The 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has charged those attacking him to focus on alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians.

Obi’s comment is coming when President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga accused Obi of planning mayhem in Nigeria.

Onanuga also painted Obi as a failed presidential candidate, stressing that he should be held responsible for whatever crisis that would emanate from the action. 

However, Obi said his attackers should use the energy against him to focus on making Nigeria a great place.

Posting on X, the former Anambra State governor wrote: “I urge you to channel your energy and resources towards helping everyday Nigerians who are struggling to find their next meal, secure education for their children, gain employment, and access adequate healthcare.

“Rather than fabricating lies, you and your paymasters should listen to the cries of the poor, who cannot afford medicine and who are uncertain about their next meal. Pay attention to the voices of reason from individuals and institutions that emphasize the plight of our citizens. Let us unite in building a nation where everyone can thrive-PO”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has dissociated himself from a WhatsApp message currently circulating on all social media platforms regarding the planned nationwide protests.

DAILY POST earlier sighted a screenshot of an alleged WhatsApp message from the IGP discouraging protest in Lagos State.

Part of the message reads, “If you are going to join any protest next week, it’s good but ask yourself these questions: Why is Lagos always their target? How about starting from your state?”

However, the IGP in a statement issued on Sunday night by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the purported message making the rounds on “WhatsApp and other social media platforms, did not originate from the police”.

According to the statement, “the message, which poses several questions and opinions about protests, does not essentially represent the ideals or views of the Nigeria Police Force.

“We urge everyone to disregard this message and other similar contents purportedly from the NPF as the Force makes all communications via its official channels”.

Adejobi assured that the Nigeria Police Force “is committed to maintaining peace and order throughout the country. We do not endorse any message that could incite division, violence, or destruction.

“We encourage all Nigerians to engage in peaceful and constructive activities that would contribute to the progress and unity of our dear country”.

The IGP sternly warned that the “spread of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, or mischievous recycled contents”, are criminal acts and punishable under the Cybercrime law.

DAILY POST reports that Nigerians, particularly the youths, have scheduled a nationwide protest from August 1st to 10th to draw the attention of the government to the prevailing hardship in the country.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit instituted against the federal government by the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, challenging the revocation of the property of the former military ruler located in the Maitama District of Abuja.

Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the suit in a judgement on the case filed nine years ago in which the Abacha family members are demanding the return of their father’s mansions located at Osara Close in Maitama and N500M compensation.

In the judgment, Justice Lifu predicated the dismissal on various grounds, among which are that the suit had become statute-barred at the time it was filed in 2015 and that those who initiated the case have no locus standi (legal power) to do so.

The suit was filed by Mohammed Sani Abacha, the eldest surviving son of the former military ruler, and the widow, Hajia Maryam Abacha, on behalf of the executors of the estate of the late military general.

Listed as 1st to 4th Defendants in the suit are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT), Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Salamed Ventures Limited.

The new dismissal of the suit marked the fourth time the family would lose legal battles on the property in court, having lost twice at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and once at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on grounds of jurisdiction.

Upon shifting the battle to the Federal High Court, the Abacha family, among others, prayed the Court to nullify and set aside the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the property of the late General Abacha.

The grouse of the family was that the Certificate of Occupancy marked FCT/ABUKN 2478 covering Plot 3119 issued on June 25, 1993, was illegally and unlawfully revoked by the defendants on January 16, 2006, in breach of Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 28 of the Land Use Act.

In their statement of claims, the Abacha family said the FCT under Nasir El-Rufai had, between 2004 and 2005, instructed them to submit the Certificate of Occupancy in their possession for re-certification.

They claimed that the 2nd plaintiff, Mohammed Sani Abacha, promptly complied with the directive by delivering the Certificate of Occupancy to the FCDA, and an acknowledgement copy was issued to him.

While waiting for a new Certificate of Occupancy to be issued to them, the plaintiffs asserted that Mohammed Abacha received a letter on February 3, 2006, notifying them that the Certificate of Occupancy had been revoked without any reason adduced in the letter.

Besides the failure to give any reason for the revocation, the Abacha family alleged that adequate compensation was not paid.

The family, therefore, asked Justice Lifu to declare as unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null, and void, the revocation of the property and also sought an order setting aside the revocation and holding that their Certificate of Occupancy is valid and subsisting.

The plaintiffs asked for an order of injunction prohibiting the defendants from taking any further steps on the disputed property and to also compel the defendants to pay them N500M as damages.

However, the defendants, in their separate counter-affidavits and preliminary objections, asked for the outright dismissal of the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/463/2016.

Specifically, the 4th defendant, Salamed Ventures Limited, represented by James Ogwu Onoja SAN, argued that the suit, at the time it was instituted, had become statute-barred, having not been filed within three months of the cause of action allowed by law and thus, robbed the court of jurisdiction.

