1. There is no downplaying the reality of the challenging season that we find ourselves in as a nation: the impact of inflation on personal and household budgets, and the threats to security in parts of the country.

2. But that is only part of the story. Just as important are the various bold measures that the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is taking to decisively confront all of these challenges. We fully acknowledge the duty and the responsibility of care that the Federal Government owes to every Nigerian, across the lines of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, and social class.

3. In the area of security, all threats are being boldly confronted. We are taking the fight to the criminals’ dens, with promising results. Within the last week, several bandits, kidnappers and militants have been neutralized or arrested.

4. The resurgent crisis in Plateau State is indeed highly regrettable, and we assure that all perpetrators of violence there, and everywhere else in the country, are being brought to book. Justice will be done, and peace will be restored in all affected communities. We salute the gallantry of security and intelligence agencies who are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that we are safe in our homes and on the highways, and that criminals have no breathing space.

5. Regarding the economy, all relevant Ministries and Agencies of the Federal Government are working in coordinated fashion, to bring down inflation, stabilize foreign exchange rates, and create a truly enabling environment for business and investment. The Nigeria that President Tinubu seeks to build is one where no one is left behind.

6. Impactful interventions are being rolled out, including a Students’ Loan Scheme, a Presidential Initiative to deploy lower-cost CNG mass transit buses to provide alternatives to petrol and diesel, and various low-interest loan schemes for businesses. The CNG interventions will bring down the cost of transportation by more than 50 percent. We urge Nigerians to take advantage of these opportunities as they emerge, as they have been designed for the benefit of all.

7. Even as we tackle our challenges with urgency and dedication, it is also necessary to remind all Nigerians of the need to resist all forces and narratives of misinformation and division.

8. For example, it is not true that the relocation to Lagos of the Headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and of certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are political moves aimed at marginalizing a section of the country. These allegations are unfounded. Instead, these are pragmatic administrative steps to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs.

9. I would like to urge all Nigerians to be especially mindful of all persons and groups at home and abroad, who specialize in making false and inciting claims on radio, TV and social media, as well as in peddling altered videos and images for viral dissemination. We must all stand together as one, against these forces that constantly seek to test and break the bonds that hold us.

10. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the work of building the Nigeria of our dreams is one that must be done by everyone, regardless of our religious faith or ethnic group or geopolitical zone. It is for this reason that we have produced the Nigerian National Values Charter (NVC), a documentation of the social contract between Government and the citizens, as one of the ways to restore a national sense of hope, trust and solidarity.

11. As part of this focus on earning the trust of Nigerians, the fight against corruption will continue, and will intensify. Determined to ensure that there are no sacred cows, and that public funds are applied wholly for the public good, President Tinubu is providing the anti-corruption agencies with the support required to fulfill their mandate.

12. We will not succeed at building the Nigeria of our dreams if we insist on focusing only on our challenges and problems, and not the abundant opportunities and positive narratives that we are surrounded by. We recognize the fact that the country continues to enjoy genuine enthusiasm for investment from local and foreign investors.

13. In the opening weeks of 2024, our Stock Market has already put us on the global map for the impressive returns being delivered. The Indian businesses that pledged $14 billion in new investment in Nigeria on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India in September 2023 have since started making good on those pledges. Across oil and gas, agriculture, consumer goods, renewable energy, healthcare, ICT and many other fields we are seeing global and local businesses demonstrating unshakable belief in the limitless possibilities that Nigeria embodies. 

14. The heartwarming exploits of our beloved Super Eagles at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire are another case in point; a timely reminder that the things that bind us together as one are much deeper than the things that separate and divide us. 

15. Let us never forget what is truly possible: that instead of division and hatred, we can live and thrive in unity and hope, assured that, despite the temporary challenges and setbacks that we face from time to time, a glorious dawn is just around the corner.

