₦airaland Forum

Fred Ezeh, Abuja

The Federal Government on Monday announced that three new countries have been added to its existing list of five high-risk countries with widespread community transmission of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The new additions include France, Spain and Germany, added to the five countries in the prior list: China, Japan, Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea.

Minister of State for Health Dr Olurunimbe Mamaora, addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, explained that travellers from the eight countries would face minor inconveniences at points of entry, particularly airports, because they would be forced to undergo compulsory secondary screening at the point of entry, in addition to strong advise for self-isolation for 14 days on entry.

The Minister confirmed that, between the 7th and 15th of March, 48 people who met the case definition have been screened for COVID-19 in eight states of Edo, Lagos, Ogun, FCT, Yobe, Rivers, Kano and Enugu.

“47 tested negative and have been cleared. One was positive, which was the contact of the index case, and one result is pending. There is no death so far,” he said.

The Minister, however, reconfirmed that the index case has shown impressive clinical stability and might be discharged anytime in the week.

He commended the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for being responsible in their duty, particularly in coordinating national response activities.

Mamaora further disclosed that NCDC has developed guidance for mass gatherings.

“We have advised against any closures or cancellations for large events. However, organisers of such events must ensure that appropriate measures are in place such as temperature scanners, hand-washing facilities amongst others.

The Minister added that Nigeria might consider extending manpower help to Ghana which has had more cases of COVID-19 than Nigeria.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has disclosed that the North would lobby the Southeast into voting the region’s preferred presidential candidate in 2023.

AYCF President-General, Yerima Shettima in a chat with DAILY POST explained that the North will lobby the Southeast because Igbos were not prepared to produce Nigeria’s next president.

Shettima noted that Nigerians can trust the Southeast to become president due to the clamour for the sovereign state of Biafra.

He said: “I’m sure within them, in all honesty, they know that they are not prepared for that if they were prepared we would have seen the sign. The time has come when people will no longer be intimidated by one cult group funny character who is talking on their behalf to intimidate the country and because of that situation people will always join such clamour, it’s not done anywhere.

“We have grown up beyond that but I’m not saying that the son of Igbo is talking for the entire Igbo in fact he’s not speaking for one-quarter of the Southeast.

“He speaks for some of the groups that are idle which he thinks can be manipulated at any given time under the pretext of speaking for them.

“Having said that I strongly believe that yes there is the impression that they are been marginalised but certainly they also know that they have not put their house in order to start thinking of clamouring for the presidency.

“You can’t have a son, on the one hand, calling for the separation of the country and on the other hand, you are asking to be trusted. The issue of power is that of trust, once there is no trust nobody will give you power.

“Even in your family if they can’t trust you they won’t entrust you with their wealth because you may likely misuse it and cause more division, so this is the situation the Southeast has found itself.

“If they want the presidency nobody will deny them their right but it is a matter of time. Igbos should sanitize their home and time will take care of that. “

Divorce rate spikes across China after 'couples spend too much time together during coronavirus home quarantine', officials claim

*One office saw over 300 couples applying for divorces in the last three weeks
*Another registry in Xi'an received 14 requests in one day, hitting the upper limit
*Officials claim it's due to self-isolated couples spending too much time together
*One city has put a daily limit to allow no more than 10 couples to divorce a day
*It comes as China declares the lowest number of new coronavirus cases today
*Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Divorce rates in China have risen significantly because 'couples are spending too much time together at home' during coronavirus self-isolation, according to register offices across the country.

Over 300 couples have scheduled appointments to get a divorce since February 24, said Lu Shijun, the manager of a marriage registry in Dazhou, Sichuan Province of south-western China.

Officials believe the sharp increase of divorce requests could be caused by the fact that partners have spent too much time in close quarters under quarantine.

'The divorce rate [in the district] has soared compared to before [the coronavirus outbreak],' Mr Lu told the local press yesterday.

'Young people are spending a lot of time at home. They tend to get into heated arguments because of something petty and rush into getting a divorce,' Mr Lu explained.

Another factor could be a result of delayed applications due to the council offices closing for nearly a month during the coronavirus epidemic.

Marriage registration offices in Xi'an of Shaanxi Province in north-western China have also seen an unprecedented rise of divorce appointments since re-opening on March 1, according to reports.

Deposed Emir Ganduje and Sanusi Soni Daniel Details of how the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, finally decided on where to banish the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi Lamido, to in order to spend the rest of his life on exile, emerged on Tuesday, according to findings by Vanguard.

Competent sources close to the arrangement confirmed to Vanguard that a sitting governor, a former National Security Adviser to the President of Nigeria and an influential industrialist all from the North, played crucial roles in convincing Governor Ganduje to change his mind from his initial plan to dispatch Sanusi to Opanda, a rural community in Tito Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The source said that it was the pleadings of the three key northern leaders that made Gaduje to hesitantly agree to allow the deposed natural ruler to be moved to Loko, a more developed town, which is closer to the Nasarawa State capital than Opanda. “As you know, Loko which shares a common boundary with the Agatu people of Benue, Igala of Kogi and other Nigerian tribes can be described as a mini-Nigeria given its cosmopolitan nature and accommodation of many Nigerians.

“By all considerations, Loko, where the former Emir was banished to, is better than Opanda. It is also more comfortable and suitable for him,” the informed officials said. Meanwhile, the deposed emir has said that he has taken his fate in good faith and bears no grudge against anyone over the development.

The former CBN governor said that his removal was nothing new because every power is transient except that of God. The cerebral former top banker said: “The throne of an emir is not permanent, every king and leader should know this, If it was a permanent throne, I wouldn’t have been the emir of Kano”, Sanusi said in a video posted on his Facebook page. He added, “Before I came, someone was the emir and before him someone else was there, therefore, it’s nothing that would shock anybody.”

“Whenever God says your time on the throne is over if you don’t leave with your legs, people will carry your body out of the palace. But he insisted that the most important thing to a leader is a sound and peaceful end, “Therefore I thank God that brings to me a peaceful end without any rancour or chaos”.

“We thank the prophets, Imans, those who have been behind us all these years. We call on the entire Umah to remain in peace. Any person who succeeds me should be accepted by the people of Kano so he can end well. “God does not make a mistake; whatever he gives is the best, and today don’t be disturbed; whatever thing that God started, it is the end we hope for and may God help this to end well. “We thank the entire Muslims who have been supporting us year by year, the entire people of Kano and may God help them to continue to live in people.

May God give us a good leader and give our land back to us. We leave you people with sweetheart and thanks,” the former natural ruler said.

Turkish Airlines has announced the cancellation of all its flights to Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt to avoid the further spread of the coronavirus. The airline which flew in the current index case to Nigeria in a statement, said the cancellation of flights to its three destinations in Nigeria was to contain the spread of Coronavirus ravaging the world.

The statement explained that the cancellations will start for flights originally scheduled to arrive Lagos on March 17, 23 and 29th, and flights for Abuja scheduled for March 13, 16th, 20th, 25th, 27th and April 1, 2020. Flights for Port-Harcourt will not operate on March 11th, 13th, 18th and 25th.

It would be recalled that the airline had conveyed the Italian man who brought the virus to Nigeria on February 25th.

Through him, the Federal Government has confirmed another case being one of the persons that had close contact with him at the Lafarge Company in Ogun State. Others are still undergoing isolation process.

Also, two passengers on board the flight have been declared wanted by the government as the addresses provided were said to be fake and they couldn’t be traced.

The House of Representatives on Friday was shocked at hearing that two rectors ran the activities of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, and consequently the institution could not produce audited accounts to the office of the Auditor-General of the federation for years.

The Acting Bursar of the institution, Mr Otobo Steve, revealed this at the ongoing investigative hearing of the House Committee of Public Accounts, that it was infighting between the two former heads of the institution that delayed the auditing of its accounts for over four years.

