Presidency Speaks On Cabal Hijacking Tinubu’s Administration

The Nigerian Presidency has denied reports of a powerful ‘cabal’ forming in Aso-rock with the sole aim of hijacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Appearing on TVC Politics on Sunday, Presidential media aide, Ajuri Ngelale disclosed that no one or any group of people could establish control over the President’s actions. He disclosed that the President has structured his government in a way that prevents any single official or group from exerting the kind of influence that could lead to governance hijack. He said, “The good fortune we have is that we elected, not just a professional accountant, a professional auditor, but we elected a man who fully understands the governance mechanisms, not just at the federal level, but at sub-national level. I think this is a man who anyone working in the office of the President would tell you, there is not one individual in the Presidency that has a monopoly over what the President sees, hears and reads. Nobody has that kind of power in the office of this President and that’s intentional.” “He is someone who everyone has access to, everyone who needs to have access to him, has access to him. He has direct communications on a frequent basis with the heads of intelligence agencies, anti-graft agencies, and the like.” “So there is not going to be the potential there for anyone to form a cabal around this President because he’s aware of the dynamics of what has happened in the past and he is determined to ensure that that is not replicated under his watch.” “I will also add the fact that in the person of the current CBN Governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, this is a man who is reputed around the world as being a prudent manager of men and resources. This is someone who has a reputation, even within the government, of being tight fisted and that is by the intention of President Bola Tinubu to have someone like that in place. “I would also add that when you look at organizational structures that lead to Governor Emefiele, … put him in the position that he currently is in, the President has taken a comprehensive review of that structure and he has said, even by legislation, that we are going to ensure that not only guardrails are put in place, but that legislative changes be enacted in such a way that this can never happen again.” “He’s determined to do it, Nigerians will watch him do it and that will mean that moving forward, the kind of elite conspiracy we saw between CBN officials, high ranking government officials and high ranking members of the private sector, they’re not going to be able to conspire amongst themselves to find loopholes within the system because we have a President who’s an auditor and accountant, who will close those loopholes, just the way he did in Lagos State many years ago.”, he said.

Presidency Denies Allegation of Budget Padding 

Following accusations by Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP) that the executive is implementing an additional budget  of N3tn other than the one approved on January 1, 2024, the Presidency has denied the allegation describing it as untrue and unfounded. This came as the Senate said it would meet over the matter on Tuesday, using its internal mechanisms and control process The Northern Senators’ Forum, led by Ningi, had contended in a BBC Hausa Service interview that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, was executing a budget significantly higher than what was passed by the NASS. The lawmaker stated that a N25tn budget was debated and passed, not the N28.7tn that is currently being implemented. “Apart from what the National Assembly did on the floor, there was another budget that was done underground which we didn’t know. “The new things we have discovered in the budget were not known to us. We haven’t seen them in the budget that was debated and considered on the floor of the National Assembly. “For example, it was said that there was a budget of N28tn but what was passed was N25 trillion. So there is N3tn on top. Where are they, where is it going? So, we need to know this. There are a lot of things,” said Ningi. Ningi, also revealed plans to meet President Bola Tinubu later this week saying, “We are coming up with a report and we will show the president himself and ask him if he is aware or not.” He revealed that the forum had commissioned consultants to evaluate the 2024 budget to unearth how N3tn was surreptitiously included in the amount passed by lawmakers. Debunking the allegation in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described Ningi’s claims as “false” asserting that Tinubu had initially presented a N27.5tn budget to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023. It said the budget included N9.92tn for recurrent expenditure, N8.25tn for debt service, and N8.7tn for capital expenditure, contrasting Ningi’s claims. The Presidency emphasised that it was implausible for the Senate to have debated and passed a N25tn budget that was never presented. “Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25tn budget that was not presented to the National Assembly. We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims. “It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024, as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7tn,” Onanuga insisted. It argued that the National Assembly only exercised its appropriation powers, and increased the executive’s proposed budget by N1.2tn to N28.7tn, which President Tinubu subsequently signed into law on New Year’s Day. Onanuga stated, “We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7tn budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President. “Included in the budget are statutory transfers to the Judiciary, National Assembly, Tetfund and others. He did not present a budget of N25tn.” Addressing Senator Ningi’s assertion that the 2024 budget was anti-North, the Presidency dismissed it as “far-fetched” and “unbecoming” of a leader of his stature.”

Late Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe’s Father Slumps, Hospitalized

Shyngle Wigwe, the biological father of billionaire business mogul and late former Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Dr Herbert Wigwe on Saturday slumped and was rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment.  This was made known by a popular influencer on X(formerly Twitter), Tony Ogbuagu who denied the purported death of the late billionaire’s father.  He wrote: “Herbert Wigwe’s father is not dead please. He only slumped and has been taken to the hospital. Make una slow down with all these bad news.” Dignitaries, guests and hundreds of mourners arrived at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State for the funeral service of Wigwe, his wife, Doreen, and son, Chizzy Wigwe who died in a helicopter crash in the United States alongside his wife and son were buried on March 9, 2024 after a combined funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo. Wigwe and his family members died when a chopper heading to Las Vegas crashed near a border city between Nevada and California in February. 