Mohammed Idris,

Minister of Information and National Orientation,

Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Each time I see the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on TV, he comes across as a man with a split personality. A half of him is an image of a hard-working and dedicated public official who wants to record measurable achievements and impacts. He has cleared backlogs of passport applications and is working on introducing a portal through which Nigerians can apply for passports and have them delivered for them at home. Tunji-Ojo speaks fast, talks smooth and appears quite beguiling. The other part of him is behind the façade, and it’s a man in love with the lucre. He likes to make money through contracts and sleazy deals from the same government he serves.

A company he founded in 2009, New Planet Project Limited, was awarded a contract worth N438.1 million by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Betta Edu, to verify the social register that was to be used for conditional cash transfers. But Tunji-Ojo claims that he had resigned as a director of the company long before he became a minister last August, although he is still a majority shareholder and that his wife is the managing director. A minister who presents an image of a high-performing officer of the government, but is, indirectly through his wife and the company he owns, soliciting and benefitting from contracts from the same government, is a duplicitous fellow; and his excuse that he had resigned his directorship is simply dubious, specious and flimsy. He has fallen below the basic moral standards required of the office he occupies.

His conduct is a clear case of conflict of interest, a violation of the code of conduct for public officials and the oath of office which he swore to. It’s heartening to note that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) which is statutorily mandated by the Constitution (Third Schedule, Part 1, 3(e) has launched an investigation into this matter. The inquiry should look into the qualification and competence of the company to do the verification of the social register. What specifically was the company set up to do and what are its competencies in data verification? How were the bidding done? Did government earn value for money and did the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) approve this contract?

I urge CCB to go as far back as four or five years ago when Tunji-Ojo was the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC. He also benefitted enormously from NDDC contracts worth billions of Naira. I recall that Tunji-Ojo was at the center of the storm during the ‘’Minister off your mic’’ scandal at the National Assembly.

The Code of Conduct for public officers as enshrined in the Constitution specifically states that ‘’A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities’’. Section 6 of the Code of Conduct also states that ‘’a public officer shall not ask for or accept property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in discharge of his duties’’. In the oath he swore to as a minister on August 21, 2023, Tunji-Ojo said, in part, with a Bible in his hand, ‘’I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decision’’. As a shareholder in the company that benefitted from contracts from NDDC and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Tunji-Ojo has flouted his oath of office and the provisions of Code of Conduct. He should be prosecuted, and this will not only serve as a deterrence to others, it will give an indication of the administration’s seriousness with the war against corruption.

For now, Tunji-Ojo, a lawyer, is trying hard to put up a bold face and present a slick image. At every opportunity, he flaunts his innovative skills and patriotic credentials. The other week, he attended the 2024 National Summit of the NBA’s Young Lawyers Forum and gave a rousing speech. ‘’We are ready to take the lead and I want to plead with you as young lawyers; please join me in making sure that the Nigeria we will be handing over to our children would be greater than the one we inherited from our parents’’, he told his audience. But some are asking: Is he for real? Can we trust him? Who is the real Tunji-Ojo?

The minister may not be the only public official benefitting from inappropriate and illegal transactions within the government. Across the country and at various levels of government, public officials are either awarding contracts to themselves, their relatives or cronies; or are engaging in arrant bribery and kickbacks. In fact, several of Tunji-Ojo’s colleagues at FEC were undergoing EFCC investigations or were indicted before they were appointed ministers. It is now up to the President and the anti-graft agencies to deal decisively with the stench.

Successful countries maintain very high standards for their public officials because corruption and immoral actions are detrimental to good governance. President Tinubu came into office with a very modest anti-graft credentials. Fighting corruption and keeping high moral standards were never his forte. But now, the President seems determined to prove us wrong. Receiving a delegation from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) last week, the President assured the nation that he will not relent in fighting corruption. Nigerians are waiting to see how well he would do on that. Betta Edu and Tunji-Ojo are the first test cases for him to prove his point.

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given special praise to five Super Eagles’ players while reacting to Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Round of 16 victory against Cameroon on Saturday night.

Sanwo-Olu, who watched the AFCON encounter on Television in Lagos, also urged Jose Peseiro’s side to keep the momentum forward as they qualified for the quarter-final.

Recall that a brace from Ademola Lookman gave Nigeria a 2-0 win over Cameroon.

