Tinubu picks Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff

Current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has been appointed as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This decision means that Gbajabiamila will not be participating in the upcoming 10th National Assembly. Gbajabiamila, who recently secured his sixth term as the representative of Surulere Federal Constituency in Lagos State, made the announcement through his Chief of Staff, Olanrewaju Smart Wasiu, on his official Facebook page on Thursday morning. In the statement, it was revealed that President Bola Tinubu selected Gbajabiamila as his Chief of Staff after careful deliberation and consultations. The President considered several potential candidates within his loyalist circle before making the decision. This move marks a significant change for Gbajabiamila, as he is yet to receive his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). By accepting the role of Chief of Staff, he will be foregoing his sixth term in the House of Representatives to join the executive branch of the government. Sources mentioned in the statement disclosed that President Tinubu chose Gbajabiamila over James Faleke, the representative of Ikeja Federal Constituency and a dedicated campaigner for Tinubu. The President’s decision was motivated by the desire to have someone who could effectively persuade lawmakers in the National Assembly to support his proposed policies.

Kidnappers kill 2, abduct 2 others in Ogun farm

Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, on Wednesday shot dead two people and also abducted two others at a farm in Awo Village in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun. One of the deceased was an area commander of Ogun security outfit, So-Safe Corps, identified as Saheed Ogunrinde. The kidnappers were said to have appeared in camouflage and invaded a popular farm in the village which had more than 200 workers. The kidnappers were reportedly trailed by combined team of policemen and So-Safe Corps operatives. Confirming the incident, the Commander of So-Safe Corps, Soji Ganzalo, said his men participated in the operation to salvage the situation after the suspected kidnappers had invaded the village. “A distress call was made to Owode Area Command by the DPO Owode Division that two people were killed and two others were kidnapped in Abule Awo, Orile-Imo on Tuesday. “The Owode Area Command of So-Safe led by Saheed Ogunrinde moved to the affected location to salvage the situation. “On getting there, a joint operation was carried out by our men and Nigeria police and all efforts to track the kidnappers proved abortive. “The following morning, on Wednesday, when our men resumed with the police to search the location which led them to the Interchange Area. “On sighting our men, the kidnappers opened fire and their bullet hit Ogunrinde, who died in the process. “His body has been taken to his house at Ajura and buried. His rifle and phone were taken away by the kidnappers,” Ganzalo said. When contacted, the state police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident. Oyeyemi said one of the suspects had been arrested and that others were being trailed by operatives of the joint operation. “Two people were shot and one of them died on the spot. They also kidnapped two,“ he said. Oyeyemi disclosed that one suspect had been arrested. 

Police neutralise terrorists, rescue kidnapped victim in Katsina

The police said its operatives neutralised two people on the wanted list of the police in Katsina State. This is contained in a statement issued by the new Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Abubakar Aliyu in Katsina on Thursday. ”On May 29, at about 0300hrs, terrorists/bandits in their numbers, armed with AK 47 riffles, attacked the residence of one Yahaya Usman of Tani village,  Bindawa Local Government Area of the state. “They inflicted a deep knife cut to his head in an attempt to kidnap him.” Upon receiving the report, Aliyu said the operatives attached to the Bindawa divisional headquarters led by the DPO promptly responded. “They engaged the suspected terrorists in a fierce gun duel and successfully foiled the kidnap attempt and rescued the victim,” he said. He said two corpses of the suspected terrorists were recovered. The police, he said, also recovered one AK 47 riffle with five rounds of 7.62mm at the scene belonging to the suspects. “During the course of the investigation, the corpses were later identified to be those of Sani Kokaya and Ummara, all of Kaita local government area of the state. “They are notorious terrorists/bandits and arms smugglers who have been on the command’s wanted list,” he said.

