Ministerial Nominees: Tinubu withdraws Shetty, lists Keyamo, Mahmoud

President Bola Tinubu on Friday made an alteration to his list of ministerial nominees by replacing Maryam Shetty with two new candidates, Festus Keyamo (SAN) and Dr. Mariya Mahmoud. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the President’s letter containing this update during Friday’s plenary session. The announcement came just before the commencement of the fourth round of screening, which saw former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola take the podium at 12:14 pm. Among those waiting to be screened were former Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), as well as Abdullahi Gwarzo, Bosun Tijani, Isiak Salako, Tunji Alausa, Yusuf Sununu, Ibrahim Geidam, Lola John, Shuaibu Audu, Tahir Mamman, Aliyu Abdullahi, Alkali Saidu, Heineken Lokpobori, Maigari Ahmadu, and Zaphaniah Jisalo. However, the name of Maryam Shetty was withdrawn from the supplementary list of ministerial nominees. This development followed three earlier screening sessions, beginning with the examination of 14 nominees from the first batch forwarded by the President the previous Thursday. The initial screening included individuals such as former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Abubakar Kyari from Borno State, Nkiruka Onyejeocha (Abia State), Bello Muhammad (Sokoto State), Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba State), and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa State), among others. On Tuesday, the Senate screened nine additional nominees, including former Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), as well as Wale Edun, Uche Nnaji, Stella Okotete, Adebayo Adelabu, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Hannatu Musawa, and Musa Dangiwa. The screening process resumed on Wednesday with Dele Alake, presidential spokesman, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Lateef Fagbemi, Muhammad Idris, Ali Pate, and Doris Uzoka facing scrutiny. Moreover, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, presented Tinubu’s supplementary ministerial list containing 19 additional nominees to the Senate. It is worth noting that Section 147 (3) of the 1999 Constitution mandates the President to appoint at least one minister from each of the 36 states. However, 11 states, including Adamawa, Bayelsa, Gombe, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Osun, Yobe, Plateau, and Zamfara, are still without ministerial nominees as of now.

Tinubu meets UK Foreign Secretary on economy, security

President Bola Tinubu is expected to meet UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, who is on a 4-day African visit, on Wednesday. Cleverly, who will spend two days in Nigeria, is on a three-country visit where he is prioritising future-focused, mutually-beneficial partnership. A statement from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office disclosed that a number of funding would be unveiled during Cleverly’s visit to make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more resilient to climate change. It said that the funding would help more than four million people develop better farming practices and reduce harmful carbon emissions. Cleverly’s meeting with Tinubu and the National Security Adviser,  Nuhu Ribadu will focus on the UK-Nigeria partnership and key common priorities. ‘’It will also include how to increase bilateral trade and investment, economic development, regional issues, and strengthened security cooperation.’’ Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Nigeria was 7.6 billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2023. This is an increase of 48.4 percent or 2.5 billion pounds in current prices from the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2022.

Don’t disrupt economy, OPSN urges FG, labour unions

The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has called on the Federal Government and labour unions to work assiduously to avert disruption of socio-economic activities. Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Head, Secretariat, OPSN, gave the advice in a statement in Lagos. The OPSN comprises five business membership organisations, namely: the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture. Others are the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association; the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists. Ajayi-Kadir noted that the OPSN had followed keenly, the developments following the recent call by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria for a nationwide peaceful protest. The protest is scheduled for August 2, 2023, as consultations between the Federal Government and labour unions have not yielded positive results. He urged the government to employ its best endeavours to reengage the leadership of the unions and find an amicable ground to avert the imminent disruption in business activities. “We opine that adequate consideration should be given to the dire state of the economy and the possible unintended social unrest that may result from the protests. “We call on our members to be circumspective in their business operations, as we await the outcome of ongoing consultations between government and unions,” he said.

