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Tag: Coalition

  • ADC raises alarm of plots to sow confusion in coalition

    ADC raises alarm of plots to sow confusion in coalition

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over a desperate plot to undermine and destabilise the growing opposition coalition in Nigeria.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s interim National Publicity Secretary.

    Abdullahi alleged that former ADC state chairmen and key officials in the North-East and North-West were summoned to a secret meeting with top government officials.

    “We have credible intelligence that the aim of this meeting is not national security or peacebuilding,” Abdullahi said.

    He described the move as an attempt to co-opt these individuals into a fabricated plot against the opposition coalition.

    “This is not politics; this is outright sabotage,” Abdullahi declared.

    He said the motive was to sow confusion, delegitimise ADC’s new leadership, and derail its growing momentum as the face of the opposition.

    Abdullahi, who is also the coalition’s national spokesperson, said it formed part of a wider effort to entrench one-party rule.

    He claimed the July 1 coalition declaration and July 2 ADC unveiling had clearly unsettled the ruling party.

    “The coalition is an idea whose time has come,” he said, declaring the party belonged to all Nigerians tired of lies and hardship.

    “It belongs to those who want to restore decency, vision, and justice to governance,” he added.

    He vowed that the party would resist any attempt to impose one-party dictatorship by all democratic means.

    Abdullahi called on President Bola Tinubu to take note of the actions of some of his appointees and rein them in.

    He further urged the President to prove to Nigerians that he remains committed to democratic principles.

  • I’m not joining Atiku’s coalition – Yobe gov, Buni declares

    I’m not joining Atiku’s coalition – Yobe gov, Buni declares

    Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has said that he is not joining the opposition leaders’ coalition being spearheaded by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Saturday.

    NAN reports that a viral text message had claimed that Buni and four other APC governors had concluded arrangements to defect to the opposition PDP and join the coalition before the 2027 general elections.

    Mohammed described the viral message as baseless fabrications, unwarranted imagination and assumptions that did not cross path with reality in any way, shape and form.

    He said that at no time was the author of the text ever been close to the governor to think that he could attempt to predict the governor’s political movement.

    “Buni is no ordinary member of APC; he is not just an APC governor. He is APC in all ramifications, with APC flowing in his veins.

    “His contributions to building APC as a two-term National Secretary and National Chairman who chaired the party’s convention committee makes him unique and whose imagination of leaving the party cannot be speculated,” he said.

    Mohammed said that the author and his paymasters must have been interested in Buni’s political sagacity and only wished they would have the likes of the governor. It must be wishful thinking,” he said.

  • Anambra 2025: I’m open to coalition that can stop Soludo – Nwosu

    Anambra 2025: I’m open to coalition that can stop Soludo – Nwosu

    Mr John Nwosu an aspirant in the Nov. 8 governorship election in Anambra says he will support any coalition that will stop the reelection of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.

    Nwosu, who is aspiring on the platform of the Labour Party said this while speaking to newsmen in Awka on Monday.

    He said Anambra was going through its worst government since the fourth republic and needed redemption even though if it will take a coalition of people who were ready to provide a better deal for the people.

    Nwosu said the development going on in Anambra is not commensurate with the increase in resources accruing to the state.

    “The new infrastructure the government claim to have built are hardly commensurate with the revenue the state has garnered in three years, focusing on infrastructure at the expense of peace, security and quality of life is counterproductive.

    “In fact, talks about coalition are ongoing, the common denominator is the collective will to bring this disastrous administration to an end.

    “Anambra’s interest supersedes any personal interests or ambitions. If it will take a coalition of like minds to stop Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and his cabal, so be it.

    “I am ready to be part of that coalition, we must all get involved in rescuing Anambra,” he said.

    Nwosu said he was confident that the 2025 election would be free, fair and that the masses were now aware enough to make electoral choices and defend them

    He said he was the best candidate for LP ticket and most qualified to takeover from Soludo while reiterating his commitment to serve for one term of four years.

    “I believe the people of Anambra State will get the government they deserve if they turn out boldly to vote for such a government.

    “There will only be one LP candidate after the April 5 primaries, if it is me, I will expect my fellow aspirants to rally around and support me, if it is someone else, I will do the same,” he said.

  • Port Harcourt refinery, another grand deception from NNPCL -Coalition

    Port Harcourt refinery, another grand deception from NNPCL -Coalition

    As reactions continue to thrill the announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), that the Port Harcourt refinery has been activated for operation; a group of Civil Society Organisations has called for great caution.

    The groups, under the aegis of Coalition for Accountability and Transparency in Energy Sector (CATES), said what the NNPCL was glorifying was not a full fledged refinery which Nigerians paid for.

