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You Have 7 Days To Prove $3B Was Spent On Kaduna, Warri, PH Refineries – Falana Writes Contractors
AFOLABI
Popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has written to the contractors handling the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries, demanding information on the completion date for the rehabilitation works.
Falana, in his letter, said the companies may be private entities, but the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act makes them bound to respond to his request because they used public funds for the refinery rehabilitation.
The senior advocate addressed his letters to the Managing Directors of both firms handling the project, Marie Tecnimont S.P.A and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd.
Falana, in the letters dated Sept 17 as reported by Channels Television, confirmed that the Federal Government awarded Maire Tecnimont S.P.A. the contracts for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refineries for the sum of US$1.5bn while Saipem got the contracts for the Warri and Kaduna refineries for the same amount.
“In line with the terms of the contract which was awarded sometime in April 2021, the project is expected to be completed in three phases of 18, 24 and 44 months,” he said.
The lawyer added that failure to provide the requested information will result in legal redress at the court.
“In the case of Coscharis Motors Ltd. v. The E.I.E Project Ltd/GTE & Anor. (2022) CLRN 63, the Court of Appeal held that a “private body or company would be as accountable as a public institution or body under the Act if it has provided any form of public services, or performed any form of public function or utilized public funds.
“In view of the foregoing, you are advised to accede to our request in order to assure the Nigerian people that the contract sum of $1.5 billion has been judiciously utilised for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcout refineries,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in Saturday’s Edo State governorship election, over his victory at the polls.v
President Tinubu said that the vvictory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
Senator Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, having defeated other contenders for the position.
President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory.
He urged Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service.
He encouraged him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.
President Tinubu also praised other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democracy.
He urged all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.
In addition, the president commended the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.
“I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful and largely hitch-free exercise.
“INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country”, President Tinubu says.
National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on his victory at the Edo State Governorship election.
Chief Press Secretary to the APC National Chairman, Edwin Olofu in a statement on Monday might in Abuja, said “The triumph is a testament to the confidence the good people of Edo State have in the progressive vision and leadership of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC administration”.
The National Chairman Ganduje conveyed the party’s warmest felicitations to Okpebholo.
“He asserted that his victory reflects the trust and hope placed in his leadership, as well as the hard work and resilience of other party members and supporters who ensured a free, fair, and peaceful election.
“Ganduje expressed confidence that with Senator Okpebholo’s leadership, Edo State is poised to witness unprecedented growth, peace, and development that will transform the lives of its citizens.
“He promised that Okpebholo will continue to uphold the values of good governance, transparency, and service to the people which have been the bedrock of the APC’s vision for Nigeria”, the statement added.
Says pricing remains a big issue
MARKETERS have expressed optimism that they would be able to lift premium motor spirit (also known as petrol) directly from Dangote Refinery as scarcity of the product persists across the country.
Checks around Abuja, yesterday, showed most retail outlets were still without the product three months after the current shortages began.
Speaking to Vanguard, the Public Relations Officer, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, explained that the marketers were optimistic about reaching an agreement that would allow them to get supply directly from the $20 billion refinery.
Chief Ukadike disclosed that a meeting has been scheduled this week between the independent marketers and officials of the refinery.
He said: “There is a meeting scheduled for this week between Dangote and IPMAN. We are happy that Dangote has set on a new course in terms of looking to other stakeholders to distribute its products.
”It is now distributing to major marketers and we are hopeful that with time it will start distributing to independent marketers.
“For the refinery to also start distributing through the coastal areas with vessels is a good move. This will remove the ghost scarcity that has persisted for a long time. Once it takes off effectively, ghost scarcity will be gone.”
He noted that pricing remains a big issue in the distribution of petrol, stressing that independent marketers have to lift the product at a price that would allow them to be competitive.
Speaking on the N766 per litre supply to major marketers, Ukadike said: “It’s not a good price now but I must tell you that supply will determine price. Deregulation is all about competition and the factors of demand and supply come to play. When the product is enough within the country, the price will go down.”
