The Federal Government will from July withhold local government allocations to Cross River, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, and 16 other states in compliance with the Supreme Court judgement.

The apex court on Thursday delivered a judgment in the local government autonomy suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on behalf of the Nigerian Government, barring the Federal Government from releasing allocations to local governments governed by unelected officials appointed by the state governors.

In the judgment, Justice Emmanuel Agim barred the Federal Government from further paying LG allocations through the state governments, noting that the practice had been abused by the governors.

Justice Agim accused the state governors of retaining allocations and utilising them as they please, to the detriment of the local government councils.

Following the judgment, 20 states that have no elected local government chairmen stand barred from receiving local government allocations from July until they conduct elections.

THE WHISTLER reports that in June, the government of Jigawa State dissolved the elected council chairmen of the 27 local governments after the state house of assembly amended the local government law.

Similarly, the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, appointed caretaker chairmen, dissolving those appointed by his predecessor Nyesom Wike following their political tussle.

In June, Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo, through the state’s House of Assembly, also appointed transition committee chairmen and councillors for the 21 local government areas of the state.

By implication, these states will not receive further allocations per the Supreme Court judgment.

The 36 states and the FCT received N293.82bn from the federal government on behalf of the 774 local government areas in the country for the month of July.

Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, stirred controversy on Thursday after claiming in a series of social media posts that no politician in Nigeria is immune to being voted out of office.

The statement, perceived by many as a veiled criticism of President Bola Tinubu, ignited a heated debate among Nigerians on social media and further revealed deep divisions along political, regional, and ethnic lines, among Nigerians.

Bashir, on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), said: “Nobody is too big to be elected out of office by the people. It will happen & wallahi nothing will happen.”

In the veiled attack on the current administration headed by Tinubu, Bashir urged Nigerians to remain patient and disregard intimidation tactics.

The reactions to Bahir’s statement are mixed. While some welcome the comments as a necessary reminder of democratic principles, others perceive them as politically motivated criticism.

One Facebook user, Joe Joe, accused Bahir of hypocrisy, stating, “Just because your father is not part of the government will not make President Tinubu successful. Your father was the worst tyrant leader.”

This sentiment was echoed by Ikenna Nwachukwu, who questioned the motives behind Bashir’s statement and suggested that it might be driven by personal political interests.

The debate also took on regional dimensions, with some commentators viewing Bashir’s statement through the lens of North-South politics.

Kenneth Ekah, a Facebook user, voiced his displeasure with alleged northern political maneuvering: “The north thinks they can remove people anyhow they want whenever they want to put their own person. Tinubu is not like Jonathan ooooo.”

But supporting Bashir’s stance, one Musa Nurul Adnan said “He is right! Even Tinubu, if he did not amend his incompetency Nigerians will [show him the] way out of the presidency.”

While Bashir did not directly mention Tinubu’s name in his posts, his subsequent comments seemed to target the president’s political stronghold.

“Even IMF & World Bank no go save una that time. Political strategist una. That one na for Lagos [State],” he wrote, in what some have interpreted as a direct challenge to Tinubu’s influence in Lagos, where he served two terms as governor.

“Wallahi, none of you will force anyone to support this utter failure of governance disguised as useless, dangerous ethnocentric political strategy,” the former Kaduna governor’s son added.

Bashir’s comments come amid allegations of betrayals within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Recent events have fueled speculation about a deepening divide between President Tinubu and key northern political figures, including Nasir El-Rufai.

Adding to the intrigue, former Governor El-Rufai recently hosted Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, at his Abuja residence. The meeting followed El-Rufai’s visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, and a meeting in March with the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The events have led to speculation about El-Rufai’s intentions ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Former Senator Shehu Sani had claimed that El-Rufai’s visit to Buhari was part of a plot by prominent northern politicians to unseat President Tinubu in the next election.

Meanwhile, the seeming tension between El-Rufai and the Tinubu administration can be traced back to the former’s failed ministerial nomination. Despite being put forward by President Tinubu, El-Rufai’s appointment was rejected by the Senate under unclear circumstances.

Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently accused President Tinubu of betraying key APC leaders who supported his 2023 election bid.

Showunmi pointed to the rejection of El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination by the Senate, and ongoing prosecution of former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Amid this, El-Rufai appears to have distanced himself from the Tinubu administration.

In April, he criticized the Tinubu-led Federal Government for allegedly spending more on petrol subsidy than previous administrations despite announcing an end of the subsidy regime.

“Asiwaju ( President Bola Tinubu) announced the withdrawal of fuel subsidy on 29th May , but believe it or not , fuel subsidy is back , we’re spending more now, about N8 trillion on subsidy than before 29th of May,” El-Rufai had said.

“For example, if you appoint a person to a position and he is not performing to expectations, you should have the humility to say look, I need a better person to do the job perfectly. Leadership is a continuous thing and in a term of four years, you can’t assess a government of nine months.”

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said supplies from Nigerian-based Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals will put pressure on the performance of North West Europe (NWE) Gasoil.

OPEC said this in its monthly Oil Market Report for June 2024.

“Upside potential for higher production levels from Nigeria’s Dangote refinery, coupled with strong flows from the Middle East and new supplies from the Mexican Olmeca refinery, will likely exert pressure on NWE gasoil performance in the mid-term,” OPEC said.

Europe is one of the world’s largest purchasers of refined petroleum products and relied on imports from Asia and the US after the European Union banned the use of Russian diesel in the bloc.

However, the 650,000-capacity refinery which is owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is eyeing the wider European market after International Oil Companies stopped supplying it crude oil

Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin announced the company has exported its first jet fuel cargo to Europe as it rapidly scales production.

The refinery has exported 90 per cent of its 3.5 billion litres of jet fuel and diesel to Europe over alleged lack of support from the government.

“It is good to note that from the start of production, more than 3.5 billion litres, which represents 90 per cent of our production, have been exported,” Edwin said.

BP is currently transporting its first jet fuel cargo to Rotterdam from Dangote, after being awarded part of a 120,000 metric tonnes tender offered for the end of May, according to S&P Global.

OPEC said, “In June, the jet/kerosene crack spread in Rotterdam against Brent showed a slight decline, influenced by supply-side dynamics. Despite signs of improving air travel activities, subdued jet fuel demand from the aviation sector weighed on the product market.

“Going forward, European jet/kerosene demand is expected to see upward pressure as consumption levels from the aviation sector continue to pick up in the coming months.”

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Thursday said market associations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are responsible for the persistent hike in the price of food commodities.

The Acting Executive Vice Chairman (FCCPC) Dr Adamu Abdullahi, stated this in Abuja during a one-day webinar with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Consumer Protection Groups (CPGs) themed “Collaboration for competition and consumer protection.”

Abdullahi said that although insecurity is a major problem in food production, some individuals in the market have become dictators in the supply and distribution chain of food products into the market.

He said, “We are not a price regulatory agency, but there are some sharp practices in the market that we have to ensure they don’t occur. Issues like price gauging and cartel must be addressed.

“Every market now has associations for different products. Farmers who are not members of the association are prevented from entering the market which defeats the essence of a market. These associations have evolved into cartels and they now decide the price of food products.

“But they go beyond price fixing. Now they decide the rate of food supply into the market to create scarcity and inflate the price of available products.

“These are issues we have found out and have taken action against. We have warned the Abuja Market Management and the Chairman of the Local government on the association practices which are against the law.”

Speaking further Abdullahi noted that a market survey done by the commission in collaboration with the National Consumer Advocacy Group discovered that increase in prices of food was caused by faulty vehicles, and diesel prices amongst others.

He added, “Farmers provide incentives above N100,000 for various payments at checkpoint, local government along the way before their product gets to their destination for sale.

“Most of the Vehicles used for transportation are all dilapidated and along the way, they may have breakdowns. For instance, a faulty vehicle transporting perishables like tomatoes if broken down will lead to waste on the product. A farmer transporting the next batch will increase his price to cover up for the earlier loss encountered.