In a series of tweets via his X account after the game, the government wrote, “I totally enjoyed the Super Eagles’ incredible display of teamwork and determination tonight against the team from Cameroon.

“From Osimhen’s hard work to Lookman’s brace to Ekong and Bassey’s very solid performances as well as Nwabali’s solidity, kudos to the entire team.

“Onto the quarterfinals! Let’s carry this momentum forward, Super Eagles. Best of luck in the next round, and may our journey in #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 continue to shine bright.”

Meanwhile, former Nigeria international, Nwankwo Kanu has reacted to Super Eagles’ 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Round of 16 victory over Cameroon on Saturday night.

Reacting, Kanu, in a post via his X account, congratulated Jose Peseiro’s side and hailed their combined effort against Cameroon.

The Arsenal legend wrote: “KAN U BELIEVE IT YESSSSSSSS KANU BELIEVE IT Super Eagles Nigeria are on their way to the quarterfinals #AFCON2023. Combined effort everyone @ng_supereagles, more goals ahead congratulations.”

On his part, Nigeria attacker, Victor Boniface, who withdrew from the Super Eagles squad at AFCON due to injury, wrote: “Respect brother @victorosimhen9.”

[NationalDaily]

Last week, I had the honor of a deep dive conversation with very respected men and women of the press, from the traditional to the digital space, citizen journalists, bloggers and more. It is an interesting cohort, and I am sure that at the end of this initiative, the impacts would be felt. Let me quickly appreciate the Search For Common Ground’s Katlong, Daniel, Temisan, Emmanuela, Fatima Madaki, the Country Director, and all the wonderful souls and the work we all do in this space.

My presentation was about the complex dynamics at the intersection of religion and human rights in Nigeria, with a focus on striking a balance between the fundamental right to freedom of religion and the broader societal interests. Using real-world examples, the session explored the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating religious diversity while upholding human rights principles with fixation on media practitioners. From issues of religious minorities’ rights to the impact of religious beliefs on public policies, the presentation offered insights into the delicate equilibrium required for peaceful coexistence. By examining specific cases and their outcomes, I sought to give them a nuanced understanding of the intricate relationship between freedom of religion and the collective interests of Nigerian society.

I sincerely hope as takeaway they were able to understand a little of the legal framework surrounding freedom of religion in Nigeria, a comprehensive examination of the constitutional and statutory provisions, as well as their practical implications.

I danced graciously around Constitutional Provisions:

• Nigeria’s Constitution, particularly Chapter IV, guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
• Sections 38 and 39 specifically address freedom of religion, ensuring individuals the right to practice, change, and manifest their religion or belief.

I looked at the Limitations and Exceptions:

• We collectively agreed that despite constitutional guarantees, there are limitations to freedom of religion, especially when it comes to public order, safety, morality, and the rights of others.

I encouraged them to further look up Religious Freedom Laws:

• By examining specific legislation related to religious freedom, such as the Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
• Exploring how these laws are enforced and their effectiveness in protecting religious minorities.

We touched a handful of Court Decisions:

• Analyzing landmark court decisions that have shaped the interpretation and application of freedom of religion.
• And also looking at cases involving conflicts between religious practices and other legal provisions or societal interests.

Conversations like these can’t be complete without Government Policies:

• Evaluating government policies that may impact freedom of religion, such as regulations on religious institutions, licensing, or recognition was important
• Assess the extent to which these policies promote or hinder religious freedom.

It was exciting listening to perspectives for Practical Implementation:

• Examining how freedom of religion is practically implemented at the grassroots level for media personnel.
• Encouraging journalists to investigate instances where there may be discrepancies between legal guarantees and actual experiences of individuals and communities.

And finally looking at Challenges and Opportunities:

• By identifying challenges faced by the media, the individuals or religious groups in exercising their freedom of religion.
• Explore opportunities for legal reforms or advocacy to strengthen religious freedom protections with the media personnel.

It was important that we x-rayed the Sharia Law Implementation:

• In some Northern states of Nigeria, the implementation of Sharia law has been a source of tension. Cases have arisen where individuals, often from minority religious groups, have faced legal consequences under Sharia law, leading to conflicts between religious freedom and the desire for a unified legal system.

