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Nigeria’s currency fell to a record low of N1,416 per dollar at the parallel market following strong demand amid shortage as traders hoard the available dollars.
This indicated a 15.19 percent depreciation year-on-year when compared to N1,200 at the beginning of the month.
“Some people are hoarding the dollars waiting for when the demand will be high. Again, the market is uncertain of the next action by the government, a trader who gave his name as Aliu said.
At the official foreign exchange (FX) market, naira weakened by 0.41 percent as the dollar was quoted at N882.24 on Wednesday as against N878.61 closed on Tuesday at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), data from the FMDQ showed.
During the intraday trading on Wednesday, currency dealers quoted one dollar at N1,313, (high) on the spot and N700 lower rate. However, the rates were stronger than N1,336.05 and N701 per dollar respectively quoted on Tuesday.
The daily foreign exchange market turnover declined marginally by 3.18 percent to $56.60 million on Wednesday from $58.46 million recorded on Tuesday.
Yemi Cardoso, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, on Wednesday declared that the national currency, the naira, is currently undervalued. Speaking at the launch of the NESG 2024 Macroeconomic Outlook report, he outlined the bank’s commitment to stabilizing the currency through genuine price discovery.
Cardoso emphasized a coordinated approach with fiscal measures to expedite the process, stating, “We believe that the naira is currently undervalued, and coupled with coordinated measures on the fiscal side, we will expedite genuine price discovery in the near term. This coordinated approach will contribute to a more balanced and stable exchange rate.”
Highlighting collaborative efforts, he pointed to initiatives ensuring that all foreign exchange (FX) inflows pass through the Central Bank.
This coordinated effort, he said, would greatly enhance the bank’s FX flows and contribute to the accretion of reserves.
Cardoso attributed the expected stability in the foreign exchange market for 2024 to the reduction in petroleum products imports and the recent implementation of a market-determined exchange rate policy.
He said, “This reform is designed to streamline and unify multiple exchange rates, fostering transparency and reducing arbitrage opportunities. The resulting consistent and stable exchange rate will not only boost investor confidence but also attract foreign investment, elevating Nigeria’s appeal to global investors.”
[BusinessNg]
The social media group, Meta, has rolled out new features that will place further restrictions on how teens receive messages on Facebook and Instagram.
The company said the new measures being rolled out today build on its earlier policy restricting people above 19 from messaging teens who are not following them.
Meta said it is now turning off teens’ ability to receive DMs from anyone they do not follow or are not connected to on Instagram including other teens by default.
In addition, Meta is also making its parental controls more robust by allowing guardians to allow or deny changes in default privacy settings made by teens. Previously, when teens changed these settings, guardians got a notification, but they couldn’t take any action on them.
What Meta is saying
Announcing the new features to protect teens on its social media platforms on Thursday, Meta said:
- “To help protect teens from unwanted contact on Instagram, we restrict adults over the age of 19 from messaging teens who don’t follow them, and we limit the type and number of direct messages (DMs) people can send to someone who doesn’t follow them to one text-only message.
- “Today we’re announcing an additional step to help protect teens from unwanted contact by turning off their ability to receive DMs from anyone they don’t follow or aren’t connected to on Instagram – including other teens – by default.
- “Under this new default setting, teens can only be messaged or added to group chats by people they already follow or are connected to, helping teens and their parents feel even more confident that they won’t hear from people they don’t know in their DMs.
- “This default setting will apply to all teens under the age of 16 (or under 18 in certain countries). Those already on Instagram will see a notification at the top of their Feed letting them know we’re making these changes to their message settings.”
The company added that it is also making these changes to teens’ default settings on Messenger, where under 16s (or under 18 in certain countries) will only receive messages from Facebook friends, or people they’re connected to through phone contacts, for example.
More parental control
Meta first launched parental supervision on Instagram in March 2022 and since then has continued to add new features to help involve parents more in their teens’ online experiences.
These include the ability for parents to set time limits and schedule breaks, to understand when their teen blocks or shares they have reported someone, and to be notified when their teen changes their settings. The company is now adding more features.
“Now, parents using supervision will be prompted to approve or deny their teens’ (under 16) requests to change their default safety and privacy settings to a less strict state – rather than just being notified of the change.