“The issues of the price of fueling and diesel are affecting products. To make matters worse there, are no standard roads leading to farms or small markets. So, farmers have to use a more expensive product which is petrol to transport the goods in smaller vehicles to the small market.

“When they get to the small market, the foods are then moved to diesel trucks, and trailers to transport the products to the urban markets and beyond.”

Speaking on the federal government’s plans to address the cost of transportation, Abdullahi said through the implementation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), traders and farmers would save at least 60 per cent of the cost of fueling these vehicles.

Abdullahi assured of the commission’s commitments to control market politics and price gauging.

Spotify, a global music streaming platform, has announced Nigerian music sensations, Ayra Starr and Tems, as the most streamed Nigerian artists globally.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa, announced this in Lagos on Wednesday.

Okumu said that the top 30 artists who had gained the biggest global numbers were revealed in Spotify’s music global impact list for 2024.

She said that Rauw Alexandro and Ayra Starr’s Santa came top of the list, and Ayra Starr’s Comma emerged second while Tem’s Love Me Jeje, came third.

According to her, Luciano and Omah Lay’s Another Vibe came fourth; Savage and Burna Boy’s Metro Booming Just Like Me clinched the fifth most streamed while Tyla and Tems’s No.1 came sixth.

“Spotify has unveiled its global Impact List in Nigeria, recognising the top 30 tracks from Nigeria with the biggest global impact on Spotify over the first half of 2024.

“The list recognises Nigerian tracks that have had the most listens from outside Nigeria in the first half of 2024, and were released between January 1 and June 30.

“Usher and Pheelz’s Ruin is the seventh Nigerian most streamed across the globe, Reis B and Tempoe’s Pretty Girl came eighth and TitoM, Yuppe, Burna Boy and S.N.E’s Tshwala Bam, clinched the ninth position.

“Ayra Starr and Giveon’s Last Heartbreak Song is the tenth, Victony’s Everything came 11th, Aya Nakamura and Ayra Starr’s Hype emerged 12th most streamed while Tems and J.Cole’s Free Fall, came 13th.

“Nigerian music, especially Afrobeats, has captivated global audiences with its infectious rhythms, compelling storytelling, and innovative sound fusions.

“Its ability to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries is truly remarkable. At Spotify, we are thrilled to witness and support the continued evolution of this vibrant scene,” she said.

Okumu noted that female artistes, particularly Ayra Starr and Tems, were leading the charge with top-ranking hits following their recent album releases.

She said that the list also underscored the prevalence of international collaborations, with eight of the top ten tracks featuring partnerships with global superstars.

According to her, these collaborations range from Pheelz with Usher to Burna Boy with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin, which demonstrates the cross-cultural appeal and growing global impact of Nigerian music.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other top Nigerian artistes include 14th– Usher, Burna Boy – Coming Home; 15th— Ayra Starr, Seyi Vibez – Bad Vibes, among others.

Actor Saidi Balogun has voiced his support for Toyin Abraham, stressing that celebrities have the same rights to protect their mental well-being as anyone else.

He highlighted the hypocrisy of criticizing celebrities for actions like involving the police in defamation cases, which non-celebrities frequently do.

Balogun argued that celebrities should have the same freedom to express themselves and safeguard their mental space as everyone else.

He wrote on Instagram, “You use police to arrest your neighbours for the most minor reasons; e reach celebrity turn, you say it’s bullying. Stop the emotional blackmail. Celebrities are humans, just like you. You are free to say what you like, right? Let celebrities be free to take whatever actions they want to protect their mental space. Freedom should not be selective. God bless.”

His post comes amid the controversy surrounding Toyin Abraham’s petition to the police against a social media user who defamed her, which was misreported as an arrest.

Reggae dancehall singer Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, popularly known as Patoranking, shared an inspiring story of his journey from poverty to stardom, urging youth to leverage their talents to uplift their communities and Africa as a whole.

Speaking at the launch of the Timbuktoo Fintech Hub in Lagos, where he was unveiled as the UNDP Goodwill Africa Ambassador for Youth Innovation, Enterprise, and the SDGs, Patoranking recalled his humble beginnings in the Ebute Metta urban slum in Lagos.

