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Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro won re-election with 51.2 percent of votes cast Sunday, the electoral council announced, after a campaign tainted by claims of opposition intimidation and fears of fraud.
The President of the CNE electoral body, Elvis Amoroso, in its majority loyal to the government, told reporters 44.2 percent of votes had gone to opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
Independent polls had predicted Sunday’s vote would bring an end to 25 years of “Chavismo”, the populist movement founded by Maduro’s socialist predecessor and mentor, the late Hugo Chavez.
Maduro, 61, addressed supporters minutes after the announcement, saying: “There will be peace, stability and justice.”
As his supporters celebrated, downcast opposition voters waited to hear from Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken immediately expressed “serious concerns” that the result did not reflect the will of Venezuelan voters.
Since 2013, Maduro has been at the helm of the once-wealthy petro-state where GDP dropped by 80 percent in a decade, pushing more than seven million of its 30 million citizens to emigrate.
He is accused of locking up critics and harassing the opposition in a climate of rising authoritarianism.
Gonzalez Urrutia had replaced popular Machado on the ticket after authorities loyal to Maduro excluded her from the race.
Machado, who campaigned far and wide for her proxy, had urged voters on Sunday to keep “vigil” at their polling stations in the “decisive hours” of counting amid widespread fears of fraud.
Maduro had previously warned of a “bloodbath” if he loses.
– ‘Prepared to defend’ –
Rejecting opinion polls, the government relied on its own numbers to assert Maduro would defeat Gonzalez Urrutia, a little-known 74-year-old former diplomat.
Maduro counts on a loyal electoral apparatus, military leadership, and state institutions in a system of well-established political patronage.
On Friday, a Venezuelan NGO said Caracas was holding 305 “political prisoners” and had arrested 135 people with links to the opposition campaign since January.
Gonzalez Urrutia had said the opposition was “prepared to defend” the vote and trusted “our armed forces to respect the decision of our people.”
He added there had been a “massive” voter turnout.
Ballots were cast on machines that print out paper receipts placed into a container. The electronic votes go directly to a centralized CNE database.
The opposition had deployed about 90,000 volunteer election monitors to polling stations countrywide.
– Watching ‘very closely’ –
Sunday’s election is the product of a mediated deal reached last year between the government and the opposition.
The agreement to hold the vote led the United States to temporarily ease sanctions imposed after Maduro’s 2018 reelection, which was rejected as a sham by dozens of Western and Latin American countries.
However, the sanctions were snapped back after Maduro reneged on agreed conditions.
Washington is keen for a return to stability in Venezuela — an ally of Cuba, Russia and China that boasts the world’s largest oil reserves but severely diminished production capacity.
Economic misery in the South American nation has been a major source of migration pressure on the US southern border.
Most Venezuelans live on just a few dollars a month, with the country’s health care and education systems in disrepair and the population enduring biting shortages of electricity and fuel.
The government blames sanctions, but observers also point the finger at corruption and government inefficiency.
Machado said earlier Sunday that if Maduro “grabs power,” another “three, four, five million” Venezuelans will likely join the exodus.
“What’s at stake here goes beyond our borders, beyond Venezuela,” she said.
Concerns over the fairness of the vote were further stoked when Caracas blocked several international observers, including four Latin American ex-presidents, at the last minute.
The foreign ministers of seven Latin American nations called Sunday for the electoral process to “fully respect the popular will” of the Venezuelan people.
About 21 million Venezuelans are registered as voters, but only an estimated 17 million still in the country are eligible to cast ballots.
AFP
Adoke mourns Ifeanyi Ubah, says Nigeria lost an advocate for social justice, economic empowerment
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Mohammed Bello Adoke, a former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says the death of Ifeanyi Ubah, the senator representing Anambra south, is a loss for the country.
Ubah, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, died in London, United Kingdom (UK), on Friday.
In a statement on Sunday, Adoke described Ubah as someone “who prioritised the welfare and economic prosperity of his people in particular and Nigerians in general”.
“His contributions on the floor of the senate, where he served two terms (from 2019 when he was first elected and re-elected in 2023) bear glowing testimony to his belief in the Nigerian project and unwavering commitment and resolve to uplift the masses of this great country from the shackles of poverty, hunger, and disease,” the statement reads.
