The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Ondo again: Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor

    Ondo again: Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor

    “A formal letter regarding the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power in line with the Nigerian Constitution will be transmitted to the House of Assembly.

    “In the absence of Governor Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, will assume the responsibilities of the Governor in an acting capacity.” —Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, in Akure on Monday, December 11, 2023

    Ondo is a very lucky state, and it is not luck that came by happenstance. It is luck well earned, rather than merely bestowed. For example, the state’s literacy rate is among the highest in the nation; its political sophistication is unparalleled; and it’s among the few states in the nation that contributes to the nation’s wealth through oil and other mineral resources. It is no wonder then that far more politicians, lawyers, and columnists from outside the state than citizens living in the state have had a lot to say about the seeming governance crisis believed to have been caused by the protracted illness of the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

    Unfortunately, however, most commentators had limited knowledge of the issues involved. Most of them hang their opinion on the constitutional provision of power transfer to Akeredolu’s Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in the event of a prolonged absence of the Governor from the state, for whatever reason. Nobody cared that, since he had been going abroad for treatment, Akeredolu had previously transferred power to his Deputy at least once each year since 2021, the latest being between June and September 2023. He would have continued in power but for the reasons stated previously on this column (Ondo state on my mind, The Nation, October 18, 2023) and Aketi, Lucky, and the future of Ondo state, The Nation, October 25, 2023). It was also for the same reasons that the House of Assembly sought to impeach him.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the foregoing into consideration, when he ordered the maintenance of the status quo, following a meeting with Akeredolu’s representative, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, the state Chairman of APC, and others on Friday, November 24, 2023. The understanding then was that, since the Governor was still alert and claimed he was in control of the state, Ondo politicians, especially the Deputy Governor, would act in good faith, by keeping the wheel of governance moving until such a time that the official transfer of power would be necessary. However, rather than do that, the Deputy Governor refused to go along with the arrangement. Honestly, I cannot blame him for that, except that he should have gone about it quietly. Instead, he orchestrated a media blitz, including a petition to himself, rather than to the Governor, by one of his supporters on the cabinet, alleging fraud and sending documents to a purported “forensic expert”.

    I had anticipated these shenanigans, following the President’s November intervention. Here’s the way I put it in my November 29 column below: “I use the word “truce” in the above title in its true sense of temporary cessation of hostilities, although the President meant to put an end to them. Nevertheless, I fear that maneuvres and intrigues will continue underground and may possibly come to the fore later. The driving forces will be greed, lust, and the upcoming governorship election in the state, which fomented the loss of trust in the first place” (The President and the Ondo truce, The Nation, November 29, 2023).

    If only Aiyedatiwa had been a little patient, all that would have been unnecessary, as Akeredolu decided over the weekend that he would go back to Germany for further medical treatment and transfer power to his Deputy. With this development, the President’s political solution had to give way to the constitutional path of formal transfer of power. It was not surprising, therefore, that the President again summoned the lead actors in Ondo state to Abuja yesterday (Monday, December 11, 2023) to order compliance with the constitutional provision on the transfer of power. The above quote from Governor Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary was consequent to that order.

    Read Also: Kaduna bombing: Tinubu’s daughter visits victims, donates N5m to injured survivors

    It may appear that Aiyedatiwa is the ultimate beneficiary of the mischief he has orchestrated, which has put the state in bad light. It is, however, unfair to blame him alone. As I indicated in Ondo state on my mind (October 18, 2023), Akeredolu and his family cannot escape culpability. True, Akeredolu had reasons to withdraw power from Aiyedatiwa on his return to the country on September 7, 2023. Nevertheless, his failure to disclose those reasons and his decision (actually more of his family’s) to remain in Ibadan rather than Government House or even Owo, his hometown (like Governor Alex Otti of Abia state), clearly open him to blame. Even more blame flows in his direction for failure to talk to the people of the state he governs about his illness or merely that he was going abroad for treatment. That’s why speculations and mischiefs abound about his illness and his government.

    Be that as it may, the ball Aiyedatiwa had been struggling to kick is now on his half of the field. How he plays it will determine not just the quality of governance in the state from now until further notice. It will also determine his own fate as a leader. However, he must remember at all times that he is only an Acting Governor, not the Governor. He is acting on behalf of, not as, Governor. This means that he is not in a position to destabilise the structures and programmes put in place by his boss. Indeed, the President’s “status quo” of November 24 remains. The only difference is the constitutional power now being formally transferred to him to “act” on behalf of the Governor.

