Presidency Respond to Bishop Kukah, That Tinubu is a Reformer and not a "Accidental Leader."

The Presidency has addressed the remarks made by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, who referred to President Tinubu as an “accidental leader.” In the official response, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, asserted that Tinubu is thoroughly equipped for the nation’s highest position and is diligently working to improve the country. “He is not an accidental leader; he is committed to ensuring a positive transformation in this nation,” he emphasized. “Does he appear to be one at all?” “The individual (Tinubu) is not an accidental leader; he has adequately prepared for this role. He has stated that he has been preparing for it and is striving to elevate this country beyond its current state; he is making every effort.” “Due to his preparation for the office, he is implementing numerous reforms, addressing various sectors, and working to ensure that the nation experiences a significant turnaround.” Onanuga noted that Tinubu has demonstrated a reformist approach, enacting changes in sectors such as taxation, the oil industry, and education. He also underscored Tinubu’s initiatives to enhance the business climate, attract foreign direct investment, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Onanuga contended that “Reforms do not occur through quick fixes; it requires time to effect change, and he is committed to this process.” “He is undertaking reforms and is the first to recognize that there will be impacts on individuals, and he is making every effort to assist those affected so that they are not left behind.” “He is enacting numerous reforms in Nigeria, including in taxation and the oil sector; the extent of his reforms is significant,” Onanuga asserted. The outspoken Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, was reported on Sunday as having characterized many of Nigeria’s leaders, including President Tinubu, as accidental leaders who have come to power without sufficient preparation in a rapidly changing world. Kukah, during his keynote address at the inauguration of Start-Rite School’s new building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja on Sunday, expressed concern over the persistent deficiency of knowledge among Nigerian leaders. He remarked, “None of them were adequately equipped prior to taking office, particularly in an era where the requirements of leadership are swiftly changing.” Kukah highlighted that this ongoing issue hampers Nigeria's capacity to effectively address intricate political and economic issues.

In Abia, Soldiers Engage in Combat With Unidentified Gunmen.

There is significant tension as Nigerian soldiers are currently engaged with unidentified gunmen in the vicinity of Mbata, Umuchima Village, within the Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State. A report from ABN TV on Monday indicated that the Nigerian Army dispatched over 15 Hilux and armored vehicles to the region as early as 6 a.m. today to confront the unidentified gunmen, who have reportedly established a presence in the village near the river that separates Abia State from Mbaise in Imo State. Military personnel have secured the junctions leading to and from the village, while others are actively confronting the gunmen in the surrounding bush. At the time of this report, the sounds of gunfire continue to resonate in the area. This incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, with similar occurrences reported in recent weeks. The situation remains dynamic, and further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available, as stated in the online newspaper report. Abia has recently faced a surge in security challenges, with security forces, particularly soldiers and police officers, suffering brutal attacks by unidentified assailants.

In Order to Replace the 27 Rivers State Lawmakers Who Have Been Convicted, Damagun Writes to INEC and Asks for a Bye-Election.

The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, has formally requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) organize a bye-election to fill the vacant seats resulting from the defection of certain members to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This request was articulated in a letter addressed to INEC by Damagun. The Certified True Copy of this correspondence is dated November 13, 2024. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the spokesperson for the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, presented the letter to journalists during a press conference held in Akokwa, Imo State, on Sunday. The letter is titled, “Demand for Immediate Conduct of Fresh Election in 27 State Constituencies of Rivers State Which Have Become Vacant Pursuant to Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution.” It highlights the “unlawful” defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that occurred on December 11, 2023. The letter asserts that, according to constitutional provisions, these lawmakers are no longer members of the Assembly. Consequently, the acting chairman of the PDP urged the Commission to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and initiate the process of conducting fresh elections to address the vacancies created in the 27 state constituencies due to the unlawful actions of the former Assembly members. The letter states, “The leadership of our esteemed party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), wishes to bring to the Commission's attention the significant violation of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following their unlawful defection from our party, the PDP, which sponsored their elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, December 11, 2023. “The Commission may recall that our party, the PDP, nominated all 32 of our State House of Assembly candidates in Rivers State for the 2023 General Election on July 7, 2022, via your electronic candidate election nomination portal (see attached acknowledgment). The Commission is reminded that following the nomination process, elections for the Rivers State House of Assembly were held on March 18, 2023, during which our Party secured 32 seats. The newly elected members of the State House of Assembly were inaugurated and sworn in during June 2023. However, on December 11, 2023, merely six months post-inauguration, 27 of the 32 members publicly declared their defection from our Party to the All Progressive Congress (APC). This action constitutes a serious breach of Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The Constitution outlines specific grounds for division and merger that would allow for such defections, none of which are applicable to our political Party. Consequently, the defections of these 27 members lack lawful justification, resulting in their vacating of seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly as per the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution. In light of the above, we formally request that the Commission fulfill its constitutional responsibilities by initiating the process for conducting a Fresh Election to fill the vacancies arising from the unlawful actions of the Assembly members. Attached is the list of the 27 State Assembly Members along with their respective Constituencies. We appreciate the Commission's dedication to enhancing democracy in our nation and extend our highest regards.