For example, if a teen using supervision tries to change their account from private to public, change their Sensitive Content Control from “Less” to “Standard”, or – now – tries to change their DM settings to hear from people they’re not already following or connected to, their parent will receive a notification prompting them to approve or deny the request,” Meta said.
[Nairametrics]
British media and hospitality company, Time Out, has ranked Lagos above Melbourne, Australia; Naples, Italy; Singapore; Miami, US; Dubai, UAE; Beijing, China; Montreal, Canada among others, in its best city to visit list.
It ranked New York city as number one city in the world while South Africa’s Cape Town placed second in the list that contained 50 cities.
The firm which ranked Lagos as the 19th best city to visit in the world, said it drew its conclusion from a survey of more than 20,000 city dwellers around the world, along with its network of editors.
The criteria used to rate the cities include food (quality and affordability), culture, nightlife, how the city makes people feel, strong community vibes, access to green space, historic sites, and much more.
“Whether you’re a staunch mainlander or from Lekki, there’s something for everyone in Lagos, Africa’s most populous city. Posh Victoria Island continues to deliver a trifecta of swanky resorts, food haunts, and nightlife.
“Lekki is for the brunchers – make Maple Lagos your first stop. On the mainland, Kuti’s Bistro in Ikeja, owned by the legendary afrobeat family, serves up reliably delicious food and hosts parties, karaoke and games nights.
“And then there are the beaches – hit up Oniru Beach for some fun in the sun, but be sure to bring naira for this private beach. For those who live for the night, Hard Rock Cafe Lagos provides a massive indoor-outdoor playground with top artists including DJ Obi (‘Obi’s House’ on Mondays), who set a Guinness World Record in 2016 for a 240-hour marathon set,” it said about Lagos.
Melbourne, Australia; Naples, Italy; Singapore; Miami, US; Bangkok, Thailand; Lima, Peru; Budapest, Hungary; Beijing, China; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Montreal, Canada and Glasgow, UK ranked 19th to 30th respectively. Accra, Ghana, the other African country in the list was ranked 44th ahead of Marseille, France (45); Taipei, Taiwan (46); Istanbul, Turkey (47); Osaka, Japan (48); Hong Kong, China (49) and Vancouver, Canada (50).
[DailyTrust]
48 hours after the change of leadership in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Governor Dapo Abiodun has broken his silence on the crisis rocking the state’s legislative body.
The crisis in the Assembly consumed the former Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, on Tuesday, as he was impeached and replaced by Oludaisi Elemide.
Reacting to the development, the governor agreed with the Assembly that the legislators reserve the right to choose whoever pleases them as their leader in the legislative arm of the government.
Speaking through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade, on Thursday, the governor also acknowledged that the crisis in the Assembly had lasted for a while.
“There had been internal wrangling in the Assembly that had persisted and degenerated despite several interventions.
“ It is the prerogative of members of the House of Assembly to choose their leadership in line with the constitution and the law guiding the conduct of the Assembly.”
It will be recalled that the former Speaker was impeached on Tuesday after he was accused of high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance, poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against themselves.
The governor, however, added that the government was working with the party, All Progressives Congress, APC, with the intention to resolve all contending issues.
The statement added, “Working with the leadership of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Government intends to see all the contending issues resolved in a democratic, fair, and just manner.
“The Ogun State Government notes that the Honourable Members have openly stated that their grouse is not with the Governor, whom they again pledged their loyalty to.
“Given that the Ogun electorate gave us a mandate to represent their best interests and deliver democratic dividends that will significantly improve their well-being, the Ogun State Government, along with the Party leadership, have intervened to ensure that whatever disagreement members have is resolved peacefully and amicably, so that the delivery of democratic dividends to our people will not be hampered in any way.”
[DailyPost]
The Nigerian military has identified several factors contributing to the recent crisis in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba stated that herder militia, cattle rustling, and a combination of other factors were responsible for the crisis that engulfed the town.
He said this on Thursday, January 25, while addressing a news conference in Abuja on the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
However, he said that to control the situation, Special Forces had been sent to state hotspots.
General Buba said: “The situation was triggered by a number of factors including the attempted cattle rustling and the killing of a Mangu man by herder militia.”
He claimed that on January 22, 2024, it was reported that a guy on a motorbike down the road collided with a herd of cattle crossing the road.
He said: “The herders reportedly killed the man on the spot. Consequently, militia mobilised and attacked residents in the early hours of 23rd of January.”