U20 W/Cup: F’Eagles stun hosts Argentina 2-0 to berth quarterfinals

Nigeria’ Flying Eagles eliminated host nation Argentina as goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki sent the six-time champions out of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Wednesday night. On an incredible night in western Argentina, the Flying Eagles pulled out every trick in the book to defend in numbers and then score two goals through quick counter-attacks. The performance in this round of 16 match had the Albiceleste Sub-20, who had won all their three matches in the group phase, stunned as they crashed out of the tournament. Nigeria Head Coach Ladan Bosso had promised that his boys would give as much as they got, and they did that and more with clear intent from the ninth minute. That was when a snapshot by Ibrahim Muhammad on the edge of the penalty box went narrowly off. There were even exchanges afterwards, and the South Americans came close with a header in the 39th minute. But the Flying Eagles returned with more stamina and guile in the second half and completely dominated the hosts in front of nearly 30,000 fans in San Juan. Goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso had saved from Barco in the 51st minute and Jude Sunday’s shot was held by the opposition goalie. Thereafter the two-time silver medallists struck the underside of the bar with an intelligent shot from the edge of the box by Tochukwu Nnadi in the 58th minute. The hosts did escape there, but would not be that lucky three minutes later, when from a long Aniagboso ball out, substitute Emmanuel Umeh found an onrushing Muhammad. He stretched beyond the attention of two defenders and pushed the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper into the net. Two minutes later, Umeh could have turned goalscorer when he ran powerfully down the left and planted himself in a good position, but dragged his shot a little too wide.  Carboni saw his shot held by the calm Aniagboso and then headed wide, before Umeh again came close only to be foiled with the goalkeeper beaten. The nifty Romero hit the upright with a deceptive shot in the 83rd minute. Also, Abel Ogwuche cleared the ball as two Argentines were set to pull the trigger in the 85th minute with things becoming really anxious. The hosts, who are under the tutelage of the legendary Javier Mascherano, poured forward in search of the equaliser, and were then open to a sucker punch. AC Milan’s Victor Eletu showed tenacity to hold on to another long Aniagboso ball out of defence. He then lifted for Haliru Sarki to nod into the net with aplomb for Nigeria’s second with one minute into added time. The victory somewhat atoned for Argentina’s 2-1 defeat of Nigeria in the final of the 2005 edition of the competition in The Netherlands. That was when Lionel Messi scored twice from the penalty kick spot to deny the African champions. Victory took the Flying Eagles to the quarter-finals, where they meet the winners of the Ecuador/South Korea Round of 16 duel to be decided on Thursday.

Fuel price increase will accelerate inflation — NECA

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has said that increase in pump price of fuel would further accelerate inflation, which would distort and destabilise economic activities. Its Director General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made the assertion in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. Oyerinde said also, that the increase would shrink private sector business capital and lower the real disposal income of the people. ‘’The inaugural address of the president on fuel subsidy has generated heated reaction, with fuel queues returning to the petrol station and the prices of goods and services increasing astronomically. ‘’The increase, if not well managed, could lead to an increase in the prices of goods and services with consequential effects on the purchasing power of the already impoverished Nigerian. ‘’No doubt therefore, the economy would contract in terms of growth; business activities will face serious backlash; and aggregate consumption will fall due to inflationary pressure, ‘’ he said. The NECA boss said that, while it was desirable to remove the fuel subsidy, it was also important that the removal was systematically and strategically done. According to him, this is in order not to further impoverish and worsen the already bad socio-economic indicators such as employment, poverty per capital income and many more. Oyerinde said: ‘’It is worrisome to note that prices of other commodities have skyrocketed few hours after the president’s pronouncement of subsidy removal. ‘’Consequently, it is critically important that the new government approaches the removal of the subsidy with caution to circumvent further degeneration in the economy. ‘’We reiterate that in the spirit of frontally addressing corruption as stated in the president’s inaugural address, efforts should be stepped up to complete the rehabilitation of the refineries to complement the Dangote Refinery that just came on board recently. ‘’With the measure, it will be possible to attain scale in Premium Motor Spirit refining in the country so as to moderate domestic prices.‘’ NECA is the umbrella organisation of employers in the organised private sector of Nigeria. 

Subsidy Removal: NLC rejects new fuel pump price template

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to immediately instruct the Nigerian Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) to withdraw the just released pricing template to allow free flow of discussions by all parties. Mr Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, made the call in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja. Ajaero said that the new pricing template is vexatious, an ambush and may scuttle its ongoing dialogue with the federal government. According to Ajaero, government cannot in one breathe be talking about deregulation and at the same time fixing the prices of petroleum products. “We are worried that the Government through the NNPC despite the ongoing meeting of stakeholders in the Oil and Gas sector to manage the unilateral. “But unfortunate announcement by the President to withdraw subsidy on petroleum products, went ahead this morning to announce a new regime of prices under a new pricing template. “This is an ambush and runs against the spirit and principles of Social Dialogue which remains the best platform available for the resolution of all the issues arising out of the petroleum Down-stream sector. “This negates the spirit of allowing the operation of the free market unless the government has, as usual, usurped, captured or become market forces. “It is therefore unacceptable and we seriously condemn it. Good faith negotiation is key to reaching agreement,” he said. He added that what the government has done is like holding a gun to the head of Nigerian people and bring undue pressure on the leaders, thus undermine the dialogue. The NLC president said that Nigerians would not accept any manipulation of any kind from any of the parties, especially from the representatives of the government. “Our commitment to this process is buoyed on the fact that all the parties would be committed to ensuring that it is carried out within the ambits of liberty without undue pressure. “The release of that Template may not allow us to continue if nothing is done to withdraw it so that the dialogue can continue unhindered. It is clear that Government is actually trying to scuttle the process. “As it stands, the federal government has become fixated on their chosen course of action. Would this help this dialogue? It clearly will not. “There must be flexibility to allow concessions and reasonable accommodation that will produce the best result for Nigerian people. This is what we all seek at this time,” he said. 