“Senator Ubah was ebullient and full of life. The news of his demise was therefore a rude shock to Nigerians and has understandably evoked a deep sense of loss from those who had the good fortune of working and interacting closely with him.
“I was introduced to senator Ubah by Chief Gabriel Chukwuma (A.K.A. Gabros), another fine gentleman, sports enthusiast, and businessman of repute. The friendship quickly blossomed to a level that our families became quite close.
“I recall during my travails in exile, he visited me severally. On such visits, he would pray with me and counsel me on the need to have faith in God and eschew bitterness towards my traducers and that at God’s appointed time the travails would end as he was convinced that I was just a victim of political machinations.
“He openly identified with me and provided support at a time I was considered a pariah even by those I regarded as friends, but for reasons of self-preservation and determination to remain in the good books of the political leadership of the country, they considered it expedient to disassociate themselves from me.
“I wish to place on record that in all my official and personal interactions with Senator Ubah, I found him to be passionate about the economic empowerment of his people and the development of our dear country.
“He demonstrated this commitment through his numerous business ventures, especially in the oil and gas sector, undertaking developmental projects in his constituency, and empowering the people.
“It is therefore not surprising that his people kept electing him overwhelmingly to the senate even when he contested on the ticket of a fringe political party such as the Young Progressives Party (YPP) from where he recently decamped to the APC.”
Adoke added that despite Ubah’s enormous wealth and political attainment, “he remained calm, humble, and unassuming.”.
“These are rare qualities that are lacking amongst our political elites today. Nigeria has indeed lost an outstanding advocate for social justice and economic empowerment,” he said.
“I, therefore, join his family, the good people of Anambra south senatorial district, and millions of his well-wishers around the world in praying to the Almighty God for the repose of his gentle soul.”
[TheCable]
The Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere has expressed support for the planned protest scheduled for August 1.
Justice Faloye, the publicity secretary of Afenifere, who spoke in an interview on Arise TV, said the group warned the federal government about the implications of its economic policies on Nigerians.
Faloye’s comments followed the planned nationwide protest slated for August 1.
The federal government and President Bola Tinubu have asked the youths to shelve the planned protest against the rising cost of living.
Faloye said the planned protest was triggered by the economic crisis in the country, which he noted was caused by the policies of the Tinubu-led government.
The group’s spokesperson said Tinubu’s policies are “superficial” and cannot address the hardship in the country.
He added that the planned protest is an ‘organic reaction” to the economic policies of the Tinubu-led government.
“Afenifere is not planning to be a part of the protest, but we support anybody who wants to express their fundamental human rights,” Faloye said.
“We, in Afenifere, have been warning about the economic policies and that if it continues like this, you can’t stop people.
“Right from the beginning, we have shown you that you have gone on the wrong path. Afenifere has been saying that we need economic and political restructuring.
“All we have are palliatives and superficial moves that can’t resolve anything. We understand that the protest is an organic reaction.”
He appealed to the federal government to allow the protesters to express themselves, adding that protest usually turns violent when the government tries to stop it.
Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), says he no longer has confidence in the ability of Peter Obi, LP presidential candidate in 2023, to build a party that can win elections.
Okonkwo said Obi has “proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate”.
In the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Okonkwo left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for LP.
He was later appointed as one of the spokespersons of the LP presidential campaign council.
Recently, Okonkwo has been critical of the national working committee (NWC) of the LP led by Julius Abure, chairman of the party.
In June 2024, Okonkwo described the LP as “a secret society led by a group of clowns”, adding that he could not rule out leaving the party.
In a statement published on his X handle on Saturday, the LP chieftain said the recent happenings in the party have “inspired” him to “a determination to chart a new course for my political journey”.
He said after the 2023 elections, many Nigerians, including himself, had “high hopes” in Obi.
Okonkwo said he thought that the former Anambra governor would “seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow” the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“He just needed to give the right directives and everyone will fall in line. I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria’s problems,” Okonkwo said.
“I was like, does it mean Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading to nowhere politically?
