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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, said his administration would be reducing public servants working days as part of plans to cushion the cost of living crisis in the country.
“We want to start with our public servants, immediately from next week, Civil servants from the lower level will be working like three times a week and level 15-17 can work four times in a week,” Sanwo-Olu said during the ongoing media parley on economic hardship.
On the rising cost of food, he added that his administration would open more markets where Lagosians can buy food items at discounted rates.
“We will open Sunday Markets in at least 42 identified markets across Lagos State. You will be able to buy food items at a discounted price. You will only be able to buy items worth up to N25,000,” the governor said.
The governor said his administration was also constructing four food hubs to ensure food distribution in tackling rising food prices.
“Coupled with the one at Idi-Oro in Mushin, four more food hubs are under construction and 7 other locations in other local governments have also been identified for more food hubs to be developed,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He added that the 25% reduction on transport services will start this weekend for the State Public Transport system (BRT, Train, Ferry).
Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu announced a free delivery for pregnant residents across all government-owned hospitals in Lagos.
“There is an arrangement for free delivery including cesarean session at government hospitals,” he said.
On rising cost of drugs and other pharmaceutical products, the governor promised that his administration “will also give rebate on some particular drugs at our state government hospitals”.
The governor noted that his administration was also in discussions with various transport unions to reduce their fares.
“First is to express empathy with our citizens, We are not unmindful of the situation, as leaders, we must be able to solve socioeconomic problems,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He also challenged the private sector to look into what they can do for the citizens by replicating their role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[Punch]
Asue Ighodalo, a businessman, has won the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state.
Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara and returning officer of the election, declared Ighodalo winner of the primary poll on Thursday.
Lawal said Ighodalo secured 577 votes to defeat other aspirants in the race.
“I, therefore, declare Asuelimen Ighodalo the winner of this concluded primary today with a total vote of 577,” Lawal said
“Therefore, I hereby return him elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming election in Edo State. My brother, congratulations.”
Ighodalo was the preferred candidate of Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo.
Earlier, Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo, won the parallel governorship primary organised at his residence.Advertisement
Bartholomew Moses, the returning officer, who announced Shaibu as the winner of the parallel primary election, said the deputy governor won the exercise with over 300 votes.
Some party delegates who arrived at the lawn tennis court of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City, the state capital, the venue of the primary, were reportedly denied access.
The delegates subsequently moved to Shaibu’s residence where a parallel election was held.
[TheCable]
The US Dollar supply turnover at Wednesday’s official foreign exchange market surged by 51 per cent to $240.72 million as the Naira recorded marginal gains.
FMDQ data showed that FX Turnover increased to $240.72 million on Wednesday from $117.32 million on Tuesday.
The figure represented a $123.4 million FX turnover increase at the close of trade on Wednesday.
The development led to the appreciation of the Naira to N1,542.58 per US dollar on Wednesday from 1,551.24 on Tuesday.
DAILY POST gathered that this is the second time the nation’s currency has appreciated against the US dollar at the official foreign market since last Thursday.
DAILY POST recalls that the turnover of US Dollar supply at Tuesday’s official foreign exchange market surged by 76.61 per cent to $117.32 million as the Naira appreciated.
However, at the parallel market, the Naira dropped N1,860 per US dollar on Wednesday from N1,740.00 on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, at Binance, a P2P market, Naira appreciated N1,608 per US dollar on Wednesday from N1,936 on Tuesday, amid reported access restrictions in Nigeria.
The development came days after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, raided illegal Bureau De Change operators in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Oyo states.
DAILY POST recalls that in the past weeks, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has rolled out several policies to checkmate the continued fluctuations of the Naira in the FX market.
The federal government of Nigeria has banned the exportation of cooking gas as part of efforts to beat down the price within the country and make the product available.
