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- Farage is a long-standing ally of Trump
- Farage’s anti-immigration Reform UK party won the third largest vote haul
Former US president Donald Trump celebrated the election of fellow populist Nigel Farage to Britain’s parliament on Friday, neglecting to mention the new prime minister, Keir Starmer.
Farage’s anti-immigration Reform UK party won the third largest vote haul, but under Britain’s electoral system it took just four seats while Starmer’s Labour party swept into office with a landslide.
“Congratulations to Nigel Farage on his big WIN of a Parliament Seat Amid Reform UK Election Success. Nigel is a man who truly loves his Country!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Farage is a long-standing ally of Trump, who has dubbed the divorced father-of-four “Mr Brexit” and previously said the British populist would have done a “great job” as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.
Farage is a champion of Brexit who was elected to parliament on his eighth attempt and has made no secret of his desire to take over the now-main opposition Conservative party, which was trounced at the polls by Labour.
“There is a massive gap on the center-right of British politics and my job is to fill it,” he said after a comfortable win in Clacton, eastern England.
The result bucks a rightward trend among Britain’s closest allies, with the far-right National Rally in France eyeing power and Trump looking set for a return in the United States.
Farage’s win will likely embolden the attention-grabbing populist figurehead in his long-term aim of staging a “takeover” of the Conservatives.
Millions of their voters appeared to have already switched their support to Reform, handing the Tories one of their worst-ever results.
An initial exit poll had caused a stir Thursday night after predicting Reform would secure 13 seats — far exceeding forecasts in the latter stages of the campaign that it would win just a handful of seats.
[Arab News]
![UK PM Keir Starmer appoints cabinet ministers [Full list]](/media/k2/items/cache/07cb11d7dec803f0e02bc865136ad151_L.jpg)
The newly-elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer has announced his first cabinet appointments following the Labour Party’s decisive victory in the general election.
This landmark win ends 14 years of Conservative governance.
After being invited by King Charles III to form a government during a meeting at Buckingham Palace on Friday, Starmer swiftly began shaping his administration.
I want people to remember the Emirate as a symbol of dignity and peace —Film maker, Zainab Bayero
Angela Rayner, 44, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and will also serve as the Minister for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.
This was Starmer’s first cabinet confirmation, with Downing Street making the announcement shortly after his assumption of office.
In a historic move, Rachel Reeves has been named the Chancellor of the Exchequer, making her the first woman in the UK to hold this critical finance minister position.
The full list of Starmer’s initial cabinet appointments includes:
Angela Rayner – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities
Rachel Reeves – Chancellor of the Exchequer
David Lammy – Foreign Secretary
Yvette Cooper – Home Secretary
John Healey – Defence Secretary
Pat McFadden – Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Ed Miliband – Energy Secretary
Bridget Phillipson – Education Secretary
Wes Streeting – Health Secretary
Shabana Mahmood – Justice Secretary
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates UK Labour Leader, Sir Keir Starmer, on Election Victory
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates UK Labour Leader, Sir Keir Starmer, on Election Victory](/media/k2/items/cache/45ba906564903ba8d10e67ae38b0340c_M.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu extends his warm congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, on the victory of his party in the United Kingdom general election.
As a former leader of the opposition in Nigeria, President Tinubu specially notes the determination and courage the incoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom demonstrated throughout his years in the opposition and as the leader of the Labour Party.
The President states that the party's ability to reform, mobilize, and position itself for victory after 14 years clearly affirms the leadership qualities of Sir Starmer.
President Tinubu also congratulates the citizens and the government of the United Kingdom, describing the Kingdom as an abiding model of democracy and Nigeria's long-standing partner.
The President looks forward to deepening relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in mutual areas of interest and in strengthening democratic institutions, as well as in building a safer and more prosperous future for the people of both countries.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has urged members of the party to put away their differences and work together in harmony.
The former Anambra governor made the call via his X account on Friday.
He stated that the party would emerge stronger if they were more united.
He stressed the need to move forward with a shared sense of purpose and vision.
Obi expressed confidence that the party would overcome the current crisis through open communication, empathy, and willingness to listen.
According to him, “We will successfully resolve our differences and emerge stronger and more united than ever. Our strength lies in greater unity for our common national good.