Naira drops 0.04% at Investors, Exporters’ window

The Naira depreciated at the Investors and Exporters window on Wednesday, exchanging at N464.67 to the dollar. The local currency showed a 0.04 percent decrease when compared with the N464.50 to the dollar, it traded on Tuesday. The open indicative rate closed at N464.10 to the dollar on Wednesday. An exchange rate of N467 to the dollar was the highest rate recorded within Wednesday’s trading before it settled at N464.67. The Naira sold for as low as 460 to the dollar within the days trading. A total of 163.74 million dollars was traded at the official Investors and Exporters window on Wednesday. 

Tribunal: Tinubu, INEC, APC oppose Atiku’s tendered evidences 

Respondents in the petition filed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Abubakar Atiku, Wednesday, opposed the admissibility of documents tendered as evidence in the petition seeking to sack President Bola Tinubu from Office. At the commencement of the  proceeding before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), Atiku, through his counsel, Chris Uche SAN, said the team has prepared a second schedule of documents to be tendered on 30th of May and filed on 31st of May, adding that the documents were fully served on the parties involved. Among the documents tendered in evidence by the Petitioners through Eyitayo Jegede, SAN were certified true copies of Form EC8A downloaded by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) from INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV). Form EC8As are sheets used for collection of results at the polling units level. The documents numbered as No1- No1A are certification of compliance for 17 local governments of Abia State. He also tendered form EC8A for eight LGA of Bayelsa state, EC8A for 23 LGA of Kaduna state, EC8A for 20 LGA of Ogun  state. As well as that of 23 LGA of Kogi state. Reacting, Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and INEC, through their counsel, objected to the admissibility of all documents relating to five local governments in Kogi states except Olamuboro, Ofu, Omala, Okohi and Ajaokuta. The Petitioners further tendered form EC40G for Kaduna state. This is the form where INEC inputs the number of all polling units that were cancelled or voters that couldn’t vote. Finally, they tendered the print of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and accreditation data with details including time stamp for 33 states. Respondents, INEC through its counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud SAN objected to all, except for Kogi, Sokoto and Rivers State. The Petitioners counsel prayed the court to deem the documents as read pursuant to provisions of paragraph 46(A) of the first schedule of the electoral Act. The Respondents, however, declined giving consent that the documents be deemed as read, having objected to their admissibility. Having tendered the documents, the Chairman of the Court, Justice Haruna Tsammani, admitted them as evidence. Justice Tsammani subsequently adjourned the case until Thursday for continuation of proceedings. .

