While NNPCL Maintains Promises, Port Harcourt Refinery Misses Seventh Deadline To Resume Operations.

The Port Harcourt refinery has consistently been anticipated to commence operations by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on multiple occasions, none of which have materialized as of this report.

Amid the ongoing fuel supply challenges in Nigeria, the NNPCL has not fulfilled its numerous commitments to ensure the operational status of the nation's refinery. In July, Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, explicitly stated that the refinery would begin operations in early August. Previously, he had assured that the refineries would be operational before the conclusion of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in May 2023. The NNPCL has made promises regarding the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery on at least six occasions. The latest commitment came from Umar Ajiya, the Chief Financial Officer of the NNPC, who indicated that operations would start in September 2024. In response to an inquiry from legal expert Femi Falana, SAN, it was reported that the contractor responsible for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery would provide an update on the project's completion by or before October 2. This information was communicated through the law firm Olajide Oyewole LLP, following a letter from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who had sought clarification on the timeline for the refinery's rehabilitation. Falana had sent letters on September 17 and 24 regarding the contract with the NNPC. The law firm stated, “Our client is considering your letters and they intend to get back to you on or before 2 October 2024.” During a Senate appearance in July, Kyari also affirmed, “I can confirm to you, Mr. Chairman, that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.” Regarding the NNPCL refineries, discussions have been held with several of your committees, and it has been determined that the Kaduna refinery cannot commence operations prior to December. Both the Warri and Kaduna refineries are expected to reach this timeline, while the Port Harcourt refinery is projected to begin production in early August of this year. It has been observed that the Nigerian government persists in importing refined petrol, amidst widespread public outcry concerning subsidy fraud, as the country's refineries remain inactive.

FG Advises Nigerian Nationals Living in Lebanon to go Back Home.

The Federal Government has urged Nigerian citizens currently residing in Lebanon to return to Nigeria. This appeal was communicated through a statement issued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, which was signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun (mnipr), the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit at NiDCOM, Abuja. The statement expresses the Nigerian government's concern regarding the ongoing hostilities between the Israeli government and Hezbollah in Lebanon. "In light of the attacks on Hezbollah and other regions in Lebanon by the Israeli government, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission strongly advises Nigerians living in Lebanon to consider departing the country while commercial flights are still available. "Although reports from the Nigerian community in Lebanon suggest that many Nigerians have already moved away from the southern areas and are currently in a relatively safe situation, we encourage them to remain vigilant until a ceasefire is established. "It is reassuring to report that, to date, no Nigerian has experienced any form of accident or injury, and we advise them to continue prioritizing their safety during this conflict. "Nigerians are also encouraged to connect with our Embassy in Lebanon for essential guidance regarding their safety, and they can be assured that their welfare and security are of paramount importance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu."

President Tinubu Travels For His Yearly Leave in The United Kingdom.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to leave Abuja today for the United Kingdom, where he will commence a two-week vacation as part of his annual leave. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, the president's special adviser on information and strategy, indicated that this vacation is a component of the president's yearly leave. “The two weeks will serve as a working vacation and a retreat for the president to contemplate his administration’s economic reforms,” the statement noted. “He is expected to return to the country upon the conclusion of his leave.”

The Labour Party Requests that Governor Otti Refrain From Interfering With its Right to Hold The LG Party Primaries in Abia State.