When attackers invaded Kwahaslalek village, a hamlet in the Mangu Local Government Area, approximately thirty people were killed, several more were injured, and numerous buildings were set on fire.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has since imposed a curfew on the LGA.
[TheNation]
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday remanded some loyalists of the River State governor for their alleged involvement in the explosion that rocked and razed the Rivers State Assembly complex.
An explosion had rocked the complex of the state Assembly amid alleged moves by some lawmakers to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara on October 30, 2023.
Some loyalists of the governor were said to have been behind the incident.
No fewer than five of them were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
They are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.
In the 7 charges, the defendants were accused of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalising and burning down Rivers State House of Assembly during the wake of the political crisis that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year.
They were also accused of killing a Superintendent of Police, Bako Agbashim, and five police informants in the Ahoada community of the state.
The police informants alleged to have been killed are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu, and Saturday Edi.
They are to remain in prison custody till February 2 when their respective bail applications will be determined by the Judge.
They were also accused of using various cult groups, namely- Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland, and Greenland to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities.
They all pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Although the immediate past factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie, was not listed in the 7 counts terrorism charges, he was however represented in court by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Oluwole Aladedoyin, on the ground that his name featured prominently in the alleged offences.
He challenged the allegations that he was at large alongside other suspects.
Justice Olajuwon did not however allow further arguments on the ground that he was not yet a defendant in the charges.
Shortly after the arraignment, the leader of the prosecuting team, Audu Garba, applied for a date for a full-blown trial of the defendants.
However, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Lukman Fagbemi, who stood for Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele who are 1st and 2nd defendants, sought to move applications for their bail on the ground that they have been in police custody since last year.
The government lawyer, Audu Garba, vehemently opposed the reason that he had just been served with the bail applications and needed time to study them and file a counter affidavit.
Justice Olajuwon agreed with the prosecution lawyer that the bail applications were not ripe for hearing and fixed February 2 for the hearing of all bail applications.
Pending hearing and determination of the bail applications, the judge ordered that the five defendants be taken to Kuje Prison on remand and be returned to court on the adjourned date.
“The defendants are hereby remanded pending the hearing and determination of the bail applications,” he said.
[Punch]
Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has backed the relocation of some departments of the CBN from Abuja to Lagos.
Sanusi said it was the right thing to do, saying those kicking against the relocation are playing dirty politics.
The former CBN governor stated this in a statement on Wednesday.
Recall that the CBN’s plan to relocate some departments and units to Lagos has been met with criticisms lately.
Some northern politicians kicked against the move, warning it would have political consequences.
But Sanusi, who was the 14th Emir of Kano said the relocation is an “eminently sensible move”.
According to him, moving certain functions to the Lagos office ( which is bigger than the Abuja head office) is an eminently sensible move.
He said he had it in mind to do the same thing while in office but didn’t have sufficient time to see it through.
Sanusi stated, “In my mind what I would have done was to move FSS and most of Operations to Lagos such that the two Deputy Governors would be largely operating out of Lagos or, even if they were more in Abuja , the bulk of their operational staff would be in Lagos.
“Economic policy, Corporate services and all the departments reporting to the Governor directly such as Strategy, Audit, Risk management, Governors’ office etc would remain in Abuja.
“It makes eminent strategic sense. And I would have done this if I had stayed.”
He dismissed the opposition against the policy as “absolutely unnecessary” because “The CBN has staff manning its branches and cash offices across the Federation.”
Sanusi added, “Moving staff to the Lagos office to streamline operations and make them more effective and reduce cost is a normal prerogative of management.
“The problem we have now is that many employees are children of politically exposed persons and their Abuja life and businesses are more important than the CBN work.
“The CBN is just an address for them and if they have to choose between their spoilt Abuja life and the job, they would gladly leave the CBN.
“All the more reason for the Governor to put his foot down and get rid of those elements they are dangerous for the bank’s future.
“The question of locating functions is a STRATEGIC and not tactical one. A proper analysis should be done to identify which roles are best suited to Lagos and which to Abuja. Once the logic is clear the people then follow. Non communication of strategic intent opens the door to mischievous misrepresentation and arbitrariness.
“I don’t like the idea of arguing that the office structure can not handle the staff numbers. I am sure Julius Berger would refute that if they wanted to engage.”
