COVER
Rivers Crisis: APC Vows to Begin Impeachment Proceedings
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Siminalayi-Fubara-Gov-Rivers.jpg)
From Alice Onukwugha, Port Harcourt
The political crisis rocking Rivers State may be far from coming to an end as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Chief Tony Okocha said the lawmakers who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC will commence impeachment proceedings on the state Governor, Sir Siminilayi Fubara.
This is even coming as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, Prof.
Zacchaeus Adangor, on Thursday resigned his position.Adangor’s resignation may not be unconnected with the crisis as a result of irreconcilable differences between former governor and FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike and his successor, Fubara.
Adangor, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), served in the administration of Wike from 2018 to 2023, after the death of Emmanuel Aguma who was former AG, before he was reappointed to serve in the current executive cabinet under Fubara.
In a letter dated November 14, 2023, addressed to the governor through the Secretary to State Government (SSG), the former AG, said his resignation was for personal reasons and thanked Fubara for his appointment.
The letter read in part: “I hereby give Your Excellency notice of my resignation as Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State with effect from the date of this letter.
“For avoidance of doubt, my resignation from the said office is based purely on personal principles.
“I wish to thank Your Excellency for the opportunity and privilege granted me to serve in your administration as a member of the cabinet.
“My family and I are indebted to your Excellency in gratitude.”
Meanwhile, APC Acting Caretaker Chairman in Rivers State, Okocha, told newsmen in Abuja that the party will do everything possible to protect the 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers who defected to the APC.
He insisted that the defected lawmakers will sit elsewhere to make decisions since they are in possession of the mace, which is the symbol of authority.
Okocha, who also represents Rivers State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stated that the APC will petition Justice M.W. Danagogo before the National Judicial Council (NJC) for issuing the interim order upon which the governor proceeded to demolish the Assembly structure.
“Although I am not a member of the state House of Assembly, impeachment is a democratic process. Impeachment is not a coup d’etat.
“So, we are telling the governor that he cannot thrive on illegality, we will petition the judge before the National Judicial Council (NJC) for giving that jankara order against our members.
“So we want to appeal to our party to join us to defend our members who are being ill-treated by the Rivers House of Assembly.
“You cannot place something on nothing and you expect it to stand. Illegality is illegal. Let me also let you know that what makes an assembly is not the structure, but the human beings in that assembly.
“So, an assembly can be moved to anywhere, provided the mace which is its symbol of authority is there. As at yesterday, about 27 members sat and took far-reaching decisions on state matters.”
“We will fight illegality, we will not allow illegality to fester in our state. It is our duty now to defend our 27 members who are members of the State Assembly,” the APC state chairman said.
He further stated that the defection of the lawmakers was in line with the mandate given the party by the National Secretariat, to reach out to members of opposition parties in the state, saying he was already wooing the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to cross over.
He therefore, appealed to Wike to come to the assistance of the party in the state.
“I have wooed him personally, we have told him publicly to come over and help us. He is a political juggernaut not just in Rivers, but in Nigeria at large.
“He is a force, and that is why we won the presidential election after losing the three senatorial seats and all the State House of Assembly members,” he stated.
However, the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has assented to the N800.3 billion naira appropriation bill which was considered by the State House of Assembly loyal to him on Wednesday.
The governor signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill at the conference room of the governor’s office, at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Speaking, Fubara reiterated the commitment of his administration to carrying judiciously utilise the monies for infrastructural development in the state.
He further assured that with the budget now signed into law, his administration would undertake notable critical road projects like the phase 2 of the Trans-Kalabari road and the Elele-Omoku road projects.
The budget was signed in the presence of the state cabinet and other stakeholder, including, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, members of the State Executive Council, the House Speaker, Rt Hon Edison Ehie, former and present lawmakers who have thrown their weight and support the governor, as well as a number of Local Government Areas (LGA) chairmen of the PDP.
Meanwhile, reactions have started trailing the resignation of Adangor.
A civil rights crusader and social commentator, Prince Wiro, while reacting to the development, posited that it was in the best interest of the former attorney general and the state.
