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Revert to old PMS price, lawmaker charges FG, NNPCL

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Alhasan Ado Doguwa

 

The member representing Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency, Kano State in the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa has urged the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to take urgent steps to revert to the old pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

Petrol cost was on a steady rise throughout the immediate past administration; a development that has shown no sign of abating since the removal of subsidy.

Earlier in the week, fuel scarcity took a turn for the worse as long queues hit major cities even as black marketers took advantage of the opportunity to sell the product at N1,500 per litre. In Abuja, the nation’s capital and Lagos, the product sells for N880 at the NNPCL mega filling stations, while independent marketers sell between N950 and N970 per litre.

Consequently, Nigerians have been expressing their displeasure, wondering what a government that recently announced a new minimum wage expect them to cope with the rising cost of living, particularly the challenge of transportation.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Doguwa who chairs the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) described as unacceptable a situation where private companies take advantage of gaps in the system to make arbitrary profits at the expense of Nigerians.

The statement read in part, “As a committee, we urge the Nigerian government and of course the NNPCL to consider the plight of Nigerians and suspend this recent increase in pump price. Nigerians are currently going through a lot today and adding to this burden is not in our collective best interest. Let us revert to the old pump price as soon as possible.” And probably intensify engagements with major stakeholders to to address the problem.

Doguwa who doubles as the Chairman, Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Vandalisation of pipelines, also pledged the readiness of the committee to tackle the challenge caused by loss of revenue to government owing to loss of crude.

“As a special committee, we will aggressively seek modalities to interface with the youths and community leaders in the oil-producing areas to address the frequent cases of crude oil theft, which is one of the reasons capable of affecting petrol supply across the country.

“We are working in collaboration with security agencies in their quest to secure oil pipelines and other critical facilities in the country. We believe that a return to the old pump price will calm frayed nerves, thus enabling Nigerians to go about their daily activities with ease,” he noted.

The lawmaker also advised Nigerians to give the President Tinubu-led government a chance to reposition the oil and gas sector, noting that with the Petroleum Industry Act coupled with the effort to revive the nation’s refineries; Nigeria would in no distant time, reap the benefit of her oil and gas endowments to the benefit of the entire citizenry.

“We believe that with the interventions the government is making to commence operations at Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, these challenges will come to an end,” Doguwa added.

According to the All Progressives Congress chieftain, the challenges in the nation’s oil and gas sector are largely due to the failure of successive administrations to muster the courage to do the right thing, adding that the APC-led government is bent on making the country take her rightful place in the comity of nations.

“We may be suffering today but our tomorrow will be better. The government of the day is taking significant steps which may be painful today but very soon, we will beat our chest as proud Nigerians because the future is great. Tinubu means well for us and he is desirous of leaving a legacy that future generations will be proud of,” he stressed.

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Betara Denies Bribery Allegations, Says $5,000 Shared Was a Sallah Gift

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Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has addressed allegations surrounding the distribution of $5,000 to members of his committee. Betara clarified that the funds were shared as a gesture of goodwill to mark the Sallah celebrations and not as a bribe to influence decisions regarding the proposed emergency rule in Rivers State.

The controversy arose after Nigerian investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar brought the matter to public attention through a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. Jaafar’s revelation sparked widespread speculation about the intent behind the monetary distribution, with some questioning whether it was an attempt to sway opinions within the committee.

In his statement, Betara firmly denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that the funds were purely a festive token. “The $5,000 I shared with my colleagues was a Sallah gift, a tradition of goodwill and celebration during this festive period. It was not, and should not be misconstrued as, an inducement related to the Rivers State emergency rule discussions,” he stated.

The Rivers State emergency rule proposal has been a contentious issue, drawing significant attention and debate within the House of Representatives. Betara’s clarification aims to dispel any doubts about the integrity of his actions and the committee’s deliberations.

As the story continues to unfold, Nigerians are closely watching the developments, with many calling for transparency and accountability in the nation’s legislative processes.

 

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Coalition Underway to Challenge Tinubu in 2027 Elections, Says APC Chieftain

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Salihu Lukman, the former North-West Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has disclosed that advanced discussions are ongoing to form a unified opposition coalition aimed at unseating the ruling APC in the 2027 general elections. Lukman made this revelation on Monday, following former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent announcement about the coalition’s formation.

Lukman emphasized that the coalition’s primary objective is to consolidate opposition forces to present a formidable challenge to the APC’s dominance.

He noted that consultations have reached an advanced stage, with leaders from various political parties and movements working to align their strategies. However, he clarified that while progress has been made, no final decisions have been reached regarding the coalition’s structure, leadership, or the political platform it will adopt.

Atiku Abubakar, a prominent opposition figure and former presidential candidate, had earlier confirmed the coalition’s formation during a press conference. He described the initiative as a strategic effort to restore balance to Nigeria’s political landscape and counter what he termed the APC’s “overreach” in governance. Abubakar’s announcement has sparked widespread debate and heightened political tensions, with many viewing the coalition as a potential game-changer in the upcoming elections.

Lukman highlighted two critical issues currently under negotiation: the selection of a political party to serve as the coalition’s platform and the need for prospective members to set aside personal ambitions for the greater good. He acknowledged that these discussions are complex, with zoning and candidate selection emerging as contentious topics among coalition members. Despite these challenges, Lukman expressed optimism that a consensus would be reached in time to mount a robust campaign against the APC.

The coalition’s formation comes amid growing dissatisfaction with the APC’s governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Critics have accused the administration of undermining democratic principles and consolidating power at the expense of opposition voices. Lukman, who has been vocal about his discontent with the APC’s direction, described the coalition as a necessary step to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and ensure a competitive political environment.

As the 2027 elections approach, the coalition’s success will depend on its ability to navigate internal disagreements and present a united front. Political analysts have noted that while the coalition has the potential to disrupt the APC’s stronghold, its effectiveness will hinge on its ability to mobilize grassroots support and articulate a compelling vision for Nigeria’s future.

The coming months are expected to see intensified political maneuvering as the coalition finalizes its plans and prepares to challenge the APC’s dominance. For now, the political landscape remains dynamic, with the coalition’s emergence signaling a new chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

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Concerns over alleged plans by Ibas to announce new LG heads in Rivers

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Sources close to Government House in Rivers State have raised concerns over alleged plans by the state’s sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, to announce new Local Government Area (LGA) administrators.

Recall that immediately after the Supreme Court judgment that nullified the October 5, 2024, local government elections in Rivers State, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed all the council chairmen to hand over to the heads of local governments until proper elections are conducted.

However, reports from sources who pleaded anonymity said the sole administrator is set to announce new council administrators despite the clear provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the autonomy of LGAs.

The move, if carried out, the sources alleged, would amount to a blatant disregard for democratic principles and a violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, which reaffirmed that local governments must be governed by elected officials, not handpicked appointees.

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