Compel EFCC, ICPC to probe Wike, applicants ask Court

A Federal High Court has been asked to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the Rivers spending during the tenure of ex-Governor Nyesom Wike. The suit, filed by Sir Precious Elekima and a group, Incorporated Trustees of Peoples Life Improvement Foundation (PLIF), also urged the court to direct the Inspector-General of Police to step into the matter. In the suit marked: FHC/PH/CS/199/2023 filed on May 30 in the Port-Harcourt division of the court, the applicants averred that Wike allegedly diverted huge funds belonging to the state. Elekima and the PLIF said their resort to the court was a result of the alleged failure of the I-G, the EFCC and the ICPC to act on their petition dated May 23, 2023, which had since been submitted to them. Elekima and the PLIF want the court to among others, declare the 1st to 3rd respondents (the IGP, the EFCC, and the ICPC) have the statutory duties and powers to investigate their petition against Wike and some named bankers in Rivers “and to prosecute any of them found to have contravened any law within their respective statutory mandates.” They equally want the court to issue “an order of mandamus directing the 1st to 3rd respondents to investigate the criminal allegations made to them against the 4th to 16th respondents (Wike and the banks) in the said petition and prosecute them or any of them found culpable of the said criminal allegations.” Elekima and the PLIF claimed that they possess information and documents showing that huge funds were diverted from the Rivers’ coffers during Wike’s tenure. They stated that in the course of their official activities, they became aware and have reason to reasonably suspect and believe that the 4th respondent in his capacity as governor, fraudulently withdraw N117 billion belonging to the Rivers Government. This, they said, is in excess of the threshold permitted by extant laws and financial regulations with intent to misappropriate and divert same and did, in fact, divert same for his personal benefit.” Elekima and the PLIF added that they “reasonably suspect that the 4th respondent, in conspiracy with other officials of the Government of Rivers State and 5th to 16th respondents fraudulently withdrew, laundered and embezzled huge funds from the Rivers State internally generated revenue collected and domiciled in several accounts with the 5th to 16th respondents.” They alleged that they “reasonably suspect that the 4th respondent also diverted and fraudulently misappropriated huge public funds belonging to the Government and people of Rivers State to his private use. Filed along with the suit for judicial review, is a motion ex-parte in which they are seeking leave to apply for an order of mandamus and for service of originating summons on the 1st to 3rd respondents in Abuja. Rivers banks listed in the suit are: Access Bank, Ecobank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Fidelity, Guaranty Trust, Unity Bank, Union Bank, Wema, Zenith, First Bank and Heritage Bank.

PDP has right to suspend, expel you, Court tells Wike

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, told former Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike, that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has the right to suspend or expel him if the action is done in accordance with the law. Justice James Omotosho stated this in a judgment he delivered on a suit filed by Wike, prior to the 2023 general elections, to seek a court order to stop the PDP from taking action against him without a fair hearing. The ex-governor had sued the PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) as 1st to 3rd respondents. Wike, in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/139/2023 dated and field Feb. 2 by his lawyer, Joshua Musa, SAN, also joined the National Chairman of PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu; National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission as 4th to 6th respondents respectively. He had prayed for an order directing all parties to maintain the status quo and stay all actions in the matter relating to the threat to suspend or expel him by the 1st to 5th respondents pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion. He asked the court to enforce his fundamental right to freedom of association which was allegedly about to be breached by the respondents. But the PDP, through its lawyer, Johnson Usman, SAN, disagreed with Wike’s submission. He argued that the case was only based on speculation as Wike had failed to provide any evidence to substantiate that the respondents intended to suspend or expel him from the party. He said the party had not contemplated suspending or expelling members of the G5 Governors or the Integrity Group, despite engaging in anti-party activities. He said Wike and four other governors engaged in anti-party activities by forming the Integrity Group and campaigning for another presidential candidate in the Feb. 25 election. The senior lawyer argued that a member, who voluntarily joined an association, must abide by its rules. Usman, who argued that the ex-governor must have exhausted the internal mechanism of the party first, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, which, he said, was only within the realm of conjuncture. He further argued that it was not enough for Wike to institute the suit on fundamental rights enforcement grounds. Justice Omotosho had, on Feb. 2, given an interim order against the party and others listed in the face of Wike’s ex-parte motion. The judge, who extended the restraining order on Feb. 14, held that all parties should maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit Delivering judgement on Wednesday, Justice Omotosho said the court had considered the processes filed by parties and arguments of counsel. He held that suspending or expelling the applicant without affording him the right to defend himself would breach his fundamental rights as enshrined in the party’s and Nigeria’s constitutions. He said though the party had the right to suspend or expel its members, this must be done in compliance with its own law. The judge said that though Section 46(1) of the law vested jurisdiction on the court if one’s rights had been breached, he said the court would not dabble into the internal affairs of any political party, except where the right of a member had been violated by the party without recourse to its own laws. According to him, fundamental human rights are rights enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria and are sacrosanct. “Where this right ought to be enforced, the court will do everything within its reach to ensure this. “However, as fundamental and sacrosanct these rights are, they are not absolute,” he said.  Justice Omotosho, therefore, agreed that any member of a political party who appeared before a disciplinary committee should be given the opportunity to defend himself. “And if not, any decision taken shall be null and void,” he said. He said, “This court is convinced that the applicant is entitled to a fair hearing and that the respondent also has the right to discipline its members in accordance with the law.” The judge further said that Wike had the right to associate and that the threat to dismiss him without inviting him to defend himself contravened Article 57 (1) (2) of the party. He said that the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, and his agents, were bound to promote constitutional democracy.