Examine Religious Practices in Educational Institutions:

• Conflicts have emerged over the enforcement of religious practices in educational institutions. For instance, debates over the use of religious attire or the observance of specific religious rituals within schools have raised questions about the balance between religious freedom and the need for uniformity and inclusivity.

Discuss the Registration and Recognition of Religious Group and Interfaith Marriages:

• Issues related to the registration and recognition of religious groups have led to conflicts. Some groups may face challenges in obtaining official recognition, impacting their ability to practice and propagate their faith freely.
• Cases involving interfaith marriages sometimes face opposition or legal challenges, especially when societal norms or interpretations of religious laws conflict with the principles of freedom of choice in marriage.

My presentation looked at the Expression of Religious Beliefs in Public Spaces:

• Disputes have arisen regarding the expression of religious beliefs in public spaces. For example, debates over religious displays, public prayers, or proselytization activities may raise concerns about the potential impact on social harmony and the rights of individuals with different beliefs.

And the important issues surrounding Medical Practices and Religious Beliefs:

• Instances where medical practices conflict with religious beliefs, such as vaccination or blood transfusion, have sparked legal debates. Balancing individual religious rights with societal interests in public health and safety is a recurring challenge.

These examples demonstrate the complex nature of balancing religious freedom with societal interests in Nigeria. Legal cases and public debates surrounding these issues highlight the ongoing need for nuanced considerations and robust legal frameworks to address conflicts and protect individual rights.

Here are some key approaches that the journalists can navigate through:

• Legislative Clarity and Protection:
  • Establish clear and comprehensive legislation that protects freedom of religion while also defining reasonable limitations to prevent abuse. Legislation should aim to strike a balance that respects individual rights and considers the broader welfare of the community.
• Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding:
  • Promote interfaith dialogue and understanding to foster a sense of unity and respect among different religious communities. Increased understanding can reduce misconceptions and prejudices that may lead to conflicts.
• Education and Awareness:
  • Implement educational programs to raise awareness about the diversity of religious beliefs and practices. This includes incorporating teachings on religious tolerance, pluralism, and respect for individual choices within school curricula.
• Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution:
  • Establish mechanisms for mediation and alternative dispute resolution to address conflicts arising from religious differences. This allows for a more flexible and consensual approach to dispute resolution, minimizing the need for adversarial legal proceedings.
• Community Engagement and Participation:
  • Encourage active participation of religious communities in decision-making processes that affect them. Inclusive governance structures can help ensure that policies and practices respect the diverse religious landscape of the community.
• Human Rights Education:
  • Integrate human rights education that includes a focus on religious freedom into school curricula, professional training programs, and community outreach initiatives. This can empower individuals to understand their rights and responsibilities in a diverse society.
• Legal Aid and Advocacy:
  • Provide legal aid services to individuals facing discrimination or restrictions on their religious freedom. Advocacy efforts can focus on challenging laws or practices that disproportionately impact specific religious groups.
• Collaboration with Religious Leaders:
  • Engage religious leaders as advocates for religious freedom and tolerance. Religious leaders often play a significant role in shaping community attitudes, and their support can contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious society.
• National and Local Platforms for Dialogue:
  • Create platforms at the national and local levels where representatives from different religious communities can engage in constructive dialogue. These platforms can address grievances, share perspectives, and find common ground.
• Regular Review of Legislation:
  • Establish a mechanism for the regular review of legislation related to religious freedom to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. This process should involve input from diverse stakeholders, including legal experts, religious leaders, and civil society.

By adopting a multifaceted and collaborative approach, societies can work towards creating environments where individual rights and communal well-being are mutually respected and protected.

