₦airaland Forum

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), declared that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force would profile every commercial bus in Abuja.

This program will start in January 2025, he said. Wike revealed this information on Thursday during the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Program in Abuja, where he also gave beneficiaries brand-new automobiles to operate as taxis. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

“They are not paying a dime. No; the government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city… Abuja should compete with other cities in the world,” said the minister.

He encouraged the beneficiaries not to be ashamed that they are being empowered to be taxi drivers, saying that many Nigerians who reject taxi driving jobs at home gladly embrace such when they travel abroad.

To curtail kidnapping and cases of ‘one-chance’ robbery, the minister said effective January 2025, any commercial bus not duly profiled by security agencies won’t be allowed to operate within the nation’s capital.

“Most of the Keke Napep and most of the motorcycles are informants. Everybody here that is a beneficiary is being profiled by the security.

“And so what we are coming up with is that from January next year, there will be nobody that will operate as a taxi driver or a bus driver without having approval from security, with security profiling you and without going about with Abuja colour.

“Nothing like using any vehicle on the road. No, we won’t allow that. From January, we won’t allow that.

“We will take the vehicle number, name of the drivers and the rest so everybody will have confidence that this is the vehicle I’m entering in case anything happens,” he added.

The governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently announced an increase in the minimum salary to N85,000, but Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has recommended a minimum pay of N100,000 for workers in Lagos, stating that this amount is insufficient to cover the actual cost of living and the reality of the local economy.

He underlined that, given the rising costs of living and inflation, the existing wage is insufficient to sustain employees and their families. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

The recent rise in the minimum wage to N85,000 is praiseworthy, but it falls well short of addressing the particular cost-of-living issues that Lagos workers face, the statement reads.

“With minimal investments in social housing programs, Lagos has the highest intra-city public transportation costs in Nigeria, is the second most expensive city to feed, and has the highest rental costs overall.”

Noting that more budgets have not resulted in better living conditions for Lagos people, Gbadebo also urged the governor to increase investments in the causes that are important to Lagosians.

He said: “It’s crucial to note that over 70% of Lagos State’s operating revenue comes from taxes, with PAYE (Pay As You Earn) contributing 45%.

“This means the state’s wealth, which the governor seems to take all the credit for, is primarily generated by citizens’ hard work.

“What tangible benefits do Lagosians receive in return for this significant contribution? Do their children have access to quality public education?

“Is there an efficient and affordable public transportation system? Are the roads well-maintained? Is social housing readily available? Can residents easily access capital for entrepreneurship?”

The Labour Party (LP) has insisted that Governor Alex Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi’s interim committee is not legal.

This was said by Obiora Ifoh, the national publicity secretary for LP, in a Thursday-published interview with Punch.

He clarified that Obi and Otti were misinformed and said that the party’s constitution, the federal constitution, and election laws are not in compliance with the appointment of Nenadi Usman as the head of the caretaker committee. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

“As you are well aware, illegality gave rise to the committee. Furthermore, it is not an outcome of the electoral legislation or the Nigerian Constitution, which is why we do not recognize it. Furthermore, the Labour Party Constitution did not produce it. It is merely a collection of leaders and members of the party who believe they should be given more power within the party.

There was no legal basis for what they did. As a result, it is illegal and unrecognizable, and we don’t deal with that group or whatever name they go by,” he declared.

Ifoh, however, disregarded any notion of punishing Governor Otti and Peter Obi, stating that they are party leaders who were only duped and will eventually return to the Labour Party’s fold.

“They are the party’s leaders, and we think highly of them. Before making that choice, we are positive they were misinformed. They’ll quickly turn around and head back to the party’s central group.

The LP spokesman called Obi and Otti stars and leaders of the party, emphatically ruling out any kind of punishment for them.

“No, there won’t be any sanction on those leaders because, as I told you earlier, they were misinformed and that does not attract any punitive action. They are our leaders and stars.

“We think it is left for us to put them through, guide them and make them to see reasons on why they should retrace their steps. We need everyone in the party. We are not going to chase away anybody. That is why our doors are wide open for people who want to stay.

“The issue we have with the Labour Party is that the party has its programme and ideology. The ideology is for people to have the same like-mind; people who will think Nigeria and those at the lower cadre first. We are not a bourgeoisie party that is cult-like. It is a party that runs an open-door policy. That is why those leaders (Obi and Otti) are very important to us. We are not going to play with them or issue any sanction whatsoever.”

The U.S. Department of Justice filed fraud charges against Air Peace’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Chief Financial/Administration Officer, Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha. Air Peace has addressed these reports.

The airline has declared its dedication to openness and honesty, stating that it is examining the accusations at this time and advising the public to hold off on making judgments until the investigation’s conclusion. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

The airline announced that the case was in court in a statement on Sunday.

“We acknowledge that this may have caused some concern, and we would like to immediately address these reports.

The airline said, “These accusations made against our post-holders are a part of an ongoing legal process that originated from earlier allegations of financial misdeeds that date back several years.”

Even though the charges had been increased, it was important to emphasize that they were still only accusations and that the case was still pending in court.

“Our legal team is devoted to the case and is making every effort to see that justice is served.

The statement said, “We remain confident that the truth will be revealed and our CEO and co-defendant will be exonerated through due process.”

It said that Onyema and his legal team had consistently cooperated with authorities throughout the process.

It also said that Air Peace had continued to operate without disruption, upholding its commitment to effective services.