“However, I continued in his defence believing he will still privately bring the needed solution to LP problems but to no avail.
“PO also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee must organise an all-inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders.
“This didn’t happen, and surprisingly, PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time had expired.
“Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Labour Party because of lack of leadership from PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself.
“I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.”
‘OBI DIDN’T SUPPORT NLC EFFORT TO RESCUE LP’
Okonkwo said Obi did not support the efforts of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in “fighting criminals who want to hijack their party”.
He said an “ordinary statement” from the LP presidential candidate would have resolved the issues.
“However, the consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate,” he said.
“I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.
“It’s in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi.”
Okonkwo said his comments have “nothing to do with any desire to join APC or PDP”, adding that he will always join Nigerians in the aspirations for a better Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has stated that the Commission is fully prepared for the governorship election in Edo State on September 21.
Naija News reports that the INEC boss emphasized that there are currently no anticipated security threats.
Addressing the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, Yakubu assured that there have been no reports suggesting any security risks during the election.
Although a political party raised concerns about potential security issues during a visit by INEC National Commissioners to the state, there has been no formal report from any political party or candidate indicating a security threat.
Yakubu mentioned that during a meeting with political parties at the INEC office in Benin, the Commissioner of Police assured that any security concerns would be addressed in collaboration with the state government.
He said: “As we speak, we have less than 60 days to the election in Edo state and about 100 days to the election in Ondo state. Is the commission prepared for the elections? We are prepared for the election.
“I must also say that this commission in particular has history of having conducted three governorship elections in each of the two state. We conducted the 2016 governorship election in Edo, in 2020 September and now in September 2024.
“In Ondo, we conducted the election in 2016 October, in 2020 and by God’s grace, in November 2024. So, these are States where we have conducted previous elections successfully.
“I led a team of commissioners to the two states and we interfaced with the stakeholders particularly political parties and held meetings with the security agencies.
“In terms of our preparations, we don’t anticipate much problems in spite of the unfortunate flooding in our office in Edo. This is not the first time. In 2020, we operated from a rented office. But this time around, thank God the act of God came early and so, we have enough time to respond and to conduct the election in our own facility. The election will hold within our own premises.
“What is our concern for the Edo state governorship election? Just like any other election, it is security.
“When we were there (Edo), one of the political parties raised an issue about the likely deployment of the ESSN, the Edo State Security Network.
“Immediately we received the complaint, we headed to the office of the Commissioner of Police and held a meeting with all security agencies in Edo State.
“At that meeting, we agreed that we are going to meet with all the political parties in our office and we did so. The Commissioner of Police told us that he will take up the matter with the state government. The issue at that time was the issue of the Continuous Voter Registration.
“Since then, I am not aware of any complaint from any party or candidate on the role of the ESSN. So, I believe that the Commissioner of Police must have spoken to the leadership of the ESSN. For now, so far so good. I said so far so good. But we have 57 days to the election.”
Amidst lingering crisis, Dangote Refinery has revealed that the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, is supplying insufficient crude oil for its production demand, hence it plans for alternative sources from Brazil and America.
Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Rabiu A. Umar made this known while speaking with newsmen in Kano.
Umar who said that NNPC supplies only 33 per cent of crude to the refinery, disclosed that it had to look elsewhere to source the remaining 67 per cent to meet its production capacity.
He said the refinery, which has the capacity of refining 650,000 per day, could not depend on short supply from Nigeria’s oil company.
According to Umar, the refinery had concluded plans to supply crude oil from Brazil and America by August.
“First of all the refinery is here in Nigeria. We have the crude oil here in Nigeria. We thought we would get the crude oil here and refined it here in our refinery for the benefit of the country and the citizens.
“Ironically, the country takes the crude oil overseas for refining while we have a refinery, one of the biggest in the world.
“So, we will not stay idle. We have to look for other sources to meet our production capacity. If we get the crude oil supply here in the country we have no reason to go overseas.
“Even now, we are planning to supply crude oil from countries like Brazil and USA,” he said.
He said the refinery had commenced supplies to foreign countries since February, disclosing that they receive orders from different countries for supply, especially aviation fuel.