    Come to think of it, the position of “Acting Governor” is an aberration, like other aberrations in our political system, such as the legislators’ humongous salaries and allowances. We have yet another aberration in the so-called “Doctrine of Necessity”. Not in America, whose constitution we copied, does such a position or doctrine exist. It must be emphasised here, however, that the doctrine of necessity is not at play as in Yar’Adua’s case. While Yar’Adua was not in a position to concede to the transfer of power or even sign necessary documents, Akeredolu conceded power and signed the necessary letter to that effect.

    It is now up to Aiyedatiwa to rally appropriate state officials, lift the workers’ morale, raise the state’s profile once again, and give hope to its citizens.

  • Wanted: A consensus Edo APC candidate

    Wanted: A consensus Edo APC candidate

    • By Solomon Odemwingie

    The quest for a credible, formidable and strong candidate that will fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State governorship election is about to start. In the race are prominent members of the party from across the state.

    President Bola Tinubu as the national leader of APC will have a huge say in who picks the ticket. Also expected to play a major role are former Governors John Odigie-Oyegun, Adams Oshiomhole, state chairman of the party, Col. David Imuse (rtd), former Deputy Governors Lucky Imasuen, Pius Odubu, former Secretary to the State Government and a top leader of the party in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, National Women Leader of the party, Dr. Mary Alile, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), senatorial leaders and all stakeholders in the state.

    The right to vote and be voted for is a fundamental one provided the individual satisfies all electoral requirements. It is in view of this that everyone who is qualified electorally can aspire to any position in a party.

    However, the number of aspirants who have indicated their interest in the post keeps growing by the day. This may weaken the party in the face of a strong opposition. As at last week, the number of aspirants jostling for the ticket had risen to 25. It should be noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government has vowed to retain the state as Governor Godwin Obaseki’s successor must come from his party. All well-meaning members of APC should advise the governorship aspirants not to play into the hands of the opposition. Only one of them will eventually pick the ticket and others who do not have their way may not accept defeat. Here lies the danger ahead.

    It will be in the interest of the APC to democratically prevail on the many aspirants to step down for the one who is most popular among them and also well known to the electorate.  From all indication, Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu are in the prime position of winning the governorship election for the party. Of a truth,  PDP has failed to deliver dividends of democracy to the people who are ready with their voters cards to vote out the party.

    As things stand now, it is safe to assume that the APC will win the forthcoming governorship election if a strong candidate, barring the unforeseen acts of  back stabbing, backbiting and sabotage. APC should tread with caution. Its paramount interest now should be the onerous task of liberating the state from the seeming imprisonment of its citizenry by political gladiators who would not let go of power. The last local government election which was characterised by open manipulation is enough lesson for the APC faithful. Ordinarily, a party that has performed creditably need not panic that another  election is around the corner.  But the contrary is the case for the PDP administration in the state because of its poor report card. The APC should therefore wake up early to look inwards and avoid those things likely to cause internal squabbles and dissension. All green horns without electoral experience should  step down for men with huge followership. It is only the presentation of a formidable candidate, no matter where he comes from, that can effectively deal with the kind of opposition on the ground. Fielding an unpopular candidate is the beginning of failure. The party should come up with a consensus candidate that can stand on his own and give the opponents a run for their money. Many have been given political appointments to mobilise and galvanise support from their respective grassroots for the election. Indeed, the state government has started brainwashing the electorate, most of whom are uneducated, illiterate, ignorant and inarticulate. Democracy is a game of numbers and the electorate can be bamboozled and easily manipulated by the use of state resources because of the level of poverty and hunger in the land.

    Energy should not be dissipated on extraneous things like ego, blame game and other diversionary issues. Let it be clear that Ize-Iyamu, the candidate in the last two governorship elections, did not lose but was a victim of power play between two dramatic personnel. He had and still has the vision as contained in his political manifesto; well thought out, printed and distributed to the people who not only embraced it but massively voted for it, but intrigues and power play robbed the good people of the state of the desiderata.  Soon, Odigie-Oyegun, Oshiomhole and other leaders would invite Ize-Iyamu to the race. The electorate already know what they have missed and are ready to give the PDP an empty calabash and welcome their real choice from the APC for the state house this time around. All green horns should appreciate the fact that the battle ahead is enormous and drum support for Ize-Iyamu,   if he gets the ticket.

    Edo 2024 election should be taken seriously even at the APC national level because winning the state, known as the heartbeat of the nation, is of paramount importance to the party. It is also a task that must be done. Let me remind Oshiomhole and other party leaders of the saying of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo: “No permanent friend and no permanent enemy in politics.”

