The Abia State Government, under Governor Alex Otti, is facing mounting criticism and legal scrutiny over its insistence on proceeding with the controversial Abia Airport project in Nsulu, Isialangwa North LGA, despite a standing court order halting all construction activities.

Reports indicate that clearing operations have commenced on the access road to the proposed runway, in direct violation of a ruling by the Abia State High Court. On December 20, 2024, Justice Enyinnaya Okezie of the High Court in Okpuala Ngwa issued a stay order following a lawsuit filed by representatives of the Nsulu communities, whose land is targeted for acquisition.

The lawsuit, numbered HIN/62/2024, challenges the government’s bid to acquire over 1,025 hectares of land without securing a fair and transparent agreement with the affected landowners. During an initial hearing, C. Ogwo, counsel for the Abia State Ministry of Justice, assured the court that all project-related activities would be suspended pending a determination of the motion on notice. Justice Okezie explicitly ruled that “action on the subject matter in this suit shall be stayed until the motion on notice is determined.”

However, landowners claim that bulldozers have been deployed to the site, allegedly driven by statements from the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, in what they describe as a blatant disregard for the judicial process. This has triggered outrage among Nsulu community leaders, who are calling for intervention to prevent the government from setting a dangerous precedent.

“It is troubling for a state government to openly defy an order from a court of competent jurisdiction,” a prominent Nsulu leader stated under anonymity, fearing potential repercussions. “Governor Otti and his administration must understand that no one is above the law.”

Beyond the legal defiance, affected communities are also raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the land acquisition process. They argue that there has been no formal agreement on the exact land area to be taken, the project’s impact on local livelihoods, or a publicly available Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from the relevant health authorities.

Additionally, there are allegations that the government is attempting to install handpicked community representatives to manipulate negotiations, further deepening distrust. One Umuala community leader voiced frustration, stating, “I feel betrayed by a government I once trusted to do the right thing. While we are not opposed to the airport project, we are deeply concerned about the vast land being seized and the lack of transparency.”

Another community elder reinforced this sentiment: “We are not against the airport, but the land acquisition process has been shrouded in secrecy. Rather than genuine engagement, the government is relying on media propaganda to portray opposition where there is none.”

Anger has been heightened by the government’s decision to send bulldozers to Umuala before resolving outstanding issues. “Government propaganda won’t erase the fundamental problems with this project,” another leader remarked. “At some point, the truth will overshadow the state’s rhetoric.”

He urged the community to resist any land clearing efforts until an enumeration report is released and verified, and adequate compensation is provided, as expected in any lawful and civilised process.

The Nsulu Stakeholders Forum (NSF), a key community advocacy group, has warned that the government’s defiance of the court order could undermine investor confidence in Abia State. According to NSF Convenor Mazi Chigoram, the administration’s actions send a discouraging signal to potential investors.

“This is about a court order issued within the state. If the Otti government can disregard it so blatantly, how can any private investor be assured of fair treatment if a business dispute arises? Ignoring judicial rulings de-markets Abia and creates an environment where no serious investor would want to operate.”

The group urged the state government to respect the court’s directive, warning that moving forward with land clearing amounts to an unlawful land grab that could tarnish the Federal Government’s role in approving the airport project.

“Governor Otti must not create the impression that he disregards court orders. The rule of law demands that all parties await the court’s final decision.”

As of now, the Abia State government has not issued an official response to the allegations. The fate of the Abia Airport project, and the relationship between the government and the Nsulu communities, hinges on the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings and the administration’s willingness to uphold judicial authority.

Tensions remain high as affected communities continue to demand transparency, equitable compensation, and adherence to due process.

The People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Nigeria’s oldest surviving political party, has long been synonymous with radicalism and populism, tracing its roots to the late Mallam Aminu Kano and Alhaji Balarabe Musa.

Despite its historical significance, the PRP has struggled to maintain political relevance in contemporary Nigerian politics, often overshadowed by dominant parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

However, recent defections by some of its 2023 governorship candidates have reignited discussions about the party’s viability. The exit of these politicians, who formally joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has not only raised questions about PRP’s future but also sparked a broader conversation on Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

A party on the margin?

