The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday elected two candidates to fly its ticket for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

DAILY POST reports that the two candidates are Philip Shaibu, the incumbent deputy governor of the state and Asue Ighodalo.

The two candidates emerged in a parallel governorship primaries that took place in Benin City.

Shaibu was declared winner with 300 votes while Ighodalo in another primary that was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia won with 577 votes.

The governorship primary committee, led by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, said a total of 594 delegates were elected to participate in the primary, while 585 delegates were accredited to vote.

Announcing the final votes, Lawal, the Chief Returning Officer for the governorship primary as well as the chairman of the committee primary, said Asue Ighodalo scored 577 votes, while his closest rival Philip Shaibu scored one vote.

He said Anselm Ojezua, Osaro Onaiwu, Felix Akhabue, Martins Uhomoibhi,, Hadizat Umoru, Arthur Esele scored zero votes, while Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Omosede Igbinedion withdrew from the race.

He said six votes were voided.

In his acceptance speech, the nominated governorship candidate of the party, Ighodalo, promised to take Edo State beyond where Governor Godwin Obaseki would stop.

Ighodalo also promised to bring on board both the young and old to develop the state, if eventually elected governor of the state in the September 21 governorship election.

While noting that no man is God, he, however, called on other aspirants, members of the party and all Edo State people to rally around him to emerge as the governor of the state.

Ighodalo, who said no man is perfect, noted that he will work on other people’s mistakes tirelessly for the betterment of the state.

The Trade Union Congress has backed out of the planned two-day nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and hardship in the country.

The Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the decision to protest on February 27 and 28 as announced by the NLC was not taken collectively by both unions.

The TUC in a letter dated February 19, 2024, written by its Secretary General, Dr Nuhu Toro, said the NLC unilaterally took the decision on the planned protest.

Etim in the interview with one of our correspondents, confirmed the letter addressed to the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, adding that “by the virtue of the letter, there is no way we can join the protest.”

This is happening as the Department of State Services warned organised Labour against the planned mass action, saying it could be hijacked.

The NLC had on February 16 declared a two-day protest which would begin after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government which will expire on February 22 (today).

The warning was on account of the alleged failure of the government to implement the agreements reached on October 2, following the removal of the fuel subsidy and other economic reforms which had triggered higher transportation costs, inflation, and general hardship.

The situation had provoked protests across the country with youths, and women taking to the streets over the food inflation and higher cost of living.

The NLC and TUC earlier on February 8 gave a two-week ultimatum to the government to meet demands ranging from wage increments to improved access to public utilities and accused it of failing to uphold pledges to soften the impact of reforms.

Briefing journalists in Abuja after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on the state of the economy and matters related to insecurity in the country, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, also accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the agreement reached in October.

On Monday, the Head of Information of the NLC, Benson Upah, said the NLC affiliates were being mobilised for the protest just as state chapters of the congress vowed to join the nationwide demonstration.

The PUNCH had on Tuesday reported that one of the NLC affiliates, National Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors, and Allied Workers Union, in a letter dated February 18, 2024, written by its Secretary General, Duro Adebisi, directed its members to join the NLC planned protest.

But in a new twist, another Labour centre, the TUC, in the letter written by its Secretary General, Toro, faulted the process adopted by the NLC in fixing the dates for the protests.

But in a new twist, another Labour centre, the TUC, in the letter written by its Secretary General, Toro, faulted the process adopted by the NLC in fixing the dates for the protests.

Confirming the latest position of the TUC, the Vice-President, Etim, noted, “We cannot join the protest because the decision was not taken collectively. It is very clear that by virtue of the letter, there is no way we can join the protest.”

In the letter obtained by this newspaper on Wednesday, Toro recalled that the decision to issue a two-week ultimatum to the government was jointly taken by the NLC and TUC.

He noted that the right thing after the expiration of the warning on Thursday (today) was for the leaders of the two unions to review the situation and agree on the way forward prior to convening their respective national executive councils’ meetings.
TUC tackles Ajaero

It read, “We are writing to address a matter of mutual concern and our disappointment regarding the recent unilateral issuance of two days’ national protest with specified dates.