Tinubu, CBN, and Nigeria’s economy

The resurgence of the Gestapo era last witnessed during General Sani Abacha’s jackboot regime is gradually staging a comeback in our democratic dispensation. Nigeria witnessed the abrasive invasion of the National Assembly by the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The President though was not in the saddle at the time, was away on medical treatment abroad. His Vice President, who acted as the President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo held sway. The Vice President didn’t blink an eyelid sacking the Director General of the agency, Lawal Daura, for the assault, and desecration of the symbol of democracy. The vice president considered the incident a misnomer that should not be allowed to fester. The northern political elite never forgave Osinbajo for that singular action. Their oligarchical chauvinism made sure Osinbajo never acted in presidential capacity till the regime timed out. Power was no longer transmitted to him even when the president was on official or medical trips. July 25, 2023, reenacted the ugly DNA of the DSS. The agency had arraigned Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in a high court in Lagos, accused of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by the Federal Government. Recall that the DSS in November/December 2022 had declared Godwin Emefiele wanted for terrorism sponsorship. The hide and seek game came to a temporary halt after the DSS withdrew their operatives from the security details of the governor, making him vulnerable, but the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, provided him a succour, replacing his security details with military personnel. We all know it was just a temporary reprieve as those who wanted their pound of flesh of Emefiele were waiting. About a week ago, a court of competent jurisdiction ruled and ordered the DSS to either arraign Emefiele or release him from their detention. Emefiele until his arraignment has been incarcerated for 36 days. The agency, a few hours after the court order, announced that Godwin Emefiele has been charged to court. However, on the day of arraignment, the DSS threw decency to the winds, engaging a sister agency in supremacy. It was not only deplorable, but condemnable. The judge had ruled and committed Godwin Emefiele to bail of N20m and one surety with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The judge also ordered that Emefiele be kept in the custody of the Correctional Service pending when the accused will perfect his bail. The DSS opposed that, claiming to have been directed by ‘orders from the above’ to take Emefiele back into custody. Correctional Service personnel were disallowed from carrying out the court order, as the squadron leader of the Correctional operatives was forcefully rough-handled. It took the directive of the Comptroller General of the Service who ordered his operatives to stand down and leave the court premises to bring a semblance of sanity after securing Emefiele.  The charges against Emefiele are purely civil which does not warrant the show of force and shame exhibited by the DSS. Many non-state actors have been seen brazenly brandishing sophisticated weapons, but none has been seen treated as Emefiele. This is not defending Godwin Emefiele for whatever allegation brought against him, but the treatment meted out to a public officer of his stature, who has meritoriously served his country is unbefitting. Is Godwin Emefiele’s sins more than a pistol and 123 rounds of ammunition found in his house? Are these exhibits enough to make him a terrorist or a sponsor of terrorism? Godwin Emefiele may have erred while doing his tenure at the CBN, but the treatment being meted out to him does not justify the weight of the allegation. It is also obvious that some politicians have sworn not to forgive Emefiele and are bent on destroying him. From the bestial behavior of the DSS operatives, it was obvious that Emefiele had been marked for destruction for daring to redesign the Naira at the onset of the 2022/23 political campaigns. President Bola Tinubu while campaigning had cried foul, accusing the suspended CBN governor of targeting him for failure with the redesign. He never hid his disdain for Emefiele’s actions. Peradventure Godwin Emefiele had not dabbled into politics, would President Tinubu have felt that way? But the President on every occasion labeled the CBN as a mess under the suspended governor. He alleged Emefiele had perpetrated arbitrage and rent-seeking. It was therefore obvious; he would not work with Emefiele. Godwin Emefiele too may have probably resigned, knowing that the political class, particularly President Tinubu, viewed his Naira redesign policy as a vendetta against his frustrated political ambition, thus it is now their time to take their pound of flesh. He should have resigned immediately when President Tinubu won the election. Whether his resignation would have been honoured or not is another debate altogether. The political class should have exercised restraint considering the economic implication of what Emefiele symbolises, the CBN. How would the international investing community see us – disobedient to court rules? A CBN governor humiliated because of petty political miscalculation or skirmish? Yet, we are a nation hungrily looking for investors. The economy is on its knees, the Naira is battered, and insecurity is devouring us. Emefiele’s intransigence is inconsequential to the barrage of challenges facing the nation. President Tinubu who is acclaimed to possess a large political heart of forgiveness should thread softly about Godwin Emefiele. He promised renewed hope, and to rule Nigeria with the rule of law. The Incident at the Lagos High court was barbaric, anti-rule of law, and despotic. President Tinubu’s golden silence while the drama lasted is suspect, belying his promise. His silence affirms the saying going around now: ‘Baba so pe’, meaning Baba said so. The economy is troubled, citizens are agonised by his economic reforms. Assuaging and giving Nigerians comfort should be his paramount desire, not missteps of an individual. The show of shame by the DSS operatives, witnessed globally,