Onoja SAN submitted that the suit was caught by the provisions of the Public Officers Protection Act and had become a mere academic exercise and asked the Judge to dismiss it for being frivolous and lacking in merit.

The senior lawyer said that Salamed Ventures Limited became the owners of the disputed property upon its purchase from the federal government at N595M and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy number 181dw-3adcz-721r-15a8-10 of May 25, 2011.

In his judgment, Justice Lifu agreed with Onoja SAN that the cause of action arose on February 3, 2006, when the Certificate of Occupancy was revoked, while the case was filed in May 2015, years after the revocation and far more than three months it ought to have been filed.

Besides, the judge held that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi to file the case upon their failure to present as exhibits their letters of administration to the estate as required by law and as proof of their claim as the administrators.

Justice Lifu also agreed with Salamed Ventures that the Abacha property was lawfully revoked upon breaches in the covenants in the Right of Occupancy by erecting structures without first obtaining building plans.

The judge then dismissed the suit and ordered the Abacha family to pay Salamed Ventures N500,000 as the cost of litigation.

Veteran Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has urged everyone to avoid the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP).

Okonkwo said people would be scammed of their hard-earned money if they followed the Abure-led NWC, which he described as a bunch of ill-fated liars.

In a post on his X handle on Monday, the veteran actor dismissed a statement by the NWC of the Labour Party that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) didn’t reject its last convention.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to the updated lies of the rejected purported Abure-led NWC of Labour Party, signed by one Obiorah Ifoh, to the tune that INEC didn’t reject their crooked convention. A look at the letter will reveal that the writer neglected, failed, and refused to include the dates they purported to notify INEC of the changes in the venue.

“This is because they knew that the notice was inadequate and consequently by Section 82(5) of the Electoral Act was void. INEC didn’t attend because they were not legally notified to attend, not that they opted not to attend.

“Also, the Labour Party members or their duly elected delegates were not allowed to vote for their preferred candidates in the purported convention in accordance with Section 82(3) of the EA, making the convention void for not being all-inclusive as required by law.

“Everyone knows that they didn’t organise ward, local, or state congresses before the purported convention. INEC was right in rejecting the illegal convention, and they remain perpetually rejected.

“I wish to advise everyone to stay clear of these bunch of ill-fated liars as they will be scammed of their hard-earned money if they follow them.”

DAILY POST recalls that Okonkwo had distanced himself from the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party.

He said he couldn’t continue with a corrupt and incompetent NWC led by Abure.

The Nollywood veteran expressed strong condemnation of the national convention organised by Abure, saying it was rife with criminality and corruption.

According to him, “Nothing can wash out the criminality, corruption, and incompetence with which the purported National Convention was purportedly organised by Abure.

“I did not leave the comfort of a ruling party, APC, because I believe that they are incompetent and dishonest, only to come and join another incompetent and corrupt association, which is the current Abure-led National Working Committee of Labour Party.”

The Dangote Refinery said it is seeking crude oil import from Libya and Angola amid a supply challenge in Nigeria.

The Vice President of Dangote Industry Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin disclosed this in an interview with Reuters on Sunday.

Edwin said outside Libya and Angola, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery would also look to other African countries for crude to increase production in its facility.

“We are talking to Libya about importing crude.

“We will talk to Angola, as well and some other countries in Africa,” Edwin told Reuters.

The development comes after the firm had sought crude oil from the United States and Brazil.

Recall that in the past days, the Dangote refinery had been at the center of discussion in Nigeria’s media discourse following a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed that its products are inferior.

Ahmed’s has received a wide range of reactions from the public.

Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of Dangote Group has dismissed Ahmed’s statement, calling for an independent test.

Amnesty International has condemned the arrest and remand of Kano-based TikToker Junaidu Abdullahi, popularly known as ‘Abusalma,’ for mobilizing mass protests over the country’s widespread hunger and suffering.

In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty International demanded Abdullahi’s immediate release, accusing the Nigerian government of punishing him for exercising his fundamental rights.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release social media activist Junaidu Abdullahi (Abusalma), who was imprisoned in Kano for posting a viral TikTok video calling for a peaceful protest against widespread hunger across the country. #FreeAbusalma,” the human rights organization stated.

Amnesty International criticized the government’s actions, describing the expedited court proceedings and the three-week adjournment of the case as a deliberate attempt to punish Abdullahi for exercising his freedom of expression.

In February, Amnesty International reported that Nigerian authorities unlawfully arrested Aisha Jibrin, Fatima Aliyu, Fatima Isyaku, and 22 others in Minna, Niger State, for participating in a protest against the severe cost of living crisis. The police also unlawfully detained Fatima Auwal, a local bread (Gurasa) baker, for protesting the hike in flour prices.

Abdullahi, a TikTok influencer based in Kano, was arrested by security agents after posting a viral video calling for mass protests against the severe hunger and economic hardship affecting many Nigerians.