While the APC, PDP, Labour Party (LP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) frequently dominate political discourse, the PRP has remained largely in the background. Its absence from mainstream political conversations has led to debates over whether the party should continue to exist or be among the smaller political parties deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Some political actors have also pushed for the registration of new parties, arguing that Nigerians deserve more alternatives beyond the existing dominant parties.

On March 26, several PRP governorship candidates across the country announced their resignation from the party and their defection to the SDP. Their decision follows a similar move by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who recently left the APC for the SDP. El-Rufai’s defection has seemingly sparked momentum for the SDP, with more politicians gravitating towards the party.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hayatuddeen Lawal Makarfi, chairman of the PRP Gubernatorial Candidates’ Forum, described their move as a strategic realignment rather than a mere defection.

“We appreciate the warm gesture of the most influential political leader of today, whose visionary and unwavering leadership qualities have been felt even by the blind in this country. He is facing persecution because he has refused to compromise standards due to his fear of God and love for Nigeria,” he said.

Makarfi, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate for Kaduna State, lamented the state of the nation, stating that Nigeria is “bleeding” under a system where citizens are trapped between “soaring poverty and collapsing institutions.” He criticised both the APC and PDP, accusing them of turning governance into a “cabal of shared incompetence.”

“The 2027 election must not be APC vs PDP; it should be Nigeria vs failure. We see the SDP as not just another party but the last hope of the common man,” he added.

While SDP National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam welcomed the defectors, assuring them of equal opportunities within the party, the PRP leadership downplayed the defections, insisting that the party remains unshaken. The party’s national spokesman, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, said PRP respects the right of individuals to associate freely and will not engage in confrontations over members leaving.

“We are a law-abiding political party, and the Nigerian Constitution guarantees free association. This is their right, and we have no problem with that,” Ishaq told Daily Trust.

PRP national chairman debunks defectors’ claims

However, PRP National Chairman Alhaji Falalu Bello dismissed claims that Makarfi led a substantial number of gubernatorial candidates in defecting to the SDP.

“Who elected him, and where was he elected? Makarfi town is close to Kaduna; anyone can visit to check if he ever had a campaign office there as a governorship candidate. Otherwise, anyone can wake up tomorrow and claim to be defecting from PRP or even President Tinubu’s camp,” Bello said.

He said only six individuals were visible at the SDP reception for defectors, questioning Makarfi’s claim of leading a mass exodus from the PRP.

“The PRP has a long history, having formed governments in Kano and Kaduna states. Any genuine PRP governorship candidate in Kaduna would have a significant following because of the party’s pedigree. So where was his campaign office?” Bello asked.

A former managing director of the Bank of the North, Bello was elected PRP national chairman in September 2018 to replace the late Alhaji Balarabe Musa. He survived attempts to remove him by some aggrieved party members in September 2020 before being re-elected in 2022 at the party’s national convention in Abuja.

A party in decline or a political ideal?

Founded in 1978 as a leftist alternative to the dominant political parties of the time, the PRP emerged as the reincarnation of the NEPU and became a beacon for socialist ideals under Mallam Aminu Kano. However, following the 1983 coup led by then-Major General Muhammadu Buhari, the PRP was banned.

In the Fourth Republic, the party was revived under Balarabe Musa, who had won the Kaduna State governorship in 1979 with the PRP but struggled to regain its former prominence. Despite its deep ideological roots, the PRP has remained a marginal player in Nigerian politics, failing to win major elections in recent years.

However, its national chairman argued that the PRP’s influence transcends electoral politics, emphasising that it represents an enduring political ideology.

“The PRP, as the descendant of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), is not just a political party—it is an ideal rooted in the minds and beliefs of the people. A 90-year-old woman in Bauchi still holds her NEPU membership card. That tells you that PRP is bigger than individuals,” Bello said.

He also revealed that discussions for a merger between the PRP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took place in 2024, but the plan did not materialise.

“PRP has always been open to alliances. In the past, we formed a government in Kaduna through a coalition, so political mergers are not new to us,” he added.

Bello dismissed Makarfi’s claims, noting that the latter was originally an APC member who only joined the PRP a few months before the 2023 elections after being dismissed by El-Rufai.

Defectors defend move

However, when contacted, Makarfi refused to engage in a war of words with the PRP chairman, citing Bello’s age as a reason for restraint.

