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Fuel Scarcity: Group Lauds NNPC Boss,Kyari for Standing Against Antics of Saboteurs

…Says Current Scarcity uncalled for .

Group under umbrella of Energy Consumers Rights Association (ECORA) has described the current fuel scarcity in some parts of the country as clearly an act of sabotage, apparently aimed at frustrating efforts of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to ensure adequate supply .

According to the group, information gathered revealed that the problem of fuel scarcity, until recently considered a thing of the past, reared its ugly head again barely few months to the country’s general elections.

“Some of our members sent to some states for on-the-spot assessment of the fuel supply situation at selected filling stations , discovered that most filling stations in rural areas have fuel ,while in state capitals, there are some places without queues and others with queues, an evidence that , it’s a case of clear sabotage.It stated .

The group, which made this known in a press statement jointly signed by
Dr.Mustapha Ahmed Bala
President and Mrs Mary John Awe
Secretary General, the Energy Consumers Rights group commended the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC limited ,Eng. Mele Kyari for not bowing to antics of petroleum products marketers, who have wittingly adjusted upward the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) also called petrol.

While praising the national oil company for maintaining the pump price, it reiterated, “Those who have increased Pump Price are all scrupulous profiteers,who don’t care about the economic implications on consumers “.

On issue of the discovery of oil in northern Nigeria ,the Group lauded Kyari for breaking the jinx of more than five decades of exploration without success . Noting, “What appears impossible has finally been made possible” .

The statement further reads: “The discovery of oil in commercial quantity and subsequent exploration of the oil in Bauchi, Gombe and Nasarawa states respectively will no doubt lead to increased job opportunities; industrial growth and emergence of new refineries.

“As group of consumers , we happy to be associated with NNPC limited because, of the short and long term economic implications, which suffices to say, “The country can now generate more revenues from oil for sustainable growth and development.”

The group however raised alarm saying,”Since the information about discovery of oil in northern parts of the country,it observed some persons have started undermining Kyari for no just reasons .

“We expect these people to know that rather than making attempts to undermine Kyari’s proactive efforts to rescue our oil sector, such should acknowledge him for two things that distinct him from past Chief Executives of NNPC: First frantic efforts to clamp down on oil thieves and secondly, the discovery of oil in northern Nigeria .

“It for these reasons that we are asking Kyari to remain focused and concentrate on the reforms to ensure that the masses feel the positive impact of Nigeria’s oil wealth”.

CHIEF MAGISTRATE EMMANUEL IYANA REVERSES HIS ORDER, ADMITS HE WAS MISLED.

By Ndon Asian

The presiding chief magistrate Emmanuel Iyana of Abuja Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse 6, has now reversed himself, setting aside his earlier order and warrant for the arrest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial flag bearer for Akwa Ibom State.

The ruling followed a motion filed by counsel to Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Bar Samuel Ikpo who asked the court not only to set aside its earlier order but also to decline jurisdiction which it wrongly assumed, thereby rendering every proceedings a nullity.

Chief magistrate Iyana, in his ruling delivered some minutes ago, admitted in line with the submission of Ikpo that the order was issued in error having been misled into assuming a jurisdiction he lacked in the first place.

He also set aside his his warrant for the arrest of the PDP flag-bearer on the same reason of having been misled to issue it.

It can be recalled that the magistrate had in late December 2022 issued an order for the arrest of the PDP governoship candidate under very controversial and suspicious circumstances.

The the controversial order followed a complaint by one Edet Godwin Etim who claimed to reside in Ibeno – Ibeno LGA, and who according to him, left the employ of Royalty Hotel Eket in Eket LGA.

The Defendant who has has been publicly campaigning had repeatedly stated that he was not aware of the existence of any case against him, having not been served any court processes; had resigned from the BOT of Royalty Hotel in 2020 to take up an appointment with the Akwa Ibom State Government as a Director.

News of the purported “conviction” by magistrate Iyana was recently broken by the Cable – an online news medium. Since the news emerged, many opposition figures and their supporters have taken to the social media to celebrate.

Apparently, Mr Etim may have to return to Akwa Ibom State where the jurisdiction lie, to begin the process afresh if he has sufficient substance to support his claims.

The matter was brought pursuant to section 89(3) and 101(1)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 for the offence of Cheating and Dishonesty of Inducing Delivery of Property in the Penal code.

