NEWS
Fubara Backs Caretaker Committees To Operate From Anywhere
The political contest in Rivers State turning rowdy and bloody, which saw the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) sealing the secretariats of the Local Governments Areas (LGA), has also seen Governor Siminalayi Fubara willing to allow the Caretaker Committees to operate at large.
Gov Fubara made the disclosure on Wednesday after swearing in the 23 LGA Caretaker Committee Chairmen in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the Police barred the newly inaugurated caretaker chairmen from accessing their offices in all the 23 LG headquarters, but that should not stop the running of government.
Recall that the Rivers State Police Command had on Tuesday announced that it had taken over all the LG council headquarters to forestall further bloodshed and to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
This operating from a temporary location might be sine die, if the words of the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, are to be taken seriously.
Disu made it clear that the LG council headquarters would remain shut for the time being due to the clash between the feuding parties.
Disu said, “It is because two groups are fighting over something. Two groups are fighting over it. The other group is waiting to tackle them. We have to prevent them from clashing and killing one another like they did yesterday (Tuesday) and killed a policeman and one other person.
“So we have to prevent them from going in. We have locked up the local government secretariats. If we allow them (caretaker chairmen) to go in, other people will come out and clash. Then people will ask what are we doing as police officers?
“We are here to prevent a breakdown of law and to protect lives and property. So we know definitely if there is a clash, anything can happen. So we are doing our jobs of protection of lives and property.”
On why local government workers were not allowed into their offices, he said, “For the time being nobody should come in. If we allow local government workers to come in, others will sneak in. So it will still boil down to the same thing. How do we sit and those who are not workers sneak in?
“So it is better we lock up the place and ensure that there is peace. And that is exactly what we are doing.”
Recall that at least two lives were lost at Eberi-Omuma in the Omuma Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday as a result of the feud between supporters of the governor and his predecessor, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Those who died include a serving policeman and a member of a local security, which prompted the Police’s intervention.
Will Caretaker Chairmen Pursue Peace?
After administering the oath of office on the newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen, Gov Fubara charged them to eschew violence, maintain the peace, and be guided by the Constitution.
He also directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to commence an immediate audit of the accounts of the 23 councils, and made it clear that the new appointees could operate from anywhere.
According to Gov Fubara, the swearing-in of the chairmen would ensure seamless administration of local governments following the expiration of the tenure of elected chairmen and councilors in the state.
Gov Fubara warned them against any form of confrontation, insisting that such was not in his nature and style but advised them to be law-abiding as they take full control of the local government councils.
He said, “Whatever happened yesterday (Tuesday), I know and the world knows that it is not from you people. Some people caused it. So, let us not allow them to continue to make our state look bad in the comity of states.
“So, when you go back, if there is any situation, you should be law-abiding. I don’t want any confrontation. You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have the control of the local governments today.”
The coming days would show if the new appointees would heed the counsel of the governor or escalate crisis for which the Rivers State’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has already called for an imposition of a state of emergency.
Political watchers are keen that the judiciary would have a say on the matter before long.
Barr Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel to detained Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) for denying his legal team access to Kanu in custody.
In a statement via X on Friday, Ejimakor alleged that the DSS blocked Friday’s scheduled visit, violating court orders and constitutional rights.
He suggested this move was retaliation for Kanu’s successful request to recuse Justice Binta Nyako from his terrorism trial.
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He said, “Today, in violation of subsisting court orders and the constitution, the DSS blocked the legal team of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from meeting with him at the detention facility.
“It appears that the DSS has cancelled all future visitations to Kanu as a retaliation against Kanu for chasing away Justice Binta Nyako from the case and causing her embarrassment.
“What this means is that the DSS, acting on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria, has unlawfully isolated Kanu from his lawyers, thus making his solitary confinement absolute. I don’t know when next, if ever, it may be possible to see Kanu again.”
The IPOB leader, who is being detained at the custody of the DSS in Abuja, is standing trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over terrorism-related charges.
Kanu had told the trial Judge, Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday that he had lost confidence in her court and demanded she hands off his case.
Justice Nyako granted his request, excused herself from the case, and remitted the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another Judge to handle.
In a move set to revolutionize Africa’s agricultural sector, Nigeria has partnered with Mastercard to empower one million farmers across Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania.
This exciting partnership aims to boost agricultural productivity and yield by providing financial inclusion and digital access to essential services, with support from the African Development Bank.
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Vice President Kashim Shettima sealed the deal with Mastercard executives at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
He emphasized that this initiative has the potential to transform Africa’s food security landscape.
“This partnership is an important milestone in our quest for comprehensive financial inclusion and agricultural empowerment. By leveraging Mastercard’s global expertise, we’re set to create unprecedented opportunities for farmers across Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani had earlier shed light on a groundbreaking partnership that’s set to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
According to him, this innovative collaboration aims to provide digital access to critical financial services for agricultural workers, which is expected to significantly boost productivity and economic growth in the sector ¹.
Dr. Tijani emphasized that the partnership goes beyond just introducing new technologies; it’s about reimagining the entire agricultural value chain.
He disclosed that the ultimate goal is to ensure that every farmer, regardless of their location, has access to modern financial tools and also tackles existing challenges in Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem, making it easier for farmers to access financial services.
Tijani added, “We’re aware of the trust deficits that have hindered the full activation of contactless payments by some acquirers and banks. This partnership includes specific measures to bridge these gaps and ensure widespread adoption.”
Amid the ongoing price dispute between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery, the Presidency has explained why government agencies cannot intervene, highlighting that both companies are privately owned.
In a statement released on Friday by Nnaamaka Okafor, media aide to the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Presidency reaffirmed the minister’s position on the pricing disagreement between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery.
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Earlier this month, after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, Lokpobiri noted that petrol prices might vary across different regions, but with increased product availability, prices would eventually stabilize.
He also reiterated that the sector is deregulated, meaning the government does not control fuel prices.
The minister had said, “What is important is that the government is not fixing prices. This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level. And this is important for Nigerians to know.
“There is enough product in the country to be able to meet the demands of Nigerians, there should be no panic buying. And we also believe that Nigerians need to know that the government is not fixing prices. That is what I want to convey to Nigerians.”
Okafor highlighted that during a press briefing, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reinforced Senator Lokpobiri’s earlier comments regarding the independence of both the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery in a deregulated market.
Onanuga emphasized that under the Petroleum Industry Act, NNPCL operates independently, despite being government-owned.
He explained, “The PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) sector has been deregulated. Dangote is a private company, and NNPCL is a limited liability company. Any pricing issues between them are their own concern.”
He further elaborated that, according to the Act, while NNPCL is owned by federal, state, and local governments, it functions autonomously.
He pointed out that if consumers find NNPC or Dangote’s prices too high, they may import fuel, with market forces determining the most competitive pricing. “If a price war begins, it’s the consumer who stands to benefit,” Onanuga stated.
Onanuga also clarified that the government will not interfere in the pricing dispute but will focus on promoting alternative energy solutions, such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which provides a more affordable option for consumers.
The government plans to subsidize the conversion of vehicles to CNG, with CNG priced around N230 per litre equivalent, compared to PMS at approximately N850 per litre.
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