The Chief Commercial Officer also revealed that the refinery needs 15 cargos of crude oil in September but NNPCL promised only 5 to it, lamenting that they see the government’s lackadaisical actions towards the refinery as sabotage.
According to him, the refinery should be celebrated and embraced by the government rather than painting it black as it is the biggest employer of labour with over 50,000 workers at the moment.
He emphasized that against the government’s false narratives, the refinery had started on a positive note as the quality of its refined products was world standard.
He said even the House of Representatives, under the leadership of its speaker, visited the refinery, saw the difference and was satisfied with the quality of the products.
The official also said, “We are here to defend ourselves and all the government narratives are not true. We urge the people to take samples of our products to ascertain their quality.
“We will not be deterred by the government’s criticism. We will continue until we reach the promised land,” Umar stated.
Recall, that the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, alongside NNPCL, had been locked up in a dispute, ranging from monopoly allegations to supply of crude for the refinery, substandard fuel imports and ownership of blending plants in Malta
Hours after Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun issued guidelines for the planned nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled for August 1, opposition parties have kicked against the conditions, saying they are against Nigeria’s constitution.
They insisted that the right to protest is recognised as a fundamental human right in Nigeria and is protected by the constitution.
Egbetokun had in response to requests to protest across the country set guidelines for all organisers and groups planning to participate.
He specifically directed them to submit their details, proposed routes, and assembly points to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
The IG also said commissioners of police in states where protests would be held must be provided with details of measures put in place to prevent the demonstration from being hijacked by criminal elements.
The police chief had earlier raised concerns about the legitimacy of the gathering, adding that arrangements had been made to arrest suspected hoodlums disguising as protesters.
The Department of State Services, on the other hand, claimed it uncovered a plan by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and cause unrest in the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the DSS, through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, described the motive behind the planned protest as political.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters also warned intending protesters against any form of violence, stating that the right to protest did not include unleashing terror.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who conveyed the message in Abuja, raised concerns that the planned nationwide protest could escalate into chaos based on the military’s analysis and intelligence.
Concentrate on protecting protesters – NNPP
Speaking exclusively with Sunday PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, said going after protesters was a violation of their constitutional right. He said instead of clamping down on those legitimately exercising their civic rights, efforts should be made to protect them.
Johnson said, “I don’t think there is a need to clamp down on protesters. Nigerians have a right to exercise their constitutional right to protest. They should not be harassed in any way. On the other hand, protesters must do their best to ensure that the protest is not hijacked either by hoodlums or by people sent. Hoodlums are one thing, people sent by unscrupulous politicians to cause friction and mayhem are another. These people should be resisted. The police also must secure the protesters in a peaceful atmosphere and ensure they are not infiltrated by people who want to cause chaos and damage properties. That is what they should be doing, not threatening or scaring people.”
PDP not surprised by threats to gag opposition – Spokesman
Also, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said it was unfortunate that the presidency would be planning to use the security apparatus to intimidate its citizens.
He said, “What you see the police and the DSS doing is a prepared script. It is quite unfortunate. The attempt by the government to suppress the voices of dissent is not something we are surprised about because they had demonstrated this long before. They made it known before coming into power that they wouldn’t entertain opposition. So, what they first did was to take some persons they believed were going to have a voice and make them part of their team. Now, even after winning the election, they have not stopped. It is clear that the intention of this government is to inflict maximum pain and injury on Nigerians and suppress voices of dissent, who will probably raise objections to their approach. They have inflicted untold hardship on Nigerians. They have also gone further to ensure that fear and intimidation is the only way they would rule this country.”
Tinubu should tread carefully – LP
Similarly, the opposition Labour Party has advised the presidency and security agents to tread carefully, warning that any threat to clamp down on the people may prove counterproductive.
In an exclusive with Sunday PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiorah Ifoh, said the country should borrow a leaf from what transpired in neighbouring Kenya, and the government’s response to the people.
