2023: We’ll Eliminate Corruption If Elected – Tinubu

 The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, said he would tackle the problem of corruption head-on if elected president in the forthcoming election.

Tinubu gave this assurance on Thursday during a consultative forum with the Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria, FOCI, in Abuja.

He said his administration would back the establishment of a construction bank.

The Lagos State former governor also assured that his government would adopt techniques that would attract, rather than scare away, prospective investors by aiming to eliminate corruption from the Nigerian system.

Tinubu said, “We don’t want to scare away investors of today and tomorrow, but we promise you, we will eliminate corruption. Part of it is that we look at ourselves, too. Not just enforcement but to reduce the propensity for corruption.”

NNPCL Now Sells Petrol At N194/litre As Scarcity Bites Harder

 The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited yesterday increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at its filling stations to N194 per litre from N179 per litre.

This came after weeks of petrol scarcity resurfaced across the country as long fuel queues erupted at many filling stations.

Though no official notice was seen, LEADERSHIP checks reveal that NNPC filling stations across Abuja metropolitan had changed their price boards to reflect N194 per litre.

However, in Lagos, NNPC filling stations visited displayed N184 per litre for PMS.

When contacted, the group corporate communications officer of the NNPCL, Mallam GarbaDeen Muhammad said the firm does not determine the pump price of PMS.

“Kindly find out from the NMDPRA what the approved pump price is. That should answer your question. NNPC Ltd does not determine the pump price of PMS,” he said.

However, the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) the agency responsible for regulating activities in the midstream and downstream sectors, kept mum over the development as phone calls and text messages to its spokesman, Kimchi Apollo were not responded to.

LEADERSHIP checks showed that there were long queues at filling stations across the Federal Capital Territory, yesterday, raising fears of yet another round of petrol scarcity in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Specifically, checks around the city centre showed that most outlets operated by both major and independent marketers were shut while queues were observed at Conoil and Total filling stations opposite NNPC Towers. Queues were also noticed at NNPC Mega station as well as two stations in the Wuse area of the city.

Similar long queues were observed in Lagos and environs, yesterday, as the independent marketers were seen selling the product over N250 per litre while the major marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company sold it at N170 and N169 per litre respectively.

LEADERSHIP checks showed that there were long queues at filling stations across the Federal Capital Territory, yesterday, raising fears of yet another round of petrol scarcity in the nation’s capital, Abuja. Long queues were observed at Conoil filling stations opposite NNPC Towers, while the Total filling station was shut.

Queues were also noticed at NNPC Mega station as well as two stations in the Wuse area of the city.

Similar long queues were observed in Lagos and environs, yesterday, as the independent marketers were seen selling the product over N250 per litre while the major marketers

In Lagos and Ogun states, fuel price in Magboro by Prayer City behind were varied. The three filling stations inside Magboro, Amuf NIPCO and Feromem filling stations sell between N300 and N450 per litre,

NNPC Retail Outlet around Ile-Epo Oja in Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos State is selling at N184 per litre.

TechnOil at Hamadiyyah, Lagos Abeokuta Expressway was selling at N220.

With these developments it appears the federal government may have commenced gradual removal of the petrol subsidy as pump price of the product simultaneously rose to above N185 per liter on Thursday.

Government had earlier announced implementation of the withdrawal in April 2023, about three months ahead of the initial plan to effect a complete stop to the expenditure.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had on Tuesday hinted during an interview with ARISE TV on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that subsidy removal appears to be the position of all contestants to the leadership of the country in their political campaigns for next month’s general elections.


She stated: “What will be safer is for the current administration to, maybe at the beginning of the second quarter, start removing the fuel subsidy, because it’s more expedient if you remove it gradually than to wait and move it all in one big swoop”.

After an 18-month extension, the federal government plans to spend N3.35 trillion on petrol subsidies from January till June 2023.