On how the relocation of staff should be done, he said, “Individual situations should be considered. As much as possible we should be empathetic. For example young mothers with kids in school who do not need to move can be prioritised to stay in Abuja or those with medical conditions etc.”
He advised the CBN not to bend to political pressure, saying it must push through decisions hoe matter tough.
He said, “My advice to the Governor is to go ahead with his policy. Once the CBN starts bending to political pressure on one thing it will continue doing so.
“Northern politicians will shout that this is moving from Abuja to Lagos. Abuja is a federal capital not a northern issue. So long as this is a principled decision the noise should be ignored.
“When i was about to license Jaiz bank there was a lot of religious noise from CAN etc. Even enlightened people like Okey Emelamah were going to sue me to court on religious grounds. I ignored it and licenced the bank. Nothing happened.
“A christian Governor after me licenced at least two more non- interest banks. No one is even noticing again.
“Ethnic and religious bigots will always shout. The CBN should rise above it and just do what needs to be done. It is a very unpopular and difficult job and the Governor needs to be tough.”
[Vanguard]
[PRESS RELEASE] Reaction To the False Information Peddled in Several Print and Electronic Media with The Caption: “Rivers Crisis: Court Strikes Out Suit Challenging Tinubu’s Intervention”
AdminOur attention has been drawn to a publication currently circulating in several print and electronic media with the above caption. We wish to make it categorically clear that the content of the said publication does not represent the true state of affairs.
To put the record straight, the action currently pending at the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja is between Hon. Victor Okon Jumbo & 5 Ors. vs. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & 5 Ors., with Suit No.: FHC/ABJ/CS/1718/2023 (the “Suit”) and not at the Rivers State High Court, sitting at Port-Harcourt as falsely peddled.
The aforesaid suit first came up on Monday, the 22nd of January 2024 before Court 7 presided by Hon. Justice J. O. Abdulmalik (the “Court”). On the said date, the Plaintiffs’ Counsel moved two (2) respective Exparte applications: for substituted service on the Defendants and for interim injunctions against the Defendants. After hearing the Plaintiffs’ applications and considering same, her Lordship made an Order for the substituted service of the originating court documents on the Defendants. Also, the Court ordered all the parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the suit. The matter was then adjourned to the 28th of February, 2024.
Contrary to the false news as publicized in the said Punch Newspaper, there was absolutely no time that the Court ever struck out the aforesaid Suit which is pending before the Court and same will come up for hearing on the 28th February, 2024.
Relatedly, the Court did not at any point of her rulings on the said Plaintiffs’ applications decline jurisdiction to hear the Plaintiffs’ applications or the substantive suit and never cited any judgment or ruling of Hon. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja as mendaciously stated in the publication. Furthermore, there is no Plaintiffs’ Lawyer with the name Emmanuel Rukari and none of the Plaintiffs’ Counsel ever spoke to the Press or expressed any disappointment whatsoever with the Court’s decision/rulings.
The legal implication of the Court’s Order as regards the Plaintiffs’ second application is that all the parties in the suit should maintain the status/position in the matter as it was before the subsisting conflict arose between the parties in the suit. Finally, it is submitted that upon the service of the Originating processes, the Defendants have been put on notice of the claims of the Plaintiffs and given the nature of these claims, the Defendants, particularly, the Rivers State House and Assembly and the Executive Governor, have a legal duty and obligation to refrain from taking any steps that might overreach the court in its attempts to do justice in the Suit as held by the Apex Court in Doma v. Ogiri (1998) 3 NWLR Pt. 541 Pg. 246 @ 265 para. D-E where Oguntade JSC observed that:
“Where a suit is brought to enjoin certain activities and the Defendant/Respondent has notice, the hands of the Defendant/Respondent are effectually tied pending a hearing and determination even though no restraining order or preliminary injunction be issue”.
The general public is hereby advised to utterly disregard the mendacious news making the rounds on the captioned matter as the information as stated in this Press Release is the true and reliable state of affairs as regard the suit between Hon. Victor Okon Jumbo & 5 Ors. vs. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & 5 Ors., with Suit No.: FHC/ABJ/CS/1718/2023. Thank you.
Signed:
Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, San, Oon, Fciarb.Uk,
Principal Partner, Kayode Ajulo & Co. Castle of Law
Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has been relieved of his membership in the National Judicial Council (NJC), authoritative sources have confirmed.
