Tag: NEC

  • Tinubu Inaugurates NEC, Promises To Sustain Economy

    Tinubu Inaugurates NEC, Promises To Sustain Economy

    President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC), with a promise to sustain the rejuvenation of the nations economy.

    Addressing members Governors of the federation, President Tinubu charged the council to join forces to support his administration towards transforming the nations economy.

    He reminded the council of the promise made during his inaugural speech that he would focus on 8 priority areas including Security, Economy, Job creation, Agriculture and Infrastructure among others.

    President Tinubu further noted that the task of the growing the economy is quite enormous but he and the Governors should have no reason to complain, as he underlined the need harness the Nations potentials to stimulate serious growth.

    The inauguration comes a week after he directed NEC to meet and come up with interventions to mitigate the effects of the petroleum subsidy.

    The president who subsequently inaugurated the NEC, concluded by reminding the members of NEC that collaboration is not a crime.

    Those in attendance as at the time the meeting commenced are Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Osun, Ademola Adeleke, Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule, Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno and Enugu, Peter Mbah Cross River, Bassey Otu, Plateau, Caleb Muftwang, Kebbi, Nasir Idris, Katsina, Aliyu Radda and Benue Hycinth Alia.

    Others are Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, Anambra Charles Soludo, Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, Taraba, Agbu Kefas, Gombe, Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori, Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, Niger Mohammed Bago and Sokoto, Ahmad Aliyu.

    Others are Ebonyi, Francis Nwifuru, Kaduna, Uba Sani, Edo, Godwin Obaseki, Abia, Alex Otti, Bayelsa, Douye Diri, Kano, Abba Yusuf, Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, Oyo, Seyi Makinde and Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur and Deputy Governor of Ondo, Lucky Ayedatiwa

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, Acting Governor of Central Bank, Folashodun Shonubi, Permanent Secretaries Budget and National Planning, Federal Capital Territory Administration, were all in attendance.

  • Tinubu Instructs NEC To Focus On Palliatives For Subsidy Removal

    Tinubu Instructs NEC To Focus On Palliatives For Subsidy Removal

    President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Economic Council, NEC, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, to begin the process of working on interventions to ameliorate the impact of subsidy removal on the people.

    The President’s directive came on a day governors of the 36 states of the federation threw their weights behind the removal of petrol subsidy

    This is even as major oil marketers yesterday donated 100 mass transit buses worth N10 billion to the federal government to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

    The governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, stated this after leading some major oil marketers on a courtesy call on President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

    Briefing State House correspondents after the courtesy visit, the governor said the marketers were in the presidential villa to express solidarity with the president for his bold decision to end subsidy payment.

    He noted that Tinubu’s action showed his determination and courage to remove the hermorrhage that had bedeviled the country for decades.
    He said the country was spending about N4 trillion annually on subsidies, which should, henceforth, be taken to the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, for sharing among three tiers of government.

    The governor said while there would be some discomfort on the part of the people, the move would eventually pay off as there could be no gains without pain.

    Dame Winifred Akpani, Chairman of DAPPMAN, said the courtesy visit was to express the major oil marketers’ utmost support to the federal government.

    She said they were aware of the difficulties the subsidy removal had created in the country, expressing optimism that it was going to reposition the country.

    Dame Akpani noted that Nigeria in the first three months of 2023, had spent over N2 trillion, adding that if it continued with the payment, the amount might spike to N7 trillion at the end of the year.

    She said through subsidy, Nigeria had been feeding her neighbouring countries, adding that it could no longer subsidise fuel for African countries, while its economy continued to bleed.

    The marketers announced their intention to donate 50 to 100 mass transit buses to help the success of the initiative, hoping that other well-meaning corporate bodies would do the same.

  • NEC Suspends Removal Of Fuel Subsidy

    NEC Suspends Removal Of Fuel Subsidy

    The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday suspended the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed disclosed, this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to the minister, the NEC concluded in its meeting that it is not a favourable time for the action.

