₦airaland Forum

It would have made more rhymes if they borrowed N26 trillion with 26 days to go.

Nigerian government can borrow to buy toothbrush.

LP is in the eye of the storm at present. The party is weak and not cohesive. Her members are in for the money and are easily fallible.

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Unease as Nigeria’s president-elect, Tinubu hires 2 Russians as aides
May 2, 2023 Nkiruka Nistoran 0 Comments Nigeria, NigeriaDecides2023, world-news
There is palpable apprehension over the presence and role of two Russian citizens working as aides to the Nigeria’s president-elect, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Political and security watchers are worried at the real status of the two Russian Advisers. And this is more so as their status in Nigeria is not known as they are not deployed diplomats of the Russian Federation Embassy in Nigeria.

There are fears that the President-elect may inadvertently be drawing Nigeria into an arena of global U.S. Versus Russia rivalry, which could destroy the relative peace in the country.

A source familiar with the development said, “There are worries both within Nigeria and abroad as their presence poses questions. For example, are they non-state actors? What is their remit? Were they used to manipulate the INEC Server? Why would anyone who wants to be a Nigerian President outsource sensitive advisory positions to foreigners when Nigerians can do such jobs?

“All these questions are begging for answers and Nigerians have the right to know, what these aliens are doing here and what is their employment and immigration status.

“Aside from the well-known notorious role Russia can play in the manipulation of elections, Nigerians are also very concerned about the rivalry Russian dominance of the incoming government in Nigeria will bring with the Western World.

“An easy point in hand is the needless war in Sudan where the two World powers, US and Russia are engaged in a severe proxy war with Sudanese nationals as the victims.”

The source added: “Maybe the President-elect and his team will need to brief Nigerians on this especially against the backdrop of his sneaking into Lagos on Saturday reportedly to meet some foreign doctors who came to attend to his health.

“Why wouldn’t they attend to him in Defence House, his official residence as President-elect, or his house in Abuja? When has Lagos been more conducive than Abuja for the sick and elderly, especially an incoming President”




https://nkirukanistoran.com/unease-as-nigerias-president-elect-tinubu-hires-2-russians-as-aides/

40 year is a life time. You mean another generation will sort out our borrowings? What a wicked country we live in.

• Senate approves restructuring of controversial loan
• Reps may accede to request next week
• Liquidation of facilities to be spread to 2063
• Spending requires thorough investment not approval, says Owoh
• Approval could open floodgate of litigation, expert warns
• CBN’s budget support grows by 2,900% in eight years
• Funding prevents shutdown of governance, Senate Committee claims
• Restructuring to reduce cost of servicing loan by 57%

The Senate, yesterday, abandoned its previous hard line stance and approved the conversion to a 40-year bond of the N23.72 trillion Federal Government’s unappropriated expenditure funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through its ways and means (W&M) window.

President Muhammadu Buhari, last year, wrote the National Assembly to approve the amount alongside a fresh N1 trillion it planned to take from the window (bringing the total value earmarked for securitisation to N23.72 trillion) for conversion to a 40-year tenure bond priced at nine per cent.

The bond conversion, which would ultimately move the amount from the balance sheet of the CBN to the Debt Management Office (DMO) for management, has a three-year moratorium, the Buhari administration disclosed.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had at several times turned down approval for lack of proper explanation on how proceeds of the loans would be spent.

With the Senate’s approval, the President’s efforts to push through has now narrowed to the House of Representatives, which had rejected the plea for lack of sufficient explanation of the utilisation of the facility. Sources said the Reps might discuss the request for possible approval when they convene next week.

The lower chamber would have approved the fresh additional borrowing of N1 trillion before proceeding on election recess but held back its approval for the restructuring of the controversial N22.72 trillion, seeking further explanation on the accumulation.

When the lower chamber of the National Assembly approves the request, the amount would be moved from the CBN book where it is currently being serviced at 21 per cent interest. The Federal Government said it agreed to an interest rate payment of the going monetary policy rate (MPR) plus 300 basis points (bps) as the price of the loan. MPR is currently 18 per cent with the possibility of a further upward review.

Buhari hinted late last year that the Federal Government would spend an additional N1.8 trillion servicing the debt except it is converted to a sovereign bond priced at nine per cent. The Guardian had reported that with the current interest of 21 per cent, the government could spend as much as N4.6 trillion as the cost of yearly servicing.