The Labour Party firmly asserts that Local Councils should serve as a driving force for grassroots development, growth, and transformation. However, due to the rampant misappropriation of funds and diversion of resources by state governments, these local councils have become ineffective. Consequently, the Labour Party unequivocally condemns and expresses profound concern regarding the upcoming local government elections in Abia State, particularly in relation to the conduct of the Government of Abia State under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti. The Party calls for these elections to be conducted in a fair, transparent, and democratic manner, free from interference or manipulation by those in positions of power. This statement was issued on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Obiorah Ifoh, who also demands that the Party's Primary be conducted without any interference. The statement articulates: “For many years, the Labour Party has been a staunch advocate for democracy and good governance, particularly in our push for functional and autonomous local government councils in Nigeria. We firmly believe that one of the major obstacles to Nigeria’s sustainable development is the inefficiency and underutilization of local government councils. These councils, which are constitutionally mandated to bring governance closer to the grassroots, have been systematically marginalized, preventing them from fulfilling their essential role in driving local development. “It is well-known that the stagnation and lack of infrastructural progress in many regions of the country are directly linked to the ongoing subjugation of local councils by state governments. In the current democratic framework, local governments have been relegated to the control of various state administrations. This has often suppressed their independence, transforming them into mere extensions of state governments, stripped of any substantial power or autonomy.” The Labour Party is resolutely of the opinion that local councils should serve as drivers of grassroots development, growth, and transformation. Unfortunately, these councils have been systematically stripped of their essential functions due to the misallocation of funds and the diversion of resources by state governments, which persist in consolidating power at the expense of local governance. The misappropriation of local government funds and the undemocratic tactics employed by certain state governments have significantly undermined the effectiveness of local councils. Resources intended for grassroots communities are frequently diverted, often with minimal accountability. In light of this, the Labour Party strongly denounces and expresses profound concern regarding the management of the forthcoming local government elections in Abia State under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti. It is imperative that we remain vigilant to ensure that the electoral process is executed in a fair, transparent, and democratic manner, devoid of interference or manipulation by those in authority. The local government elections present a vital opportunity to restore public trust in governance and facilitate genuine representation of the people's interests. We must assert with clarity that the Labour Party demands the autonomy to conduct its primaries without external interference. It is crucial that the party's grassroots members in Abia State are permitted to select their candidates through a transparent and democratic process. Only in this manner can we ensure that capable and qualified party members emerge as candidates, truly reflecting the will of the people. In recent months, the Labour Party has consistently championed the causes of justice, equity, and the safeguarding of democratic values. We have emphasized the necessity of maintaining democratic standards not only at the national level but also within local government structures. It is imperative that individuals chosen to run for office, whether through appointments or elections, embody the party’s principles of integrity, accountability, and dedication to public service. While we recognize the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, we cannot, in good conscience, ignore the risks of power abuse that have marred local government elections in numerous states throughout Nigeria. It is concerning to witness state governments manipulating local elections to favor the ruling party, thereby undermining the democratic will of the populace. We earnestly hope that Governor Otti, who ascended to prominence through a mandate grounded in public trust, will not emulate those who have exploited their positions to distort electoral results. We remain hopeful that Governor Otti will oversee the upcoming local government elections in Abia State with utmost transparency and integrity. The electoral process must be characterized by openness, competitiveness, and, fundamentally, democracy. Furthermore, as a leader who gained power through the collective endorsement of the people, we anticipate that Governor Otti will uphold the very principles that facilitated his rise to office. He must resist any inclination to compromise the electoral process and instead utilize this election as a benchmark for others to follow. The Labour Party anticipates that the local government elections in Abia State will serve not only as a measure of Governor Otti’s dedication to democratic values but also as a chance to establish a new benchmark for local governance throughout Nigeria. The citizens of Nigeria are eager for trustworthy elections, and it is crucial that these elections occur without the undue influence of political elites. The future of our local councils, and indeed the future of our democracy, hinges on this. Moreover, it is essential to highlight that the Labour Party holds a strong belief in the democratic process, particularly at the grassroots level. We are steadfast in our commitment to fostering democracy in Nigeria and urge all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the upcoming elections. The forthcoming elections in Abia State present an opportunity for His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, to affirm his dedication to the principles of democracy, accountability, and effective governance. In summary, the Labour Party calls upon Governor Otti to adhere to the principles of democracy, transparency, and fairness in the execution of the scheduled local government elections. We expect these elections to genuinely reflect the will of the people, and we have confidence that Governor Otti will set a precedent for other state governors by ensuring a free, fair, and credible electoral process in Abia State. The Labour Party is prepared to collaborate with all stakeholders in promoting democracy and protecting the interests of the populace. We respectfully encourage His Excellency, Governor Otti, to exemplify leadership and position Abia State as a model of democratic principles within Nigeria.

