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Cost Of Living: Nigeria Turing To Venezuela, PDP Govs Lament; Charge Tinubu To Rise To Challenge

Published

2 years ago

February 12, 2024

… Express Readiness On Edo Guber

…call for state police

The People’s Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), has decried the rising cost of living in Nigeria saying the nation is sliding down the road of Vanezuela’s economic turmoil under President Bola Tinubu’s watch.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after reading the communique of a meeting of the forum held at the Oyo State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, on Monday.

He said, “At the onset of this administration, we supported the removal of subsidy, we believed that there were safeguards, we believed that if we took collective decisions, we should go by it.

“But certainly, we have seen that it is a free fall for the naira. The cost of living is going high, we are almost on the road to Venezuela.”

Mohammed also said, “We are working closely with the federal government since the inception of this administration. The rising cost of living is not only under the purview of the federal government.

“We have been partnering together with them to make sure that we don’t bring any distraction but the monetary and economic policies rests squarely with the federal government.

“The majority of Nigerians voted for this administration, so we are doing so much across party lines and on bi-partisan basis, within the Nigeria governors forum within the National Economic Council to make sure that we cushion the effects of some of these policies.

“We have reached out to our people and opened the food reserves in a manner that it will provide some succour to our people at the lower level.”

The Bauchi State Governor described the PDP as the most democratic and experienced party in the country.

He said, “We have been at the seat of governance and Nigerians took a decision to bring APC at the centre and we respect their sensibilities and sense of judgement of Nigerians.

“So, we are giving concrete opposition but not insulting anybody. But ultimately the decision squarely rests with Nigerians and other organs in the country to make sure that we do things that will bring succour to all of us.”

On the Edo State Governorship Election, he said, “We are 100 percent behind Edo and you can see that there is no rancour, there is no division and we are very much behind the National Workings Committee, the state chapter of the party and indeed the governor to make sure that we go together in unison to produce a successor for the most respected eldest governor in the governors forum.”

Earlier, while reading the Communique, after the forum’s meeting , Mohammed said, “The meeting deliberated on various issues of interest and concern to the Forum, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the country and issued the following Communiqué:

“The meeting reviewed the State of the Nation and noted the hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the economic and security challenges facing the nation.

“The Forum consequently urges the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency embark on initiatives involving all the sub national governments to bring a lasting solution to the crises.

“The PDP Governors will continue to play their part in the effort to bring security and succour to our people.

“To this end, we reiterate our call for State Police with appropriate safeguards to avoid any abuse or overreach by any tier of government.

“The Forum decried the falling value of the Naira and requested the monetary and fiscal authorities to find appropriate solutions.

“The meeting further reviewed recent developments in the Peoples Democratic Party and committed to leading efforts to revamp and reposition the party to serve as an effective opposition to the ruling Party in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, the Forum passed a vote of confidence in the Iliya Damagum led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party and urged it to put in motion the machinery for convening meetings of the appropriate organs of the party – from Caucus to National Executive Committee (NEC) as soon as possible.”

Those who attended the meeting were: Gov. Bala Mohammed ( Bauchi State), Gov Siminalayi Fubara ( Rivers State)-Vice Chairman, Gov. Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) – Member (Host), Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri -(Adamawa State)– Member.

Others include: Gov. Caleb Mutfwang – (Plateau State) – Member, Gov. Dauda Lawal -(Zamfara State)- Member, Gov. Kefas Agbu (Taraba State)- Member, Gov. Godwin Obaseki- (Edo State) – Member, Dep. Gov. Ifeanyi Ossai – Enugu State – Member, Dep Gov. Monday John Onyeme (Delta State)- Member.

News

Edo Seeks FG’s Intervention On Land Dispute With Delta

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, intercede on the land dispute between the state and its neighboring Delta.

Deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa made the appeal when he led a delegation comprising officials of the state government and members of the Edo State Boundary Committee on a fact finding mission to disputed communities.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, said the fact finding mission was part of an effort to ensure peace,

Idahosa used the avenue to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to use his good office to ensure justice, equity, and fairness prevailed in the areas in dispute.

“I passionately call on the President to use all necessary demarcation agencies to resolve these lingering issues,” he appealed.