    She stated that the Council deliberated on the matter and resolved that it cannot be removed for now, but it equally agreed on the need to continue the discussion on the matter and the necessary preparatory work in conjunction with states and representatives of the incoming administration.

    Ahmed said, “What I said is that it is not going to be removed now; which means it is not going to be removed before the transition is completed. But then we two laws that have inadvertently made the provision that we should exit (subsidy) by June.

    “So, if the committee’s work, which will include the representatives of the incoming administration determine that the removal can be done by June, then the work plan would be designed to exit as at June.

    “But if the determination is that the period needs to be extended, it will mean that, as a country, we will have to revisit the Appropriation Act because the 2023 Budget only made provision up to June.

    “So, if we are extending beyond June, it means we have to revisit the Appropriation Act and do a Supplementary or amend the bill and also the PIA.”

    The issue of subsidy has been a controversial topic in Nigeria.

    Under the Petroleum Industry bill signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2021, part of the Act does not create room for subsidy.

    In January 2022, the Federal Government proposed 18 months extension to the National Assembly for the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    The current administration agreed to an extension of the statutory period for the implementation of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), in line with existing laws.

    However, the fuel subsidy should have been fully removed by June, but the current administration said it is not yet time to implement the full removal.

    It is however left to the incoming administration to take a decision on the fuel subsidy removal.

  • PDP Postpones Caucus, BoT, NEC Meetings

    PDP Postpones Caucus, BoT, NEC Meetings

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has Postponed its planned National Caucus, Board of Trustees and National Executive Council meetings earlier scheduled to hold between 10am and 2:00pm.

    Prominent caucus members of the party including former Senate Presidents, David Mark and Bukola Saraki, the Chairman of the BoT Sen. Walid Jibrin and the governors of Edo, Enugu, Adamawa, Taraba host Governor, Samuel Ortom, among others met behind closed doors for roughly two hours before filing out at about 12:00pm.

    Although no official statement was issued, Vanguard gathered that the exterior which will last for a few hours is to allow for more consultations on thorny issues.

    Under the new arrangement, the caucus meeting will now begin at 4: Pm, BoT is scheduled to hold at 7pm while the NEC meeting is being planned for 8:00pm.

    Details later…

  • Emergency NEC: INEC rejects Bello’s letter, insists only Buni, Sec can sign

    Emergency NEC: INEC rejects Bello’s letter, insists only Buni, Sec can sign

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. has rejected a letter inviting it to an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the ruling party.

    With this development, the plot to remove the Chairman of the APC, Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, might have hit a brick wall with a contrary position taken by INEC.

    The commission drew the attention of the CECPC to the fact that the letter of invitation was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC, Buni and Senator John Akpanudoedehe, respectively.

    INEC also reminded those who wrote and signed the letter of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, “which requires at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of merger and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.”

    The letter by INEC is considered a big clog in the wheels of a plot by a bloc in the party to stage a coup against Buni, who duly transferred power to Governors Sani Bello of Niger State, to enable him to attend briefly to health issues, according to a leaked letter on Thursday.

    Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State had indicated on a TV program on Wednesday night that Buni was pushed aside because he was working against holding the APC’s planned National Convention, a claim Buni’s letter, dated February 28, 2022, and addressed to CECPC members, countered.

    INEC’s letter read, “Please refer to your letter Ref.APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/022/32, dated 8th March 2022.

    “The Commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).

    “Furthermore, the APC is reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.

    “While hoping these issues are noted for compliance, please accept the assurance of the Commission’s warm regards.”

  • Strike: Our NEC will decide – Osodeke, ASUU president

    Strike: Our NEC will decide – Osodeke, ASUU president

    ASUU Strike: FG team meets on Monday

    By Adesina Wahab

    The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, has said the National Executive Council, NEC, of the union will decide whether members should go on strike or not over some demands made.

    He said the union is still consulting and sensitising members on the issues involved. Speaking in a chat with Vanguard, he said the declaration of Monday, February 7 as a lecture free day was to sensitise members and also show the displeasure of the union with the way government was handling the matter.