And in conclusion I opined that:

The role of media… in promoting understanding and tolerance in the context of religious freedom is crucial for fostering a harmonious and inclusive society. Here’s a discussion on their respective roles:

• Media:
  • Promoting Diversity: Media outlets can contribute to understanding by accurately and respectfully representing the diverse religious landscape. Highlighting stories that showcase positive interfaith interactions and initiatives can challenge stereotypes and promote tolerance.
  • Responsible Reporting: Journalists should adhere to ethical reporting standards, avoiding sensationalism or biased narratives that can contribute to misunderstanding and conflict. Responsible journalism includes providing context and avoiding the amplification of divisive rhetoric.
  • Educational Campaigns: Media organizations can initiate educational campaigns that raise awareness about various religious beliefs, practices, and traditions. This can contribute to breaking down stereotypes and fostering a climate of acceptance.

I believe that FoRB is an important conversation that we must collectively engage in, so that,  in the end—Nigeria will win!

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the 36 state governors in the country and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike to “disclose details of federal allocations meant for local governments in your state and the FCT and the actual disbursement of the allocations to the local governments since the return of democracy in 1999.”

The advocacy group also urged them “to promptly invite Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments in their state and the FCT since May 1999.”

This is contained in the freedom of information (FOI) request dated January 27, 2024 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, where he noted that Nigerians have the right to know the details of actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations in their state and the FCT.

Former president Muhammadu Buhari had in December 2022 stated that, “If the money from the Federation Account to the State is about N100m, N50m will be sent to the chairman but he will sign that he received N100 million. The chairman will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with.’”

States, FCT to be guided by transparency, accountability

• SERAP said, “States and the FCT should be guided by transparency and accountability principles and proactively publish information pertaining to their actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments.
• “Opacity in the amounts of federal allocations actually disbursed to local governments in your state has continued to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest.”

SERAP gives 7 days ultimatum

The FOI request from SERAP partly reads,

• “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and your state and the FCT to comply with our requests in the public interest.
• “Transparency in the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments is fundamental to increase accountability, prevent corruption, and build trust in democratic institutions, and strengthen the rule of law.
• “Implicit in the freedom of expression is the public’s right to know what governments are doing on their behalf, without which truth would languish and people’s participation in government would remain fragmented.
• “Transparency would ensure that the allocations are not diverted into private pockets, and increase public trust that the money would be used to benefit Nigerian resident in these local government areas.
• “SERAP is seriously concerned that years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement of federal allocations meant for local governments have contributed to widespread poverty, underdevelopment and lack of access to public goods and services in several states.
• “Ensuring transparency and accountability in the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations in your state would also improve the enjoyment by Nigerians of their right to natural wealth and resources.
• “You have a legal responsibility to promote transparency and accountability in the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local government areas in your state, and to ensure that the allocations are fully disbursed to the local governments.
• “SERAP is concerned that despite the country’s enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money primarily because of widespread grand corruption, and the culture of impunity of perpetrators.’’

Over N40 trillion allocated to LGAs

• It added, “According to our information, the 36 states in Nigeria and the federal capital territory, Abuja, have collected over N40 trillion federal allocations meant for the 774 local governments areas in the country and FCT.
• “The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed to states N225.21 billion federal allocations meant for local governments in November 2023 alone. States also collected N258,810,449,711.47 federal allocations meant for local government areas in December 2023.
• “However, there is opacity in the actual disbursement of federal allocations to the local government areas in your state. States and the FCT have over the years failed and/or refused to disclose the portion of federal allocations that are disbursed by state governors.
• “SERAP notes that former president Muhammadu Buhari recently alleged that state governors routinely pocket or divert federal allocations meant for local governments areas in their states.
• “According to Buhari, ‘If the money from the Federation Account to the State is about N100 million, N50 million will be sent to the chairman but he will sign that he received N100 million. The chairman will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with.
• “SERAP also urges you to provide details of the transparency and accountability mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that the trillions of naira of federal allocations that have been received by your state and the FCT are not embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.
• “Section 162(6) of Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) provides that each state shall maintain a ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which all allocations to local government councils from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State shall be paid.
• “Section 162(5) makes it mandatory that amounts standing to the credit of the councils will be allocated to the States for the benefit of their local government councils.” “Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on your state to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
• “The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold the information. Nigerians are entitled to the right to receive information without any interference or distortion, and the enjoyment of this right should be based on the principle of maximum disclosure.”