The decision was communicated via a letter to the incumbent NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN, signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and NJC Chairman, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. He cited Mr. Akpata’s recent involvement in partisan politics as reason for the termination.
Sources close to Mr. Akpata indicate he was taken aback by the decision and believes it is beyond the powers of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to unilaterally remove a member of the NJC on grounds of political involvement.
His camp argues that this prerogative lies with the individual member. They cited the example of former NJC member and Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, who voluntarily resigned his role in 2015 to pursue his political ambitions.
While said to be deeply troubled by the turn of events, Mr. Akpata is reluctant to escalate the matter out of immense respect for the Chief Justice. However, should an amicable resolution not be reached internally, legal redress may be sought in the courts.
The move comes on the heels of Mr. Akpata’s open aspiration to contest the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial elections. During his tenure as NBA President he had past run-ins with the Body of Benchers over governance issues. He is also seen as belonging to the reformist faction of the NJC.
[src: TheNigeriaLawyer / CITY LAWYER]
The Nigerian Army has said it will conduct the screening and verification of children of deceased personnel for the award of scholarship.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Department of Army Administration said the screening would be held at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1 at Asokoro in Abuja.
The scholarship is one of the welfare schemes of the Nigerian Army aimed at guaranteeing primary, secondary and tertiary education of the children of personnel who died in active service.
The Nigerian Army urged new applicants and beneficiaries upgrading their educational level, as well as those absent from the 2022/2023 exercise to participate.
It said successful candidates would get the appropriate sponsorship funds for their respective educational level.
“The documents required for the exercises are: handwritten application for sponsorship containing the names of the children; a letter of admission of the beneficiary, and the last school report card/results of the beneficiary.
“Others are: a letter of confirmation from the school, the university or polytechnic where the child/beneficiary is a pupil or a student; a birth certificate of the beneficiary and the death certificate of the deceased personnel.
“Also required are: Part 2 Orders publication of death; Condolence Letter; Notification of Casualty Signal; Nigerian Army Application for sponsorship form duly completed by the last unit and formation headquarters of the deceased personnel.
“Four recent passport photographs of the beneficiaries; Passport photograph of the deceased personnel and bank account number and sort code and telephone number of the beneficiary’s surviving parent or administrator.”
The Nigerian Army added that those responsible for the screening could be reached through 08169355766, for any enquiry.
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The Federal Government has clarified that the new conditions introduced as prerequisites for obtaining or renewing international passports were instituted to curb the acquisition of Nigerian passports by non-citizens.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who stated this in Abuja while responding to questions from the media, emphasised that the passport is a security document exclusive to Nigerian citizens.
The new conditions, including the provision of a citizenship certificate, a date of birth certificate, and the National Identification Number (NIN), have become critical in verifying an applicant’s true citizenship.
He explained the rationale behind the Federal Government’s introduction of new prerequisites for obtaining or renewing international passports, noting that the new conditions would prevent non-Nigerians from acquiring the passport, disclosing that foreigners have exploited the inefficiencies of the previous system.
The Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Babatunde Alao, said in a statement on Wednesday that Tunji-Ojo acknowledged challenges being faced by new passport applicants, assuring the public of an enhanced process in the coming weeks.
Speaking further on the motive behind the introduction of the new processes, Tunji-Ojo said the reform was aimed at simplifying the passport acquisition process for Nigerians by facilitating speedy online application, production, and passport collection.
“We have to introduce this new system in order to stop those non-Nigerians carrying Nigerian passports. Contrary to reports, the new process is working very effectively, and the hiccups recorded are only 4 per cent, which is a significant improvement for a system that is newly introduced, and I assure you that in the next one or two weeks we will have a near-perfect system.
“We have to improve our process of obtaining passports because a passport is a security document. This new system has improved accessibility, transparency, and efficiency,” the minister stated.
Looking ahead, the Minister outlined plans for contactless biometrics in passport renewal, affirming the government’s commitment to building a better future for Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
Speaking on the observable change in cost for the 5-year passport, the Minister, however, noted that the new cost was agreed upon, taking a cue from the cost of the 10-year passport.
“We are building a future for Nigerians where things should be done in a better way. We changed the price of the five-year passport because the 10-year passport is N70,000; so, the one for five years should be half of that amount, which is N35,000. We are committed to making things better in our country,” the minister said.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja police command has confirmed the arrest of another suspected kidnapper amid the growing insecurity in the nation’s capital city.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday, the FCT commissioner of police, Haruna Garba, disclosed how, on Sunday, the Iddo division received a distress call regarding armed men in a black Toyota Corolla vehicle who had shot the tires of a moving Prado jeep.
