Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Author: Abuja Bureau

  • Ajimobi’s APC NWC to Buhari: You’re ill-advised, don’t attend Giadom’s NEC Meeting

    Ajimobi’s APC NWC to Buhari: You’re ill-advised, don’t attend Giadom’s NEC Meeting

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Ahead of tomorrow’s virtual meeting of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) called by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Victor Giadom, the factional leaders of the party Wednesday said they would boycott the meeting, which President Muhammadu Buhari has signified his interest to attend.

    The factional leaders under the chairmanship of Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led National Working Committee (NWC) described tomorrow’s meeting as illegal.

    Rising from a meeting at APC National Secretariat in Abuja in Wednesday night, Ajimobi’s NWC said the President must have been ill-advised or blackmailed into accepting the proposal for Thursday’s meeting.

    “We wish to unequivocally state that members of the National Working Committee (NWC) believe that the President was offered wrong advice or blackmailed into lending his weighty office to the illegality of the National Executive Committee meeting purportedly convened by one Victor Giadom on 25th June, 2020.

    “We hereby respectfully implore Mr. President to kindly avail himself with facts of the matter regarding the impasse presently experienced by the party so as to guide him in his assessment of the matter because we are sure that the President if properly advised, would come to the conclusion that the meeting convened by Chief Victor Giadom bothers on illegality and criminality.

    “The National Working Committee (NWC) regrets to turn down the invitation to the illegal and unconstitutional National Executive Committee (NEC) convened by Chief Victor Giadom.

    “We believe that attending such a meeting will amount to embracing illegalities and turning a blind eye to the infractions on the constitution of our great party,” said a statement signed by the National Vice Chairman (South-south), Hilliard Eta who is standing in for Ajimobi; and co-signed by the party’s National Secretary, Waziri Bulama.

    Letter by the Ajimobi NWC factional Acting Chairman, Hilliard Eta
  • Just in…Buhari Recognises Giadom as Acting National Chairman of APC

    Just in…Buhari Recognises Giadom as Acting National Chairman of APC

    Idowu Sowunmi

    President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday recognised Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman, saying he has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned.

    “The President has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned and has determined that the law is on the side of Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman. Because he will always act in accordance with the law, the President will be attending the virtual meeting Giadom called for tomorrow afternoon.

    “We urge the media to stop promoting manufactured controversies and to not give any further room for mischievous interpretations of the law on this matter.

    “In addition to the President, the Giadom meeting will, hopefully, be attended by our Governors and the leaders of the National Assembly,” said a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in response to enquiry by some journalists.

    More to follow…

  • Court stops Obaseki from participating in PDP primary

    Court stops Obaseki from participating in PDP primary

    Idowu Sowunmi

    A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Monday stopped Edo State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant, Godwin Obaseki, from participating in the June 25 governorship primary of the party in the state.

    A PDP member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, had filed an ex parte motion, praying the court to bar Obaseki from taking part in the primary.

    The applicant also sought a court order to restrain the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and the party from allowing Obaseki to buy the forms for the primary, other than those who bought the forms within the party’s timetable initially published for the election.

    Joined in the suit are: Secondus, PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), chairman of the party screening committee, Kingsley Chinda, and other members of the committee.

    Ruling on the motion, Justice E. A. Obile of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted the applicant’s prayers and ordered the interim injunction as requested.

    All the parties in the case were to be served via substituted means.

    Substantive hearing in the case has, however, been adjourned to June 24.

    PDP had announced a waiver for Obaseki to enable him participate in the primary election, even though he joined the party only on June 19.

    The party also reconvened the Chinda screening committee which had ended its assignment on June 5 to screen Obaseki on June 20.

    It would be recalled that one of the PDP aspirants, Gideon Ikhine, had stepped down for Obaseki on June 22 and handed over his campaign office to him.

  • Aig-Imoukhuede, PSHAN unveil new initiative to improve PHCs

    Aig-Imoukhuede, PSHAN unveil new initiative to improve PHCs

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Founder and Chairman of Africa Initiative for Governance, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, in collaboration with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) have unveiled a new initiative geared towards significantly improving Nigeria’s healthcare system at the grassroots level.

    The innovative strategy, which was in furtherance of a vision from an earlier stakeholders’ roundtable, entailed delivering one Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas at global standards.