If the President secures consolidated approval in the coming weeks, the current cost of the loan would come down by as much as 57 per cent. But that depends on if the nine per cent negotiated bond price subsists as the cost of commercial debt has increased in the past months.

The approval could open a floodgate of litigation over the legality of the accumulated W&M advanced ab initio. When the Buhari administration assumed office, CBN’s overdraft to the government stood at N789.7 billion. The amount has since 2015 ballooned by 2,902 per cent to its current value (N23.72 trillion).

But the controversy is more about its alleged violation of the CBN Act than the alarming growth. According to Section 38 of the CBN Act, “the Central Bank may grant temporary advances to the Federal Government in respect of temporary deficiency of budget revenue at such rate as the Bank may determine.”

But it adds: “The total amount of such advances outstanding shall not at any time exceed five per cent of the previous year’s actual revenue of the Federal Government. All advances shall be repaid as soon as possible and shall, in any event, be repayable by the end of the Federal Government financial year in which they are granted and if such advances remain unpaid at the end of the year, the power of the bank to grant such further advances in any subsequent year shall not be exercisable, unless the outstanding advances have been repaid.”

Yesterday, a renowned monetary policy expert and professor of applied economics, Godwin Owoh, said Senate’s approval amounts to illegality that would be challenged by the court by interested Nigerians.

Describing the legislative action as approval in arrears, he said the National Assembly should have focused on interrogating how the proceeds of the loans, which were not appropriated.

The administration relied on the window to cater to short-term or emergency needs and fund delayed expected cash receipts.

Adopting the report of its special committee on W&M advances, which considered the request of the President on the issue, the Senate said the restructuring was approved because the advances were made to ensure that the government did not shut down.

The Senate further approved the sum of N180.46 billion being the balance of the supplementary budget and the interest accrued on the W&M advances.

The upper legislative chamber warned that subsequently “if there is a need to exceed the five per cent threshold of the prior year’s revenue, recourse must be made to the National Assembly for approval.”

On states, whose budget shortfalls were also funded through the CBN lending window, the Senate advised: “The Federal Government should begin the process of recovering the portion of the W&M given as loans to state governments as further deferment of the repayment of the loans by the states will not be healthy for the economy.”

It also urged the government to expedite action on the repayment of the loans through treasury bills and bond issuance, saying it will not condone future accumulation without recourse to the National Assembly.

Presenting the report of the special committee, its Chairman and Senate Majority Leader, Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, said the committee found out that “part of the monies were given to state governments as loans to augment budgetary shortfalls in their various states”.

“Most of the requests for funds for an increase in W&M were made to Mr. President on the need to finance the budget due to revenue shortfall. Such requests were either made by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning or the CBN Governor.

“The Federal Government as a result of revenue shortfalls occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil prices relied heavily on the W&M to finance its budget deficit to keep the country working for the people. The monies received by the Federal Government were actually used for funding critical projects across the country.

“Due to the serious shortfall in Government Revenue, the Federal Government for the economy not to collapse, was compelled to borrow repeatedly from the CBN, exceeding the five per cent threshold of the prior year’s revenue as stipulated by the CBN Act,” the report stated.

The report further disclosed, “the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning has concluded plans to convert the CBN loans to tradable securities such as treasury bills and bond issuance”.

Mobilising his colleagues for the rejection of the President’s request earlier, Senator George Thompson Sekibo explained that the advances were illegal and unconstitutional. He informed the Senate that the action of the President was in breach of the CBN Act and the Senate standing rules.

“We should be abreast with the information that such money was going to be taken because it was being taken on behalf of the people of Nigeria and we are entrusted with the power to make laws. They brought this without details for us to approve,” the Senator said.

But the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, attempted severally to get the Senate to accede to the president’s request – a plea that hit the rock.



https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria-to-spend-next-40-years-repaying-controversial-n23-72tr-cbn-overdrafts-to-fg/

Even the DISCO's don't want mass metering in Nigeria. They enjoy Estimated billing system.

Most licence holders in Nigeria’s local meter manufacturing sector are divesting into other lines of business following low patronage from both government and the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), LEADERSHIP can now reveal.

This development is threatening the National Mass Metering Programme (NMP) of the federal government.