SDP Presidential Candidate Denies Rumours of Alliance With APC

THE presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has refuted allegations of a possible collaboration with the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) ahead of next month’s election.

The lawyer cum politician who has been consistent in his campaign , on Wednesday said the news of alliance talks with the APC as “fake news”.

Prince Adebayo insisted that the SDP won’t step down for any political party stressing that both the APC and PDP are unprogressive.

“It is fake news. This is not from the SDP. We will never be part of such an anti-people, unprogressive alliance. APC is definitely ruled out. We will never step down or be in alliance with APC or PDP. SDP will contest the election till the end. We are working for victory. We are reaching out to the grassroots”

THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CHIEF KENNETH GBAGI STANDS HIM OUT AS THE BEST AMONG THE REST

The Delta State governorship candidate under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olorugun Kenneth Gbagi is undoubtedly the best among the rest as his outstanding achievements is speaking loud and clear in his favour as the man the good people of Delta State need as their governor at this juncture.

As a minister for State For Education, under his tenure, 13 Federal Universities were created, while numbers of educational reforms were introduced which saw to heavy government funding of tertiary, secondary and primary schools. By and large, these reforms have helped increased the access of millions of Nigerians to education at all levels.

According to Fabian Idehin, a journalist, “Mr Gbagi within that short period as a minister introduced series of reforms that triggered the positive growth of the educational sector in the country.

“He made sure that the federal government invested heavily in primary and secondary schools across the country with the aim of bringing secondary and primary schools closer to the masses and it worked”.

Idehin added,
“It was the efforts made by the former minister that led to the creation of 13 Universities in country.

“He also instituted reforms at the tertiary levels which led to more enrolment of candidates into universities, polytechnics and monothenics. Furthermore, students were given more access to loans and scholarships while tertiary institutions enjoy more fundings from local and international partners

“At the homefront, Mr Gbagi ensured that a Federal Girls College was established at Ughelli South to cater for the need of people from that areas”.

Before he became a Minister, the first Military Administrator of Delta State, Colonel Bassey Asuquo, had appointed him Chairman of Delta Development and Property Authority (DDPA) due to his capacity, sincerity and commitment to serving humanity in all honesty.

Chief Gbagi didn’t operate below the confidence reposed on him as within that short period, he came up with a revenue formular that saw the DDPA, which had a zero account balance when he assumed office, to have over N800 million in its accounts from issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.

It was testified that “As a businessman and an industralist who has employed hundreds and provided opportunities to numerous Deltans, Gbagi has the leadership qualities and what it’s takes to lead Delta State to the promised Land. As he had demonstrated and shown capacity while as Minister of State for Education and has a successful entrepreneur and industrialist.

Mrs. Mary Daniel, a house wife and residence of Asaba opined that

“The former Minister has invested his resources in generating employment opportunities within the state by building and setting up businesses to provide employment for jobless Deltans.

According to her, “If Olorugun Gbagi is elected as the next Governor of Delta State, for the first time, Delta State would have the highest private investor and employer of labour in the state, and incorruptible leader rolled into one, as a governor”.

Therefore, the best that the good people of Delta State can do at time is to queue behind Chief Kenneth Gbagi, give him all the supports he needs and massively vote for him to emerge as the next governor of Delta State.

TINUBU DONATES 370 BAGS OF CORN FLOUR, N500,000 TO ZAMFARA FEMALE ULAMAH ASSOCIATION

The All Progressives Congress APC Presidential Candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu today donated 370 Bags of Corn flour and N500,000 to Zamfara State Female Ulamah Association in Gusau.

The donations were announced and made by the Zamfara State Presidential Campaign Council Coordinator, Senator Kabiru Garba during a one day seminar organised by the Zamfara State Female Ulamah Association in collaboration with the Zamfara State Zakkat and Endowment Board.

The theme of the event was : Islam and Politics, “A tool for National Development” which held at the board’s Multi Purpose Hall, Gusau.

Senator Kabiru Garba who served as a Special Guest at the seminar charged Islamic Scholars to educate people especially Muslims on the need to elect credible leaders that will ensure national development according to the teachings of Islam where all people live in harmony.

He said the Ticket of Tinubu/Shattima is a well balanced one that will guarantee freedom of religion and worship to all beliefs accross the country.