He said: “For me, the Attorney General of the State has done what is right. It is better to resign than to involve yourself with a political crisis that is affecting the general wellbeing of the state. Because as it is now, nobody knows how that crisis will end.
So it’s good that he resigns so that at the end of the day he will not be part of the crisis indirectly or unknowingly.”
Wiro, who is the National Coordinator Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, said, as a professor, Adangor, would not want his name to be dragged into the mucky waters of the Rivers State political space, hence his decision to resign.
He said until the former Attorney General comes up with a different reason, it is only right that the reasons averred by him in the resignation letter be taken.
“You know that the attorney general is a professor, he is well read and would not want his name to be associated with some crisis in the state so that posterity will not be harsh to him.
“I think that there is nothing wrong, if he can no longer continue with the government for him to resign”, he posited.
On whether Adangor’s decision has anything to do with his allegiance to Wike, the human rights activist said; “I read the resignation letter. For now, all those ones are just assumptions and we cannot conclude that it’s because he does not want to hurt Wike. Whatever it is, he has the right to resign if he thinks he does not want to continue with the government considering the political happenings in the state.
“Until he states otherwise, that he resigned because of his allegiance to former governor Wike, for now, let us take him by what he said in the resignation letter.”
COVER
BOI Restates Commitment to Local Manufacturing, Job Creation
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BOI-Logo.png)
Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr Olasupo Olusi has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting local manufacturing in Nigeria.Olusi said this when he visited the GU Ebeco facility and inspected ongoing projects at the Nisa Medical and Zeberced Group at the Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja yesterday.
He expressed delight at the progress made so far at the various facilities while commending the chief executives of the organisations, urging them to do more. During the visit to the GU Ebeco, the BOI boss emphasised the importance of job creation and the need for their products to proudly bear the “Made in Nigeria” label.Olusi praised GU Ebeco’s progress over the past seven years, applauding its expansion into a national enterprise with over 1,500 employees and several facilities across the country.“I am very happy with the fact that BOI has supported this enterprise for the last seven years. It is wonderful to see that it has grown.“It employs 1,500 staff, and operates a national distribution system. We are proud of the significant role GU Ebeco is playing in the Nigerian manufacturing landscape,” he said.The BOI boss also commended the loan repayment performance of the company saying it had taken multiple facilities from the BOI. He encouraged other young entrepreneurs to stay focused, while assuring them of BOI’s commitment to supporting them and Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts.Responding Mr Ebere Uzozie, Managing Director of GU Ebeco, expressed his appreciation for the continued support from the BOI.“We are grateful for the Bank of Industry’s backing. Their loans have helped us expand and create lasting change. We now have 34 facilities, and we are debt-free.” We are optimistic the visit will mark a new chapter for the company, and will ensure further growth and partnerships that will contribute to Nigeria’s industrial future,” Uzozie said.at the Zeberced Group, its Managing Director, Mr Aydin Kurt, said that Nigeria had lots of potential and could be the future of the world.While acknowledging the country’s potential in industrialisation, he emphasised the importance of producing locally in Nigeria rather than relying on imports.Kurt also appealed for more collaboration with the BOI to promote industrialisation, create jobs and help grow the economy.“I cannot do it alone. we have to come together and create a synergy to attract different investors to come and also invest in this country.“This is our vision we have a lot to share with you, and thank you once again for visiting our corporations,” he said.Responding, the BOI managing director said that the bank was keen on infrastructure and committed to supporting industrious infrastructure.“This project is very important to us and a critical objective for the county and, in that spirit, we have decided that we will continue to support the proliferation of industrial parts across the nation.Why yours is so unique is because it has a plan for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which is very important.“We have a mandate to support that particular segment of our economy because they are the ones that champion job creation and most of the growth of the economy is attributed to them,” Olusi said.The BOI boss thanked Zeberced Group for the opportunity while commending the groups’ vision, energy and optimism to carry the project forward.“We look forward to our partnership. Like I said, we all want to be parts and parcel of this project, we have already given you some money to implement it, and we will see how we can do more.“As you expand we will support, but you have to also show us the job creation numbers, and make sure your goods are branded made in Nigeria,” he said.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that GU Ebeco is a furniture company while Zeberced is a construction company. NANCOVER
FRSC Unveils App to Mitigate Road Crashes Impact
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/FRSC-768x422-1.jpg)
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has unveiled an app to boost efficiency and mitigate the impact of road accidents in the country.Speaking at the event yesterday in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume explained that the app was designed to digitalize FRSC operations for effective traffic management.