    One of Nigeria’s famous musicians, Sunny Okosun sang a song which goes like this: “Africa is now or never, we must have it or lose it forever…” So, for this coming governorship election, APC should bear in mind that Edo State is now or never, we must win it or lose it forever.

    Read Also: Kaduna bombing: Tinubu’s daughter visits victims, donates N5m to injured survivors

    On October 27, a former minority whip in the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, at a seminar in Benin said: “The party should ensure that aspirants jostling for the governorship ticket are properly screened to ensure that only credible aspirants with clean moral and academic records are cleared to participate in the party primaries. Aspirants with doubtful credentials or criminal allegations or conviction either in Nigeria or abroad should endeavour to withdraw from the race. The party cannot afford to take the risk of participating in an election with a candidate who the opponents will pull the rug from under his feet by unveiling his or her previous tainted records.

    “The party should immediately make its position known on the vexed issue of zoning for the party to begin to build a consensus around a possible candidate and the district. Already, the party in power has given an indication of where candidate its candidate is likely to come from and a consensus is being built around the candidate although not without opposition from within the party.”

    Osagie added: “Against the backdrop of some of the factors that have militated against APC, it is crucial to note that winning the 2024 governorship election in Edo State is a categorical imperative for the sustenance of the confidence of the party followership and the integrity of the leadership of the party.

    “Truth be told, it is not going to be a walk in the park as the government in power in Edo State has already begun its time-tested strategies of hoodwinking Edo voters through monetary inducement routed via appointments and other perks.”

    •Odemwingie, a former editor at Daily Times, writes from Benin.

  • Kogi: from ballot box to court

    Kogi: from ballot box to court

    • By Isah Ismail 

    One month after the governorship election in Kogi State, it appears that the dust is yet to settle over the outcome of the election. 

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Usman Ododo, as the winner of the election ahead of his closest challenger and candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.

    Ordinarily, that declaration should have settled the matter, but given the nature of political contestations in Nigeria and the rancorous acrimony that characterised the largely ethnicised governorship election in Kogi state, it is safe to assume that those who lost the election would need more than time to get over the pain of defeat.

    Political gladiators and their parties may have now shifted their battle to the courtroom, beginning with the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, which is the court of first instance in this case.

    The decision of Ajaka, to file a petition before the tribunal (whether that was within the constitutionaly allowed timeframe is a different matter) should be applauded as it is far better than resorting to self-help, given all the controversies arising from the election.

    The SDP candidate appeared on live television while the electoral process was yet to be concluded to declare that he was not going to challenge the outcome of the November 11 gelection in court, thus conceding defeat in the contest ab initio. 

    However, Ajaka suddenly announced that he was headed to the tribunal. The SDP candidate embarked on his judicial expedition which is well within his rights as a party in the election.

    Since the tribunal began sitting in Lokoja before it was relocated to Abuja, there were several provocations by political actors that are far from desirable, especially among citizens genuinely concerned about the peace and stability of Kogi state. Amidts claims and counter-claims by members of the APC and the SDP over procedures and processes leading to the filing of election petition at the tribunal, there were heated exchanges by party supporters, prompting interventions by law enforcement agents.

    Given the highly charged political atmosphere before, during and after the election, one would expect all parties, including the judiciary, to exercise absolute caution in dealing with any piece of material deemed consequential in the electoral process.

    A lawyer has called on the Federal Government to intervene in a matter purportedly before the court. This is completely partisan, extra-judicial and crassly divisive.

    His line of argument is outlandish and sensational apart from feeding the spectre of ethnic jingoism that has taken over politics in the state.

    i With his vituperations, it is clear that he wants the people of Kogi state to go to war over an election that has been won and lost.

    Perhaps, more despicable is the position of the public officer whose infamous role has raised doubts over the entire process of the election petition and the good intention of the election petitions tribunal. His dodgy and grossly unprofessional conduct is a text book reference in judicial corruption in Nigeria.

    How do you explain that the public officer became so partisan, aggressively compromised and compulsively egoistic that he decended so low to receive an election petition from a political party in his hotel room?

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    How will the petition he claimed to have received by 8.30 in the morning of the 1st of December, 2023 again in his hotel room, still be in his car in the evening of the  3rd of December, 2023?

    How does a petition that should be submitted through the court registry be found in his car?

    How could he be the one to be heading to the court on the 3rd of December, 2023 purportedly to submit the petition to the court registry on behalf of the SDP and three other political parties?

    Who are the persons responsible for filing petitions of the three other political parties whose petitions he allegedly also received?