This was made known on Thursday by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Speaking at a stakeholders workshop in Abuja with the theme, “Harnessing Nigeria’s Proven Gas Reserves for Economic Growth and Development,” Ekpo explained that once there is a stoppage of the export of locally produced domestic gas, there will be more volume for the domestic market which will automatically reduce the price of the product.
He added that his ministry is constantly discussing with critical stakeholders like the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and operators such as Mobil, Chevron, and Shell to address the issue.
His words: “We are interacting with critical stakeholders to ensure that there is no exportation of LPG.
“All LPG produced within the country will have to be domesticated. And when this is done, the volume will increase and of course, the price will automatically crash.
“I am in contact with the regulation, NMDPRA, we hold meetings almost on daily basis, and the producers such as Mobil, Chevron, and Shell. So there is that hope that things will turn around. We don’t need to make noise about it.”
In an imminent move to alleviate the cost burden of pharmaceuticals on Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu is set to sign executive orders aimed at reducing the prices of essential medicines.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa and communicated through a post on X by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.
This strategic decision comes as a response to the soaring prices of pharmaceutical products, which have increasingly become a concern for many Nigerians.
According to Minister Alausa, the executive orders are expected to provide “immediate succour” to citizens, addressing the urgent need for affordable healthcare products in the country.
The move to regulate pharmaceutical prices through executive orders was underscored a month prior by the Minister of Health, Ali Pate.
He highlighted the necessity of such measures following the withdrawal of major multinational pharmaceutical companies from the Nigerian market.
This departure has exacerbated the challenge of accessing reasonably priced medicines, making the government’s intervention critical.
The minister said, “On what the government is doing regarding the high cost of pharmaceuticals, Mr. President has asked us to come up with a set of Executive Orders that he is going to sign to provide immediate succour to Nigerians about the high cost of pharmaceuticals.
“And these executive orders will get to the President’s table in the next few days. And that is the short-term solution to bringing down the cost of high pharmaceuticals and medical consumables that the citizens are experiencing currently.
“We are also working on medium-term solutions and long-term solutions.
“For us at the ministry of health, we are collaborating with the ministry of industry, trade and investment, and others to develop medium and long-term plans so that the situation we suddenly find ourselves in will not be here ever again.
“This cost of high pharmaceuticals that we are noticing now is due to inadequate planning in the past, but we are working on plans and solutions that will be durable and sustainable.”
Alausa added that the president is very committed to getting to the “end of this problem very quickly”.
He added, “As we know, the president made a lot of campaign promises to revamp, improve, and put the healthcare system of Nigeria on a sustainable pathway.
“As we can see, Mr. President is meeting a significant chunk of his campaign promises, and he is going to meet all of his promises. The healthcare budget for 2024 is the biggest ever that we have had in the history of Nigeria.”
While asking Nigerians to bear with the current administration, the minister assured that the costs of pharmaceuticals will plummet pretty soon.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State has declared a 25 percent reduction in transport fares for government-owned transport schemes.
Sanwo-Olu made this announcement during a live media chat, ‘Sanwo Speaks’ on Thursday.
He also announced that civil servants from levels 1–14 will begin to work three days a week as part of measures to ease the economic challenges for residents.
The governor noted that the forum was intended to intimate residents of steps being taken to reduce the economic burden on Lagosians.
He said workers in the teaching sector will, however, maintain the five-day-a-week work schedule, but the government will ensure additional transportation support for them.
A former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has claimed that Senator Adams Oshiomhole attempted to impose a gubernatorial candidate on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State.
Fayemi accused the governor of playing a “disruptive” role during the February 17, 2024, governorship primary election in the state.
Recall that three governorship aspirants were declared winners of the primary election by three different umpires.
The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and chairman of the primary election committee, declared Dennis Idahosa, a member of the house of representatives, as the winner of the election.
However, Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, declared Sunday Dekeri, a lawmaker representing Etsako federal constituency in the house of representatives, as the winner of the primary.
In another twist of events, Monday Okpebholo, the senator representing Edo central, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes.
