The Peoples Democratic Party will today (Thursday) hold its governorship primary in Edo State, with 10 aspirants battling for 563 delegates votes in the indirect primary.

The primary, holding at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, is expected to produce the PDP governorship candidate for the forthcoming September 21 governorship election in the state.

The 10 PDP aspirants include Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu; a former Chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo; and Blessing Igbinedion, daughter of Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

Other aspirants are Anselm Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru, and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Dr Earl Onaiwu and Arthur Esene.

A party guideline released on Wednesday by the state Organising Secretary, Tony Anenih Jr, said delegates are to report at the Edo Hotel Marque, GRA, Benin City, where their accreditation will kick off at 8 am.

Also, each delegate will be given security access cards upon accreditation after which all accredited delegates will be conveyed in dedicated buses to the venue of the governorship primary.

According to the guidelines, only designated buses carrying accredited delegates shall be allowed into the primary’s venue.

Also, all vehicles conveying governorship aspirants will drop them and their guests off at the gate and depart thereafter.

“Delegates will be seated at the venue, local government by local government, while each aspirant will collect two security tags from the Edo PDP Secretariat, 59, Airport Road, Benin City. Each card admits one guest only.

“Only delegates, invited guests and aspirants will be allowed into the venue, while delegates, aspirants and their guests must be seated at the venue of the primary by 11 am prompt.

“Accreditation of journalists and civil society organisations will also be at the Marque. Only accredited pressmen and media outfits will be allowed into the venue,” the guideline added.

The guidelines noted that all security agencies have been activated to ensure that these guidelines are strictly followed.

The Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said the party was ready to conduct a free, fair and credible primary election that will be a reference for future primary elections in the country.

He said, “What the NWC (National Working Committee) and the party owe the aspirants is to ratify the results of the delegate elections, which they have done and the list of delegates has been given to all the aspirants to enable them to have access to the delegates and start lobbying them before the primary election.

“Once the party does that, I don’t know what else any aspirant will want. What we know is that the list will never be altered and it is those on that list that will vote on the day of the primary election. I also enjoin our members to conduct themselves well so we can have a hitch-free primary election.”

Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has described last Saturday’s delegate primary election of the All Progressives Congress, as an eye-opener for it, saying would no longer treat such election as just a party affair.

The APC primary election ended in a crisis as it produced three ‘winners’.

The party is set to conduct a fresh primary today (Thursday).

The police spokesman in the state, Chidi Nwabuzor, while speaking to journalists, said, “You could remember that we had a little hitch with a particular party delegates election. That has been an eye-opener for the Edo State Police Command; that we should no longer see it as a party affair.

“They delegates are people with diverse interests, people with diverse behaviours, people with different attitudes and characters. So, this time around, we are going to ensure that the right thing is done and protect the lives and properties of these party members.”

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) arrested some currency exchange operators in the famous Kano currency exchange market, WAPA, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Naija News reports that the latest development comes after the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, ordered a crackdown on currency speculators.

An eyewitness, Malam Isma’ila Zico, who spoke with Daily Trust, said officials of the EFCC surrounded the dollar exchange section of the market and apprehended many operators.

Zico said, “They were so tactical in the operation, it was after the apprehension that we found out that they have been in the market since morning. When it was time for them to strike, we then saw their operatives with crested vests and some other security agents, and they surrounded the Dollar exchange section of the market. I can’t say how many people were apprehended but they have taken away many operators.”

Confirming the raid, the WAPA currency exchange market Chairman, Alhaji Sani Salisu Dada, said the operatives of the EFFC were in the market to address the issue of dollar hoarding and operators that were yet to register as certified bureau de change operators.

He explained that EFCC had made some arrests, and those arrested were taken away for further investigations.

The chairman added that normal activities had returned in the market, and the association was ready to comply should the need arise.

The operatives also raided Bureau De Change operators in Sabo, Ibadan, over an alleged naira/dollar exchange hike.

Confirming the raid, an eyewitness said the current trading rate in the market is around N1900 to N1,940, adding that the operatives confiscated a lot of cash and arrested ten people.

He said, “They took about ten people. Amongst the arrested are people who don’t deal in exchange business, innocent people. They said they hiked the dollar to naira rate.”

The operatives also raided BDCs in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed that each state governor has been allocated an extra N30 billion to address the challenges of food scarcity and hardships confronting Nigerians.

Akpabio said each state should properly utilize the money towards ensuring the availability of food.

Speaking on the floor of the senate, Akpabio said: “I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state government in the last few months received additional N30 billion from Federal Inland Revenue Service, outside their normal allocation from the federation account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation.

“We believe that every state government should utilise the funds so received towards ensuring that food is available.”

The current economic hardship has led to a hike in the prices of foodstuffs across the country.

The shortage of foodstuffs was also linked to the hoarding by some people and illegal smuggling to neighbouring countries.

