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Buhari Succumbs, Agrees to Restructure Nigeria

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*NASS, condemns Shiite protests, seeks release of El-Zakzaky

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

There are indications that President Mohammed Buhari has finally agreed to the restructuring of Nigeria and the operation of true federalism that would see the devolution of powers to federating units.

Buhari had on some occasions demurred to the restructuring of the country on the grounds that its advocates were not on same page over what exactly it would entail for the nation.

Former governor of Ogun State and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Segun Osoba who disclosed this said President Buhari has approved the report of the committee on Devolution of Power and true federalism set up by the APC and chaired Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-rufai.

The former Governor, who was in the Villa to present his book – “Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics” to Buhari, who featured in it prominently, maintained that the APC even had restructuring as devolution of powers from the Federal Government to States, enshrined in its manifesto.

Osoba therefore, appealed to Nigerians, especially statesmen and other activists agitating for restructuring of the country, to be patient with the President and the APC adding that steps would be taken to get the National Assembly start debate on legalising the relevant aspects of the report.

“But I can tell you, all this noise about restructuring, we APC put devolution of power, true federalism in our manifesto and we’ve moved far from there to where a committee was set up headed by the governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai. “That committee has submitted its report, that report has been presented to us in the caucus and the president was there, the president endorsed the outcome. I want Nigerians to please, give us time. 

“I hope and pray that at the right time, the government or the party would send that report to National Assembly for debate.

“I would say with all authority that restructuring lies with National Assembly. The president is not a military president, he cannot change anything by decree, sovereignty in Nigeria now is vested in the National Assembly. 

“Those agitating for sovereign national conference must go through the National Assembly and unless the national assembly surrenders part of its powers by an Act, there can never be sovereign nations conference.”

According to the former governor, agitation for referendum, there must be an act of the national assembly to create that referendum, it’s not the president that would by fiat or by executive order, order for referendum. 

Explaining further he said that the process must go through the National Assembly.

“That is why “I plead with our elders: Pa Edwin Clark, Pa Adebanjo, Professor Banji Akintoyin, all across Nigeria, they met the 8th senate and they heard what that National Assembly has done in terms of the review of the constitution. 

“They should come back and tell us! We can no move forward until we recognize the importance and the powers vested in the National Assembly. And for restructuring, let us go through the legal route.”

He recalled his bow his relationship with President Buhari started saying, “the president and I have been close since the civil, he was a young officer – a lieutenant in the 1st Division. 

“It was the first division that started the civil war from Nsukka end and as fortune would have it, I followed the president to when he was a governor in the north eastern region and became the oil minister. From there on he appointed me on June 12 1984 as the Managing Director of Daily Times. It was the crowing peak of my professional life that prepared me for governance.

“I have written a book in which the president featured a lot even with pictures during the civil war. 

“So I have now come to present the book formally to the President and to autograph it to him. Part of the book was he riding on the train from the north to Ifo, Ogun State to spend his holiday when he was in Form One in 1946.  So we have had some historical reminiscences not just now. “

On what he discussed with the President at the meeting Osoba said MR President asked about the situation in Ogun State.

“I took the time to brief him on the efforts that the governor is making to ensure peace and u it’s in the state. I have told him that governor Dapo Abiodun is starting on a very good note and he said the governor has also briefed him,” he said.

On agriculture he said that President Buhari told him that he has given instruction that the central bank should give Ogun State maximum support in agriculture. 

On politics, Osoba said that he assured Mr President that the incident that occurred in Ogun state would never ever happen again and the president thanked me. 

Speaking further he said that the essence of the visit was to discuss situations in Ogun state and assessment of governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration. 

Asked to clarified on the claim that late Moshood Abiola supported some members of SDP to join Abacha’s military government he said: “there have been a lot of blackmail and denigration of people. For example, people like Jakande, Onagoruwa, late Alex Ibru, they said that they went and collaborated with Abacha which is not true. 