On Tuesday, the national leadership of the APC declared that the primary election was inconclusive.
The party fixed Thursday, February 22, 2024, as the new date for the completion of the primary election process.
The party subsequently appointed the governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu as the chairman of the primary election committee.
However, speaking via a statement by Ahmad Sajoh, his media aide, Fayemi claimed that Oshiomhole ousted the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki during the buildup to the 2020 gubernatorial poll in the state.
The former Ekiti governor said Oshiomhole should have ensured a level playing field for all aspirants in 2024 instead of trying to impose a candidate.
“Earlier, Oshiomhole had attempted to eliminate some aspirants from contesting the primaries but failed. This is reminiscent of his high-handedness as national chairman when he manipulatively schemed Governor Godwin Obaseki out of the electoral process. That action led to the unfortunate loss of Edo state by the APC.
“It would appear the ground was being prepared by Oshiomhole yet again for the APC to lose the coming election in Edo state because of his unconscionable behaviour.
“However, the party has demonstrated independence and impartiality in cancelling and reordering the primaries.
“We hope the fresh primaries will now take place in an atmosphere deemed free and fair by all, for the sake of our great party.
“Oshiomhole may decide to support any of the aspirants if he chooses not to be neutral but the process must be open, free, and transparent, following the laid down rules.
“My interest is the APC and the party must put its best foot forward in the forthcoming elections,’’ Fayemi said.
THE Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP,) on Thursday held a parallel Congress that produced the deputy governor of the state, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu is the candidate.
While some delegates were being accredited to proceed to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium venue of the primary election, another set of delegates met in a facility in Commercial Avenue where they announced Shaibu the elected candidate of the PDP.
They claimed that they went to the venue for accreditation but were chased away by security agencies. They also alleged that the list of delegates published by the national leadership of the party was not the authentic one alleging that they saw names of people from Bayelsa state and names of people who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Declaring Shaibu winner of the election, Bartholomew Moses said “During the counting of this primary election, Philip Shaibu has a score of 301 votes and therefore, we hereby declare Philip Shaibu as the authentic elected candidate for this election in the PDP”
The people had barely finished their exercise when gunmen invaded the venue. They were dressed in vigilante outfits and came in several vehicles including two black unmarked Toyota Hiace Truck, an unmarked white sienna, a white Hilux and several other vehicles. They were shooting sporadically into the air and the people scampered in different directions for safety
Before the election, the delegates led by Festus Owu had protested to the deputy governor’s official lodge where they complained to him that they had been disenfranchised.
Speaking to the protesting delegates, Shaibu said “I appeal to all of you to be peaceful I don’t want anybody to be injured, I don’t want anybody molested and I am happy the way you have conducted yourselves peacefully and have come to report to me that you were not allowed to be accredited but I want to tell you that no one man can determine the destiny of a people and by the grace of God they cannot disenfranchise you people.
The law is clear that you people are the authentic delegates. Now that they have pushed you away, they want to go and replace you but I assure you that your vote must count, they cannot change and replace your names. I assure you that I will take your protest to the committee that is coming but you must remain peaceful in everything you are doing.”
Speaking to journalists later, Shaibu said “I saw the crowd outside and I asked who they are and they said they are delegates, I said they should be directed to the venue of the accreditation but they said they were protesting because they have been sent away from the venue if accreditation and they won their election and they have their results.
The election will hold and if a winner emerges with fake delegates, the election will not see the light of the day but if a winner emerges with the authentic delegate, there will be no problem, I am sure.”
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ibrahim Khalil Gaga as executive director, Corporate Services, at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).
According to a statement by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale on Wednesday, Gaga, a lawyer, has gained over 25 years of experience in the banking sector as well as in legal services.
He said prior to his appointment, he was the Board Secretary and Legal Adviser at NEXIM Bank.
“The President expects that Gaga will bring to his new role renewed zeal and diligence to enhance NEXIM’s mandate of providing finance, risk mitigation services, accurate trade and market information, as well as export advisory services to Nigerians in full support of the economic development agenda of his administration,” he said .