    Why is a lawyer desperately defending the tribunal for which he is not a member and why is he daring to create tension in one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states?

    Nigerians and the international community should take note of the sinister plot by corrupt elements to set Kogi State on fire in their nefarious attempt to push through the petition of the SDP allegedly filed out of time on the 4th of December,2023 and for which notice is yet to be served on any of the parties named as respondents as at today.

    •Isah Ismail, a concerned citizen of Kogi State writes from Lokoja.

  • APC leaders urge Alia to ensure unity

    APC leaders urge Alia to ensure unity

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Benue State have urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to improve his on his relationship with the party leadership.

    Speaking on their behalf in Makurdi, the state capital,  Bishop Pinot Ogbaji,  said the governor should strengthen the party as a winning vehicle.

    He said the onus is on the chapter to effectively manage its achievements instead of regressing into crisis.

    Ogbaji said what the party leaders requested from the governor was wider consultation in the process of governance.

    He said it is worrisome that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains were appointed onto government while APC chieftains were left in the cold.

    Ogbaji said:”In picking his commissioners, His Excellency exercised his sole discretion without the usual tradition of directing local governments to make nominations taking cognizance of zonings and necessary political permutations.

    “When it was time for the nomination of caretaker committees to administer the local government councils, Gov. Alia threw it back to party members to nominate.

    “But quite shockingly, when the nominations were finally announced, the party was bewildered that 80 pof the names were outside the actual nominees that were sent to the governor on his directive.”

    It can safely be said that members of opposition parties and alien faces made the lists in a higher proportion than members of APC, the govenor’s party.

    We are not pushing to usurp or share powers with His Excellency but if the governor was interested in forming a unity government, he would have simply called a general meeting of all Benue people and requested nominations from them rather than er centallowing APC members sweat to microzone the positions, shop for names and raise the hopes of candidates who were eventually ignored, dropped and their opponents, most of whom are  members of rival political parties appointed.

    In all this misgiving and dissatisfaction, the announcement of caretaker committees marked the pinnacle of a noticeably sour relationship between Gov. Hyacinth Alia and the APC in Benue State and this snowballing anger by all standards is justifiable.

    Facing series of maltreatment from our own governor has been a bitter experience that some party members could not stomache anymore; but even at that, the State Chairman and the Working Committee did everything humanly possible to stop protests and other uprisings that may have embarrassed both the government and the party.

    Worried by this high rate of neglect, 21 local government party chairmen out 23 in the state opted to stage street protests to express their open disapproval of the governor’s intentional disregard for the party but they were persuaded by the State Chairman to sheathe their swords and await outcome of the governor’s meeting with the State Chairman which eventually did not yield reasonable outcomes.

    It was at that breaking point that the agitated local government chairmen resorted to the issuance of a communique and protestation to the National Chairman in order to register their justifiable grievances.

    Another bone of contention by the APC party leaders according to the zonal Vice chairmen is “Gov. Alia seems to have more confidence in patronizing people outside APC, majority of whom had opposed him tenaciously during the electioneering periods and voting days than his partymen and women who ideally should have a cordial working relationship with him.

    A cursory look at the community of “Emergency APC Stakeholders” now trooping the Benue State Government House with Nicodemus profession of love for the governor clearly reveals an intention to either undermine core APC members in the state or a decision to perpetually suppress  them.

    The last visit of the so-called party stakeholders leaves a lot to ponder about.

    Read Also: Kaduna bombing: Tinubu’s daughter visits victims, donates N5m to injured survivors

    He  Recall that shortly after Gov, Alia was nominated as the gubernatorial candidate of our party last year, Sen. Barnabas Gemade relocated from his house and was dwelling perpetually in the law courts where he sought to amongst other legal prayers, nullify the Alia ticket so as to leave APC without a candidate and after that suit became fruitless for him he went home and partnered with Sen. Joseph Akaagerger to work tirelessly for Herman Hembe and Peter Obi both of the Labour Party, that is evident in the results that emanated from his local government; Gen. Lawrence Onoja who openly campaigned for the Labour Party following his grievance with  Hon. Dr Sam Ode as Deputy Governorship candidate.

    As a sitting House  of Representatives Member for Otukpo/ Ohimini, Hon. Lady Blessing Onuh avoided the APC Governorship  candidate Hyacinth Alia, all the four times he Visited Otukpo to campaign, even at instances she was present in Otukpo; in fact, she left Nigeria shortly winning her National Assembly election without waiting to vote for the governor or to at least canvass support him during the gubernatorial election, such is also the story of Chief Ameh Ebute one wonders if he’s still active in politics due to his absence in campaigns and even elections, he’s only seen at events where cash carrying envelopes will be shared as souvenirs.

