TOP STORIES: Supreme Court stops old naira notes ban.

The supreme court on Wednesday temporary halted the move by the Federal Government to ban the use of the old naira notes from February 10th.

A seven-member panel committee led by the Justice John Okoro, halted the move of the Federal Government in a ruling in an exparte application brought by the three northern states, Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara

Wike Reapproves Venue For Atiku Presidential Campaign Rally.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has reapproved the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium as the venue for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential campaign rally in the state.
Recall that the governor had on January 31 withdrawn the initial approval of February 11 on the grounds that PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation is working in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The government said it understood that the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation was intending to share the approved facility with the APC whose activities are characterised by violence and destruction.

However, speaking at the state PDP Campaign rally in the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area on Tuesday, Wike said the government reapproved the use of the venue after pleas by many personalities.
The governor also spoke on the crisis in the PDP, even as he faulted the comment by the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu that a member of the G5 visited him (Ayu).
Wike said the claim was false as no member of the group of five PDP governors advocating for the Southern Chairmanship of the party will visit Ayu.

2023: ‘Tinubu Not On The List Of Favoured Candidates To Succeed Buhari’ – Lukman.

The National Vice Chairman, North West of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman has revealed that the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu is not on the list of favoured candidates to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
He made the revelation in a statement on Tuesday titled “Electoral Contests and Public Expectations: Matching Hopes with Realities.
According to him, that is the reason some prominent people within the political circle and the presidency have not been openly supporting Tinubu’s ambition.

He listed the preferred candidates to include the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele and former President, Goodluck Jonathan.
Lukman who is a member of the APC National Working Committee added that Senate President Ahmad Lawan was picked as a fallback option to suit the sentiment of the northern region.
In his revelation, the APC chieftain said those behind the plot were not card-carrying members of the APC but forces outside the party and their plan had been set in motion as far back as April 2022.

The APC National Vice Chairman listed those behind the plot to include the publisher and owner of This day Newspaper and Arise Television, Nduka Ogbaigbena, 14 current governors, 13 former governors as well as three former senate presidents.
He said however when their plan for a consensus candidate failed and Tinubu emerged as the APC presidential candidate for 2023 thanks to the fairness of President Buhari in the process, they unleashed the cashless policy/naira swap policy of the CBN to damage the candidature of Asiwaju Tinubu.

“We Must Say No To Them” – Tinubu Sends Fresh Message To Nigerians Over Fuel, Naira Scarcity.

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to resist the antics of enemies of democracy who want to create a state of national siege and tension through the scarcity of fuel and the new naira notes.
Tinubu who made the call in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday appealed to Nigerians to remain calm over the current hardship caused by the scarcity.
He lamented that the situation has brought untold pain and hardship to many Nigerians but appealed to them to remain calm as the government and relevant agencies continue to work out solutions.

The statement which was signed and made available to Naija News by the Director, Media & Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga said the current fuel and naira scarcity has affected many people, particularly the downtrodden masses who have been made to bear the brunt of the new naira policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)and irregular supply of petrol.
Tinubu pointed out that the two have combined to inflict avoidable pains on the masses and therefore called on the CBN not to be dogmatic in the deadline it has fixed for the transition from old Naira notes to the new one, especially as the unintended consequence of the policy has been massive pain on the people.

He commends the NNPC Limited for the fuel supply relief being enjoyed in the Federal Capital Territory and urges the company to step up its act to bring relief around the country.
The former Lagos State Governor said he is distressed by the news of cash-strapped farmers having to sell their products excessively cheap to avoid losing all.
The APC candidate went further to assure Nigerians that the current challenges will soon be over and pleaded that people should avoid anything capable of causing unrest in the country even when they are justifiably angry.

El-Rufai Wants To Replace Late Abba Kyari – Naja’atu.

The Former Director of the Civil Society Organization in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential campaign council, Naja’atu Mohammed has laid an allegation against the Kaduna State Governor, El-Rufai.
Mohammed in an interview with Arise TV claimed that El-Rufai at a time attempted to be part of the cabal at the Aso Rock.

