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N617 Per Litre Is Extortion, Fuel Price Should Be N150 – PDP Slams Tinubu

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has slammed President Bola Tinubu accusing him of extorting Nigerians with his fuel subsidy removal.
This followed the recent increase in the price of petrol to N617 per litre.
PDP said the price of fuel should not be more than N150 per litre, adding that the increased rate was a maladministration by Tinubu’s government that has shown extreme insensitivity and callousness towards Nigerians.
The Party cautions that the increase is worsening the already suffocating economic situation under the APC and has the capability of triggering a very serious crisis in the country if not abated.
A statement by PDP’s spokesman, Debo Ologunagba said it is appalling that instead of seeking ways to stabilize and grow the economy, the APC administration has abandoned the welfare of Nigerians which is the primary purpose of Government under Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and left the citizens to the vagaries of market forces and exploitative cabal; a disposition that is characteristic of a government that is not accountable to the people.
Ologunagba: “The PDP is alarmed that with its ill-thought out, badly planned and hurriedly-executed policies, the APC is running Nigeria’s economy aground with the value of naira rapidly plummeting, businesses and production shutting down; citizens losing their means of livelihood, commercial and social activities crippled, with millions of families no longer able to afford their daily needs as the costs of food, medication and other essential goods and services continue to skyrocket.
 
“The present dire situation comes as a consequence of APC’s insensitivity, seething corruption, scandalous cluelessness and lack of capacity to effectively steady and manage the nation’s economy.
 
“Our Party insists that the N617 per litre of fuel is excessive, unacceptable and cannot be justified under any guise. This is especially given the economic potential and prospects within our country.
 
“Even with the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, the PDP maintains that with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, national comparative advantage and expanded value chain in refining capacity, fuel should not sell for more than N150 per litre in Nigeria.”
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First Lady, Remi Tinubu Renames Women Centre After Late Maryam Babangida

The National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) in Abuja has been renamed after the late First Lady, Dr Maryam Babangida.

The First Lady, Sen Remi Tinubu who made the change, said the late Maryam was a mentor and the greatest contributor to present-day first ladies in the country.

She said the late Maryam Babangida and Maryam Abacha were proud of her when she was the Lagos State governor’s wife because she reminded them of themselves.

Senator Tinubu spoke yesterday in Abuja at the renaming of the centre as the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD) and induction of first Nigerian female achievers into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame.

The First Lady also stated that during her time as first lady, Maryam Babangida played complementary and supportive roles to the then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.

She recalled that several worthwhile projects were executed to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses at the time.

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I Won’t Interfere With Case — Emefiele Asks Court To Grant Him Bail

The suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has asked a federal high court in Lagos to grant him bail, TheCable reports.

Emefiele is seeking bail on self-recognisance pending the determination of the charge filed against him by the federal government.

On July 13, Peter Afunanya, spokesperson of the Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed that the agency has filed charges against Emefiele.

The DSS charged Emefiele with two counts bordering on alleged possession of firearms.

Although the case has been assigned to Nicholas Oweibo, a judge, Emefiele is yet to be arraigned.

The bail application, which is premised on nine grounds, was filed by a team of 10 lawyers led by Joseph Daudu.

Emefiele argued that the charges for which he was accused are bailable.

He said he has never been convicted of a crime and should enjoy the presumption of innocent until proven guilty, adding that he is not a flight risk.

Emefiele also said granting him bail would afford him adequate time to prepare his defence.

He added that since investigations have been concluded, there is no likelihood of interference on his part.

The defendant pledged to show up for trial on time and expressed his willingness to offer responsible sureties required by the court.

On June 9, President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele and asked him to transfer his responsibilities to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, deputy governor, operations directorate.

The day after, the DSS announced that Emefiele was in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.

Emefiele has been in DSS custody since June.

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Court Orders Emefiele’s Release, Nullifies His Detention

Justice Bello Kawu has declared the arrest and continued detention of embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, by the Department of State Services, DSS, null and void.

This is coming a day after a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja ordered Emefiele’s release.

Emefiele sought the court’s intervention against the Incorporated Trustees of the Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The judge ruled that Emefiele’s arrest and detention were in violation of a previous ruling by Justice M. A. Hassan.

Emefiele’s counsel, Peter Abang, requested the court to invalidate his client’s arrest and detention, arguing it was in defiance of Justice M. A. Hassan’s ruling delivered on December 29, 2022.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Bello Kawu agreed that the arrest and detention violated Justice Hassan’s standing order.

