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The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE said the planned 1-10 August hardship protest could cost Nigeria an estimated daily loss of N400,000 if not properly managed.
CPPE Director, Muda Yusuf disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the protest posed a grave danger to Nigeria’s already fragile economy.
According to the economic think-tank group, the organizers of the planned protest should not offer a platform for elements in the country who have criminal intentions and whose agenda is to inflict pain on innocent citizens and corporate organizations and destroy public assets.
It also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to expeditiously implement its economic stabilization plan to ease production costs and ultimately reduce inflationary pressures.
“The proposed nationwide protests portend grave dangers for an economy which is already in a very fragile state. The protests could inflict an estimated daily loss of N400 billion, if not properly managed.
“The consequences of such a huge loss for the country and the citizens would be very severe. “There is a high risk of shutdowns and disruptions in major sectors of the economy. These include trade and commerce, manufacturing, entertainment, transportation, logistics, financial services, the hospitality industry, agriculture, aviation, ICT, and construction sectors.
“This is in addition to risks to the lives and properties of innocent citizens and corporate bodies. The safety of government assets is also at risk.
“We cannot fix a problem by promoting such negative tendencies.
“Over 90 percent of employed Nigerians are in the informal sector. Employees in this space are dependent on daily income and any disruption to their economic activities beyond 24 hours could snowball into major social unrest. This underlines the country’s vulnerability to prolonged protests”, CPPE stated.
DAILY POST reports that a group known as the Take It Back Movement announced a planned Nationwide protest amid the rising cost of living and hardship in Nigeria.
TIB movement, through its solicitor, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa wrote to the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Service seeking protection during the protest.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun had asked protesters to provide details as a condition to ensure protection.
In the last weeks, there have been calls for and counter for the planned protest.
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Kingsley Moghalu, has explained why African countries can’t create prosperity.
Moghalu said Nigeria and other African countries have weak governance capacity, including foundational philosophical worldview, knowledge of public policy framing and execution, Monitoring and evaluation framework, amongst other.
He posted on X: “Why African countries can’t create prosperity: weak governance capacity. Absence of:
1. Foundational philosophical worldview (EVERY prosperous developed country has one).
2. Knowledge of public policy framing and execution.
3. Monitoring and evaluation framework.
4. Decision Science (data-based policy making).
5. Basic macroeconomic knowledge (as DepGov @cenbank this was obvious from interactions across @NigeriaGov and @nassnigeria ).
6. Strategy and risk management.
7. Understanding of the role of the private sector and the right balance between the state (regulation and policy) and the market.
8. Accountability (in reality) for corruption, thus allowing corruption (which exists everywhere) to become systemic and completely divert away from a true focus of governance on development.
9. Nationhood. Too much atomistic thinking along identity (ethnic and religious) lines. This completely destroys any inclination to objectivity in decision making. In the absence of a true worldview many African countries are “governed” by small views.”
The federal government has directed the Vice Chancellors of universities to tighten security in their various campuses ahead of planned nationwide protests being organized bodies over the growing economic hardship in the country.
Chris Maiyaki, the Acting Executive National Universities Commission (NUC), in a letter to the Vice Chancellors on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, asked the Vice Chancellors to take other proactive measures to protect the school environment, its properties and staff.
The letter reads: “The Honourable Minister of Education has directed that the attention of Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities be formally drawn to the plan by unknown groups to embark on nationwide protests.
“The Federal Government is not unaware of the right of any Nigerian to peaceful protest, but is concerned about the safety of staff, students and university property should there be any protest action.
“Consequently, the Minister has directed that Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities should take proactive steps to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students.
“In addition, Vice-Chancellors are to please issue specific statements to assure staff and students of their safety. It is also advisable that students remain on campus to focus on their academic pursuits so as to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protests. Please accept the renewed assurances of my highest considerations and best wishes.”
Tension is rising across the country as organizers of the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1 to 10 have vowed not to back down.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians, who are irked by the prevailing economic situation ravaging the nation, vowed to stage mass protests in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, next month.