According to him, those against the ticket are hypocrites who are only bent to distarblalize the political arrangement of power shift from one region to another.

The Presidential Campaign Coordinator charged Islamic Scholars in the Country to intensify effort in preaching peace, unity and justice that will lead to the complete return of peace in the country.

He described Female in Da’awa as one of the Islamic tools that will mobilize and educate the electorate in the forthcoming elections and lead to the enshrinement of credible leaders like Tinubu/Shattima and unify the country politically, economically and Socially.

Marafa also commended Governor Matawalle for his constant support and encouragement to all Islamic activities in the state.

Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa who was represented by Mallam Aminu Jelani then thanked the organisers for inviting him to such very important and educative seminar that has direct bearing on mankind in the political arena.

The Seminar was attended by Sheikh Ahmad Umar Kanoma, Sheikh Abubakar Muhammad Sodangi, Sheikh Dr. Aliyu Sani Jangebe and many Islamic Scholars within and outside the state .

ADC Candidate For Kajuru/ Chikun Fed Constituency Trains Over 200 Women In Various Skill Acquisition

By Mike Odeh James

Over 200 women of all ages are currently undergoing training on how to make Vaseline jelly, air freshener mentholatum, soap and detergent at the Kajuru Township Hall in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State .

The the training program which was put together by Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo the candidate of African Democratic Congress for Kajuru/ Chikun Federal Constituency (National Assembly ) in the forthcoming polls, consists of two batches of 100 women each which would be trained and then empowered after their training .

According to Jibrin Sadau, the campaign Coordinator of Honorable Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo Campaign Team, his principal has arranged with a consulting firm that train the women in certain vocations and trades.

He further explain the reasons for the training session

“Here in Kajuru, we have many graduates and school leavers,we do not want them to sit and wait for government to give them employment or jobs which may not materialise.

“In view of this, Hajiya Gambo decided that it is better we train and empower our women, he concluded

Also speaking to journalists during the training session, Pauline Roberts, the Special adviser to Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo , the program is meant to make women productive in the society and less dependent on men.

She further revealed that the training and empowerment sessions would continue even after Honorable Gambo is elected

“I wish to let you know that Hajiya Gambo desires that all women should be productive and self-sufficient so that they can properly train the family .

“The training would continue even after Gambo is elected as a member of the House of Representatives, she added

Some of the participants who spoke to media men also express their gratitude to Gambo for making it possible for them to acquire skills that would enable them to be productive .

Mercy Audu from Kalla Ward said that she is a petty trader but with the skills that she would acquire, it would help her to expand her trade.She also expressed her gratitude to the ADC Candidate

For Aishat Inusa from Kajuru ward, said she was jobless before she was asked to learn how to make Vaseline, sir freshener and soap .

“Once I am done with the training, I will start trading on my own .

I am using this medium to thank Hajiya Gambo for coming to the aid of women in Kajuru, she added

Real reasons why Binani will be woefully trounced in Adamawa Guber poll

by IBRAHIM MADA,

From all indications, the quest of governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to succeed himself in the March 2023 Gubernatorial election has been sealed as the Gubernatorial ambition of his arch rival, Sen Aishatu Dahiru Binani keeps wobbling over serious contentious issues and moral questions staring her in the face.

On one hand, the only female Gubernatorial contender is facing humongous integrity questions over her past misdeeds including alleged theft of public resources and perverse immoral acts when she was a student.

The issue of her suitability in the eyes of many Islamic scholars also poses a great threat to her ambition as conservative Muslims in Adamawa and beyond are hell bent at ensuring that a women did not hold executive position in a Muslim dominated state like Adamawa.

Again, her ambition is facing another litmus test from her own party over intractable and unresolved differences that emanated from the contentious gubernatorial primaries that pitched the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Malam Nuhu Ribadu against the Gubernatorial candidate which metamorphosed into a legal tussle between the two gladiators.

Another issue facing the APC candidate is the no love lost between her and the Adamawa State Presidential Campaign Council superintended by the former deputy governor of Adamawa State Martins Babale.

Right now the two sides do not see eye to eye because of this gaping cleavage which snowballed into a media war between Binani’s supporters and the members of the PCC.