    The greatest shocker that sent jitters down our spines is the presence of Hon. Dr. Chile Igbawua, a 2023 PDP governorship  aspirant, Coordinator General of all PDP 2023 Governorship Aspirants and Coordinator Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization in Benue and an active PDP stalwart now appearing in Government House and on TV stations as an APC Concerned Stakeholder who is speaking in defence of the governor, we have also credibly gathered that a 5 man propaganda committee has been set headed by the OBIdient Gen. Lawrence Onoja and Emmanuel Jime whom assiduously worked for Atiku as member with a mandate to perforate the Villa and National Secretariat of our party with falsehoods and mistruth against the party and the SGF to misrepresent the Benue situation, the committee has since been funded and has commenced operations.

    In the final analysis, we wish to state that the crisis rocking our party is not an Alia versus Akume fight, neither is it an Alia versus Agada fight.

    This is purely a fight for the survival and recognition of the party that has provided a convenient platform forhis emergence as the Governor of Benue State.

    They concluded by saying ” We

    Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, we love you; we believe that a harmonious relationship with the party can make Benue an idea home for all of us and it is why we request that you improve on your relationship with your own party for a better working synergy”.

  • Education, Health get 20%, 15% in Abia N567b 2024 budget proposal

    Education, Health get 20%, 15% in Abia N567b 2024 budget proposal

    • Uzodimma presents N592b 2024 budget to Imo Assembly
    • Education gets lion’s share in Kaduna N458b Appropriation Bill

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti yesterday presented a proposed budget of N567,240,095,972.00 for 2024 fiscal year to members of the House of Assembly.

    Last December, former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu presented a budget of N160.5 billion to the Seventh House of Assembly for this year.

    Otti said the 2024 budget proposal, which he christened Budget of New Beginning, targets the expansion of public infrastructure, in line with his administration’s new development targets.

    The governor said the budget would scale up access and quality service delivery in the social sector with special focus on Education and Health where the government would commit more than 20 per cent and 15 per cent of the aggregate budget spending.

    Otti also said the figure represented more than N400 billion increase over the 2023 estimate of N160.5 billion.

    The governor noted that when adjusted for inflation and fall in the value of the naira, the reality of the proposed budget becomes starkly different.

    He said: “The key distinction in the 2024 budget estimate, however, is in the direction of spending. While the 2023 projection allocated 53 per cent of the entire budget for Capital Expenditure, our target in the 2024 fiscal year is to spend 84 per cent of the total expenditure on capital projects and commit 16 per cent to Recurrent Expenditure, as against 47 per cent in the 2023 estimates.  

    “Of the proposed figure, government’s estimated total revenue is N166,077,717,058, including earnings from our IGR channels, Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), grants from multilateral organisations and income from other revenue sources that will be available to the state government over the course of the accounting year.

    “We plan to finance the deficit of N401,162,378,914, partly by new borrowings estimated at N385,271,027,214. Fifty per cent of this borrowing will be sourced externally, whilst the balance will be procured domestically.”

    Otti announced that in the 2024 fiscal year, the state proposes to commit 44.76 per cent of the budget on the economic sector with the larger chunk of the resources going into works, (16.97 per cent), land and housing (9.9 per cent), agriculture (5.12 per cent), and finance, (5.23 per cent).

    Also, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma yesterday presented N592.23 billion budget proposal for 2024 to the House of Assembly.

    The state had N474.4 billion budgeted for the outgoing fiscal year.  

    Giving a breakdown of the budget, tagged: Budget of Renewed Economic Growth, Uzodimma said Capital Expenditure would get 82.9 per cent of the total budget, amounting to N491.2 billion, as against N373.6 billion budgeted in this year’s budget.

    The governor said the 2024 budgetary allocation for Recurrent Expenditure would be N100.99 billion out of which N43.05 billion is for Overhead Expenditure, as against the N48.33 billion provided as Overhead Cost in 2023, representing 7.27 per cent of the total budget estimate.

    He said N15.74 billion is earmarked for Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges (CRFC).

    Giving a further breakdown of the budget, Uzodimma said total Recurrent Revenue for the 2024 budget is N241 billion while that of 2023 was N150.45 billion, representing a 60.2 per cent increase in revenue projection.

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    On sectoral allocation, the governor said N370.09 billion would be used for Economic sector, as against N278.13 billion approved for the sector in 2023, representing 33.1 per cent increase.