“Most of us who left the PRP are young people, and we would not want to join issues with a 71-year-old national chairman, who we hold in high esteem. Those who came to the SDP last Wednesday were representatives of defectors nationwide; it was not necessary for all of us to travel to Abuja,” he said.

When Daily Trust asked him for the full list of all the members of the PRP Gubernatorial Candidates’ Forum that defected to the SDP, Makarfi said in a chat: “We went to the National Secretariat (of SDP) with the following representatives: Rivers (Emiyare Etete), Enugu (Elder Chris Agu), Anambra (Anthony Umeh), Jigawa (Capt. Ahmed Kaugama), Kwara (Abdulkareem Mustapha) and Kaduna (himself).”

Quizzed further on the identities of the other members of the forum he and the five others represented, he said: “The others may include: Kebbi, Gombe, Nasarawa and Plateau. We are still doing our consultations and will soon round up.”

He maintained that the move was well thought out, adding that the 2027 election results would validate their decision.

“We appreciate the opportunity given to us by the PRP, but we have the right to associate with any party of our choice. The future will tell whether we made the right decision,” Makarfi added.

Experts weigh in

Dr Kabiru Sufi, a lecturer at the Kano State College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, said the PRP’s historical significance makes its recent crisis more alarming.

“The PRP has always been associated with progressives. The defection of its gubernatorial candidates is a serious blow, especially considering the party’s internal divisions even before this episode,” Sufi said.

He predicted further defections across the opposition space, stating that more political figures may switch allegiances as 2027 approaches.

Similarly, Professor Sadeeque Abba, a political scientist and former deputy vice chancellor at the University of Abuja, described party defections as a normal political evolution.

“Political parties are not static institutions; they expand and contract over time. The movement from PRP to SDP is part of a broader trend of realignments ahead of the 2027 elections,” Abba explained.

He noted that dissatisfaction with party structures and governance failures often drive such shifts, adding that PRP’s inability to secure a strong presence in the National Assembly has left it politically vulnerable.

“If PRP had even five senators in the National Assembly, it would have had a stronger voice. But coming eighth in the 2023 presidential race shows its current limitations,” Prof. Abba added.

[DailyTrust]

Residents of Olena in Asa community, Otukpo LGA of Benue State, have fled their homes following a series of attacks by suspected herdsmen.

DAILY POST gathered that the community has been under siege for the past four days, with several people killed and many others abducted.

A resident, who spoke to our reporter, confirmed that villagers were forced to flee on Monday night when it became clear that help was not coming.

He lamented that the attackers had been terrorizing the community unchallenged for days.

“I am currently in Upu. I escaped with my family this night. At the moment, we have all vacated our community. Olena has been under attack for days now.

“They have killed and kidnapped several people. We have been crying for help, but no security agents have come to our rescue. I barely managed to escape with my life and my family tonight.

“Olena is under serious attack as we speak,” he said.

Our reporter also obtained video clips showing residents fleeing their homes on Monday night as the attacks continued.

[DailyPost]

• Lawyers praise Tope Adebayo LP on new office

Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, has urged Mr Tope Adebayo, the senior partner at Tope Adebayo LP,  to allow truth, honesty and hard work be their watchword in all their undertakings.

The respected clergyman stressed that there was honour in staying on the path of truth, citing 1 Timothy 1 v 8 to back his admonition.

Pastor Bakare gave the admonition at the opening of the new office complex of when Tope Adebayo LP  located on the third floor of The Phoenix, along  Mobolaji-Bank Anthoy Way, Ikeja.

While casting his mind back to his days as a practising lawyer, Pastor Bakare said there were cases he refused to take no matter the money involved.

“There were cases I didn’t take and I didn’t need to take in those days,” he stated.

He prayed for partners and other members of staff that they will be on the same page in all matters to aid the law firm’s growth.

According to him, the next level of blessings is making sure one stays in tune with God.

“When God began to bless me, then I found the secret of ensuring that I stay in a position of not going down. And it’s in Isaiah, 22 v 8’’, he said.

 Speaking on the new office, the principal partner of the law firm, Adebayo, said it was based on the realisation that one must continuously seek better ways of doing things.

“So, you must realise that whatever you don’t treasure cannot confer benefits on you and one way to demonstrate that you treasure a vision or idea is to put in resources to back that idea, especially when God has been gracious to you. “You need to use available resources to create an environment for the legal practitioners and other members of staff to practice their craft better and make it easier for clients to interact with us.