He said, “As a party, we are not going to support any violent protest. We are not speaking for them (protesters). But a hungry man is an angry man. These people can’t feed, transport freely, can’t even afford to send children to school and receive pittance as wages. Yet, you want them not to talk? I think that is undemocratic. We saw what happened in Kenya a few weeks ago, where people spoke their minds peacefully and the Kenyan government did the right thing. Nobody is asking for violence. Everybody that goes into violent protests should be made to pay the price. But we are insisting on allowing Nigerians to speak up their minds through peaceful means.”
Yunusa Tanko, the campaign spokesman for LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on his part, said Nigerians deserved better treatment. The activist emphasized that it would be unfair to threaten people planning to demonstrate with arrest as protest is one of the rights provided for in a democratic setting.
Accusations against opposition insult to Nigerians – Northern CAN
The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states, including Abuja, says the planned nationwide hunger protests are an indication that things have gone really bad in the country. CAN insisted that Nigerians have been “suffering and smiling” for too long and the government showed no concern.
In a statement through its Secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe, in Kaduna on Saturday, the body expressed concern over the planned nationwide protest and urged the President to take concrete steps to address the economic hardship and insecurity plaguing the country. It also admonished Nigerian politicians to be mindful of their actions and inactions.
CAN recalled the ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest held in 2012, led by President Tinubu, meant to force former President Goodluck Jonathan to retrace his steps over the removal of the petrol subsidy during his administration, and noted that those in government must acknowledge the fact that in a democracy, citizens had the right to embark on peaceful protests over issues affecting their welfare. “Rather than trying to induce and influence some religious and traditional leaders to stop the protest, as it is being speculated in certain quarters, the government should apologise for its ineptitude and failure to address challenges threatening the very foundation of the country and improve the living condition of the people. Since the removal of the subsidy on petrol by President Bola Tinubu over a year ago, Nigerians have yet to enjoy its benefits; insecurity continues to remain undermined by the Nigerian state. We call for prayers for peace, unity, and stability in our country. Pray for God’s intervention in our country,” the Northern CAN stated.
‘Security agencies harassing organisers’
Meanwhile, in a telephone interview with our correspondents, one of the organisers of the protest, Deji Adeyanju, said the IG was trying to rewrite the constitution with his directives.
The human rights activist maintained that Nigeria’s constitution conferred on citizens the right to protest.
He said, “When the constitution was conferring the right to protest on the citizens, did the constitution give conditions for protests? Is the IG trying to rewrite the constitution? Is he trying to donate rights to the citizens or what? He has no such powers. The constitution and other laws of the land do not give the IG the power to dictate how citizens should protest.”
Further speaking, Adeyanju accused security agencies of harassing organisers of the protest and freezing their accounts.
He revealed that some of them had been arrested in states like Kano, Sokoto, and Zamfara, only to be released after widespread condemnation and outcries.
The human rights activist noted that it was a tactic to intimidate them so as not to go ahead with the protest, adding that they remained resolute.
Speaking in the same vein, the Director of Mobilisation, ‘Take It Back Movement’, Damilare Adenola, emphasised that the organisers were not bound by the directives.
He said, “The constitution doesn’t mandate us to get the government’s approval for protests. With or without the minister or President’s approval, the protests will go on. We’re not bound by the dictates of the Inspector General of Police or anyone in government.
“The rule of law and our conscience are our guiding principles, and the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended) grants Nigerian citizens the right to peaceful assembly and peaceful demonstrations.”
Adenola alleged that aside from freezing the organisers’ accounts, social media influencers had been engaged to attack activists and those who indicated interest in the protest.
He added, “They’ve blocked the ‘Take It Back Movement’ bank account with UBA. We’ve been informed that they’re now paying social media influencers to discredit human rights activists and peaceful protesters.”
Also making his stance known on the IG directive, the Convener of the Revolution Now Movement, Mr Omoyele Sowore, on X.com, said the police could not dictate to citizens how to go about protests.
He, however, called on all security agencies to submit the names of their officers who would be deployed for the protest.
Sowore stated, “The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #DaysOfRage revolt is not subject to any conditions; the @PoliceNG cannot dictate to Nigerians how to organise themselves during a mass action of this magnitude. However, the IG of @Policeng is advised to submit the list of police officers that would be deployed to cover these direct actions to our lawyers so that we’d know who to hold accountable should anything go wrong; the same applies to the @OfficialDSSNG, @HQNigerianArmy, and any security agency(IRS) that may be deployed by the state or federal government of Nigeria.”