“I reiterate my earlier appeal for us to put aside our differences and work together in a spirit of harmony and mutual understanding.”
Petrol stations across Nigeria are experiencing lengthy queues, reflecting concerns about fuel shortages due to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited‘s $6 billion backlog in petrol payments.
BusinessDay’s investigation revealed that NNPC owes around $6 billion to international traders for imported petrol, with payments now delayed beyond the typical 90 days.
Reuters reported that overdue payments of $4 billion to $5 billion for January imports alone have led international petrol suppliers to withdraw from recent tenders.
An industry insider disclosed to Reuters, “The only reason traders are putting up with it is the $250,000 a month (per cargo) for late payment compensation.”
These payment delays point to the return of fuel subsidies, which were scrapped in May 2023. The subsidies drain NNPC’s cash reserves, affecting its ability to import petrol and finance President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Two suppliers have already stopped participating in tenders after reaching their debt exposure limits to Nigeria. They will not send more gasoline until they receive payments.
NNPC’s suppliers, including international traders like Vitol, Mercuria, and Gunvor, as well as Nigeria-based trading houses, declined to comment as they were not authorized to speak to the media.
BusinessDay found that traders, while thriving in risky environments, limit their credit exposure to avoid excessive risk with one borrower. Consequently, Nigeria’s tenders for petrol in June and July were smaller.
NNPC will import about 850,000 tonnes in July, down from the usual 1 million tonnes in previous months, according to sources.
As a result, Nigerians are facing renewed petrol scarcity and long queues in major cities such as Lagos and Abuja.
Rishi Sunak, outgoing prime minister of the UK, has apologised to the Conservative Party after Labour won the general election by a landslide.
Sunak conceded defeat as the networks called the election for Keir Starmer of the Labour Party — who had reached the required 326 parliamentary seats.
The Conservative Party candidate retained his seat in Richmond & Northallerton however.
“Britain has delivered a sobering verdict. On this difficult night, I’d like to express my gratitude to the people of Richmond and Northallerton constituency for your continued support,” Sunak said.
“Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future.
“There is much to learn… and I take responsibility for the loss.”
The outcome of the election ends 14 years of Conservative government, in which time five different prime ministers ran the country.
Sunak was appointed prime minister on October 25, 2022, becoming the first British Asian and the first Hindu to assume the office.
At 42, Sunak became the youngest prime minister since Robert Jenkinson.
Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Industries Limited, says Nigeria’s economy can be turned around in a few months.
Dangogte addressed journalists in Abuja after the inauguration of the presidential economic coordination council (PECC) on Thursday.
“What I keep saying is that our own issues are not that bad, this economy can be turned around within few months and I think we are on that way,” he said.
The billionaire also pledged the support of the private sector in investing in job creation for Nigerians.
“The private sector will support the government to invest heavily and create jobs,” the business tycoon said.
“Government does not create jobs but they give us the right policies, you can see the interventions in gas sector, getting the OB3 to work will give the country additional $2 billion.”
On July 4, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the PECC and announced a N2 trillion economic stabilisation plan in a move to revive Nigeria’s struggling economy.
Established in March, the PECC is chaired by the president and includes key government officials such as the vice-president, the senate president, and the chairman of the governors’ forum.
Prominent private sector leaders, including Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and Bismarck Rewane will serve on the council for one year.
On July 2, Dangote had warned that the increase of interest rate to almost 30 percent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would stifle growth.
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, says the nation’s security will improve if traditional rulers are given constitutional roles.
The bill seeking to give traditional rulers constitutional roles did not scale through during the last assembly.
Speaking at an event to mark the one year anniversary of the 10th house, Abbas said through the ongoing constitutional amendment process, parliament will grant constitutionally recognised roles to traditional institutions.
“The 10th house, under my leadership, will do its best to give recognition to the traditional rulers during our constitution amendment exercise,” Abbas said.
“Many amendments were made in the past to grant constitutional recognition to traditional rulers, but they never saw the light of day.
“Because most of us in the house honestly believe that traditional institutions are the backbones of our society. We believe that the welfare of our people will be more enhanced with a legal role for the traditional institutions.”
Abbas said he constituted two special standing committees when he assumed office, to drive the process of actualising constitutional roles for traditional institutions, and achieving autonomy for local governments.