LEADERSHIP reports that due to the lack of patronage, the two existing meter manufacturers have veered into new business models to keep their factory running.

While Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Ltd (MEMMCOL), Nigeria’s only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), has ventured into meter manufacturing school through which it has raised grant from the Government of Germany, MOJEC International, through its subsidiary, Virtuitis Solaris, has entered into partnership with LandWey Investment Limited, a Nigerian real estate to develop the Isimi Lagos Solar Farm, a 50 MW solar photovoltaic power plant with the potential to scale to 100 MW, located in the heart of Lagos.

It is a renewable energy project aimed at promoting sustainable development and reducing the carbon footprint in Nigeria.

Group chief executive officer of MOJEC, Ms. Chantelle Abdul, informed LEADERSHIP that the project would cost about a $100 million.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP in Lagos, MEMMCOL chairman, Mr Kola Balogun, said that to further boost electricity meter usage and encourage local content in the sector, the federal government should increase its support and encouragement to indigenous meter manufacturers, to bridge the nation’s metering gap.

Balogun said that encouraging and allowing consumers to acquire meters on their own would spring up more investment in the metering industry.

The indigenous electricity meters manufacturer also called on the government to license meter manufacturers to bridge the metering gap, which according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) currently stands at over five million.

According to him, the federal government must continue to encourage local companies sufficiently or allow consumers to be able to buy meters on their own.

“If they can buy meters on their own, we will be able to invest. This means we should be licensed and most of the enterprises that are sustainable today are licensed enterprises. License meter manufacturers so that we will be able to reach more users,” he said.

He also advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and development banks to seek ways of directly funding manufacturers, saying that it is the surest path to reducing unemployment in the country.

His response supported a report just released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)l, which confirmed that estimated electricity customers stood at 5.91 million in Q3 2022, higher by 1.09 per cent from 5.85 million recorded in Q2 2022.

In his reaction, the president, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network (NCPN), Kunle Kola Olubiyo, said Nigeria should have a common feature that will make it universally adaptable to all the Distribution Licensees Network and easier for customers to just go to designated places and buy prepaid meters off the shelf with emphasis on locally manufactured prepaid meters.

On his part, convener of PowerupNig, Tayo Adegbemle, urged the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to look into customer enumeration, adding that the data of customers connected to the national grid is nonexistent.

Adegbemle further criticized the NMMP basing their target on six million meters which, he said, was not right, noting after the first circa one million meters installed in Phase 0, there has been a lull in the takeoff of Phase 1.

“The last I heard was that a contract letter was issued in December 2022, but the price awarded for each Meter was way below market price, so meter manufacturers and vendors had to write for a review and since then nothing has happened,” he told our correspondent.

“On the ability of local meter manufacturers, this is not the first time I will be making this case. Germany, USA or any of these advanced countries, they always promote their local industries. We have at least two local manufacturers that can meet up with our demand if fully patronised.

How do you expect a company to survive when one Disco is owing almost N1 billion?” he queried.

“The federal government has been advised to empower these local manufacturers, and build a metering ecosystem. Let us have a common meter design for local market, and build a metering ecosystem that will meet our local demands,” he stated.

Though, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission recently said it would soon provide 4 million prepaid meters to electricity consumers in the country, there are estimated 5million unmetered customers in Nigeria today.

The NERC commissioner in charge of Consumer Affairs, Aisha Mahmud disclosed this at the Customers’ Complaints Resolution Meeting organised recently in Jos.

Mahmud, who described the shortage of meters in the country as one of the biggest problems currently facing the commission, hinted that the challenge would soon be a thing of the past as modalities had been put in place to provide the meters through the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) of the federal government.

“Aside many interventions in that regard, including the zero phase of the NMP where over one million meters were provided, the first phase of the initiative will make available four million meters to customers,” Mahmud said.

Mahmud, who said all preparations had been concluded for the mass metering programme, explained that funding for the project would come through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We shall make available these meters to customers through the distribution companies and this is to show that the regulator is not just sitting but making efforts to see that all Nigerians have access to metres.

“So, we shall do all it takes as regulators to ensure that the issue of metering becomes a thing of the past. I strongly believe that with the plans ahead, we will overcome this challenge soon,” she said.

Mahmud also attributed the increasing rate of electricity tariff to inflation, rising exchange rate, cost of gas and labour, generation, and other economic realities in the country.