    In a statement on Wednesday by the Spokesperson of the Coalition, Dr. Linus Ikwur, the groups alluded that, despite the public outcry from stakeholders, organisations and individuals, warning against turning the Port Harcourt refinery to a blending plant, the NNPCL made good its intention and damned whatever would come out of it.

    The coalition described the much celebrated Port Harcourt refinery as “what I ordered, vs what I got”, saying, the NNPCL did not mean well for the country and the citizenry, by converting the heritage refinery in Port Harcourt to a mere blending plant, despite receiving huge funds to operationalize it.

    “The NNPCL was given money to turn Port Harcourt into a full fledged refinery. But now they want to turn the place into a blending plant, despite the public outcry on the dangers of having a blending plant in the region that is already suffering environmental degredation.

    “Nigerians paid for a refinery and not a blending plant. This is a clear case of what I ordered vs what I got.

    “There’s a need for great accountability, transparency and probity in ensuring that the refineries operate at 100% capacity and not as a blending plant”, the statement said.

    Speaking further, the Coalition expressed great disappointment with the announcement of NNPCL, confirming that the refinery was to serve as a blending plant, which it described as a global practise; warning that the agency should cease the deception forthwith.

    Dr. Ikwur said, “to us, it did not come as a surprise, because we saw it coming and we have raised enough alarms, so that it could be averted, but the authority kept calm, until the NNPCL perfected its plan to convert our heritage refinery into a blending plant. But we were highly disappointed, that the NNPCL misled Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu into believing that the Port Harcourt refinery had come back to live.

    “It took the great effort of the the media, Sahara Reporters in particular, to confirm our claims that Nigerians were indeed celebrating a blending plant, and not a refinery. Nigerians are too wise for that grand deception and Mr. President should not fall for that kind of cheap attempt to score political goals by the NNPCL.

    “Mele Kyari and his cohorts should stop misleading the President. They should rather come out and explain how the over N17 trillion expended on our local refineries went and why is it that none of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries is working, after receiving such a humongous funding”.

    It would be recalled that, the NNPC posted on its X handle on Tuesday, saying: “NNPC Ltd Delivers Port Harcourt Refinery as plant begins truckout of products today, Tuesday 26th November 2024 at 1.45 pm.

    “Watch the commissioning and trucking out event LIVE.”

    But an online platform in an exclusive report Tuesday night, exposed that, the NNPCL “is not trucking out Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from the Port Harcourt Refinery as it claimed on Tuesday”, claiming a top source within the system revealed it.

    Instead, it said the NNPCL bought “Cracked C5 petroleum resins” and blended it with other products including Naphtha to sell to the Nigerian public as though the refinery processed it.

    “The plant is running but it is the old one of 60,000bpd capacity but you can’t get PMS from it except diesel. The part that produces PMS is yet to start.

    “If you hear they are trucking out PMS from the depot, know it is a lie. They bought Crack C5 from Indorama company in Port Harcourt and blended it with Naphtha to sell to the public”, the source told Sahara Reporters.

    Unexpectedly, the Spokesperson for the NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye swiftly confirmed the claims in a statement Tuesday night, saying, “blending is a standard practice in refineries globally”.

    Soneye said, “It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications.

    “Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes. Additionally, we have made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which will begin operations soon without prior announcements”.

  • Coalition lauds measures taken by Tinubu to cushion economic hardship

    Coalition lauds measures taken by Tinubu to cushion economic hardship

    A coalition known as Katsina Groups for National Unity and Integration has lauded the efforts being made by President Bola Tinubu in tackling the economic challenges facing Nigeria.

    This coalition, gave the commendation in  a communique issued in Katsina and jointly signed by Coordinator of the group, Hamza Umar-Saulawa, and his Secretary, Bishir Dauda Sabuwar Unguwa Katsina,as well as Director Contact and Mobilisation, Rilwanu Mukhtar MD.

    The colation said: as patriotic Nigerian citizens, we are feeling the heat of the time, including, high cost of living and spate of insecurity.

    ”We commend the federal government for making efforts to address the challenges through short, medium and long term measures, including disbursement of the wage award of the sum of N35,000 to each Federal Government worker.

    “The recent Inauguration of the committee on National Minimum Wage.

    “The formation of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (CNG) and establishment of Seven CNG Conversion Centres across the geo political zones of the country as a starting point.

    “Cutting Frivolous government expenditures,such as reducing estacodes and number of entourage for government officials.

    “Release of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains among others,” the coalition highlighted.