According to him, the jeep driver, Suleiman Sabo, was compelled to stop the vehicle while on his way home in the Sabon Lugbe area.
Sabo was then forcibly taken by the kidnappers, leaving his wife and car behind.
Garba said the police swung into action and successfully tracked down and apprehended the suspect.
“The effort paid off on January 21 when the DPO received information that something abnormal is happening in a particular house at Sauka village. The DPO moved in and cordoned the house; behold, the kidnapped victim was found with the suspect, armed with Mark IV rifle and 10 rounds of live ammunition,” Garba noted.
He added: “He was promptly arrested, and the arm recovered from him. The victim was rescued but with gunshot injuries.”
According to him, the victim has been admitted to a hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.
The police commissioner further mentioned that ever since the establishment of the police Special Intervention Squad (SIS), there have been no incidents of kidnapping reported in the Bwari region of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Garba stated that the police have successfully blocked all known routes used by bandits, particularly in the Bwari area council. Additionally, numerous individuals suspected of being involved in kidnapping and armed robbery have been apprehended, and their victims have been rescued.
Furthermore, Garba highlighted that the police have recovered various firearms and live ammunition, as well as vehicles that were previously stolen from victims.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has generated a substantial sum of N265 million from the sale of Nomination and Expression of Interest forms to 11 aspirants vying for the Edo State governorship ticket.
The party set the price for the Nomination Form at N30 million, while the Expression of Interest Form was pegged at N5 million, with exemptions made for female aspirants and those with disabilities, who were granted the Expression of Interest Form free of charge.
The deadline for the sale of these forms is today (Thursday), as per the schedule released by the party.
The PDP commenced the sale of forms on January 17, 2024, and January 27 was marked as the cut-off date for form submission by aspirants.
Among the 11 aspirants who have so far purchased the forms from the PDP national headquarters at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, are two women who were only required to pay for the N30 million Nomination form.
Notable figures in the race include Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu; former Chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo; and Blessing Igbinedion, daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. Other aspirants are Anselm Usiose Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Umoru Hadizat, and Omoregie Ihama.
According to Punch, PDP has opted for the indirect primary method to select its candidate for the Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
This method involves delegates who will cast their votes to decide the party’s flagbearer.
A high-ranking member of the PDP National Working Committee, who spoke to the platform anonymously, said “The PDP will not zone its ticket in Edo State. The NWC has also approved delegates and three ad hoc, indirect primary.
“It means members will elect delegates at ward and local government levels. These delegates will then move to Benin, the state capital, on February 22 to elect our party’s candidate.”
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, assured aspirants of a level playing field, stating, “What the aspirants and Edo State stakeholders should expect from our party is a free, fair, credible, and acceptable primary that the PDP is known for.”
Ologunagba in an interview with The PUNCH stated, “Edo State is a PDP state, and we will maintain it. So, we will not disappoint our members; the party leadership will follow due process and we are very sure that people will support our party in Edo State. We are ready.”
On the question of reducing the number of aspirants, he said, “What we do is always to have a conversation. The issue of pruning the number of aspirants will not come up because these are processes that will come up among members, and I am sure that is going on. So, we are prepared for the primaries, and the more, the merrier. It will be a fair process, and there will be no rancour.”
The governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has reiterated that his ambition is not backed by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Recall that on January 17, the former Chairman of Sterling Bank officially declared his intention to contest in the Edo State Governorship Election.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise News on Wednesday, Ighodalo said he is independent and not backed by the governor.
The PDP chieftain asserted that Obaseki could not compel him to do it as his third-term project because the governor had not informed him of any such plan.
He said: “Yes, I have indeed known Governor Godwin Obaseki for a long time, we are friends I met him at university. He’s an investment banker and I’m a lawyer, we have worked on the same sides or opposite sides of big corporate transactions.
“However, I’m not sure that if Gov. Obaseki is looking for a third term he will come to me. I’m fully independent, and I don’t see any way he can dangle me at the end of a rope. I’m loyal to the people of Edo State.”
Naija News reports that Ighodalo hails from Ewohimi in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo Central District, an area that Governor Obaseki wants power to shift to.