“Inflation has gone up to double digit, exchange rate, even the official rate, is crazy. Operators purchase most of their equipment abroad using the current exchange rate. The cost of labour keeps increasing, among other factors,” she explained.

On the meeting with customers, Mahmud said the commission was in Jos, Plateau State, to educate customers on their rights and listen to their complaints with a view to addressing them on the spot.

https://leadership.ng/amid-low-patronage-mass-metering-programme-in-limbo-as-manufacturers-divest/

Even a little child knows that INEC can't be non-partisan. They all have political interests which can be seen by everyone.

El Rufai and disinformation is like 5 and 6.

Nigeria and misplaced priority is like 5 and 6. There is too much insecurity in our land and we cannot afford to send our troop elsewhere at present.

I know many countries are in debt. I know one thing for sure, our debt can not be repaid in full. We will beg for debt forgiveness like always.

divinehand2003:
Look who has suddenly woken up from his slumber. Wike has just realised the enormous task before Tinubu to protect his Electoral victory in the courts.
He might just have played the wrong card by supporting Tinubu.

Gov Wike fall my hand big time.

Team LP should go to Russia to shred APC's lies as well.

Peter Obi was not even a valid member of the Labor Party to start with.

•‘Shettima validly nominated as running mate’
•APC: Atiku, PDP can’t query president-elect’s qualification
From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has queried the right of the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, to challenge his victory.

He argued that while not being a lawful member of the LP as at the time he contested on the party’s platform, he lacked the locus standi to challenge the outcome of the election.

In his response to the petition by Obi and LP filed last night by his team of lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), he queried the competence of Obi’s petition and prayed the court to dismiss it.

He said: “The first petitioner (Obi) has no locus standi to present this petition:

“Whereas it is pleaded in paragraph 4 of the petition that the first petitioner was duly sponsored by the second petitioner (LP) on whose platform the first petitioner contested the election of 25th February, 2023, he was/is not a registered member of the LP, 30 days before the date fixed for the primary/congress that purportedly elected and/or produced Obi (on 30th May 2022) as the presidential candidate of the LP for the presidential election held on 25th February 2023.”

Tinubu and Shettima argued that as against the mandatory provisions of Section 77(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022 Obi “was/is not a member of the LP as at 30 days before the primary election of the second petitioner held on 30th May 2023”.

They added: “As of 24th May 2022, that is, six days before the primary election of the LP purportedly held to produce/elect Obi as the presidential candidate of the LP for the presidential election held on 25th February 2023, Obi was still a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and he did not resign his membership of the said party until 24th May, 2022.”

They added that as of 30 days before LP’s presidential primary, Obi was still a presidential aspirant in the PDP.


They also argued that the grounds on which the petition is predicated are incompetent, thereby denying the court the needed jurisdiction.

“Ground one of the petition, to the effect that the 2nd respondent was at the time of the election not qualified to contest the election when read together with the facts purportedly supporting the ground, does not vest jurisdiction in this honourable court to entertain the said ground.

“Ground two which alleges that ‘the election of the 2nd respondent (Tinubu) was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022’ is unknown and strange to Section 134 (1) of the Electoral Act, and, as such, this honourable court has no jurisdiction to countenance it.

”Ground two of the petition is incompetent, nebulous, imprecise and speculative, having alleged in non-specific terms, that the ‘election of the 2nd respondent was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“The facts pleaded in support of Ground two, which alleges that the election of the 2nd respondent was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 do not have nexus with the said ground.

“Ground three of the petition, which reads that the ‘2nd respondent was not duly elected by majority of the lawful votes cast at the election,’ if read together with the facts purportedly supporting the ground and the reliefs sought, becomes otiose and academic, thus, vests no jurisdiction in the court to entertain it.”

Tinubu and Shettima are also contending that the reliefs being sought by the petitioners are not only incompetent but also ungrantable.

“Relief 1 which reads thus: ‘That it be determined that all the votes recorded for the 2nd respondent in the election are wasted votes, owing to the non-qualification of the 2nd and 3rd respondent’ is also amorphous, omnibus and vague; it confers no benefit on the petitioners.

“Relief (iii) which reads thus: ‘that it be determined that on the basis of the remaining votes (after discountenancing the votes credited to the 2nd respondent) the 1st petitioner scored a majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and had not less than 25 per cent of the votes cast in each of at least 2/3 of the states of the federation, (sic) and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared the winner of the 25.