“We also believe the security of our country will be more enhanced if the traditional institutions are given better roles. That is the reason from the onset, we decided to create committees — two different ones — actually,” he added.
“One of them is the committee on traditional institutions to drive the process of giving legal recognition to the traditional institutions in this coming constitutional amendment.
“The second one is the committee on states and local governments.
“If we must make headway with the ongoing constitution amendment, state governments, state houses of assembly, local government councils and their councillors must be considered.
“That is the reason we decided that another committee dealing with issues of states and local governments should come on board.
“These two committees, we believe, will drive the process of reaching out to critical stakeholders in the states to ensure that the goal of local government autonomy is realised.”
Recall that there have been reports in the media that the refinery has being experiencing difficulties in securing crude oil in the country and has had to resort to importing from countries like the United States of America.
Speaking on the situation at the maiden edition of Prof Emeka Umerah’s public lecture, with the theme, ‘Nigeria Yesterday, Today and a Prosperous Future’ in Abuja, Oshiomhole lamented those who were complaining about the fuel hike are those importing low quality diesel into the country.
Oshiomhole emphasised that it shouldn’t come to anybody as a surprise that many of those holding the country to ransom are Nigerians, who are domiciled in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
According to him, “It is the product of his work that Dangote Refinery now located in Lagos can satisfy the Nigerian market. Yet, some Nigerians who joined us in lamenting (the fuel hike) are the ones importing low-quality diesel prohibited in Europe. They are bringing in diesel that will pollute our environment, destroy our engines, and use our scarce foreign exchange to pay for it. Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery in Lagos is in a position to produce diesel and even announced a reduction of the price.
“But these Nigerians who put themselves first before the country are not interested. They live here in Abuja, unknown to ballot and not scrutinized by the Nigerian electorates. Their names don’t appear in any newspaper. You (Nigerians) will abuse the president, yet he has no knowledge about what is going on because he has saddled people with the responsibility. And when you ask them, they will say ‘Look at the PIB Act.”
[NaijaNews]
PRESS RELEASE
On 28 June 2024, Nigeria signed the Samoa Agreement at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium.
The partnership agreement is between the EU and its Member States on one hand, and the members of the OACPS on the other.
Negotiations on the agreement started in 2018, on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly. It was signed in Apia, Samoa on the 15th of November 2018 by all 27 EU Member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member states.
The agreement has 103 articles comprising a common foundational compact and three regional protocols, namely: Africa –EU; Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols with each regional protocol addressing the peculiar issues of the regions.
The African Regional Protocol consists of two parts. The first is the Framework for Cooperation, while the second deals with Areas of Cooperation, containing Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth and Development; Human and Social Development; Environment, Natural Resources Management, and Climate Change; Peace and Security; Human Rights, Democracy and Governance; and Migration and Mobility.
Nigeria signed the Agreement on Friday 28 June 2024. This was done after extensive reviews and consultations by the Interministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ). It was ensured that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravenes the 1999 Constitution as amended or the laws of Nigeria and other extant Laws.
In addition, Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated 26th June 2024, clarifying its understanding and context of the Agreement within its jurisdiction to the effect that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid. It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria enacted in 2014.
It is necessary to assure Nigerians that the President Bola Tinubu Administration, being a rule-based government will not enter into any international agreement that will be detrimental to the interest of the country and its citizens. In negotiating the Agreement, our officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and the OACPS for the process.
The Samoa Agreement is nothing but a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, to promote sustainable development, fight climate change and its effects, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among OACPS Member States at the international stage.
Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation.
More...
The federal government says Nigeria has won its bid to host the headquarters of the $5 billion Africa Energy Bank (AEB).
In a statement on Thursday, Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), described the development as a testament to the country’s leadership and commitment to the energy sector.
The decision, reached at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), places Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s energy future, Lokpobiri said.
“As the Minister for Petroleum Resources[Oil], I am incredibly proud of this achievement. The African Energy Bank will be a cornerstone for financing and advancing energy projects across Africa, promoting innovation, sustainability, and economic growth,” the statement reads.
“This is a remarkable victory for Nigeria and the entire African continent. It symbolizes our collective efforts to harness and develop our rich energy resources for a brighter, more sustainable future.
“Thank you to everyone who made this possible. Together, we are shaping the future of energy in Africa, starting right here in Nigeria!”