    The groups also acknowledge the war against corruption under Tinubu, with particular reference to suspension of a minister, investigation of Godwin Emiefele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as other officials of the present and past administrations.

    According to the coalition, worthy of mention is the engagement with various stakeholders, including meetings with the state governors of which the main agenda was how to tame the rising cost of living and spate of insecurity.

    The coaliton urged the organised labour to suspend its planned nationwide protests over the current economic hardship in the country, describing the exercise as needless.

    “Our viewpoint is that the NLC has not exhausted all the available options for dialogue before calling on street protests. So far, the federal government has not shown any disdain to NLC.

    “The fact that some steps were taken towards meeting their demands, shows a high measure of semblance of commitment on the part of the federal government. Hence, we feel that the new administration deserves to enjoy the benefit of doubt.”

    According to them, no government can meet the demands of the NLC in 14 days, hence they should shelve their planned nationwide protests to continue to dialogue with the government until their demands are met.

    “Using our recent experience during the #ENDSARS protest, and other street protests that happened, such demonstrations and strikes do us more harm than good.

    “Thus, at this critical point in time, let the organised labour avoid doing anything that may undermine the existing fragile peace.

    “While advocating dialogue, we condemn in strongest terms those groups and individuals, who are making political capital out of the suffering of Nigerians.

    “We are calling on the governments at sub-national levels to augment the efforts of the federal government by rolling out different measures to cushion the hardship among the masses,” the coalition advised.

    According to them, there are three tiers of government, each one should work assiduously like the federal government, until the situation becomes better.

    The groups urged all political office holders, including federal and state lawmakers to come up with intervention in their own wards or constituency towards alleviating the suffering of their people.

    “Furthermore, the private sector and the philanthropists should also follow suit,” the coalition also advised.

    NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over the alleged failure of government to implement the agreements reached on Oct. 2, 2023, following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit known as petrol.

    The Oct. 2 agreement was “focused on addressing the massive suffering and the general harsh socioeconomic consequences of the ill-conceived and ill-executed IMF/World Bank-induced hike in the price of PMS and the devaluation of the naira.

    These dual policies have had, as we predicted, dire economic consequences for the masses and workers of Nigeria,” the statement by the unions said.

    “Constrained by this development and recognising the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defence of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC and TUC hereby issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government to honour their part of the understanding within 14 days from tomorrow, Feb. 9.”

    The Federal Government had among other things promised the implementation of a N35,000 wage award for civil servants.

     

  • Coalition decry arrest of 30 women protesting Nasarawa governorship verdict

    Coalition decry arrest of 30 women protesting Nasarawa governorship verdict

    A coalition of 300 women led Civil Society groups and individuals have condemned the arrest and detention of 30 unarmed nude women who protested the Nasarawa state gubernatorial verdict.

    The Police in Nasarawa State, on Jan. 20 arrested 38 protesters for alleged public disturbance over the recent Supreme Court Judgment, which upheld the election of Gov. Abdullahi Sule.

    The suspects were immediately charged in court and remanded at the Lafia Custodial Centre.

    Nkoyo Toyo, representing the Gender and Development Action-GADA who signed on behalf of the coalition in a statement in Abuja described it as an “illegal attacks on innocent women.”

    “Nigerians are unhappy to hear of the arrest, prosecution and persecution of 30 women in Nasarawa, among others.

    “This is for exercising their rights to protest against an INEC instigated miscarriage of justice in the Nasarawa gubernational election of 2023, and the decision of the Supreme Court which upheld the results as declared.

    “The prosecution of these women shows the failure of the Nigerian Police Force and the Government of Nasarawa State in Nigeria to uphold the right of citizens under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to protest, assemble and freely express themselves.

    “These women were nude, demonstrating clearly that they were both committed to peaceable protest and unarmed.

    “It is a travesty to then accuse them of being violent when in fact, they were the people violated by the attack from the uniformed personnels.

    “Security agents, nearly all of them male, assaulted, beat up, shot at, and seriously injured some of these women in clear violation of the Constitution and in full public view.

    “Locking them up in indefinite pre-trial detention at the instance of those whom they were protesting against constitutes political persecution, ” she said.

    She added that the Project-Free Nasarawa 30 comprising of civil right activists, citizens’ journalists, rights’ organisations and international advocacy and solidarity groups demanding the immediate release of the Nasarawa 30.

    “Project – Free Nasarawa 30 rejects totally the tactics and aggression against these women, and calls for the immediate review of their bail conditions.

    “This will grant them freedom without the culture of punitive bail terms that have been unethically and wrongly adopted by the current judicial bench to justify empty allegations against the Nasarawa 30.