“Before now, we used to queue for the only conference room at our former office, especially when we have more than two meetings at the same time. It was always a struggle to plan meetings for the different practice groups in the firm. “So, we decided that to put more money in the practice to make it easier for us to serve our Clients.

“Thus, this office is essentially created to enhance service delivery to our clients,” he said.

 Adebayo stated that he has always been driven by the idea of focusing on building his practice given the values he imbibed during his days at Olaniwun Ajayi LP.

“It has always been a part of me, from when myself and my colleagues Mr. Wolemi Esan (SAN) and Mr. Kunle Adegoke (SAN) started practice at what was then Olaniwun Ajayi & Co.

“There’s something that environment does to you, it has a way of conditioning your thinking and Professor Olaniwun Ajayi, then a Dr, did a lot to shape our view”, he recalled.

On his own, Esan, a colleague said: “This is a beautiful day, a beautiful day in the sense that Tope Adebayo is someone that we have grown together in the profession.

“ I have known him for over 20 years and looking at where he is coming from and where is today, one cannot but be extremely happy.

And the other day, I was telling him that it is very fitting that he has moved into a building that is called the Phoenix, because if you know the phoenix, it is the mystical bird that reinvents itself every time. Same for Tope (Adebayo), when you think you know him and have seen him and the glory of God in his life, he becomes something else that is even greater than what you thought was great.”

The immediate past chairman of NBA, Ikeja Branch,  Seyi Olawumi, said Tope Adebayo was one of the pillars of the branch.

He  said he was elated when he was invited to the office opening.

“I knew that I was coming to see something more beautiful, by his choice of office when he said I should come and celebrate with him today. That is because of the standard of even his former office.

“I am very happy and like I said, Tope Adebayo is one of our pillars in Ikeja Branch of the NBA and I pray that he will continue to grow and wax stronger.”

Olawunmi also prayed that other members of the firm will record such achievements and wax stronger.

Other clients and associates of the firm present at the event include the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lekoil Nigeria Limited; Mr. Samuel Kolajo, Acting Executive Vice Chairman, Owena Oil & Gas Ltd.

Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chief Chijioke Edeoga, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Edeoga, who had served the PDP in various capacities, including as a House of Representatives member, commissioner for local government affairs and commissioner for environment, among others, lauded Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership style during his official return at the PDP secretariat on Monday.

“I am impressed by Governor Mbah’s visionary, innovative, and transformative leadership, which has inspired me to return to the PDP,” he said.

Edeoga acknowledged that his decision might not be well received by some, but stressed the need for unity and a strong front ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I know that my decision to return to the PDP may not be appreciated by some, but I believe it is time for us to unite as a family and form a formidable front,” he said.

The state PDP Chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunwike, welcomed Edeoga back to the party, saying his return was a testament to Mbah’s “audacious leadership.”

He said, “We are excited to have Edeoga back in the PDP fold, and we are confident that more former members who had left the party would soon return.”

The Chairman of Isi-uzo Local Government Area, Obiora Obegu, described Edeoga’s return as “a step in the right direction.”

He added, “With Edeoga’s return, the PDP will now become stronger and more united, free from distractions and rancour.”

[Punch]

The military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced a new 0.5 percent levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, member-nations.

They also sought to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, according to an official statement signed by the trio.

According to the statement, the levy was agreed last Friday and had taken immediate effect.
The levy, it said, would affect all goods imported from outside the three countries but would not include humanitarian aid.

‘’It will finance the activities of the bloc,’’ the statement said without giving further details.

The move ends free trade across West Africa, which states have for decades fallen under the umbrella of the ECOWAS, and highlights the rift between the three states that border the Sahara Desert and influential democracies, such as Nigeria and Ghana, to the south.

The three countries, each ruled by military juntas that came to power through recent coups in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States, ASS, as a security agreement, following their exit from the ECOWAS bloc.

Over time, this alliance evolved into an aspiring economic union, with plans to promote deeper military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports.

Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing claims that the bloc had not sufficiently supported them in fighting Islamist insurgencies and addressing insecurity in their countries.

In retaliation, ECOWAS had imposed economic, political and financial sanctions on the three in a bid to force them to return to constitutional order, to little effect.