Shelve planned protest – Kwankwaso
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party during the 2023 election, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said shelving the planned protest would be in the interest of the country. The one-time former governor of Kano State, in a post on his X handle on Saturday, called on Nigerians to put the country’s interest first before any other consideration. The national leader of NNPP called on Nigerians to remove a non-performing government through the ballot rather than through a protest.
Tinubu’s govt after solution, not protesters – APC
But the ruling All Progressives Congress sees the issue from another perspective.
The National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, believed the response of the government was being misinterpreted.
Ibrahim stated that unless the organisers of the protest and the opposition had ulterior motives, they would appreciate that the President had even gone the extra mile to assure the citizens that he was working assiduously to address their concerns.
He said, “When you are devilish in your thinking or planning something cynical, you will believe everybody is thinking that way. There is no way a government that is doing everything with civility, and is always at the forefront for human rights, will clamp down on people fighting for their right.
“This is not a government that is brutish or brutal when it comes to lawful protests. The only thing is that a protest must be peaceful, lawful and done in a manner that is democratically accepted. Anything to the contrary will go against the law. A government that is law-abiding will not fold its arms and allow people trample on the law.
“Don’t forget that the President has appealed to the nation to shelve the demonstration, saying whatever their grievances are, it will be looked into with a view to resolving them. It is not a government that has promised to do miracles. No, it is one that seeks to ensure the sufferings of Nigerians are addressed.”
[Punch]
The House of Representatives has announced it will advocate for the dismissal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), if what they perceive as efforts to undermine the Dangote Refinery are not halted immediately.
Naija News reports that the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, made this statement while addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday.
Agbese highlighted that the lawmakers have already called for the removal of the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), expressing concern that both the NNPCL and NMDPRA are intent on sabotaging the Dangote Refinery.
Agbese noted that while many Nigerians have canceled planned protests over hardships, they insist on Kyari’s dismissal to ensure the refinery operates smoothly and supports the nation’s economy.
He emphasized that the House intends to investigate the ongoing conflict between Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA.
Agbese stated, “We have been seeing a lot by way of demarketing campaigns to discredit the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and given the negative impact of this, which has caused panic in the country.
“It is on record that the House directed the President to sack NMDPRA’s CEO.
“The House of Representatives will not hesitate to call for the sack of Mele Kyari if the attempt to destroy the refinery project, a national asset, does not stop immediately.”
Naija News earlier reported that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, recently led a delegation to visit the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company in Lagos.
During the visit, Abbas stated that the insights gained would help inform the House’s legislative actions and strategies.
The Senate has expressed deep regret over the sudden death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (APC – Anambra South) in London.
A statement by the Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC – Ekiti South) reads in part: “It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that the Nigeria Senate announces the passing of our esteemed colleague, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, who until his passing represented the Anambra South Senatorial District.
“Senator Uba was an exemplary leader, a committed public servant, and an indefatigable advocate for his constituents. His untimely departure represents a significant loss to the Senate, his community, and the nation at large.
“Prior to his illustrious career in public service, Senator Ifeanyi Uba distinguished himself as a prominent businessman and philanthropist. As the founder and CEO of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, he made substantial contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector, fostering economic growth and creating numerous job opportunities.
“Through the Ifeanyi Uba Foundation, his philanthropic endeavors provided scholarships, healthcare, and vital support to the less privileged, profoundly impacting countless lives.
“Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Senator Uba demonstrated unwavering dedication to the progress and development of Anambra South and Nigeria as a whole.
“He was a beacon of hope, a champion of economic empowerment, and a steadfast supporter of legislative reforms aimed at improving the lives of all Nigerians.
“In expressing his condolences, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, remarked, ‘Senator Ifeanyi Uba was a dedicated and passionate legislator whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our nation. His commitment to his constituents and his work in the Senate were exemplary. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.’
“The Nigeria Senate extends our deepest sympathies to Senator Uba’s family, friends, and constituents. We also offer our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Anambra State. We pray that they find strength and solace in the legacy of service and dedication he leaves behind.