[Nairametrics]

The Nigerian Police Force has arrested a suspected kidnapper reportedly linked to the abduction and murder of Nabeeha, one of the victims abducted in Abuja.

According to a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, Bello Mohammed, 28, of Zamfara state was apprehended on January 20, 2024 in Kaduna with N2.25 million in suspected ransom money.

“The Divisional Police Officer, Tafa Division, acting on intelligence, raided one hotel in Tafa Area, Kaduna, where he arrested Bello, with the sum of #2.25m (Two Million, two hundred and fifty million naira) only, suspected to be proceeds of ransoms collected from kidnapped victims within the area.”

“The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to be part of the gang that kidnapped the family members of one Barrister Ariyo in Bwari, FCT, on 2nd January 2024, and killed some kidnapped victims, including Nabeeha, F, daughter of the legal practitioner, on 13th January, 2024, in a kidnappers camp, in Kaduna State.

‘’The suspect, in a dramatic situation, offered #1,000,000 (one million naira only) to induce the DPO, who rejected the offer and carried out his duty diligently,” the statement said.

Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, had ordered that the suspect, be handed over to the Department of Force Intelligence Tactical Teams (DFI-IRT) in Abuja for discreet investigations.

While commending the DPO Tafa, SP Idris Ibrahim, for the commitment and professionalism displayed in the case, the IGP further assured that the Police would leave no stone unturned in dealing with criminally minded individuals.

Daily Trust had reported how about 19 abductees were taken away by bandits from the Sagwari Estate Layout in the Dutsen-Alhaji area in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The kidnappers had killed four of the hostages, including Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student of Biological Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo.

Nabeeha was abducted alongside six other siblings.

Her siblings were kidnapped with their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, from their home at Zuma 1, on the outskirts of Bwari town in Abuja on January 2.

[DailyTrust]

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made four new appointments amid the State House Assembly voting to override him to pass four new bills into law.

The governor on Friday appointed Goodlife Ben as the Acting Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Tonte Davies as the Acting Administrator of New Cities Development Authority, NCDA, and Ine Briggs as the Acting Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, the governor said the appointments take immediate effect.

On Friday, the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly voted to override Governor Siminalayi Fubara and pass four new bills into law.

The bills include the Rivers Local Government Amendment Law, the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amendment Law, the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Property Prohibition repeal law, and the Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law.

The House decided on Friday during plenary after Amaewhule read four letters addressed to him by the governor, wherein he declined his assent to the four new bills which had been sent to him for assent.

According to the House, its decision relies on Section 100 subsection 5 of the constitution, which said the assent of the governor is not required for the passage of the bills into law.

The house stated that where the governor withholds assent and the bill is again passed by two-thirds majority of the House, the bill shall become a law and the assent of the governor shall not be required.

Amaewhule further accused the governor of having no plans of conducting local government elections in the state.

This is coming 24 hours after the Supreme Court upheld the election of Governor Fubara.

The assembly, led by Amaewhule comprises 27 members who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Four members of the State Assembly, formerly led by Edison Ehie, who has now resigned as Speaker and member representing Ahoada East Constituency 2, are loyal to the governor.

President Bola Tinubu had waded into the political crisis in the state, which is predicated on the rift between Fubara and Wike.

The intervention of the President had led the concerned parties in the crisis to sign an eight-point resolution (peace accord) to end the crisis.

[DailyPost]

The body of a young man, hands tied behind his back and bearing signs of brutalization relating to a suspected cult clash, was on the early morning of Sunday, January 28, discovered on a refuse dump in Makurdi, the capital of Benue state. 

The victim believed to be between 20 and 25 years old and of black complexion, was found with one ear missing. 

The incident occurred in the vicinity of Iorpuu Adai Street, Nyiman Layout, HUDCO quarters, in Makurdi. 

His assailants had placed his body in a sack before dumping it. 

The discovery was made by worshippers en route to morning service on Sunday.

Police said they are yet to be informed of the ugly incident.

Details later…

[TheNation]