The demonstration, according to the organizers, is aimed at drawing the attention of the governments at various levels to the hardship bedeviling the citizens.
The agenda is also to possibly persuade the current administration into reversing some policies that birthed the current economic reality.
This has triggered tension across the country with some government officials, business owners, security agencies fidgeting over possible attacks on them.
Hardship
DAILY POST reports that the nation has been clouded in the plague of hunger since President Bola Tinubu announced the end of fuel subsidy era in 2023.
On Wednesday, the National Bureau of Statistics disclosed in its June report that prices of some food items skyrocketed as high as 250 percent recently.
According to the data obtained by DAILY POST, one kilogram of white Garri (sold loose) went up by 181.66 percent on a year-on-year basis from N 403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024, while there was an increase of 1.86 percent on a month-on-month basis.
Also, the price of 1kg of beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,292.76 indicating a rise of 252.13 percent from N651.12 recorded in June 2023.
Similarly, 1kg of Yam tuber increased by 295.79 percent on a year-on-year basis from N510.77 in June 2023 to N 2,021.55 in May 2024.
The report added that there was also a notable price increase of Irish potato by 288.5 percent on a year-on-year basis from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.
According to the organizers of the looming protest, the inability of Nigerians to afford the food items and other basic needs is what stimulated the move for the ten days nationwide protests titled the “Days Of Rage”.
Security concerns
There are concerns that the proposed protest may worsen the security crisis already facing the nation.
The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters and the Department of State Services have all raised the alarm that the planned protest may result in anarchy.
DAILY POST recalls that the Defence Headquarters on Thursday warned that the planned protest has the potential of degenerating into anarchy and a reign of terror.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, who spoke while briefing journalists in Abuja, said that there were signs of status-related violence such that persons with things as basic as smartphones and cars were targets, not leaving out those who own houses and shops.
Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force issued a cautionary alert, citing credible intelligence about potential manipulation by foreign mercenaries and the involvement of malicious groups aiming to disrupt public order.
Olukayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police IGP, expressed concerns about the involvement of external actors in the protests, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to exercise caution before joining any protest groups.
In the same vein, the Department of State Services, DSS warned the organisers of the protests against proceeding with their plans.
The service alerted the general public that it uncovered a plan by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and cause unrest in the country.
DSS, in a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, described the motive behind the protest as political
He claimed that plotters of the protest intended to use the violent outcome of the demonstration to smear the federal and sub-national governments.
Organizers vow not to back down
Despite the warnings, cautions and concerns raised from different quarters, the organizers of the proposed protest said there is no going back.
A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, who is one of the key organizers, told DAILY POST on Saturday that the protest will hold as scheduled.
In a chat with DAILY POST correspondent, the popular Nigerian activist said the organizers are even under pressure to start the #EndBadGovernmnetInNigeria
He said, “The #EndBadGovernmnetInNigeria #DaysOfRage will take place on August 1st 2024 as scheduled; Organizers are under pressure to start earlier”.
Asked if he would be physically present during the protest, Sowore who as of the time of this report is in the United States, said “the revolt will occur globally; yes, I will participate fully”.
On the controversy surrounding the inclusion of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in the 15 key demands recently reeled out by the organizers, Sowore said demanding Kanu’s release “is the right thing to do”.
He said, “We understand that as an ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse country, some may find the inclusion of free Nnamdi Kanu a bit challenging but it is the right thing to do to address the monumental injustices intertwined in the legally tangled conundrum the federal government has found itself in sustaining Kanu’s unjust incarceration.
“When Free Elzakyaky was included in 2019, some people frowned at it but today, he is a free man and the heavens did not fall”.
Stakeholders beg organizers to shelve protest, embrace dialogue
Politicians, groups, organizations, business owners and other stakeholders have continued to call for dialogue in place of the planned protest.
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere on Saturday told DAILY POST that rather than embarking on a protest that may eventually lead to destruction of lives and properties, the organizers should engage in dialogue.
Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere national publicity secretary, in a chat with our correspondent, said memories of the destruction that marred the 2020 EndSARS still remained fresh.