The extension, however, generated widespread debate on the expediency of such expenditure as it will increase the budget deficit of the FG which would be financed through additional borrowing and hence further rise in the nation’s public debt which stood at N44.06 trillion as at end of September 2022.

But LEADERSHIP finding yesterday showed that government has begun the subsidy withdrawal urging marketers to adjust their pumps.

However, efforts to get reactions from marketers was unsuccessful as key marketers association were considering on how much could be applicable.

Equally, leadership of Independent Depot Owners were not ready to discuss the matter.

However, a competent source in the industry with knowledge of government new directive to marketers confirmed the development to our Correspondent.

Our source said, “Marketers have been officially directed to change pump price of petrol. Go to stations operated by major marketers you will confirm what I have told you. But I think it shouldn’t be above N185 a liter. I can tell you too that depot owners are not expected to raise their prices but they have been asked to recover their costs by adjusting their prices.”

The cost of fuel pump increased from N87 per litre as of December 2015 to N194 per litre currently, which is an increase of more than 100 per cent according to the Fuel Pump Price Per Litre – Average (PMS) data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, enjoys monopoly the sole importer of petrol in Nigeria in 2016 after the Federal Government introduced the price modulation mechanism, which saw the pump price of the commodity rise.

However, in May 2016, the value of crude oil in the international market soared, while the value of Nigeria’s currency, the naira, slid to almost N500/dollar, from about N197 to the dollar.

This unfortunately hit back at the landing cost of petrol, which rose steeply, and the country not willing to hike the pump price of the commodity again, soon returned to subsidising the product.

Consequently, the fuel subsidy gulped N306.92bn in 2015, and in 2021, the NNPC said fuel subsidy gulped N1.43trillion, indicating that the cost of fuel subsidy rose by 365.92 per cent within the six-year period.

The NNPC called the subsidy payments under-recovery and deducted it from the proceeds of its domestic crude oil sales, before making remittances to the Federation Account.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have decried the continued spending by the Nigerian government on the petrol subsidy, urging the government to end the subsidy regime.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress and other pressure groups and trade unions had threatened nationwide protests against the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Although the Federal Government had planned to eliminate the fuel subsidy by June 2022, but changed the plan and extended the subsidy regime by 18 months.

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, had equally described the decision of government to suspend its planned petrol subsidy removal as an election strategy.

Also, the NNPC has said a total of N4tn from the Federal Government is required to fund the fuel subsidy in 2022.

According to the NNPC, fuel subsidy gulped N675.93bn in the first quarter of 2022.

The NNPC informed that fuel subsidy gulped N210.38bn, N219.78bn, and N245.77bn in January, February, and March 2022 respectively.

Divorce: Asiya Ganduje To Return Bride Price To Inuwa Uba

 Asiya Ganduje, a daughter of Kano State Governor, on Thursday, before an Upper Shari’a Court insisted on returning the N50,000 dowry paid by her husband, Inuwa Uba, to end their 16-year-old marriage.

The plaintiff was in court seeking the dissolution of her marriage through Islamic means (Khul’i) as she claims to be tired and fed up with Inuwa.

At the resumed sitting, the Plaintiff’s Counsel, Ibrahim Aliyu-Nassarawa, told the court that his client insists on returning the N50,000 bride price received from her husband in exchange for a divorce.

“Every woman who is living under strange conditions has a right under Islamic law to approach the court and seek for her marriage to be dissolved with the condition to return the dowry.

“My client is ready to return the N50,000 bride price received from her husband in exchange for a divorce.”

Aliyu-Nassarawa said his client is not willing to relinquish her rights and will not abide by the conditions set by the respondent.

“The conditions are the subject matter of dispute that should be subjected to another suit before another court.”

Earlier, Counsel to the respondent, Mr Umar I. Umar, said the issue is beyond the payment of the N50,000 dowry.

“My client has two conditions regarding some of his belongings, before coming to the issue of divorce.

“The respondent has four kids with the plaintiff, but all efforts to reconcile them proved abortive.