The SGF who described the current rate of accidents as a great concern to the present administration, urged the FRSC management to involve stakeholders in the implementation of the app to monitor motorists and curb the excesses of FRSC officers and personnel. The Chairman, House Committee on Road Safety, Abiodun Adeshida said the National Assembly was ready to review the 2007 Federal Road Safety Corps Act for more efficient service delivery.The Kenyan Ambassador to Nigeria, Isaac Parashina said African countries have a lot to learn from the FRSC’s experience in addressing the high rate of road crashes across the continent.According to the him, Africans must come together and provide homegrown solutions to address road safety challenges.In his welcome remarks, the Corps Marshal FRSC, Shehu Mohammed stated that the innovation was part of efforts to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on the use of the new technology to strengthen the commitment of road users and enhancing road safety operations.Mohammed said the corps would embark on aggressive sensitization in all motor parks and town hall meetings for stakeholders to key into the new technology.The Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama expressed confidence that the new technology would bring sanity to Nigerian roads.Dr Bulama commended FRSC management for the new operational initiative and pledged FRCN’s continued support to every program to reduce death and enhance economic activities in the country.The Acting President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Isa Ore said leaders in the transport sector would contribute to the success of the application in saving lives on the highway.Other stakeholders in the transport sector promised to support FRSC in enforcing traffic laws and protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.COVER
Lokpobiri Meets Shettima, Denies Involvement in Petrol Price Hike
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nnp.jpg)
By David Torough, Abuja
Minister of State (Oil) Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri yesterday denied that the Federal Government is responsible for the Tuesday increase in the price of petrol, saying it is a function of deregulation.The latest hike in the price of petrol has pushed up transport fares by over 50 percent in major cities across Nigeria.
The increase implemented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Retail Management ranges from N855 to N897 per litre, depending on the location from the previous N568-N617. Independent marketers have adjusted their prices to between N930 and N1,200 per litre of petrol.The minister denied FG’s involvement while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.Shettima had summoned Lokpobiri along with the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari and the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu over the recent hike in the price of petrol.Lokpobiri said, “This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level.“What is important is that the product is available in the country. Between now and weekend, there will be availability of the product across the length and breadth of the country.“We believe that by the time there is availability of the product across the country, the price itself will stabilise.”Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said regulatory efforts were geared toward stabilising supply of petrol in the country, which he said would impact positively on stability of price.Okuoha said, “The objective of the regulator is to ensure that there’s increased operating hours from all loading depots; vessels are being cleared promptly and extended hours where safety can permit truck outs as well.“More importantly also is the reinforcement of the support being given to local refinancing, because with increased production there will be higher supply, which will stabilise the price.”Despite making its product available, the Federal Government has not started lifting petrol from the Dangote Refinery.Yesterday, Dangote Group refuted the claim in the media that NNPCL is currently lifting petrol from its refinery and selling at N897 per litre.A statement signed by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina said the company has not yet finalised any contract with NNPCL.The statement entitled, “NNPC yet to lift our petrol” reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a headline “NNPC lifts Dangote Petrol, sells at N897 per litre” published in the BusinessDay Newspapers of Wednesday, 4 September 2024.“We would like to state that NNPCL has not commenced lifting of refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from our Dangote Petroleum Refinery.“Therefore, the issue of fixing the price of petrol lifted from our refinery does not arise, as we are yet to finalize our contract with NNPCL.“The PMS market is strictly regulated, which is known to all oil marketers and stakeholders in the sector, hence we cannot determine, fix, or influence the product price, which falls under the purview of relevant government authorities.“We urge the public to disregard the headline as it is misleading and does not represent the true position in this matter.“We are guaranteeing Nigerians of exceptionally high quality petroleum products that will be readily available all over the country.”