He said, “like we have said, the experience of what happened during the EndSARS in 2020 is still fresh in our minds. Scars of the protests can still be felt in various places.
“The nonpareil modern laboratory in Lagos that was destroyed then could not be replaced up till now. A laboratory that had nothing to do with what the protesters were venting their anger against.
“The destruction of the laboratory has meant that tests that could be routinely done in Lagos now have to be taken to the United States of America. Instances abound in other parts of the country.
“Since, dialogues would be employed to resolve conflicts, it’s better to engage in dialogues rather than allowing conflicts to degenerate into street protests that stand the chance of being hijacked by irate mobs.”
Planned protests lack well-defined objective – Arewa Youths
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, says it won’t participate in the planned nationwide protests, saying the objective of the organizers is not well defined.
The President General of AYCF, Yerima Shettima told DAILY POST on Saturday that though protest is a legitimate right of citizens, violence should not be an option.
He said, “The right to peacefully assemble and voice grievances is a fundamental right that is enshrined in the constitution of many countries, including Nigeria.
“However, the effectiveness and appropriateness of the protests that are being planned in Nigeria have sparked a debate on many issues.
“While protest is a legitimate and vital tool for citizens to gather and raise their voices in unity, it is essential that protests are conducted in a peaceful and organized manner.
“Violence and destruction during protests can have negative consequences, leading to harm to individuals and property and undermining the message that the protesters are trying to convey.
“It is crucial that protests are aimed at sparking dialogue, raising awareness, and enacting positive change, rather than inciting chaos and harm.
“It is essential that the North and other regions in Nigeria are advised against participating in protests that do not have well-defined objectives and may potentially lead to unrest and instability”.
Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that the current fuel crisis in the country was introduced to stifle Nigerians planning protest on August 1.
Sowore in a post on his X handle on Monday also accused mobile telecommunication companies of deliberately targeting Nigerians to slow down their ability to communicate and mobilize.
According to him, Nigerians were more than ever determined to end bad governance in Nigeria.
He said: “FUEL CRISIS has been introduced to stifle Nigerias planning #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria
TELCOS – @MTNNG @GloWorld @AirtelNigeria are deliberately targeting Nigerians to slow down their ability to communicate and mobilize.
Nigerians are determined more than ever to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria during the #DaysOfRage
#Nogoingback #RevolutionNow.”
DAILY POST reports that depots for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly called petrol, are currently dry, leading to fuel scarcity and attendant queues in major states across the country.
DAILY POST learnt that black marketers have taken advantage of the situation, with some selling as high as N1,300 per litre and N1,500 per litre in Enugu, Lagos and Ogun states.
The development is coming on the heels of the plan by some Nigerians who are mobilising for nationwide protest slated for August 1 to August 10, 2024.
The organisers of the protest have lamented about widespread hunger and inflation in the country.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has claimed that elecommunications companies in the country could be trying to hinder the upcoming protest against economic hardship.
Adegboruwa in a statement on Sunday, said there were a lot of complaints about network restrictions as the date for the protest approaches.
Scheduled to begin on August 1, the demonstration aims to address issues of hunger, poverty, and dissatisfaction with current economic policies.
He noted, “In recent days, some telecom companies have been disconnecting subscribers for trivial or unexplained reasons.”
Adegboruwa also criticised the timing of these disconnections, suggesting that they are intended to limit the reach of protestors and frustrate the planned demonstration.
The SAN noted that telecom contracts are binding and that subscribers should be given adequate time and information to address any issues.
He urged the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. to investigate the matter and ensure that subscribers’ rights are protected.
Fuel scarcity has hit several states across Nigeria, including Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Niger, and others, leading to long queues at fuel stations and a hike in prices.
Naija News understands that the situation has been exacerbated by the dryness of many depots, with black marketers taking advantage of the scarcity to sell fuel at exorbitant prices.
According to reports, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) attributed the tightness in fuel supply and distribution to a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.
“The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that the tightness in fuel supply and distribution witnessed in some parts of Lagos and the FCT is as a result of a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels,” the NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said.
The company added that it was “working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations.”