    Under this private sector-driven initiative, universal health access would be provided for low-income citizens residing in rural and urban areas through the Adopt-a-Health Facility Programme (ADHFP).

    ADHFP, according to PSHAN Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sonny Nwarisi, would be sponsored by a group of Angel Investors and other institutions.

    He said these “Angels” would each take responsibility for one or more PHCs – they would build and operate the PHCs for the period of adoption under strict rules and guidelines.

    ADHFP is a multi-impact initiative with several benefits including: Saving lives, Improvement in health outcomes, Job creation, and Gender empowerment.

    Aig-Imoukhuede and PSHAN recently initiated ADHFP design phase which would be handled by Vesta Healthcare Partners, a global healthcare consultancy firm.

    This consultancy engagement was expected to deliver key programme components such as: legal and regulatory framework, public private partnership framework, PHC facility and management standards, financing arrangements, governance arrangements, supply chain management, and technology and systems.

    The design phase would involve active participation of notable development-focused organisations like: Global Citizen, ABCHealth, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), MTN Nigeria Plc, Dangote Group, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Stanbic-IBTC Bank, PwC, Cisco, Ford Foundation, Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Flying Doctors Nigeria.

    Others are: Africa Practice, Cedar Advisory Partners, GBCHealth, Health Federation of Nigeria, Health Law, Eti-Osa Local Government, JNC International Ltd, Johnson & Johnson, Justice in Healthcare, Lagos State Government, MSD for Mothers, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), ONE Campaign, PharmAccess Foundation, Women-At-Risk International Foundation as well as Lagos State Government and the Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals among others.

  • In a new twist, Abuja Court reaffirms Giadom as APC Acting National Chairman

    In a new twist, Abuja Court reaffirms Giadom as APC Acting National Chairman

    Idowu Sowunmi

    A Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reaffirmed and extended its order making Chief Victor Giadom as the Acting National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) following the Court of Appeal’s approval of the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from the party and office.

    The court also ordered Mr. Mustapha Salihu, the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-east) to act as Acting National Secretary pending the conveying of a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of APC.

    The court extended the order for two weeks in a ruling it gave upon listening to the prayer of Mr. Wale Afolabi, counsel to Giadom, to extend the order it gave on March 16, 2020.

    It reaffirmed an interim order granting him approval to continue being the National Chairman in acting capacity, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice or till NEC of the party decides.

    The court also restrained APC or any other member of the party from disturbing Giadom from functioning as the party’s Acting National Chairman.

    The Court Ruling.

  • Shortly after Oshiomhole’s sack, APC appoints Ajimobi as acting National Chairman

    Shortly after Oshiomhole’s sack, APC appoints Ajimobi as acting National Chairman

    Idowu Sowunmi

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally reacted to the news in which the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court had ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as APC national chairman.

    Reacting to the Appellate Court ruling on Tuesday, APC NWC, in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said: “Guided by advice from the party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Abiola Ajimobi, will serve as the party’s Acting National Chairman.

    “According to Section 14.2. (iii) of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone.”

    Read the full text of the statement below:

    Senator Abiola Ajimobi to Serve as APC Acting National Chairman

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received the news indicating the Appeal Court has upheld the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, by an FCT High Court pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    Guided by advice from the party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Abiola Ajimobi, will serve as the party’s Acting National Chairman.

    According to Section 14.2. (iii) of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone.”

  • Shooting in Aso Rock: Buhari orders Investigation in line with rule of law

    Shooting in Aso Rock: Buhari orders Investigation in line with rule of law

    Idowu Sowunmi

    President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a full investigation into a security breach at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in which an Aide-de-Camp to First Lady, Usman Shuguba, fired gunshots last Thursday in a bid to apprehend Buhari’s cousin, Sabiu Yusuf, who was alleged to have refused to self-isolate after returning from Lagos State, where he had gone to see his wife who had just put to bed.

    Prominent Nigerians have expressed concerns over the development and tasked the President to take a decisive action.

    Reacting to the incident for the first time on Sunday, Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, ordered investigation into the matter and vowed that rule of law would be allowed to take its natural cause.

    “Armed guards and other security personnel assigned to the State House receive the necessary training of especially weapons handling and where they come short, their relevant agencies have their rules and regulations to immediately address them.