He said that one of the contenders was dead while one is still alive and that the incumbent was away abroad attending a 2-week workshop being sponsored by the institution.

Worried by this development, the committee summoned the Minister for Education Mallam Adamu Adamu and the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr Mas’udu Adams Kazaure and resolved to formally inform the President, Muhammadu Buhari over the activities of the Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, of Government.

The summon is to probe into how the two Rectors could be serving a federal government-owned institution in the same capacity at the same time and the officials in-charge of tertiary education kept on approving their annual budgets

The Acting Bursar said that one Mrs Radina and one of the lecturers who was a professor (now late) were laying claims to the headship of the institution hence there was a crisis that grounded the activities of the Institution at that time.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep.Oluwoke Oke who was worried by this revelation ordered the Clerk to write to Minister of Education and the Director-General National Board for Technical Education NBTE to appear before Committee on Tuesday, March 12, 2020, over the development

He lamented why the institution should not submit its audited accounts to the office of Auditor-General of the Federation for a period of six years as required by the financial regulations and other laws.

He directed that the Bursar should submit the full names of the former Rectors and Bursars of the institution to the Committee for a proper probe.

He also ordered the past Directors of Finance and Accounts of Nigeria Institute of Leather Science and Technology Zaria to appear before it to shed more lights on the backlog of unaudited accounts of the agency.

The Emir of Borgu, His Royal Highness Muhammed Haliru Dantoro, has approved the immediate suspension of five senior Councillors of the Emirate.

This followed allegations that they allowed Fulani herdsmen enter communities within the Emirate.

The sanction was announced on Sunday by Abubakar Jibrin, Private Secretary to the Emir.

A statement he issued explained that the suspended Councillors’ action was contrary to the directives of the Borgu traditional ruler and the Niger State Government.

He said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting held at the Emir’s Gbemusu Palace.

“HRH announced the suspension of Wazirin Borgu, Ubandoman Borgu, Madakin Borgu, Garkuwan Borgu and Sadaukin Borgu with immediate effect.

“Furthermore, a five man committee has been constituted by the Emir to investigate the activities that led to issuance of letters and subsequent entry of some Fulani into Borgu Emirate.

“The members include: Alh. Adamu Dodo (VC – Borgu Local Govt) as Chairman, Alh. Adamu Isah (Iyan Borgu), Mallam Saifullah Haruna, Mallam Abubakar Sadiq (Feby President) and Alh. Idris Isah (Danburam Borgu) as Secretary,” it read.

The committee has one week to submit its report for further action.

The monarch appealed to the residents of Borgu to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

Emir Dantoro assured that he remained committed to “securing their lives and properties without any compromise”.

In February, the Niger House of Assembly urged the State Government to declare state of emergency in the state.

The call was made in response to the insecurity in local government areas including Shiroro, Munya, Rafi, Paikoro, Borgu, Magama, Mariga and Kontagora.

The lawmakers demanded strategies to stop bandits’ attacks as well as and stiffer punishments for criminals and their informants.

Well -connected’ children get ‘juicy jobs’ with ease A waiver clause contained in a federal government circular of 2017 has paved the way for secret employment into the Federal Civil Service by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Daily Trust findings have shown. The circular has given federal government establishments “the cover” to recruit personnel without…

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Witcher:
Garlic can cure CoviD19 let them in NPA

Romanus Ugwu,



Fresh crisis seems to be looming in the All Progressives Congress (APC) over who replaces the suspended national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, just as the disloyal members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have insisted that they have the consent of President Muhammadu Buhari to convene an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

The NWC members loyal to the embattled chairman had issued a statement countering the earlier one convening NEC meeting by the acting National Secretary, Hon. Victor Giadom.

According to them, the national chairman whose responsibility it is to call for the meeting did not authorise anybody neither did NWC meet to agree on the NEC meeting.

However, the deputy national chairman North, Senator Lawal Shuiabu, has said that the trio who signed the statement are not members of NWC except Babatunde Ogala, the national legal adviser.

Shuiabu insisted that Ogala is the only one among them that is an NWC member whose name is domiciled with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him the APC national publicity secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu and the national secretary, Waziri Bulama were in admission of the suspended national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole

He maintained that “such persons cannot sign a letter and you expect it to have an effect.”

Meanwhile, another NWC member, who spoke in confidence, noted that the preparations for the emergency meeting had commenced at the national secretariat of the party.

According to him, the NWC wrote to the president, and he gave approval that NEC should be convened, faulting the position of his colleagues.

He argued that by the constitution of APC, the national secretary is in a position to issue notice of meeting to members in consultation with the national chairman or the majority of the NWC.

“In this situation, the chairman is suspended and the acting secretary, Victor Giadom consulted with us (NWC) at our last meeting,” the member noted.

He further argued that the six-member working committee that met last week is 1/3 of the present 15-member NWC, which is what the constitution of the party stipulates.

Similarly, the Forum of APC State Chairmen has emphatically resolved not to intervene in court orders restraining and restoring the national chairman of the party to his position.

The chairman of the forum and Borno State APC chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori and the publicity secretary doubling as Zamfara State APC chairman, Lawal Liman, said they will not intervene since the matter is a court issue.

The state party chairmen were previously at dagger-drawn over the repeated call for Oshiomhole to resign after he was suspended by his ward. Edo State APC last week asked Oshiomhole to resign after Abuja High Court asked him to stop parading himself as the party’s national chairman pending when the suit challenging his suspension would be determined.

Already, the party has started searching for a replacement for the national chairman.

While the governors are backing the former governor of Cross River State, Clement Ebri, the legislators are considering former Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.

Ebri who was a governor in 1991 stepped down for Oshiomhole at the last convention, while Ndoma-Egba was the secretary of the convention.

However, some party members are also rooting for the acting national secretary to be considered for the position of acting national chairman and an indigene of South South region where the position is zoned to.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun says the Italian national who tested positive to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has fully recovered and will soon be discharged from the isolation centre.

A statement made available to our correspondent on Friday in Abeokuta by the Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin quoted the governor to have disclosed this when the management team of Lafarge PLC, led by its Country Chief Executive Officer, Khaleed El Dokani, paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan in the state capital.

“He (the patient) is in good condition and would be discharged soon,” Abiodun said, according to the statement.

The Governor described the virus as a serious threat to the status of Ogun as the nation’s industrial hub. He vowed that the government would not lower its guard towards curtailing spread of the deadly virus in the state. “For us, the virus is a serious one and an issue that is in the front burner.

We will not lower our guard, particularly due to the fact that we have large number of industries and expatriates here. We are enjoying lot of supports from the World Health Organisation and the National Centre for Disease Control. We are going ahead to prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” the governor was quoted as saying.

He applauded the company for its prompt response by quarantining the first index case and the first sets of contacts, urging the company to sustain the level of attention given to the issue.

The governor, however, lamented the deplorable condition of some roads due to use of heavy duty trucks owned by major companies, urging the company to look at ways of collaborating with state government in maintaining those roads. “The failure of some of these roads, like the Abeokuta-Ifo-Lagos road, is due to heavy duty trucks.

This road was not built to accommodate such trucks. Please look at the way you can collaborate with government in maintaining this road which is probably the second busiest in the country to alleviate the suffering of the people,” the governor pleaded.

Speaking earlier, Dokani disclosed the company operates two factories located in Ewekoro and Sagamu, with a combined asset worth $1.3 billion and employing more than 500 people. He said his company is looking at ways of providing affordable houses to the people in its areas of operation, just it has invested in a 50 Megawatts of power plant at Ewekoro, capable of producing 90 Megawatts, out of which 40 Megawatts, would be available for the national grid.