    He said the Social Service sector got N50.582 billion in 2024, representing a 42.2 per cent increase over this year’s budget, while the Administration Services sector would get N65.30 billion, as against N51.54 billion in 2023, representing 26.7 per cent increase.

    In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani presented a budget proposal of N458,271,299, 477.66 to the residents for their consideration and input before taking it to the House of Assembly.

    The draft budget proposal, tagged: Budget of Rural Transformation for Inclusive Development, comprises a Capital Expenditure of N318,836,576,588.28 and Recurrent Expenditure of N139,434,722,889.38, maintaining the minimum budgeting baseline model of 60:40 ratio of capital to recurrent.

    Education got 25.19 per cent, while Health took 15.63 per cent, totaling about 40.82 per cent of the total draft proposed budget.

    The assumptions for the draft proposed budget is based on crude oil price averaging at $70 per barrel, production benchmark at an average of 1.6 million barrels per day, an exchange rate averaging at ¦ 750/$1, an inflation rate at 23.6 per cent and mineral ratio at 25 per cent.

    Addressing the first town hall meeting of his administration, Governor Sani reiterated his plans to revitalise the economy of the rural areas and ensure human capital development.

    The governor said the budget would focus on agriculture, regional, rural economic development, security, infrastructure and human capital development.

    The Commissioner for Planning and Budget Commission, Mr. Mukhtar Ahmed, who gave an overview of the draft proposed budget, said it aimed to capture 1 million pro-poor people into the social register and targeted an internally generated revenue (IGR) of N120 billion.

  • Judge transfers $187,000 debt case state high court

    Judge transfers $187,000 debt case state high court

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has transferred to the Lagos State High Court a suit by Sparrow Global Logistics & Energy Services Ltd seeking to recover a disputed $187, 000 debt from a foreign-owned firm, Niger Star 7 Ltd.

    Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa made the order after hearing arguments from Kolawole Uzamot, who led Chioma Ndukwu for the plaintiff/applicant and Mrs Funke Agbor (SAN) for the defendant.

    The judge, on November 1, granted a Mareva injunction restraining the defendant or its agents from dissipating its financial assets of $170,000 or its naira equivalent pending the determination of the suit marked FHC/L/CD/2189/2023.

    The injunction restrained the defendant’s bankers from releasing any part of the money until the matter is decided.

    He adjourned till December 6 for a report of compliance by the banks.

    The plaintiff, in its statement of claim, stated that the $187,000 comprises $172,000 being its “cumulative consultancy fee for negotiating and processing a reduced value of the Cabotage bills on the defendant’s assets MV ‘SEVEN INAGHA’, MV ‘SEVEN ANTARES’, MV ‘NIGERSTAR 7 ADABA, CB CARGO BARGE 32, CB CARGO BARGE 33, and CB CARGO BARGE 34 respectively”.

    It added that the sum of $17,200 is “10 per cent of the plaintiff’s consultancy fee and compensation claimed as operational costs towards meeting the plaintiff’s obligation as assigned by the defendant) as solicitors’ recovery fee”. 

    The plaintiff prayed for “general damages in the sum of N5million and costs of action in the sum of N1 million.”

    The plaintiff averred: “Despite the numerous reminders for payments on the cabotage bills as well as the plaintiff’s consultancy fees, the defendant did not yield. Defendant’s attitude to payments rendered the plaintiff concerned and the plaintiff vented her concerns in an email dated 14 September 2023.”

    It said it wrote emails to the defendant expressing concerns “over the defendant’s repeated attitude of delaying payments…”

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    At the resumption of proceedings, the plaintiff’s counsel Uzamot applied that all banks be discharged except Zenith Bank which had deposed to an affidavit stating that the defendant maintained an account with her, and the sum of $187, 000 had been preserved in compliance with the court order. 

    Justice Allagoa granted the application as prayed.

    The judge then heard the defendant’s motion dated November 21 to set aside the Mareva Order and another order dismissing the suit for lack of jurisdiction. 

    Agbor said the application was on the ground that the disputes between the parties emanated from the consultancy agreement between them, and as such being solely contractual, was subject to the jurisdiction of the state high court. 

    But the plaintiff’s counsel noted that by the discharge order on other banks, the defendant would be relieved and the distress complained of would be no more.

    Uzamot contended that the defendant was a foreign-owned firm and by the application for Bill of Sale and Consent to Sell, the defendant was seeking to dispose of its fleet, unwind its business and repatriate its business. 

    He added that if the order were discharged, the plaintiff would be exposed to liabilities to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), urging the court not to discharge the order.

    In the alternative, he prayed the court to transfer the case to the state high court.