Atiku’s insistence on FCT 25% votes illogical, absurd – INEC, Tinubu 

*25% votes mandatory, Atiku insists  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have described the 25 percent of votes in the country’s capital insistence as absurd and illogical. At the resumed sitting of the presidential tribunal for the adoption of final addresses by different parties, the Respondents urged the court to dismiss Peter Obi and Atiku Atiku’s petitions as completely lacking in merit. The Petitioner Atiku Abubakar had urged the court to hold that he scored the majority of lawful votes cast in the February 25 polls while declaring that Tinubu’s alleged academic, court, and diplomatic records were enough to disqualify him from running for office. Responding, INEC maintained that the petitioners failed completely to discharge the burden placed on them by law against President Bola Tinubu’s victory. INEC’s lead counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud SAN, argued that the arguments of the petitioner’s case are non-compliance with the Electoral Act, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, and the use of technology in the election. On the 25% votes of the FCT, INEC insisted that the claim is illogical and absurd, adding that it will create a situation where FCT voters would be given special status above other Nigerians living in other states. Further in his adumbration, Mahmoud submitted that in evidence shows that accreditation and authentication of voters was effective and that the technical glitches cited by Atiku happened for about 4 hours but were resolved. Concluding, INEC added that the technical glitches did not affect the outcome of the presidential election. “Pieces of evidence adduced by the Petitioners showed that the BVAS actually did the work of capturing the image of the results band transmission to the INEC IREV. “They have failed woefully to establish that there was human interference in the technical glitches that happened on Election Day.” “The petitioners constructed certain things in their minds to which they failed to prove,” Mahmoud. President Tinubu on his part asked the court to dismiss Atiku’s petition for lacking in merit. Adopting his final addresses, Tinubu, through his counsel Wole Olanipekun SAN, insisted that uploading of polling unit results to INEC Results Viewing Portal, IReV, places no obligation on INEC regarding collation of results but was just for public view. Specifically, Tinubu submitted that there was no line in the Atiku’s’ final address stating how many votes Atiku Abubakar actually scored, adding that documents PDP tendered were dumped on the court and it is not the duty of the court to do an investigation of those documents. Therefore, he urged the court to dismiss Atiku’s petition and uphold Tinubu’s victory. “Your Lordships are not Father Christmas” to give parties whatever they want. Olanipekun also argued that it will lead to “absurdity” to interpret the 1999 Constitution without looking at all the sections talking about FCT. “FCT is the 37 state in Nigeria for the purpose of the presidential election,” Olanipekun said. Meantime, Justice Haruna Tsammani, reserved judgement for a later date that will be communicated to the parties.

Subsidy: Rice millers commend Tinubu’s plans for farmers

The Abakaliki Rice Millers Association in Ebonyi has hailed the Federal Government’s plans to boost farm produce in an effort to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy. President Bola Tinubu, on Monday in a nationwide broadcast, assured Nigerians of adequate food sufficiency and security. According to Tinubu, the government will ensure staple foods are available and affordable. “To this end, I have ordered the release of 200,000 metric tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices. “We are also providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, seedlings and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda,” Tinubu added. Reacting to the development on Tuesday, Mr Linus Nkwuda, Chairman of the millers association said that President Tinubu’s plans to boost agriculture was a welcome development. Nkwuda, however, decried the way inputs and seedlings meant for farmers had been diverted in the past. He appealed to the federal government to distribute such items directly to the farmers. “The items; fertilizer and seedlings as listed by the President during the broadcast, are very important to all farmers. We are happy. “We need those items to succeed. Loans are also important. We commend the President and urge him not to involve political farmers during implementation,” he said. Mr Kenneth Chigozie, Secretary of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Abakaliki branch, also urged the president to work directly with the farmers at the hinterland in the efforts to ensure food security. Chigozie noted that working directly  with farmers would ensure transparency in the distribution of farm inputs meant for its members. Chigozie, however, expressed worry about how the farmers had suffered since the removal of fuel subsidy, adding that members were faced with challenges associated with the high cost of production. He described the cost of inputs, such as seedlings, herbicides, pesticides and fertiliser as well as hiring of labourers, as worrisome. “We are happy, President Tinubu is remembering us, the farmers. His promises to us during the nationwide broadcast are a welcome development. “Our prayer is that, let those items and monies attached come to us directly,” Chigozie added. 