Matheus Nunes, a Midfielder for Manchester City, Was Arrested for Allegedly Stealing.

Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes has been reportedly apprehended on suspicion of mobile phone theft at a nightclub in Madrid. The 26-year-old Portuguese international was allegedly taken into custody in the early hours of September 8 at La Riviera, a well-known disco, and subsequently brought to a local police station for interrogation, according to reports from Dailymail. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when Nunes was accused of seizing a phone from a 58-year-old man who had attempted to take his photograph in the restroom of the nightclub without permission, as reported by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. Originally from Brazil, Nunes is said to have taken the phone in a fit of anger and declined to return it. El Mundo further reported that the police were summoned to the location and discovered the phone in his possession, leading to his arrest.

Demonstrators Occupy the Rivers State PDP Secretariat.

Protests filled up the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, amid escalating tensions in anticipation of the Local Government election set for October 5, 2024. A significant number of demonstrators gathered at the party's headquarters, prompting security personnel to intervene to manage the crowd and alleviate traffic disruptions in the vicinity, as reported by Channels Television. This unrest stems from increasing apprehension regarding the delay in the Independent National Electoral Commission's release of the 2023 Voters’ Register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. The PUNCH previously reported that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a ruling on September 30, 2024, prohibiting INEC from providing the voters’ register to RSIEC due to ongoing legal disputes. Notwithstanding the court's decision, Governor Siminalayi Fubara asserted that the election would proceed as scheduled. Fubara expressed his belief that the Supreme Court's prior ruling, which required all states in the federation to have democratically elected local government officials, bolsters his stance.

BREAKING: A Court Sets N150 Million Bail or Former Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku.

Former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku was granted bail on Thursday in the amount of N150 million by a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in connection with an alleged fraud charge totaling N27 billion brought against him by the Federal Government. The bail was approved by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, who stipulated that two sureties must be provided, each also valued at N150 million. One of these sureties is required to be a Federal Government employee at the Director level. Additionally, both sureties must reside in the FCT, and their residential addresses will be subject to verification by the Court Registrar. Justice Oriji also imposed a travel restriction on Ishaku and his co-defendant, Bello Hero, prohibiting them from leaving the country without prior court approval. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Rotimi Jacobs, did not contest the bail application. Jacobs indicated that the EFCC had previously granted Ishaku administrative bail, which he adhered to. Following the bail approval, Justice Oriji scheduled the trial to commence on November 4, 5, and 13 regarding the alleged fraud. Ishaku, who completed his eight-year tenure as governor in 2023, faces 15 counts brought by the EFCC but has pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Monday. The charge sheet, dated September 27, identifies Ishaku and the former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, as the defendants. The EFCC alleges that between August 25, 2015, and March 21, 2016, the defendants misappropriated N1,010,000,000 for personal use in Abuja. The agency indicated that the specified amount was included in the 2.5 percent contingency funds allocated to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The EFCC observed that the two individuals violated Section 315 of the Penal Code A, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007, which prescribes penalties for such offenses. Ishaku and Yero faced allegations of misappropriating a total of N1,138,082,097.71, which was part of the 2.5 percent contingency fund belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the period from July 2015 to May 2019. Additionally, between September 3, 2015, and January 29, 2018, in Abuja, the defendants were charged with the misappropriation of N761,301,000 intended to cover a loan of N1 billion provided by Zenith Bank Plc. to their company, Worthy Construction Limited. The charge sheet stated, “Ishaku, while serving as the Governor of Taraba State, and Bello Yero, while acting as the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between July 19, 2019, and February 5, 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, were entrusted with control over certain property, specifically an aggregate sum of N3,348,942,411.15, which was part of the funds belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, and the Local Government Councils in Taraba State. In doing so, they committed a criminal breach of trust by dishonestly diverting the aforementioned sum for their personal use.” Other amounts allegedly misappropriated from the contingency fund by the defendants include N650,686,369.99 between January 6, 2019, and April 29, 2021; N193,030,000 between January 2019 and April 29, 2021; and N170,549,842.00 between January 6, 2019, and April 29, 2021, among others.