According to Mohammed, El-Rufai’s plans were written in one of the memos of the governor after the late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari died.

She claimed that the cabal snubbed the Kaduna State Governor, adding that this is why El-Rufai is combatting them.
She called on El-Rufai and other governors elected on the platform of the APC to be concerned about the Nigerian people who are suffering and not about the election.
Mohammed alleged that their fight against the alleged cabal is for their personal interests and not for the masses.

Fuel Scarcity: Kyari Begs Nigerians.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has disclosed that the lingering fuel scarcity will ease off from next week.

In a video broadcast on Channels Television on Tuesday evening, Kyari, however, said he could not assure that the queues at the fuel stations would disappear.
The NNPCL boss that there would be significant improvement in the next one week.
He said, “Now within the next one week, I’m not saying that you’re going to have zero queues within the next one week, no, because a number of things are out of our control, and of course the market forces will determine some of these issues.
“But I believe that we’re going to see substantial and relative ease compared to today in the next one week.
“I apologize for the situation on behalf of all of us in the oil and gas industry.”

Cash Crunch: Buhari Meets Tambuwal, Bagudu, Emefiele, Others Over.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal; and the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Atiku Bagudu over the scarcity of the new naira note.
The said private meeting was held at the President’s office at the State House in Abuja.
It was gathered also in attendance at the meeting were the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa; as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor.

It was learnt that even though all present at the meeting didn’t disclose the reason for the meeting, sources within the Presidency affirmed that the President was wary about the possible perception of disregard for lawful orders.
However, speculation is that the presence of the CBN boss and Tambuwal might indicate that the meeting might be regarding the issues of cash crunch and frustrations of Nigerians.

2023: CBN Won’t Be Used To Disrupt Elections – Emiefele To INEC Chairman.

The 2023 general election will not be disrupted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emiefele has declared.
The CBN boss at a meeting with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu and other 11 National Commissioners, pledged that the bank won’t be the cause of any hitches to the coming polls.
He said “The CBN will not allow itself to be used as agents to frustrate the fourth coming election which is a positive assignment.

“If you require cash to pay some of your service providers, we will make it available to you. We will not allow ourselves to be seen as agents that frustrate a genuine assignment.”
His submission follows the request by the INEC boss for the apex bank to make available every cash needed to pay logistics for the success of the elections.
The INEC chairman told the CBN governor the 2023 polls will be the best in Nigeria’s history, but then concerns have however been raised about the processes leading to the elections.

Naira Scarcity: Opposition Politicians Have Legally Restrained Buhari – FG.

The Federal Government has berated opposition political parties for dragging President Muhammadu Buhari to court in a move to stop the extension of the naira note swap deadline.
Recall that 14 political parties had on Monday threatened to boycott the February 25 election should the Central Bank of Nigeria extend the February 10 deadline for the currency swap which it had earlier announced.
Also, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory restrained the President, the CBN, its Governor Godwin Emefiele and 27 commercial banks from suspending, stopping, extending or interfering with the currency swap terminal date.

But speaking at the 23rd edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023), which featured the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said that the political parties were not mindful of the plight of Nigerians due to the cash crunch.
He said, “Recall that after his (Buhari’) meeting with the Progressives Governors’ Forum on Friday, President Buhari urged the citizens to give him a seven-day window to resolve the currency crunch that has emanated from the implementation of the naira redesign policy.

“Unfortunately, on Monday, some opposition political parties ran to court to obtain an injunction restraining Mr President and the CBN from extending the February 10 deadline for Nigerians to exchange their old notes for new ones.”
Mohammed said the court actions by the parties are a clear evidence that the opposition has turned the naira crunch issue into a political game, preferring to make Nigerians suffer more on the altar of an unconscionable political gamesmanship.

Police Force: IGP Orders Posting/Redeployment Of DIGs, AIGs, CPs.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has approved the posting and redeployment of some senior police officers within the force. IGP Baba ordered the posting/redeployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to Departments, Commands, and Formations.