Give Tinubu benefit of doubt, Uwaleke appeals to Nigerians

Professor of Finance and the Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Uche Uwaleke, has called on Nigerians to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the benefit of the doubt. The President had in a nationwide broadcast on Monday in Abuja, reeled out a number of measures meant to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy. In his inauguration speech, the President said fuel subsidy was gone forever. According to him, his administration would rather channel the savings from the subsidy removal into other critical sectors of the economy. In his broadcast, the President said his administration has proposed the sum of N75 billion to fund enterprises at 9% interest per annum; N125 billion to energize MSME; release 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains; 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer,  seedlings, and other inputs to farmers; and N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize. Also, the federal government will also make available N50 billion each to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava, N100 billion to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses and review the minimum wage. Uwaleke said: “The President’s address to the nation is quite soothing. “He spoke in clear terms and I think Nigerians should allow him the benefit of the doubt.” The first Professor of the Capital Market in Nigeria was however concerned that President Tinubu failed to tell Nigerians how the executive will also make sacrifices. “But it was short on how the three arms of government will share in the pains of the governed, especially with respect to affecting a significant cut in the cost of running government,” he asked.

Subsidy Removal: Tinubu to release N200bn to rice, cassava farmers

*To make grains, fertilizers available President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that in a bid to cushion the biting effect of fuel subsidy removal, the federal government will be releasing the sum of N200 billion will be released to farmers to cultivate rice, maize, cassava, and wheat. President Bola Tinubu, who made the announcement in a national broadcast Monday added that the amount would be taken from the initial N500 billion approved by the National Assembly for the cultivation of 500,000 hectares of land across the country. According to the President in the broadcast monitored by Nigerian Anchor, the economy will overcome the present turbulence occasioned by the petrol subsidy removal. He further said that there will be an immediate release of grains and fertilizers to ease price increase that is hitting the pockets of Nigerians. “Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses struggle. Things seem anxious and uncertain. “I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help not hurt the people and nation that I love. To further ensure that prices of food items remain affordable, we have had a multi-stakeholder engagement with various farmers’ associations and operators within the agricultural value chain. “In the short and immediate terms, we will ensure staple foods are available and affordable. To this end, I have ordered the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices. “We are also providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings, and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda. “Our plan to support the cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice remains on course. To be specific, N200 billion out of the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly will be disbursed as follows: “Our administration will invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize. N50 billion each will also be earmarked to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava,” the President assured.

