taking these measures, the government can address the underlying issues driving the protests, reduce tensions, create a more stable and prosperous future and avoid disruption and chaos.
“We call on our leaders and governments at all levels to be responsive and demonstrate commitment and respect for the freedom of all citizens to express themselves freely without any provocation as provided for in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.
“We believe that together we can build a Nigeria that works for all its citizens, regardless of age, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.”
Some hired ‘Say No To Protest’ demonstrators have lamented they were left stranded after being used for a pro-government rally in Abuja.
In a video posted online, disgruntled President Bola Tinubu’s supporters whined about being stranded without food and water.
“Tinubu said they should call us to give us support and that he doesn’t want protest. He said he would give us support. We are here very early in the morning, no food no water, the drivers were left stranded without being paid,” one of the hired protesters said.
She added, “We are here, men, women and children all abandoned. Nigeria has no president. We don’t have a leader.”
When asked if they would now join the nationwide protests expected to kick off on Thursday, the women said, “Yes, we will join the protest.”
Spokespersons Bayo Onanuga and Ajuri Ngelale for Mr Tinubu’s government did not immediately respond to Peoples Gazette’s request for a comment on the allegation.
Protesters, portrayed as representing Nigeria’s 36 states, gathered at Eagles Square on Monday, holding ‘Say No To Protest’ placards to support the government’s stance on the #EndBadGovernance protest over worsening hardships in Nigeria.
Since nationwide protest was announced for August 1 to 10, Mr Tinubu has swiftly approved trucks of rice to states, and signed the N70,000 minimum wage bill into law in a bid to placate Nigerians.
JUST IN : Women, Children are the Elderly have taken to the street of Brono the capital of maiduguri to protest against Hunger, Nigerians how did it come to this ?
#EndBadGovernanceProtest #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Northerners Igbos Nigerian Police Seyi Law Chidinma
Sokoto-based Islamic cleric Shiekh Bello Yabo says President Bola Tinubu disclosed to clerics and traditional rulers that he bought his way to the presidency.
In a video of one of his sermons, Mr Yabo said Mr Tinubu disclosed this when he met clerics and traditional rulers at the villa last week.
“Tinubu has really impressed me; he invited all the traditional rulers from the North, West and East and told them bluntly that ‘I bought this seat I’m on with money’,” Mr Yabo said.
He added, “Tinubu has never impressed me like now for coming out to tell the naked truth. Whoever pays the piper dictates the tune; isn’t Tinubu telling the truth?”
Mr Yabo derided those who sold their votes during the 2023 presidential elections, adding that all they got in exchange for their votes had now been exhausted as they suffered the consequences of their decision at the polls.
“You have eaten the spaghetti and macaroni you have been given to vote, and now it is finished, it’s all over, so what next? Tinubu says he spent huge sums from the primary elections to the actual presidential election.”
“It’s all over now; let us pray and wait for the next election in 2027. If you like, collect his money again and vote for him, and I assure you, you’ll remain in pain, that’s all,” Mr Yabo said.
Spokespersons for Mr Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale and Bayo Onanuga could not be reached for comments on the cleric’s claim. While Mr Ngelale’s contact was unreachable, Mr Onanuga answered calls twice and dropped them immediately.
The cleric’s remark comes a few days after Mr Tinubu, at a meeting with clerics and traditional rulers across the country, said he funded and fought his election from his personal money and no cabal support.
“I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the president,” Mr Tinubu said at last week’s meeting.
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