“By the way and manner the petitioners have couched relief 1 (iii), they have adulterated, twisted, edited and manipulated the clear provision of section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

They also argued that the claim by Obi and his party that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election was outside the issue the court could deal with because it falls within the precinct of pre-election issues.

They added: “The pleadings in paragraphs 28-31 of the petition hinge the alleged disqualification of the 2nd respondent on a decision of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division in case No 93C-4483 delivered on October 4, 1993.

“The 2nd respondent herein named was not a party or defendant in the said case No 93C-4483.

“The 2nd respondent was/is not one of the listed parties in the decision of the United States (U.S.) District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division in case No 93C-4483 delivered on October 4, 1993, as reproduced in paragraph 28 of the petition.

“The pleadings in paragraphs 28 – 31 of the petition do not disclose a reasonable cause of action cognizable under Sections 131, 134 and 137 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and section 134 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“The decision of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division in case No 93C-4483 delivered on October 4, 1993, was not rendered by a Court or Tribunal created pursuant to (or identified in) Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“The decision of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division in case No 93C-4483 delivered on October 4, 1993 is/was not in respect of any cause of action or offence created by an Act of the National Assembly or law of a state, any subsidiary legislation or instrument under the provisions of a law in Nigeria or any written law in Nigeria.”

Tinubu and Shettima argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to enforce “the purported decision of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division in case No 93C-4483 delivered on October 4, 1993, as sought and alleged under paragraphs 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 of the petition; the said decision having not been registered in any trial court or domesticated in any court in Nigeria.

“The case of the petitioners as pleaded has not disclosed any disqualifying factor as prescribed by Section 137 (1) (d) and (e) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in that:

“The 2nd respondent is not currently under sentence of death imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or any jurisdiction at all.

“The 2nd respondent is not currently under a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria.

“The petition of the petitioners does not disclose any fact showing that within a -period of less than 10 years before the date of the election to the office of President, the 2nd respondent had been sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty or had been found guilty of the contravention of the code of conduct.

“By the petitioners’ own showing as pleaded in paragraph 29 of their petition, the order, case No. 93c 4483 sought to be relied on was made on October 4, 1993 (about 30 years before the presentation of this petition) not within a period of less than 10 years before the date lection as stipulated by the Constitution.

“By the petitioners’ own showing, the case No. 93c 4483 pleaded in paragraphs 28 and 29 of the petition and relied on in paragraphs 28,29,30,31 and 32 of the petition is not a case of criminal forfeiture cognizant under 18 USC 982 which deals with Criminal forfeiture, rather a civil case for civil forfeiture under 18 USC 981 which the United States of America instituted as a civil Plaintiff against identified properties (not persons) as defendants in respect of which the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division exercised its civil jurisdiction (not criminal jurisdiction) under 28 USC 1345 and 1355. Case No.93c 4483 did not generate and had no capacity to generate a criminal conviction or sentence to constitute disqualifying factors under Section 137 (1) of the Constitution.

“Case No.93c 4483 did not involve the process of arraignment, taking of plea, conduct of trial, taking of oral evidence (including cross-examination), hearing of defence, finding of guilt, conviction and sentencing.”

“The United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Judge John A. Nordberg did not, in Case No: 93C 4483 the Order reproduced in paragraph 29 of the petition,” they said.

They argued that Tinubu was never convicted as against the claim by the petitioners.

“The 2nd respondent has never been found guilty/convicted of any criminal offence in respect of which a fine of $460, 000.00 (or any amount whatsoever, was imposed on him by any authority or person, including the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division in Case No. 93C 4483.

“The respondents state that, in Case No. 93C 4483 at the United States District Court, Northern District of United States, Eastern Division which was pleaded by the petitioners: No criminal charge was filed against the 2nd respondent:

“The 2nd respondent was not arraigned and did not take/make a plea to any count in a charge for allegations of crime.

“The 2nd respondent did not go through a criminal trial; was not convicted of any crime or for any criminal activity; no sentence of imprisonment was imposed on the 2nd respondent; no sentence of fine was imposed on the 2nd respondent; no form of sentence was imposed on the 2nd respondent.

“Case No.93¢ 4483 was a civil suit in respect of which the court exercised civil jurisdiction under 18 USC 981 and 28 USC 1345 and 1355.