In March, Nigeria won the bid as the preferred host nation despite competing against Algeria, Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and South Africa.
The proposed AEB, which will focus investment in oil and gas projects across the continent, plans to start operations later this year with an initial $5 billion authorised capital base.
In November last year, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) had the African Energy Bank would be inaugurated in June 2024 to mitigate the crisis in the continent’s energy sector.
The lender said it had partnered with over 700 banks in Africa and its partners to chart a profitable pathway for the African energy sector.
Keir Starmer, the Labour Party candidate, has won the UK general election and will become the next prime minister of the country.
Labour has been declared official winner of the poll after reaching the required 326 parliamentary seats.
“Change begins now. It feels good, I have to be honest,” Starmer told a cheering crowd in central London.
Rishi Sunak, outgoing prime minister, said he takes responsibility for the loss of the Conservative Party.
“Britain has delivered a sobering verdict. On this difficult night, I’d like to express my gratitude to the people of Richmond and Northallerton constituency for your continued support,” Sunak said.
“The Labour Party has won this general election and I’ve called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
“Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future.
“The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight, there is much to learn… and I take responsibility for the loss.
“To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight, despite their tireless efforts, their local records and delivery, and their dedication to their communities, I am sorry.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Lagos State Command has beefed up security at its entrance in the wake of a planned protest.
The Nation reports Friday that operatives of the Lagos State Anti-Crime Outfit – Rapid Response Squad and men of the Department of State Services are among the joint security forces stationed at all routes leading to the EFCC office located at Awolowo Road in the Ikoyi area of the state.
On Thursday, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said intelligence at the disposal of some Civil Society Organisations showed that a former governor and two former ministers are behind the protests being organised against the EFCC.
This is coming after the commission had raised the alarm that some groups were planning a series of protests against it.
A user on X.com identified as #PidomNigeria had shared the demands of the protesters – Concerned Nigeria Youths, in a letter dated July 4, 2024, and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The protest is due to take place with a hashtag on X.com as #ReformEFCC.
As seen by PUNCH Online, the demands include, “Respect our fundamental human rights, Stop indiscriminate arrest and invasion of people’s homes/businesses in the middle of the night like armed robbers, Stop the stereotyping and profiling of young innocent Nigerian youths, Be more professional and civil in your operations,” among others.
The protest will take place in some other states across the country — Edo, Enugu, Kwara, Oyo, Gombe, and the Federal Capital Territory, among others.
[Punch]
Wale Edun, minister of finance, says the N2 trillion economic stabilisation plan announced by President Bola Tinubu will prioritise food and energy security.
Edun spoke to journalists after the inauguration of the presidential economic coordination council (PECC) on Thursday.
He said the council members were presented with the outcomes of the president’s review of the accelerated stability and advancement plan.
The minister described the plan as an emergency measure set to span the next six months following the approval of the N2 trillion intervention package.
He said the package includes N350 billion for health and social welfare, N500 billion for agriculture and food security, N500 billion for the energy and power sector, and N650 billion for general business support.
“This is in addition to a range of promising tax measures, there is a range of Executive Orders which the president’s signed and are been gazetted to ease the cost of doing business at this particular time,” Edun said.
“There are a number of funding which will reduce the cost of interest rate for certain sectors in economy with small and medium scale in particular but also larger companies there is a line of credit that will allow them to fall cheaper than the elevated rate.
“This plan is a means of stabilising the economy and [to] get business growing again.
“We know what has happened since the micro economic measures which are necessary and have been implemented in a determined and consistent manner led to elevated cost for industries and for individuals.”
Edun said Tinubu’s focus is on food security, food production, and nutrition security.
He reaffirmed the president’s commitment to reducing losses in the crude oil sector and increasing production and sales to 2 million barrels per day.
In his remarks, Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, said the president’s target of producing 2 million barrels of crude oil per day is achievable, emphasising the need to improve power generation in Nigeria.
In a move to revive Nigeria’s struggling economy, Tinubu announced a N2 trillion economic stabilisation plan on Thursday.
The plan was unveiled during the inauguration of the PECC.
Established in March, the PECC is chaired by the president and includes key government officials such as the vice-president, the senate president, and the chairman of the governors’ forum.
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Prominent private sector leaders, including Dangote, Elumelu, and Bismarck Rewane will serve on the council for one year.