    “An attack on the Nasarawa 30 is an attack on all women across the globe. End the persecution now! Free Nasarawa 30 unconditionally TODAY,” she said.

    Other signatories include Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Women Aid Collective (WACOL); Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Co-Convener, Womenifesto; Dr Eki Yemisi-Omorogbe, International Law and Policy in Africa Network.

    Others are Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Atrocities Watch Africa (AWA); Richard Inoyo, Citizens Solution Network;

    Yemi Adamolekun, Enough is Enough; Adaora Sydney-Jack, Gender Strategy Advancement, among others.

     

  • SDP dismisses involvement in rumoured coalition against Tinubu

    SDP dismisses involvement in rumoured coalition against Tinubu

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed its rumoured coalition with some opposition parties to work against President Bola Tinubu.

    “SDP wishes to clarify its position regarding the suggestion that it is involved in forming a coalition against President Tinubu’s administration.

    “SDP firmly distances itself from such unpatriotic and undemocratic political tactics.

    “The party acknowledges the existence of a substantial conspiracy, reportedly backed by influential opposition figures and certain private sector entities.

    “This conspiracy is aimed at establishing a formidable coalition of opposition parties, trade unions, and civil society organisations,’’ SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Alfa Mohammed, stated in Abuja on Friday.

    He added that the goal was to turn public opinion against the current government, potentially leading to its undemocratic removal.

    “To eliminate any confusion, it is important to note that the mainstream SDP is currently embroiled in a legal struggle against certain factions illegitimately recognised by INEC,

    “The mainstream SDP is committed to engaging with Tinubu’s administration in a constructive manner for the next three years.

    “This approach excludes any involvement in schemes aimed at destabilising the government or distracting its focus,’’ he stated.

    Mohammed urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and be discerning in the face of potentially harmful propaganda and provocative statements that would soon be coming from the said coalition.

    He said the tactics were designed to erode public confidence in the president and the ruling political class, thereby jeopardising the integrity of the nation’s hard-won democracy.

  • Coalition seeks assent to RMAFC amendment bill

    Coalition seeks assent to RMAFC amendment bill

    The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has called on President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Bill for an Act to Amend Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act, CAP. R7 LFN 2010.

    A statement by Mr Debo Adeniran, CACOL Chairman, on Sunday in Abuja, said the bill, which was passed by the 9th Assembly, was awaiting Tinubu’s assent.

    He said assent to the bill would give the commission enforcement powers to monitor accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account.

    He further said it would bring the Act into conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended).

    “The bill as passed by the National Assembly prescribes that the Commission shall be wholly funded by the three tiers of government being beneficiaries of the Federation Account.

    “As one of the 14 executive bodies recognised by the Constitution, RMAFC is one of the most poorly funded agencies.

    “It is poorly funded compared to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Population Commission(NPC), National Assembly and others that are heavily funded from the national purse,” he said.

    Adeniran said, “it is (correct) to expect a poorly funded organisation with ill-motivated staff to perform.”

    The chairman said he was optimistic that the bill would remove financial, legal and regulatory obstacles that had made the commission a “toothless bulldog”.

    He called on the media to bring their influence to bear on the matter.

    The RMFAC was estahlished to review revenue allocation formula every five years.

    It is also charged with the responsibility of fixing the salaries of political office holders and public officers among others.

  • Coalition for good governance gives Kano governor 72 hours ultimatum to stop demolition

    Coalition for good governance gives Kano governor 72 hours ultimatum to stop demolition

    Following the demolition of property and destruction of investment in Kano State, a group under the aegis of Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative has given the state governor Abba Yusuf, seventy-two hours ultimatum to retract himself and stop the ongoing demolition.

    Recall that before he was sworn in, Yusuf had repeatedly threatened to demolish illegal structures in and around government landed property that is currently generating public outcry, as most of the affected buildings were constructed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

    The Coalition in a press conference delivered by the National Coordinator Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, in Abuja on Tuesday said the situation in the state is a sad era in the history of Kano State where a government saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property is the one demolishing structures legally built by citizens and investors with their hard-earned resources.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, it is a sad era in the history of Kano State where a government saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property is the one demolishing structures legally built by citizens and investors with their hard-earned resources thereby inflicting pains on the people.”

    Ogenyi lamented that the government demolished a three storey Plaza consisting of ninety shops, the five star Daula Hotel almost completed with ninety rooms worth over 10 billion Naria.