By Victor Sorokwu Asaba

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It was jubilation galore at the Cenotaph, Asaba, venue of the passing out ceremonies of the Batch ‘A’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as the corp member stricken by Lassa Fever passed out with the 3,011 others.

Olayinka Emmanuel, a corps member serving in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area, capital of Delta State, had tested positive to the dreaded Lassa fever epidemic.

He was reportedly down with high body temperature at his lodge in Asaba and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba by his colleagues, where he diagnosed of Lassa Fever and administered first aid before referred to the Emergency Unit of the Specialist Hospital, Irrua, in Edo state in February. Rumour had spread over the town that Yinka died of the disease as he took time from his place of primary assignment to recuperate.

But on Thursday, Emmanuel Olayinka emerged on the parade ground donned in his complete NYSC kit sharing pleasantries with his colleagues, saying, “here I am, I am alive.”

Flanked by the state NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Olutayo Samuel, Yinka in a rather philosophical tone told Daily Trust that since the rumour went off like wild fire whereas he is alive, it would turn out to become a fortune of long life and prosperity for him.

“I give all thanks to God for keeping me alive, even though rumour spread that I was dead. All glory to God that now I am better and in perfect health. I want to thank the state NYSC Coordinator, the CMD of FMC Asaba, the CMD of Irrua Specialist Hospital and my fellow corpers who rushed me immediately to FMC”, he said.

Delta State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Olutayo Samuel, who danced with evident joy, glorified God for sparing Yinka’s life and the rest of 3,010 colleagues. She however regretted that a total number of 52 corps members who defaulted during the service year will face sanctions ranging between two weeks and six months extension of service.

She stressed that the remarkable achievements of corps members through their Community Development Services (CDS) in the areas of healthcare delivery, massive awareness campaign against the deadly lassa-fever, Coronavirus and HIV/AIDS disease was an eloquent testimony of their meaningful contributions.

Ibrahim Mohammed in Lagos and Alex Enumah, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

An Abuja High Court ruling wednesday, ordering the party’s National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, to obey his suspension by his ward in Edo State, opened the fault lines of the ruling party, pitching its governors against their National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu is known to have installed Oshiomhole and has been his back bone, shielding him from the party’s ambitious state chief executives who see the national chairman as a stumbling block to their 2023 presidential aspirations.

With the court ruling, believed to have been procured by proxy by the governors, analysts close to the power play in the party, say the stage is set for an epic battle with the national leader, believed, however, to have the ears of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The party, however, quickly moved to avert a power vacuum that the court ruling would have created, announcing the approval of nominations into vacant positions in the National Working Committee.

According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the nominations approved on January 14, 2020 are Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Abiola Ajimobi; National Secretary, Mr. Waziri Bulama; and National Auditor, Mr. Paul Chukwuma.

The officers, he said, would hold their positions in acting capacity pending confirmation by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

With the development, Ajimobi, who was the immediate past governor of Oyo State, would step into Oshiomhole’s shoes as acting national chairman, being the most senior officer of the party.

He would mount the saddle based on Article 14.2 (iii) of APC constitution, which states that: “Deputy National Chairman, North/South shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman.”

However, Oshiomhole said last night that he had proceeded to appeal the ruling, insisting that he remained the national chairman of the party.

The embattled chairman in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Simon Ebegbulem, said that he had appealed the ruling and filed for a stay of its execution.

He said: “We have filed for a stay of execution and appealed the ruling. With those processes currently before the Appeal Court, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole remains the National Chairman of the party.”

But Oshiomhole was immediately countered by his main adversary in the NWC, Mr. Mustapha Salihu, the party’s national vice chairman (North-east), who said the fresh appointments announced on the prompting of the suspended national chairman could not stand, opening another window of crisis for the ruling party.

THISDAY analysts in the know of the power game last night said the court ruling only ventilated the fault lines of the party and appears set to open windows of opportunities for contending forces to reengage and realign in the bid to grab the soul of the APC for the 2023 presidential fight.

Although Oshiomhole’s instant problem arose from his quarrel with the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, it was learnt last night that the suspended national chairman might have unwittingly allowed the local affair to be taken advantage of by national forces, which see him as a stumbling block to their presidential aspirations in 2023.

Obaseki was joyous last night, saying the court ruling had brought peace to Edo State.

Addressing APC members during the Edo South senatorial rally of the party in Benin City, the state capital, Obaseki stated that when they planned the rally last week, they did not know that God had a plan for them yesterday.

“No man is God. God is God. No man can play God. With what God has done today… what we should do now is to just thank Him,” he said, adding: “The meaning of what happened today is that peace has now finally come to our party. The purpose of God for Nigeria in our party will now be fulfilled.”

According to him, “My problem with Comrade Oshiomhole is that when people started saying that they were Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), I called him and urged him to denounce them.

“I told him (Oshiomhole) to come out and say something. I told him, Comrade, denounce them, you are the National chairman; disassociate yourself from these people that are destroying our party. Up till today, he did not denounce them.

“But the court has taken the right decision today… It does not make me a happy person because it would not have come to this.

“So, my message today is when a child put his hands in faeces, you do not cut off that hand, you take that hand and wash it.”

The police had beefed up security at the national secretariat of the APC following the order by Justice Danlami Senchi that Oshiomhole should step aside as the party’s national chairman.

A team of policemen arrived at the party’s secretariat about 5 pm in nine trucks and one Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to reinforce those already stationed there.

The police personnel restricted access into the party’s secretariat.

The party, however, pledged to respect all lawful court judgment as a law-abiding party.

Justice Senchi had ordered Oshiomhole to step aside while ruling in an interlocutory injunction filed by one Mustapha Salihu and five others.

The order is pending until the hearing and determination of the substantive suit seeking Oshiomhole’s removal from office as the national chairman of APC.

Justice Senchi also ordered Oshiomhole to stop parading himself as the national chairman of the APC until the issues challenging his leadership of the party are resolved.

The plaintiffs in the application filed on January 16, 2020 and argued by their lawyer, Mr. Oluwole Afolabi, had urged the court to declare Oshiomhole’s continued stay in office as illegal having been suspended from the APC.

The other plaintiffs in the suit are: Hon. Anselm Ojezua, Alhaji Sani Gomna, Mr. Oshawo Steven, Mr. Fani Wabulari and Mr. Princewill Ejogharado.

The respondents alongside Oshiomhole include: APC, Inspector General of Police (IG) and Department of State Services (DSS).

Arguing the motion wednesday, Afolabi told the court that Oshiomhole has up till now failed to challenge his suspension from the party.

According to him, Oshiomhole’s right as a member is currently abated and cannot continue to act as chairman of the party as well as continue to enjoy benefits from the APC, despite his suspension as a member of the party.

The Ward 10 executives of the APC had late last year suspended Oshiomhole from the APC. The suspension was ratified by the Etsako West Local Government Executive Committee and was subsequently upheld by the State Executive Committee of the party.

The plaintiffs accordingly prayed the court for an interlocutory order restraining Oshiomhole from parading himself or performing any function as the national chairman of the APC.

They also prayed the court for another interlocutory order restraining the APC from recognising or continue to recognise Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the APC, including giving effect to any of his decisions.

In addition, they prayed for another interlocutory order directing the police and the SSS to deploy their staff to prevent Oshiomhole from continuing to occupy the office of the national chairman of the APC and from having access to the office.

Delivering ruling in the interlocutory application, the judge held that the plaintiffs have been able to show that Oshiomhole was suspended by his ward, Etsako West Ward 10 in Edo State.

Justice Senchi added that political parties must be bound by their constitution and having been suspended by his ward, Oshiomhole is restrained from functioning as the national chairman of the party pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The court also ordered that Oshiomhole should stop parading himself as the chairman of the party and for APC to desist from acknowledging him as its chairman.

The court has also given the APC orders not to grant Oshiomhole access to the party secretariat.

