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Headlines

Police Officers Returning From Edo Elections Die in Kano

by Nelson Ugwuagbo September 24, 2024

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Five police personnel involved in securing the Edo State governorship election tragically lost their lives in a road accident.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the death, saying it occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

The accident happened on the Zaria-Kano road, near Karfi Village’s Trailer Park. The FRSC reported that a trailer and a Toyota Hummer Bus (registration number 14B101KN), operated by Kanoline, were involved in the crash.

The accident, which took place at approximately 0115 hours, involved a total of fifteen individuals.

“Sadly, five lives were lost, and ten people sustained varying degrees of injuries. The victims were identified as members of the Nigeria Police Force returning from a special assignment in Edo State, where they had been deployed for election monitoring.”

The statement added that preliminary investigations by the FRSC have revealed that the crash was caused by excessive speeding, which led the driver of the Hummer bus to lose control and collide with a parked trailer.

September 24, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

Ebonyi Deputy Governor Caught Sharing 1k To Poor People

by Nelson Ugwuagbo September 24, 2024

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Mrs. Patricia Obila, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, has been caught on camera sharing 1,000 Naira to poor people in Nigeria.

The viral video shows her distributing the money to Okada riders, a physically challenged individual, and others, sparking mixed reactions from the public.

Many have questioned the value of 1,000 Naira in today’s economy, especially considering the economic hardships faced by Nigerians under the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government.

Some have criticized the gesture as inadequate, pointing out that 1,000 Naira can’t even buy a loaf of bread in some areas.

Others have praised Obila’s kind intentions, despite the limited impact of the amount.

It’s worth noting that Patricia Obila assumed office as Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State on May 29, 2023.

Her actions, whether seen as charitable or political, are under scrutiny as she navigates her role in the state’s government.

September 24, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

Petrol Prices Expected to Rise to N1,800 Following Push for Full Subsidy Removal

by Folarin Kehinde September 24, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

Nigerians may soon face an increase in petrol prices, with projections indicating a potential hike to N1,800 per litre.

This development follows the call by Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the federal government to end petrol subsidy, just nine days after his 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery began producing petrol.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Dangote said that removing the subsidy is essential, citing that all countries have eliminated subsidies.

He argued that subsidies actually drive up prices, as people take advantage of the subsidized rates. Dangote also highlighted the unsustainable nature of petrol subsidies, pointing out that Nigeria’s gasoline prices are about 60% lower than those in neighbouring countries.

“Our price of gasoline is about 60 percent the price of our neighbouring countrries and we have porous borders, so it is not sustainable. Government cannot afford the amount of subsidies we are paying,” he said.

He added, “But this refinery will bring quite a lot of issues out there. It would show the real consumption of Nigeria because nobody can tell. Some people say it is 60 million litres per day, some say it is less,” the billionaire said.

“But right now, by us producing, everything can be counted and accounted for. Most of the trucks or ships that will load from us, we will put a tracker on them to be sure they are going to take the oil within Nigeria and that can help the government to save a lot of money.

“For example, Saudis, the citizens believe that oil is our god-given gift and should not charge us for it. Government was selling it at a very low price. But today, as we speak, gasoline is about 40 percent cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia, which I think does not make sense.”

Fuel subsidies were initially introduced in Nigeria in the 1970s to alleviate the impact of rising global oil prices. However, over time, the subsidies became a significant financial burden on the government, with Nigeria spending over N13 trillion on fuel subsidies between 2005 and 2021.

Previous attempts to remove or reform fuel subsidies have been met with resistance. In 2012, the government’s attempt to remove subsidies led to widespread protests. However, in 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy regime, but subsequent reports suggested that the government was considering reintroducing temporary subsidies.

September 24, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

Igbo Persecution in Nigeria Ends With Me – Nnamdi Kanu

by Nelson Ugwuagbo September 24, 2024

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), vowed to end persecution of the Igbo people in Nigeria.

Kanu, detained since July 2021, spoke out after his court appearance in Abuja, citing marginalization as the reason for his Biafra restoration agitation.

Justice Binta Nyako recused herself from Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. This followed Kanu’s request, alleging bias and disobedience to Supreme Court orders.

In court, Kanu instructed his counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, to sit, referencing the Supreme Court judgment that raised concerns about the judge’s impartiality.