"You will recall that both centres issued a joint statement with a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government. This ultimatum will expire on Thursday, February 22nd, and the right thing to do was for both leaders to review the situation and agree on the way forward prior to convening our respective NEC meetings.

"Our respective NEC is made up of highly intelligent individuals who are desirous that we both work together always in our collective interest. Even if we didn’t anticipate our NEC decision meetings, it is our responsibility as leaders to harmonise our positions before jointly going to the press.

“It was our understanding that decisions of such magnitude would be made collectively, ensuring that the interests and perspectives of all parties involved are duly considered.

This is the way other leaders of both centres have worked together from the time of SECSCAN to when TUC was formally registered.’’

The TUC further complained that this was the third time Ajaero would be taking a unilateral decision, adding that various interventions to correct the anomaly had failed.

"It is important to stress that this is the third time such a unilateral declaration has happened under your leadership; we are therefore constrained to formally put this on record as various discussions, communications, and interventions have failed. A first and second time could pass as human error, but a third time would, in our opinion, translate to an intentional act to undermine us.

Again, recall that we requested that both congresses jointly develop an MOU (memorandum of understanding) that will clearly guide and define our collaboration on issues of mutual interest to avoid situations like this, which have not seen the light of day,’’ the TUC stated.

Though the TUC said it was not opposed to the protest declaration, Toro emphasised that the TUC had an issue with the NLC taking a decision on an issue the two unions agreed to work on.

The letter noted, “Comrade President, also note that we are not averse to the issuance of your resolution because our members equally feel the pain, even if it’s a weeklong national strike, but we have a huge problem with the unilateral declaration for a process we both mooted and agreed to.

“Because our members are equally concerned about the rising cost of living and not particularly the ultimatum, why can’t we see through the ultimatum that expires within the same period before jointly addressing other issues of mutual concern or, at worst, consolidating them?

British-Nigerian cosmetic doctor Oluwafemi "Tijion" Esho has been accused of having sex with a “vulnerable” patient at one of his clinics after having an improper emotional relationship with her.

According to Daily Mail, Dr Esho, also exchanged a series of X-rated messages with the woman - a sex worker - and promised to give her botox in return for sex.

The medical tribunal, in Manchester, heard how the woman provided sex services through Only Fans and webcams and had gone to the doctor - who boasts a host of celebrity clients and is known as Dr Oluwafemi Esho - because she had heard about a "designer lip" procedure which he provides at his clinics in Harley Street, Wimbledon, Newcastle and Dubai.

After an appointment in July 2019, she started following him on Instagram and the doctor would would respond to her posts with 'strong, sexual content', Chloe Hudson, for the GMC, said.

The woman - known only as Patient A - messaged him about recovering from her lips procedure.

She said that further texts showed that Dr Esho was 'building' his sex chat with the patient, whom he met while she was working at a club, and she would send him videos and photos of her in 'states of UnCloth'.

Ms Hudson said the GMC's case was the messages showed he was 'keen to receive the services' the patient was offering at the same time he was treating her.

But she said he was aware it was wrong because he told the patient in another message: “But if we do for mls I break the doctor's code and I'd be a dead man.”

Other messages were more sexually explicit with the doctor talking about performing sex acts on himself and describing his fantasies about sex with the patient.

Ms Hudson said Dr Esho was aware she was 'vulnerable' due to her job, with her appearance generating her income, and her mental health being affected if she wasn't 'satisfied' with how she looked.

Dr Esho is said to have arranged an appointment at his Newcastle clinic 'because it was quiet' and they wouldn't be disturbed where the pair had sex.

Afterwards, he said to have told her that he could "get away why giving her botox in exchange for sexual services."

But he denies the allegation, along with charges he made inappropriate comments about the patient's bottom during another appointment, rubbed himself against her, and took his penis out of his trousers and allowed her to perform a sex act on him.

The tribunal heard how the woman had complained to the GMC because she believed he had 'taken advantage of her vulnerable position' because her image was important to her her job.

Dr Esho admits four of the ten charges against him in that between July 2019 and February 2022 he behaved inappropriately by exchanging messages with the patient.

