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‘They asked me about #Endbadgovernance protesters, Labour Party,’ - Ajaero marrates ordeal with DSS
AFOLABI
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, yesterday, gave insight into his ordeal in the hands of operatives of the Department of the State Services, DSS, and other security agencies, following his arrest on Monday.
Recall that the DSS had seized the NLC President’s phones and international passport after his arrest and detention for no less than 16 hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
However, confirming the release of the items yesterday, Ajaero said simply: “Yes, it is true. My phones and passport have been returned to me by the DSS.”
On his experiencein the hands of the security agents,Ajaero said: “It was like the DSS arrested me on behalf of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, department of the Police because IRT operatives came to interrogate me and take my statement, while I was detained.
‘’The DSS also interrogated me and took my statement. I do not know why they have to embarrass me publicly like that.
“The same IRT operatives in whose office we were on August 29, 2024, alongside Mr Femi Falana, came and asked the same questions I was asked in the previous meeting with them.
“They asked about the operator of Iva Valley Bookshop on the second floor of NLC secretariat building.
“They asked me whether we had communicated on phone, whether he (the Iva Valley operator) communicated with me in writing and so on.
‘’They also asked if I know the protesters (#EndBadGovernance or #Endhunger), especially Eleojo Opaluwa, a staff of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE. I told them I knew him because I employed him at NUEE.
“They equally asked about the Labour Party, LP, whether we are running the party. I told them we do not run Labour Party, but that we are a trustee of the party.
“I also told them that the Labour Party they see today was founded when Adams Oshiomhole was President of NLC.
“Also, they asked about the issue of Air Peace which we had settled since last year.
“It is like the security agents are searching for evidence on how and what to nail us with. That is why they have continued to embarrass, persecute, intimidate and do whatever they liked to cow us.’’
The people of Moriki town in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State are in fear as the deadline given them by notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, to pay an imposed N30m levy expired.
But reacting to the development on Tuesday, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, described the bandit kingpin as a deranged person, wowing that the military would soon capture him.
The bandit kingpin, it was learnt, imposed the N30m levy on the community, following the killing of over 100 cows belonging to him by the military some weeks ago.
In a message, he sent to the community, the dreaded bandit kingpin demanded that the community pay him N30m or face his wrath.
He gave them up to Monday, September 9 but our correspondent learnt that the community had not been able to raise the funds, despite launching an appeal.
The PUNCH gathered that some people were already fleeing the town.
An indigene of the town, Sani Musa told The PUNCH on the phone that he had since last Monday evacuated his family and moved to Kaura-Namoda town.
“I am quite sure that this terrible person and his men will soon attack our community because of the non-payment of the N30m.
“We did our best to get the money but due to economic hardship, we were not able to get even half of the amount.
“I was asked to give N20,000 as my own contribution but as I am talking to you now, I don’t have the amount.
“I tried to sell my farm but nobody is interested in buying the land due to the security situation in the area.”
Another indigene of the area, Zayyanu Hassan, expressed hopelessness, saying despite the threat of attack, he was too weak, because of age and ill health, to flee the community.
“I don’t know where to go because of my age and health condition. I will remain here despite the threat from Bello Turji,” Hassan said.
According to Hassan, there are many people like him who are unable to flee the community despite the threat of attack.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chief of Defence Staff, vowed that the military would put an end to the imposition on levies on citizens by non-state actors, such as bandits.
Musa said, “On the issue of Turji, as I said, he is just a deranged individual who feels power, but I can bet you that it’s just a matter of time. It is a matter of time; we’re going to get him, and I can assure you that it will be within the shortest possible time. We’re going to address that issue on the issue of payment of levy (to bandits).”
The CDS said it had been found that bandits live on the money they levy on innocent citizens but said the military would end the menance.
“One, even when they get the money, they don’t have a way to use it. Two is that the money they’re getting, they know, is blood money. And that is why we all must come together to work with members of the armed forces and security agencies to deny them the ability to move freely within our communities.”
He said the support received by the bandits from residents was fuelling their activities.
Musa said, “Please do not give them any support. Do not give them information on the movement of troops because this is what is happening. Most of the area where this thing is continuing is because we have informants within the communities.”
Musa stated that the operations in the North-West have harmonised after it was reviewed.