Anambra Governor Soludo Appoints Yoruba Man As Permanent Secretary

Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed an Osun State indigene, Bayo Ojeyinka as a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service. The appointment, which was based on merit, was commended by civil servants in the state, describing it as deserving. According to Business Day, Ojeyinka has been in the Anambra state public service system since 1995, after completing his National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC) in the state. He received the award as the best-serving corps member during his service year and was subsequently retained by the state government. Speaking on his promotion, Ojeyinka expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo and promised to increase his productivity, transparency, and fairness in his work. He said, “I am so excited to be considered. I don’t see this as a right but rather a rare privilege because so many brilliant officers also merited the promotion. “I thank Mr Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo for this honour, and Ndi Anambra for all their love, kindness and support in my 29 years of living in Anambra State. “I will repay the state with increased efficiency, productivity, transparency and fairness in my work. “I thank my colleagues to, the Head of Service, Her Honour, Barrister Mrs Theodora Igwegbe for her wonderful support. I promise to live up to the great expectations.”

PDP May Present Female Presidential Candidate For 2027 Election

National chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has expressed optimism about Nigeria potentially electing its first female president in 2027.  He said this at an event marking the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja. Damagum, represented by PDP national secretary Samuel Anyanwu, voiced his belief in the capability of women to lead, highlighting the disappointment in current male leadership. Damagum underscored the significant role of women, particularly mothers, in society, stressing the need for increased female representation in political leadership.  He praised the PDP for providing opportunities for women to advance without financial constraints, positioning the party as a champion of women’s rights and political participation. Echoing Damagum’s sentiments, PDP National Woman Leader, Amina Divine Arong, emphasized the importance of gender equality in political participation and leadership for achieving sustainable development goals by 2030.  Arong highlighted the positive impact of women in leadership roles, citing their resilience during times of financial crisis and their contributions to economic, social, and political progress. Arong called for continued advocacy and support to encourage women to pursue leadership roles, emphasizing the need for training and preparation to ensure their success.  She urged women already in leadership positions to facilitate access to opportunities for growth and development, fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment.

Kaduna Govt Begins Negotiations For Release of Abducted Pupils, Teachers

Kaduna State government has begun negotiations for the release of the recently abducted 287 pupils and teachers in the state. The pupils were abducted from the Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga 1, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.  According to investigations carried out by Punch newspapers, a highly influential private negotiator who has been involved in negotiating several abductions with bandits in the past, has been contacted by the state government for the assignment.  A highly placed source in the Kaduna State Government House, who is close to the negotiations but pleaded anonymity due to security reasons, confided in newsmen said the state government had reached out to the bandits through a private negotiator (names withheld) for the release of the pupils and their teachers. The source said, “The military has begun combing the forests in search of the children kidnapped by the bandits. Security agents have cordoned off the area and they have started searching for the abducted pupils. “The government is doing all it can for the speedy release of the abducted school pupils. “The government has established contact and reached out to the bandits for negotiation through a popular bandit negotiator. The negotiator was the one who worked for the return of some of the students abducted some years back. “He (the negotiator) had negotiated the return of so many abductees in the past. He negotiated the return of those students abducted in Katsina State years back.” Two other government officials also confirmed the development secretly to newsmen, but insisted on not being identified because of the sensitive nature of the issue. They also refused to provide additional information as they insisted that doing so might frustrate the ongoing efforts to secure the victims’ release and put them in harm’s way. Bandits, on Thursday, shortly after the assembly gathering at around 8.30am, stormed the LEA Primary School, Kuriga, abducted the pupils and some staff members of the schools.

Gunmen Attack 2 Banks In Kogi

Gunmen suspected to be robbers have attacked two commercial banks in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. The robbers raided the banks and carted away millions of naira and other valuables. Eyewitnesses said that the robbers were shooting indiscriminately shootings during the attack. The robbery operation was said to have started around 5 pm. It was gathered that operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps engaged them in exchange of gunfire. The state police command is yet to react to the incident.

