Delta State House of Assembly has lost one of its members, Kenneth Odafe Ogba to the cold hands of death.

Ogba’s death comes barely six months after the death of the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly and member representing Isoko North constituency, Tim Oghenekome Owhefere.

It was reliably gathered that Ogba, first term member representing Isoko South constituency 1 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), died on Sunday evening around 8:00pm at a hospital where he was rushed to for a yet-to-be ascertained health challenge.

As at the time of filing in this report, Ogba’s family compound in Oleh is said to have been besieged by constituents while the entire constituency 1, especially his hometown, Oleh, has been thrown into mourning.

CONGRESS: APC begins sales of forms July 1

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will begin sales of forms for its congresses on July 1.

The APC Director of Organisation, Prof. Al-Mustapha Medaner, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Medaner said the decision followed the approval of activities by the party’s Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

He said the purchase of forms for ward congresses would take place from July 1 to July 7 while the inauguration of the ward and local government congresses screening and appeals committee would hold on July 10.

The APC chieftain also announced the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of congresses across wards, local government areas, and states for the election of party officials.

Medaner said: “The screening of aspirants for the ward positions would take place from July 12 to July 16 while the inauguration of the ward and local government appeals committee would hold on July 19 and ward congresses on July 24.

“The appeals arising from ward congresses would be entertained from July 26 to July 29.

Purchase of forms for the local government positions will be from July 26 to July 30 and screening of aspirants for party positions at the local government level will be from July 19 to July 26.

The appeals arising from local government congresses would be entertained from August 16 to August 20.

“The sales of forms for executive positions at the state level would take place from August 23 to August 27 while the inauguration of screening and appeals committee for state congresses would hold on Aug. 30.

“Screening of aspirants for state executive positions will be from September 6 to September 8 and appeals arising from screening for state executives will hold from September 12 to September 15.

“State congresses will hold on September 18 and appeals arising from state congresses will hold from September 19 to September 21.

By this notice, aspirants will purchase forms as follows: ward chairman – N10, 000; ward vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer – N5,000, other offices – N 2,000.

“Local government chairman – N25, 000, local government vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer – N15,000.00; other offices – N10,000.”

Medaner said female and physically challenged aspirants would pay 50 percent of the prescribed fees for each position.

Video: Defend yourselves against bandits – Katsina Governor tells Nigerians

Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari has urged residents of the state to stand firm, fight and defend themselves from the intimidation of bandits in their communities.

He said it is ridiculous that citizens are not defending themselves against bandit attacks.

The Governor made the comment on Friday while speaking at the Katsina police headquarters, where he inaugurated the Katsina Joint Security Operations and Communication Control Centre meant to assist security agencies operating in the state.

According to Masari, Katsina residents cannot simply rely on security agencies to solve the problem of insecurity.

Security is our responsibility, why are we surrendering our responsibility to some people? I cannot see how more committed a police officer or military officer can be more than anyone of you.

“Why should I sit in my village and be only making telephone calls without doing nothing?

“Every bandit, every criminal has an address, has a location, and they are human beings like us. The only difference is that they have taken arms against us; does it mean we have nothing to take against them?

“Do we mean we should vacate all our villages, all our farms, all our houses, and surrender them to bandits, and wait for police officer Emeka all the way from Enugu to come to Katsina and rescue me? This is ridiculous. Why?

“I think part of what this Katsina initiative needs to do is to go round all these local governments, let us talk to the people, defend yourselves,” he said.

Watch video:

https://naijapremiumgist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/masari-defend.mp4

Zulum suspends NGO ‘training shooters’ in Borno hotel

The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, has ordered the immediate suspension of an international Non-Governmental Organisation (iNGO), ACTED.

Zulum gave the directive following a discovery on Saturday that the humanitarian iNGO was using a hotel in Maiduguri to train some persons on shooting.