The court also nullified any arrest warrant obtained by the DSS and ordered Emefiele’s release from custody.

Following the ruling, Emefiele’s counsel hailed the courage of Nigerian judges and urged the DSS to comply with the court order promptly.

He noted that Emefiele’s health had suffered during his one-month detention and insisted he should be allowed to tend to it.

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BREAKING: National Assembly Approves N70bn As ‘Support For New Lawmakers’

An amendment to the N819.5 billion 2022 supplementary budget, approving N70 billion to support the “working condition” of new lawmakers, has been passed by the National Assembly, on Thursday.

The amendment, among others, seeks to provide N500 billion palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

The amendment was passed in both the Senate and the House of Representatives a day after President Bola Tinubu sent the request to the parliament.

The breakdown of the amended N819.5 billion supplementary budget showed that N500 billion is for palliatives to cushion the effect of recent subsidy removal policy, which will be domiciled in Finance ministry.

The detail also showed that N185 billion is for Ministry of Works and Housing to alleviate the impact of the severe flooding experienced in the country in 2022 on road infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones.

The sum of N19.2 billion is allocated to Ministry of Agriculture to ameliorate the massive destruction to farmlands across the country during the severe flooding experienced last year; N35 billion to National Judicial Council; N10 billion to Federal Capital Territory Administration for critical projects and N70 billion to National Assembly to support the working conditions of new members.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly also approved President Tinubu’s request to borrow $800 million from the World Bank.

Daily Trust reports that former President Muhammadu Buhari had, towards the tail end of his administration, forwarded same request to the 9th Senate in May.

But the 9th Assembly could not consider the request before its tenure ended in June 11.

Tinubu, in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary Thursday, asked the 10th Senate to approve the same borrowing request.

The president, in the letter, explained that the loan would be used to scale up the National Social Safety Net Programme.

Tinubu’s letter reads: “Please note that the federal executive council led by President Muhammadu Buhari approved an additional loan facility to the tune of $800 million to be secured from the World Bank for the National Social Safety Net programme. Copy of FEC’s extract attached.

“You may also wish to note that the purpose of the facility is to expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support among the poor and vulnerable Nigerians. This will assist them in coping with basic needs.

“You may further wish to note that under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme, the federal government of Nigeria will transfer the sum of N8,000 per month to 12 million poor and low income households for a period of six months, with a multiplier effect on about 60 million individuals.

“In order to guarantee the credibility of the process, digital transfers will be made directly to beneficiaries’ accounts and mobile wallets.

“It is expected that the programme, will stimulate economic activities in the informal sector, and improve nutrition, health, education, and human capital development of beneficiaries’ households.

“Given the above, I wish to invite the Senate to kindly grant approval for the additional loan facility of $800 million to be secured from World Bank for the National Social Safety Net Programme.

“While hoping that this submission will receive expeditious consideration by the Senate, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

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I Never Knew Tinubu Will Be President – Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti state and member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ayodele Fayose has said that he never knew Bola Ahmed Tinubu would emerge as Nigeria’s President.

Fayose recalled celebrating Tinubu on his birthday since 2015, but never knew he would become Nigeria’s president.

Speaking on Channels Television’s programme, Sunday Politics, Fayose said he has no regret clamouring for power to shift to Southern Nigeria ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

He also noted that he has never hidden his stance for Tinubu as the leader of the Southwest.

According to Fayose: “I have never hidden in my position on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Let me remind you very quickly. I never knew Asiwaju will be president of Nigeria and there was no time in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 that I have not celebrated his birthday on the pages of newspapers as the then-governor of Ekiti State.

“One of the messages I passed across at that time was that party politics notwithstanding, he will remain our leader in the West for long.

“I never knew he would be president of Nigeria. I counted the costs before I took those actions. If Tinubu is not an example to identify with, somebody like me would not identify with him.”

Last week, Fayose visited Tinubu at the presidential Villa in Abuja.

Speaking after the visit, the former governor, who commended the president, vowed to tackle him if he derails from his promises to Nigerians.