Recall that Vice President Kashim Shettima had disclosed how security operatives discovered 32 illegal routes being used to smuggle foodstuffs and other items to neighbouring countries from Nigeria.

Shettima said security agents intercepted 45 trucks smuggling maize to neighbouring countries.

He noted that the price of “maize” came down by N10,000. The price of maize allegedly came down from N60,000 to N50,000″ when the trucks were intercepted.

Olisa Agbakoba, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is not communicating hope to Nigerians amid mounting economic hardship.

In an interview on Wednesday, Agbakoba said the presidency is failing to lead by example by cutting down on the high cost of governance and showing empathy for citizens’ struggles.

“The government ought to be communicating hope. They ought to be saying ‘we are going through this difficult period but there is light at the end of the tunnel.’ This government is not communicating that at all, which I think is a big error,” Agbakoba said.

He noted that while Nigerians can endure tough times, the failure to provide reassuring messaging is worsening conditions across the country. Agbakoba warned of a “slow revolt” brewing among citizens frustrated by the rising cost of living.

The senior lawyer called on the Tinubu administration to take action to address people’s growing discontent and communicate a hopeful vision to rally citizens through this economically challenging period.

“The problem we have is that the government is not communicating hope,” Agbakoba reiterated. He urged the presidency to clearly spell out plans for economic recovery and say “in two or three months, we are likely to be in a better state.”

Jurgen Klopp’s agent, Marc Kosicke, has played down any chance of the German manager joining Bayern Munich as replacement for departing Thomas Tuchel.

Kosicke has swiftly looked to stop any rumours before they even begin.

Thomas Tuchel and Bayern Munich on Tuesday announced their decision to move on, meaning that the former Chelsea boss will not be at club next season.

The agent told Sky Germany: “Jurgen Klopp will not coach any club or national team for a year after this current season. “That remains unchanged.”

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp had earlier announced his decision to leave Anfield at the end of the season.

[DailyPost]

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday remanded three men in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending their arraignment for allegedly producing and selling fake dollars.

The 1st to 3rd defendants, according to the charge marked FHC/L/79C/2024, are Benjamin Opara, Iliyasu Garba and Joseph Ude.

Justice Kehinde Ogundare made the order following Opara’s inability to be represented by a lawyer.

When the case was called, EFCC’s counsel Temitope Banjo informed the court of the five-count charge pressed against the defendants.

He prayed the court to read the charge to the defendants so that they can take their plea.

But Abdulmalik Ibrahim, counsel to the second defendant Garba, informed the court that first defendants’ counsel was not in court, which meant that the arraignment could not go on.

The lawyer prayed that the court to allow the defendant to continue on the administrative bail earlier granted them by the EFCC.

But after hearing both parties, Justice Ogundare held that since the defendants’ arraignment was stalled by the defence, they should be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending arraignment.

The case was adjourned till March 6, 2024 for arraignment.

Part of the counts read: “That you, BENJAMIN OPARA on or about the 10th November, 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority had in your possession machinery, utensil and material used for the forgery of counterfeit currency, to wit, Dollars, contrary to and punishable under Section 2 of Counterfeit Currency (Special provisions) Act Cap. C35, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

COUNT THREE

That you, BENJAMIN OPARA on or about the 10th November, 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court falsely made counterfeit currency, to wit, $20,000 denomination numbered MK10441029B contrary to and punishable under Section 1(3) of Counterfeit Currency (Special provisions) Act Cap. C35, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, BENJAMIN OPARA, ILIYASU GARBA and JOSEPH UDE on or about the 10th of November 2023 in Lagos sold counterfeit currency, to wit, the sum of $10,000 denomination numbered MK10441042B, to one OBA OGOCHUKWU (AT LARGE), knowing same to be counterfeit currency contrary to and punishable under Section 4(1) of Counterfeit Currency (Special provisions) Act Cap. C35, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The federal government has said that the President Bola Tinubu administration’s top priority and the Ministry of Housing’s primary focus, which is housing delivery, is at risk due to the recent surge in cement prices.

The minister of Housing and Urban Development Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa conveyed this message during a meeting with cement manufacturers at the Ministry headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, February 20.

He said: “For example, if we were planning to build a one-bedroom apartment for about N8 million, it will now cost twice that much, about N16 million to build. If a Nigerian could afford to own a home of N8 million, it would now be impossible to do so. We are also aware of several persons who have had to suspend construction work because of this development”.

He expressed the ministry’s concern regarding the present circumstances, especially considering the initiatives it has undertaken to provide social and affordable housing for low- and middle-class individuals, as well as vulnerable members of the community.

Dangiwa said: “We have already awarded contracts for Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in 15 states of the Federation. There is also the PULAKU Initiative through which we intend to build at least 1,000 houses in seven (7) states affected by banditry. We are worried that the rising cost of cement and other building materials in the country will affect these plans.”

He added that the government would not tolerate a scenario in which the price of necessary building materials, like cement, keeps growing uncontrolled and that the cement manufacturers are not doing enough to stop the rising cost of cement in the nation.

