Nigerian Army Dismisses Coup Speculations, Threatens Legal Action
The Nigeria Army has dismissed speculations about the military taking over the government of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu There were reports on Sunday, claiming that the presidential guards have been placed on “high alert” over suspicions of a coup plot in Nigeria. The report said key brigades were under watch as the Commander of the Presidential Guards Brigade, Col. Adebisi Onasanya held meetings with Tinubu and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Reacting to the report, the Nigerian Army quoted one of such reports on their official X page and wrote “FAKE NEWS”. The Defence Headquarters also threatened to seek legal redress on the recent claim that the Guards Brigade has been put on high alert following unusual movements, leading to suspicion of a coup plot in Nigeria. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Defence Headquarters stated that the allegation was totally false. Gusua, maintained that the Guards Brigade has been statutorily assigned the responsibility of protecting the seat of power (The Presidency) and by extension the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. According to him, the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively execute its assigned tasks. While calling on relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the source of the report (not Daily Post), it added that the Defence Headquarters will seek legal redress on the issue as it’s capable of creating unnecessary tension in the country. The statement read: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded article published online by @SaharaReporters on 25 February 2024 claiming that the Guards Brigade has been put on high alert following unusual movements, leading to suspicion of a coup plot in Nigeria. The publication also asserted amongst other things that the suspicion prompted an emergency meeting involving President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President and Commander of the Guards Brigade. The Defence Headquarters wishes to categorically state that the allegation is totally false. For the avoidance of doubt, the Guards Brigade has been statutorily assigned the responsibility of protecting the seat of power (The Presidency) and by extension the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. Hence, it is to be noted that the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively execute its assigned tasks. “It will be recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa OFR had in various fora reiterated the unalloyed commitment of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the protection and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. Therefore, the Defence Headquarters strongly condemn this unsubstantiated assertion which is just a figment of imagination of the publisher and enjoins members of the public to disregard it. “Furthermore, the Defence Headquarters calls on relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the Sahara Reporters for this unpatriotic action. Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters will seek legal redress on the issue which has the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country.” Last week, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned against calls for a coup and asked people to desist from such, noting that the rumour has the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country. Meanwhile, tension has continued to rise in Nigeria amid the current economic hardship, rising inflation and high cost of living following the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira by President Tinubu.
Deputy Speaker Reveals When New Nigerian Constitution Will Be Ready
Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, announced on Monday that Nigeria’s new constitution is expected to be ready for presidential assent within the next 24 months. During the formal inauguration of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution, Kalu emphasized the importance of allowing the President ample time to study proposed alterations before signing them into law, particularly amidst the busy schedule of an election year. Kalu highlighted the crucial need for constitutional reform in light of the 21st-century realities, stating, “Our constitution, the foundation of our democracy, stands as a testament to our collective aspirations for a just, equitable, and prosperous society.” He revealed that the House has received various bill proposals, including those for the establishment of state police, state access to mines, increased participation of women in politics, clear tax specifications for each tier of government, and the provision for the office of the Mayor of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Moreover, Kalu mentioned the reintroduction of several bill proposals that didn’t receive presidential assent in the previous constitution alterations. These include powers of the National Assembly and State Assemblies to summon the President and State governors, as well as requirements for the government to focus on ensuring the rights to food and food security. Highlighting the dynamic nature of the constitution review process, Kalu expressed the House’s openness to more proposals aimed at enhancing the Constitution and strengthening the nation’s democracy. He also noted the anticipation of executive-sponsored bill proposals reflecting issues on the renewed hope agenda of the President. Kalu acknowledged past constitutional amendments, such as financial independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary, redesignating “Prisons” as “Correctional Services,” and transferring certain matters to the concurrent legislative list.
Tinubu Explains Delay in Food Distribution To Cushion Hardship Effects
President Bola Tinubu has addressed the delay in the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains promised by the federal government to ease the current economic strain on Nigerians. According to Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, the grains are currently being bagged in seven strategic locations, causing the delay as the bags were freshly ordered. Onanuga assured that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is overseeing the process, emphasizing that the grain bags are free of charge. Additionally, the government plans to provide 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to support the vulnerable population. Onanuga said: “The Tinubu administration through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is in the final stages of releasing 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to support the vulnerable population across the country,” Onanuga said in the statement on Friday. “The grains in seven locations of strategic reserve, are now being bagged for onward delivery to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The need to bag the grains, caused the delay as the bags were freshly ordered by the government. “Nigerians will not need to pay for the grain bags, as they are free. This will be complemented by the 60,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to be purchased by the Federal Government from the Mega Rice Millers. “Already, with the announcement of the impending releases of food commodities from the Strategic Reserve, there is a noticeable reduction in commodity prices across major grains markets in the country, Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari.”
