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Folarin Kehinde

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Tight security in Jos as Election Holds in 17 LGs in Plateau

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

With the Local Government elections ongoing in the 17 Local Government Councils across Plateau State, there is tight security in Jos city.

Politics Nigeria reports that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and soldiers of the Nigerian Military are littered across the street of Jos to ensure the safety of lives and property as the election is conducted.

So far, there conduct of the poll has been hitch-free with security operatives stationed at various polling units and strategic point to avoid the breakdown of law and order.

Recall that the Police Command in the state had earlier restricted movement across the local governments in the state.

The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, during a stakeholders’ meeting had said that there would be restriction of movement of people and vehicles from midnight on Tuesday to 6 pm on Wednesday.

In addition, the State governor, Caleb Muftwang after meeting with various interest group declared a half working day on Tuesday, October 8 and a work-free day on Wednesday (election day).
According to the governor, this will avail residents of Plateau to travel to their respective communities to exercise their civic rights.

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BREAKING: Massive protest as thousands of women in black protest over Edo election

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Thousands of women, dressed in black, took to the streets of Benin City today in a massive protest, demanding the return of the mandate they believe was given to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, in the recently concluded Edo governorship election.

Chanting slogans of “Justice for Edo!” and “Our votes must count,” the protesters decried what they called the manipulation and tampering of the election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and alleged collusion with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

One of the protest leaders who addressed journalists said, “We, the women of Edo, are not here for violence. We are here for justice.

Our votes were for Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie. We will not sit by and watch our democracy be stolen from us.”

The peaceful protest, which saw participants from various parts of the state, blocked major roads in the capital, disrupting daily activities as they marched towards the INEC office, demanding immediate compliance with the court order to release all election materials for inspection.

Mrs. Iwinosa Aikhomu, another protester, said: “This is our state, our future, and we will not allow anyone to take it from us. INEC must follow the law, and APC must respect the will of the people!”

The protest comes in the wake of a heated political battle, with the PDP accusing INEC of refusing to release the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and other materials used in the September 21, 2024, election, despite a court order.

The women vowed to continue their demonstrations until the rightful winners are recognized.

The protesting women also called on the international community to intervene in the crisis, warning that continued suppression of the people’s will could lead to unrest.

“The world needs to know what is happening in Edo State,” said Mrs. Josephine Osagie, a marketwoman from Ekpoma.

Today’s procession is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have taken place across Edo State since the election results were announced.

Supporters of Ighodalo and Ogie have continued to demand justice, accusing INEC and the APC of attempting to undermine democracy in the state.

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JUST IN: Newly elected councillor’s father killed in Rivers state election-related violence

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The father of Ndiika Benson, one of the newly constituted councillors in Rivers State, representing Ward 4 in Khana Legislative Council, has tragically lost his life amid the violent crisis that erupted in the state on Monday.

The victim, Mr Benson Ndoone, a security officer at Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, was reportedly killed by suspected opposition political thugs.

The thugs were protesting the outcome of the local council elections and stormed the Rector’s Lodge of the polytechnic, where the swearing-in of newly elected councillors was taking place.

The Rector’s Lodge also serves as the secretariat of the recently disbanded Caretaker Committee, previously led by Marvin Yobana.

In their bid to disrupt the proceedings, the thugs reportedly attacked the facility, leading to Ndoone’s death.

The killing of Mr. Ndoone has shocked the community and added a grave note to the already tense atmosphere in Rivers State, which has been marred by post-election violence following the local council polls.

The election had sparked violent protests in several areas, with political thugs reportedly targeting council officials and their supporters.

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BREAKING: NCC flags Starlink for tariff hike without regulatory approval

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that the decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive regulatory approval.

The Director of Public Affairs, NCC Reuben Muoka, made the disclosure in a statement released on Tuesday stated that the commission is surprised that the company jumped the gun by announcing price changes after filing a request to the Commission seeking approval for price adjustment for which the Commission was yet to communicate a decision.