Another reason for the envisage loss of Binani has to do with allegations of substance abuse which made most of the elites in the state to treat her ambition with a pinch of salt as they believe that if she emerged as governor, Adamawa State is going to loss substantial goodwill on account of electing a substance abuser.

Based on the foregoing, elites in the state are meeting surreptitiously to form a bipartisan front to ensure that the move of Binani to govern Adamawa State is truncated at all cost as that will set the clock of Adamawa’s development in the reverse direction as the state will lose both its goodwill and credibility before the committee of states.

Another serious issue that will dog the Binani quest to become Adamawa State governor is her herd line posture against a large creme of members of state working committee of APC whom she has since declared as enemies for taking sides against her during her legal tussle with Ribadu.

Again, the fear of a backlash if she wins the general election will make many amongst the members of the state working committee to resort to anti-party as many are of the opinion that if Binani win the election she is going to bring back her man Friday and stooge in the person of Ibrahim Bilal the former state chairman of the party who was removed over alleged humongous financial malfeasance.

A number of disgruntled party stalwarts including officials of the party at state and national levels have vowed to support governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to finish his second tenure for the expediency of preventing what they consider as taboo from happening to Adamawa State.

Already some of these people are working seriously behind the clock to ensure Binani’s dreams and larger than life ambition is scuttled for its debilitating consequences. While some are working behind the curtains to ensure her ambition did not see the light of day some have openly indicated that they will never support her ambition.

One of the stalwarts that has resolved not to support Binani is the immediate past governor of the state Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow who during a meeting with development area administrators in Mubi has resolved to support Fintiri in the Gubernatorial election.

Another APC stalwart that has towed Bindow’s line is his former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Prince Mustpaha Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha who seems by all means and purporses is ready to take sides with his boss.

With the litany of issues dogging the ambition of Binani, her woeful defeat and the convincing victory of governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri come March 2023 is secured and sealed and it is only a matter of time for that dream to become a reality.

Fuel Supply: Stop Sabotaging Nigerians, Threatening NNPCL, group warns DAPPMAN, Others

Urges IPMAN, PTD, NUPENG to prepare for subsidy removal

A citizens-led anti-sabotage group on the aegis of The Natives has cautioned Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and other stakeholders in the oil sector to stop threatening the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in its efforts in the supply chain of petroleum products, thereby causing hardship for Nigerians.

The group also asked all the stakeholders in the oil industry to start preparing for fuel subsidy removal by June 2023, saying the country cannot continue with the regime of fuel subsidy that benefits only the few.

The anti-sabotage organisation was reacting to a media report credited to the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (PTD-NUPENG) threatening another strike.

In the report NUPENG had accused security agents of “illegal activities and high-handedness” particulalrly the Military Task Force operating in the Port Harcourt zone of the Union.

But in a statement signed and released on Thursday in Abuja, by the President General of The Natives, Hon. Smart Edwards, the group said instead of threatening the NNPCL and sabotaging Nigerians, DAPPMAN and other Unions in the oil sector should devise another productive means of resolving impasse among the stakeholders and not causing Nigerians to be panic.

The statement said: “We read with disappointment the media reports credited to NUPENG against efforts to enforce sanity by joint task force on illegal activities by marketers and we called on DAPPMAN and other Unions in the Oil Sector to stop sabotaging the masses.

“We call on Depot Owners in the oil sector to stop their acts of economic sabotage capable of imposing hardship on the masses. We believe that your businesses should be done within the law. It is an act of sabotage when you purchase products at regulated prices and go on to sell at prohibitive prices to independent marketers, what then do you expect? This is profiteering at the expense of Nigerians and therefore evil.

“Nigerians are not having this conversation amnesia. In 2022 the nation witnessed a great discovery of a network of pipes shortchanging Nigeria’s crude oil pby collaborative theft, the same which led to a joint action to collapse and curb this evil venture by NNPCL and Tompolo’s company, we will therefore not take lightly any act capable of reinstalling this kinds of economic sabotage.

“The players in this sector must seek new ways of doing things with transparency and not transferring their sole goal of making profits on the masses. Lifting and storing of products are services rendered in a critical sector that affects all Nigerians, so it must not always be about threats.

“We must seek with the managers of the oil sector to begin to do things differently. Depot owners must begin to be patriotic.