[:eadership]
Two weeks after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet and other commodities from the national strategic reserve to Nigerians for free, the items are yet to be distributed.
This is amidst the biting cost of living crisis in the country which is believed to be largely caused by the present administration’s policies of petrol subsidy removal and currency floating.
The president’s directive to release grains to the citizens was aimed at addressing hunger which had triggered protests in some states.
Following the directive given on February 8, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, last Wednesday at a press conference in Abuja, said grains would be distributed free to poor Nigerians.
Kyari said, “This 42,000MT is going to the needy free of charge. It will be directly to the needy at no cost.”
The minister said the grains would be released to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for onward distribution to Nigerians because the agency has the poverty index of the country.
“They know exactly where it is needed and they have a policy on how they transport and store it before it is distributed to the needy free.
“We have started working on that. We have already instructed NEMA to give us their work plan so that we can quickly go ahead and take possession of those stocks,” the minister said.
However, Daily Trust’s checks in many states showed that the grains were yet to be made available for distribution as of yesterday.
In Kano, grains had not been released to the state when our correspondent checked yesterday.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Hajiya Aisha Muhammad Idris, said the state was ready to distribute food items as soon as they were released.
Our correspondent in Kwara State reports that the grains promised by the federal government had not been released to the state.
NEMA’s head of operations for Kwara and Niger states, Zainab Saidu, told Daily Trust yesterday that “NEMA is not in possession of any grains yet. If there were, they would have contacted us at the zonal office and delivered straight to us. But there is nothing like that yet. I have not heard from my headquarters on the issue and I believe they (federal government) have not released anything yet.”
Kwara SEMA chairman, Moshood Magaji, also said: “We have not received any message on the issue and my office is not handling anything like distribution. I do not know of any distribution from the federal government.”
Reports from Taraba also indicated that no grains had been released to the state as there were no grains at the NEMA office in the state when our reporter visited yesterday.
The situation was the same in Gombe and Ogun states, as NEMA officials there said they were yet to receive grains from the federal government.
Reports from Niger, Oyo, Cross River, Benue, Bauchi, Yobe, Kogi, and Nasarawa states also indicated that the federal government had not released food items to them yet.
We’re waiting – NEMA hqtrs
At its headquarters in Abuja, NEMA said it was yet to receive the grains from the agriculture ministry for distribution to Nigerians.
Its head of Press and Public Relations Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, however, told Daily Trust yesterday that they were in talks with the agriculture ministry on the development.
He said as soon as the grains were handed over to the agency, distribution would commence.
Why there’s delay – Agric ministry
The Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Joel Oruche, neither answered phone calls nor replied to a text message sent to him by Daily Trust for explanation on why the grains had not been released as promised.
But an official in the ministry, who spoke to Daily Trust, on condition of anonymity, attributed the delay to data authentication.
He said this was to avoid the mistakes made during the previous distribution of palliatives.
“The ministry has been holding several inter-agency meetings at various levels to make sure the grains reach the intended impoverished people rather than falling into the wrong hands,” he said.
The official said the grains were in silos located in different parts of the country.
He added that the logistics and security modalities had to be properly worked out to have a hitch-free distribution exercise across the country.
However, credible sources told Daily Trust yesterday that despite claims by government officials, there is not enough grain reserve in the country.
One of the sources said it is better for the government to tell the citizens the truth instead of making promises that would not be fulfilled.
Another source said importation of grains remains the only option for now to address food shortages in the interim and advised government at all levels to provide security and incentives for farmers ahead of the next cropping season.
Findings revealed that Nigeria has 33 silos with a total capacity of 1.3 million metric tons for its Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) system.
However, about 19 of these silos were concessioned to the private sector for a number of years.
The ministry has not given details of what is available in the national strategic grains reserve silos, describing it as a national security issue.