According to Deputy Speaker Kalu, the South East is Experiencing a Humanitarian Crisis as 268,000 Displaced People Have Recently Dispersed Throughout Communities.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has reported that the South East region is currently experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis, with more than 268,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in 158 camps and affected communities. Kalu disclosed this information during a Roundtable Discussion with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) at an event titled “Through Their Eyes: A Call To Action, Addressing Humanitarian Challenges In The South East,” held in Abuja on Monday. He pointed out that the states of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi are the most severely impacted, with numerous individuals lacking access to clean water, adequate shelter, healthcare, and education. This event was organized by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in collaboration with the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P). The primary aim of the roundtable discussion is to explore opportunities for enhanced partnerships, foster resilience, and implement sustainable solutions to some of the nation’s most urgent ecological challenges. The Deputy Speaker noted that the crisis in the South East is marked by displacement, violence, and ecological issues, including natural disasters such as gully erosion, which have devastated homes and left many without shelter. Deputy Speaker Kalu stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and sustainable development solutions, calling for support from international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and government agencies to tackle the crisis. He stated: “I extend a special welcome to you at this roundtable with INGOs, a gathering that highlights the crucial role of collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s humanitarian, ecological, and systemic challenges. “The Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria is facing a grave humanitarian crisis, characterized by displacement, violence, and ecological difficulties.” The report released today highlights the severe situation faced by over 268,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in 158 camps and affected communities. The states of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi are particularly impacted by this crisis, with many individuals enduring dire living conditions that deprive them of access to clean water, proper shelter, healthcare, and education. The issue of shelter is especially urgent, as families are forced to inhabit makeshift camps or overcrowded host communities, which exposes them to health hazards, insecurity, and a loss of dignity. Natural disasters, such as gully erosion, have devastated homes, leaving little for individuals to return to. This crisis necessitates not only immediate assistance but also sustainable strategies aimed at restoring stability and hope. Acknowledging the contributions of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), Kalu emphasized that their efforts have been crucial in tackling these challenges. He affirmed his office's dedication to promoting legislative measures that are vital to addressing these issues. "From food distribution to enhancing healthcare access, your initiatives have positively impacted the lives of millions. Furthermore, your advocacy for marginalized groups, funding for local projects, and systemic support have provided essential relief and long-term opportunities. "As a member of the National Assembly, I am fully committed to advocating for legislative and policy frameworks that comprehensively address these pressing issues."

BREAKING: The Port-Harcourt Refinery Starts Processing Oil.

The Port Harcourt Refinery has initiated the processing of crude oil. This information was provided by Femi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). On Tuesday, the spokesperson for NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, made this announcement. He indicated that the refinery is currently operating at 60 percent of its capacity. The facility is processing 60,000 barrels of crude oil each day. The total capacity of the Port Harcourt refinery is 250,000 barrels per day.

Sen. Abaribe: If Peter Obi Became President, he Wouldn't be as Nepotistic as Tinubu.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the Senate, has articulated that Nigeria would have experienced greater prosperity had Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election, emerged victorious. Abaribe contended that the nepotism observed during President Bola Tinubu’s administration would not have been a characteristic of Obi’s leadership. These remarks were made by the senator on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Abaribe expressed his concerns regarding the President’s alleged favoritism, particularly criticizing Tinubu’s choice to appoint four ministers solely from Ogun State, while numerous other states are represented by only a single minister. He also noted that although former President Muhammadu Buhari displayed tendencies of nepotism, the situation has deteriorated under President Tinubu, as Buhari’s actions were largely unopposed except by Abaribe himself. The senator underscored the importance of the Southeast region taking proactive steps to enhance their communities, rather than depending on presidents for equitable treatment. He stated that aside from former Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan, no other leader has sufficiently addressed the needs of the populace, and it is no longer practical for them to await such fairness. “If Peter Obi had won, you probably would have seen a better Nigeria than what we are seeing today. “Number one, he would not be as nepotistic as this government, he won’t, it’s not in him. That is just who we are, we feel for the other people,” Abaribe said.

NNPC Ltd. Responds to False Statements Regarding the Production Capacity of the Port Harcourt Refinery

The announcement regarding the initiation of production at the Port Harcourt refinery gained significant attention on Tuesday. In response, the Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) expressed their sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their support and enthusiasm surrounding the safe and successful restart of the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which has a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day. This information was conveyed through a press release issued by Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Company, and shared with Trustbase news on Tuesday. The statement underscored the importance of this production milestone, representing a notable advancement after years of operational difficulties and subpar performance in domestic crude refining. Soneye addressed the baseless assertions made by certain individuals claiming that the refinery was not producing any products. He clarified that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to increase this to 90%. The refinery's daily production includes: • Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol) • Kerosene: 900,000 liters • Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million liters • Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters • Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes It is important to highlight that the refinery utilizes crack C5, a blending component sourced from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets the necessary specifications. Blending is a common practice in refineries worldwide, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully adheres to any country's standards without such processes. Furthermore, significant progress has been made on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which is set to commence operations shortly, with no prior announcements. We encourage the citizens of Nigeria to concentrate on the significant accomplishments being attained under the capable and forward-thinking leadership of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, and to back initiatives designed to yield greater benefits for the nation. Unwarranted criticisms of evident progress serve only to hinder the substantial advancements achieved by NNPC Ltd. and the country as a whole. Let us unite in our efforts to develop a more robust and self-reliant energy sector.