Atiku urges the National Assembly to consider a six-year presidential term.

Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President, has written to the National Assembly. He is advocating for a constitutional amendment to establish a six-year single-term limit for both the President and state governors.

In a memorandum addressed to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku suggested the implementation of a rotational presidency between the Northern and Southern regions

Atiku called on the National Assembly to revise Section 135(2) to state: “amend Section 135(2) to read: ‘Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years.”

Furthermore, he suggested replacing the term “substitution of an aspirant” in Section 285(14)(a) with “a voter.”

The former Vice President proposed that the minimum educational requirement for candidates seeking election should be the Ordinary National Diploma, rather than the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. He suggested amending Section 65(2)(a) to state: “He has been educated up to at least Ordinary National Diploma in any recognised academic institution.”

Additionally, he suggested adding a clause to Section 65(2)(a)(i) that would state: “Evidence of certificates of all educational qualifications of a candidate shall be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission or an affidavit by the candidate in the event of loss of his/her educational certificates, qualifications obtained, and dates, stating the schools attended.”

Atiku emphasized the need for political parties to have greater authority in the selection of candidates. He suggested modifying Section 65(2)(b) to state: “He is a member of a political party whose name is in the register to be made available by his political party to the Independent National Electoral Commission 30 days before the conduct of the political party’s primary and he is sponsored by that party.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted the names of the inaugural Governing Board members for the North West Development Commission (NWDC) to the Senate for their confirmation.

NWDC Governing Board Nominees:

Chairman: Ambassador Haruna Ginsau (Jigawa)

MD/CEO: Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji (Kano)

Members:

- Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe (Sokoto)

- Hon. Aminu Suleiman (Kebbi)

- Sen. Tijani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara)

- Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman (Kaduna)

- Hon. Engr. Muhammad Ali Wudil (Kano)

- Shamsu Sule (Katsina)

- Nasidi Ali (Jigawa)

The federal government has announced that Tuesday, October 1, will be observed as a public holiday in celebration of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe to serve as the director-general and global liaison for the strategic partnership established between Nigeria and China during the President’s visit in early September.

“Petroleum product marketers in Nigeria have written to President Bola Tinubu to complain that the refinery local prices which have dropped from N1,200 to N1,000 and now N900 per litre are impacting their businesses negatively.”

- Devakumar Edwin, the Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited,

President Tinubu has voiced his concern regarding the flooding in Maiduguri and has committed to providing federal assistance.

In statement released by Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President Tinubu on
Information & Strategy

He said, “President Bola Tinubu expresses deep concern about the flooding in parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

“The worst flood in recent decades has displaced thousands of residents and affected facilities such as the Post office and the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

“President Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the State, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam.

“While relevant authorities are still assessing the damage wrought by the flood, the President calls for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas.

“President Tinubu assures Governor Babagana Umara Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.

“He orders the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the flood victims.”

The President remains committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time.

NLC Responds to Ajaero's Detention by Nigerian Officials, Holds closed door Meeting.

In a statement released on Monday, the NLC denounced the detention of Ajaero, characterizing it as a clear indication of the extreme lawlessness being carried out by the Nigerian government and its agencies, aimed at suppressing dissenting voices and opposition.

“This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.

“Comrade Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed.

“We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.

“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.

“His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.

“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship.

“Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.

“In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon.

“Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero. Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.

“The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.

“The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tacticsof the state. Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions.

“We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.

“Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.”

“Now that NNPC has said they are not the sole off-taker of Dangote petrol, it then means that the price of the product would determine where we are going to buy it. If NNPC imports the product and its price is cheaper than that of Dangote, we will buy from NNPC.” - The National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Ukadike Chinedu, stated that if NNPC offers a product at a lower price than Dangote's, they will choose to purchase from NNPC. He added that while marketers are open to buying from Dangote, NNPC’s announcement indicates that dealers have the flexibility to obtain their products from any source that is more cost-effective.

He added, “From what is happening now, it means that the Petroleum Industry Act is being implemented, the removal of subsidies has come to stay and the price of petrol is to be determined by the economics of demand and supply.

“If Dangote’s price is cheaper than that of NNPC, then we will buy from Dangote. So, right now, competition will set in. Remember that diesel price rose as high as N1,600/litre and Dangote came in with his own at N1,200/litre, and the importers reduced their price to N1,100/litre.

“It further dropped to about N950 and now revolves between N950 and N1,100 for both the imported ones and the ones produced locally. By the time competition sets in, the product will sell cheaper”

“Our National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, has commenced discussions with some investors who are now in the process of securing funds going by the current trend in the business.

“So, we are talking with some foreign partners because you need to understand that independent marketers are the highest buyers of diesel from Dangote refinery because we control about 80 per cent of the filling stations nationwide. So, if Dangote PMS is cheaper we will buy it, but if importation is cheaper, we will go for it.”