The move is in line with his manpower development policy of placing round pegs in round holes.
A statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed the development.

The IGP charged the newly posted officers to hit the ground running to ensure the mission, vision, and policy statements of his administration are effectively complied with in the areas of crime-fighting, public cooperation, and safety.
He also called for support and cooperation from members of the public to enable the newly posted senior officers to perform optimally on their mandate.
The posting is with immediate effect.

2023: Why Peter Obi Is Struggling To Catch Up With Atiku – Dele Momodu.

The Director of Strategic Communications of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Momodu, has stated that the flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, is struggling in the presidential race.
The PDP chieftain made this known on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s special election programme, The 2023 Verdict.
Momodu said the LP flagbearer is “struggling” to catch up with the PDP standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, because the presidential race is not a marathon and takes time to build bridges.
The publisher of Ovation magazine also described Obi as one of the leading candidates in the February 25 election, and a third force in Nigeria’s national politics.

New Naira: National Crisis Looms As Scarcity Worsens.

Scarcity of the new Naira notes has worsened following the activities of touts. Consequently, depositors seeking to withdraw the redesigned legal tender are now facing serious problems as the touts have continued to invade commercial banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to disrupt financial transactions.

Report claims that their target is usually to arrive at the ATM as early as possible, pick numbers, create long queues, and sell their slots to impatient customers on the line.
Since a lot of customers, especially Point of Sales operators want to withdraw more than N20,000 daily limit set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) using different debit cards, they buy off the slot of the touts for N500-N1,500 depending on the position on the queue.
With this development, the situation of genuine ATM users looking for cash has worsened.

Reports has it  that many customers languished in long queues for hours in search of new notes.
According to a media consultant, Joe Abraham: “What the touts are doing is what you see when vital commodities are scarce. People take advantage of it.
“One of the touts said he got to a bank in Kuje at 4 am on Monday to ‘take number’ usually given by the bank’s security personnel.

“They take the first 25 slots and wait for customers to stroll in by 7 am. Impatient ones buy the slot for N1,500. It’s a cool business for them. Before you know it, they mop up the money in the ATM. It’s crazy really,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the CBN and security agencies have expanded their sting operations to ensure banks comply with the proper supply and distribution of the new notes.

Court Orders IGP To Arrest, Detain EFCC Chairman, Bawa.

 

A High Court sitting in Kogi State on Monday directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba to arrest the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.
The court gave the order following Bawa’s alleged disobedience to a court order.

The IGP was also ordered to remand Bawa in Kuje prison for the next 14 days until he purges himself of the contempt.
The presiding judge, Justice R.O. Ayoola in his judgement granted the application for committal to prison of the EFCC chairman for disobeying a court ruling delivered on November 30, 2022.

In the case, the EFCC chairman was directed to produce the applicant in the case, Ali Bello.
Ali Bello had dragged Bawa to court for arresting and detaining him illegally, with the court ruling in his favour, only for the EFCC to arraign him for alleged money laundering three days after the ruling.

The EFCC’s applications for setting aside and staying of execution of the ruling were refused for want of merit.
The Court had, in Form 49, Order IX, Rule 13, marked, “HCL/697M/2022” and titled, “Notice to Show Cause Why Order of Committal Should not be Made,” asked the EFCC Chairman to appear before it on January 18, 2022, to explain why he should not be jailed for flouting the order given on December 12, 2022, in a case filed by Ali Bello against the EFCC and Bawa, as the 1st and 2nd respondents, respectively.
The court ordered that the EFCC and Bawa be served the motion of notice together with Form 49 by substituted means.

.
‘My Suspension From PDP Ill-Conceived And Unwarranted’ – Nnamani.

A former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani has maintained that his suspension from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the National Working Committee (NWC) was ill-conceived and unwarranted.
Nnamani insisted that his right to a fair hearing was violated by the party because neither was he informed of any complaints against him nor was he invited to any matter.