However, despite the assurance by the NNPC that the situation would be resolved, the scarcity has worsened, with many fuel stations running dry.
According to The PUNCH, there was no loading of trucks in the Apapa depots as of Sunday.
A depot operator, who did not want his name in print, stated that there was no fuel in almost all the depots on Sunday after the little available was supplied on Saturday.
The source confirmed that the depots are dry, saying “supply gets late thereby affecting product load out.”
In Lagos, black marketers were selling fuel for as high as N1,300 per liter and N1,500 per liter in some areas. The situation was similar in Ogun State, where fuel was sold for N1,200 per liter. In Abuja, the capital city, fuel was sold for between N660 per liter and N800 per liter, while black marketers sold for N1,200 per liter.
Oil marketers revealed that they were also queuing up to load petrol, adding that most depots lacked stock to sell.
The National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, stated that marketers were buying PMS at a price above N700 per liter from private depots.
“We, marketers, too are surprised that we couldn’t get fuel as we used to get at depots. We were worried too; we didn’t know the cause until the NNPC came out with a release on Saturday. Let’s just believe what the NNPC said, that they would arrest the situation,” Fashola told The PUNCH.
“I believe that within this week, everything will be normalised by the time they push products to the depots for marketers to pick from. Ours is to pick from the depots, take it into our stations, and dispense to the public. But for now, most of the depots are dry. The implication of that is that the stations will be dry too. Most of our members have run out of stock. That is the cause of the queues we are experiencing now,” he added.
He noted that marketers were still buying PMS “at a price that is above N700/litre from the private depots.
“We are not yet getting direct supply from the NNPC as we are supposed to. What we are getting is so small compared to our population. That is why we are forced to go to the third parties, the private depot owners, and they are not helping matters with the kind of price they are putting out there.
“That is why independent marketers sell around N800 or so. Until we address this issue of direct supply, there will be issues. We keep shouting to the NNPC to look at that area properly because something is fundamentally wrong with our distribution channel and until they correct that, we will continue to have this issue of fuel scarcity.”
The Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, confirmed that there had been low stock but could not tell when the situation would improve.
He noted that the problem was that the stock was low because there had been some challenges in bringing the product into the country from the vessels.
“The problem is that the stock is low because there have been some challenges in bringing the product into the country from the vessels. We are all queuing up for products, everybody is looking for the product from the NNPC. Only the NNPC knows when normalcy will be restored. It is the sole supplier,” Isong stated
The situation has led to an increase in transportation fares, with commuters lamenting the hike in prices.
In some areas, black marketers were selling fuel for as high as N1,500 per liter, while fuel stations sold for between N750 and N800 per liter.
The fuel scarcity has also affected economic activities, with many businesses struggling to operate due to the high cost of fuel. The situation has further increased the cost of living in many states, with residents lamenting the hardship.
The NNPC has been urged to address the issue of direct supply, as marketers are forced to buy from private depots at high prices. The situation has led to a call for the government to intervene and resolve the fuel scarcity.
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has cautioned his supporters against attacking veteran actor cum politician, Kenneth Okonkwo.
Obi, in a statement via his X account in the early hours of Monday, 29th July, said Okonkwo should not be labelled as a mole, adding that the lawyer has been with him through thick and thin and remains a beloved brother and ally.
The statement follows an earlier declaration by Okonkwo on Sunday in which he cut ties with Obi.
Naija News reports that Okonkwo made this known in a statement via his Instagram page on Sunday, accusing Peter Obi of being too weak and indecisive to confront national issues.
The movie star noted that the series of events in the Labour Party inspired his determination to chart a new course in his political journey, especially as Peter Obi has refused to seize the moment to build a solid party of integrity.
In reaction, the Labour Party (LP) on Sunday, through its National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, said it is aware of the moles within its ranks who are sure to be exposed and fumigated.
But Obi, in his reaction, said he has no issues with Okonkwo, maintaining that it is normal to have disagreements but very important to maintain respect and decorum.
The former Anambra State Governor added that personally, he doesn’t want to work with anyone who agrees with him always because he is the leader.