The three countries have, however, formed a brickwall against efforts by ECOWAS, led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, to get them back into the bloc.

Only last week, the Ghanaian President, John Mahama, reported to President Tinubu in Abuja that efforts to win them back were not yeilding the desired results.

[Vanguard]

Your Excellency, because this borders on the economic development of our dear country, I am driven by a sense of patriotism to reach out to you through this medium.

Right away, Your Excellency, you are certainly not as bad as you are portrayed in certain quarters. Your real challenge concerning image and reputation lies squarely with the way those who “love” you more than the rest of us handle your public affairs.

Your Excellency, except for other considerations, these people merely love you to the extent of what your influence and position can fetch them, be it politically and economically. They care less about what posterity shall say about you in the final analysis.

Your Excellency, deep down in your heart, you know that your current trouble with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated to this scandalous magnitude thanks to the insensitivity and parochial interests of those who believe that they own you more than the other Nigerians. They include some of your colleagues, associates and aides whose motivations are political relevance, economic gain and regional sentiments.

Once again, they care less about what the rest of Nigerians feel about you.

Although this concern has been dealt with in a piece titled, Natasha: How Not To Love Akpabio, another case that will soon rub off negatively on you is a recent event that was packaged by your office to deepen the overall economic revitalization agenda of the federal government.

The theme was: Harnessing The Emerging Opportunities in The Creative, Digital, Green and Blue Economies for National Development: Quest for Collaborative Strategies.

It was held on 6th November 2024 at the National Assembly Library and Resource Centre.

The event was derived from the Legislative Agenda of the 10th Senate, which aims “to address the country’s challenges and harness its opportunities” through interventions on “job and wealth creation opportunities, increased foreign earnings and investments, sustainable rural development and enhanced capacity of the security agencies”.

Your Excellency, recall also that the Senate had covenanted that “we will engage with a wide range of stakeholders…..to gather insights and recommendations on enhancing economic growth and job creation”, stressing further that “this engagement will help in formulating more inclusive and effective laws and policies”.

Hence, Your Excellency, the goal of the symposium, which had your consent, was “to generate ideas for legislative actions and robust policies towards good governance”. As the Chief Host, you were represented by your chief of staff.

Similarly, the secretary to the government of the federation, as the keynote speaker, and the five ministries that were critical to the core objectives of the event were duly represented.

There were four presentations by eminent scholars in this order:

1. The Creative Economy and the Neglected Opportunities: Spotlighting the Cultural Industry by Kizito Alakwe, Ph.D., fnimn, arpa

2. Towards a Prosperous Blue Economy: Leveraging the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sub-sector by Abba Y. Abdullah, Ph.D., FFS, FNAE, CMC

3. Powering Rural Development, Cottage Industries and the Export Processing Zones with the Green Economy: Some of the Options by Halima Ahmed Usman, PhD.

4. The Digital Economy, Citizens’ Safety and Accelerated Development of Indigenous Technology Companies: The Immediate, Functional and Reliable Solutions by Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, PhD, CMgr, FCMI, FBCS, Fiol, FSET, FRSA

Then of course, there were far-reaching recommendations requiring legislative actions towards policy formulation.

But among some of the interim outcomes, the event “added an impetus to the sustained advocacy for a renewed public-private collaboration towards harnessing the emerging opportunities in the creative, digital, green and blue economies as envisioned by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. For emphasis, Mr President’s first official signature, perhaps after the oaths of office and allegiance, was appended on the Electricity Bill passed but not accented to by the previous administration. Moved by the inherent opportunities, particularly about renewable energy resources, otherwise known as the green economy, he did not wait for the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly before calling for the abandoned legislation and giving it the force of law. As such, the symposium explored some of those opportunities, especially those which can be deployed in driving rural development, cottage industries and free trade zones, in line with President Tinubu’s proven passion for a virile economy defined by varying alternatives for power generation. Again, and keying into the global awareness and consciousness in these sectors, Mr President created full-fledged ministries for the blue economy and the creative economy. Also, he broadened the scopes and capacities of the erstwhile ministries for optimal performances, resulting in a unified ministry of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy as well as one for communications, innovation and the digital economy. In other words, the symposium was a consensus-building attempt at advancing these purposeful interventions.