He said, “We have reviewed the entire operation and realised that we need to harmonise our operations together. As you notice, we have Operation Hadrin Daiji and Operation Whirl Stroke, both within the Northwest region. We have seen the need for us to harmonize those operations into one operation like we did in the Northeast where you have operation Hadin Kai.
“The same thing is being done now for the North-West operation. We have one unified operation. It’s going to be called Operation Kasar Yamma, which is securing the North-West.
“Now the intention is to ensure that we synergise all our efforts in addressing the security challenges in the North-West. So now, what we are doing is that since we are harmonising the whole operation, we will come under one commander. And then the commander will be able to utilise all the equipment and troops together to ensure that we address this critically. And I think that’s the best solution we have for it. And I can assure you, all the assets that are required to do that will be done.”
He CDS appealed to the citizens to stop giving support to bandits, lamenting that locals invited the bandits to attack the troops’ armoured vehicles when they broke down.
Musa said, “The bandits intend to just show that they are present. And that’s why we’re appealing to Nigerians not to provide any support. If you remember, the last time we had this issue where our APC was, the MRAP was bogged down, and the terrorists came. It was some people who called them and told them that the troops were having issues with their vehicle and they should come around. And they came en masse. That was what exactly happened. And that’s why we’re appealing to individuals.”
As the crisis rocking the Labour Party intensifies, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, on Tuesday, threw her weight behind the 29-man caretaker committee put in place by the party’s stakeholders last week.
This was as activist Aisha Yesufu attcked LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, over alleged misappropriation of campaign funds.
An enlarged stakeholders’ meeting called by the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi and the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, held in Umuahia, Abia State capital, was called to resolve the lingering leadership crisis in the party.
At the meeting, the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee was set up to steer the affairs of the party and conduct a national convention.
However, the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure; National Secretary, Umar Farouk and the National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, were conspicuously absent at the meeting.
Kingibe, at the flag-off of a four-day free medical outreach she facilitated for her constituents in Abuja, done in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, said Abure and his loyalists were yet to come to terms with reality.
Represented by her Senior Legislative Aide, Dr Chris Omofoma, Kingibe told The PUNCH that every LP member knew Abure’s tenure alongside his NWC had ended as far back as June 2023.
THE Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Tuesday, lamented that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is becoming indifferent, insensitive and unresponsive to the plights of Nigerians.
Adams in an open letter titled ‘President Bola Tinubu, time is going’, also said the present administration has disappointed Nigerians adding that the citizens can no longer bear the economic hardship.
He said: “We have no regret that we were created to inhabit this geographical space in the West African axis of the African continent.
“We are happy to be here because I don’t know any country in the world that God has blessed, in terms of natural and human resources, like Nigeria.
“Obviously, past leaders, since 1960, disappointed Nigerians with the way ‘Nigeria and Nigerians were badly led and resources selfishly managed’.
“When you came with the ‘Emilokan’ coinage in the build-up to the 2023 elections, many Nigerians were persuaded that as a democrat exposed to the modern way of governance, you will perform better than Muhammadu Buhari, a soldier who deepened the poverty levels of Nigerians and increased insecurity from 2015 to 2023.
“Today, events have proved that they were wrong. Mr President, to say the truth without minding whose ox is gored, you have disappointed many Nigerians who thought you were the messiah they were waiting for.
“The facts are there to speak for themselves. On May 29, 2023, when you became the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigerians, the price of a litre of fuel was less than N200.
“Today, it is more than N1000. As the Minister of Petroleum, I ask you, what type of reform is this? In May 2023, the Naira to a Dollar was less than N740. Today, it is more than N1,600.
“Now, your two right-hand men when you were Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Wale Edun (Finance Minister) and Yemi Cardoso (CBN Governor) are in charge of the economy.
“What exactly are the fiscal, economic and financial briefings they give you daily to convince you that they know what they are doing in those two offices?
“When Buhari left on May 29, 2023, many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief that insecurity would soon become history.
“Pitiably today, from the North to the South, East to the West, the rate at which Nigerians are being abducted and some killed, even after ransom was paid, it was as if these blood-thirsty maniacs have just been unleashed on Nigerians from the hottest part of hell.
“As the Commander-in-Chief, the rising spate of insecurity across the country has put to question the kind of briefings you get daily, especially, from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, and other Security Chiefs on their modus operandi to send these killers to where they belong?