    “We declared Monday as a lecture free day for members to sensitise our members and let the government know that we are not happy with the manner the issue is being handled. After all this, we will collate views and opinions of our members from across the country.

    “Based on what our members say, the National Executive Council, NEC, of our great union will meet and decide whether to resume our suspended strike or not. The leaders of the union don’t act unilaterally, we act based on what our members ask us to do,” he said.

    On the claim by the government that it is experiencing paucity of funds and might not meet all the demands of the union, Osodeke noted that everything boils down to prioritizing issues.

    According to him, not all the demands have to be met spending money, as some are policy matters, citing the demand of replacing the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, with the University Transparency and Accountability System, UTAS.

    READ ALSO: ASUU advocates free education from primary to tertiary level
    Meanwhile, the zonal leaderships of the union are expected to begin collating views of their branches on the issue this week for onward transmission to the national leadership.

    The Lagos Zone of the union, for instance, has fixed a meeting for Tuesday at the university of Lagos, UNILAG.

    Recall that only few days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari urged ASUU to take note of the fact that the government is facing liquidity challenge and being under serious fiscal pressure.

    He, however, said the government was committed to honouring the promises made to the union and directed the Ministers of Education, Labour and Finance to liaise with the union to ward off any strike by the members.

    Buhari spoke when he received members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    VANGUARD

  • Fuel subsidy removal: No decision yet, deliberations still ongoing — NEC

    Fuel subsidy removal: No decision yet, deliberations still ongoing — NEC

    The National Economic Council, NEC, says it has yet to take a decision on the issue of fuel subsidy removal as deliberations are still ongoing.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo fielded questions from State House correspondents after the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to the governor, NEC has been deliberating on the issue of fuel subsidy for more than a year.

    “There was an ad hoc committee set up by NEC and headed by Gov. Nasir El-Rufai that included members of the executive arm of government and worked on recommendations as to what we should do about the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) locally.

    “Because as you realise, as it has been told us, the cost of PMS in Nigeria today is about N162 for a litre whereas every other country surrounding Nigeria is selling the product at more than 100 per cent of the cost in Nigeria.

    “The country, as at last year, spent in excess of …; we must have the exact figures — but we must have spent almost N2 trillion subsidising petroleum products.

    “That is money that could have gone into building roads; money that could have gone into healthcare and education.

    “So, for NEC, the argument has been put out; should we continue this regime of spending money that we do not have to subsidise the living standard of mostly those who have vehicles.’’

    He said that when NEC looked at some of the analysis last year, it realised that less than one-third of the states of the country consumed two-third of the subsidy.

    According to him, the issue of equity also comes up.

    “All of these findings were presented to NEC and NEC has deliberations still ongoing.

    “So, NEC has not come up with any decision yet and I think has also been made to the president,’’ he said.

    On his part, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State said Nigerians ought to know about the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, as the NNPC had become a limited liability company.

    According to him, the NNPC will run differently henceforth.

    “So, if the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning provides for six months, you probably can understand part of the reason for the provision of six months before NNPC takes off.

    “At that moment, that is when decision will be made. But I want to make the correction that it is not governors who are making the recommendations.

    “It is actually a NEC committee that is looking at this and no decision has been made; probably a decision will be made; the PIA would have taken charge and it would not require any recommendation from anybody,’’ Sule said.

  • NEC Asks Nigerians To Wait Till June For Decision On Fuel Subsidy

    NEC Asks Nigerians To Wait Till June For Decision On Fuel Subsidy

    The National Economic Council (NEC) has asked Nigerians to wait till June for a decision to be reached on the removal of fuel subsidy.

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said this while briefing the press at the end of the first NEC meeting for 2022 held in Abuja on Thursday.

    “We did not make any presentation on this because there has not been a decision. But in reality, all of us, Nigerians, know that there is now the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and NNPC has now become a limited liability company,” the governor said after the 122nd NEC meeting.

    “So, NNPC will run differently. So, if the Ministry of Finance provides for six months, you probably can understand part of the reasons for the provision of six months is before NNPC fully takes off and at that moment, that’s when decisions would be made.”