The Labour Party leader therefore urged his followers to desist from attacking Okonkwo.
The full statement by Obi reads: “Yesterday, I read my dear brother Kenneth Okonkwo’s open letter in which he expressed differing views with me on the skirmishes in our party. And today I saw various responses to the letter.
“I want to, therefore, categorically and emphatically declare that Barrister Okonkwo remains my beloved brother and a trusted ally. I sternly caution against referring to him as a mole or making any negative remarks.
“Barr. Kenneth Okonkwo has stood by me through thick and thin, and his loyalty and commitment cannot be overstated or diminished. Disagreements and differing opinions are a natural part of any group, society, or movement, and it is essential to maintain a level of respect and decorum even when we disagree.
“Having differing views does not make someone an enemy, and it is crucial to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to personal attacks or negative remarks.
“In fact, to me personally, I don’t want to work with anyone who always agrees with me, because as a leader, learning and listening are critical components of leadership. I want to listen to those who have different opinions and try to convince them otherwise or take their advice if it is better.
“I urge all believers of a New Nigeria to remain strong, resilient, and focused, and to refrain from discouragement or negative remarks towards Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo or anyone who leaves or disagrees with our views, strategies or tactics.
“My message is clear and simple: unity, respect, and civility must prevail, even in the face of disagreement and variance. -PO”
Planned Protest: FG issues circular to VCs over protection of staff, students, infrastructures
Admin
In view of the proposed national protest slated for August 1, the Federal Ministry of Education, has issued a circular to all Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities to guarantee the protection of staff, students and public infrastructures in their respective domain.
The circular issued through the National Universities Commission NUC, and signed by the Acting Executive Secretary, Dr Chris Maiyaki on Monday, morning acknowledged the right to protest but expressed fears about the potentials for violence.
The circular is titled: “Urgent Arrangements for the Security and Safety of University Staff, Students and Property During the Proposed Nationwide Protests”, emanated from the directive of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman
It reads, “the Minister of Education has directed that the attention of Vice- Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities be formally drawn to the plan by unknown groups to embark on nationwide protests. The Federal Government is not unaware of the right of any Nigerian to peaceful protest, but is concerned about the safety of staff, students and university property should there be any protest action.
“Consequently, the Honourable Minister has directed that Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities should take pro-active steps to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students.
“In addition, Vice-Chancellors are to please issue specific statements to assure staff and students of their safety.
“It is also advisable that students remain on campus to focus on their academic pursuits so as to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protests.
“Please accept the renewed assurances of my highest considerations and best wishes”.
[DailyPost]
A former governor of Taraba State, Jolly Iyame has claimed that the planned nationwide protest on August 1 is a plot to remove the democratically elected government through the back door.
Iyame made the claim on Sunday while addressing a gathering of Yoro youths and community leaders at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Jalingo.
He warned the youths against joining the nationwide protest, insisting that the outcome may be difficult to contain, considering the challenges facing the country.
The former governor said, “We are all aware of the plan by some Nigerians to vent their anger on the government by agreeing to a national protest or shutdown. I must admit that in view of certain policies and long-standing national issues, the government should take the blame for some of the problems affecting our nation.
“However, we as Nigerians must examine our actions in the face of this unfortunate situation, to see whether or not we have contributed positively or otherwise in our various walks of life, to this situation.
“Whereas every Nigerian has the right to complain or protest against bad governance, the language employed by the planners is threatening, divisive and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected government.
“For this reason, I must warn you against joining the so-called National citizens protest being planned against the Government under the guise of advocating for good governance.”
He warned that the action can only worsen the situation and endanger the lives of thousands of people, pointing out that there is already a constitutional means of removing a bad government through the ballot box and not brigandage and terrorism.
“As you all know, Yoro is a peaceful and hard-working nation, with the people engaged in various noble means of livelihood, like farming. Indeed, we are among the largest producers of yams and other food items in Nigeria. We are not an idling society in which people engage in all types of vices for survival. We have no time to waste in a national protest that can only promote destruction,” he added.
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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
Admin
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.