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has urged residents to remain calm and avoid resorting to violence in response to the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election.
Following the declaration of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner, Obaseki assured Edo people that justice will prevail through legal channels.
In his statement, Obaseki acknowledged the widespread disappointment with the electoral process, which he said was tainted by “impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law.”
He noted that many residents feel powerless in the wake of the results, but emphasised that violence is not the solution.
“In the last few months, the various political parties have embarked on very rigorous campaigns to sell their respective candidates for the office of governor to the people of Edo State in an exercise which came to a climax yesterday with the gubernatorial election.
“The attractive thing about democracy is the power it bestows on the people to choose who governs them. Therefore, when this power is blatantly seized from the people, it is not just a tragedy, but a travesty of democracy.
“Regrettably, the outcome of the September 21st governorship election appears to have daunted the spirit of many Edo people who feel powerless in the face of the brute force of the institutions that are supposed to protect them. It is therefore understandable that many people feel sad and aggrieved.” He stated.
“In the midst of this despair, I am urging all my fellow Edo citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property in spite of this provocation,” Obaseki said, adding, “Peace and justice will always win at the end and this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time.”
The governor also encouraged those aggrieved by the election to explore legal means to challenge the outcome, reminding the public that democracy provides safeguards for addressing grievances.
Obaseki concluded by urging Edo citizens to continue with their lawful activities, assuring them that the government remains committed to their security and well-being.
Republican Donald Trump has ruled out running again in the United States’ 2028 presidential election if he loses in the upcoming November poll, according to an interview aired on Sunday.
Responding to a question on whether he would run again if he lost, the 78-year-old former president told US news program “Full Measure”: “No, I don’t. I think that that will be, that will be it. I don’t see that at all.”
The billionaire did, however, say he hoped to be “successful” at the ballot box on voting day on November 5.
Trump is currently neck-and-neck with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, including in the key battleground states that often decide close US elections.
The Democratic Party has seen a resurgence in support after the withdrawal of President Joe Biden as its candidate in July, following a disastrous debate against Trump.
Trump lost to Biden in 2020 but refused to accept he was defeated, riling supporters by saying the election was “stolen” and fueling conspiracy theories.
On January 6, 2021, fervent Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in an attempt, spurred by his allegations, to stop the certification of the election result.
The Republican has notably refused several times in recent months to commit to unconditionally recognizing the result of the upcoming election.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Sunday condemned the outcome of the Edo State governorship election.
On Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the September 21 governorship poll.
But in a statement, Fintiri said he wept for Nigeria’s democracy, describing the exercise as shameful.
“I weep for Nigeria’s democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo Gubernatorial poll. The APC’s desperate attempts to discredit me by falsely claiming I announced results won’t distract from the real issue. I merely shared results from INEC’s Irev portal, as collated by INEC from the various Local Government Areas,” Fintiri said.
“What’s truly shameful is APC’s national chairman flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their Governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters.
“This blatant disregard for democratic norms is the real brigandage. Nigerians are outraged, slamming INEC for compromising and favoring APC. The reported vote-buying, disruption of collation processes, and suspicious results with more votes than accredited voters undermine trust in our democracy. Democracy indeed is under attack.
“We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better.”
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, has emerged victorious in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
The off-cycle election had 17 candidates contest for the exalted seat at the Dennis Osadebay House in Benin City, Edo State.
The governorship election was held in 4,519 polling units across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
Naija News understands that Okpebhole had the support of the former governor and lawmaker representing Edo North senatorial district, Adams Oshiomhole.
The electoral process was widely contested by Okpebhole, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
Okpebholo won in Esan West, Owan West, Egor, Akoko-Edo, Esan Central, Orhionmwon, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Etsako West, Oredo Local Government Areas.
The APC candidate secured a total of 291,667 votes. His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 247,655 votes.
Olumide Akpata, representing the Labour Party (LP), finished third, receiving a total of 22,763 votes.