He also admits having an 'improper emotional relationship' with her between July 2019 and May 2022 and that his conduct in relation to both allegations was 'sexually motivated'.

The tribunal - due to take 15 days - continues

The police authorities have said they would not condone any form of violence during the planned two-day demonstration declared by organised Labour in protest against the hardships and high cost of living in the country.

The police handed down the Riot Act on Sunday as the Nigeria Labour Congress gave fresh conditions ahead of the minimum wage negotiation commencing on Monday (today.)

The police warning is coming against the backdrop of the alarm by the African Development Bank that rising prices of fuel and other commodities could lead to social unrest in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, and Kenya.

The AfDB sounded the warning in its macroeconomic performance and outlook for 2024 in which it projected Africa’s economy to grow higher than the 3.2 per cent recorded in 2023.

The AfDB projected that growth on the continent will rebound to 3.8 per cent in 2024.

However, the bank cautioned that an increase in fuel and commodity prices occasioned by currency depreciation or subsidy removal in Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, and Ethiopia could trigger internal conflicts.

It stated, “Internal conflicts and violence could also result from rising prices for fuel and other commodities due to weaker domestic currencies and reforms.

"For instance, the removal of fuel subsidies in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria and the resulting social costs has led to social unrest driven by opposition to government policy.”

On February 8, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress gave a two-week ultimatum to the government to implement the agreements on palliatives for workers to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal and other policies reached last October.

The unions said they had mobilised their members for the nationwide protests slated for February 27 and 28.

The organised labour lamented that millions of Nigerian workers were facing hunger, erosion of purchasing power, and insecurity due to reforms that drove up inflation.

The NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, said the protest would begin a week after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government which will expire on February 23.

Ajaero, who spoke during a briefing with journalists in Abuja, said the decision followed an emergency National Executive Council meeting on the state of the economy and matters related to insecurity in the country.

Sunday PUNCH had on February 18 (yesterday) reported that organized labour was prepared to lower its demand for N1m minimum wage for workers in the country in line with realities on the ground which include high costs of living, inflation, naira devaluation, and the general economic shocks.

Workers’ hardship

But the Head of Information of the NLC, Benson Upah, who spoke to one of our correspondents on Sunday, insisted that the committee must come up with a minimum wage that would reflect economic realities and address the hardship of workers.

Asked about the committee, which would begin its sitting today, he said, “Our expectations are the national minimum wage negotiations and the conclusions will reflect the socio-economic realities of our times.”

Also, a top official of the NLC who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue,, said, “if the Federal Government wants to pay workers anything, anything the government is paying them that cannot take care of the workers is no longer salary, it is a poverty salary.”

He said, “A living wage is that wage that will take care of all the basic needs of the worker and also leave small things for savings for rainy days for the worker, that is why whatever the trade unions are going to demand is going to be scientifically determined,” he said.

He stated, ‘’It (the minimum wage) is going to be based on the cost of living. It will be based on the objective reality that the Nigerian worker encounters daily. How much does it take to care for an average family in Nigeria? That is a family that consists of two parents and four children.

He said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress, already last month sent out questionnaires to all the state councils in Nigeria and the state councils have also sent the questionnaires to all the local governments in the 774 local governments in Nigeria to obtain what it cost them to take care of their basic needs.

"The consumer price Index is also one of the factors that the NLC is using. Then we are also looking at real wages. In essence, the N30,000 minimum wage that was paid in 2019, what is the real value of that N30,000 in 2024?” he said.

Ahead of the protests, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, on Sunday, held a meeting with labour leaders at the command headquarters.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed this to one of our correspondents, said the union gave an assurance that the protest would be carried out within the ambit of the law.

He added that a team of policemen would be on the ground to maintain law and order.

He added that a team of policemen would be on the ground to maintain law and order.

Hundeyin stated, “We have no fears. The Commissioner of Police met with NLC and TUC today and we had a lengthy discussion. We are certain that there won’t be a breakdown of law and order.

"But notwithstanding, we will be on the ground to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.”

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, on Sunday, said he would be meeting with the labour leaders in the state on Monday (today) over the protest.