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who also spoke after the meeting, noted that N2.1 trillion was spent last year on fuel subsidy payments. The payments, he said, could have been used to fund other development efforts.

    “Because of payment of subsidy, NNPC was unable to put that money into FAAC for distribution, which means less money going to the states and less money going to the federal government,” Obaseki added.

    The NEC meeting was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and attended physically by state governors, government officials as well as officials of the World Bank.

    Also on the agenda was the launch of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme (NGCARES).

  • #EndSARS: NEC Directs State Govs to Prosecute Indicted Persons

    #EndSARS: NEC Directs State Govs to Prosecute Indicted Persons

    Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja; Chiemelie Ezeobi, Segun James, Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie in Lagos; Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt; Fidelis David in Akure; Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba; and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

    The youth of the nation made good their threat to hold memorial marches yesterday commemorating those who died during the nationwide anti-police brutality protests last year. This was despite warnings by the Nigeria Police that marches to mark the one year anniversary of the #EndSARs protest would not be condoned.

    As the memorial rallies held in some states yesterday, the National Economic Council (NEC) directed state governors to forward final reports of the panels of inquiry into the protests to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of the indicted persons.

    In Lagos State, youths gathered at the Lekki tollgate to mark the EndSARs anniversary. But the rally was marred by police brutality and clampdown on journalists covering the peaceful event.

    In Abuja, security operatives acting on the order of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, pushed a procession to the National Assembly complex back.

    But Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, inaugurated a Committee for the Protection of Human Rights in the state with an appeal for more citizen participation in peace and nation building.

    In Rivers State, over 200 youths staged a candlelight procession at the popular Waterline junction in Port Harcourt.

    Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, who revealed the decision of NEC in Abuja, during a media briefing, also accused those he labelled “champions of a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate,” including Amnesty International and CNN, of holding on to “their unproven stand.”

    The federal government said where incidents in the inquests related to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC had urged the Nigeria Police to take disciplinary action against the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.

    Mohammed spoke on measures that had been taken to improve the efficiency of the police and other security agencies’ architecture. He explained that NEC had called on the leadership of the security agencies to ensure that persons recruited into arms-bearing security organs underwent psychiatric evaluation and drug test before enlistment.

    He also said personnel of the agencies had been advised to dutifully observe rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties.

    While acknowledging the various initiatives introduced by the federal government to strengthen police accountability through the Police Service Commission, the minister said the council had urged the government to prioritise the general welfare of security agencies.

    “In particular, it advocated the review of pension and gratuity of retired police officers and attainment of parity of remuneration by police officers with sister security agencies,” he stated.

    Mohammed also said the council advised the government to “undertake a comprehensive assessment of all police stations across the country with a view to ensuring that they are fit for purpose.

    “Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies should deploy cutting-edge technology in the fight against crimes.”

    The council also urged the police to ensure that all those detained as a result of the #EndSars protests were expeditiously processed with due regard to the principles of fair hearing.

    However, the federal government maintained its stance that there were no evidence of massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate a year ago.

    The minister stated, “Today marks the first anniversary of the phantom massacre at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, which was the culmination of an otherwise peaceful protest that was later hijacked by hoodlums.

    “At earlier press conferences, I had called the reported massacre at the toll gate the farce. On Monday, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry that was set up by the Lagos State Government after the #EndSARS protest wrapped up its sitting.

    “During the sitting, CNN was summoned but it never showed up, thus, missing a great opportunity to prove its allegation of massacre at the toll gate. Also, Amnesty International had a golden opportunity to convince the world, but it rather opted for issuing meaningless press releases.”

    Mohammed claimed that in its latest attempt to grasp at straws and, “redeem whatever is left of its battered credibility on this issue, CNN has continued with its baseless report that soldiers shot at protesters.

    “In a report currently running on the network, CNN brazenly and unashamedly held on to its flawed narrative, relying on an unidentified mother whose son was reportedly shot dead at Lekki, but without convincing evidence of who shot him dead.”