AGF Fagbemi Urges NLC to Halt Planned Protest
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28. In a letter to NLC’s counsel, Femi Falana, Fagbemi highlighted a subsisting court order restraining the union from any industrial action. He emphasized that the proposed protest is in violation of the court order and urged the NLC to engage in further dialogue, citing substantial compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding. The AGF emphasized the need to avoid disruption of public service and safety. The letter read, “I wish to draw your esteemed attention to the Joint Press Release dated 8th February 2024, containing a 14-day ultimatum, jointly issued by the President of the NLC and President of the TUC as well as the notice of a two-day national protest issued by the NLC President on 16th February 2024. “A cursory perusal of the above press release clearly shows that the planned protest is premised on or connected with alleged non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the Federal Government on October 02, 2023, consequences of the hike in the price of PMS, and other associated issues. It is therefore safe to assert again that the proposed cause of action by NLC is targeted at achieving objectives or promoting issues connected with a hike in fuel price and consequential matters of palliatives workers ‘ welfare, and associated government policies. “You may wish to note that the foregoing issues or objectives are at the core of the pending case before the National Industrial Court. Upon the submission of grievances to the court, parties in the suit cannot resort to public protests over the same issues, as such conduct amounts to gross contempt and affront to the institution of our courts of law. Therefore, the proposed nationwide protest action in all ramifications is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted in SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023-FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR on 5th June 2023 restraining both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature. “It is not in doubt that the planned protest is designed to compel the government to accede to the demands of organised labour, therefore, such action qualifies as an industrial action which comes within the ambit of the restraining order. This restraining order has neither been stayed nor set- aside and therefore remains binding.”
Tinubu Not Responsible For Nigeria’s Economic Hardship
Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, has exonerated President Bola Tinubu from being responsible for hardship in the country. According to Igboho, former President Muhammadu Buhari, should be held responsible for destroying the Nigerian economy, saying Buhari handed over a bad economy to President Bola Tinubu. Speaking on Friday while ddressing his followers in Oyo State, the freedom fighter insisted that Tinubu has not destroyed the Nigerian government. “Tinubu didn’t destroy the government; my pain with Yorubas is that while Buhari was in power, I was shouting that we should unite and free ourselves from this suffering. Buhari has nothing to offer us. “I said we should divide from Fulani because one Nigeria can’t work but they refused to listen to me. Buhari now handed over a government he had destroyed to Tinubu. Igboho, urged Yorubas to unite and liberate the Southwest from armed Fulani herders terrorising the South West region of the country. “Now some Yorubas are crying that they are hungry, have you seen Igbos crying? They have sent all Fulanis out of their lands and they are farming, doing what they want with their lands. “Why can’t Yorubas unite and liberate the Southwest from Fulanis so that our fathers and mothers can return to their farmlands?”
Pro Tinubu Rally Holds In Abuja
A solidarity rally in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration is taking place in Abuja. The rally was organized by youths from the Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF). The event, held at the Unity Fountain in the Business District Centre, saw participants donning white T-shirts and face caps with the inscription “Jagaban is working” as they displayed placards. Among the messages conveyed was a critique of the Nigerian Labour Congress’s planned nationwide strike, with placards stating “NLC Stop Faking To Be Fighting For Nigerians.” The rally organizers highlighted their motivation to counter misleading narratives about the country’s situation and reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to his programmes and policies.
Botched 2023 Census: Court asks NPC to release detail spending
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the National Population Commission (NPC) to release details of spendings on the aborted 2023 Population Census to an Abuja based lawyer, Opatola Victor within seven days. The judge declared that the refusal by the NPC to release the information or records of spendings on the aborted census as requested by the lawyer on March 30, 2023, was illegal and unconstitutional. On the strength of Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, (FOI) the court held that the refusal of the commission to provide the plaintiff with information on the companies that provided due diligence report on the technology to be deployed for the ill-fated census was a gross violation of the right of the plaintiff. The court, however, refused to grant N500,000 in favour of the plaintiff as he requested in the suit. In the judgment, the judge granted an order of mandamus compelling the NPC, its servants, agents privies and officials to furnish the lawyer with comprehensive and detailed information concerning the Quality Test Assurance Report on the devices and technology to be deployed for the postponed 2023 population census. Justice Ekwo rejected the claim by the defendant that bureaucracy and the absence of its executive chairman at the time was responsible for the refusal to make the requested records available to the plaintiff adding that the claim was untenable. The judge also dismissed the claim by the NPC that some of the requested information was classified which prompted the refusal to make the records available to the plaintiff, adding that from the definition of classified information, there was nothing secret on the issue of population census. Justice Ekwo also said that the position of the commission that the record sought by the plaintiff was already in the public domain was not tenable because the request of the plaintiff was on record at the disposal of the NPC and not the one in the public domain. The Abuja lawyer had in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 503/2023 prayed the court for an order that the refusal of the population commission to make the record of spendings on the aborted population census among others, available to him was a breech of his rights under Section 4 of the FOI Act 2012. He has prayed the court for an order of mandamus compelling the population commission to make the requested records of the aborted 2023 population census available to him in line with the provisions of the FOI Act. Although the plaintiff requested for a compensation of N500,000 for the breach of his rights by NPC under FOI, Justice Ekwo turned down the request on the grounds that the commission was not convicted for any offense.
