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Category: Politics

FG increases electricity tariff by 50%
Although Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the last increase in electricity tariff, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has enforced a new Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO), increasing electricity bill by over 50 per cent across the country.
A revised MYTO and minimum remittance threshold payable by the Distribution Companies and signed by NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba empowers the 11 DisCos to increase tariff by 50 per cent citing prevailing economic realities, especially inflation and exchange rate.
The document dated December 30, 2020 overruled the previous order Order NERC/2028/2020.
Labour unions and the Federal Government had been at loggerhead following increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit as well as the increase in electricity tariff.
After series of outrage and outright rejection by consumers who cited poor power supply and the impacts of Covid-19, DisCos had in October last year started the implementation of a service-based reflective tariff (SRT) structure after backing by an approval from President Muhammadu Buhari.
In the new order, tagged NERC/225/2020, NERC based its decision by current inflation of 14.9 per cent iN379.4/$1 exchange rate.
All classes of consumers, except those who enjoy a few hours of power supply would pay more for electricity until June this year.
January 5, 2021
Anambra PDP directs members to withdraw court cases, calls for unity
The People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Anambra State has urged all members to withdraw all cases in court and sheath their swords so as to focus on the gubernatorial elections come November.
Speaking to stakeholders ,aspirants and party supporters in Awka the state capital, Vice Chairman of the party in the Southeast zone, Mr Ali Odefa advised the aggrieved members to bury their hatchet and channel resources to the development of the party.
He said litigations and infighting are sources of distraction for the party from its avowed determination to retake the governorship seat in Anambra.
The Vice chairman also said that the party will be fair to all aspirants in the party.
For his part, the State chairman of the party, Ndubuisi Nwobu, said the party is on the march again to reposition itself and capture the imagination of the people of Anambra State.
He urged members to be on board with the leadership to ensure victory in the November governorship election.
His sentiment was echoed by the State publicity secretary, Okoli Akruika , who also commended the aspirants and urged them to support whoever emerges as the candidate of the party.
January 5, 2021
Court Remands Sowore in Kuje Prison over Crossover Protest
Omoyele Sowore, and four others have been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja, pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications in their alleged public disturbance trial.
Chief Magistrate Marble Segun- Bello of a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, Abuja made the remand order shortly after the defendants were arraigned before her for allegedly embarking on a protest over 2021 crossover celebration.
The federal government had on Monday arraigned them on a 3-count charge of Criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and public disturbance.
They were arrested by the Special Weapons Tactical Team in Abuja on January 1, while protesting to mark the New Year celebration.
Sowore was said to be leading the protest against bad governance on New Year’s Eve in Abuja.
According to the Prosecution, the defendants were seen carrying placards calling for a violent revolution against President Muhammadu Buhari.
They however pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
Following their not guilty plea, prosecuting counsel prayed the court for their remand at the Kuje Correctional Center as investigations into the charges were ongoing.
But Counsel to the defendants, Marshal Abubakar, attempted to make an oral application for defendants’ bail, urging the court to grant them bail on self recognizance.
In a short ruling Chief Magistrate Segun- Bello ordered that the defendants file a formal bail application and adjourned hearing in the bail till Tuesday, January 5.
Meanwhile, the Magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Center pending the determination of their bail applications.
Sowore had earlier before the protest charged Nigerians on Twitter to hold a crossover protest by picking up a candle and a placard showing their grievances against the President Muhammadu Buhari administration
January 4, 2021
Gov AbdulRazaq dissolves cabinet members, retains only SSG
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has dissolved his cabinet members with effect from December 31, 2020.
According to a statement released in the early hours of Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye only the Secretary to the State Government Mamman Sabah Jubril retained his seat.
The Governor commended the former cabinet members for their contributions to the development of the State while also wishing them the best in their future endeavors.
He also directed the former cabinet members to hand over to the most senior officers in their respective ministries.