“The respondents further state that in Case No. 93C 4483 at the United States Distinct Court, Northern Distnct of Illinois, Eastern Division, no personal criminal sentence was imposed on the 2nd respondent.

“In further reaction to the false representations in paragraph 29 and 30 of the petition, the said Case No. 93C 4483 was an action in rem against certain assets.

“The suit was settled amicably (with mutual releases and parties agreeing to bear their own costs) and a resultant order of dismissal ‘with prejudice.’

“Specifically, by the order of Judge John A. Nordberg, dated September 15, 1993, it was found and held as follows:

· The parties further agreed that $460,000 from the defendant account held by Heritage Bank in the name of Bola Tinubu shall be forfeited by the United States……

· The additional funds remaining in the account in excess of $460,000 shall be released accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the funds in the above accounts and any accounts held by Citibank or its related entities on behalf of Bola Tinubu or companies over which Bola Tinubu has control shall be released and the action filed against those funds held in those accounts by Citibank shall be dismissed with prejudice.”

Tinubu and Shettima also faulted the claim by the petitioners that Shettima was not qualified to stand for election in view of his alleged double nomination.

They equally faulted the petitioners’ questioning of the manner Tinubu appointed his running mate.

They added: “The procedure for the nomination of the 2nd respondent as the presidential flag bearer of the 4th respondent (APC) was by a primary election that was duly convened and conducted pursuant to the Electoral Act.

“The statutory procedure for the selection of the 3rd respondent as vice-presidential candidate was different from that of the 2nd respondent as the said 3rd respondent was not required to go through the process of any primary election.

“A candidate in an election who wishes to withdraw his candidacy only has an obligation to submit a notice in writing to his political party withdrawing his candidature.

“Upon submission of the notice, the obligations of the candidate are complete, his candidacy stands withdrawn and he has discharged himself of all/any impediment to another nomination. It is then for the political party to subsequently notify the 1st respondent (INEC) of such withdrawal not later than 90 days to the election.”



https://thenationonlineng.net/obi-lacks-right-to-contest-my-victory-tinubu-tells-tribunal/

My only wish is for the court to permit media coverage of the entire sessions and proceedings so that Nigerian people can learn and have sense.

Compulsory retirement. Publish names.

Amid the security crises confronting the country, the high command of the Nigerian Army has directed over 120 major-generals, brigadiers, colonels, lieutenants, captains and others to proceed on compulsory retirement.

The affected officers, who include those who failed their Senior Staff Course Examinations, were ordered to submit their letters of voluntary retirement or face summary retrenchment.

It was gathered that the exercise was in accordance with the Public Service Rules and the Armed Forces of Nigeria Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service, 2017.

Report has it that the number of senior and middle level personnel that would be required to leave the service might be higher than 120 as those concerned were being given their letters of compulsory retirement in batches.

It was gathered that the first batch was given a deadline of December 24, 2022, to tender their retirement letters.

It was further gathered that the affected personnel would proceed on the mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave from January.

Report had it that the majority of the concerned officers had complied with the directive to avoid hostile actions from the authorities.

“The development has, however, generated consternation in the Army with many querying the rationale behind the mass retrenchment.

“An officer accused the military authorities of disobeying a directive from the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, that the exercise should be suspended till after the 2023 elections.”

The sources quoted as stating: “Over 120 top officers were served letters of mandatory retirement by the Army authorities. The affected officers include major-generals, brigadier-generals, brigadiers, colonels, captains and other middle-level officers, who were unable to pass their promotion examinations after three attempts.

“But there are two rules guiding this issue: if one fails to pass his promotion exams after three attempts, he could be considered on the basis of the years he has spent on the rank.

“Though the authorities informed us that those who failed to pass their exams would be considered on the basis of age on rank, they reneged on this and instead directed us to put in our voluntary retirement letters. This is not fair.”

Despite protesting the failure of the Army high command to comply with the rules, it was learnt that the personnel were compelled to tender their notices of voluntary retirement with the option to complain or appeal later.

Another source, who confirmed the development, said the letters issued to the affected officers were signed by the Military Secretary, Army, Major General J. Abdussalam.

Apart from those who failed their promotion examinations, the source said those who had disciplinary cases and those who had spent the mandatory 35 years in service were equally affected.