Regarding the pricing of Dangote petrol, Mustapha Zarma, the National Operations Controller of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, said, “We have not contacted Dangote for now, but we may contact the refinery’s sales department this week to find out the price.

“If the price is competitive enough for one to buy and get his return on investment and the required margin, then we wouldn’t mind purchasing directly from him to complement what NNPC is bringing in or what NNPC would buy from Dangote.”

“I believe that we are going to analyse the price of Dangote petrol and see the advantages of buying from Dangote viz-a-viz importation. Whichever we feel is cheaper will automatically attract everybody, especially if importation is cheaper.

“That will bring about competition and I don’t think the government will allow price monopoly. They would want a competitive market where the laws of demand and supply would determine the local price of refined petroleum products, just like diesel is right now.

“And with that, there is going to be some kind of equilibrium in the pricing and there is going to be guaranteed sustainability of supply.”

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria announced on Saturday their willingness to purchase PMS from Dangote at any price, regardless of whether the NNPC decides to make a purchase or not.

The National President of the association, Abubakar Maigandi, expressed that the independent marketers are prepared to patronize Dangote

He said, “Whatever the case, if Dangote starts selling his product, we are going to patronise him; if at all he wants to do business with us.

“We are ready to buy at any price because the NNPC is saying that they don’t want to involve themselves in fixing prices. So, at any price that he wants to sell, we are ready to buy and discharge and sell at a good price.”

The EFCC has successfully returned $180,300 and 53 vehicles to Canada.

On Friday, the EFCC transferred $180,300 and 53 vehicles, which had been fraudulently obtained by certain Nigerians from Canadian citizens, to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

During the ceremony to sign over the recovered vehicles and funds, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, emphasized that the Canadians had fallen victim to cybercrimes.

“This is an occasion we are using to demonstrate our commitment to fighting financial crimes and to also collaborate with other countries and agencies around the world. It’s common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the globe.

“It has become a global problem. The people who perpetrate these crimes do so in a way that shows their activities are borderless and barbaric.

“They employ various means to ensure they move across jurisdictions. That’s why it has become very necessary and imperative for us to collaborate with our friends across the world.

“Most countries are collaborating with us in the fight against financial crimes. What you are witnessing today is a demonstration of that reinforced commitment. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has been collaborating with us.

“This collaboration has resulted in many recoveries and the impact of joint operations.

“In total, 53 vehicles were recovered on behalf of the victims. In one instance, $164,000 was taken from Elena, and $16,300 was also recovered. These will be handed over to the Canadian police to return to the victims,” he said.

Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions - President Tinubu tells Nigerians living in China

President Bola Tinubu concluded his official activities in China on Friday in Beijing by engaging with the Nigerian community residing there. He characterized his visit as "very good and successful."

The president said, "What is uppermost in my mind is for you to continue representing Nigeria as good citizens, and I urge you all to be good ambassadors of our nation in China.

"We will always celebrate our diversity. We cherish it, but this diversity is our commitment to serve. If it is about service, we must be good citizens,"

"I cannot tell you more, except from the embassy, that China is a very disciplined society and we have to be disciplined too. Without discipline and commitment, we cannot build a nation that is respected everywhere in the world.

"We must exploit our diversity and be ready to do everything required of us within the laws of the communities that we live in and reflect a good image of our country,"

"Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions. For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices.

"But, can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools. And we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children?

"What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?

"So many of you are so talented, speaking very fluent Mandarin. It is what you contribute and tell them at home that will reflect in the attitude of our people. The more you want everything free, it will become more expensive and long-delayed to achieve meaningful development,’’

"We want our children to be in good schools, not tattered huts and dilapidated buildings. We must make our teaching innovative and allow businesses of all kinds and sizes to flourish.

"One economic action leads to another, and it is in your hand to build our nation. Mine is to provide the leadership, and I am committed to doing just that," the President stated.

The President noted that while it is not always easy for a leader to have a national consensus on issues, he is ready to take the hard decisions to move the nation forward.

"We are focused, and I have a very good team.”

NNPC YET TO LIFT OUR PETROL - Dangote Refinery

In a statement released by Anthony Chiejina Dangote Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote says they are yet to finalize contract with NNPC.

The statement 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 NNPC 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 NNPC.

“The PMS market is strictly regulated, which is known to all oil marketers and stakeholders in the sector, hence we can not 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”

the early morning, courageous Nigerian soldiers engaged armed bandits on the Katsina-Jibia road, successfully taking down five of the assailants. Furthermore, they managed to recover several AK-47 rifles and motorcycles from the scene.

On Thursday, Mallam Dikko Radda received former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, who came to extend their condolences upon the death of Hajiya Dada Musa Yar'adua, the mother of former President Umaru Musa Yar'adua.