While suing for peace from the affected communities, Idahosa noted that the state government was determined to protect the territorial dignity of Edo State and that of the people of Orhionmwon.

He pointed out that the Jameson River is a natural demarcation landmark to the disputed Ugbakele boundary Community.

While calling on the state boundary committee to be diligent in their investigation, he stressed that the outcome of the investigation will guide the recommendations of the committee to the governor.

“We decided to ask questions and the history of this area. We found out that this Jameson River is the natural boundary between Edo and Delta States.

‘You can see the previous structures of the AT&P company. This land is clearly for Edo State.

“We thank the community people and settlers. We plead they continue to maintain the peace pending the outcome of the National Boundary Commission,” he pleaded.

Earlier, Idahosa and his team interfaced with stakeholders and community leaders of Oben, Ikobi, Iguelaba, and Obozogbe-Nugu communities to verify their claims and grievances.

News

Police Arrest, Charge Content Creator To Court In Edo

Published

6 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command says it has arrested a 24-year-old content creator identified as Osarobo Omoyemen, for allegedly sharing a content on Tiktok capable of “inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.”

In a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Saturday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the suspect, popularly known as ‘Madam Oil Rice,’ recently circulated a “false claim on social media alleging that she was kidnapped along Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City and later rescued by Police operatives who purportedly detained her at Akpata Police Station and collected the sum of Ten Thousand Naira as bail.”

Yamu said worried by the allegation, the command immediately commenced investigation, adding that it was revealed that the entire story was completely fabricated and deliberate.

According to the police’s imagemaker, Madam Oil Rice fabricated the story just to attract followers and viewership, stressing that she had confessed to having fabricated the story.

“During interrogation, the 24year old female suspect, Osarobo Omoyemen confessed that she staged the incident solely to generate online content and attract followers to her TikTok page.

“It was also discovered that she deleted an earlier video in which an accomplice in the background was appealing to viewers to follow her page, clearly exposing the motive behind the false alarm.

“The content was not only misleading but capable of inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.”

Yamu, while noting that the “suspect has been identified, arrested, and charged to court on Thursday 20th November, 2025 for prosecution, said “efforts are ongoing to arrest her accomplices to ensure they face the full weight of the law.”

The PPRO, who said Madam Oil Rice’s arrest and charge to court was aimed at serving as a “deterrent to others who may attempt to misuse social media to create panic or disrupt public peace,” said “the Edo State Police Command strongly warns against the creation and circulation of fake news capable of disturbing the peace and security of the state.”

He urged members of the public “to verify information before sharing and to refrain from acts that may mislead the public or undermine the efforts of security agencies.”

News

FULL LIST: FG Shuts 41 Unity Schools Over Insecurity

Published

13 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government on Friday ordered the temporary closure of 41 unity schools over the rising cases of abduction across the country.

The decision was announced in a circular issued by the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir.

“Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges.

“Principals of the affected colleges are to ensure strict compliance. Please accept the warm regards of the Honourable Minister,” the circular read.

The affected schools are FGGC Minjibir; FGA Suleja; FTC Ganduje; FGGC Zaria; FTC Kafancha; FGGC Bakori; FTC Dayi; FGC Daura; FGGC Tambuwal; FSC Sokoto; FTC Wurno; FGC Gusau; FGC Anka; FGGC Gwandu; FGC Birnin Yauri; FTC Zuru; FGGC Kazaure; FGC Kiyawa; FTC Hadejia; FGGC Bida; FGC New Bussa; and FTC Kuta-Shiroro.

Others are FGC Ilorin; FGGC Omu-Aran; FTC Gwanara; FGC Ugwolawo; FGGC Kabba; FTC Ogugu; FGGC Bwari; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGGC Potiskum; FGC Buni Yadi; FTC Gashau; FTC Michika; FGC Ganye; FGC Azare; FTC Misau; FGGC Bajoga; FGC Billiri; and FTC Zambuk.

Recall that some students from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were kidnapped by terrorists.

The incident comes just days after a similar attack in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, heightening concerns over the deteriorating security situation in educational institutions across the region.

On Thursday, over 50 schools were shut down in Kwara State following attacks by bandits.

President Bola Tinubu had also cancelled his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the government’s response to the worsening insecurity.