“We want to re-assure the public that these legal proceedings will not impact the safety, reliability or day-to-day operations of Air Peace,” it said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately undo the most recent increase in gasoline prices, which is the second in as many months.

In an open letter dated October 12, 2024, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s deputy director, the group pleaded with President Tinubu to postpone the hike until after the conclusion of an Abuja Federal High Court lawsuit.

The legitimacy of the NNPCL’s power to increase gas prices is contested in the lawsuit. Due to their failure to stop the original price increase and look into claims of corruption and poor management at the NNPCL, SERAP filed a complaint against the president and the organization last month. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

SERAP is still fighting for accountability and openness in Nigeria’s fuel management and pricing.

According to the organization, there is a chance that the Federal High Court case will be severely hampered or tainted by the most recent spike in gas prices, which also makes a farce of the lawsuit.

“That the rule of law applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions, is one of its fundamental principles.”

SERAP contends that upholding the legitimacy and authority of the court in this particular instance, as well as maintaining the clear and unclouded streams of justice, are in the public interest.

The letter, read in part: “SERAP notes that since assumption of office in May 2023 you have repeatedly promised, including in your inaugural speech, that ‘Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the Constitution and the rule of law.’

“Increasing petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending would prejudice and undermine the ability of the court to do justice in the case, damage public confidence in the court, prejudice the outcome of the case, as well as impede the course of justice.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP shall consider contempt proceedings and/or other appropriate legal actions to compel your government and NNPCL to comply with our request in the public interest.

“If not immediately reversed, the latest increase in petrol prices would seriously undermine the integrity of the Nigerian Constitution and have serious consequences for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians and the public interest.”

The group stated that protecting the right to a judicial recourse and due administration of justice is of utmost importance.

SERAP pointed out that by reversing the latest increase in petrol prices would allow the court to render a decision on the central issues in the case, and protect the applicant’s rights and interests.

According to the organisation, the latest increase in petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending constitutes an interference with its right to fairly and effectively pursue a judicial challenge to Tinubu and NNPCL’s decision regarding the first increase in petrol prices.

It said: “The retail price of petrol was increased from N897 to N1,030 per litre. This is the second increase in one month, and followed the increase in September from N600 to N855 per litre, and in some instances above N900 per litre.

“The two increases followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt.

“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit over USD$2 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted into private pockets.

“The NNPCL reportedly failed and/or refused to remit N151,121,999,966. The NNPCL without any justification deducted the money from the oil royalties assessed for 2020 by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

“The NNPCL has failed to account for the missing public funds. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted into the Federation Account.

“The NNPCL also failed to remit USD$19,774,488.15 collected as government revenue to the Federation Account. The Auditor-General wants the NNPCL to account for the money, recover and remit it into the Federation Account, and to hand over those suspected to be involved to the ICPC and the EFCC.

“The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd also reportedly failed to account for USD$2,021,411,877.47 and N13,313,565,786.49 of royalties collected from crude oil and gas sales and gas flare.

“The Auditor-General wants the public funds fully recovered and remitted into the Federation Account and for those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds to be handed over to the ICPC and the EFCC.

“SERAP last month filed a lawsuit asking your government and NNPCL challenging the lawfulness of the increase in the pump price of petrol, and the failure to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.

“Joined in the suit as Respondents is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024 was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“Increasing petrol prices would compromise the interest of the Applicant in the Federal High Court case filed against your government and the NNPCL, as the second increase in one month directly touches on the central issues and the legality of the first increase, which the court is set to determine and rule upon.

“The core of the principle of judicial independence is the complete liberty of the judge to hear and decide the cases before them on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law, without any improper interference, direct or indirect.”

The claims of BVAS machine smuggling in Edo have been denied by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has described them as unfounded, unsupported, and without substance.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly claimed that PDP members had sneaked voter registration and BVAS equipment into INEC’s office in Benin on October 10 in a petition submitted to the electoral body. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, however, stated in a statement on Friday in Benin that the commission had concluded its examination into the claims and determined them to be meritless, unfounded, and unsupported.

Onuoha assured the populace that no political party or outside entity had ever illegally accessed or corrupted voter registrations or BVAS equipment.

He declared that INEC was still totally dedicated to preserving the electoral process’s integrity.

“The panel conducted its investigation with the utmost rigor, skill, and impartiality, acknowledging the gravity of these charges.

“INEC, the body entrusted with guaranteeing free, fair, and credible elections, will not accept any kind of irregularity.

He declared, “The security and integrity of all electoral materials, including BVAS, remain fully intact.”

Onuoha declared that INEC would guarantee transparency in the use of the BVAS machines and obedience to the law, in accordance with a recent court ruling. INEC was also prepared to assist in the inspection of election materials.

He asked for cooperation from all political parties throughout the inspection procedure.

Additionally, the REC counseled political players to refrain from taking any steps that may undermine public trust in the electoral process and instead concentrate on advancing democratic ideals.

He declared that the commission would never waver in its dedication to impartiality, superior electoral management, and guaranteeing legitimate results in every election.

Only a few months after being married, reality star Queen Mercy Atang is said to have removed all of their wedding pictures from Instagram and unfollowed her husband, David Oyekanmi.

By announcing their conventional marriage and court ceremony in March, the pair grabbed attention on social media. They shared a ton of pictures and videos from the occasion. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

However, barely a year into their marriage, signs of a rift have emerged.

Queen has unfollowed David on Instagram and removed all their wedding photos and videos from her profile.