    The minister said the federal government remained proud of the security agencies for acting professionally and showing utmost restraint all through the #EndSARS protest and the ensuing violence, an action he said saved lives and property.

    Police Clampdown on Journalists, Brutalise Protesters in Lagos

    Meanwhile, in Lagos, Nigeria Police officers, who ignored warnings to abide by the rules of engagement, unleashed violence on peaceful protesters, passers-by, and even journalists deployed to cover the commemoration.

    The operatives from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the state taskforce were seen assaulting people gathered at the tollgate, as well as road users.

    Those who bore the brunt of yesterday’s crude actions by the Nigeria Police in Lagos included an Uber driver, Clement Adedotun; Arise Television crew; an online reporter, Bisola Alawode, and another lady simply identified as Blessing.

    The police also forced many at the rally into their waiting Black Maria after using tear gas at close proximity to spray their faces.

    The security operatives, comprising the RRS, Taskforce and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), had brutalised and arrested Alawode and a lone protester before whisking them away to an unknown destination.

    Attempts by protesters to resist arrest were met by more force by the security operatives.

    The Uber driver, whose torture video went viral, said he had a passenger in his cab when they heard gunshots.

    He said, “I abandoned my vehicle and fled. The passenger ran as well. When the situation calmed down, I returned to take my vehicle but couldn’t find it.

    “I asked questions around where I had left the vehicle and I was told to go and meet the security operatives because they towed vehicles off. That was how I came here and the next thing they started forcing me into this truck.

    “I cannot enter it because I am not a thief. No member of my family has ever entered it. It won’t be me that will enter. I did not do anything. I am not even a protester.”

    Prior to the acts of brutality, the youths led by Music Star, Folarin Falana, alias Falz, and Comedian Adebowale Adedayo (Mr. Macaroni), were in their vehicles waving the Nigerian flag and chanting #ENDSARS as they drove through the tollgate repeatedly.

    However, things turned violent when the procession was about to end. While some dropped off their flags, others refused to vacate, thereby causing traffic congestion.

    The police were said to have blocked off the tollgate and diverted traffic before they used teargas to disperse the crowd, while vehicles parked on the road were towed away and the tollgate reopened.

    In the ensuing melee, it was alleged that a thug stabbed a Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps official and fled, while the operatives arrested some persons with cutlass, hammers and charms at the venue.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, got those wrongfully arrested freed, just as he tendered public apology to those who were brutalised.

    Addressing journalists at the scene, Odumosu said the security operatives had to use minimal force when they discovered that miscreants had infiltrated the crowd.

    “No one stopped the car procession. I told them that no one would harass them as long as they do not obstruct traffic because this is a business area and not a park or garden. They were free to have their banners, stickers on their cars and drive pass as many times as they wanted to, which they did.

    “I put a call across to one of the organisers to know if they were done and he said yes, that they were through and on their way. I asked if it was true they had another event at Alausa and were going there but he said no, that they had dispersed.

    “So, you can see that the protesters who have leaders have concluded their exercise and left. These ones who came to block the road now are not known. They do not have leaders and are not organised. That is not to say they cannot protest since peaceful protest is the right of every Nigerian.

    “What we will not allow is disruption of movement or the infringement on the rights of others because where one person’s right stops, another’s starts. Now, you can see we have arrested some of them with weapons. Are those protesters?

    The youths said they were angry with the Lagos State government for trying to stop yesterday’s protest, saying it amounts to gross violation of their human rights.

    But the Lagos State government denied the allegation of trying to stop protesters.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, said the governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had no control over police activities in Lagos, and could not order the police to stop any protest in the state. The Lagos State Police Commissioner reports directly to the Inspector General of Police in Abuja and not to the Lagos State government.

    Omotosho spoke yesterday on “The Morning Show”, an ARISE NEWS Channel programme, alongside the founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Atedo Peterside, as well as a lawyer and civil rights advocate, Mr. Inibehe Effiong. The information commissioner said different agitations coming from Lagos and other parts of the country since the #EndSARs protest last year had tended to divide the people of the state.