Hearing has been fixed for April 7 and 8, 2020.

The APC in Edo State had last year suspended Oshiomhole over his role in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.

The decision followed the vote of no confidence passed on him by the chairmen of the APC in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Edo State.

A statement signed by Edo APC Chairman, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, and Assistant State Secretary, Mr. Ikuenobe Anthony, said: “Consequent on the development, the State Executive Committee has adopted the vote of no confidence passed on him and the subsisting suspension order from the organs of the party in the state.”

They said the decision was necessary to prevent a repeat of what happened in Zamfara State, where the party was unable to field any candidate in elections.

APC Pledges to Respect Court Judgment

Reacting to the court ruling, the APC stated that it would respect all lawful court judgment as a law-abiding party.

The acting National Secretary of the party, Chief Victor Giadom, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, confirmed that the party had received a copy of the court order, adding that the ruling party would respect the court judgment.

He also said the party’s NWC would soon meet to deliberate on the matter.

“As a party, we are aware of the injunction. As a law abiding party, we will respect all lawful court orders. Very soon, the National Working Committee will meet and you will hear further from the party. I am trying to say that the All Progressives Congress will respect all lawful court orders. We will soon do that.”

He explained that there is a court injunction, adding that it is binding on the party to respect all court injunctions.

On the security beef-up at the party’s secretariat, Giadom said there was nothing new about it, adding that there had always been security at the national secretariat of the party.

The team of policemen had told the staff to go into their offices and those that decided to go outside the premises were told they would not be allowed in again.

THISDAY also gathered that it was the leadership of the party that called for security to be beefed up at the headquarters of the party because of the presence of some political thugs.

More Intrigues Ahead

With Oshiomhole insisting yesterday that he remained in office in view of his appeal, and Salihu contending that the national chairman could no longer parade himself as an official of the party, THISDAY learnt that the National Executive Committee of the party might be called to resolve all outstanding issues.

The fear, though, is that if care is not taken, the party might fall apart. It was learnt that governors opposed to Oshiomhole are already mobilising for a NEC meeting where they hope to do their national chairman in.

But he is said to be fighting back by reaching out to powerful forces, which hitherto had been on his side but he had alienated in recent times. This, it was learnt, was responsible for the announcement of the approval of the nominations for the vacant positions in the party yesterday. For instance, the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, is said to have been taken aback by Oshiomhole’s vacillation over the announcement of Ajimobi as the acting deputy national chairman in the South. Also, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, is said to be aggrieved that despite his moderating influence on his brother governors in favour of Oshiomhole, he dillydallied in the announcement of Bulama as the acting national secretary.

The senator representing Osun Central , Ajibola Basiru, said some of his aides entered his bedroom and stole an undisclosed amount of money when he was on vacation .

While responding to in statement shared on Facebook pages of some of his followers on Wednesday , Basiru said two of his aides were arrested by security agents in connection with the incident .

An aide of the lawmaker, Ibrahim Khalid, when contacted, confirmed to our correspondent that the lawmaker authored the statement .

According to the lawmaker, the incident happened in December 2019 when he was on vacation with his family, saying the perpetrators gained entrance to his bedroom without forcing the doors open, as there were no signs of forced entry .

Denying asking the suspects to swear oath over the missing money , Basiru said soon after the incident , the only maid in his house , fled and left her phones behind .

He said the incident raised issues of serious security breach and a potential threat to his life and his family ’s .

The statement read, “ The apprehension of the maid led to the arrest of two of my aides under lawful authority , and relevant orders of court obtained to search, investigate, arrest , and where necessary , detain the suspects .

“ The families of the suspects were duly informed and were obliged access to the suspects at all times.

“ However, in view of the meddlesomeness into and politicisation of the investigation , I have taken the decision to distance myself from the aides in the interest of my security and that of my family .”

Coronavirus: Condoms selling out as people put them on fingers to avoid being infected

As the Coronavirus outbreak continues around the world people are stocking up on a number of items - everything from toilet paper to condoms

People all over the world are currently doing whatever they can to prevent themselves getting Coronavirus, from wearing face masks everywhere they go to using hand sanitiser more times a day than they can count.

But methods of prevention seem to be getting more and more extreme and depending on your point of view, some may even say ridiculous.

The latest strategy allegedly sees people panic-buying packets of condoms to put them on their fingers to protect against the virus when pushing elevator buttons in buildings.

Photos have been doing the rounds on social media showing empty Durex condom shelves in stores in Australia and Singapore.

The Minister of Finance , Budget and National Planning , Zainab Ahmed , says the outbreak of Covid-19 has negatively impacted Nigeria’ s oil revenue , saying a mid -term review of the 2020 budget will be carried out to reflect the realities on the ground.

The minister stated this when she fielded questions from State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, which was presided over by the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd .) , at the State House , Abuja, on Wednesday .

According to her, the international oil price has dropped to 52 dollars below the budget benchmark of 57 dollars per barrel , impacting negatively on the nation ’ s estimated revenue for the fiscal year .

The minister , however, revealed that the nation ’ s oil production had increased between two million barrels and 2 . 1 million barrels per day .
“ We are concerned about the current drop in oil price because it ’s now below our budget.

“ I am glad to inform you that our oil production as of today is two million barrels per day and at times slightly higher . That in its self will be a cushioning effect for us in the current oil price.

“ We will do a mid - term review , and if the impact is so much , we will need to do an adjustment in the budget working together with the National Assembly .”
( NAN )

Ministries and departments within the Federal Capital Territory on Monday ignored safety tips by failing to deploy hand sanitisers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease , The PUNCH reports .

One of our correspondents , who visited the Federal Civil Service Secretariat along Shehu Shagari Way , and the other wing along Ahmadu Bello Way , Central Business District , observed that while there were hand sanitiser dispensers glued to the walls , they were all empty.

The story is the same at the old office of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The dispensers , it was learnt , were installed in 2014 during the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease and had not been refilled ever since.

The PUNCH reports that there are at least 10 ministries within the federal secretariat.

They include the ministries of health , labour and employment , police affairs , special duties , education, aviation , sports and youth development , science and technology , Niger Delta and communications .

On the ground floor of Phase 3 , Federal Secretariat , an empty hand sanitiser dispenser was seen in front of the elevator.

On the first floor of phase 3 , where the Office of the Minister of Health is located , a security guard was seen administering sanitisers only to visitors who intended to visit the minister ’s floor.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where several foreign nationals were seen when The PUNCH visited, the story was the same .

At the entrance of the ministry where the flags of many countries were hoisted , there were two hand sanitiser dispensers installed on either side . They were also empty when our correspondent attempted to make use of them .

A security guard laughed at attempts by our correspondent to use the dispensers , saying , “ There is no sanitiser there . It has been empty for a long time . Are you a new visitor ?”

A Consultant Virologist, Dr Adeola Fowotade, has said that hot tropical climate as obtainable in Nigeria could help suppress the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.

Fowotade of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, said this while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan. According to her, some experts think the COVID-19 may behave like the influenza virus, which is a seasonal disease common in colder climate, making Nigeria too hot for coronavirus to spread.

“That is an extrapolation from what happened with influenza virus also known as the flu, which is most prevalent in colder climate during winter.

“We believe that if COVID-19 is a Respiratory Tract Infection, probably it will follow the same pattern. “There is a very high chance there will be some remission as temperature gets warmer in those temperate places. “But for us with tropical climate, we believe that this outbreak might not go on for too long and might abate very soon.

“This is because the droplets generated by the virus cannot travel far and this virus is an envelope virus. “Envelop viruses are very susceptible and cannot survive very long in hot climate,” she said.