“The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.

“The Commission will, therefore, take appropriate enforcement measures against any action by a licensee that is capable of eroding the regulatory stability of the telecommunications industry,” the statement reads.

Recall Starlink recently announced a significant price increase for its services in Nigeria, raising monthly subscription fees by as much as 97%. The standard service subscription has increased from NGN 38,000 (USD 22.8) to NGN 75,000 (USD 50) monthly.

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Nigeria's NNPC spent $10 billion on fuel subsidy in 2022 paid to WHO Leading reporters
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BREAKING: NNPC quits as middleman in purchase of Dangote Refinery petrol

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is ending its exclusive purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery, opening up the market for other marketers to buy petrol directly from the refinery.

This means NNPC will no longer be the sole off-taker, and marketers can now negotiate prices directly with Dangote Refinery.

This development aligns with the current practices for fully deregulated products, where refineries can sell directly to marketers on a willing buyer, willing seller basis.

Earlier in September, Devakumar Edwin, vice president at Dangote Industries Limited, said the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery has begun the processing of petrol.

But the NNPC, in reaction to a statement that the Dangote Refinery Limited is being undermined by actions of the company at the time, said it was not the sole offtaker of all products from the Dangote Refinery. It said the refinery was free to sell its petrol to any marketer.

The NNPC explained that the Dangote Refinery and any other domestic refinery were free to sell directly to any marketer on a willing buyer, willing seller basis, which is the current practice for all fully deregulated products such as diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene.

But on 15 September, the NNPC began loading petrol from the Dangote Refinery.

Although some major petroleum marketers were later reportedly approved to lift the product from the refinery under an agreement with NNPC Ltd, independent marketers remained excluded.

On 26 September, the House of Representatives called on the federal government to mandate the NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refinery to allow independent marketers to lift petrol directly from the refinery.

The lower chamber also urged the management of Dangote Refinery to build, acquire, or partner to establish tank farms or depots across the geo-political zones of the country, to ease access to petroleum products for the public.

This call followed a motion of urgent public importance moved on Thursday by Oboku Oforji (PDP, Bayelsa).

Moving the motion, Mr Oforji explained that the exclusion of independent marketers threatened competition in the sector.

He noted that competition is essential for reducing costs, adding that some marketers may resort to importing products to survive in the market.

“NNPCL and the major marketers being the exclusive off-takers spells monopoly, which is tantamount to greed. This is the same NNPC Ltd that has failed to manage our crude and refineries for decades,” the lawmaker said at the time.

Those familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES that NNPC is now set to withdraw as the sole off-taker to allow other marketers to directly purchase petrol from Dangote Refinery at the prevailing market price, promoting competition and potentially stabilising supply chains.

Femi Soneye, the spokesperson for the NNPC is not immediately available to comment for this story but a top official of the company confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES Monday morning.

“Yes, it is true,” the official said. “We can no longer continue to bear that burden.”

The NNPC had claimed in September that it was buying petrol from Dangote Refiner at N898.78 per litre and selling to marketers at N765.99 per litre, shouldering a subsidy of almost N133 per litre.

The NNPC lifted about 103 million litres of petrol from Dangote Refinery between September 15 and 30. The refinery was able to load 2,207 of 3,621 trucks sent to it within the period under review.

The vehicles carried just 102,973,025 litres of the planned 400,000,000 litres of petrol earmarked to be lifted from the refinery at 25 million litres per day. That translated to just 26 per cent performance, records seen by PREMIUM TIMES show.

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BREAKING: Lagos Assembly suspends Alimosho council chairman

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Lagos State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended the chairman of the Alimosho local government area, Jelili Sulaimon.

This was announced during the House of Assembly’s plenary session on Monday, October 7.

The lawmakers resolved that the vice chairman of the council, Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, should take over the running of its affairs.