According to him, his suspension by the NWC is defective in both moral and constitutional support.

The lawmaker, in a statement signed on Monday, stated that “The PDP ‘Penkelemesi’ suspension without hearing is incurably messy and will collapse.

“My decision to pitch tent with Asawaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was necessitated by the PDP’s refusal to comply with its own constitution to wit; that key political office should at all times be rotated between the South and North to guarantee harmony, peace, fairness, equity and justice.

“As it is now, there is no fairness, justice and equity in the PDP because both the presidential candidate and the National Chairman are from the same region.”
He also suggested to the PDP leadership to try to address issues within the party going forward.

Nigerian Air Force Jet Crash-lands In Lagos Airport.

A Nigerian Air Force jet reportedly crash-landed today at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Reports revealed that the aircraft crash-landed on Runway 18R with six passengers onboard.

The development was said to have caused panic at the airport. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
“Airforce jet crash-lands in Lagos airport at Runway 18R,” SaharaReporters quoted a source.
He added: “It happened at an area called at 18 right, right at the Lagos airport.

“It had a landing gear problem, meaning the tires refused to come out for landing. The pilot landed the aircraft on the bush, a smart move. Six people were on board; they are all safe.”

2023: 13 Parties Threaten To Boycott Elections Over Naira Redesign.

Thirteen out of the 18 political parties have threatened to withdraw from the February 25 and March 11 general elections over the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The National Chairman of the Action Alliance, Kenneth Udeze, made this known at a briefing by a Coalition of Chairmen of Political Parties on Monday in Abuja.

Udeze said the 13 parties will withdraw their participation from the 2023 electoral process if the naira redesign policy of the apex bank is suspended or cancelled.

He added that they will boycott the forthcoming elections if the new deadline of February 10 for the phasing out of the old naira notes is further shifted as demanded by some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The AAC chairman, however, stated that the parties commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the redesign of the N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes.
Udeze said the 13 parties also knocked the Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara State Governments for heading to the Supreme Court to get a court injunction to extend the deadline for the validity of three old notes.

Aisha Buhari Is Part Of The Cabals In Aso Rock, I Am Not Afraid Like El-Rufai – Naja’atu Mohammed.

A former Director in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Naja’atu Mohammed has said that the First Lady, Aisha Buhari is part of the cabals in Aso Rock.

Recall as earlier reported that the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai during an interview on Channel Television said that some individuals in Aso Rock were trying to sabotage the ambition of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

He had said, “I believe there are elements in the villa who want us to lose the election because they didn’t get their way; they had their candidate. Their candidate did not win the primaries. “
“They are trying to get us to lose the election, and they are hiding behind the president’s desire to do what he thinks is right.”

Reacting, the first lady backed El-Rufa’i over his claim that some elements in the presidency are plotting to sabotage Tinubu’s victory.
She voiced her support for El-Rufai when she shared a clip of the interview containing the governor’s main allegation against the saboteurs who are non-members of the party and are exploiting the president’s goodwill for their selfish ends.

However, Naja’atu while featuring on the Arise TV Morning Show said that unlike El-Rufai, she was not afraid to mention names.

Three APC States Drag Buhari’s Govt, CBN To Court Over Naira Scarcity.

Three state governments currently being ruled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) have dragged President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to court over the new naira policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Reacting to the current hardship suffered by their state citizens following the CBN’s naira redesign policy, the governments of Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara reportedly dragged the Federal government before the Supreme Court, seeking a restraining order to stop the full implementation of the policy.

In a motion ex-parte filed on their behalf by their lawyer, Abdul Hakeem Uthman Mustapha (SAN), the three northern states are urging the apex court to grant them an interim injunction stopping the Federal Government either by itself or acting through the CBN, the commercial banks or its agents from carrying out its plan of ending the timeframe within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the Naira may no longer be legal tender on February 10, 2023.

The Plaintiffs in the suit are the three Attorneys-General and Commissioners of Justice of the three states, while the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), is the sole Respondent.