“In August, many Nigerians came out to express their frustration on the way you are governing them.
Today, some of those arrested have been charged with treason.
“In the comity of nations, who does that? Is that the way governments are overthrown, with placards?
“Human rights activists are being harassed by security agents daily and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have become soft targets of sycophants who speak sweet words to your ears for selfish reasons.
“Many Nigerians know the ‘radical’ role you played when you were Governor, and even after 2007 when you galvanised and mobilised them to challenge the status quo at the national level.
“Now that you are in government, protest has suddenly become a criminal offence. God is indeed great. The plain truth is that the recent fuel price increase by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, an agency which is under your office as the Petroleum Minister, is an attack on Nigerians.
“Obviously, your administration is becoming indifferent, insensitive and unresponsive to the plights of millions of Nigerians who can no longer meet their daily needs.
“This is a brutal assault on the sensibility of Nigerians. I think you and your party should be sensitive to the plights of Nigerians.
“Mr President, don’t you think the wicked and draconian increase in fuel price, especially, at this time that Nigerians have been pushed to the wall, is a huge recipe for crisis? Nigerians can no longer bear this economic hardship any longer.”
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the passport of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Daily Trust can confirm.
Some of labour leaders, who confided in our correspondent on Tuesday in Abuja, said the secret police did not find anything incriminating against Ajaero.
Daily Trust had reported that the DSS bowed to pressure from various quarters on Monday when it released the labour leader on bail a few minutes to the ultimatum given by the NLC.
Details shortly…
[Daily Trust]
President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of 2024 National Honours Award to Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have contributed to the development of the country.
Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, made this known at a meeting with management staff of the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mr Jisalo said that the Federal Government would also honour Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavours.
The minister explained that the forms and processes leading to the award of national honours were free of charge, adding that people should desist from paying for national honuours.
“By this information, the public is to watch out for calls for nominations and present individuals who have distinguished themselves by uplifting the nation and its people.
“This is in accordance with the National Honours Award Act 2004. The Act took retrospective effect from 1963, “he said.
NAN
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero, and the invasion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office by men of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Atiku said President Bola Tinubu’s level of oppressive control now imposed on Nigerians, civil society organizations and the media has surpassed the time of military dictators.
In a statement on Tuesday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused President Tinubu of intimidating opposition voices.
He said, “The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
“The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomizes this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labour.
“Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal?
“Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon SERAP Nigeria, an action that stands as a grave affront to our democratic values. This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice.”
Atiku admonished the President to channel his security agencies towards terrorists and bandits perpetrating violence across the country and stop inflicting suffering on Nigerians.
“It is imperative that Tinubu and his security apparatus redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the actual perpetrators of violence — terrorists and bandits — who are inflicting immeasurable suffering upon the Nigerian people,” Atiku added.
The Federal High Court (FHC) in Lagos has embraced the digital world by inaugurating an online platform that enables the public to obtain affidavits directly from the court.
This initiative, spearheaded by FHC Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho, aligns the court with contemporary digital best practices on a global scale.
During a Friday visit to the Lagos division of the court, the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar, Godwin Long, facilitated a tour of the newly established ICT department, which Agwu Charles oversees.
Agwu provided an explanation of how the general public can utilize this new innovation.
“It is now a norm that the Affidavit for loss of items, age declaration, change of name, etc can now be done via portal.fhc.gov.ng and following the instructions.
“What you just need to do is to login to the site: portal.fhc.gov.ng,” Agwu explained.
DCR Longe further explained that, at the moment, the portal can only process Affidavits that are non-cases related.
“Affidavits filed to support a case are still done manually because of the peculiar disposition in such Affidavits.
He reiterated the need for people to be aware that henceforth, “they don’t necessarily have to be physically present to procure the type of Affidavits mentioned above,” he noted.
Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for employing security forces to harass and intimidate Nigerian citizens.
Naija News reports that Ezekwesili’s remarks came after the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office in Abuja on Monday by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a post on her X account on Tuesday, Ezekwesili asserted that Nigerians would not tolerate any form of authoritarian rule again, and she outlined three actions President Tinubu should take to ease the growing tension in the country.
She questioned the motivations behind the administration’s approach, asking why Tinubu’s government would choose to create such tension for an already struggling population.