Fowotade, however, emphasised that everyone including healthcare workers must continue to be vigilant and comply with standard hygiene rules. “We should still continue to take precautions because we found that this virus has a very high transmissibility, that is, when one person is infected that person has a high chance of infecting four more people.

“It is very important that we ensure that we prevent infections by observing best precautionary and preventive measures,” she said. Also, Dr Kemi Adekanbi, a Consultant Infectious Disease Physician at UCH, said that everyone should practise good hygiene for protection against infections.

According to her, good hygiene practices include regular hand washing with soap and water, cough and sneezing etiquette and maintaining a safe distance from people when they sneeze or cough.

NAN reports that COVID-19 was first identified in humans in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Although it has since spread to over 50 countries and territories, killed more than 3,000 people and infected over 90,000 worldwide, the World Health Organisation is yet to declare the viral disease a global pandemic.

Dr Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of the WHO, had on Monday said: “we appreciate that people are debating whether this is a pandemic or not.

“We are monitoring the situation every moment of every day, and analyzing the data. “I have said it before and I’ll say it again, WHO will not hesitate to describe this as a pandemic if that’s what the evidence suggests.”(NAN).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is proposing 34 amendments to the Electoral Act, it was learnt yesterday.

Its Director of Legal Services, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said there are certain shortcomings in the electoral legal framework that should be addressed through legislation.

Also, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Sam Olumekun said the delimitation of constituencies was long overdue, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.

He said the last constituency delimitation was done “more than a long time ago,” adding that the population of the country and registered voters have increased exponentially, thereby underscoring an urgent review for proportional and fair representation.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu said the agency remained committed to the review of the Electoral Act to enhance better conduct of elections.

The INEC chiefs spoke yesterday in Lagos at the opening of a week-long retreat on the review of the electoral legal framework jointly organised by the commission, the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

The 37 RECs, national commissioners and directors of INEC were present at the retreat.

On Thursday and Friday, members of the National Assembly Committees on INEC and Electoral Matters will join the retreat for what Yakubu called an “in-depth review of their proposals and the commission’s input”.

Babalola said the lacuna in the provisions of the extant Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) had been identified and highlighted by INEC and stakeholders, adding that there have been calls in recent times for amendment to address the lacuna to foster better elections.

She recalled that while INEC’s proposals were accepted, the amended Electoral Act was not signed into law by the Executive arm of government.

Noting that the retreat was organised to enable the electoral officers contribute ideas and harmonise the inputs, Babalola said: “There are 34 proposed amendments elaborated in four columns.”

The Lagos REC emphasised the importance of special courts for electoral offences, saying the special courts should have a defined time frame for prosecution and speedy administration of justice.

On electoral litigation, Olumekun said: “The commission should critically examine the issue of conflict of interests among our external solicitors that represent the petitioners in other matters.

“The commission should ensure that such solicitors do not represent any petitioner throughout the period of election petitions in the tribunals and courts of competent jurisdiction.

“While we appreciate the effort of the commission in dealing with legal issues, the commission should continue to equip the Legal Department and prepare the staff to represent the commission in election matters.”

Yakubu said the retreat was meant to finalise INEC’s comprehensive proposal to the National Assembly for amendment to the electoral legal framework.

He added: “Our draft is ready but requires further internal review ahead of submission to the National Assembly.”

The IN£EC chairman said the review of the electoral act will increase citizens’ confidence, enhance the transparency and credibility of the electoral process; entrench internal democracy within political parties; reduce violence, expand the scope of participation for women, youths and people living with disability; deepen the use of technology and foster independence of INEC.

He added: “I am glad to know that members of the Senate Committee on INEC and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters are joining us on Thursday and Friday for in-depth review of both their proposal and our input.

“This is the first time that the National Assembly and INEC are coming together on electoral reform. We look forward to this opportunity to serve Nigerians better.”

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi state and former senator, has been in the news lately over plans by the US to help Nigeria repatriate $308 million from the British Island of Jersey.

The funds are part of the billions of dollars traced to Sani Abacha, the late military dictator who ruled Nigeria from November 1993 till his sudden death in June 1998, and his associates.

Nigeria has repatriated various sums since 1998 when the recovery efforts began under Abdulsalami Abubakar, who succeeded Abacha in office.

On February 3, 2020, a repatriation agreement was signed by Mark Temple, the solicitor-general and attorney-general designate of Jersey, on behalf of Jersey, Brian Benczkowski, a deputy assistant attorney on behalf of the US, and Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF).

The federal government has said it plans to spend the $308 million on funding three ongoing projects, dubbed the “triplets”: the second Niger bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano expressway.

BAGUDU TO RECEIVE $100 MILLION FROM ABACHA LOOT?

Shortly after the agreement was signed in the US, Bloomberg wire service reported that officials of the US department of justice (DoJ) were kicking against plans by the Nigerian government to return $100 million to Bagudu from the Abacha Loot.

The DoJ had said in a February 3 statement — separate from the joint statement earlier issued with Nigeria — that Bagudu was part of a network controlled by Abacha that “embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria”.

The Bloomberg report said paying the money to Bagudu “may hamper future cooperation between the two nations (US and Nigeria) to recover state money moved offshore by Abacha”.

Effectively, the Bloomberg report suggested that Nigeria would get only $208 million from the latest repatriation while Bagudu would be paid the balance.

This incurred the anger of many Nigerians, but Malami has moved to dispel the report, maintaining that Bagudu would not be paid a dime from the funds recovered from the Abacha family.


BACKGROUND: THE OBASANJO DEAL

In 1999, the Nigerian government engaged Enrico Monfrini, a Swiss lawyer, to launch legal proceedings to recover assets linked to Abacha, his family and associates in Switzerland, France, Jersey, the UK and other jurisdictions.

The assets of Bagudu, who was an associate of the Abacha family, were frozen along with those traced to the Abachas.

However, Bagudu launched civil proceedings against the federal government over the freezing of the investment portfolios held by his company, known then as Ridley Group.

In 2003, after a series of litigation, President Olusegun Obasanjo decided to resolve the issue out of court by entering into an “original settlement agreement” with Bagudu and a “global settlement agreement” with the Abachas.


In the “final resolution” with Bagudu seen by TheCable, the following terms were agreed:

• The federal government would drop all civil and criminal claims against Bagudu in the UK

• Bagudu would drop all civil claims against the federal government

• Bagudu would forfeit some assets to the federal government

• He would then keep his investment portfolios
The agreement, dated August 21, 2003, was subsequently approved by a UK court and registered with the National Crimes Agency (NCA) — with section 12 stating that “this Agreement is governed by English Laws, and the English Courts shall have jurisdiction over any disputes arising out of or in connection with it.”

The recovered funds, including an estimated $1 billion traced to the Abacha family who were allowed to keep $100 million as part of the settlement, were thereafter repatriated to Nigeria.

Obasanjo would later confess that allowing the Abacha family to keep $100 million was the hardest decision of his life.

In 2004, Bagudu’s previously disputed assets in Ridley, his old company, were settled in new companies under Blue Family Trusts, and he continued to do business in the UK — until a twist in the tale in 2013.

THE ADOKE LETTERS

On August 28, 2012, Mohammed Bello Adoke, as AGF and minister of justice, wrote a “letter of request” to the US department of justice, enlisting their support to recover more Abacha loot.

This was the beginning of the current dispute as the DoJ, acting on Adoke’s letter, commenced a criminal case in the District Court in Washington DC on November 18, 2013 against Bagudu’s companies as part of the claim against the Abachas.

On February 25, 2014, the assets of Blue Family Trusts were frozen by the English Commercial Court based on an exparte application filed by DoJ — grounded on its money laundering proceedings in DC.

Ricky Tarfa, Bagudu’s lawyer, wrote a letter to Adoke on March 12, 2014 to inform him about the development, which was apparently at variance with the agreement reached with the Obasanjo government in 2003.