Sponsored by Rep. Babajimi Benson, the bill aims to preserve the lives of innocent unborn babies of such convicted women.

During the debate, Benson explained that the proposed legislation seeks to alter Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution by inserting a new subsection. This new subsection stipulates that if a pregnant woman is convicted of a capital offence, the court shall sentence her to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

The bill was passed and referred to the Committee on Constitution Amendment for further legislative actions.

Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a prominent Fulani socio-cultural association, has announced that its members will not participate in the planned nationwide protests against hunger and hardship scheduled for August 1, 2024.

During a press conference in Karu, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello-Bodejo, the national president, and Engr. Saleh Alhassan, the national secretary, made this clear. Bello-Bodejo stated, “Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore unequivocally and strongly asserts that we do not support the planned protests and our members will not be participating.” He emphasized the association’s preference for peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement with the authorities over mass protests. 

The group also praised the recent establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a related development, Alhaji Abdulkarim Dayyabu, a social critic and leader of the Movement for the Restoration of Justice, expressed scepticism about the authenticity of the faceless groups advocating for mass nationwide protests. Speaking to newsmen in Kano, Dayyabu urged the public to remain patient and supportive of the current leadership, suggesting that the government has been advised on the prevailing issues and is addressing them.

Don’t Destabilize Nigeria, CSOs Warn Protesters

In response to the planned nationwide protests organized by the #EndBadGovernance group, 259 civil society organizations (CSOs) under the Coalition for Transparency and Economic Reforms (COTER) have voiced their opposition.

COTER cautioned the protest organizers at a press conference led by National Coordinator Adeshina Animashaun. Animashaun noted that the protests could lead to chaos and violence reminiscent of the October 2020 #EndSARS demonstrations. He urged the organizers to reconsider, emphasizing that the protests could destabilize the nation and harm innocent citizens.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has stated that it is not their job to protect a company, adding that they are regulators.

The regulatory body stated this while replying to the claims by billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote that they were demarketing a company that they should be protecting.

Recall that NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed claimed that Dangote’s diesel was inferior, as it has more sulphur content than the imported one.

He also said the refinery, which has been selling diesel and aviation fuel in Nigeria for months, had yet to be licensed.

Reacting, Dangote lamented that it was disheartening that the regulators were not safeguarding the petroleum market in Nigeria.

However, speaking during an interview with Punch on Sunday, NMDPRA spokesman, George Ene-Ita fumed over the allegation that the regulator was demarketing a company it should protect, wondering if Dangote wants the agency to bend the rules in his favour.

“Why should we protect any company? We are regulators, operations are going don’t protect anybody; we regulate operators. If he says protect, it means we are shielding. It means that we should bend the rules. We don’t do that, we regulate every company.

“And we don’t demarket, what does he mean? You only demarket your competitors to gain an advantage. We are not competing with an operator. The word, ‘demarketing’, is only used when two competing brands are fighting. We are not an operator; we are a regulator. How can we demarket? Please, I take exception to that, on behalf of my organisation. We are not demarketing anybody. We are regulating every local refinery, including NNPC,” he clarified.

Speaking further, Ene-Ita said the body is expecting fresh reports to confirm the real sulphur content of the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery as the company debunked claims of inferior fuel production.

He said the agency had done its job and would not engage in a media fight with anybody over the claims made by the NMDPRA Chief Executive.

According to Ene-Ita, the authority has about 15 engineers and scientists embedded in the Dangote refinery, whose fresh report about the refinery’s sulphur content will be out on Monday (today).

The NMDPRA spokesman posited that a lot might have changed within a space of five days.

“We are not fighting anybody. Dangote refinery is the same as an indigenous local refinery. We are regulators, we don’t fight in the media. We have done our job, and that is it.

“You know we are dealing with engineering and time, and when we deal with engineering and time, it means that whatever claims put forward can be put to test and verified or debunked. If you recall, the ACE made that pronouncement on the sideline of an interaction on Wednesday or so. Between that time and now, it’s been like five days, a lot can change. So, 650ppm or 500 can come down to whatever.

“What I am saying is that I can’t give you any verifiable result for now, being a Sunday evening, until perhaps tomorrow when we will be in a position to review our technical report that must have been submitted by our engineers who are embedded in that plant. What normally comes to us are weekly reports. These particular tasks are done across the week from Monday to Sunday; even now, operations are going on and our engineers are there. So, I can’t speak to the claims made by that refinery now,” Ene-Ita explained.

Former president Bill Clinton and ex-secretary of state Hillary Clinton praised Joe Biden’s decision to abandon his White House reelection bid Sunday, and threw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris to take up the baton.

Lauding Biden‘s “extraordinary career of service,” the Clintons said in a joint statement that they were “honored” to join him in endorsing Harris as the Democratic nominee “and will do whatever we can to support her.”

“Nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one,” they continued.