“His memory will forever remain in our hearts, and his contributions to our nation’s progress will continue to inspire us all.”
Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has mourned the passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Recall that Ifeanyi Ubah died in London on Saturday
Reacting to the development, Obi, in a statement on his X handle, said Ubah’s death was a rude shock.
“I received a rude shock this morning, the news of the death of my dear younger brother, and Senator Representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”
Obi recalled that he was welcomed by Ubah after attending the burial of Chief Pius Onwuzo in Nnewi, Anambra State, on July 12th.
Obi also prayed that God should grant Ubah eternal rest.
“Senator Ubah personally welcomed me at the burial and requested that I visit his house for lunch, to which I pleaded with him to reschedule to another date as I already had several engagements for the day.
“During our discussions on the state of the nation, he told me that he now understands my commitment to the progress of humanity and that he aligns with it.
“He assured me that, despite our party differences, we would work together as a family, in serving our people.
“Similarly, despite party differences, I commended him for his contributions to a better humanity through his Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, via which he cared for the less privileged in society, by investing in their education and health and pulling people out of poverty. I urged him to continue in that direction.
“May God Almighty who called him home, at this time, forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest, and grant his family, the entire Anambra South Senatorial District; Anambra State; Nigeria; and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad irreplaceable loss.
“God Almighty protect and bless his family always.”
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Former President, Donald Trump has issued a stark warning of a potential major war in the Middle East and a possible “third world war” if he does not win the upcoming November election.
This assertion was made during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
“If we win, it’ll be very simple. It’s all going to work out and very quickly,” Trump stated. “If we don’t, you’re going to end up with major wars in the Middle East and maybe a third world war. You are closer to a third world war right now than at any time since the Second World War.”
Trump’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He has frequently suggested that the current administration’s handling of international affairs is pushing the world closer to a global conflict.
The meeting with Netanyahu follows a series of discussions the Israeli Prime Minister had with current U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris, who Biden has endorsed for the Democratic presidential nomination, had a separate “frank and constructive” meeting with Netanyahu, expressing support for Israel’s right to defend itself while also voicing concern for Palestinian suffering in Gaza.
Trump emphasized his administration’s strong support for Israel, highlighting key decisions such as moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.
He reiterated his commitment to Israel, stating, “We’ve had a good relationship. I was very good to Israel, better than any president’s ever been.”
Meanwhile, the Biden administration remains hopeful for a cease-fire deal and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Trump criticized the current situation, describing it as “not an acceptable situation” and questioning the condition of those still held hostage
Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator representing Anambra South district in the National Assembly, is dead.
The politician and businessman died in the United Kingdom, UK. Senator Ubah was said to have departed Nigeria for the UK, two days ago.
A source said he died in a UK hospital where he went for an operation.
Recall that Ubah defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Young Progressives Party, YPP, last year.
Also, Ubah, the CEO of Capital Oil, survived an assassination attempt in September 2022.
Three police escorts in the convoy of the Senator were among the persons who died in that incident, which occurred at Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
How Ifeanyi Ubah died
Senator Ubah died during an operation in London, a source close to the lawmaker, has said.
“Yes, he is dead,” the source, who is a friend of the legislator, confirmed.
“We are waiting for the family to issue a statement. We spoke to him three times yesterday, before he went into the theatre for the operation.”
'Buhari Removed Me From Office For Investigating Billion Dollar Fraud Cases Under His Administration’ — Obla
AFOLABI
The Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property under the administration of ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari, Okoi Obono-Obla, has revealed how he was forced out of office.
Obono-Obla, in an interview with Vanguard, revealed that he was forced out of office by fifth columnists who didn’t want him to investigate some corruption cases.
The human rights activist who was removed a few months after the appointment narrated how the then Attorney General of the Federation wrote letters to him directing him not to investigate some cases.
He, however, disclosed that he was relieved of his duties when he failed to obey the directives of the ex-Attorney General.
Obono-Obla, narrating how he was removed, said, “The patrons of corruption in Nigeria in collusion with fifth columnists in the previous regime were not at ease with my patriotic zeal, courage, resolute, strong character, and uncompromising approach to my schedule and decided to push me out by all means.