The governor’s spokesperson, Malam Isa Gusau, who announced the development, said the French iNGO was found using toy guns and simulators to conduct training exercises at a hotel located off a circular road in Maiduguri.

Gusau noted that residents near the hotel had alerted operatives of the GRA Divisional Police headquarters that oversees the hotel’s location, of the frequent sounds of gunshots from the hotel.

The police reportedly swung into action and found some toy pistols at the hotel, with two trainers, both Nigerians.

The statement noted that pending the outcome of the police investigation, Zulum directed the sealing of the hotel and suspension of ACTED from any humanitarian activity in Borno State.

Meanwhile, Gusau noted that Zulum acknowledges and deeply appreciates the roles of credible NGOs, which have been providing critical humanitarian interventions in different parts of the state and assured them of the government’s continued cooperation and support, while also upholding obedience to prevailing laws, policies, and rules guiding all activities and actions across the state.

Olubadan of Ibadanland endorses Tinubu for 2023 presidency

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Saturday, declared his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The traditional ruler declared his support for Tinubu when Tinubu Vanguard, a pro-Tinubu political group, led by their Director-General, Dr. Johnny Benjamin, paid him a visit.

Olubadan described Tinubu as a good man whose stewardship as president would consolidate on the progressive agenda of the APC and propel Nigeria to the path of economic prosperity and sustainable development.

He said: “Tinubu is a good man and I will do everything within my power to support his candidacy for the 2023 presidential poll.”

On his own, Benjamin noted that the group was dedicated to ensuring that the Tinubu presidential mandate was actualised in the interest of national unity and cohesion.

Nigeria unveils world’s largest flag

The Federal Government has announced the unveiling of the world’s largest flag covering an area of 3,275 square meters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The flag has a length of 75.3 meters and a width of 43.5 meters.

Ripples Nigeria gathered that the flag was created by the designer of the Nigerian Flag, Taiwo Akinkunmi, and unveiled on Thursday by the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

Prior to the unveiling, the Guinness world record for the largest flag was held by the United Arab Emirate which covers an area of 2,448.6 square meters.

General Irabor during the unveiling said the flag is a symbol of a United Nigeria and should send a signal of unity to all Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians to, “always remember that the flag is not a mere symbol of Nigeria, it is a symbol of a United Nigeria. Let us work together for unity and love in the country.”

Pa Akinkunmi designed the Nigerian flag in October 1959, when he was barely 23.

In his remarks, Akinkunmi, now 85 years old, said the journey to creating Nigeria’s national flag started when he was studying Electrical Engineering at Norwood Technical College in London.

He said: “I have always dreamt about Nigeria being at the front of every good thing and I am delighted to be part of this historical event.”

MURIC wants ‘no mercy’ for bandits

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has stated that no excuse should be made for the actions of bandits and kidnappers in the country.

According to the group, “Banditry has become a hydra-headed monster threatening to swallow up the social order. It must therefore be met with every necessary force to nip its threat in the bud.”

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the MURIC Director, Ishaq Akintola.
The statement also criticised governors, saying they have neglected their responsibilities which had led to the increase in insecurity and banditry across the country.

MURIC calls on all bandits to surrender to the state governments wherever they are operating. There can be no talks or any form of negotiation with bandits before surrendering. State governments should monitor the situation thereafter for a period no less than twelve months. The authorities can only start considering how to engage them in some productive ventures if no violent attack is reported within the period,” Akintola said.

The governors must ensure that they spend their security vote on equipping their states’ security outfits in such a way that they can adequately and sufficiently meet the current security challenges, he also noted.

The statement reads, “Nothing can extenuate the crimes committed by bandits. We should not look for excuses for them. Rather we should educate the Nigerian public on the position of the Shariah regarding banditry.

“We should also let the bandits know the gravity of their crimes and the ‘kabiirah’ status of their sins,” he said.