“The plaintiff should return all his credentials, house certificates, cars and relinquish her rights in their joint rice company.”

The presiding judge, Malam Halliru Abdullahi, after listening to the submission of both parties, adjourned the matter until Feb. 2 for judgement.

NAN reports that the court had on Jan. 12, dismissed the preliminary objection filed by counsel to the respondent, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

APC Presidential Campaign Council Decries Low Collection Of PVCs In S/ West

 

—- Asks APC govs to declare a work-free day for PVC collection

— Frowns at reports of Anti-party activities, wants erring leaders disciplined

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in the Southwest, has decried the low rate of collection of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in the zone.

It has therefore enjoined Governors of all APC-controlled states to declare Tuesday, 24th January 2023 as a work-free day to aid the collection of Permanent Voter Cards.

This was contained in a communique issued by the council and signed by its Coordinator and the Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, at a meeting held in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

Akeredolu was joined at the meeting by the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemiamong other bigwigs.

The meeting, in a Communique issued and signed by Governor Akeredolu and the Southwest Vice Chairman of the APC, who is also the Deputy Coordinator, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, the council decried the low rate of collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in the zone and announced the immediate launch of “Operation Collect Your PVC” across all states in the Southwest.

“The council also enjoined Governors of all APC-controlled states to declare Tuesday, 24th January 2023 as a work-free day to aid the collection of Permanent Voter Cards.

“Council praises its Chairman, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for his leadership and candour. It notes with satisfaction his improved state of health and prayed for his speedy recovery and continued service to Ondo state and Nigeria as a nation.

“The Council approves the request of the Coordinator of the PCC in the Southwest zone, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to appoint His Excellency, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, to assist and support him in coordinating the Southwest campaign activities.

“Council directs the setting up of polling units mobilization committees across all the Southwest States and also decides that all Party leaders and government functionaries at the Federal and State levels should return immediately to their respective local governments, wards and units to lead the campaigns and voter mobilization activities.

“The Council urges Governors of APC-controlled states in the Southwest to deploy all state-owned mass media machinery towards mobilisation, voter education and PVC collection.

“lt appeals to PCC to urgently release funds to all campaign directorates, most especially, the youth directorate in order to enhance the campaign and mobilisation activities.

“The council frowns at reported cases of anti-party activities of some leaders and appointees and therefore calls on the National Working Committee (NWC) to deal decisively with any party member engaging in anti-party activities.

The meeting, which was attended by leaders and members of the PCC in the six States of the Southwest zone, agreed to intensify efforts toward garnering massive votes for the APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Leaders at the meeting include National Vice Chairman (South-West) and Deputy Zonal Co-ordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Isaac Kekemeke; APC Chairman,Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; former deputy Governor of Osun State, Titi-Laoye Ponle; former deputy Governor of Ogun state, Segun Adesegun; representative of Ekiti state Governor, Jide Awe; APC chairmen in the South West and other national and zonal leaders. 

Inside Kwara Community, Ijara-isin, Where Residents Have Own ‘currency’

 The Ijara-Isin community in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria has devised a means to keep money within its community in a bid to foster economic development.

Ijara-Isin came up with its own ‘currency’, which is accepted through out the community.

The Managing Director, Ijara Isin Development Fund and Corporative, Alo Oluwafemi, talks about the motivation behind the ‘currency’, also called vouchers, that residents of Ijara-Isin use when they go to the markets.

Oluwafemi said the Olusin of Ijara-isin, Oba Ajibola Ademola Julius, got the idea when he travelled to the United States of America in 2021.

He narrated that the monarch noticed that each time he gives out money or a job, the residents prefer to save the money in their accounts or use it outside of Ijara Isin which doesn’t help the community, so he thought of a way to keep funds within the community.

A community official, Akinleye Tolulope, said the idea is to boost the economy of the community. He also said that residents get paid with the ‘currency’ to discourage residents from taking the money out but rather spend it within the community to help in its development.