Agric Minister Abubakar Kyari during a recent briefing at the Joint Senate Committee on the State of the Economy, insisted that Nigeria’s grain reserves were not empty.
“On the issue of food reserve, I think a question was asked: Are the grains available? I will say yes, the ones we are about to release are available,” he said.
Invest in agric to tackle hunger, US urges govt
Meanwhile, the United States has urged the federal government to invest in agriculture to address the food security challenges in the country.
The US Charge d’Affaires in Nigeria, David Greene, made the call yesterday at Ipao Ekiti, in Ikole Council Area of Ekiti State during a visit by the US Embassy to the 15,000-hectare Agbeyewa Farms.
He urged leaders in Nigeria to harness the abundant arable lands, fertile soil and favourable weather endowments to provide food for Nigerians and for export.
He said: “We are aware of the food security challenge and the post-harvest losses in Nigeria. With investments and leadership like this, I think the lives of a lot of Nigerians can be changed for the better.”
[DailyTrust]
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Yakubu Gowon, former Nigerian head of state, says he did not turn down an invitation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intervene in the coups ravaging the region.
Gowon spoke on Wednesday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
There were media reports that the former head of state turned down an invitation from the ministry of foreign affairs in collaboration with ECOWAS, to speak at a “press conference” at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Gowon was reportedly supposed to speak on the current state of affairs at the regional level, with regards to coups and subsequent threats by the Republic of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to exit the bloc and likely proffer solutions.
Gowon who is one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS described the allegation as a miscommunication, adding that he came to meet the president for that purpose.
“This is my first visit to Mr President since the inauguration but I was there at the inauguration to wish him well and all success,” the former head of state said.
“If you remember how busy he was after that visitors, members of government, various personalities, so it was not possible for me to be able to see him.
“After that time I had to travel abroad but from broad he was able to reach me on my birthday and after that interesting social media report that I was dead.
“But when I came back I made a number of efforts but unfortunately I think because of his busy programme it was not possible for me to see him.
“But luckily enough, this time he was able to give me the opportunity to see him and to discuss various matters especially the issue of the ECOWAS problem at the moment which I think needs to be resolved.
“And being the surviving leader, or founding fathers of the ECOWAS I think we had to discuss some of his plans in order to see what can be done to bring the matter under control.
“So, this is what has brought me here and we had a very interesting meeting and I’m sure some of you have read reports that I refused to attend ECOWAS conference isn’t it? Is it you that did that report? Who did that? You know, trying to give that impression that it was me who was probably trying to sort of sabotage ECOWAS.
“No, that is not the case. I think there was a miscommunication but then it gave the opportunity for Mr President to call me so that we can discuss what I was to do.”
Gowon said resolutions were made regarding the situation, adding that the messages would be passed across in due time.
[TheCable]
The Nigerian government has ordered internet service providers to block access to the websites and apps of major cryptocurrency trading platforms including Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken.
Authorities said the move aims to crack down on the alleged use of these platforms by currency speculators and money launderers to manipulate the foreign exchange market and facilitate illicit fund flows, further weakening the struggling Nigerian naira.
Sources at major telecommunication firms said they received directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday evening to implement the blockade of Binance, ForexTime, OctaFX, Crypto, FXTM, Coinbase, Kraken and others.
The action comes just days after the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu vowed to tackle speculative activities threatening Nigeria’s economic stability. Officials expressed concerns that criminals were exploiting crypto platforms to funnel ransom payments and engage in forex rate manipulation.
Previously, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) declared operations of Binance Nigeria illegal as it lacked proper registration. However, Binance continued offering peer-to-peer trading services, drawing large volumes of transactions.
The naira recently hit record lows of 1,900 per dollar on parallel markets. The Tinubu administration is seeking urgent measures to halt the currency’s freefall, curb illicit financial activities, and stabilize the foreign exchange market.
The Department of State Services, DSS, has asked organised labour to shelve its planned nationwide protest over high cost of living and sundry issues in the country in the interest of peace.