After the session, Kanu emphasized, “The orchestrated persecution of Igbo people stops with me.”

He explained his fight for freedom stems from this persecution, stating, “When it comes to Igbo people, the rules change, yet we’re called one Nigeria.

September 24, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

Swear with Quran you’ve no connection with banditry – Matawalle dares Gov Lawal

by Folarin Kehinde September 24, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, on Tuesday challenged the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal to swear an oath with the Quran that he has no hands in banditry affecting the state.

Matawalle gave the charge while rejecting the governor’s claim which linked him to banditry in the state.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, the minister recalled how he swore using the Quran that he had no connection with banditry in the state.

Lawal had charged the minister to address the allegations of him sponsoring banditry and money laundering during his tenure as governor.

Reacting, Matawalle said: “Let me remind you when I was a governor, I was the only governor that swore by the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connections with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening. I swore that if I was happy or part of it, God should not give me one second.

“I challenged all the politicians that time including Dauda, but none of them could take the oath. But I took it because I know my mind, I know I have a clean heart. And not only that, including all my councillors, chairmen, and commissioners, I will not give you an appointment, you have to take the oath.

“And up till tomorrow, I am challenging these people to take the oath that I have taken.

“They are part of the banditry, if not, let them take the oath with the holy Quran openly with all the Imams in Zamfara State. And since that time none of them have taken this oath.”

September 24, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Justice Binta Nyako to step down from Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

by Folarin Kehinde September 24, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

At the resumed hearing in the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, Justice Binta Nyako, said she was going to recuse herself from the trial.

Recuse, as defined by the Law.com dictionary, means to refuse to be a judge (or for a judge to agree to a request by one of the parties to step aside) in a lawsuit or appeal because of a conflict of interest or other good reason (acquaintanceship with one of the parties, for example). It also applies to a judge or prosecutor being removed.

Nyako’s response to recuse herself from the trial followed Kanu’s request in the open court that the trial judge recuse herself from his trial since she has refused to obey the orders of the Supreme Court.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on a seven-count bordering on terrorism.

Kanu stated that he had lost confidence in the court and that the trial judge should recuse herself from his trial.

Meanwhile, Justice Nyako replied that she would be happy to do just that. She added that she would be sending Kanu’s case file back to the chief judge for it to be reassigned.

Meanwhile, Kanu ordered his counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, to sit down while he was trying to persuade the court to suspend the trial on the basis that his client was denied the opportunity to prepare his defence.

Kanu referred to the Supreme Court judgement where alleged bias against the judge was raised.

“Sit down! I say you should sit down!” Kanu had yelled at his lawyer.

Speaking further, he said, “My lord, I have no confidence in this court any more, and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the Supreme Court.

“I can understand it if the DSS refuses to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the Supreme Court is regrettable.

“I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case.”

The prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, (SAN), however, tried to urge Justice Nyako to proceed with the trial, but she responded that she had been minded to recuse herself from the case.

“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the Chief Judge,” she declared.

September 24, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

Passengers Panic as Air Peace windshield breaks at Abuja Airport

by Folarin Kehinde September 24, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

Passengers panicked on Monday as the windshield of an Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft operated by Air Peace was shattered in Abuja.

As the aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the windshield reportedly shattered, sparking concerns for passengers and aviation workers who witnessed the development.

Among the passengers onboard was human rights advocate, Omoyele Sowore, who was traveling to Abuja.

One of the passengers at the airport who saw the incident, who identified herself simply as Funmi, told our correspondent that it was a scary incident while expressing dissatisfaction with the airline for refusing to explain what exactly happened to the windshield at the spot of the incident.

Attempt to speak with the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Abdullahi Musa, was fruitless as he neither answered his calls nor responded to text messages sent to him on the matter.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Bimbo Olajide, noted that the NCAA would be in the best position to respond to the incident.

The NSIB is charged with the duty of promoting transport safety and conducting objective and thorough investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria, to identify the probable causes.

Olajide said the NSIB was expected to investigate accidents and not incidents of that nature.

“This is classified as an incident and NSIB is expected to investigate accident and serious incident but the development falls in the category of an incident and not serious incident or accident. This falls within the purview of the NCAA.”