He spoke of hawking on the streets with his father to make ends meet, yet remaining focused on his goals despite the challenges.

The Afrobeat artist, who has collaborated with musicians from Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, and beyond, highlighted the importance of harnessing talents to drive positive change.

He said: “I hawked on the streets of Lagos with my father. Many years ago, I used to sell on this street [Kings Way road]. It used to be a very hot spot for trading. Many years later, everything that I pictured I wanted to become, the man I wanted to become is who I am now. So when I was driving down to this place it was a little bit of a teary moment for me because I saw myself [on this road].

“That is why I have songs with artists from Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and so on. I accept to be the UNDP Goodwill Africa Ambassador for Youth Innovation, Enterprise, and the SDGs. Today, I am not just an artist, I am a voice for many African youths who desire to make Africa work for themselves and their communities.”

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, 10th July, presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

According to details of the meeting shared on X by presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, the council meeting took off with the swearing-in of eight new permanent secretaries. Thereafter, council members congratulated President Tinubu on his re-election as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States for another one-year term.

The meeting, among other things, deliberated on the Procurement Act, Samoa Agreement, separation of universities from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform, the establishment of a University of Technology in Abuja as well as the new Ministry of Livestock Development.

Here are the takeaways:

PROCUREMENT ACT

The council deliberated on the need to align project costs with the budget heads and avoid augmentation after the awards of contracts. Council learnt that the augmented contracts are those inherited by the Tinubu Administration, with most of them awarded more than 10-15 years ago.

The Council decided that the Attorney-General of the Federation should review the Procurement Act in operation since 2007 to bring it in line with contemporary demands.

Henceforth, ministries were urged to reconcile project costs with budget provisions and where extra funding is needed, get the clearance of the Minister of Budget and Minister of Finance. The two ministers will now serve as a clearing house for capital projects, requiring extra-budgetary spending.

SAMOA AGREEMENT

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and the Minister of Information and National Orientation reported to the council about the misinformation being disseminated by a Nigerian newspaper against the EU-ACP agreement to sow disaffection against the Tinubu Administration.

The Minister of Budget reiterated that there is no issue of LGBTQ in the international agreement signed by the Nigerian government. He and the Attorney General also reported that the agreement does not contain any clause that conflicts with our laws and the Constitution, citing the position of the Nigerian Bar Association. Minister of Information reported on the complaint filed against the newspaper with the Ombudsman of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria.

ASUU AND IPPIS

The council asked the Secretary of the Government of the Federation to expedite the implementation of the council decision made months ago, separating the universities from the IPPIS platform.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ABUJA

The Council ratified the anticipatory approval given on 28 May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the university in the Federal Capital. The university is the first of the network of Pan African Institutes of Science and Technology dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists.

MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT

Council decided that the Ministry be excised from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and developed along the lines suggested by the Presidential Livestock Development Committee, now headed by Professor Attahiru Jega.

Although many contract memos were stepped down, the FEC approved some others. Among them were:

1. Facility Maintenance Service submitted by EFCC, in favour of Julius Berger at a cost of N392 Million. The contract sum was less than the N533m approved in 2018 for the yearly maintenance of the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja.

2. Procurement of 2000 tractors, 4000 disc ploughs, 1000 disc ridges, 1200 tractor trailers and assorted spare parts. The items to be supplied are for the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme (NAMP) to strengthen national food security. Aftrade DMCC, which has done a similar job in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and Togo, will supply all the equipment and will also set up a plant to assemble the machinery, in the second stage of the contract.

3. Contract for the engineering audit of upstream measurement equipment and facilities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector in favour of Messrs. PE Energy Limited. Completion will be 180 days.

4. Contract for the procurement of pre-field development studies for advanced declaration solution Technology in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector, in favour of Messrs. P-Lyne Energy Limited. Completion will also be in 180 days.

5. Two Contracts for the supply of SUVs and other operational vehicles to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. The contracts are in favour of Elizade Nigeria Limited, Lanre Shittu Motors and Vinicius Global Link Ltd.