Rights activist and stalwart of the Labour Party, Aisha Yesufu, on Saturday accused President Bola Tinubu of rigging himself into power to kill Nigerians.

Yesufu said Nigerians, who experienced poverty during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, are witnessing another level of hardship now.

Posting on X, the activist said those close to the president can’t feel the hardship Nigerians are currently experiencing.

According to Yesufu: “The people that were in multi-dimensional poverty during Buhari, can you imagine what state they are in now? Tinubu rigged his way in to destroy Nigeria.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket and the Emilokan group will not feel it. Anytime they buy, they will just say, “at least they’re rigged in,” nothing else matters.”

Nigerians at different fora have been lamenting over the current hardships being experienced in the country.

President Tinubu has been accused of failure due to the inability of his economic policies to ameliorate hardship in the country..

A Danish man has earned an unusual Guinness World Records title after he managed to stuff 68 matchsticks into his nostrils.

Peter von Tangen Buskov, 39, was awarded the title for the most matches held in the nose, surpassing Guinness World Records’ goal of 45 matchsticks, UPI.com reports.

"Surprisingly it didn’t really hurt,” Buskov told GWR. “I have fairly large nostrils and quite stretchy skin. I’m sure that helped a lot.”

Buskov said he chose the matchstick challenge after researching different world records he could attempt. He said he doesn’t think he can currently beat his own record, but he hasn’t ruled out trying again in the future.

“For me, an increase in capacity would require some training, or perhaps my nose will grow as I get older,” he said.

Governors elected on the platform of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from a meeting in Abuja, on Monday, with a call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately put in place initiatives that will bring the crisis to an end.

Addressing journalists at Oyo Governors lodge in Asokoro, Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Muhammed, said the meeting deliberated on various issues of interest and concern to the country.

Bala lamented that Nigeria is almost on the road to Venezuela and called on the Federal Government to work with relevant stakeholders with a view to bringing succor to Nigerians.

He said: “The meeting reviewed the State of the Nation and noted the hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the economic and security challenges facing the nation.

"The Forum consequently urges the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency embark on initiatives involving all the sub national governments to bring a lasting solution to the crises,” adding that the PDP Governors will continue to play their part in the effort to bring security and succour to Nigerians.

The Governors also reiterated the call for State Police, with appropriate safeguards to avoid any abuse or overreach by any tier of government.

The Forum also decried the falling value of the Naira and requested the “monetary and fiscal authorities to find appropriate solutions.”

Meanwhile, answering questions from journalists, Governor Bala flanked by other PDP Governors said, “Nigerians took a decision to bring the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre and we respect their sensibilities and sense of judgement. What we are doing is giving positive criticism to the obnoxious policies of the federal government.

"But at the onset of this administration, we supported the removal of subsidy, we believed that there were safeguards, we believed that if we took collective decisions, we should go by it. But certainly, we have seen that it is a free fall for the naira. The cost of living is going high, we are almost on the road to Venezuela.

“So, we are giving concrete opposition but not insulting anybody. But ultimately the decision squarely rests with Nigerians and other organs in the country to make sure that we do things that will bring succour to all of us.”

He also said many things were being done across party lines, on bi-partisan basis, within the Nigeria governors forum, the National Economic Council to “make sure that we cushion the effects of some of these policies. We have reached out to our people and opened the food reserves in a manner that it will provide some succour to our people at the lower level.”

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has opened up on his relationship with the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Roosevelt Herbert Wigwe.

Obi expressed deep sadness over the tragic passing of Wigwe, who he described as a dear friend, recalling how he once helped the Access Bank boss prepare for his traditional wedding.

DAILY POST reports that Wigwe, the Co-founder of Access Bank and the founder, Wigwe University, alongside his wife, Chizoba, son and lawyer, Abimbola Ogunbanjo died in a ghastly helicopter crash on Friday.

The chopper was headed to Las Vegas when it crashed near a border city between Nevada and California on Friday night.

The US government confirmed all on board dead as no survivor has been located as of Saturday morning.