But the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday dared the DSS to stop the protest, advising the secret police to face its of job providing credible intelligence to government on the devastating effect of the harsh economic policies.
It will be recalled that organised labour, had served the Federal Government a notice to embark on a twoday protest between February 27 and 28 to protest the hardship which arose from fuel subsidy removal and flotation of the naira by the present administration.
But reacting to the protest notice in a statement yesterday, the DSS said while it is the right of the labour movement to embark on protest, the body should not go ahead with it so as not to further jeopardise the prevailing situation in the country.
The statement signed by the DSS Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr. Peter Afunanya, read: “While the Service recognises such action as the legitimate right of the labour movement, it, however, urges the body to shelve the plan in the interest of peace and public order.
‘Pursue dialogue instead’
“The DSS further calls on parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conduct that could heighten tensions. ‘’This is more so that the Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence. The development, without doubt, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country.
“It is common knowledge that all levels of government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt. “So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties. They should, therefore, be given the chance to handle the challenges at hand. “In this vein, citizens are encouraged to recognise that what remains unsolved in peace time, would not be attained in war-time. The timeless piece of the esteemed Poet, JP Clark, ‘The Casualties’ is a resonating reminder to us on the possible dangers of escalated conflicts.
In time of trouble, everyone will be a casualty. “Also, ongoing wars in the global scene is a stark reminder of their catastrophic repercussions on the affected countries’ domestic environments, thus the critical need to protect and maintain our internal stability and unity. “Those exploiting the fault lines in the country need to have a rethink as resort to negativities will endanger our peaceful coexistence with dire consequences. “Similarly, parents and guardians are implored to exert authority in guiding their children and wards from inimical acts capable of jeopardising public safety and harmony.
“Additionally, all sectors, including political parties, opposition groups, religious and traditional institutions, civil society and non-governmental bodies are called upon to eschew violence; demonstrate leadership and statesmanship in these challenging times.
“Making political capital out of the current situation or involving in divisive utterances at a time like this, will be of no benefit to any peace-loving Nigerian. Citizens are advised to be vigilant and not allow fifth columnists and hostile forces or agents use them to destabilise the peace of the nation. “The DSS stands opposed to violence as a means of settling our present day challenges, be they economic, political or otherwise.
“Accordingly, the Service will work with sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure that lasting peace is maintained in the country.’’ However, countering the DSS yesterday, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has dared it to stop the protest, arguing that workers have the right to protest the hardship they had been subjected to by government policies.
JAF takes on DSS, reaffirms support for NLC
Similarly, the Joint Action Front, JAF, the umbrella body for pro-workers civil society organizations, CSOs, also expressed angst against DSS’ opposition to non-violent civil protest, saying such statement from the agency could only have emerged from security operatives being hoodwinked and directed by a failing regime desperate to cover up its apparent mismanagement of the country’s affairs. President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, said in a telephone interview: “DSS should have warned the Federal Government not to proceed with their anti-people policies. Anyway, we don’t know their reasons for such warnings but we are not deterred by such. “DSS should rather concentrate on providing credible intelligence to government on the devastating effect of the harsh economic policies.
We believe it is the only way for the DSS to be useful to Nigeria. “It is unfortunate that we only see DSS with their warnings when the poor start crying over the beatings and whippings from government, instead of warning the government to stop flogging the poor masses.” On his part, Secretary of JAF, Abiodun Aremu, said: “JAF deplores this unwarranted and reckless statement credited to have emerged from the DSS. ‘’Such an irresponsible statement could only have emerged from the security operatives being hoodwinked and directed by a failing regime that is desperate to cover up its apparent mismanagement, clueless and apparent lack of understanding of how to govern and manage the nation’s resources.