Banditry is categorised as ‘hiraabah’ in Islam. ‘Hiraabah’ is a technical term in Shariah that means waging unprovoked war against the people. The Glorious Qur’an even ranked it as waging war against Allah and His messenger (i.e. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).

“It says, ‘The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger by spreading evil and committing atrocities in the land is either execution or crucifixion or cutting off their hands and legs from opposite sides or sending them into exile. That is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment awaits them in the Hereafter (Qur’an 5:33).

“Thus we see that the Qur’an does not treat banditry with kid gloves. Note should be taken of the promise of ‘heavy punishment’ for bandits even after death. It is for this reason that we are calling on all Islamic scholars in the country to boldly rise to the task and interpret the Shariah in a befitting manner”.

Video: DSS didn’t arrest me, I have government backing to meet bandits – Gumi

Popular Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has denied that he was invited or arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS), adding that the government was aware of his rapport with the bandits in the forests.

News media platforms reported on Friday that the cleric was invited by the DSS after he alleged that security agents collaborate with bandits to engage in killing and kidnapping for ransom.

However, Gumi debunked the reports after Jumaat prayer at Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna State on Friday.

He said; “Nobody invited me for questioning or any arrest, I can say that categorically.

Since I ventured into the forest, I went there with full security, the police, with the knowledge of the DSS, traditional rulers, the Fulani leaders, I never went alone.”

Gumi added that all along he and government officials have been engaging the bandits and their is no cause for alarm from the public.

All along, I have been doing it with the government and there is no difference between us and the authority. So people should have their peace,” the cleric said.

Watch the video:

https://naijapremiumgist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/WhatsApp-Video-2021-06-26-at-10.51.50-AM.mp4

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of a Chairman, and an Executive Secretary for the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of a Chairman, and an Executive Secretary for the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

The Chairman is Mr Atuonwo Obinna, while the Executive Secretary is Mr Abdulkadir Saidu, reappointed for another four years.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday

According to the statement, the appointment of Mr Atuonwo Obinna as Chairman Governing Board for a four-year term is in accordance with Section 2 (1-3) and 3 (a) of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (Establishment, ETC) Act 2003.

Nigeria is poor, the only option is to keep borrowing – Senate President

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has explained that it is significant for the Federal Government to continue to borrow responsibly to fund critical projects in Nigeria because the country is poor.

Lawan disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents following a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

The Senate President believes it is not reasonable for the Federal Government to tax the people more in the face of the present economic condition, adding that the country’s infrastructure must be developed.

He said; “You can’t, in my view and judgement, tax Nigerians further for you to raise the money for infrastructural development; other countries do that, but we’ve serious situation across the country

“So, you can’t put taxes on the people. The only option left is for us to borrow responsibly, utilise prudently and economically, and ensure that the projects are self-sustaining; that they can pay back the loan.

“Our options are really very limited as a country. First, we don’t have the necessary revenue; Nigeria is poor, we shouldn’t deceive ourselves. Nigeria is not rich given the circumstances we live in, given the challenges we have.

“Our resources are so low, our revenues are so low; therefore, the option of not doing anything just to sit (because we’ve no money, we should not go for infrastructure development) is not an option worthy of consideration. You cannot keep the economy stagnant.”

FG begs ILO to solve Nigeria’s unemployment crisis

The federal government has appealed to the UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) to provide technical support to address Nigeria’s rising unemployment rate.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said this when the new ILO Country Director to Nigeria visited him in his office on Thursday in Abuja.

Ngige noted that the support had become necessary as the number of unemployment and underemployed keep rising.

”We want to use this opportunity to ask for more technical support. It is not easy, especially in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on countries. We are hoping that ILO will carve a special place for Nigeria so that we can make (an) impact on job creation.

We need to create jobs here. We are battling unemployment, and the figure of unemployment here in Nigeria is mind-boggling,” he said.

According to him, it has risen to 33 per cent, adding that when underemployed and unemployed are computed, it will rise to 35, or 36 per cent.