    “Having authorised the proper investigation to be carried out into this unfortunate incident by the police, the President has acted in compliance with the rule of law.

    “In this particular instance, the President says the law should be allowed to take its course,” the statement said.

    While acknowledging concerns expressed by several members of the public regarding the recent incident among the occupants of the State House which escalation led to the arrest of some staff by the police, the statement assured that “the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, is not, and was not at anytime in any form of danger arising, either from deadly infections or the reported incident by security personnel which is currently under investigation.”

    The Presidency added that the incident happened outside the main residence of the President.

    Shehu described the incident as “a minor occurrence,” and condemned some individuals who used the incident to “justify attacks on the government and the person of President Muhammadu Buhari,” saying such attitude “beggars belief.”

    Meanwhile, the President has criticised members of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for alleging that the insecurity in some northern states of the country was an indication that Buhari and governors have failed in their constitutional duty to protect the people.

    Reacting to this statement, Buhari said: “We are not surprised by this latest statement by Prof. Abdullahi, and our past position on what his group represents remains unchanged: a mere irritant and featherweight.”

    NEF, in a statement on Sunday and signed by its Convener, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, had berated the President and some northern governors for not foing enoigh to protect the northerners.

    But the President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, countered NEF’s position.

    “Hearing that title, you would think the body was a conglomeration of true elders. But the truth is that NEF is just Ango Abdullahi, and Ango Abdullahi is NEF. It is a quasi-organisation that boasts of no credible membership, and its leader is akin to a General without troops.

    “Before the 2019 presidential election, the one-man army called NEF had shown its antipathy against President Buhari, and its preference for another candidate. They all got beaten together.

    “NEF is merely waving a flag that is at half-mast. President Buhari steadily and steadfastly focuses on the task of retooling Nigeria, and discerning Nigerians know the true state of the nation. They don’t need a paper tiger to tell them anything,” the statement said.

  • Edo Guber Poll: Unperturbed by His disqualification, Obaseki Rallies Supporters

    Edo Guber Poll: Unperturbed by His disqualification, Obaseki Rallies Supporters

    Unperturbed by his disqualification from contesting the June 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has held a series of meetings at the Government House in Benin City to rally his supporters and determine his next political move.

    There are strong indications that Obaseki may pitch his tent with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Rallying his supporters ahead of September 19 governorship election in Edo State, the governor appreciated the people of the state for their unflinching support and prayers.

    “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki sincerely appreciates Edo people, Nigerians and our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, for the outpouring of goodwill and solidarity since the announcement of his unjust disqualification by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee from the Edo governorship primary election. He thanks them for keeping the faith.

    “We are consulting widely with party leaders and members in the state and other stakeholders and we shall soon brief the public on the next steps we are taking, going forward,” said Obaseki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie.

    The statement explained that the governor’s insistence not to appeal his disqualification was informed by his stance not to kowtow to the wishes of a handful of politicians, who do not have the interest of the people at heart.

    “The governor is unfazed, even as he would soon announce his next line of action. But at the moment, Edo people and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are solidly standing behind the governor. They have declared unflinching support for him and the ideals he stands for.

    “The market women, labour unions, clerics, women groups, the elderly, artisan groups, youths, among others, are strongly in support of the governor’s ambition and his stance to keep the state’s treasury sealed from those who have now resorted to disqualifying him from running under the APC in the gubernatorial elections because of their selfish interests. But Governor Obaseki remains undaunted and unperturbed.

    “For Obaseki, it is Edo people or nothing. This is why he has remained in this battle thus far. Among many other reasons, each of the groups that form the governor’s support base have benefitted from Governor Obaseki’s stance against thuggery and extortion. The governor has enthroned probity and accountability in governance. For labour unions, regular salaries, clearing of over 20 months pension arrears and providing a conducive work environment is what is gearing them to support the governor. The pensioners are fully in support of his policies. The governor has not only cleared pension arrears accrued since 1999, but would soon commence the payment of gratuities.

    “The governor’s loyalty rests with Edo people. He would not trade them away to those who have decided to become godfathers and waging a war of impunity to subjugate the people,” the statement said.