The House further instructed the management of the council, including the manager and treasurer, to recognize the authority of the vice chairman and provide him with all the support needed for effective work.

The chairman was suspended in a unanimous vote by the lawmakers due to alleged non-compliance, defiance, and unyielding attitude toward the legislative House.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, sponsored the motion.

Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, while supporting the call for Jelili’s suspension, added that the action would make other local government chairmen sit well.

“The Alimosho council chairman does not follow procurement processes or the budget. There has been a lot of misconduct from him and I support that the chairman be suspended indefinitely,” he said.

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BREAKING: Chaos erupts as Wike supporters loot council offices in Rivers state

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Reports are emerging of widespread looting in several council offices across Rivers State as supporters of former Governor Nyesom Wike, who have rejected the outcome of the recent local government elections, continue to protest the swearing-in of council chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The unrest has escalated into looting, with office equipment and materials being carted away by angry mobs in multiple local government areas.

The pro-Wike supporters have refused to accept the newly elected chairmen, claiming that the elections were flawed.

This development follows reports of gunfire in several other LGAs as political tensions escalate across Rivers State.

The unrest follows the recent swearing-in of council chairmen across Rivers State after the conclusion of local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

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BREAKING: Thugs block newly sworn-in Rivers chairman from entering LGA secretariat

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Tensions are flaring in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area as thugs have prevented the newly sworn-in council chairman from gaining access to the local government secretariat.

The unrest follows the recent swearing-in of council chairmen across Rivers State after the conclusion of local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The thugs who are opposing the outcome of the election have mobilized to block the entry of the newly elected officials, adding to a growing wave of protests and violence in other parts of the state.

Eye-witnesses say the thugs are supporters of the Federal Capital Territory minister and former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike.

This development follows reports of gunfire in several other LGAs as political tensions escalate across Rivers State.

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BREAKING: NAFDAC staff commence indefinite nationwide strike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the agency’s management.

This is coming after a meeting convened on Friday, October 4, 2024 over unresolved issues.

The staff’s demands include a review and re-evaluation of the 2024 promotion examination results, which currently show a pass rate of only 35 percent.

The union is also advocating for a minimum benchmark of 80 percent for this year’s and future promotion exams.

Another significant demand is the settlement of salary arrears for employees hired in 2022.

In a statement signed by the association’s Secretary, Ejor Michael, the union accused NAFDAC management of neglecting their grievances, labelling the inaction as insufferable.

The striking workers, following the directive of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), have been instructed to withdraw all services and vacate their offices.

They were also told to remove personal belongings as the strike commences.

The workers have vowed to continue the strike until all demands listed in their communiqué are fulfilled.

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Dino Melaye wins six-year legal battle against FG, IG

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A former Senator, Dino Melaye has been acquitted in the twelfth and final case against him by the Federal Government.

This lengthy legal battle began six years ago.

According to him, Justice Sylvanus Oriji delivered the verdict at the FCT High Court in Maitama, clearing Melaye of two charges of providing false information concerning an alleged assassination attempt on his life in 2017.

This legal saga began in February 2018 when Melaye faced accusations of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, the then-chief of Staff, to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the assassination plot.

Taking to social media platform X on Monday to celebrate the verdict, Melaye expressed his gratitude towards his legal team and emphasised his unwavering faith in divine justice.

“I take life as it comes, but in all the vicissitudes of life, I trust in God only. He is always with the just,” he stated.

In his post, he also noted, “Justice served after six years. Justice delayed is never justice denied. God alone be praised. SEN. DINO MELAYE 12 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND IGP 0. 12 CASES ALL WON BY GOD.”

The initial case regarding the alleged assassination attempt saw delays, including the unfortunate passing of Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu, the judge overseeing the matter, during a cross-over service on December 31, 2017.

The Attorney General’s Office formally charged Melaye on January 31, 2018, claiming his allegations were unfounded, stemming from an investigation into the supposed assassination attempt at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State.

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