He said, “The officers who were asked to submit letters of voluntary retirement were more than 100. The military directive was contained in a letter dated October 24, 2022 but it was served on them sometime in November.

“They were given a deadline of December 24, 2022 to tender their letters otherwise the Nigerian Army would compel them to go on compulsory retirement. They are to commence their terminal leave from either February or March 2023.

“The reasons for the disengagement are varied. Some had to do with age on rank or cases of indiscipline and other reasons known to the Chief of Army Staff and the Military Secretary (Army).

“Some failed promotion examinations three times. For example, some brigadier-generals failed their promotion exams to major-general during their third and last attempt this year.”

Findings indicate that some of the officers had been lobbying top retired military officers, including a former Chief of Staff, for assistance.

However, there are indications that the aggrieved officers might have appealed to the CoAS, Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya, and the President, Muhammadu Buhari, for extension of service in line with Chapter 11, Section 2(e) of the HTACOS.

The section states, “An officer called upon to retire, resign or to relinquish his commission shall, if he so desires, appeal to Mr President, the C-in-C (Commander-In-Chief) through the CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) within 30 days to have his case reconsidered.”

But some of the affected officers, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, explained that they did not file any appeal because they were given assurances that the exercise might be reviewed.

According to The Punch, a Major disclosed under anonymity that he did not take advantage of the 30-day appeal window provided by the HTACOS because there were signs that the authorities might withdraw the directive following the discontent and anger it had generated in the Army among those who had not attained the mandatory retirement age or service years.

“We have submitted our letters of voluntary retirement as directed by the high command, but there are positive indications that we may be considered for reprieve, particularly those of us who have not spent up to 35 years in service,” he said optimistically.

The Director of Information, Nigerian Army, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, did not respond to requests for comments on Friday, but a retired military officer and security expert, Col Hassan Stan-Labo, pointed out that retirement was routine in the military.

“The army has a well laid out HATCOS regime, which applies to its personnel. So, it (retirement) is very normal; it is an annual thing; retirement, promotion and discipline are annual events in the Army calendar,” he stated.

Asked if the annual retirement of personnel without commensurate recruitment would not affect the Army’s operational capability, Stan-Labo said, “The Army cannot sacrifice anything for discipline. That you are holding an important position in relation to the ongoing war does not make you indispensable. There is a saying in the Army that nobody is indispensable.

“So, if at any point you think you are too much; you can be laid aside and another person will do it. Thank God Nigeria has a population of over 250 million, so we don’t lack manpower except that they are not recruiting as much as we expect in relation to the ongoing campaign. We expect that turnover will be high, so recruitment should be high.”



https://newsdirect.ng/just-in-army-orders-120-generals-brigadiers-colonels-others-to-proceed-on-compulsory-leave/

Obasanjo’s endorsement of Peter Obi is causing a lot of heart break and commotion everywhere. Calm down PDP and APC.

CBN would have tried to be more creative and innovative now. The naira color change or design nor make sense.

Great gesture

The Dangote-led Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), known as, Dangote Flood Committee, has commenced the distribution of relief materials, worth N1.5 billion to victims of flooding nationwide.

The PCFRR, which was established by the federal government following the 2012 flooding, is co-chaired by Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote and Dr. Olisa Agbakoba.

The flagging off ceremony for the relief materials distribution for this year started in Borno State and was conducted by the State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Zulum thanked the Dangote Flood Committee and promised that he will ensure that the items get to the victims.

UNICEF revealed that the 2022 flood killed 600 people, displaced 1.3 million and destroyed more than 82,000 homes in Nigeria, therefore making it the worst in decades.

The representative of the Dangote-led Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), Alhaji Umar Gulani assured at the flagging off for the Northeast zone that the exercise would also be conducted in the other five geopolitical zones of the country.



Gulani said, the items from the Committee have been officially handed over to the Borno State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).



https://leadership.ng/dangote-led-flood-committee-commences-distribution-of-n1-5bn-relief-items/

Why did Nigeria Customs get such an expensive machine in the first place when they know it wont be used at all? Crazy people everywhere.

NASENI is a great concept, but anything that has to do with an outgoing president seems to be abandoned by the incoming one. Let's keep our fingers crossed on this one.

Welcome development.
More great apps from Nigeria to follow

The developer of Play2Score mobile app, Henry Isaac, has said, the new app will help in connecting Nigerian footballers to international exposure.