Bagudu’s lawyers wrote to Adoke over asset freeze proceedings by the US department of justice

In a reply dated March 14, 2014, and written on Adoke’s behalf by Taiwo Ogunleye, his senior special assistant, he advised Tarfa that Bagudu should enter appearance in the UK proceedings “with a view to seeking a variation of the Orders of the Court so as to preserve and/or exclude the assets that were subject to the Agreement of 21st August 2003”.

Meanwhile, Bagudu’s lawyers filed an appeal against the freeze in the UK and it was upheld by the Court of Appeal on the ground that the procedure followed by the US was wrong.

Thereafter, TheCable understands, the US — switching from the civil case — wrote to the NCA, the UK agency of government responsible for economic crimes across regional and international borders, to request that the assets held by Blue Trusts be frozen.

According to the DoJ, some of the transactions which passed through US banks and were carried out using US dollars should be considered as “the fruit of a poisonous tree”.

On April 16, 2014, Bagudu and his companies filed a settlement agreement claim against Nigeria in the UK over the non-compliance with the 2003 agreement.

Bagudu complained to President Goodluck Jonathan, according to sources in the know.

Adoke to write to the US to clarify that Blue’s assets were not part of the Abacha loot to be recovered.

On June 16, 2014, Adoke wrote to the asset forfeiture money laundering section of the DoJ, reiterating that by the terms of the August 21, 2003 settlement agreement between Bagudu and Nigeria, “the Federal Government of Nigeria has no claim” over Blue’s assets.

He said Bagudu and the Blue companies were entitled to keep the assets under section 7.8(b) of the settlement agreement.

The clause says Bagudu and his companies shall hold the assets “free from any claims existing or future, direct or indirect, contemplated or otherwise by the FRN or in whole or part at its behest or on its behalf or for its benefit”.

Adoke concluded: “Accordingly, and respecting the contractual commitment made by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United States, I would ask that insofar as the Letter of Request from the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United States can be read as relating to Mr Bagudu and/or the Blue Companies and/or the Ridley Assets, it should be treated as withdrawn.”

REVISING THE SETTLEMENT DEAL

The DoJ did not honour Adoke’s letter, insisting that the Obasanjo deal was not binding on the US.

Bagudu’s assets have remained frozen since then.

In April 2015, Bagudu complained to the high court in the UK that Nigeria had violated the 2003 agreement, arguing that the freeze order was based on a letter of request from the federal government in 2012. The court entered a default judgement against the country on July 8, 2015.

Nearly three years later, the federal government entered into a revised agreement with Bagudu on October 26, 2018, a copy of which was seen by TheCable.

In the agreement, the federal government, Bagudu and Blue companies said they had decided to resolve the settlement agreement claim “without further proceedings or dispute”.

Bagudu and Malami signed a revised settlement under which Bagudu’s Blue companies will pay a tax of €42 million to the federal government from the assets

Significantly, the agreement also stipulated that the frozen assets, which are now said to be worth about $155 million, should be returned to the federal government as the legal owner “subject to the terms of this agreement”.

It also provided that the federal government “will hold the same free from any claims existing or future, direct or indirect, contemplated or otherwise, made by the Blue Family Trusts, AB or his affiliates, in whole or in part, at their behest or on their behalf or for their benefit or purported benefit, while compensating the Blue Family Trusts and AB for the Settlement Agreement Claim”.

The market value of Blue’s assets held in accounts at Waverton Investment Management Limited and James Hambro & Partners LLP, among others, were valued at €141 million, out of which Bagudu and affiliates were mandated to pay a tax of €42 million to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

‘ABACHA LOOT WILL BE PAID TO FG IN FULL’

TheCable’s interview requests sent to both Malami and Bagudu were unacknowledged, but several government officials in the know of the agreement have insisted that Nigeria signed an agreement as a sovereign country with Bagudu in 2003 and it remains binding.

However, with the freeze order on Bagudu’s assets in the UK yet to be removed because of DoJ’s criminal proceedings in DC, the dispute may not be ending soon.

The $308 million Abacha loot is expected to be repatriated to Nigeria from Jersey any moment from now while Bagudu’s lawyers continue their fight to get the DoJ to unfreeze his own assets.

While the US insists those assets are fruits of a poisonous tree, there seems to be some difficulty with getting evidence to get a forfeiture order against Bagudu in either the US or UK.

TheCable understands that the DoJ has asked for assistance — without luck — from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to link the funds to money laundering since Bagudu was a known Abacha associate.

Bagudu may yet launch legal proceedings against the DoJ if the deadlock continues, TheCable learnt.

Emmanuel Elebeke

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, said on Monday his team had discovered a cure for the deadly coronavirus.

Iwu, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Bioresources Institute of Nigeria, stated this when he led his team of researchers to brief the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu and his Health counterpart, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, in Abuja.

He said the institute identified and patented the possible COVID 19 treatment in 2015 and now needs the Federal Government’s support to translate the compound into a drug for the treatment of the virus.

Nigeria recorded its first case of coronavirus last Friday and over 20 persons who had contact with the index case had been quarantined.

In what is seen as an afterthought and last minute action to downplay the gestures of his predecessor, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has revoked the Certificates of Occupancy of some choice properties allocated to himself and others by former governor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The eye popping properties located on Government Reservation Area (GRA) belong to Governor Godwin Obaseki, former Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu and the member representing Owan Federal Constituency, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere respectively.

Others whose C-of-Os were also revoked include those of a top official of the Federal Government Joint Tax Board from the state, Chief Oseni Elamah, Mr. Oghogho Akpata, Susan Itemuagbor, Aigboje Ehidero, AIG Imuokhuede and Noggie Megisson.

Affected corporate bodies in the revocation are CA Aliyu and Company Limited, Bimseg Venture Limited and Sharon Properties.

A document sighted by our reporter showed that the properties were revoked because they are required for the services of the government of Edo State.

Prof. Ihonvbere said he has completed the building he is erecting on his plot.

A top government official, who confirmed the revocation, said the governor was also affected.

The source said more land within the GRA would be revoked because all government lands and accommodation have been allocated to individuals.

A source close to the state government house said: “You can see Governor Obaseki has built quarters for judges but it is not enough and there is the need for more land to build more quarters for the judges.

“Individuals and politicians just allocated government lands to themselves so the governor decided to revoke his own and others. More land will be revoked.”

Dr. Odubu said he only read about the revocation in the social media as there was no newspaper publication yet.

He added that he would wait for Obaseki to carry out the revocation before commenting.

CHAIRMAN, Reconciliation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, Thursday, said with the move to reconcile aggrieved party members in Lagos State, the All Progressives Congress, APC, should be ready to evict the state.

Governor Makinde said this at a reconciliation parley with stakeholders of the party held the Lugard office of Chief Bode George in Lagos.

Also present at the meeting were former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori; former Deputy governor of Lagos State, Senator Koforola Bucknor-Akerele; former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George, former Second Republic Transport Minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and others.
Addressing newsmen after a closed door meeting, Governor Makinde described the meeting as “mission accomplished.”

He said: “As you can see it was mission accomplished. My father (Bode George) and I were able to resolve some of the issues. You must be frontal on how issues are addressed but we have made some good progress.”

On why the PDP chairman in Lagos State, Mr. Deji Doherty, was absent at the meeting, Makinde said: “You see, you don’t jump the gun, it is one step at a time. We have come here to meet the stakeholders with my father and leader here to move the party forward. I can give you the assurance that the unity of the PDP in Lagos State is sacrosanct right now. We are also putting the APC on notice that they need to prepare for what is coming in Lagos.”

Also speaking, Chief Bode George expressed optimism that with the reconciliation process in too hear, the party in Lagos State will emerge united to win future elections.

He said: “We had a robust meeting and we have worked out a solution. We have all agreed.”