“This loss is profoundly felt across the nation. I first met Herbert during his early days, on the brink of starting his marital journey. I vividly remember assisting him in preparing for his traditional wedding and being there for the ceremony with his wife, Chizoba, from Achina, Anambra State,” he recalled in a post on X.

"Since then, I’ve maintained a connection to his endeavors in my own modest ways. Herbert, a determined and forward-thinking individual, led Access Bank to new heights following his brother Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

“His noteworthy contributions extended beyond the professional realm, with commendable philanthropic efforts in health and education, exemplified by the establishment of Wigwe University, showcasing his deep commitment to education as a driver of development.

"The loss of such an exceptional individual reminds us of life’s fleeting nature, encouraging us to live with a purpose that contributes to the betterment of humanity. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Herbert, his beloved wife, and his son,” he added.

Five pregnant girls have been rescued following a raid of a baby factory by security operatives at Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The rescue efforts followed a collaboration of the Anambra State Ministry of Health and security agencies in the South-Eastern state.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike said it was observed that the baby factory was functioning as a hospital but it was a base for child trafficking.

The facility is identified as ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity located on a road along the Tansian University, Umunya.

He identified the facility as ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity located on a road along the Tansian University, Umunya.

“We found that some hospitals that are not registered are operating in the state. We have created data that will capture the hospitals in the state so that people will be able to have quality, good healthcare,” he said.

“Unfortunately, in one of the hospitals that we came for inspection, we found out that in our data system, they were not registered. We came here to verify and look at what is happening,” he said.

Five pregnant girls ranging from 14 to 21 years were rescued by security operatives during a raid on the facility on February 7, 2024.

‘Ran Away’
He said the facility was not registered with the Anambra State Government, adding that the government that seven nurses on duty ran away.

The commissioner put the ages of the victims as 14 to 21 years, stressing that Governor Charles Soludo’s administration is determined to tackle the menace.

“Unfortunately, the hospital is not registered and activities are suspected to be very fraudulent. So we decided to just see the senior doctor in the hospital and all the seven nurses.

"They locked us outside. Before they opened the gate, they followed the back and ran away. Seven to eight of them ran away. We saw little girls here that are pregnant, some of them ranging from 14, 15, 16 and 21 years,” the commissioner said.

Oba Adebayo Fatoba, the Alara of Ara-Ekiti, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has narrated how he escaped from the kidnappers who killed his colleagues.

Fatoba, along with two other monarchs from the state – Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti in Oye LG and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government of Ekiti State, were attacked by the gunmen while returning from a meeting.

The other two monarchs were killed by the assailants while Fatoba escaped.

Speaking on Awikonko TV Live, in a now viral video, the Oba said he did not disappear from the scene of the incident, as has been speculated.

The traditional ruler described his late colleagues as brave leaders who sacrificed their lives for the peace of their communities, Ekiti and Yoruba land.

Narrating how the incident occurred, Oba Fatoba said: “We have about 25 communities in the Ikole-Ekiti and there was a security committee which I am the chairman of and one of the deceased monarchs was the vice chairman.

"There have been repeated attacks on farmers in our areas because we have large forests here. So, when the attack was becoming too frequent on our people, we sought permission from the police to intervene and the permission was granted.

"So, when we received another report of an attack, where one of our people was killed between Ayebode and Ayedun, we decided to move in. We had visited the community where the incident happened. We were discussing how the late Onimojo, an Associate Professor, was planning to move from the Federal University of Technology in Akure (FUTA) to the Federal University at Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) on Irele road when they appeared from nowhere.

"We did not know they were many because about three of them pointed guns at us. We tried to struggle with them but they began to fire at us from different angles. Though the bullets did not enter, but I realised that they were fully armed with sophisticated weapons. We ran from the scene to a checkpoint mounted by our local hunters.

“But seeing the firearms in the hands of the kidnappers, the local hunters couldn’t advance. I even asked one of our local hunters to return fire but his Dane gun could not work. By the time I looked back, I saw my fellow obas in the pool of their blood.

"It was really a very sad experience. My colleague monarchs sacrificed their lives and died for their people. I would admit that the bullets did not penetrate through my body but I did not disappear, as being speculated.”

Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to dismiss the terrorism charges brought against five loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

The Judge on Friday declined to terminate the charges as requested by Hon Edison Ehie, the current Chief of Staff to the governor.

The court held that Ehie, who was the factional Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, lacked legal powers to request for dismissal of the charges.

Olajuwon upheld the submission of the counsel to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Simon Lough, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, that Ehie was not yet competent to make any application until he appears in court to take his plea in the terrorism charges.

Ehie, through his lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye SAN, had applied that the criminal charges against him and others be dropped on various grounds.

He claimed that the Federal High Court in Abuja has no jurisdiction to entertain the trial because the alleged offences were committed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He also claimed that he had not been indicted by the police for any offence.

The request was, however, vehemently opposed on the ground that Ehie had not yet appeared before the court to take his plea.

The police lawyer cited Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA 2015.

In a brief ruling, Olajuwon dismissed the request of the former Speaker and upheld the arguments of the IGP.

The Judge said the charge sheet only indicated that Ehie is at large and not yet listed on the charge as required by law.

He counselled the Chief of Staff to either surrender himself to police or appear in court to take a plea before he could qualify to make any application..

The five defendants on the charge sheet are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

In the 7-count charges, the defendants were accused of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalizing and burning down the Rivers State House of Assembly in the wake of the political crisis that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year.

Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known by his stage name, K1 De Ultimate, has told President Bola Tinubu that Nigerians are suffering and angry with his government due to the current poor state of the economy.

K1 said this in a video recording that surfaced on Thursday during one of his recent stage performances.

Before K1, his daughter, Dami Ayinde, lent her voice on Wednesday to the current economic situation, which she said wasn’t what the All Progressives Congress promised.

On her Instagram stories, the young lawyer said the APC was not delivering on what it promised Nigerians because the people are suffering.

Meanwhile, the Fuji legend, who is known to be a staunch supporter of the President, delivered his message in Yoruba Language while begging the President to find solutions to the multitude of challenges confronting the masses.

The country’s economic hardship has skyrocketed after former President Muhammadu Buhari left office, ushering in the new administration on May 29, 2023.

On the inauguration day, Tinubu declared that his administration would no longer subsidise fuel, hence calling for the end of the financing because it was beneficial to neighbouring countries.

His decision made the price of the Premium Motor Spirit rise from N185 to over N600.

Also, as part of his government’s reforms in the financial sector, the naira has embarked on a continuous free fall against the dollar after the Central Bank of Nigeria floated the currency to move towards market-determined interest rates.

This action has led to the instability of the naira to the dollar in the market, making it sell for between N1,200 and N1,500.

Meanwhile, both decisions — naira floating and subsidy removal — which are largely the factors determining the growth of the economy are being held spellbound and have sent more Nigerians below the poverty level.

Speaking truth to power, K1 said Nigerians are crying, and he pleaded with the President to find a quick fix to the problems before the opposition ride on that to criticise his administration.

“I plead with you to find a solution to the plight of the masses. The citizens are crying and wailing. We’re suffering amid a lack of adequate power supply. How did things get to this point? I implore you to fix these problems,” K1 sang in the video.

“Listen to the complaints of the masses and treat such complaints with all seriousness.

"We know you to be a philanthropist, but we Nigerians are angry. The people of Nigeria are angry.

“The traders in this country are not happy. Look at what the dollar has become (a reference to the exchange rate),” K1 added.

He also wondered why kidnapping incidents have been on the increase recently and called on the President to deal with the issue promptly.

K1 also appealed to Nigerians to persevere and exercise more patience with Tinubu, assuring them that this government will resolve all the challenges facing the country.

He, however, asked those who are profiting from the suffering of the masses to bury their heads in shame.

K1 has in the past sung the President’s praises in some of his records and was on his campaign trail in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.

The Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard, Lokoja, has arrested a retired soldier and a civilian with over 400 kilogrammes of substance suspected to be hemp along the Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road in Kogi State.

The two suspects, a retired corporal in the army, Denis Foukorighe, and Paul Obor, along with the illicit substance, were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Friday in Lokoja.