    Justice Allagoa upheld the plaintiff’s prayer. 

    He also vacated all orders previously made in the suit on the ground that the court lacked jurisdiction to make same.

  • Adelabu seeks investment of N17tr pension fund in power sector

    Adelabu seeks investment of N17tr pension fund in power sector

    • Edun: we want to solve power supply issues, grow economy

    Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu yesterday urged pension fund administrators (PFAs) jointly holding over N17 trillion to infuse the capital into investment in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

    The minister lent his voice to those “encouraging our Pension Fund Administrators, who collectively wield over N17 trillion, to delve into understanding NESI and fostering bankable strategies for capital infusion is pivotal”.

    He said there were bilateral contracts among electricity generation companies (GenCos) and electricity distribution companies (DisCos) alongside the formation of energy investment holding companies integrating generation and distribution assets.

    Adelabu insisted that the time had come to unbundle the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in accordance with the Electricity Act 2023.

    The minister spoke during the ministerial retreat on Integrated National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan yesterday in Abuja.

    He noted that the NESI transmission sub-sector had been identified as a critical weak point in the value chain, saying the view was widely shared.

    Adelabu said: “To align with the Electricity Act 2023 and the industry’s demands, it’s time to restructure the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) into two entities: the Independent System Operator (ISO) and the Transmission Service Provider (TSP).”

    The minister said the restructuring must align with the evolving landscape of state electricity markets, address calls for the decentralisation of the national grid into regional grids interconnected by a new higher voltage national or super-grid.

    According to him, the time has come to draw comparisons with China’s centralised model and the Unites States’ diverse access models – like rural cooperatives and state-based utilities with regulatory oversight — and present various considerations.

    Read Also: Kaduna bombing: Tinubu’s daughter visits victims, donates N5m to injured survivors

    Adelabu said there should be a conversation on transition energy to ensure that over 98 per cent of electricity generated in Nigeria is through clean or transition fuels which shape the discourse and activities to be undertaken as we strive to achieve net zero Co2 emissions by 2060. 

    Also, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, urged the stakeholders to come up with an implementation plan that must provide the basis for growing the economy.

    He said: “Finally, just to say that in addition to all the other options that we have for providing electricity, we now have an array of options regarding renewable energy, green energy, solar, and so on and so forth. 

    “But it cannot be that you have a choice of either going green or protecting the environment. What we want to see is the solutions of providing power, providing electricity, and growing the economy rapidly, sustainably and inclusively.”

    “I think that is the mandate of all these stakeholders here today that when you come out with this plan, it must meet those conditions.

    “As much as possible, they should protect the environment, but above all, it must provide the basis of growing the Nigerian economy.”

  • CSR: Emulate NLNG, Umahi admonishes contractors

    CSR: Emulate NLNG, Umahi admonishes contractors

    Works Minister David Umahi has urged contractors handling projects for the Federal Government to show a high of responsibility to their host communities and elevate their social and economic wellbeing.

    He said prioritising the country’s interests was crucial to its growth and development.

    The minister spoke when the management of the Nigeria LNG (NLNG), led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Philip Mshelbilla, visited him in his office yesterday in Abuja.

    Umahi urged one of the ministry’s contractors handling a road project in Rivers State, Julius Berger Plc, to return to the project site.

    The minister praised the NLNG Limited for its dedication to funding the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Federal road in Rivers State.

    He said this aligned with the agreement involving the Federal Government and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

    Umahi expressed appreciation to NLNG for its interest in connecting the road to the East-West Road to maximise the economic potential of the area.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Uchenna Orji, the minister acknowledged NLNG’s prioritisation of Nigeria’s interests in contractual negotiations and for aligning with the principles and innovations of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration, particularly emphasising quality, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and timely completion of federal road projects.

    Read Also: Kaduna bombing: Tinubu’s daughter visits victims, donates N5m to injured survivors

    He said: “When I see Nigerians that are standing for the country, I feel very excited because Nigeria is our only country. We can’t mortgage the country; we can’t sell the country.

    “I saw your letter with regard to requests by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor, to increase the contract sum. And you and your board, together with your team, vehemently stood against that.  

    “That gave me some teeth to bite because I saw a commitment by all parties that this project will not increase beyond the augmented amount of N199,000,000,000. So, I want to commend you for that.” 

    Umahi urged Julius Berger Plc to adhere to the contractual agreement provisions and resume work on the site.

    “I discovered by the letters of Julius Berger that they have abandoned the site. That’s against the contract they signed. Even if they needed to leave the site, the general conditions of the contract specify the procedures for notices in such a circumstance.”