Ngige seeking the help of the organisation, stated, ”So, we need some ILO experts to be giving to us or for them to be visiting our country on (a) quarterly basis. That is, every three months so that we can work together to fashion out things we can do to reduce the high rate of unemployment in our country.”

On the issue of labour laws, the minister disclosed that the laws were obsolete and currently undergoing review.

”We have got everybody, the lawmakers on board after an initial setback, through adequate liaison with the National Assembly Committee, on Labour. We are hopeful that after the recess of the National Assembly, final legislative work on the review will commence,” he said.

The minister further said the National Labour Advisory Council, previously dogged by budget constraints, was inaugurated, with its first sitting already held.

“After budgetary constraints over the years, this 2021, we were able to weather the storm and inaugurated the body in Owerri,” Ngige added.

He commended ILO for supporting the government.

The ILO Country Director, Vanessa Phala, said, “Over the years, the ILO has enjoyed quite a favourable working relationship and collaboration with the ministry, and it is my intention to maintain such.

”The purpose of our visit beyond the courtesy call is to touch base on a number of issues so that we will be able to respond accordingly to the technical requirement of the ministry”.

Ms Phala explained that her visit was to inquire about Nigeria’s efforts of Nigeria to review its labour laws and progress made after the inauguration of the NLAC.

Voters Card: INEC Deploys 5,346 Staff, Launches Online Portal For Registration

Ahead of the June 28, 2021, flag-off of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registra­tion (CVR) exercise, the Inde­pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is deploying a total 5,346 staff to the 2,673 registration centres to enhance the process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this Thursday at a press conference he addressed in Abuja.

The Commission, he said, is also deploying the novel INEC Voter Enrollment De­vice (IVED), a new registra­tion equipment designed by the Commission’s engineers as a replacement for the old Direct Data Capture Ma­chine, which he hailed for its efficiency, Aside from the 2,346 centres where citizens are to register physically, Prof. Yakubu also launched the online registration por­tal designed to assist citizens pre-register before proceed­ing to registration centres, INEC local government ar­eas and state offices for data capture.
The Commission had recently disclosed that it is targeting the enrollment of about 20 million Nigerians during the current CVR ex­ercise to bring the number of registered voters in the country to 100 million.
Further highlighting the importance of the portal, the INEC chairman said citizens who are seeking transfer of the cards, confirm status of their cards and other services that hitherto bring people to INEC offices can verify such matters via the portal, which he said, is free.
“The idea is for intending registrants to commence the process online by filling the forms and uploading their pictures and required docu­ments, and then make an ap­pointment on the web portal for a date and time to visit an INEC State or Local Govern­ment Area (LGA) office to give their fingerprints and complete the registration.
“In addition, those who are already registered as voters can carry out all the other activities such as transfers, correction of personal details and replacement of damaged or defaced Permanent Vot­ers’ Cards (PVCs) online.

Hate Speech: Court Fixes July 13 As Falana, 20 Lawyers Battle Lai Mohammed, NBC Over N5million Fine.

The Federal High Court in Lagos State has fixed July 13 to hear the case filed by a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, to challenge the imposition of N5 million fine on Nigeria Info 99.3FM and the threat by the National Broadcasting Commission to punish other broadcast stations over alleged hate speech.

SaharaReporters obtained the hearing notice on Thursday which shows that the case is before Justice A. L. Allagoa, and also involves the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, being the supervisory minister over the NBC.

“Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria will be leading over 20 other lawyers to appear for me,” Effiong told SaharaReporters on Thursday.