Ezekwesili said: “So as if this severest economic hardship unleashed on citizens by the @nigeriagov of @NGRPresident @officialABAT is not traumatizing enough, the country’s security apparatuses are now daily deployed to harass and intimidate Nigerians.
“I wanted to be certain of the news yesterday that the latest victims of draconian assault on rights are the NLC @NLCHeadquarters and its President @JoeAjaero94024 as @SERAPNigeria .
“So I ask, “What really is motivating this administration of @officialABAT to create this horrible tension in the country for an already badly distressed people?”
“Whatever is driving this repressive onslaught, here are 3 things the @NGRPresident has to do to stop heating up the country:
“The @OfficialDSSNG @PoliceNG must immediately comply with the constitution and laws of the land- release Ajaero, vacate @SERAPNigeria, return their documents, repair damaged property and compensate them for all losses inflicted.
“The @PoliceNG @OfficialDSSNG must release all the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters that are unconstitutionally detained or being prosecuted by the security establishment for no good reason than the intoxication and intolerance of @officialABAT and his crew that seized power through an election that failed all tests of credibility.
“The @NGRPresident and the @nassnigeria should immediately commence plans for a Citizens-led National Conversation and Constitutional process for Nigeria.
“If there is any wisdom left at all, this @NigeriaGov would do well to stop digging further into a hole. Nigerians acting collectively will never again accept any draconian rule.”
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), after detaining him for approximately 15 hours, Naija News reports.
![[PRESS RELEASE] Tinubu increasing VAT to 10% will be inferno that will consume Nigerians](/media/k2/items/cache/39782184df96dea65e5e506c403e355d_S.jpg)
The increase in VAT is set to become the blazing inferno that will consume the very essence of our people.
President Bola Tinubu, alongside his coterie of advisers, has resolved to raise the VAT rate from 7.5% to 10%, even as the NNPCL has announced a soaring PMS price increase at the pump. This move unveils a new era of regressive and punitive policies, and its impact is destined to deepen the domestic cost-of-living crisis and exacerbate Nigeria’s already fragile economic growth.
President Tinubu and his entourage seem to be resorting to their familiar tactic: heaping burdens upon the impoverished while steadfastly ignoring their extravagant excesses! Tinubu’s actions reflect a profound insensitivity to the plight of the less fortunate as he indulges in the opulent renovation of villas and the acquisition of new jets and vehicles for himself and his family.
One need not be an economist to grasp the ominous implications of President Tinubu’s ill-conceived policies for Nigeria’s future. The relentless rise in taxes and interest rates has proven excessively onerous, debilitating businesses of all sizes and leading to job losses while intensifying the suffering of the poor. The manufacturing sector, in particular, has endured relentless strife since Tinubu’s ascendancy, with its contribution to the GDP diminishing by over 20% since December 2023, as reported by the NBS.
In early August, Tinubu turned his attention to agriculture. As is customary with this administration, a new policy was clandestinely formulated and announced, permitting duty-free importation of agricultural commodities such as wheat, maize, and paddy, despite vehement opposition from farmer groups nationwide. This policy poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s food security ambitions, as local farmers, facing unfair competition from low-cost producers in Asia, Europe, and America, are compelled to reduce or entirely abandon their production efforts. It jeopardizes job creation, wealth generation, and the sector’s long-term prosperity, casting a shadow over Nigeria’s sustainability and development.
President Tinubu and his advisers would be wise to redirect their efforts towards crafting sustainable solutions to the systemic shocks afflicting the economy rather than compounding the crisis with measures destined to ignite further turmoil.
Signed:
Atiku Abubakar
Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (2023)
Abuja
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The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has slammed the federal government for pressing treason charges against peace #EndBadGovernance protesters.
Peter Obi said the federal government mismanaged the protest even after the citizens gave one month’s notice before the protest.
Speaking with News Central on Monday, on his opinion concerning the treason charge, the former governor of Anambra State said even when he was in office he never used police to arrest protesters.
He argued that it was wrong for the federal government to fail to sit and discuss with the peaceful hunger protesters but move ahead to arrest them with the police.
Obi said: “I’ve said everybody, they have right to protest. I said it before. I would discuss with every protester. They even warned government months before they did that. I would sit down and discuss with them. People protested when I was governor. They even called strike. They shut down schools for months, our hospitals. I was talking with them.