The cabinet members were sworn in on December 14, 2019, comprising at least 56.25% females, in what was remarkably the most gender friendly cabinet on the African continent. The cabinet also had the country’s youngest commissioner.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Sunday ordered the suspension of workers accused of extortion at enrolment centres of the National Identity Management Commission.
January 4, 2021
Kogi Assembly Not Rubber Stamp – Speaker
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Kolawole on Sunday in Lokoja disabused the minds of those who have concluded that the present constituted crops of Kogi Assembly are rubber stamp Legislators of the executive.
Hon. Kolawole who disclosed this in a chat with Newsmen in Lokoja
said the cordial relationship existing between the Legislature and the Executives was aimed at fast tracking growth and development of the State.
The Speaker maintained that the Lawmakers have painstakingly scrutinized all requests of the executives, pointing out that once due process was followed and the request ascertained good, the Legislators would have no reason to slow down development.
He pointed who out that no state would witness any meaningful progress under meaningless crisis or combative in its dealings stressed that the Lawmakers are concerned about cordial working relationship that will fast track development.
“Our Paramount Concern is Growth, Development and the state assembly is discharging its responsibilities as expected.” he added.
“Ours is to work in harmony with the state executive, to assist the governor in delivering on the dividends of democracy to the good people of the state. That remains our priority, and we will continue to cooperate and assist His Excellency in this respect.”
The Speaker pointed out that all the needed requirements for the take off of the financial autonomy of the State House of Assembly has been concluded, and would soon commence.
January 4, 2021
APC Caretaker Committee Lists Plans For 2021
The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed its plans for the new year.
John Akpan Udoedehe, the National Secretary, in a statement on Friday, said so far, CECPC has recorded some achievements within the limitation of the timeframe accorded it.
The image-maker stated that having attained the approval for membership registration, the party will undertake the exercise from 25th January 2021
He further stated that the CECPC is fully set to conduct a total congress for the Party at all levels through a fair and transparent process of electing officials for the various organs of the party that will culminate in its National Convention.
Udoedehe said the leadership is working to create a member-centered party structure, one that guarantees the full participation of all members and accord privileges to members’ trust.
He added that recognising time is against the APC, the leadership is doubling its efforts to meet up with the tasks ahead in 2021.
The scribe assured all members of CECPC’s commitment to lead the process of political change in Nigeria.
January 1, 2021
2021: Mark to government: let’s change narrative to inspire citizens
Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has urged the federal government to strive hard to reverse the negative perception of Nigerians toward it by responding positively to the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens in the New Year.
Senator Mark in a goodwill message to Nigerians marking the New Year said the negative perception about the country would be reversed if the deteriorating security situation improves significantly.
Such negative perception eroding the trust and confidence of the people includes but not limited to the unabating insecurity situations, killings, insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and unemployment amongst others.
The former senate boss stressed: “we must approach the issues honestly and objectively. We must call a spade its rightful name.
“In a society where no one is sure of safety, means of livelihood or living in perpetual fear cannot guarantee steady investment or development.
“It is time for all citizens; both the government and the governed to collaborate and rise up in one accord to say enough is enough in order to save our country.
He added, “this is not the time for anyone to play the ostrich or politics over issues that affects our wellbeing. We cannot be neutral or partisan in the battle to save our country.”
The former Senate helmsman cautioned, “those who resort or cling to our emotional fault lines of ethnicity or religion for personal interest or self-preservation at the slightest compunction to think otherwise. This is the time to prove our patriotism and love for our country.”
December 31, 2020
Court admits documents in alleged forgery suit against Obaseki
The Federal High Court Abuja, on Wednesday, admitted more documents in evidence against Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, in an ongoing alleged certificate forgery suit against him.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), tendered the documents to prove its allegation of certificate forgery against the governor.
The two documents, included a University of Ibadan degree certificate, belonging to Mr Emmanuel Balogun and a report by a forensic document examiner, ASP Raphael Onwuzuligbo.
