NEWS
Uncertainty In Motorparks As Ogun Govt Approves New Union
Following the approval of a new union by the Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo, friction is rising among members of the transport union in the car parks of Ogun.
The Ogun State Operations Management Services (OSOMS) was certified by the Ministry as one of the transport unions operating in its parks in a letter dated December 15, 2022.
According to the letter, which was made available to journalists, OSOMS, under the direction of its Chairman Mustapha Ismahi Adewale (also known as Yaro), will work alongside already-existing unions, associations, and organizations to manage park operations and activities in the State.
The letter signed by the Director of Public Transport and Commuter Services, Engr. Shokunbi O.B.A., on behalf of the Commissioner, read partly: “Further to the above approval, I am also delighted to inform you that your proposal to offer revenue collection services on behalf of the state in the Ogun East Senatorial District, adopting the existing field operational plans, protocols and processes, has the endorsement of the Ministry of Transportation and that the Ministry’s consent has been communicated to the Ogun State Inland Revenue Services (OGIRS) accordingly.
“Please contact OGIRS with the view to the commencement of services in Ogun East Senatorial district on 26th December 2022 and on subsequent alternate week slots compliant with OGIRS processes and procedures and in line with the established allocation arrangements with RTEAN.”
The Ogun State Parks Management (OGSPAM) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) both have members that are dissatisfied with the new union.
According to information obtained by our correspondent, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) members are still upset that the state government of Ogun banned their operations there. They fear that, under the current regime, they might never return to Ogun because of the creation of OSOMS.
While not completely excluding the prospect of conflicts between their men and the new union members, some of the union officials who spoke to our correspondent expressed concern that their jobs might be in jeopardy.
Also, the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the Ministry of Transportation over possible breakdown of law in Ogun motorparks over the new union.
In a statement by the PDP spokesman in Ogun, Akinloye Bankole, the party conceded that the transportation sector has enjoyed a recorded lease of peace and tranquility since the inception of the Dapo Abiodun-led administration in 2019, expressing worries that the government is now seeking to deliberately create a needless leadership tussle among operators in that sector.
“For every right thinking resident and citizens of good conscience, the creation and announcement of a strange OSOMS by the Ministry of Transportation is not only distasteful, it is manifestly unnecessary.
“Again, we make bold to further encourage all the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police and Department of State Service, DSS and of course, law abiding members of the public to hold the Commissioner responsible in case of any violent break down of law and order in our parks and garages as a result of this senseless development in the transportation sector.
“Ogun State does not deserve another avoidable loss of lives and property,” Bankole said.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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