“The DSS should be warned to desist from its destabilising plot, aimed at the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, under the pretense of non-existence security report, but one manufactured by its own operatives. “At this period, in which the country is almost grinding to a halt and the regime has run out of ideas, a responsible security agency could have authored an independent assessment of the current realities of failures of the current regime and present it as it is, rather than keep chasing deception and falsehoods. “JAF reaffirms its support to the NLC in its resolve to call out workers on February 27 and 28 to protest the economic hardship.”
The Labour Party (LP) has decried the arrest of its national chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by a combined team of police officers and operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) on Wednesday in Benin, Edo State.
The national publicity secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement, shortly after videos of his arrest surfaced online, admitted that the embattled Abure was arrested by Police and DSS operatives, two days to the party’s governorship primaries for the November 2024 governorship election in the state.
According to him, a crowd of protesters on Wednesday besieged the Zone 5 headquarters of the Police Command in Benin City over the arrest of Abure, alongside the state chairman of the party, Mr Kelly Ogbaloi.
“The Labour Party on Tuesday had a very successful delegate election in Benin ahead of the Party Primaries scheduled to hold on Friday. The party chairman only this morning along with party governorship aspirants also kept a scheduled security briefing with the Department of the State Security (DSS).
“Abure was however arrested after the meeting by a combined team of DSS and Police officers. Abure, Ogbaloi and their aides were also manhandled.
“Effort by some party leaders to have access to the Zone 5 headquarters was turned down due to the huge crowd of party supporters who were expressing their displeasure over the arrest of Abure.
“However, a Police source informed the party officials and other governorship aspirants at the gate of the police headquarters that the arrest was in connection to a protest letter by one of the expelled member of the party loyal to Apapa dissident camp.
“The source also confirmed that the arrest was not unconnected to the ongoing party primary and the possible candidate that will emerge which the state government is vehemently opposed to,” Ifoh said.
He said the arrest was to frustrate the primary process and possibly interrupt the party’s participation in the governorship election.
Also the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ayo Olurunfemi in video shared by Mr Ifoh insisted that no form of intimidation from the highest quarters can stop the party from concluding the process leading to the emergence of the Labour Party government in the state.
Two members of the national working committee (NWC) of the party had earlier confirmed the development to Daily Trust in Abuja.
The two pleaded not to be named due to the sensitivity of the development and uncertainty of his arrest.
It was reported that Abure was arrested on allegations of premeditated attempted murder, among other alleged infractions.
The arrest followed a petition by a former LP Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia, who was expelled in the wake of crisis rocking the party in 2023.
The petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, dated February 13, partly reads, “I, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding a heinous act of violence perpetrated against me on the 29th of December 2023.
“I am a member and National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals involved in political activities.
“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa.
“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated time frames.
“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed “stakeholders.”
“She proceeded to lodge us at the Smart Homes Hotel, unknown to us that she was plotting a sinister and gruesome ambush. The next morning, a man named Austin Emeka came to pick me and my colleague, Mr Patrick Anethua, up from the hotel lobby, pretending to take us to a meeting venue.
“Instead, we were violently attacked just outside the hotel gates by a waiting mob.”
rRecall that the development is coming on the heels of the suspended embattled national treasurer of the party, Mrs Oluchi Oparah, who accused Abure of mismanaging the funds belonging to the party and asked him to account for the alleged missing N3.5bn realized from the sales of nomination forms for the 2023 general elections.
While Abure denied the allegations, saying the party also made N1.3bn, the NWC of the party, however slammed a six-month suspension on Oparah, for false allegation and failure to appear before a committee to address her allegations and grievances.
This was also followed by the Presidential candidate and National Leader of the party, Mr Peter Obi, asking for an investigation of the party’s finances and records by a reputable audit firm.
Also, on Tuesday, the 36 state chairmen and FCT of the party during a meeting in Abuja rejected the financial fraud allegations against Abure.
The Abia State Chairman and Chairman Council of State Chairmen of LP, Mr Ceekay Igara, led the meeting that also passed a vote of confidence on him and the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.