The documents were admitted in evidence by the court, having been tendered through the lead counsel of the APC, Mr Akin Olujimi, SAN.
READ ALSO: Gbajabiamila expresses sadness over Prof. Odekunle’s death
The first degree certificate in agricultural science tendered was awarded to Balogun in 1979, the same year with that of Obaseki.
Although the second document was admitted with a caveat following objections to its admissibility raised by Obaseki’s Counsel, Mr Ken Mozia, SAN.
Earlier, during cross examination, Balogun told the court that he had never seen the controversial degree certificate issued to Obaseki by the authorities of the University of Ibadan.
The witness also admitted that he had never worked in the admissions department of the university of Ibadan.
He, however, said that he was not in a position to comment on Obaseki’s certificates, having not worked in the university’s admission department.
The witness, who tendered the original degree certificate issued to him by the University of Ibadan in 1979, informed the court that generally, certificates were signed by vice chancellors and registrars and that they always carried dates.
Attempts by the APC counsel to call in their fourth witness was challenged by the defendants on grounds that the plaintiffs had exhausted the number of days provided by the court for them to call their witnesses.
The defendants counsel added that by the court’s adjournment on Tuesday, the plaintiffs were to close their case just as the first defendant was to open his case.
The objections were however overruled by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who said that a lot of issues came up that affected the time given to the plaintiffs to close their case.
Justice Mohammed said that similar consideration would be extended to the defendants.
The judge adjourned the matter until Dec. 31.The APC and one of its chieftains, Mr Williams Edobor had dragged Obaseki, his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court praying the court to disqualify Obaseki in the Sept.19 governorship election over alleged forgery and perjury.
December 30, 2020
Gbajabiamila expresses sadness over Prof. Odekunle’s death
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed sadness over the demise of Nigeria’s first professor of criminology, Femi Odekunle.
Gbajabiamila said with Prof. Odekunle’s death, Nigeria has lost one of her finest scholars who toiled to give his best to the country’s education sector.
He said the renowned professor, who until his death was a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), would be sorely missed by many, noting that he has left a vacuum in his field of study.
Describing the late Prof. Odenkule as one intellectual Nigerian whose value to the country could not be quantified, the Speaker said the late professor lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation by upcoming generation.
Gbajabiamila sent his condolences to the Odekunle family and the government and people of Osun State over the loss. He wished Prof. Odekunle’s soul eternal rest.
December 30, 2020
2023: Tinubu, Bakare not yet endorsed for presidency –Afenifere
The National Publicity Secretary of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, has said All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Tinubu, is not the focal leader of the Yoruba people.
Odumakin spoke on the Punch’s programme, The Roundtable on Wednesday.
He said the Afenifere has not endorsed Tinubu, the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, or any non-Yoruba aspirant for the 2023 presidency.
The Afenifere spokesman also claimed that the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, still wants to run for president in 2023, adding that the group has not given support to anyone.
Recall that Bakara compared Tinubu to Jephtah in the Bible, saying he fought many battles for the Yoruba and “delivered Lagos State and nearly all the South-West states from the onslaught of the PDP from 1999 to 2007”.
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Mixed reactions trailed the message, as many wondered why Bakare, who once spoke against Tinubu turned around to praise him.
Commenting on Wednesday, Odumakin said those who have the cathedral right to express views on the pulpit should be careful of what they say.
“No, there is no doubt that Asiwaju is a leader in Yorubaland but he is not the leader of the Yoruba people,” Odumakin said, adding that, “To say Asiwaju has done more for the Yoruba people is debatable”.
He further stated, “You will not earn our support because you are a Yoruba man but we will examine what you stand for.
“We have not given support to anyone at the moment. We are watching those who are interested in the 2023 presidency including Fayemi, Tinubu, and even Bakare himself and other non-Yoruba people.
“Where each candidate stands on the issue of restructuring and federalism will determine who gets our support.
“Afenifere is not afraid to state our support for any candidate and any party.”
Details later…
December 30, 2020