He noted: “This represents a 100 per cent rise, and it is not only on cement. We have also seen near-record high escalations in the prices of other building materials such as iron rods and other fittings. I recall that late last year, BUA Cement announced a commendable reduction in the price of cement from N5,500 to N3,500 per bag.

“I applauded the gesture, and several other stakeholders did too. But today, the reality is that of escalating cement prices. This is a crisis for housing delivery.

“An increase in essential building materials means an increase in the prices of houses. An increase in the cost of building houses means more and more Nigerians can no longer afford to own houses and provide decent shelter for themselves and their loved ones.”

Dangiwa urged the producers to deal honestly and to stop making things tough for Nigerians.

“We know that some of the key components of producing building materials, especially cement, are locally sourced, so the recurring disproportionate increase in the price of cement is unacceptable and unreasonable. Key input materials such as limestone, clay, silica sand, and gypsum within our borders should not be dollar-rated.

“You cannot continue to give excuses and blame it on the dollar all the time. The worst part is that other building materials manufacturers take a cue from cement manufacturers, and once they see that you increase your price, they do the same. Recently, this is happening almost every week, and it has to stop”, he stated.

[TheNation]

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 21, asked the Council of Legal Education to put in abeyance, the recent 60 percent increase in the school fees of the Nigeria Law School.

Adopting a motion by the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda and read on his behalf by Ginger Owusibe, the House asked its relevant committees on Justice and Tertiary Education and Services to explore solutions to the issue at hand and report back within two weeks.

Chinda described the Nigerian Law School as the medium through which the Council of Legal Education discharges its function to regulate the legal education of persons seeking to become members of the legal profession as provided for under Section 1(2) of the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc.) Act Cap. L10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He said the function of the Council of Legal Education to oversee legal education in Nigeria includes deciding the cost of tuition and other services rendered to students of the Nigerian Law School.

He stressed that Nigeria is currently facing a 27.33% inflation rate, as reported by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, which is projected by Trade Economics to rise to 30.00% by December 2023.

He however expressed concern that in exercising its functions, the Council of Legal Education has approved a 60% increase in Nigerian law school fees from ₦296,000. 00 to ₦476,000 for the 2023/2024 Bar Part II academic session.

He said further that the 2023–2024 Bar Part II Academic session commenced in January 2024 with no time given to prospective students to raise the balance.

He warned that failure to promptly address the need for a balance between the Council’s service quality and students’ affordability could result in a significant drop in Nigerian law school enrollment.

According to him, this, in turn, would lead to fewer lawyers being called to the Bar, ultimately contributing to a higher national unemployment rate among those unable to pursue legal careers.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, has been reportedly arrested by security operatives in Edo State.

Abure was arrested on Wednesday, a few days before the party’s primary election in Edo State.

Details later…

[Punch]

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has asked the Federal Government to end the inconsistency in duty charges by the Nigeria Customs Service.

Obi made this call in a statement via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday.

The Labour Party leader said the inconsistency in duty charges is affecting the general business atmosphere in the country.

He warned that if this situation is not corrected, importers in the country may resort to using the ports of nearby countries, a situation that he noted will leave the Nigerian ports underproductive and further deepen the economy into a worse situation as a result of loss of revenue.

Obi said, “I wish to urgently call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to end the inconsistency in duty charges as it is affecting the general business atmosphere in the country.

“The federal government should stop the arbitrary and ever-increasing customs duties as it is now negatively impacting businesses and the cost of items, and this portends a huge danger to the economy.

“A situation where at the point of initiating importation, Form M and other documents related to importation are based on a particular rate of exchange, for example, N1000 to $1, being the prevailing exchange rate at the time which the importer of goods was used to calculate the entire process, from the import initiation to receipt of goods in his warehouse.

“Then suddenly when the goods arrive in Nigeria, and duties are calculated at different rates, say N1400 to $1, it becomes a serious business challenge that results in business losses.

“Worse still, it directly fuels the inflationary spike which is the basis of increasing cost of goods and living. Such arbitrary charges will obviously lead to further closure of businesses, and attendant job losses.

“This is because at the time of the initiation of the business, calculations, including duties, have been made based on the prevailing exchange rate, and the prevailing market prices.

“If this situation is not corrected, our importers may resort to using ports of nearby countries, a situation that will leave our ports under-productive, and further deepen our economy into a worse situation as a result of loss of revenue.”

The former Anambra State Governor also advised the government to show consistency in its policies as this will help with economic forecasting and business planning.

He said that businesses are dying, and manufacturers are shutting down because of the poor and inconsistent economic policies of the government.

Obi stated, “All efforts of the government should be directed at supporting businesses, especially those in the manufacturing sector, to keep their businesses afloat and keep the economy growing, as the small business sector remains the most critical engine of economic growth.

“We cannot afford to target high customs revenues at the expense of the survival of local businesses, employment and reasonable cost of living.”