    He called for peace, unity and understanding among Lagos youth and, by extension, Nigerian youth, adding that the youth need to collaborate with government to build the country and not disrupt activities and destroy the common wealth of the country.

    Omotosho said, “Lagos State Government encourages freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest. I was with the Lagos State Governor three days ago, when he made a call to the owner of Landmark Centre, when #EndSars youths visited him, to complain about how the management of Landmark Centre suddenly reneged on an earlier agreement they had reached with them to use the centre for the one year remembrance of #EndSars protest.

    “During the telephone conversation between the governor and the owner of Landmark Centre, which I recorded, the owner of Landmark Centre denied getting any instruction from Lagos government to decline the commercial request of the youths to use the centre for their protest. He told the governor that the decision was taken by the management to save lives and property and that it was a pure business decision.

    “So it is wrong for anybody to think that Lagos State government must have instructed the managers of Landmark Centre to stop the youths from using the venue for their protest.”

    Asked why protesters were arrested and journalists were rough handled and their drones and cameras seized by the police during yesterday’s protest in Lagos, Omotosho said, “Lagos State governor did not ask the police to stop any protest and arrest protesters and seize the working tools of journalists covering the protest. “

    Worried by the action of the police during the protest, Effiong accused the government of insensitivity to the challenges of the people.

    He said, “The police cannot deviate in their role to protect the rights of the protesters. Civilians laid down their lives for Nigeria’s democracy when they confronted the military years back and we cannot have a Commissioner of Police in Lagos who will not give instructions to the police to protect peaceful protesters.

    “If Governor Sanwo-Olu cannot compel the Lagos State Police Commissioner to respect the rights of the people, the governor must write to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Police Service Commission and request the redeployment of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. Until he has done that, the governor must take full responsibility of the violations of Lagos youths, the harassment of journalists in Lagos and the continued disdain to the rule of law and democracy in Lagos.”

    On his part, Peterside advised the youth to unite in fighting their course and choose leaders among them who would represent them to dialogue with government in pushing their demands.

    “The best way to bring about change in a country is through dialogue and there must be leaders who are willing and able to dialogue with government,” Peterside said.

  • #EndSARS: NEC Urge Organisers To Reconsider Planned Protest

    #EndSARS: NEC Urge Organisers To Reconsider Planned Protest

    Organisers of the #EndSARS protests have been advised to reconsider their plan to stage any protest in commemoration of the one-year anniversary since the demonstrations were held in various parts of the country.

    The National Economic Council (NEC) made the call on Friday in an advisory on public protests, saying such a plan should be shelved considering the nation’s security situation.

    “While appreciating the role of lawful peaceful protests in the advancement of public discourse under democratic governance, the National Economic Council (NEC) strongly advise those planning public protests across the country to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS, to consider other lawful alternative means of engagement,” the council headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said in the advisory.

    “This is because of the current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues. Council, therefore, urges the organisers to reconsider their plan.”


    Thousands of young Nigerians occupied strategic places in parts of the country in October 2020, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over alleged human rights violations.

    While the protests held for several days, there was a shooting by a team of security operatives who stormed the venue of the demonstration in the Lekki area of Lagos.


    In a bid to address the concerns raised by the protesting youths, NEC stated that the government – at the federal and state levels – has already taken actions to address the grievances that led to the protests.

    It listed them to include the disbandment of SARS, broad police reforms, the establishment of judicial panels of inquiries to investigate allegations of human rights violations by members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, and prosecution of police personnel indicted by the panels.

    The council explained that recommendations of the panels were already at various stages of implementation, including the setting up of Victims Compensation Funds from which “several victims have received payments of sums awarded to them” by the panels.

    “These are commendable actions that ought to be taken to a logical conclusion in a peaceful atmosphere,” it said.

    “Organisers of the planned protests should explore the various channels of communication with governments at various levels to advance their positions and avert the breakdown of law and order that may result from such public protests.”