The Commander, NNS Lugard Lokoja, Commodore Ugochukwu Ajulu, while parading the suspects disclosed that the illicit substance was loaded in a Honda Accord saloon car conveying them from Edo State to Garki, Abuja, for commercial purposes.

He added that the suspects, both natives of Benue State, were arrested on Tuesday during the navy’s check operations along the Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road.

Ajulu said, “We are here at NNS Lugard Lokoja to hand over the two culprits and the illicit substances weighing over 400kg including a Honda saloon car to NDLEA officials for onward prosecution in the law court.”

He noted that the naval checkpoints in Kogi had been active in line with the mandate given to them by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

The officer-in-charge of Strike Force, NDLEA, Kogi State Command, Superintendent of Narcotics, Olorunfemi Abolarinwa, who received the two suspects on behalf of the agency, said they would be investigated thoroughly before facing prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned kidnappers and their informants, to either repent from their crime or die at the hands of security agents in the territory.

Wike gave the warning on Saturday on the final leg of his security town hall meetings with stakeholders of the Area Councils, at the Kuje Area Council town hall, in Kuje town.

The minister also enjoined residents of the area to give their support to security agencies by providing relevant information that would lead to the apprehension of kidnappers and criminals in the FCT.

Wike also stated that his administration would fight insecurity head-on, noting that he had directed the council chairman to profile and set up vigilante groups.

He said, “We are going to tackle insecurity head-on. These bandits and criminals, their time is up. I know some of the criminal informants are here listening to me, and if you are an informant, you will die the same way those people you are informing will die.

“You have the opportunity of repenting today or else you are gone. Nobody will pity you. You have seen what the security agencies have been doing in the past few days. That is to show you that it is not as busy as usual.

"Be fully aware that we are ready for you. I told the chairman to make sure that the vigilance groups are empowered and we must do it well. They must be profiled and the security agencies must know them. And to the residents, give us information. You must work with the security agencies and provide them with information.

"Do not be afraid. I have seen this problem before, and I will tackle it. Let me assure you that no amount of blackmail will stop us from carrying out our assignment.”

Wike also expressed shock at the state of roads in the Area Council and promised to revisit the council’s file and ensure the construction of better roads for the community.

"This is my first time coming to Kuje, and I couldn’t believe that the major roads were not constructed. They say God’s time is the best, God’s time has come for you. I will go back and revisit the file. Be assured that you will see changes in this Area Council.

“Today, we will go back and take those projects and complete them for you. It is not that we are doing you any good, you are entitled to it. We are not doing anything extraordinary. It is our job and we will be faithful to it,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, pleaded with the minister for the establishment of either an Army or Mobile Police barracks in the Kuje village where the kidnappers were active.

He also pledged the support of the traditional rulers and the people of Kuje Area Council in the fight against insecurity.

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to join hands to fix the country and have a change of mindset towards money.

Tinubu spoke on Monday when he received a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by its president Archbishop Daniel Okoh at the State House in Abuja, asking the body to help in preaching against corruption and related matters.

“We have no other country but Nigeria. If you do not preach the sermon of understanding, tolerance, perseverance, and hope for Nigerians, you are doing damage to the country, and nobody will help us repair it,” Tinubu said according to a statement from his spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.

“Let us dialogue because public condemnation of a nation is not what makes any citizen a good one. We must admonish Nigerians to have a change of mindset and not to make money our god or master. I believe we will get to the Promised Land, and Nigeria will flourish.”

Despite the challenges facing the country on many fronts, Tinubu said his government is unrelenting, promising to be fair to all Nigerians.

"We are here to listen, and if you observe any inadequacies in my government, let us know. I am here today because of your prayers and the will of God Almighty. What I have challenged myself to do each day is to be fair to all Nigerians,” he maintained.

“I have had a number of criticisms, including the rationale behind the size of my cabinet. If you want efficient, mobile, and resourceful people, we have to give people a load they can carry. If you combine too many ministries because you want to save money, you will have a future of non-performance and no results.

"Nigeria needs to turn the corner to grow, and we must give people challenges they can manage, and that is what we are doing”.