The cash officer, Ijara Isin Development Fund and corporative, Mukaila Abdulrahman, shares how the system of the voucher works. Abdulrahman said that the voucher must be signed and stamped to enable one to spend it adding that if a resident wants to change the voucher for cash, they are free to do so.

Oluwafemi added that when the market vendors collect the vouchers, they take it to the office where the vouchers are saved in their account and eventually turned to cash to enable the vendors restock.

A trader, Babalola Omolara, said that the voucher has helped them in the community and that it is also a protective measure against theft as it is useless to whoever steals it from them.

Another trader, Oluwabukola Ojo, said that they receive cash from outsiders who want to purchase their goods.

We Were Promised ₦3000 To Attend Tinubu's APC Rally – Kwara Motorcyclist

 According to a video obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the yet-to-be-identified man said all the commercial drivers, consisting of tricyclists, motorcyclists, and taxi drivers were mandated to attend the rally by their respective bodies.

A motorcyclist in Kwara State has narrated how they were allegedly promised N3,000 to attend the ruling All Progressives Congress presidential campaign in Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday.

According to a video obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the yet-to-be-identified man said all the commercial drivers, consisting of tricyclists, motorcyclists, and taxi drivers were mandated to attend the rally by their respective bodies.

“From what I heard, any person that goes there will be given N3,000. And this is for the members, I don't know of the executives. So, if they give us (the members) N3,000, definitely the money (released by Tinubu) is urging,” the man said in the video seen by SaharaReporters.

Tinubu and his entourage were greeted by a crowd of supporters that thronged Metropolitan Square, in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital on Tuesday.

The APC presidential candidate, who described the broom, the insignia of the APC, as a symbol of freedom, said the “freedom” achieved four years ago will become more meaningful if APC candidates are re-elected.

Tinubu had also promised to implement his 16-point plan if elected as Nigeria’s next president.

CBN Asks Nigerians To Reject Old Naira Notes From Banks

 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed customers to start rejecting old naira notes from banks, insisting that the old notes ceased to be legal tender by the January 31 as earlier stipulated.

The Deputy Director, Currency Operation, Dr Rekiyat Yusuf, disclosed this in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Thursday during the sensitisation of market men and women about the redesigned naira notes.

She said that appropriate sanctions would be applied against any erring banks found dispensing old notes to customers henceforth.

The CBN therefore directed customers to report any bank still dispensing old notes either over counter or through the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to the apex bank.

Yusuf further urged traders to avail themselves of the window provided by the January 31st deadline by visiting banks to exchange the old notes with the new ones.

“There is no reason for banks to still be stocking their Automated Teller Machines with old notes as the Apex bank has made enough redesigned notes available for dispensing to members of the public. Any bank caught would be made to face appropriate sanction”, she said.

In a response to a customer over the continued dispensing of old naira notes via ATMs, Yusuf said, “If banks give you old notes, reject them and return them to the banks and report the banks to us immediately for appropriate action. We have given them enough new currency notes to dispense to replace the old ones in circulation.

“Carry your old naira notes in your possession to the bank, deposit it without any charges attached. CBN has directed commercial banks not to charge anything on such deposit. By 31st January, this present naira notes will not be accepted for buying and selling in this country.”

Yusuf outlined the reasons for redesigning the notes to include curbing terrorism, kidnapping for ransome and endemic corruption in the society, adding the action was taken to control inflation.

“There is also the need to fulfill international best practices of redisegning currency once in five to eight years. We are long over due since the present currency came into operation since 1984,” she said.

Thereafter, she embarked on the inspection of some ATMs within the Lokoja metropolis to ensure that the machines were stocked with the newly redesigned notes.

Earlier, the Kogi State branch controller of CBN, Alhaji Ahmed Sule, said, “Lokoja being a gateway state to many states where a lot of business transactions involving currency exchange takes place, it is necessary to embark on active sensitisation due to its primary responsibility of issuing currency to the public.