    Why disqualifying Obaseki on Friday, the Jonathan Ayuba APC Screening Committee adduced six why the incumbent governor could not seek second term in office.

    The reasons include:
    1. For claiming to have a Higher School Leaving Certificate which is unknown to the Nigerian educational system;
    2. For allegedly being in possession of an affidavit disowned by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory;
    3. For error in the National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate which bears Obasek as against Obaseki;
    4. For loss of primary, secondary and the Higher School Leaving Certificates;
    5. For alleged violation of Article 21 D (V) of the party’s constitution, which forbids members from taking the party to court; and
    6. For legal precedents occasioned by the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on discrepancies in names.

  • Edo APC Primary: Obaseki Describes His Disqualification as Disheartening as Ize-Iyamu Hails Screening Committee

    Edo APC Primary: Obaseki Describes His Disqualification as Disheartening as Ize-Iyamu Hails Screening Committee

    Idowu Sowunmi
    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Friday described as unfortunate and disheartening his disqualification by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee from participating in the June 22 guber primary in the schedule.
    The governor said the situation was quite saddening because APC has failed to live up to expectations as a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.
    Thus, Obaseki ruled out the possibility of appealing to the outcome of the alleged “unjust screening exercise.”
    “We have watched the mockery of democratic process, which Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is administering and superintending over in our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). It has been an unfortunate, disheartening and dreadful spectacle.
    “We had initially asserted that going by the open display and enthronement of illegality by one man in the party that comprises several organs and eminent personalities, there is no way that Governor Godwin Obaseki would get a fair assessment in the run-up to the nomination of candidates to fly the flag of the party in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election.
    “It is unfortunate that this open show of shame, illegality and travesty of justice is the brand of democracy which Comrade Oshiomhole has reduced the APC into. The situation is quite saddening because this is a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.
    “We have therefore decided that it would be effort in futility to appeal whatever the unjust outcome of the evaluation and screening process of the APC will be, especially when Comrade Oshiomhole has declared that he is the Supreme Court and ultimate determiner of the fate and future of our great party.
    “We wish Oshiomhole luck in his maladministration of the party and trust that the Almighty will help our country to find the path to true liberty, freedom and justice.
    “We call on all party members and the teeming supporters of Governor Obaseki to remain calm and await further directives,” said Obaseki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie.
    The APC Screening Committee has disqualified Edo State governor from contesting in the party’s governorship primary election scheduled for June 22.
    The committee chairman, Prof. Jonathan Ayuba, made the disclosure in a press conference on Friday afternoon.
    He said the governor did not present his Higher School Leaving Certificate, adding that the committee could not ascertain the authenticity of Obaseki’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
    Ayuba said the committee recommended that the incumbent Edo State governor was not eligible to contest in the election.
    However, Dr. Pius Odubu and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu were cleared to contest.
    Meanwhile, Ize-Iyamu has expressed gratitude to the screening committee of the party for carrying out a thorough job.
    Ize-Iyamu, in a statement on Friday in Benin by the Director of Communication and Media of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s Campaign Organisation, Mr John Mayaki, commended the leadership of the ruling party its true spirit and character premised on “a bold insistence on fairness, accountability, and transparency.”
    He said: “I wish to send my deepest gratitude to all the members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for joyful cooperation that led to a seamless but thorough screening exercise.
    “I urge all the members of our party whose indefatigable commitment, loyalty, and cooperation has led to the success we experienced in recent times, to remain focused and committed to our general ambition as a party, and in the same vein pursuant of our personal political dreams in light of our progressive philosophy.
    “As we prepare for the primaries and the election itself, it is time we bind together and close ranks, remembering that the greatest goal is the progress of Edo State, the moving forward of our great homeland, and the betterment of life for all of its people.”
    But, a former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has predicted that the ruling party would suffer “dire consequences” in Edo State on account of the disqualification of Obaseki by the APC screening panel.
    Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Chief Ray Morphy, in Abuja on Friday, described the outcome of the screening as a hatchet job aimed at installing a stooge that would allegedly allow some people unfettered access to the treasury of Edo State.
    “While not a surprise, that disqualification is a clear indication that internal democracy has been murdered in APC, a party which we founded on the principles of fair play and good conscience!
    “I daresay that APC will suffer dire consequences in Edo State if this disqualification is not speedily reversed.
    “As a matter of fact, Oshiomhole is indeed the one who is guilty of anti-party (activities), not Obaseki.
    “Oshiomhole is the one who is acting unconstitutionally not Obaseki. I hope that Oshiomhole will not go down in history as the undertaker of APC,” Odigie-Oyegun said.
    The Chairman of Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anselm Ojezua, Esq., has, however, called for calm among party members and supporters following the unjust disqualification of the governor.
    While noting that Obaseki has performed credibly well and would still be reelected for a second term, Ojezua said: “I want to appeal to leaders and members of APC in Edo State to remain calm. The validity of the Screening Committee has not been established.
    “A proper response to the report is yet to come as the leadership of the party in the state will meet tomorrow and at the end of the meeting give an appropriate response.
    “They didn’t say he will not contest the election but that he will not contest under the platform of the APC.
    “By tomorrow, we will meet and be in a position to make a proper statement on what the future holds for the party in Edo State.”
  • NNPC warns of contaminated diesel, explains measures to cut crude oil production cost