One of the most critical ambitions of every football player is to play on the global stage and also have a European club to play. This has been a tedious and herculean process for indigenous football players in the country.

Speaking during the unveiling, Isaac, said: “as FIFA certified agent, whenever I come to Nigeria, I always see very talented chaps that are good in the game of football. These kids need the desired exposure in Europe, I am just a man that have limitations. I can only help the few that I can. This was one of the core reasons that made me develop this mobile app.”

He added that, “a lot of those that are interested to play in Europe have been cheated out of their money by these fraudulent people that parade as agent. With this app, you have been able to bypass these fraudulent agents. This will help the players save money. It is just only a download away on their mobile phones.”

The mobile app has been lauded by football lovers, players and coaches especially in Europe, described as one of its kind in Africa. With no subscription fees and charges, the developers have described the project as a way of giving back to the society.

Isaac noted that, “Play2score is a registered football organization with a mission to create more realistic connections between football players and top European football profiles across Africa. There are talented football players on the streets, in the markets, in our schools, in our society, and in native homes, talented enough to play for popular European football teams and become successful.

 

“As far as injecting new and fresh blood into the game of global football is concerned, with Play2score, reaching out to the target players, including all other logistics in recruiting, organising, and dispatching them across various teams will no longer be a hassle.”


https://leadership.ng/nigerian-footballers-to-get-international-exposure-via-new-app/

Thunder fire all these agencies that want to make our lives more unbearable.

The only agency doing great job in Nigeria at present is Nigeria Custom. Kudos.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has so far generated a total sum of N2.14 trillion in 2022, At the current rate, the agency may not meet up its revenue target of N3.019 trillion with barely two months left in this year.

Comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hamid Ali, who disclosed the agency’s revenue performance yesterday, at ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential communication team at the presidential villa, however, maintained that its target for the current year remains to raise about N3.019 trillion.

“We have moved our revenue from N876 billion to N2.14 trillion as at today. We are pushing to achieve N3,019 trillion target by the end of the year, in 2022. But in the worst case scenario, we will hit nothing less than N2.5 trillion at the end of the year.

Ali disclosed that the revenue profile of the Agency was boosted by the imposition of carbonated drinks tax by over 10 per cent,” he said.

He also revealed that the agency has sacked about 2000 of the Agency’s staff in the last seven years.

Ali also said that the agency’s corporate headquarters valued at N19 billion is ready and will be commissioned in the next few weeks by President Muhammadu Buhari.
 

Customs CG, who noted that the Agency was facing a tough fight against smuggling, added that smugglers are getting more sophisticated in terms of operation and are now using submachine guns, while his men use the regular AK 47 rifles

Ali while speaking on efforts to curb smuggling, noted that the Agency  acquired 75 five gear vehicles, which are very effective for anti-smuggling operations as well as gun boats to help combat smuggling

“We have been acquiring speed boats we have taken delivery of new boats, additional 14 built for the creeks and high sea anti-piracy operations.

On efforts to boost revenue, Ali stated that the Nigeria Customs is already working on full electronic automation platform to enable connect to global best practices that will also help monitor Nigeria’s borders.

He noted that the automation platform is ready and will be commissioned any moment by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Ali revealed that once operational, it will improve the Agency’s operations, including blocking revenue leakages

He disclosed that the entire operating process will be automated, to enhance speedy processing and clearance of goods and services.

Ali said the e-platform which is expected to boast revenue growth by about 30 per cent will cost about $3.8b being invested in 20 years, with a projected total revenue $176 billion.

“This is a major key component of the federal government’s diversification program expected to help boost revenue generation, Security and align our processes with the global best practices”

“We are working to perfect this electronic operations, with a system that will help us to identify and block leakages, improve revenue, deal with insecurity along our borders and align our operations with global best practices”

“It will enable clearance of goods and services faster at the ports, with out human interventions and manipulations by dishonest importers and Customs agents

“We are also looking at the fiscal and monetary policy enforcement, while also making sure that we collect whatever is collectible.

He commended President Buhari for banning rice importation, adding that  a lot of rice is being smuggled into Nigeria through the Benin Republic borders, which is the highest importers of the rice.

 


https://leadership.ng/customs-generates-n2-14trn-in-10-months/