6. Contract for the procurement of low and high-voltage substation connectors in favour of Messrs. Maglous Enterprises Limited. The connectors are for the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

At the end of Wednesday’s meeting, the council adjourned till Monday 15 July.

The Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not aware of events happening outside the Presidential Villa, in Abuja.

According to him, the Nigerian leader has been trapped and confined by specific groups.

Lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district made this remark during a press conference on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Ndume expressed his frustration that President Tinubu’s administration has not taken significant steps to address the ongoing security issues plaguing the nation.

He stated that the public’s dissatisfaction stems from the government’s inability to effectively address the issues of poverty, insecurity, and hunger, among others, which have severely impacted the nation.

Ndume said: “Mr President is not in the picture of what is happening outside the Villa. He has been fenced off and caged. So many of us won’t go through the backdoor to engage him.

“Now they have stopped him from talking, and he doesn’t have public affairs managers, except his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, who writes press statements. Nigerians are getting very angry.

“The government is not doing anything about the food scarcity and it needs to do something urgently. We don’t have a food reserve. There is an unavailability of food. The food crisis is the worst crisis that any nation can encounter. If we add that to the security crisis, it will be severe.

“The President should wake up; it seems he isn’t in the picture of what is happening because he has been caged off. He has been fenced off by plutocrats. He should open his doors and meet those who will tell him the truth.

“Unfortunately, the people who will tell him the truth won’t struggle to meet him. I am very worried not only for the President himself but myself.”

Regarding the crisis involving farmers and herders, Ndume mentioned that those involved have not shown genuine commitment to tackling the problem, pointing out that efforts have consistently been influenced by ethnic feelings.

During a conversation with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, Ndume highlighted the federal government’s struggle to deal with these problems as a significant obstacle, further stating that certain ministers find it difficult to have discussions with President Tinubu about the issue.

He had said: “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies.”

The Federal Government has declared that the ongoing food crisis will subside in the next one hundred and eighty days.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, announced this via his social media platform on Wednesday, July 10.

This announcement comes at a time when Nigerians are expressing frustration over the hardship and hunger in the country.

Kyari, however, has outlined the strategies that will be put in place during this period to address the issue.

He said: “Our administration has unveiled a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting our nation. These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days.”

His publication reads: “150-Day Duty-Free Import Window for Food Commodities:

“Suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through land and sea borders. These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.

“Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP). We understand concerns about the quality of these imports, especially regarding their genetic composition. The government assures that all standards will be maintained to ensure the safety and quality of food items for consumption.

“The Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize. These semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.

“Engagement with relevant stakeholders to set a GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve.”

It added: “Ramp-Up of Production for the 2024/2025 Farming Cycle:

“Continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives; Strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide;

“Embarking on aggressive agricultural mechanization to reduce drudgery, lower production costs, and boost productivity.

Collaborating with sub-national entities to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation; Working closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation.

“Developing strategic engagement for youth and women for immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and pepper to increase production volume, stabilize prices, and address food shortages; Fast-tracking ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme and encouraging other para-military establishments to utilize available arable lands for cultivation.

“Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee; This committee was inaugurated on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, to develop and implement policies prioritizing livestock development in alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan, and a ministry of Livestock Development has been created.

• Enhancement of Nutrition Security
• Promoting the production of fortified food commodities.
• Supporting the scale-up of the Home Garden Initiative by the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Kyari also explained that “Over the next 14 days, in close collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT), we will convene with respective agencies to finalize the implementation frameworks. We will ensure that information is publicly available to facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders across the country.”

According to him, the success of these measures hinges on the cooperation and collaboration of all relevant MDAs and stakeholders.

“As our nation confronts this critical food security challenge, I reiterate President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to achieving food security and ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.

“My team and I will work swiftly and diligently to actualize these crucial policies, ensuring food security for everyone in the immediate term while continuing our strategies for long-term interventions to address underlying causes and ensure sustainable and resilient food systems in Nigeria,” the Minister added.