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Fuel Scarcity: Students, Group Back DSS’ Ultimatum, Blasts Falana

Published

1 year ago

December 11, 2022

Editor

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of University Students (NAUS) and The Natives, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), on Sunday commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for issuing an ultimatum to oil marketers over fuel scarcity in some parts of the country.

The DSS on Thursday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to relevant stakeholders in the oil industry to end fuel scarcity during a meeting with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), the leadership of the major marketers, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN) and the tanker drivers branch of NUPENG.

But, activist lawyer, Femi Falana, had described the ultimatum as an empty threat.

His statement had attracted condemnation from several bodies and groups including NANS, NAUS and also The Natives, whose Supreme Leader and President General, Smart Edwards condemned Falana for discrediting the DSS.

Addressing a press conference, Edwards said: “I want to categorically commend the Director General of the State Department and his team for being proactive and responsive to the yearnings of Nigerians; indeed there seems to be a ray of hope when the intelligence community rises to defend its citizens.

“We are glad to hear and see the DSS as not only restraining or curtailing threats but rising up to enforce sanity and order.”

He noted that it has now become “normal” to have artificial scarcity in the country at every festive season, blaming such on “the gang in the oil industry and national saboteurs,” who inflict “hardship on citizens to satisfy their profiteering.”

Edwards avowed: “This act of the State Security is applaudable, for rising up to the challenge, in defence of ordinary citizens, to resist any calculated plot to unleash untold hardship on Nigerians.”

He urged Nigerians to stand with its security forces to “bust the ring of conspirators and criminals, who are privileged to be in the oil sector.”

Speaking further, he said: “How can we explain that the GCEO, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, in his recent determination to sustain gains from the relative peace and discoveries in the Niger Delta, has not only been seen moving from location to location to ascertain fuel availability all over the country, he even announced that there is enough fuel in the depots to meet the consumption of citizens over this period, then suddenly scarcity emerges, to the extent that half of the roads are now blocked creating the emergence of long queues again in the country.”

According to him, “this for us is absolutely a case of sabotage and requires thorough investigations.”

He reminded Nigerians of Tompolo’s exposure in November of the conspiracy around Nigeria’s crude oil by IOCs and powerful forces with the active connivance of locals and security agencies, as well as the allegation of threat to life by NNPCL’s GCEO, Mele Kyari, in obvious reference to the existence of a powerful cartel behind this national sabotage and the plundering of the country’s wealth.

“We, therefore, condemn in strong terms Femi Falana’s statement that seems to discredit the patriotic moves by the DSS,” Edwards stated.

According to him: “This is a citizens’ problem. We must rise to the occasion and support the leadership of the new NNPCL, the DSS and every necessary patriotic effort to reposition, reactivate and revive the oil industry for the benefit of Nigerians, such that it promotes our welfare, well-being, and [provides] jobs for youths and [make us] a prosperous country.”

The group urged the secret service to go further and carry out “national operations as the ultimatum has not only signalled readiness but also capacity to halt this madness.”

News

Edo Poll: Court Dismisses Suits Seeking Ighodalo’s Disqualification

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2024

Editor

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed two separate suits challenging the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s governorship candidate for the Edo poll.

The court dismissed the suits on the premise of a lack of locus standi on the part of the plaintiffs.

Delivering judgments in the separate suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/195/2024, which was filed by Adizetu Umoru, the second suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2024, filed by Moses Alabi and Christopher Oboarer.

Justice Ekwo held that the plaintiffs failed to convince the court or show sufficient, direct and tangible personal interest that could lead the court to nullify the primary election.

The court maintained that the plaintiffs did not establish how their interests were affected or jeopardized by the primary election.

The plaintiffs had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, PDP, Umar Damagun (acting national chairman), Setonji Koshoedo, PDP’s National Working Committee, and its National Executive Committee as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

All three plaintiffs, in separate motions filed on February 19, sought an interim order of the court restraining the defendants from using the list of ward congresses held in February. 4, to conduct the PDP’s primary in Edo State, which was held in February. 22 pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.

Justice Ekwo stated that the plaintiffs did not establish whether they were eligible to participate in the election but prevented it or whether wrongdoings were displayed during the election.

INEC had announced that the Edo governorship election will be held on Sept. 21, 2023.

News

JUST IN: FG Declares May 1, Public Holiday

Published

2 hours ago

April 30, 2024

Editor

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 1, as public holiday to mark this year’s Workers’ Day.

This declaration was contained in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako on behalf of the minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Dr Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, re-iterated the need for excellence, efficiency and equity in all spheres of labour, re-affirming the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, productivity, and inclusivity in the workplace.

He said; “In alignment with this year’s theme, which focuses on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, I wish to state that the Federal Government remains steadfast in its resolve to prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens.

“Let me reaffirm Mr. President’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for work, where every worker can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development”.

While acknowledging the contribution of workers, he called for proactive measures to mitigate adverse effects of climate change through synergy in the implementation of sustainable practices and policies that promote well-being in the workplace and in building a nation guided by the principles of integrity, diligence and compassion.

The Minister also urged Nigerians to remain committed to the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as he wished workers a happy celebration.

News

JUST IN: Senators Fight Over Seats In Newly Renovated Chamber

Published

4 hours ago

April 30, 2024

Editor

A rowdy session marred the resumption of the Senate to plenary on Tuesday as senators fought over the seats.

The plenary had started around 11 am and immediately after the procession, the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, read out announcements, specifically the names of the lawmakers who had celebrated their birthdays while the Senate was on break.

It was while the announcement was ongoing that Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) started to raise his voice at the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) while he in return pointed his finger at Yau as if giving him a stern warning.

Immediately, Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) joined his colleague Yau in shouting at Bamidele and the chairman, of Senate Services, Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) who was in charge of the seating arrangements.

The PUNCH gathered that the fight was triggered by the seating arrangement in the newly renovated hallow chamber.

Some ranking Senators were said to have been angry at the seats allocated to them in the front row on the last right side of the aisle.

The Senate President eventually told them to approach the chair one after the other but Yau didn’t oblige him.

The rowdy session lasted for about 20 minutes as senators bickered.

After the Senate President read his welcome-back speech, the Senate leader, moved that the Senate resolved into a closed-door session.

The Senate after that, at about 12: 05 pm resolved into an executive session.

The Senate had on March 20, adjourned plenary till April 16, but postponed resumption twice to allow for the completion of the chamber which had been under renovation since 2022.