The Federal Government has announced plans to pin down Ways and Means advances to address the issue of excessive liquidity in the system and combat inflation.

The Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, made this announcement in Washington DC after meeting with investors during the ongoing spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

In February, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, stated that the bank would cease providing Ways and Means advances to the federal government until all outstanding debts are repaid.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Nigeria’s Inflation Hit 31.70% In February – NBS

However, Edun said the fiscal and monetary authorities are also working towards bringing down inflation.

“The two authorities are working hand in hand to bring down inflation and pressure on price stability and stabilising the exchange rate with the target of bringing down interest rates so that investors can borrow at a more affordable rate with a view to getting the economy going the right direction again,” Edun said.

“We need to borrow less and focus more on domestic resource mobilisation. We want long-term resources to avoid repayment and refinancing pressures.”

READ ALSO: African Immigrants Struggle To Pay Bills In UK As inflation Soars – Report

Speaking further, the minister stated that the current administration is addressing food security by prioritising farmers’ access to their land, particularly in areas where insecurity has significantly hindered food production.

Edun added that agro clusters are being developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to increase food production in the country.

Tension has escalated in Ondo State as reports emerged of cultists storming voting venues of the commencement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.

Videos shared on social media show the hoodlums disembarking from their vehicles in one of the voting centres to intimidate party members.

Eyewitnesses say the cultists wielded weapons and instilled fear among voters and party officials alike.

Security personnel have been called upon to restore order in order to prevent the hoodlums from disrupting proceedings.

READ ALSO: Aiyedatiwa, 15 Others Jostle For Ondo APC Gov Ticket Today

Members of the APC in Ondo State are expected to file out today to choose among 16 aspirants seeking to fly the party’s flag in the 16 November governorship election.

Of the 16 aspirants that have been cleared for the primaries, some are serious contenders, while others have been serial aspirants in previous governorship elections in the state.

Watch the video below:

APC PRIMARY ELECTION: CULTIST STORM VOTING VENUES IN ONDO pic.twitter.com/3d8ANn7ZcJ

— Duke Of Akoko 👑Tweets (@olusatweets) April 20, 2024

…Former security aides may face orderly room trial for not arresting ex-gov

The Nigeria Police Force has detained a female police officer who was the aide-de-camp to embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, according to The PUNCH.

The ADC was arrested alongside other police officers attached to 48-year-old Bello, and is being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Their arrests and detention followed a Thursday night order by the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, directing their immediate withdrawal from the former governor.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: More Trouble For Bello As Immigration Service Places Ex-Kogi Gov On Watchlist

Senior police sources, who spoke to The PUNCH correspondent on the condition of anonymity because they did not have authorisation to comment publicly on the matter, noted that the officers were arrested on the suspicion that they aided and abetted Bello’s escape from operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, who had gone to effect his arrest at his Abuja home on Wednesday.

“The ADC and the other police details attached to Yahaya Bello have been arrested and detained.

“They were arrested on the order of the IG, on the suspicion that they aided and abetted the former governor’s escape from the EFCC on Wednesday,” one of the sources said in a telephone conversation on Friday.

READ ALSO: Ex-Gov Bello Absent In Court, EFCC Mulls Military Option For Arrest

Another source said, “Yahaya Bello’s female ADC and other police officers attached to him were brought to the command this morning, and they’ve been detained for aiding and abetting (the governor’s escape).”

Egbetokun had, on Thursday night, ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to Bello.

The order for the withdrawal was contained in a police wireless message sighted by our correspondent on Friday morning.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello: AGF Talks Tough, Warns Against Obstruction Of EFCC Operation

The document read, “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X FOLLOWING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM NIGPOL.

“DOPS ABUJA X BEGINS X CB:4001/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.21/462 DTO:180955/04/2024 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X REF MYLET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/36 DATED 15/04/2024 X AND MY EARLIER LET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/30 DATED 24/01/2024 X Nigeria police have ordered the withdrawal of all men.

“Police attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, should acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please above for your information and strict compliance.”