“It started as far as January 2018 when I was served a letter from the former Attorney General of the Federation directing me what I should not do, including waiting for a mandate because I could investigate any matter. I was also stopped from talking to the media. It doesn’t need clairvoyance to tell one that all was not well when you are directed to wait for a mandate before you investigate cases of financial crime, economic sabotage, or grand corruption.
“However, I disregarded the directives because they were illegal as the law that created the panel had explicitly spelt out the powers of the panel. Then again, on January 31, 2019, I received another letter saying that since I had refused to adhere to that, I should only investigate cases selectively given to me by the powers that be; the panel is suspended until further notice.
“Of course, I knew that the letter was coming from the fifth columnists in the regime, I continued to do my work until 11 August 2019, when I was suspended. While my suspension was pending, the panel was disbanded in September 2019.
“I was investigating some dangerous cases that had remained a no-go area for a long time. Some of them included the $7 billion that was given to banks as bailouts since 2016, which they had refused to pay back; investigating the report of the Judicial Commission into how Nigeria Airways was bankrupted but which report was left to gather dust in government shelves, the failure of oil companies to pay to the federal government royalties and other rental fees amounting to more than $3 billion to mention just but a few.”
Hardship Protest: Kwankwaso Urges Nigerians To Use ‘Ballot Box’ For Change Instead Of Protesting
AFOLABI
The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on protest organizers to shift their focus from the planned nationwide protest on August 1, 2024, to promoting change via democratic elections.
In a statement released on Friday night, the former Kano State Governor emphasized that democratic change through elections is a more effective strategy against an incompetent government than protests.
He argued that sustainable change can only be achieved by exercising the power of the ballot.
Kwankwaso expressed his thoughts on the current challenges facing Nigeria, attributing the nation’s hardships to missteps by leadership since 2007.
He acknowledged that these challenges can be rectified, and the nation can be redirected towards economic development, prosperity, and improved welfare for its citizens.
Kwankwaso pointed out several crises that have arisen from poor governance, including federal interference in Kano State’s chieftaincy matters, the impeachment of Edo State’s Deputy Governor, political instability in Rivers State, and the widespread insecurity affecting the nation.
According to Kwankwaso, these issues reflect a lack of accountability and transparency among leaders.
While recognizing the recent calls for protests as a sign of the public’s frustration and desire for a better Nigeria, Kwankwaso cautioned against the potential consequences of such actions. He advised Nigerians to harness the power of their votes as the most effective tool for transformation.
Kwankwaso warned that protests, while a fundamental democratic right, often escalates into violence, resulting in loss of life, property destruction, and widespread chaos.
The statement read, “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I share my thoughts on the current situation in Nigeria.
“We find ourselves in avoidable hardship because our leaders missed some steps since 2007.
“However, there is always room for correction and setting the country on the right track for economic development, prosperity, and better welfare of citizens.
“Interferences by the Federal Government into the affairs of the chieftaincy matters in Kano State, impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, political crisis in Rivers State, sabotage to AIiko Dangote refinery, controversies surrounding SAMOA agreement, the conflict between Sen. Ali Ndume and the APC Leadership, widespread insecurity and other criminal acts are a few examples of avoidable and unnecessary crises.
“It is sad to note that the attitude of our leaders to poor governance has plunged the citizens, especially youth, into hunger, insecurity, hopelessness, and a sense of giving up on the country.
“In these trying times, our nation stands at a crossroads. Our collective frustration with bad governance has reached a boiling point, and the urge to protest is strong.
“As an elder and patriotic Nigerian, I share your concerns and your desire for change.
“However, I urge you to consider the consequences of national protests and to channel your energy into a more effective and peaceful means of transformation through the power of your ballot.
“The repercussions of such actions extend far beyond the immediate moment, leaving scars on our communities and deepening divisions among us.
“I speak to you not just as an elder and a concerned citizen but as someone who deeply believes in the power and potential of our great nation.
“Let us put our country first and work together to build the Nigeria we all aspire to see,” he advocated