Bear the temporary pains, have faith in us, Tinubu tells Nigerians

*Promises to review civil servants salaries *Says he’ll acquire 3000 CNG-fuelled buses for mass transit *To fund 75 manufacturers companies with N75bn President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the challenges that Nigerians are facing due to the economic policies implemented by his government. However, he called upon them to have faith in the government’s ability to turn things around. Speaking via a nationwide broadcast on Monday night, Tinubu assured the citizens that he has devised palliative measures to alleviate the impact of removing fuel subsidies. He said that while he recognizes the immediate difficulties caused by the subsidy removal, Nigerians must focus on the bigger picture and the positive plans that are currently in progress. Tinubu admitted that there was a gap between the removal of subsidies and the implementation of these plans but assures the public that the government is actively working to close this gap. According to him, his genuine concern for the well-being of the people is evident in his appeal for their trust in the government’s capacity to deliver. Among the initiatives, Tinubu pledged to acquire 3000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-fuelled buses for mass transit across the states and local governments. This move aims to make public transportation more accessible and affordable. To fund this project, the government has allocated N100 billion, earmarked for investment between now and March 2024. The CNG buses will be shared with major transportation companies, and these companies will have access to credit at 9% per annum with a 60-month repayment period. In addition to public transport improvements, Tinubu said he is actively collaborating with Labour unions to introduce a new national minimum wage for workers. He assured workers that their salary review is on the horizon, and once an agreement is reached, budget provisions will be made for immediate implementation. The President further commended private employers in the Organised Private Sector who have already taken the step to implement salary reviews for their employees. Furthermore, Tinubu said he aims to boost the manufacturing sector by allocating N75 billion between July 2023 and March 2024. The funds will support a minimum of 75 enterprises with great potential to stimulate sustainable economic growth, structural transformation, and improved productivity. Each of these manufacturing enterprises will have access to N1 billion credits at a maximum of nine per cent per annum for long-term loans and 12 months for working capital. The President emphasized that these actions align with the executive orders he signed earlier in the month, which aimed to address friendly fiscal policies and multiple taxes that have been stifling the business environment. By suspending and deferring certain taxes, the government aims to create a conducive environment for businesses to flourish and expand. In conclusion, President Bola Tinubu’s message to Nigerians is one of hope and perseverance. Despite the temporary pains caused by economic adjustments, he implored the nation to look ahead and trust in the government’s commitment to improving the overall welfare of its citizens. The plans to improve public transport, review civil servants’ salaries, and support the manufacturing sector demonstrate the government’s determination to create a brighter future for Nigeria. Full text of President Tinubu’s address to Nigerians My fellow citizens, I want to talk to you about our economy. It is important that you understand the reasons for the policy measures I have taken to combat the serious economic challenges this nation has long faced. I am not going to talk in difficult terms by dwelling on economic jargon and concepts. I will speak in plain, clear language so that you know where I stand. More importantly, so that you see and hopefully will share my vision regarding the journey to a better, more productive economy for our beloved country. For several years, I have consistently maintained the position that the fuel subsidy had to go. This once beneficial measure had outlived its usefulness. The subsidy cost us trillions of Naira yearly. Such a vast sum of money would have been better spent on public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing and even national security. Instead, it was being funnelled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals. This group had amassed so much wealth and power that they became a serious threat to the fairness of our economy and the integrity of our democratic governance.  To be blunt, Nigeria could never become the society it was intended to be as long as such small, powerful yet unelected groups hold enormous influence over our political economy and the institutions that govern it. The whims of the few should never hold dominant sway over the hopes and aspirations of the many. If we are to be a democracy, the people and not the power of money must be sovereign. The preceding administration saw this looming danger as well. Indeed, it made no provision in the 2023 Appropriations for subsidy after June this year. Removal of this once helpful device that had transformed into a millstone around the country’s neck had become inevitable. Also, the multiple exchange rate system that had been established became nothing but a highway of currency speculation. It diverted money that should have been used to create jobs, build factories and businesses for millions of people. Our national wealth was doled on favourable terms to a handful of people who have been made filthy rich simply by moving money from one hand to another. This too was extremely unfair. It also compounded the threat that the illicit and mass accumulation of money posed to the future of our democratic system and its economy. I had promised to reform the economy for the long-term good by fighting the major imbalances that had plagued our economy. Ending the subsidy and the preferential exchange rate system were key to this fight. This fight is to define the fate and future of our nation. Much is in the balance. Thus, the defects in our economy immensely profited a tiny elite, the elite of the elite you might call

Tinubu to address Nigerians amid nationwide hardship

On Monday, July 31, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will deliver a broadcast to the nation at 7 pm. The announcement was made on Monday morning by Dele Alake, the presidential spokesman, urging television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets to tune in to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast. Though the specific content of the address remains undisclosed, it comes at a time when the country is grappling with widespread hardship due to the removal of fuel subsidy, leading to an increase in petrol prices. President Tinubu has consistently appealed for calm, assuring the public that the government is diligently working to improve living conditions and alleviate the prevailing challenges. Interestingly, this address coincides with an upcoming nationwide protest by the organized labour, which is parleying civil society organisations as they prepare for an industrial action on August 2, and the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). The NARD has rejected the recent 25% increment in basic salary announced by the federal government, demanding the full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its original value as approved in 2009. The association, represented by its president, Dr. Orji Emeka Innocent, secretary-general Dr. Chikezie Kelechi, and publicity and social secretary Dr. Umar Musa, vows to continue the nationwide total and indefinite strike action until the government takes significant steps to address their demands, including the release of the circular on the One-for-One policy for the replacement of exited clinical workers to ease work overload caused by brain drain. As Nigerians await President Tinubu’s address on Monday night, the nation is at a crucial juncture, grappling with pressing issues that demand immediate attention and resolution.