When contacted, over the phone, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, promised to speak with his staff members and get back to our reporter but never did till press time.

Also asked about what transpired that led to the shattering of the windshield, the Chief Operating Officer of the affected airline, Oluwatoyin Olajide, who angrily responded to our correspondent, claimed that the safety of the flying passengers was not jeopardised.

Olajide, who had earlier ignored our correspondent’s call, became angry when told that it was gathered that the development caused panic among the flying passengers.

She responded, “What panic for the flying public? Can you verify what you’ve just said? Why are you always very quick to publish negative news about your own?

“Where were you when BA (British Airways) had engine issues and was grounded in Lagos for four days? Why was this not published? This is not a fight, but I was just wondering where you gathered the wrong report from?

“We did not have a shattered screen neither was passenger’s safety jeopardized. What happened is a normal snag, and necessary safety measures were implemented. The safety of our equipment and passengers is our top priority.”

Meanwhile, an insider in the airline, who does not want his name in print so as not to violate internal mechanisms, confirmed the development to our correspondent adding that “the aircraft has been temporarily put in service so as not to take any chances. Although, the windshield only cracked and was not shattered as claimed.” [The Punch]

September 24, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Many injured as petrol tanker explodes in Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde September 23, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

A fuel laden tanker has exploded in Maitama, a highbrow area of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

Leading reporters understands that some persons inside a commercial vehicle sustained injuries in the incident, which happened along Shehu Shagari way.

An eye witness, Saminu Sani, said flame from the vehicle was seen billowing into the sky.

He said many motorists abandoned their vehicles on the ever-busy road and ran for their lives.

He said the situation led to gridlock that affected different roads, including the one connecting farmers market, Nicon Hilton Hotel, MTN as well as Chicken house.

A health official at nearby Maitama District Hospital, who preferred to remain anonymous told our reporter that he saw victims form the incident being taken into the facility for emergency medical attention.

He said he heard some of the survivors saying the driver of the tanker fled the scene after the truck fell.

September 23, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

We’ll use Edo template in Ondo, Anambra – Ganduje brags

by Folarin Kehinde September 23, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

…..says 2027 will be a walkover

National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said the party would use its template in Edo State governorship election to win the November 16 election in Ondo State.

Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, also said the party would use the same template to win Anambra currently under the control of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other states in the South East in future elections.

He spoke on Monday in Abuja, while celebrating the victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo with members of the Edo state election situation room.

Ganduje said a big party like the APC ought to have been fully in charge of the South East geo-political zone, and urged party leaders at all levels to work hard towards actualising the party’s objectives.

“We have started working to develop strategies to win these states. Next year, Anambra state will follow. Let me remind you that we have a project which we named political demarginalisation of South East geo-political zone.

“That project is also a task that must be done. We will face South East zone with 5 states. We already have 2, but 2 is too small for a big party like ours. We will face that state and see how we can recover many states in our favour,” Ganduje said.

2027 will be walkover for APC – N/Central elders

Meanwhile, some elders of the APC from the North Central led by a former Senate President, Ameh Ebute, have expressed optimism that the 2027 general election would be a walkover for the party.
They spoke while on a visit to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Monday to congratulate Ganduje, on his victory at the High Court in a suit which sought his removal as chairman.

September 23, 2024 0 comments

Headlines

“We Won’t Forget Your Sacrifice” – Asue Ighodalo Thanks Supporters

by Nelson Ugwuagbo September 23, 2024

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Following the recently concluded Edo governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, has extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Edo for their steadfast support.

In a message addressed to his supporters, Ighodalo praised the voters who braved difficult circumstances to cast their ballots on September 21, 2024.

He specifically lauded the resilience of voters who faced various challenges, including intimidation, arrests, and financial inducements, to support his candidacy.

“I want to thank the good people of Edo State who defied the rains, intimidation, and threats of violence to vote for us. Your sacrifices for a better Edo State will never be forgotten,” he stated, while calling them “the true heroes of our democracy.”

Ighodalo urged his supporters to stay committed to their shared vision for Edo’s progress.

He assured them that the fight for a better Edo State would continue, adding, “Our journey does not end here; it is just beginning. I promise I will not abandon you as we face this uncertain future together.”

September 23, 2024 0 comments

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