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Tinubu Suspends 5% Telecoms Tax, Defers Finance Act To September 1

President Bola Tinubu has suspended 5% excise tax on telecommunication services.
He also ordered the suspension of excise duties on locally manufactured products.
This was contained in the four executive orders signed into law today.
Dele Alake, special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy to the president, disclosed this on Thursday to state house correspondents.
More to follow…
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FG Reveals Why Workers Have Not Received June Salary

The Federal Government has explained why it is yet to pay June salary.
The Director of Press at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Bawa Mokwa spoke on Wednesday, saying the issue is as a result of technical challenges.
Mokwa specified that the issues originated from the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), a salary payment platform.
The OAGF is working tirelessly to resolve the problem.
He said, “As we speak, the directors and the consultant in charge of the platforms are in a crucial meeting, working round the clock to resolve the problem. Anytime from now, the salaries will start to drop.”
Meanwhile, government workers have expressed their frustration over the delay.
A civil servant named Uloma Offor who spoke with Daily Trust voiced her difficulties, stating, “I depend on this monthly salary to survive; I pay my debts and buy food items, but with the delay, all these are not possible.”
 
Another worker, Jones Tolu, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the impact of the delayed salary alongside the removal of the petrol subsidy.
 
“My children cannot go to school because I have outstanding payment to make and their examination comes up soon,” he said, urging the government to take swift action.
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BREAKING: Tinubu Signs Four Executive Orders To Curb Multiple Taxation

Nigeria’s number one man, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed four Executive Orders into law.

He signed the new orders in order to curb arbitrary taxation policy in the country.

Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, to the President, Dele Alake, announced the policy directive on Thursday during an interactive session with State House Correspondents.

Among the Executive Orders signed into law by the President, includes the Finance Act (Effective Date Variation) Order, 2023, has now deferred the commencement date of the changes contained in the Act from May 23, 2023 to September 1, 2023. This is to ensure adherence to the 90 days minimum advance notice for tax changes as contained in the 2017 National Tax Policy.

The second Order involves the Customs, Excise Tariff (Variation) Amendment Order, 2023.

Alake said this has shifted the commencement date of the tax changes from March 27, 2023 to August 1, 2023 and also in line with the National Tax Policy.

He said Mr President has given an Order suspending the 5% Excise Tax on telecommunication services as well as the Excise Duties escalation on locally manufactured products.

“Further to his commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, the President has ordered the suspension of the newly introduced Green Tax by way of Excise Tax on Single Use Plastics, including plastic containers and bottles.

“In addition, the President has ordered the suspension of Import Tax Adjustment levy on certain vehicles.

As a listening leader, the President issued these orders to ameliorate the negative impacts of the tax adjustments on businesses and chokehold on households across affected sectors.

“His Excellency will not exacerbate the plight of Nigerians,” Alake stated.

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UTME Score: We Stopped Using Notification Slip Presented By Mmesoma In 2021 — JAMB

JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in a statement disclosed that since 2021, it stopped using the print-out currently being paraded by Anambra candidate, Mmesoma Ejikeme as her authentic result.

The board also reiterated its position that the UTME result paraded by “Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma is patently fake.”

In a statement  on Tuesday morning by the Board’s spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB insisted that only Mmesoma paraded the“obsolete” notification slip out of all the candidates that sat the 2023 UTME.

“Consequently, the Board would like to reassure Nigerians that its system was neither tampered with nor compromised as the candidate simply falsified a copy of a result slip of a candidate named “Asimiyu Mariam Omobolanle,” who sat the UTME in 2021 and scored 138.

“It is also instructive to note that the candidate, in her statement, has inadvertently revealed the rightful owner of the result she is parading when she pointed out that the QR code on the result slip showed the actual owner of the said result before she peddled a lie in an attempt to obfuscate the truth.

“To witness the unassailable position of the Board regarding this obvious falsehood, the general public is, therefore, urged to endeavour to scan the QR code on the result slip to see its actual owner before it was mutilated. It is to be noted that the QR code encapsulates the UTME result of each candidate, hence, what is on the result sheet is nothing other than the interpretation of the information on this QR code.

“Furthermore, the public is also to note that the Board stopped issuing Notification of Result slips after the 2021 UTME for the simple reason that candidates were falsifying them. Consequently, the Board has been issuing actual UTME RESULT Slips (not notification of results ) since 2022 complete with the photograph of each candidate.

“Similarly, the public is also invited to ponder on the fact that out of all the candidates that sat the 2023 UTME, only Ms. Ejikeme Mmesoma parades the obsolete ‘Notification of Result.

“In the meantime, the management of the Board, after considering the weighty infraction committed by Ms. Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, and in line with its established procedures, has withdrawn her 2023 UTME result and also barred her from sitting the Board’s examination for the next three years.”

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