    NLNG’s CEO Mshelbilla said NLNG’s vision was to establish a globally competitive LNG company that would contribute to the development of a better Nigeria by delivering high-quality infrastructure, exemplified by projects, like the Bodo-Bonny road, funded by NLNG.

  • Tinubu urges Senate to confirm 19 NPC commissioners

    Tinubu urges Senate to confirm 19 NPC commissioners

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged the Senate to consider and confirm 19 nominees for appointment as National Commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC).

    The President’s letter of request was read at plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    The nominees include Emmanuel Eke (Abia), Clifford Zirra (Adamawa), Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra), Isa Buratai (Borno), Alex Ukam (Cross River), Blessyn Brume-Ataguba (Delta), Jeremiah Nwankwegu (Ebonyi), Tony Aiyejina (Edo), Ejike Ezeh (Enugu), and Abubakar Damburam (Gombe).

    Others are: Uba Nnabue (Imo), Dogon Garba (Kaduna), Aminu Tsanyawa (Kano), Yori Afolabi (Kogi), Olakunle Sobukola (Ogun), Temitayo Oluwatuyi (Ondo), Mary Afan (Plateau), Ogiri Henry (Rivers), and Saany Sale (Taraba).

    Read Also: Kaduna bombing: Tinubu’s daughter visits victims, donates N5m to injured survivors

    President Tinubu also requested the Red Chamber to approve the nominations of Babajide Fasina (Southwest), Enorense Amadasu (Southsouth), and Bashir Indabawa (Northwest) as NPC national commissioners.

    The Senate President referred the nominees to the Committee on National Population and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for screening and to report back to plenary in two weeks.

  • Kaduna bomb misfire: Anglican bishop warns against politicisation of Tudun Birin incident

    Kaduna bomb misfire: Anglican bishop warns against politicisation of Tudun Birin incident

    • Obi pays condolence visit to victims
    • Tinubu’s daughter donates N5m to survivors

    The Anglican Bishop of Wusasa Diocese in Zaria, Kaduna State, Buba Lamido, has warning against the politicisation of last week’s error bombing at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

    In a statement, Lamido said the incident was not a targeted at Muslims.

    The cleric recalled that a similar incident occurred in 2017 where a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) accidentally bombed Rann IDP camp in Borno State, where 250 persons died.

    He said the Borno incident “didn’t witness this same hysteria that we are witnessing today”.

    The statement said: “The Anglican Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, His Grace Most Reverend Dr. Buba Ali Lamido, has expressed deep grief over the accidental bombing at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State that claimed over 85 lives and scores of injured people and worry at attempts by some religious groups to mischievously paint what was an accident as an agenda targeted at Muslims.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Muslims and Christians were killed in the attack, for which the Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility and duly apologised for.

    “We Northerners must be careful not to demoralise the Armed Forces in the renewed war against terrorists because the war is far from over. We know for a fact that war is a very human endeavour, and mistakes inevitably will occur.

    “We are aware of the 2017 multiple bombing of the Rann IDP camp in Borno State, by the Nigerian Air Force, which killed over 250 people and we didn’t witness this same hysteria that we are witnessing today.

    “I don’t want to conclude that the deafening silence then had to do with the fact that the president and service chiefs were all Muslims. Every life is precious. The death of Christians, Muslims and even of none adherents of both faith, is without doubt painful.

    “But when the outrage is targeted at the President, because he is from the South or service chiefs, because of their tribe and faith, we have a duty to condemn these narratives, which clearly have nothing to do with the sad loss. The lives of the poor must not only be important, when we can use them to further our political agenda.”

    Also, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in this year’s general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has urged the Federal Government to adequately fund the military and other security agencies to enhance their operations.

    Read Also: Kaduna bombing: Tinubu’s daughter visits victims, donates N5m to injured survivors

    Obi said this when he visited the victims of the error bombing at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna.

    He regretted that the country had recorded 16 accidental military bombings that claimed over 500 lives with nothing being done to avert a recurrence.

    The former Anambra State governor urged the government to support the military to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

    Also, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s daughter, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, yesterday commiserated with the people and government of Kaduna State over the error bombing at Tudun Biri.

    Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo, who visited the injured survivors at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, also donated N5 million towards their recuperation.

    She spent time with the victims in the various wards, expressing her sympathies and praying for the souls of the departed.

    The President’s daughter also donated food items to the victims, calling for justice for the victims.

    She also visited the Kaduna Government House where she and her entourage met Governor Uba Sani behind closed-doors.