“Solomon La, Abububakar Rimi and all others were all in a meeting in MKO Bashorun Abiola’s house on a Sunday after Abacha seize power on November 17, 1993 and kicked us out, the following Sunday we met in Bashorun MKO Abiola’s house and we debated with chieftains of SDP and we that produced him as president and made June 12 possible and there we agreed that those that may be invited to come and serve in deter to the country, they should serve but remain loyal to the mandate and use their influence to perhaps persuade the military to return the mandate to Abiola. 

“So when people said we didn’t know about those people…. Iyor Cha Ayu was one of them, he was former senate president, I can call many of them who were at the meeting in which MKO Abiola presided. 

“So I have to clear this doubt that Abiola had knowledge and gave approval to serve in Abacha’s government.

Asked if serving in the military government made impact to the return to democracy in 1999, the former governor said, the democracy that we are into today is the one in which Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar presided over. 

Asked what advised he has for the president regarding the ministerial list, Osoba said, “I have said it, I am one of the founders of APC, I would not discuss in details because I have access, I am part of the presidency because the president is our president.”

Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives yesterday asked the federal government to as a matter of urgency release the detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. 

Recall that El-Zakzaky was detained following the alleged death of a soldier who died during the December 2015 clash with soldiers and his supporters, (Shiite group).

 His supporters were accused of blocking a major road that was to be used by the army chief Tukur Buratai. However, despite several courts granting him bail; the government has insisted on detaining him. In view of that therefore, his followers have embarked on several protests, demanding his immediate release. Reps urge IGP to flush out bandits, kidnappers from Sokoto.

 The group latest protest took another dimension yesterday as they were accused of shooting and injuring security officials who held them back from entering NASS premises. They were equally accused of damaging vehicles at the National Assembly environment. 

Minority leader, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, filed a motion calling on his colleagues to investigate the matter and ensure adequate security measures are in place at the legislative chamber. Some of his colleagues, who supported his motion, argued that the circumstances surrounding the matter are similar to what led to the emergence of the Boko Haram terrorists’ group. “If the court has given an order for the release of the man, we should call on the government to release him. The discourse should not be on the invasion of the national assembly alone”, said Onofiok Luke from Akwa Ibom. 

Mr Bamidele Salam from Osun state said El-Zakzaky’s continued detention is injustice and “injustice to one is injustice to all.” 

His words, “I want to urge the federal government to look into the matter of the leader of this movement and allow the rule of law to take its course. “If we are able to secure the national assembly, what happens to the man and woman in the market elsewhere?”. Simon Davou from Plateau state said rather than detain el-Zakzaky against court orders, the government should release him and ensure surveillance, with enough security operatives to monitor his activities.”

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APC Govs, NASS, Party Leaders Adopt Tinubu for 2027 Presidential Poll

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By David Torough, Abuja

The 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors yesterday adopted President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 general elections.This was even as the leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives expressed their full support for Tinubu’s second term, stating that the country is currently on a path of growth and progress.

The Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF’s) Chairman and governor of Imo State, Sen.
Hope Uzodimma, spoke on behalf of all the governors at the National Summit of APC at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.The governors also passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu.
The Vice Chairman of the PGF and Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, joined Governor Uzodimma on the podium to second the motion for the adoption of the President as APC presidential candidate for 2027 poll.Thereafter, Uzodimma put the motion to vote before the participants at the National Summit.Those present were Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; members of the National Assembly; serving and former governors, and APC members from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.They, through voice vote and standing ovation, adopted President Tinubu for a second term in office come 2027.Uzodimma said the governors were united in their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.He said: “That for Nigeria to get to her destination faster in prosperity, that the president should be used and adopted as our flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election, for a second term in office.“That the governors produced by our All Progressives Congress are hereby charged to take responsibility to market our federal government policies, occupy the political space in their domains, and take responsibility for winning all elections in their states come 2027.“It is therefore my humble pleasure, with total humility, to Almighty God to move that this August assembly adopt and concur the position of progressive governors that Mr President carries our flag 2027 and governors take responsibility for delivering this mandate. I’m so move as a motion.”Governor Sani seconded the motion: “I rise to second the motion as ably moved by the chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, the governor of Imo state, His Excellency, Hope Uzodimma, that this August gathering pass a vote of confidence on our able and amiable president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a sole candidate of APC come 2027 general election.NASS Leadership Endorses Tinubu for 2027 ElectionThe leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives have expressed their full support for President Bola Tinubu’s second term, stating that the country is currently on a path of growth and progress.Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who moved the motion on Thursday during the APC National Summit at the State House banquet hall in Abuja, acknowledged that the 2023 election posed significant challenges for President Tinubu.Joined by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, among others, Akpabio expressed optimism about the future.He predicted that Tinubu would secure even more states in the 2027 elections, stating that he sees a clear shift in momentum in the President’s favour.Akpabio remarked that despite the challenges, President Tinubu is actively working to reposition Nigeria.The Senate President stated that with opposition parties, particularly the PDP, in disarray, President Tinubu should be re-elected in 2027 as the sole candidate.Akpabio’s position was fully supported by other National Assembly leaders, with no dissenting voices.APC Endorses Tinubu for 2027 Presidential RaceThe All Progressives Congress has endorsed President Bola Tinubu as its flag bearer in the 2027 presidential elections.The Party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, announced this yesterday, on behalf of its National Working Committee, at its National Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.The endorsement came hours after APC governors and lawmakers cast a vote of confidence on the president and endorsed him for a second term.‘Sweep them Clean,’ Bring More Opposition Members – TinubuPresident Bola Tinubu has welcomed the gale of defections in the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying he expects more opposition party members to join his party.The President said this at the APC National Summit on Thursday in Abuja.In his speech, the President said he is happy about the wave of defections into the APC and urged the ruling party’s leadership to bring in more opposition members.President Tinubu also slammed critics who accused his government of installing a one-party state due to the recent gale of defections. He said those defecting to the APC should not be blamed because they were in a sinking ship.The President said, “You don’t blame people bailing out of a seeking ship, when they have no life jacket. I am glad of what we have and I’m expecting more to come. That’s the game. We are in a constitutional democracy; don’t forget the freedom of movement and freedom association is not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives, sweep them clean.”Earlier, the APC National Working Committee members led by the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, endorsed President Tinubu for a second term.The endorsement followed the National Assembly’s declaration of support for the President as their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, moved the endorsement, which was seconded by Hon. Tajudeen Abass, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.Defect with Me to APC or Resign, Gov Eno Tells Commissioners, OthersAkwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed all commissioners and political appointees in his cabinet to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress, APC, or resign from their positions.The directive was reportedly issued during an ongoing State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting on Thursday, where the governor openly confirmed his decision to leave the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC.Sources present at the meeting disclosed that Governor Eno made it clear that his defection should come as no surprise to any of his appointees, stating:“Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century,” he said.He explained that his decision to align with the APC was driven by his admiration for the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu, adding that he wants to work more closely with the Federal Government.The governor issued a stern warning to his appointees, saying he has “nothing to negotiate” with anyone unwilling to follow his political direction.“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” Eno declared.“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure.”As of the time of filing this report, the State Executive Council meeting was still in session, with further developments expected in the coming hours.Nigerian Voters, not Govs ‘ll Decide Tinubu’s Fate in 2027 – WabaraOn the contrary, former Senate President and the Chairman Board of Trustees, BoT, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has said that the Nigerian electorate, and not a few governors, will decide the fate of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.Senator Wabara was reacting to the adoption of Tinubu by APC governors as their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential race.However, he commended the governors for giving the President the right of first refusal, which he acknowledged “is a global practice and tradition”. But he added that being the flag bearer of the ruling party does not translate to automatic victory at the pool.Senator Wabara recalled that in 2015, PDP’s presidential flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, was a sitting President but lost to the then opposition APC’s candidate.The former Senate President told the APC governors to allow President Tinubu’s work to speak for him.He said that the Nigerian masses “Who on a daily basis, feel the impact of the APC-led Federal Government, are the only ones to decide the President’s fate in 2027”.The PDP BoT Chairman argued that “it’s too early to overheat the polity with 2027 elections when INEC has not lifted the ban on campaigns.He “advised APC governors to rather concentrate on how to make life affordable for Nigerians, who are battling to survive the hardship inflicted on them by APC’s maladministration”.The former Senate President accused the APC of foisting one party system on Nigeria. He warned of the grave danger such drifting poses to the country’s democracy.