“I have never as a politician, as a governor ask any police to go and arrest anybody. It shouldn’t be. In a democracy, people have right to say no. I’ve said it every day. If I’m managing this facility and everybody loves me, I will resign. This is me.
“Wherever I am, I believe that I have enemies. My job is to convince them. If everybody loves me, that is a problem. There are people who hate me because I’m just Peter. They don’t even need to give me any reason. It is my job to convince them on why it should be. I convinced the teachers why we should return schools to missionaries and they see the result.
“You just have to. It’s a constant thing. Whenever you’re a leader, you’re a communicator. You listen, you talk to the people. The agitators, the protesters, how are they talking to them?”
Details have emerged as to why Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, was arrested on Monday by the operatives of the State Security Service, SSS.
Mr Ajaero was whisked away by the operatives of the secret police at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
The NLC’s head of information, Benson Upah, who confirmed the arrest to Channels Television, said Mr Ajaero was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London.
Mr Upah, however, said the union does not know why Mr Ajaero was arrested and where he had been taken to.
But security sources told TheCable that the NLC president was arrested following his failure to honour police invitation over a petition by Air Peace Airlines.
It was also gathered that the airliner had approached the secret police over alleged extortion by the labour union leader.
“The SSS invited Mr Ajaero for questioning but he failed to honour the invitation, that was why they arrested him,” a source disclosed.
Recall that the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, in Abuja had invited Mr Ajaero over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
He was released after a “short interview”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is not responsible for the large billboard in Abuja promoting President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
The large billboard was spotted on Monday along the busy Area One axis of the Federal Capital Territory.
The billboard, which has the picture of the President and his wife, Oluremi read, “Grassroots support for Tinubu 2027, the 1019 initiative “
The display sign, which boldly hints at Tinubu’s potential re-election bid, sparked discussions, among passersby commuters among others plying the road.
However, the National Publicity Director of the ruling APC, Bala Ibrahim, said the party is not behind the billboard.
Speaking to Punch, Ibrahim said the party was unaware of the campaign billboard.
He, however, did not rule out the possibility of such a billboard being sponsored by groups or loyalists of the President.
He said, “At the party and personal level, I am not aware. If you have seen it, you may wish to check. It could have been done by a group or individuals.
“Usually, such banners and billboards carry the identity of the sponsors beneath. Look around to see if it carries the inscription of the party. Otherwise, it is not from us.”
The Department of State Services has clarified why its officers visited the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s Abuja office on Monday.
The secret police, in a statement on its website on Tuesday, explained that contrary to reports that its officers raided SERAP’s office, the agents were detailed for routine investigation.
The DSS insisted that the officers’ actions had been misinterpreted as harassment and intimidation.
The statement read, “The Department of State Services has been inundated with multiple enquiries on its alleged unlawful invasion of SERAP offices in Abuja and Lagos.
“This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. For the records, a team of two unarmed Service operatives were lawfully detailed on a routine investigation to the SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment, and intimidation of SERAP officials.
“The Service further wishes to state that such official enquiries and liaison are traditional and do not in any way amount to illegality or raid.
“While it assures of in-depth investigation of these malicious contents, it sues for citizens’ participation in national security management.
“The DSS, therefore, urges the public to disregard these false narratives as it restates its commitment to utmost professionalism in the discharge of its core mandate.”
The PUNCH reports that SERAP had urged President Bola Tinubu “to immediately direct Nigeria’s DSS to end the intimidation and harassment and attack against our organisation and the threat of arrest against our directors.”
In a statement by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “We condemn the invasion of our Abuja office today by Nigeria’s Department of State Services. The Tinubu administration must immediately direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff members.”
SERAP’s statement added in part, “The invasion of SERAP’s office by the DSS and the harassment and intimidation of our staff members is a brutal assault on the entire human rights community in the country.
“The escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need, undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.
“This government has an obligation to support and protect civil society groups and human rights defenders. We are seriously concerned about the growing restrictions on civic space and the brutal crackdown on the human rights of Nigerians.
“President Tinubu must urgently instruct appropriate authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the invasion of our offices and to bring to justice those involved.
“Nigerian authorities must allow SERAP to freely carry out our mandates as recognized under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”