News
Fuel Scarcity: Students, Group Back DSS’ Ultimatum, Blasts Falana
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.
READ ALSO: Fuel Scarcity Persists As DSS 48 Hours Ultimatum Elapses
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.
READ ALSO: Fuel Scarcity: DSS Ultimatum An Empty Threat – Femi Falana
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 NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
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