    ” As a result of this inhuman activity, thousands of people have been displaced with the government paying no attention to the suffering of the people. In fact, the government has vow to cause more harm to the people by continuing the demolition exercise.
    the lost of over twenty lives of

    The coalition alleged that over 20 innocent Nigerians have died during the process of the unlawful demolition of property in the state.

    “The government claimed that, two persons died but our team members who were in Kano said over twenty persons have died which is a serious concern for the human rights community.

    “More worrisome is the trend of successive governors destroying legacies of the previous administration in a quest to slight the out-gone Governor either based on hatred or fear of popularity among others.

    “The last three weeks has become a hell in Kano State with a cry in almost every home within the metropolis. Governor Abba Yusuf has become a shadow of good governance, even his supporters are no longer proud of him because of his inhuman action against the people of Kano State.

    “How can a Governor of less than a week old demolished property worth over two hundred and six billion naira without studying the process talk more of compensation of the property owners.

    He stated that the Government claimed that, the previous administration allocated government lands to individuals and corporate bodies.

    “If it is true that the previous administration of Kano State illegally allocated these plots, why not call the immediate past Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje to answer questions and if possible charge him to Court instead of destroying property Built by innocent Nigerians who applied for land and were allocated same by the state government. Is government no longer a continuous process? Most of these individuals got loans and invested it in Kano only to face this kind of devastating situation. How do you expect them to survive?

    “We believed that the situation in Kano if not called to order is capable of causing unrest which may affect the whole Country. Something must be done urgently to stop this madness. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to quickly intervene and call Governor Abba Yusuf to order to stop further illegal demolition of property leading to lost of lives in the State.

    “We also call on the International Community to come to the aid of the people and investors in Kano State by prevailing on Governor Abba Yusuf to stop the demolition forthwith. Mr Kwankwaso who is the leader of the Governor is silent over the inhuman activities currently ongoing in Kano State, a bad signal that he is also part of the demolition plot, if he is not, we call on him to exonerate himself by joining religious leaders and other prominent Nigerians in condemning the evil act.

    “We are making this appeal in the National Interest because we know the implications of any possible crisis in Kano state being the most populous state in Nigeria. If misgovernance of Governor Abba Yusuf leads to crisis in Kano state (God forbid) it will affect negatively the whole of Nigeria.

    “We hereby give Governor Yusuf seventy-two hours ultimatum to retract himself and stop the ongoing demolition, call the affected persons and group for proper compensation or face legal action.”

     

  • Our Coalition will determine the next Reps Speaker, says Betara

    Our Coalition will determine the next Reps Speaker, says Betara

    Mr Muktar Betara Aliyu, the leading aspirant for the seat of the Speakership of the House of Representatives says his group hold the ace to who emerges the next Speaker of the lower legislative chamber.

    Speaking during the unveiling ceremony of the Speakership bid by a member of the coalition, Mr Ahmed Wase, he expressed optimism that their group would arrive at a consensus on who is best suited to preside over the proceedings of the House.

    Betara, a fourth termer who chairs the House committee on Appropriation describes Wase as a brother and a comrade who is equally qualified to preside over the House.

    Reiterating his opposition to the move to impose a Speaker on the House of Representatives, he noted: “For us, we formed this group because we are opposed to the zoning arrangement of the party, We are not fighting and we would not fight. We are in support of a consensus candidate.

    “We can picked the candidate from among ourselves but if we all sit down and decided on it. I assure all of you it is only one person that God would choose to be Speaker. I assure we are not going to have any issue. We are going to agree to support one of us as speaker.”

    For Sada Soli, there is need for fairness, inclusivity and respect for diversity in arriving at the choice of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    The Katsina born lawmaker called on members elect to strive to protect the sanctity and freedom of the institution of the legislature.

    ” Anything short of that, the consequences would be dire. We must drop all personal interest geared towards producing a Speaker who would not take directive for some personal aggrandisement, a speaker who would tell you as it is. Lawmaking is a very serious business. It is beyond personal interests.”

    Gagdi who spoke in the same vein warned against a rubberstammp Assembly that would take directive from forces outside the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly.

    “We are determine to protect democracy. The House of Representatives is the House of the Nigerian people. By the time we are working, no leadership of party would be there. Only we and we would be doing the serious business of lawmaking.”

    Mrs Miriam Onuoha, on of the members of the coalition reiterated her opposition to injustice in the polity while calling of inclusivity of women and other vulnerable groups that form over half the population of the country.

    “I stand with the coalition, indivisibility of Nigeria. Legislature is independent. Member elect would rise up to the challenge to ensure the independence of the legislature,” she added.

    Wase said it behooves on the leadership of the party to cede the seat to him having served the interest of the APC, the parliament and the nation over the years.