“There will also be issues and the gift of the Almighty is for you to be able to resolve whatever differences you have. The governor spoke brilliantly and proferred solution which will be accepted so that the stakeholders can work together.

“I have experienced a lot of britbat, cacophony of voices and fighting ourselves.

“We have a finality, nobody is born forever and there will be a day after.

“The stakeholders will be called, they will talk to the national leadership of the party and we will all move forward, no loser, no winner.

“The reconciliation will work, that is the beauty of politics. We don’t have emperors in our party but we have leaders and whatever is suggested here will be accepted.”

Lagos State Government is planning to put in place a new regulation for ride-hailing companies operating in the state – a regulation that may hobble operations of car-hailing companies.

Under the new regulations, which come into effect on March 1, drivers on ride-hailing platforms are required to have LASDRI card and a driver badge issued by the Department of Public Transport and Commuter Services of the Ministry of Transport.

The vehicles on such platforms must have hackney permits issued by the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency and be fitted with a tag to be issued by the aforementioned department.

A source told The Guardian that while negotiations are ongoing between the state and ride-hailing operators, the new regulations will mandate third-party operators like Uber and Bolt to pay N10 million naira and an annual renewal fee of N5 million if they have less than 1000 drivers.

Third-party operators that have more than 1000 drivers will pay N25 million licensing fee and N10 million annual renewal fee.

Operators who directly own their cars and employ their drivers will pay only the license fee of N5 million if such operators have below 50 drivers. Those who have more than 50 drivers will pay N10 million for the operating license. Under the new regulation, the state government will also earn 10% on the fee of each trip.

The president of National Union of Professional E-Hailing Driver-Partners Ayoade Ibrahim told The Guardian that he was aware that the government had a meeting with 20 operators, where they were told about the amount to be paid for the license and renewal fees.

He said the drivers have also started negotiating with the government to amend the regulations, which he said did not factor in their peculiar operating conditions.

“All of these laws and licence are not for us and that is what we are trying to let them know,” he said.

But the spokesperson of the Ministry of Transport Bolanle Ogunlana said the state has not asked any operator to pay license or renewal fees.

She, however, said the ministry was in discussions with relevant stakeholders to come up with operational guidelines.

“Discussions with the Lagos State Ministry of Transport are still ongoing and we would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to build a strong ride-hailing with your welfare at heart,” Bolt said in a message to its drivers and riders.

The spokesperson for Uber in West Africa Efosa Aiyevbomwan said he cannot speak for the state government when he was asked if Uber was aware of the new regulations.

Growing pains
The new regulation will become effective exactly a month from the day the state government banned commercial tricycles and motorcycles, popularly known as okada from operating in six local governments – Apapa, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Surulere.

In the weeks that followed, officials of the Vehicle Inspection Services clamped down on Uber and Bolt drivers, demanding hackney permits and Lagos State Drivers’ Institute license.

Officials of the VIS said those regulations were not new and that the ride-hailing companies were aware of their existent. But a few of the drivers, who spoke to The Guardian, said they were not aware that they needed to have such documents.

“My car was impounded and I was asked to pay N60,000 into the government’s account before it could be released to me,” said Moses Ndubuisi.

The commissioner of transport in the state Frederic Oladeinde said on February 17 that the action was not deliberately targeted at Uber and Bolt drivers. He said over 1000 vehicles were impounded by the VIS and only 20 were used for ride-hailing.

“The Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) is performing its statutory duty of facilitating compliance with the Road Traffic Laws by ensuring motorists possess the stipulated vehicle documents, such as Roadworthiness, Vehicle Licence, Drivers Licence, Insurance Certificate, Hackney Permit and the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) card for all categories of commercial commuter vehicles,” Oladeinde said in an emailed statement.

Keeping up with the law
Bolt said in the message sent to its drivers that it was engaging with Lagos State Government to ensure “that any new regulations are implemented efficiently.”

Although Uber’s Aiyevbomwan declined further comments, a driver on Uber platform Sunday Faleye said the ride-hailing giant sent a message to its drivers on Wednesday to update their profile with copies of their hackney permits and LASDRI licenses. Uber also listed “valid Hackney permit” as one of the criteria for enrolling vehicles on its platform.

Ibrahim said he hoped the government would suspend the implementation of the new regulations until the conclusion of negotiations among all the parties concerned.

The Nigeria army says it arrested Zainab Abubakar, a suspected bandit, at Ungwan Salaha in Mararaban Jos in Igabi local government area of Kaduna state.

Aminu Iliyasu, army operations media coordinator, in a statement on Thursday, said Abubakar was arrested on Sunday and a video clip of her dancing with an AK 47 rifle was found on her phone. 

“On 23 February 2020, troops of 1 Division Garrison under Operation MESA arrested a female bandit suspect named Zainab Abubakar at Ungwan Salaha in Mararaban Jos of Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. Preliminary check into her phone revealed a video clip of the suspect dancing with an AK 47 Rifle hung on her neck during a social event,” the statement read.

The army said eight Boko Haram insurgents with 14 of their family members comprising six women and eight children surrendered to troops of 152 task force battalion deployed in Banki town in Bama local government area of Borno state.

The surrendered Boko Haram fighters include: Bakura Aba Kaka, who is believed to be logistics supplier of the insurgents, Tija Bo Isa, Ba Amodu Aba Kaka, Modu Zantalami, Malam Zantalami, Bulama Modu Zantalami, Abukar Izahi and Bana Katum. 

The army said during interrogation, the surrendered insurgents said they regretted their involvement in the acts of killing and abduction of innocent people as well as attacks on security agencies. 

“They equally disclosed that their leadership has been in disarray for the past 4 months since the renewed offensive actions by the troops against their enclaves leading to high casualties on their foot soldiers amidst serious dislocation of their command structures,” it said.

“They further disclosed that many of their erstwhile colleagues are wandering in the forest and willing to give up their unholy adventure but are afraid of being killed by the security agencies. They therefore call on them to take the bold decision and surrender to any Nigerian Army unit closest to them as the safety of their lives are guaranteed.”

Voice call and data networks in the villages and towns around Nigerian borders have been down due to lack of diesel to power the base stations there, Airtel Nigeria has said.

It also said the insurgents bombed 282 telecom base stations in the North East recently. Daily Trust reports that the Federal Government had stopped fuel tankers from delivering fuel to areas close to the borders.

But the telecom companies said the epileptic power supply in the country is affecting their base transceiver stations (BTSs) situated near the borders, noting that they are now shutting down “because there is no fuel to power them.” BTS is a piece of equipment that facilitates wireless communication between user equipment and a network.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday on why there are still dropped calls and other network challenges in the country, the Vice President, Network Operation of Airtel Nigeria, Dr Adedoyin Adeola, said 20 percent of the company’s BTSs around the border areas were currently down.

Adedoyin said this is presently affecting voice calls and data network, and by extension negatively impacting on the country’s economy.

He said all the BTSs had dried up because they could not get fuel to keep them functional. “All of us, the telecom companies, are affected. We are not happy about it because our subscribers are affected and their businesses are affected as well. We call on the Federal Government to please do something about the policy on fuel to border areas,” he said.

Apart from this, he said theft and damage to telecom equipment by thieves and Boko Haram were other challenges militating against hitch-free telecom services.

He revealed that Boko Haram bombed 282 of Airtel BTSs in the North East in recent time. The company, he said, recovered (repaired) 164 of it, “but the insurgents again went back and damaged many of them after the repair.”

He also said construction companies had damaged the telecom companies’ fibre cables across the country.

“1,022 cases of fibre cuts, caused by construction companies, were recorded by Airtel alone between July 2019 and February 12 this year,” he added. He called on the Federal Government to list telecom infrastructure as one of the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). If this is done, he said, incidences of damage to telecom infrastructure would reduce.