    NNPC warns of contaminated diesel, explains measures to cut crude oil production cost

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has raised an alarm over prevalent low grade and contaminated Automative Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise called, diesel offered at discounted prices in parts of the country.

    This was coming as the corporation has taken measures to bring down cost of crude oil production to $10 per barrel or below.

    NNPC’s warning was contained in a report by the corporation’s Retail Limited Managing Director, Sir Billy Okoye, who admonished motorists to be wary of the off-spec products.

    Okoye explained that “the warning became necessary because the low grade, contaminated diesel is harmful to machines and environment”, adding that “NNPC Retail Limited as a market leader considered it incumbent upon it to alert the public on the subject.”

    He assured consumers that “NNPC Retail Limited deals only in premium, high-quality products in the interest of Nigerian motorists and users”, urging consumers to patronise the company’s stations where the quality of their products is assured.

    As a deregulated product, diesel is also imported by other major and independent marketers in the country.

    READ ALSO: FCTA issues guidelines on reopening of worship centres in Abuja

    Meanwhile, NNPC said it’s taking measures to bring down cost of crude oil production to $10 per barrel or below. This was disclosed by the corporation’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ventures and Business Development, Mr. Roland Ewubare.

    NNPC, in a statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that Ewubare made the declaration today on a Channels TV breakfast programme, Business Morning.

    The COO explained that terrain peculiarity was an important factor in determining cost, arguing that issues such as pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, among others, were some of the factors peculiar to the Nigerian terrain that drive up crude oil production cost in the country.

    He, however, stated that NNPC was looking very closely at such variable as logistics, security and transportation with a view to reducing cost of production to $10 and below per barrel.
    He disclosed that much had been done over the years in the area of reducing contracting cycle which used to be a major factor responsible for high cost of production, noting that the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) achieved a six-month contracting cycle under him as Group General Manager.

    Amidst speculations of non-compliance by some countries with the production cuts agreed upon by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its non-member allies, Ewubare affirmed that Nigeria was in full compliance with the agreed output cuts, saying reports including Nigeria on the list of non-compliant countries were not true.

    Ewubare explained that though Nigeria’s total production capacity was 2.3 million barrels per day (mbpd), it was currently producing only about 1.4mbpd in compliance with the OPEC+ production quota, adding that what makes up the little extra over the 1.4mbpd figure being bandied around for Nigeria was condensate which is usually not computed as part of production in OPEC quota.

    “There’s some confusion in the market around the parameters for the production cuts. Nigeria has a full production capacity of about 2.3mbpd. We are currently producing between 1.6 and 1.7mbpd.

    “Our OPEC quota as a result of the cuts is about 1.4mbpd. You and I know that condensate is not included in the computation of the cut numbers. So what we have is 1.4mbpd of crude oil.

    “The little you see above 1.4mbpd is made up of condensate which does not count as part of the basis for assessing our OPEC quota”, Ewubare said.

    READ ALSO: AfDB board finds middle ground, supports Adesina, grants US a review

    NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, in a recent interview advanced a similar position where he stressed that NNPC was working assiduously to bring down the cost of crude oil production to not more than $10 per barrel by 2021.