Alleged N4b fraud: Obiano prays court to quash charges against him

Willie Obiano, the former Anambra State Governor, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash the N4billion corruption charges brought against him by the federal government. He premised his motion on notice pursuant to provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015. The ex-gov argued that there is a subsisting appeal by the Anambra state government challenging the authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC’s authority to investigate the funds. He argued through his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, that there was no connection between the proof of evidence and the alleged accusation against him. Obiani maintained that there was no testimony from any witness indicating that he issued directives for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to the Anambra state government. He emphasised that the he cannot be held accountable for any alleged unlawful actions by officials of the Anambra state government as there is no concept of vicarious liability in criminal justice system. The former governor is being prosecuted by EFCC on 9- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N40 billion. The anti-graft agency alleged that Obiano bypassed financial institutions in numerous unlawful cash transactions using funds allegedly stolen from the state’s account. The EFCC claimed that the cash amounts involved in the transactions exceeded legally permitted limits. The motion on notice was brought pursuant to section 6 (6) (a) and (b) and section 36(6) (6) b of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 1(1) & (2), 266, 271(b), 383(4) &492 (3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015. Among others, Obiano is seeking “An order of the court quashing the instant charge for it amounts to flagrant abuse of judicial process and a mockery of the criminal Justice “An order quashing the charge for non disclosure of a prime facie case being vague and devoid of precision in respect of all the 9 count charges. “No prima facie case has been disclosed against the defendant in this charge.There is no link between the proof of evidence and the purported allegation made against the defendant in the charge “No evidence exist from any witness showing that the defendant passed down directive for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to Anambra state government. “The defendant cannot be made answerable for any purported unlawful actions of officials of Anambra State government as there is no vicarious liability in our criminal jurisprudence. “The thinking and conclusion of the prosecution on the counts arose from speculation and suspicions “The subject matter of the charge borders on accountability for security vote funds. The honorable court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security vote funds “There is an appeal filed by the Anambra state government challenging the powers of EFCC to investigate the security vote of Anambra state government. “The preferment of the entire charge is in bad faith. This honourable court has inherent judicial power to grant all the reliefs sought above. At Thursday’s resumption of trial, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), counsel for the EFCC, informed the court that he had received the defendant’s motion and had responded accordingly with counter affidavit. However, he said while attempting to serve the defendant’s counsel with his response, he found their gate locked but that he managed to deliver the response in the court room. Responding, Patrick Ekweto (SAN), counsel to Obiano requested time to respond to EFCC’S counter affidavit. In a short ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the defendant two days to file and serve their process on the EFCC. The matter continues March 13 for the motion to be heard.

Bandits Invade Kaduna Primary School, Kidnap Scores Of Students

Chaos ensued in Kuriga town, Kaduna State, unknown gunmen stormed LEA Primary School, Kuriga (1) on Thursday, kidnapping numerous students. Although the exact number of abducted individuals remains unverified, local residents estimated it to be around 100. The victims reportedly included the head teacher of the school and some other staff members. The incident occurred at 8:20 am immediately after the morning assembly, leaving the school community in shock and distress. It was revealed that most pupils managed to flee from their classes upon sighting the armed bandits on the school premises. The LEA Primary School, Kuriga (1), relocated its junior and secondary sections to the town’s inner building a few years ago due to security concerns, abandoning the former school building outside the city. A resident named Shitu confirmed the abduction, saying that many pupils fled their classes upon realizing the presence of bandits. Another resident, Lawal Kuriga, mentioned that the kidnapped victims were forcefully taken into the nearby forest. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from the state government.

Minimum Wage: Labour May demand N500,000 instead of #1m Earlier Proposed 

With the public hearing on the new minimum wage, which will be held simultaneously in all six geopolitical zones of the country, it is expected to receive inputs from organised Labour, state governors, ministers, civil society groups, and the organised private sector on a new minimum wage reflective of the current economic realities and the workers’ aspirations. However, a top official of the NLC, who confided in newsmen on Thursday said based on proposals submitted by state chapters to the congress’ headquarters, the organised Labour might push for N500,000 at today’s meeting. The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, had recently stated that if the ongoing inflation continued, organised labour might push for a new minimum wage of up to N1m for Nigerian workers. President Bola Tinubu through his deputy, Kashim Shettima, on January 30, 2024, inaugurated a 37-member panel on the new minimum wage at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja, with its membership cutting across the federal and state governments, the private sector, and labour. The panel, as learnt, is to recommend a new national minimum wage for the country on or before April 1 following the expiration of the current N30,000 minimum wage as provided by the law. However, the President of the NLC, Ajaero, stated recently during an interview on Arise TV that if the ongoing inflation continued unabated, organised labour might push for a new minimum wage of up to N1m for Nigerian workers. According to Ajaero, the demand from organised labour would be influenced by the cost of living which has been increasing since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, notably due to the removal of the fuel subsidy and other policies. He said, “This N1m may be relevant if the value of the naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues unchecked because the demand of labour is equally dependent on what is happening in the society. “You will remember that by the time we were contemplating N200,000 (as minimum wage), the exchange rate was about N800/N900 (to a dollar). As we talk today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more. “Those are the issues that determine the demand and it is equally affecting the cost of living. And we have always said that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. You will agree with me today that even a bag of rice is going for about N60,000/N70,000 or more. “A bag of locally produced corn is about N56,000 or more. Foodstuff is getting out of reach, now are we going to get a minimum wage that will not be enough for transportation even for one week?” Speaking in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, a top official of the NLC said organised labour would insist on any amount slightly above N500,000 as minimum wage based on the analysis of proposals got from state chapters. The official, who spoke in confidence because he was not authorised to speak to the media on the negotiation, explained that the cost-of-living analysis carried out in states was N900,000. “In reality, what they gave us from the states when we deflate inconsistencies is over N500,000, as the cost of living of an average family of six to meet their basic needs, for an average family to survive. “But we know that when NLC deflates it taking into consideration some of the things we think are padded, it will come to around slightly over N500,000,” he said.