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Renewed Herdsmen Attacks Kill Two Soldiers, Two Villagers in Benue

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen have reportedly killed four persons, including two soldiers in a renewed attack on a community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.The latest attack had led the residents to flee to Ugbokpo headquarters of Apa LGA where they are taking refuge.

Some locals who spoke to DAILY ASSET yesterday identified the attacked communities as Ikobi which is located just a few kilometres away from Ugbokpo, the headquarters of Apa local government area.
According to residents, the incident happened on Wednesday at about 3:30AM when the assailants invaded the community in a commando style, ambushing the soldiers who were conducting surveillance in the area and allegedly killing two of them.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told DAILY ASSET through text message on Thursday that “The herdsmen, yesterday (Wednesday) attacked and killed four persons including two soldiers and made away with the military’s two AK47 and one SMG Gun, at Ijaha Ikobi, in Apa Local Government Area of Benue”.He gave the names of the civilian victims (Natives), who were killed to include; Ocheje Ngbede Sani and Aduba Paul Ogboyi, while names of the two soldiers killed as at the time of filing this report, were yet to be unknown.He lamented that the current security situation in Benue State called for concern of everyone and the entire Nigeria.The source insisted that both military and other paramilitary ought to have taken over the whole surrounding bushes in Apa and Agatu, to clear the insurgents and free the areas for farmers to farm peacefully.”This is a wakeup call to “Mopol 80″ stationed at Odugbo, to rise up to their responsibilities and face the criminal herders headlong and clear the bushes in Apa and Agatu axis and even other parts of zone C. Enough is enough! No one has a monopoly of violence”, he said.”We pray for the souls of the innocent farmers and Gallant Officers who were killed at Ijaha Ikobi in Apa and the souls of others, rest in peace Amen,” he added.Council’s chairman of Apa local government, Adam Ochega Ogwola confirmed the incident to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday, describing the killing of the soldiers and innocent civilians as quite disturbing.”Yes, I can confirm that two soldiers and two other civilians were killed by herders.”At about 3:30am yesterday I received a call that there was an attack in the Ikobi community and when I called some people, there was no response from them. Later I heard that two soldiers were killed. So this morning, they discovered the bodies of the two civilians.”The attack took place at Ikobi community in Apa. The situation is relatively calm now. Soldiers and police are there to carry out their investigation to ensure that normalcy returns to that community.”Because of the culture of our people, you don’t normally keep accidental dead bodies in the mortuary. We are in the period of hit and run herders. When it happens we may not allow the corpse(s) to stay beyond 24hrs. So, they have been buried while the bodies of the late soldiers have been moved from that community. But I don’t know whether they are in a mortuary in Ugbokpo or in a mortuary in Makurdi”, the chairman stated.Effort to get confirmation from the Benue State Police Command proved abortive as the spokesperson for the command, Catherine Anene could not respond to calls and texts messages as at the time of filing this report.

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Again, Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Prices Nationwide

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a fresh cut in the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) nationwide.The new rates now range from N875 to N905 per litre, depending on location.A breakdown of the revised prices shows, Lagos: N875, South-West N885, North-East: N905, North-West & Central: N895, and South-South & South-East: N905Prices indicate a N15 reduction per litre across all regions and partner retail outlets, applying to all major fuel marketers in partnership with the refinery, including MRS, Ardova, Heyden, Optima Energy, Techno Oil, and Hyde Energy.

Before the new price template, Lagos residents paid N890 per litre, while prices rose to N920 in the North East and South-South regions.
Lagos residents will now pay N875, while those in the North East and South South will pay N905 per litre with the new adjustments.“Our quality petrol and diesel are refined for better engine performance and are environmentally friendly,” the company stated in the notice.The development comes after the 650,000 Lekki-based refinery on Monday said the naira-for-crude deal allowed it to reduce the price of petrol at the pumps.In a statement signed by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the company said the decision to maintain price stability reflects its unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigerian economy and alleviating the burden on consumers from the increase in fuel prices by maintaining price stability.The company affirmed that the prices of petrol will remain affordable and stable.

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