“Again fuel susbidy will be removed in June this year and it is a must, therefore DAPPMAN and all other unions and associations must be ready to make sacrifices as the year progresses.”

While calling on all the Unions and associations in oil sector to be patriotic, The Natives demanded for elevation of transparency in their businesses.

“We also wish to make it abundantly clear that certainly transparency and patriotism must be elevated.

“We call on IPMAN, PTD and NUPENG to begin to look inwards, sanitize their midst and purge themselves and expel from their midst some unscrupulous members and unpatriotic players who engage in smuggling, to desist from this retrogressive acts declared on the Nation, so as to carry out their businesses without let or hindrance rather than accusing the military or security agencies of taking actions based on intelligence gathered.

This is a new year and the budget already is seeing N3.6 Trillion Naira been earmarked for fuel susbidy, when youths are earnestly yearning for jobs and better livelihood.

“Nobody will save us as a country except we ourselves. Nigeria’s resources are bleeding in the midst of blessings in natural resources, and citizens have been responsible for it, now that the country is aware, we cannot fold our hands, we all must set Eagle eyes on the players and cronies of the sector.

“We are tired of the blame games always let’s enthrone transparency.”

BREAKING: Delta State SDP Guber Candidate Gbagi Gets a Boost As Bishop Odutemu Endorses Him

The gubernatorial candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the March 2023 election in Delta State, Chief Olorugun Kenneth Gbagi and his campaign team got a big endorsement from the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ughelli on Wednesday when the Governorship candidate visited the cleric.

The Bishop of the Anglican Communion Diocese, Right Rev Cyril Odutemu who conducted the New Year Annual Prayer Service at the Anglican Girls Communion School ground endorsed the ambition of Chief Gbagi to become the next Governor of the state.

The Cleric prayed for the success of Olorugun Gbagi in his quest to become the next occupant of the Delta State Government House in Asaba, while presenting him to the congregants.

The Cleric further blessed the gubernatorial candidate asking that God should grant him the power and will to do as he promised.

Speaking earlier, Olorugun Gbagi urged the people of Delta State to vote him as their next governor based on his track record as a former minister, administrator and human capacity developer.

The popular and energetic politician said, during his tenure as a Federal Minister he created 13 Federal Universities across the country, “within that short period, I brought the Federal Government Girls College to Ughelli South and I’ll do more”, he added.

He continue by urging the good people of Delta State to take their fate in their hands and liberate their states this 2023, “if we don’t liberated ourselves then we are in trouble. Hence, my conscious efforts in creating facilities that would generate employment opportunities”.

He further promised to initiate Local Government reforms that would make Local Governments autonomous and viable.
“I promised to pay unemployed youths in Delta State N30,000 every month till they are gainful employed”.

According to political observers, the endorsement of Kenneth Gbagi by Bishop Odutemu is a major milestone that would greatly increase his chances at the polls. It could be recalled that community leaders from Ughelli South and other great leaders from communities across the state have been endorsing Gbagi as the next Governor .

We can stop crude oil theft in one week – SDP’s Adebayo

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) Presidential Flag bearer for the 2023 February polls has said that within a week, his administration will implement measures to reduce crude oil theft and boost national revenue.

When asked what he could do to solve the nation’s revenue problems, he made this audacious claim.

“We are going to collect our lawful taxes from the various corporations,” Prince Adebayo stated, “but we won’t increase taxes because many businesses aren’t properly taxed, especially those in the mineral resources industry.

“So many businesses are functioning unlawfully that it is difficult to tax them. These businesses are also responsible for the widespread theft of the nation’s resources, including lithium and gold.”

In regards to eliminating subsidies, he stated that “by supporting the many commercial and modular refineries that are currently being built to run correctly, we will strengthen our self sufficiency in terms of supplies.

“Unfortunately, management of the subsidy has become welfare package for the people who are close to the presidency as most of the supplies that are being paid for by the Federal Government are fictional.”

He also said that pricing of petroleum products must be regulated so that Nigerians can afford the products once we become fully operational.

“We need to govern our resources and guard them jealously by making sure that our resources are properly taxed and improve our revenue generated.”

“We are receiving only seven percent of the taxes on the mineral resources. We can’t complain of exhausting our options in terms of revenue when we have not regulated taxes and solve supply of crude domestically” he said.