SaharaReporters had in August 2020 reported that joined as respondents in the case marked Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1088/2020 filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, 17th August 2020 are; the NBC, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Effiong had asked the court to determine “Whether the imposition of a sentence of fine and other penalties on broadcast stations and broadcasters in Nigeria by the National Broadcasting Commission for alleged contravention of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code without a trial and conviction by a court of law is not unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and a flagrant breach of the right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap. A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

The lawyer also wants the court to determine “Whether the imposition of a sentence of fine and other penalties on broadcast stations and broadcasters by the 1st Respondent during radio and television programmes for critical comments made by citizens about the government and public office holders considered by the Respondents to be “abusive”, “insulting” and/or “hate speech” is not a breach of the right to freedom of expression given that the said expressions are neither created nor defined as offences under any written law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society having regard to Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap. A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

Effiong stated in his affidavit that the NBC, with the support of the Federal Government, has continuously imposed fines on broadcast stations and broadcasters over alleged violation of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

He said that the NBC has threatened to continue to impose fines on broadcast stations in the country and has also barred broadcast stations, broadcasters, and citizens who are either guests or callers during radio and television programmes from making critical comments about the government and public office holders considered by the Federal Government, the Minister of Information and NBC to be “abusive”, “insulting” or “hate speech”.

Effiong further narrated how the NBC on 13th August 2020, without initiating any criminal action against Nigeria Info 99.3FM Lagos, imposed a sentence of fine in the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) on the radio station after finding the station guilty of what it described as “unprofessional conduct” over comments made by a guest of the station on Monday, 10th August 2020 during a programme called Morning Cross Fire.

Effiong told the court that the actions of the NBC, the Minister of Information, and the Federal Government have gravely affected his freedom of expression and that of broadcast stations, broadcasters, and other Nigerian citizens who also appear as guests on radio and television stations to express critical views about the government and public office holders.

Effiong argued that “abusing” or “insulting” the government cannot be criminalized in a democracy. He contended that the expression “hate speech” is not defined under any written law and cannot be invoked or penalized based on the capricious expectations of the Respondents.

He said that to do otherwise “will amount to setting fire on the Constitution” and that “those who are paid with taxpayers’ money cannot be insulated or shielded from insults and abuse by those who pay them (the citizens)”.

The activist reminded the court that “Nigeria has passed the era of colonialism and military dictatorship”.
He said that Lai Mohammed, NBC, and the Federal Government were “seeking to subvert Nigeria’s constitutional democracy with the attendant liberties and foist a civilian dictatorship on the country.”

The lawyer also asked the court to nullify and set aside the penalty of fine or other penalties imposed on broadcast stations by the NBC.

Again, Buhari embarks on medical trip to London

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday travel to London, United Kingdom for medical reasons.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He explained that the President’s trip to London was for a scheduled medical follow-up, adding that he would be back in the country during the second week of July.

President Buhari’s scheduled trip to London comes almost three months since he last visited the United Kingdom for the same purpose.

He had travelled to the United Kingdom on March 30 for a routine medical check-up, as indicated in a statement by his media adviser.

The President later returned to the country via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on April 15, at the end of the trip which lasted more than two weeks.

Omokri slams Gumi over comments exonerating herdsmen from criminality

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has issued a scathing critique of popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi over comments excusing bandits and herders of criminalities.

Omokri made this call via his Twitter handle on Thursday in response to comments by Gumi during an AriseTV interview.

In an interview with Arise TV, the Islamic cleric said: “The herdsmen are kidnapping children not to kill them but to get money; so how can you compare somebody who is killing our gallant men directly to somebody who is kidnapping children to make money and not to kill them. Look, we need some fairness in what we are doing.”

In his response, Omokri charged the security agencies to arrest the cleric over such a remark liable of setting ‘Nigeria on fire’.

In a tweet, Omokri wrote: “What is wrong with this man? Herdsmen don’t just abduct schoolchildren. Even if that is true (it is not), what is ‘only’ about that? Herdsmen have killed thousands of citizens in every Nigerian state. Gumi may set Nigeria on fire. How can he say this and walk free?”

His call aligns with that of many other Nigerians who have previously asserted that Gumi has to be arrested and questioned by the security agencies over his alliances with bandits.