Tension has again gripped communities in Benue State following a massive influx of over 4000 cows and Fulani herdsmen in four local government areas of the state.

This is just as a suspected Fulani pastoralists last Sunday reportedly gang-rapped a mother of five children to coma in Ejule Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government area of the state.

The local government areas invaded by the Fulani herdsmen include Guma, Kwande, Agatu, Ado and Logo.

Residents in those areas told New Telegraph in confidence that the presence herds of cattle is frightening, stressing that some people have already started fleeing their homes.

“With the movement of large herds of cattle in our community, we are afraid because it portends danger. We recall the incident of the past years especially how hundreds of people were murdered and many others taken refuge in camps and are yet to return home uptil now,” a villager said.

The Community Leader in Logo Local Government, Chief Joseph Anawa said the herdemen who came in thousands with large number of cattle, took over parts of the local government a development he said has thrown most people in trepidation.

Commenting on the development, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom Mr. Terver Akase alleged that the sudden influx of armed herdsmen in parts of the state is “politically motivated”.

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A 32-year-old woman, Hassan Bala of Usuba area of Kontagora in Niger State, who was arrested for attempting to kidnap Umar Sarkin Turaku of Kawo village in Kontagora Local Government Area of the state, has described herself as, “a disgrace to womanhood.”

Preliminary investigation revealed that the mother of two, who had separated from her husband before joining the kidnapping business, was arrested by policemen attached to ‘B’ Division, Kontagora, following a tip-off.

New Telegraph further gathered that the suspect had planned to abduct the victim on February 19, 2020, but was arrested after Turaku reported the matter to the police.

Police stated that Turaku had received threatening phone calls, asking him to pay a ransom of N5million or risk being kidnapped.

Bala said: “After separating from my husband, I got a man friend who introduced me to this business, and that was how I started ruining my life because of money. I am a disgrace to womanhood. Since I left my husband, my life and situation have worsened. Life is not fair to me in all standards. It is unfortunate. I regret my action; my family, children and friends will definitely desert me, but I pray they find a place in their hearts to forgive me.”

Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police spokesman, Muhammad Abubakar, said the suspect had confessed to the crime, adding that, “the matter will be charged to court after investigation.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said it would mobilise Nigerians to resist any form of increment in the electricity tariff, be it in form of Value Added Tax (VAT) or others. 

This is even as it said it has nothing to do with the ongoing public hearing on the proposed increase in the electricity tariff across the country.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, who spoke in Lagos yesterday warned that the labour centre would not support any increase in the electricity tariff as it would further impoverish Nigerians.

“The Tariff increase cannot be the answer to power failure in Nigeria, rather it would lead to job loss and many businesses are going to close and this we would not allow to happen.

“The NLC would mobilise Nigerians against the increase and force the Discos and NERC to retract their steps,” he said.

Wabba said presently no worker in Nigeria can be able to pay more for electricity, wondering how much out of the new wage of N30,000 can be spared for electricity.

He said that the increase in VAT on electricity bill to consumers is a double jeopardy and clearly a form of exploitation.

“It is clearly exploitation as no meters are provided and when provided they are not durable and the Discos just charge consumers as they like. So you see that consumers are at the receiving end of paying for light not provided,” he stated.

The NLC boss said the NLC would not attend any of the public hearing by the Discos, noting that only the National Electricity Regulatory Corporation (NERC) has the responsibility to organise such forum.

According to him, the Organised Labour already have a scheduled meeting with NERC, but insisted that NLC would not support any increase.

He said, “Actually, we are going to the meeting with facts and figures of how many companies that have gone into extinction due to the problem of power and how many people would go should there be any increase.

We have a report from Action Aid on how many companies have closed down and this we are ready to share with them at our meeting with NERC for them to know that we are talking from a knowledgeable background.”

He said that Federal Government instead of supporting the Discos on increasing tariff at will should come out boldly to let Nigerians know if the privatisation of the sector has failed.

“Government should let us know if the privatisation of the sector has failed. We have organisations that can run it effectively, we should be saved from all these trauma, “ he said.

Meanwhile, he management of BEDC Electricity Plc. (BEDC) on Tuesday disclosed that with a reviewed tariff, it will revolutionize electricity distribution and provision of top services to customers by embarking on network re-alignment, and provide new distribution transformers and also provide dedicated express feeders to supply 24×7 power to identified customer groups.

Speaking to customers across the franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo/Ekiti during a Public Consultation Forum organized ahead of the tariff review, BEDC management said it would actualise its proposal for an embedded power of about 300megawatts under the willing buyer, willing seller arrangement with independent power generators outside the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) national grid, to boost power supply and meet needs of customers.

BEDC assured customers that it would also improve supply to commercial entities across its coverage states due to the need to enable the companies ensure job creation and balance social lives, by adding new injection substations and 500 number distribution substations to strengthen existing network.

The presentation held in Benin city, Edo state, Asaba, Delta state and Akure in Ondo state was anchored by the Chief State Heads, who explained that this upcoming number of transmission stations will help BEDC reduce overloading and mitigate load growth, stressing that “ageing equipment will be replaced in the next years to improve general public safety and ensure quality power to customers”.

“Plan is ongoing to invest in electrification of electrified areas and strengthening of existing network” BEDC said, adding that it also plans to ensure 100per cent metering under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) and 100per cent enumeration and proper mapping of customers to transformers and feeders.

By Dirisu Yakubu

The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is taking advantage of the crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State chapter, to lure incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki to its fold, a National Working Committee, NWC, a member told Vanguard, yesterday.

Obaseki is currently locked in a battle of supremacy with his predecessor and APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, with their once-robust relationship now hitting an all-time low.

In a swift reaction, Spokesman to Governor Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, said it was not true, noting that the former President only visited the governor out of protocol to inform him that he was visiting the state.

According to Osagie, former President Goodluck Jonathan was in Edo State to thank Chief Gabriel Igbenedion for the Doctorate Degree awarded to him by the Okada University.

However, in a chat with Vanguard, the PDP NWC member, who did not want to be named said the leadership of the party has weighed its options and resolved that having Obaseki run for the September 19, 2020, governorship election on its platform “would be a good thing for the PDP considering the governor’s popularity among his people.”

Although, PDP would easily reactivate other options in the event that Obaseki chooses to stay put in APC, Vanguard’s source said the governor would brighten his chances of winning a second term in office by contesting on its platform.

He also claimed that Sunday’s visit to the governor by Jonathan was a strong message to the governor by PDP to “strike while the sun shines.”

He told Vanguard: “As a political party, we are interested in deepening our democracy through constructive engagement with like minds. It will be wrong to think that everyone in APC is a bad person. No. The governor has done well and having him run on out ticket is something we have talked about and we are still talking about it.

“Nobody is proud of what is happening in Edo state today. Do not forget that until Oshiomhole came into the scene, Edo was one of the traditional strongholds of the PDP. We are working to take over all these states including Edo through democratic means, not like the other party which has elevated thuggery and election manipulation to new heights.

“Yes, former President is not happy with the state of affairs in the country today. By conceding defeat in 2015, his expectation and that of many Nigerians was that the legacies he left behind would be nurtured and sustained. That has not happened. He was in Edo to rub minds with the governor.”

Asked if the visit was at the instance of the NWC, the PDP chieftain said contrary to the insinuations making the rounds that the former President did not command the respect of the party’s top hierarchy, the reverse was the case.

He said: “He (Jonathan) is a big ambassador of the PDP. Wherever he is, he projects the image of the party in positive light. His meeting with Governor Obaseki is a strategy by the party than can be explained in many ways. The PDP is pleased that the former President did what he did (visit to Government House) because within its fold, there is no bigger ambassador than Jonathan, being an erstwhile President.