Furthermore, Your Excellency, the symposium reviewed the three bills standing in your name “which have the capacity to reposition the creative and blue economies towards fast-tracked economic revitalization and regional development”.

In no particular order, they are:

(1) A Bill For An Act To Establish The Cultural Industries Development Agency For Mass Production And Commercialization Of Cultural Commodities Made From Local Raw Materials That Are Peculiar To The Geo-Political Zones For Integrated Regional And National Economic Development which seeks to boost regional economic development of the country towards accelerated GDP growth. Also primarily, it provides the performance framework for the now-modified Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.

(2) A Bill For An Act To Establish The Cultural And Creative Industries Development Trust Fund To Provide A Sustainable Source Of Funds For Skills Development, Infrastructure And Research Towards A Cohesive And Structured Industry which “also derives its relevance from the second and third items on the Legislative Agenda of the Senate”. Broadly, it “seeks the creation of a dedicated Fund for the provision of industrial clusters in each of the geo-political zones for talent and skills development, staff training, libraries and resource centres for research, internship and mentorship as well as pavilions for promotion and exhibition of cultural and creative products, skills and opportunities”. It is note-worthy that some of the provisions of this bill are already being implemented by the executive as there is now approval for the establishment of the Creative Industries Development Fund.

(3) A Bill To Repeal The Sea Fisheries Act (No. 78 Of 1992) And The Inland Fisheries Act (No. 108 Of 1992) And To Provide For The Conservation, Management And Development Of Sea Fisheries, Inland Fisheries And Aquaculture And Related Matters which simply “argues that Nigeria cannot maximally benefit from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as presently configured unless the grossly overlooked Fisheries and Aquaculture segment is revived”. Put differently, “it seeks to facilitate the evolution of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy and energize the sub-sector towards revolutionizing the Ministry, which is the ultimate vision of Mr President”.

Equally, “the symposium directed attention to the provisions of the National Digital Economy and the National Telecommunications frameworks about poverty and crime reduction and also, sustainable development of local content in information and communications technology. It specifically reviewed the Chapter 13 of the National Telecommunications Policy which is about Domestic Hardware/Software Development”.

Meanwhile, the event featured an unveiling of a publication titled PERSPECTIVES ON SENATOR GODSWILL AKPABIO AND THE 10TH SENATE: ONE YEAR AFTER, which “is a foundation for the broader projects aimed at documenting the achievements of the 10th Senate and publishing books on Godswill Akpabio’s leadership, for future reference”.

Yet, sadly, Your Excellency, more than six months after, an ego crisis orchestrated by those who “love” you more than the rest of us, in your kitchen cabinet, has prevented the Interim Report of this event from getting your attention for the ultimate legislative actions. There are proofs!

Worse still, Your Excellency, there are outstanding debts that are already generating grave damaging impacts on your overall perception index. Sir, these ‘enemies within’ know about this but choose to ‘harm’ your reputation.

For instance, Your Excellency, the resource persons, understandably inspired by your name and office, catered for their transportation, accommodation and feeding, including the production of their lecture materials with the hope of being refunded in due course.

Then, to further illustrate the level of patriotism and interest that the symposium generated, one of the speakers flew in from New York four days before the event, while the other one, who could not make it physically, made personal provisions for a virtual presentation from London. Again, a media organization owned by a Nigerian that is based in Australia covered the event. The Association of Professional Chefs in Nigeria supported the event with refreshment packages in addition to the others who provided sundry services and materials which cumulatively led to the eventual success of the programme.

Hence, Your Excellency, Nigerians and posterity will celebrate you if you could urgently call for the Report of this patriotic intervention that can advance the overall economic development of the country in addition to sustainably deepening the public enlightenment and reputation management campaigns for the 10th Senate.

Then importantly, Your Excellency, these patriotic Nigerians who deployed their intellectual and material resources to support this national cause deserve a special commendation from you for enhanced public perception.

Therefore, Your Excellency, please see what you can do, for in the end, the ego of “those who ‘love’ you more than the rest of us” will not count. It is your name that will be remembered.

Please sir, this is a passionate appeal borne out of patriotism.

I am Mon-Charles Egbo, a parliamentary affairs analyst.

Filling stations in Lagos have increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N930 per litre.

TheCable confirmed on Monday that First Royal petrol station along College Road, Ogba, Lagos, increased its price from N860 to N930 per litre.