Why I don’t have a cabinet yet – Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday explained why he yet to constitute his cabinet over six months after he was sworn in for the second term.

The governor, who spoke with State House Correspondents after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the delay in putting together a cabinet was caused by the ongoing restructuring in the state’s civil service.

Obaseki said he had consulted leaders at wards and local government levels on the appointment of officials for the state government.

He said: “Well, you see I spent the first four years as governor. So, I know what the challenges of governance are. We spent the last six months trying to restructure the process of government, particularly the civil service. This is because no matter how great a cabinet is, if the government and the functions of government are not operating properly, the executive cannot function optimally.

So, the last six months, we have tried to redefine the structures of governance, working through every layer of the civil service, define the roles, the responsibilities, trying to understand the resources available, and put in place key performance indicators and scorecards for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“And this we did, such that the civil servants have no excuse to say they couldn’t do what they should do because of political interference.

“So, we have tried to keep politics out of government in the last seven months to redefine the processes, structures, and the service delivery criteria for the government.

“Now that we have done that, we hired a whole crop of civil and public servants. We have about 1500 of them and we are introducing technology.”

Buhari leading Nigeria’s educational revolution – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Wednesday President Muhammadu Buhari is leading an education revolution that would transform the country technologically.

The National Secretary of the APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), John Akpanudoedehe, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said the Buhari administration had been consistent in boosting education for human capital development in Nigeria.

The APC scribe commended the President for approving the establishment of five new specialised universities of technology, health, and pharmaceutical sciences in the country.

The decision, according to him, was a demonstration of the government’s responsiveness to the call by the citizens for more federal tertiary institutions in the country.

Akpanudoedehe said: “Commendably, President Buhari is fulfilling the APC’s electoral promise to lead an education revolution and transform the country technologically.

He stressed that the creation of more universities was captured in the 2015 APC manifesto and outlined in the Education for Change Ministerial Strategic Plan 2018-2022.

“Triggered by eventualities of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the need to reduce medical tourism.

“This is also a proactive intervention by the President Buhari-led APC government to boost the country’s institutional capacity for disease control and surveillance,” he added.

Buhari has no interest in amendment of media bills —Presidency

In the wake of widespread criticism over the attempt to muzzle the media, the Presidency on Wednesday refuted claims that President Muhammadu Buhari spearheaded the campaign.

According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, a Presidential aide, the President has nothing to do with the ongoing attempt by the House of Representatives to amend the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) Act and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act.

He made this clarification while fielding questions from State House reporters after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

Adesina further noted that only the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, could speak on the matter.

When asked to comment on the issue, Adesina said: “That’s not strictly a Presidency thing because the president has nothing to do with that. It’s a government thing and it’s the Minister that can talk about it. So, thank you.”

The aide also explained that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, was studying the ruling issued by the ECOWAS Court over the suspension of Twitter services in the country.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the ECOWAS Court ruled that Twitter users cannot be arrested or prosecuted following the suspension of the activities of the microblogging site in the country.

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been suspended from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities.

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been suspended from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities.

Soludo was suspended on Wednesday by the National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the second highest decision making body of the party, after ratifying the resolution of National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

The National Executive Committee acted under the Jude Okeke-led faction.

The National Working Committee of the party had previously met on Tuesday where the decision to suspend Soludo was met, Daily Trust reports.

Meanwhile, the suspension of the former governorship aspirant in Anambra State from the party, has further intensified the crisis within the party.

The party’s Acting National Publicity Secretary in Abuja, Comrade Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, said, “The party is ready for the July 1 primary election and the winner will lead APGA to victory at the November 6, 2021 governorship election.”

The Okeke-led faction described the governorship primary election held in Awka, the Anambra state capital, by the Victor Oye- led faction as a sham and effort in futility.

“The NWC of APGA has resolved to suspend former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and governorship aspirant, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo from the party for anti-party activities,” he said.

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