Meanwhile, the PDP in Edo has appealed to the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, to review the results collated for the governorship election before the final announcement of the winner of the election.
PDP Chairman in Edo, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, told newsmen on Sunday in Benin that the entries the electoral officers made were totally different from the actual results uploaded on the INEC IREV at the polling units.
Aziegbemi noted that the results had allegedly been inflated in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) through deducted votes from the PDP.
The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has levelled serious allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the conduct of the Edo governorship election.
Speaking at a press conference in Benin on Sunday, Fintiri, the chairman of the Edo PDP campaign council, claimed that agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were denied access to the INEC office before the collation process.
The governor further alleged that the collation of results was violently disrupted in several local government areas, raising alarms about the integrity of the election.
As the situation unfolds, the PDP is demanding accountability from INEC and urging for a transparent and fair collation of the election results, emphasizing the need for every vote to count in line with democratic principles.
According to him, “In Edo South, local government collation processes were stopped in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor and moved illegally to the State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin on the instructions of an Assistant Inspector General (AIG), in complete breach of the statutory collation process.
“Affected party agents and representatives were then ordered to converge on the INEC State Headquarters in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area for the completion of the collation exercise.
“Upon arrival, agents of the PDP were not allowed into the INEC State Office for the exercise. On the other hand, agents of the APC were allowed unfettered access into the INEC premises to participate in the collation process. This was also in breach of the Electoral Act section on neutrality, as well as the rules and regulations published for these elections.”
The Adamawa governor added that at about 9 pm, “senior officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accompanied by the police, stormed the Etsako West LGA collation centre and began shooting indiscriminately.”
“As a result of the attack, the council vice chairman was left in a critical condition from a shooting injury. Because of this assault, the expected results from Wards 7 and 11 were not delivered.
“At the INEC state office, a 2km barricade was created by the police to cordon off access, thereby restricting movement in the area”, he said.
Fintiri reeled out some local government results, emphasizing that his announcement did not override the electoral umpire’s authority.
He added that the figures were those received from party agents.
“I did not announce results, I only informed the public of the exact figures from our collation agents that was ongoing before INEC disrupted the process… INEC should be accused of violating the Electoral Act, not me,” Fintiri said.
He said, “It took the protest of Governor Obaseki, who made an entry to the state INEC office and registered the displeasure of the PDP with the irregularities of the collation process, for things to move forward.
“We thereby demand a restoration of the collation process in accordance with the Electoral Act and the INEC rules and regulations for this election.
“Any other illegal and unlawful action going forward will be a violation of the will of the people and abuse of the Electoral Act.”
Edo 2024: APC’s Okpebholo Leads PDP, LP With 48,000 Votes As INEC Announces 16 LGAs Results [Full List]
AFOLABI![Edo 2024: APC’s Okpebholo Leads PDP, LP With 48,000 Votes As INEC Announces 16 LGAs Results [Full List]](/media/k2/items/cache/fdfce378f96d6b4db342143ba8f7ccb9_S.jpg?t=20240922_165423)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is currently leading in the Edo State governorship election race.
Naija News recalls that the Edo State gubernatorial election was held across the South-south State on Saturday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday announced the results from 16 LGAs.
According to the results announced so far, Okpebholo secured 244,549 votes, while Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, garnered 195,954 votes.
Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, LP, got a total of 13,348 votes.
Meanwhile, the electoral umpire has announced a 3-hour br to await results from the final two local governments.
Collation is set to resume at 5 p.m.