Desperate Politicians Arming Cultists To Scuttle 2023 Elections – Wike.
.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has accused some “desperate politicians” of recruiting and arming cultists and other miscreants to be used to attack and intimidate voters during the forthcoming elections.
In a state broadcast on Monday, the governor said the rising cases of cultism in the state during this electioneering period are sponsored by politicians to settle political scores.
Wike added that some party support groups in the state are a vehicle for thuggery and cult activities sponsored by disgruntled politicians ahead of the polls.

He was reacting to reports that about 30 members of the Atiku Support Organisation were arrested by armed policemen during a meeting in the state capital.

The governor also directed the security agencies to raid any suspected area occupied by cultists, militant support groups and other miscreants being used by politicians to disturb the peace, safety and security of the state.

Court Stops CBN, Buhari From Extending Deadline For Old Naira Notes Phase Out.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from suspending or extending the February 10 deadline for the phase out of the old naira notes.
The presiding judge, Justice Eneojo Eneche, gave the ruling on Monday in a motion by five political parties.
Justice Eneche also stopped President Muhammadu Buhari and 27 commercial banks from interfering with the deadline or issue any directive contrary to the said date.

The judge also granted an order directing the Chief Executive Officers (CEOS) of the banks, to show cause why they should not be arrested and prosecuted for the financial sabotage of the country, by illegally hoarding and not disbursing the new N200, N500, and N1000 bank notes, despite supply of such notes by the apex bank.
In the 27 grounds by the applicants, they made out a case showing that politicians who ostensibly were in possession of illicit funds were the ones who wanted the policies suspended.

Yobe Senatorial Candidate: Lawan Defeats Machina In Supreme Court.

The supreme court on Monday declared the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe north.
APC had filed a suit against the candidature of Bashir Machina before the apex court.

APC has claimed that Lawan was the authentic Senatorial candidate for Yobe North in the 2023 election.
The counsel for the party, Sepiribo Peters at the last hearing argued that the primary election held on 28 May last year which produced Machina was in breach of the Electoral Act 2022.
Peters contended that one Danjuma Manga who conducted the primary election which produced Machina was not nominated by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
He told the court that the APC cancelled the primary poll on account of the irregularities observed during the exercise.

Peters argued that the other primary held on 9 June was conducted by the APC NWC, and produced Lawan as the party’s authentic candidate.
However, Machina’s lawyer, Sarafa Yusuf prayed to the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit on the ground that the Senate President did not challenge the suits at both the trial and lower courts.
He also pointed out that Manga who conducted the primary election where Machina emerged, was a member of the NWC-appointed Committee to carry out the exercise.

Justice Centus Nweze, however, in a judgement on Monday faulted the approach of Machina in commencing the suit at the Federal High Court Damaturu division by way of originating summons and without oral evidence to prove allegations of fraud.

PDP: Come Back To The Party So We Can Rebuild The Party – Ayu Appeals To PDP G5 Governor’s.

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, has revealed that one of the five aggrieved governors of the party is dumping Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s G5 group before the 2023 general elections.
Ayu alleged on Monday that Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, was in his house two days ago, and they have resolved the crisis between them.
The PDP national chairman disclosed this while wooing Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, a member of the G-5, to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

According to him, Ortom now has nowhere else to go and hence, should return to the main factions of the PDP ahead of the forthcoming polls.
However, while speaking on Monday to a crowd of supporters during the PDP Presidential Campaign in Makurdi, Benue State capital, Ayu begged Ortom to come back to the PDP main fold so they could rebuild the party.
He said: “I’m appealing to my younger brother, Governor Samuel Ortom, to come back to the party so we can rebuild the party. Ortom has nowhere to go.”

Ayu stressed that Ikpeazu visited his home after his preferred governorship aspirant lost his bid at a rerun primary election, which was held following the candidate’s death, whom Ikpeazu preferred as his successor.
“We have resolved the problem with Governor Ikpeazu, and he is coming back. Two days ago, he was in my house because his candidate lost the primary,” Ayu said.