AS Sallam Petroleum, opposite First Royal, and MRS Oil filling station, in Festac, also increased their petrol price from N860 to N930.

However, Mobil petrol station, at Abeokuta bus-stop, off College Road, Ogba, increased its pump price to N935, up from N865 per liter.

The hike in petrol price followed Dangote refinery’s decision to temporarily stop temporarily stop selling petroleum products in naira after a breakdown in negotiation for the naira-for-crude deal.

Dangote refinery and other refiners agreed with the federal government to sell petroleum products in naira in exchange for the sale of crude oil in the local currency last year.

The agreement was meant to reduce the impact of foreign exchange on the sale of crude oil and petroleum products, and reduce pressure on naira.

However, parties involved in the deal have not agreed to a new contract as the initial contract expires at the end of March 20, forcing Danote refinery to source for crude oil in the international market.

Nigeria officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira to local refineries on October 1, 2024.

The increase in price comes more than a month after the refinery reduced its petrol ex-depot price to N825 on February 26, which led to a drop in PMS prices at filling stations.

Despite the challenges of nation-building, Nigeria has been described as a “Democracy Destination undergoing democratic consolidation ” contrary to some recent high-profile discordant views about the prospects of the democratic process in Africa.

Recently both former   President Olusegun Obasanjo and erstwhile governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, had claimed that democracy was dying in Africa and Nigeria”.

However, the  Director General Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) Comrade Issa Aremu took exception to what he called the “new Democracy-pessimism fad” by those he said “without democracy would not have been able to exhibit their limited leadership ability in the past”.

Aremu spoke at separate interventions at the sideline of the 2025 Ramadan lecture of the Institute held in Ilorin and at Arewa House Kaduna during the Special Prayers to mark the 73rd birthday of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu organised by AREWA Think Tank Group on Saturday.

Aremu observed that it was time for Nigerians to deepen and consolidate the democratic process adding that “democratic optimism must not in any way give way to democratic despair in Africa”.

“ With 19 Registered Political Parties, 93,469,008, Total Voters Registered, 176,846 Polling Units in Nigeria, 7 concluded presidential elections since 1999, 5 elected Presidents,  2 elected twice, one graciously accepting the loss of election, hundreds of state, National Assembly elections and bye-elections, active media, vibrant organised trade unions and civil society, freedoms of assembly and expressions, Nigeria is a model of how Democracy lives, not dying” Aremu observed.

The Director General cautioned the media to “report but also profile the messengers of messages of despair and doom” for discerning citizens for informed judgement about them. Aremu said both former President Obasanjo and former governor Peter Obi suffer what he called “bring-down-what I- cannot-control-syndrome” adding that democracy is alive for only those who necessarily must not have their ways all the time but still keep faith in the ballot. “ “Afro-democracy” is another subterfuge for a call to authoritarianism by OBJ, Democracy is not divisible, it is according to the 1999 constitution, the simple majority that made OBJ President twice, Peter Obi governor and a failed Presidential candidate in 2023, any resort to red hearing that Democracy is dying because the duo are out and dry of elsewhere power is unhelpful and self-serving”.

“Following the death of President Hage Geingob On 4 February 2024, Namibia just successfully conducted an election to inaugurate the first female President Nangolo Mbumba who she once served as vice-president. Senegal last year elected the youngest 45-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye, while Amadou Ba, the candidate of the ruling United in Hope (BBY) coalition, peacefully conceded defeat. OBJ must be operating from outer space to say Democracy is dying in Africa.” Aremu said.

He said the challenges of development in Africa call for more democracy through quality control measures of politics of ideologies and programmes not doubt and scaremongering about democracy adding that the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger must give way to free and fair elections for legitimacy.

Comrade Aremu who was also the Director of the Labour Directorate of Tinubu/Shetima Presidential Campaign Council ( PCC) during the 2023 election described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an “audacious”  reformer who legitimately “can and should run for a second term in 2027 to consolidate on his achievements in the labour sector”.

The Director General of the premier Labour Institute described the recently approved N758 billion bond to settle long-standing pension liabilities by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a timely welcome act of compassion, statesmanship and good governance” in the country’s pension market adding that the measure was the most impactful of the Renewed Hope Agenda in labour market after the 2024 National minimum wage Act ”.