See results released from 16 Local Government Areas:
Etsako West LGA
APC: 32,107
LP: 2,116
PDP: 17,483
Total Accredited Voters: 54,304
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Etsako Central LG
APC: 11,906
PDP: 8,455
LP: 381
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Etsako East LG
APC: 20,167
PDP: 9,683
LP: 604
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Owan East, LG
APC: 19,380
PDP: 14,189
LP: 446
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Orhionmwon LG
APC: 16,059
PDP: 14,614
LP: 556
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Ovia South-West LG
APC: 10,150
PDP: 10,260
LP: 849
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Esan North-East LG
APC: 10,648
PDP: 12,522
LP: 194
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Esan Central LG
APC: 10,990
PDP: 8,618
LP: 418
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Egor LG
APC: 16,760
PDP: 14,658
LP: 1,966
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Akoko-Edo LG
APC: 34,847
PDP: 15,865
LP: 2,239
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Esan South-East LG
APC: 8,398
PDP: 14,199
LP: 98
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Ovia North-East LG
APC: 13,225
PDP: 15,311
LP: 1,675
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Uhunmwonde LG
APC: 8,776
PDP: 9,339
LP: 769
#EdoDecide2024
Edo Official INEC Results:
Owan West LG
APC: 12,277
PDP: 11,284
LP: 201
#EdoDecides24
Edo Official INEC Results:
Esan West LG
APC: 12,952
PDP: 11,004
LP: 342
#EdoDecides24
Edo Official INEC Results:
Igueben LG
APC: 5,907
PDP: 8,470
LP: 494
#EdoDecide2024
More...
Election Observers have raised concerns about the transperency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Edo election.
They include Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa
According to them “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process. We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognizing reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.”
They added: “In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the electoral act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.
“We further call on security agencies to refrain from interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, the media, and election observers are granted full access to collation centers. We wish to emphasize that the role of security agencies in the election is to safeguard the process and not to create a situation that will undermine the transparency of the process and thus impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election.”
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for the United States to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In a statement on Sunday, Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, said Shettima’s trip to UNGA was at the behest of President Bola Tinubu.
The 79th UNGA with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations,” will be held between September 24 and 28.
“It would be recalled that President Tinubu had directed the Vice President to lead the Nigerian delegation to the high-level global forum while he focuses on addressing pressing domestic issues, including the recent devastating flood disaster,” the statement reads.
Nkwocha said during the session, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, participate in key meetings on the sidelines of the event, and engage in bilateral discussions.
The president had said that only authorised government officials will attend this year’s UNGA.
Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, conveyed Tinubu’s directive during a one-day retreat organised by the State House management for heads of government agencies under its supervision.
Gbajabiamila said the decision to reduce the country’s delegation to the UNGA is part of the “administration’s commitment to ensure prudent management of resources and reduce the cost of governance”.
[TheCable]
Some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel some polling units results in line with the Electoral Acts.
The CSOs, Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa, in a joint statement, on Sunday, slammed personnel of Nigeria security agencies deployed in Saturday’s Edo governorship election for unprofessional conduct.
The Edo Governorship election observer groups added that there are reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers.
It read: “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process.
“We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognizing reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.
“In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the electoral act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.”
The statement added: “We further call on security agencies to refrain from interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, the media, and election observers are granted full access to collation centers. We wish to emphasize that the role of security agencies in the election is to safeguard the process and not to create a situation that will undermine the transparency of the process and thus impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election.”
A former governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomole, has denied the allegation that the All Progressives Congress has already stock-pilled money to buy votes of the people during the election.
Oshiomole who is also the senator representing the Edo North Senatorial District of the state, also said he had not received any report of violence from anywhere across the state, as the election was ongoing.
Speaking with journalists shortly after casting his votes on Saturday at Iyamho, Ward 10 Unit 01 in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, the former governor said the voting had been going on peacefully.
The former governor said, “It is laughable when I hear this kind of allegation. You have been did you see anywhere where they are sharing money? People turned out in large numbers to vote for us because they wanted good government. During our campaign, people came out to see me not because I wanted to give them something but because of what I have done for them while I was in the office as the governor.
“All structures that I have put in place 12, 13 years ago are still there but the ones put up by the present administration, in one year, they are washed off. So our people have seen the difference. Some people do tell me that since I left the government, they haven’t seen the real presence of government in their communities.”