Military Issues Stern Warning Against Calls for Coup Amid Economic Hardship
In response to social media discussions calling for a coup due to economic challenges, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has issued a stern warning. He emphasized that those advocating for a coup “do not love Nigeria” and stated that the Armed Forces are committed to protecting democracy. Speaking at the commissioning of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army entrance in Port Harcourt, General Musa urged citizens to be patient, support the government, and trust that the country will overcome its current difficulties. He emphasized that democracy is crucial, and any attempt to undermine it is considered as the work of “evil people” who will face legal consequences. “Whoever is making that call (coup) does not love Nigeria. We want to make it very clear that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are here to protect democracy. We all want democracy and we do better under democracy,” he said. “And so we will continue to support democracy. And any of those ones that are calling for anything other than Democracy are evil people and I think they don’t mean well for Nigeria. “And they should be very careful because the law will come after them. We can see that with democracy a lot of things are happening in Nigeria. Yes we are going through trying periods, I mean in life nothing is hundred percent.” He emphasized that what is needed is for citizens to be patient and give their support to the government to succeed and put the enemies of state to shame. “Everybody goes through a trying period in life, and it is what you do with them. You can see the government putting efforts to ensure that we come out better. And it is when you go through difficulties and come out better you will really appreciate what it is to build a nation. And so we are going through our trying period, but I can assure Nigerians that it will get better. “All we need is for all of us to put our hands together to ensure that we defeat those enemies of the government, those enemies of this country that don’t want us to succeed. We will surely succeed and the Armed Forces are here to support the Government in ensuring that we develop, we succeed and to see that there is peace in Nigeria.”
Presidential Aide Onanuga Pushes For Cryptocurrency Ban
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has called for the ban of cryptocurrency and foreign exchange (Forex) platforms operating in Nigeria. Onanuga specifically targeted platforms like Binance, Kucoin, AbokiFX, and OctaFx, claiming that they are manipulating the national currency. Expressing concern over Binance’s influence, Onanuga pointed out the platform’s regulatory challenges in the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and Singapore. He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take action against these platforms, emphasizing the need to prevent further devaluation of the Naira. He wrote: “According to Data Wallet, Binance is prohibited in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority from conducting any regulated activities. In Japan, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) banned Binance for operating without the necessary regulatory approval,” the presidential aide said. “Ontario, Canada, has also suspended Binance services following its inability to meet the province’s securities regulation criteria. The Monetary Authority of Singapore also banned Singaporean investors from accessing Binance’s services. “Binance, facing regulatory showdown in many countries, and causing disruptions in the currency market, should not be allowed to dictate the value of the Naira, not on its crypto exchange platform. “Other crypto platforms such as Kucoin, Bybit should be banned from operating in our cyberspace. FX platform Aboki should be re-banned.” This call for a ban aligns with the CBN’s previous directive on February 5, 2021, instructing financial institutions to close accounts involved in crypto transactions due to concerns about money laundering, terrorism financing, cybercrime, and the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies.
Why We’re Pulling Out Of NLC Nationwide Protest – TUC
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has announced its decision not to partake in the upcoming two-day nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Vice President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, clarified that the NLC failed to involve the TUC in the decision-making process before unveiling the protest scheduled for February 27 and 28. Etim expressed disappointment, highlighting that the NLC and TUC had jointly issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, set to expire on February 22. The customary practice would have been for both unions to collectively assess the situation and agree on the way forward. However, according to Etim, the NLC proceeded to unilaterally announce the protest without consensus. “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,” stated Etim, emphasizing the need for collective decision-making in matters of such magnitude. The TUC is urging a harmonized approach to address the challenges outlined in the joint statement with the NLC.