Author: GANUX

The Presidency has dismissed allegations that President Bola Tinubu is behind recent disruptions faced by opposition parties in the country, calling the claims unfounded and politically motivated.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this during an interview on Arise News’ Prime Time on Thursday night.

Onanuga denied reports that the President was interfering with meetings or activities of opposition coalitions, particularly the new alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and others under the African Democratic Congress.

“There is this tendency in Nigeria to scapegoat Tinubu for everything. People face challenges and the first thing they say is, ‘It’s Tinubu.’ But it’s not true. He wasn’t even in the country when some of these events happened,” Onanuga said.

Opposition leaders had alleged that venues booked for political events were suddenly cancelled, and that members of the ADC coalition had to walk long distances to reach the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja to avoid attracting security attention and risking a blockade.

Onanuga rejected claims that the current administration is suppressing dissent or stifling opposition voices.

“This government allows freedom of speech. I’ve heard people say this government is against freedom of speech. That’s baloney. This government allows freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and freedom of the press. If a hotel cancels an event booking, does that mean Tinubu owns the hotel?” he asked.

Speaking on the emerging coalition between Atiku and Obi, Onanuga argued that political mergers do not guarantee electoral success.

“Atiku has been in the presidential race more than anyone – more than Tinubu, more than Obi. Each time, he fails at the gate. Buhari failed several times too, but he eventually succeeded—with Tinubu’s help,” he said.

He added that Atiku’s political strategy in 2023, which relied heavily on northern sentiments, was rejected by voters in the South. “If he tries that again, how will he get southern support? Even with Obi as a running mate, it doesn’t guarantee that Obi’s 2023 supporters will follow him again,” he said.

Speaking further, Onanuga maintained that Tinubu still commands support in the North, citing key appointments and policies as proof of goodwill toward the region.

“This president is doing a lot for the North. He has appointed people from the North-West and North-East into top positions. In politics, a good turn deserves another. The noise does not match the reality. People are benefiting,” he said.

He concluded that at the appropriate time, the President would draw on the goodwill generated by his administration’s actions across the country.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has moved to improve landlord-tenant relations as the state’s Tenancy Bill passed the second reading stage on Thursday.

During plenary, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the bill aimed to redefine the legal framework for tenancy agreements, rights, responsibilities, and eviction processes in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the bill is titled: ‘A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in Lagos State.’

Obasa said the bill covers procedures for recovering premises and related matters across the state.

If passed, the law would ensure that landlords, tenants, and agents fully understand their rights and responsibilities.

Obasa urged members to consider tenants who depend on end-of-year bonuses and annual leave allowances to pay rent.

He also highlighted the soaring cost of building materials and how landlords rely on rental income.

Obasa stressed the government must reassess its housing promises and ensure they are fulfilled.

After deliberation, the Speaker referred the bill to the House Committee on Housing for further review.

The committee is to report back in three weeks.

Mr Sa’ad Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun I) described the legislation as crucial, saying it aims to bring order to tenancy matters.

He said the bill promotes harmony by clearly defining rent structures — annual or monthly — and eviction notice procedures.

Olumoh added that the bill specifies roles for landlords, tenants, and agents, ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities.

He said it also offers legal clarity to guide courts in resolving tenancy-related disputes fairly and promptly.

Describing the bill as timely and people-centred, Mr Aro Moshood (Ikorodu II) called for an enforcement body within the law.

He said such a body would check landlords who impose arbitrary rents beyond legal limits.

According to him, the bill would relieve tenants and help them plan finances without unnecessary strain.

Mr Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi-Isolo I) commended the bill for its inclusive and all-encompassing nature.

He said it covers everything from agent conduct to rent agreements and dispute resolution processes.

Mr Femi Saheed (Kosofe II) described the bill as a welcome development that outlines landlord rights on levies like tenement rates and land use charges.

He said the bill also affirms tenants’ rights and the courts’ authority over tenancy disputes.

“This law is long overdue and will modernise housing relationships in Lagos,” he said.

Mr Ajayi Oladele (Ibeju-Lekki II) said the bill will reduce conflicts often caused by estate agents.

“For the first time, everyone will understand their legal standing clearly,” he stated.

Ms Omolara Olumegbon (Lagos-Island I) praised the bill for promoting fairness and addressing rent timelines — monthly or yearly — and how they relate to eviction processes.

A former governor of Osun State and interim national secretary of the African Democratic Congress Coalition, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed optimism that the party would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress in the next general elections.

To this end, the former governor called on party members to work together to achieve success in the subsequent elections.

Aregbesola stated this while addressing members of the party in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday.

The ex-minister for Interior stressed the need for party members to put aside their personal interests and differences and work towards a common goal of taking over power from the ruling APC.

He said, “Let us work together, let us put personal interest aside, and let’s get united. It is that unity we want. We should remember that we have many elections ahead; we have the presidential, we have the National Assembly, and we have the state assembly elections. We still have time, but with a big task. If we unite, we won’t be defeated in the elections. Unity is paramount in this situation.”

According to him, the ADC has garnered significant support from prominent members of the opposition parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party Mr. Peter Obi, among others who have thrown their weight behind the party as a coalition movement platform aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the next election.

Also speaking, the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in the November Ondo State governorship election, Mr Gbenga Oedema, said the essence of the meeting was for Aregbesola to brief members of ADC on the state of affairs of the coalition.

“Less than two weeks ago, the coalition decided to adopt the ADC, African Democratic Congress, as the party for which we are going to manage our affairs as a political party. So ever since then, we have not had the opportunity or the privilege of somebody at the level of national to brief us, and you see that when he came, he gave us a lot of insights.

“Even the court cases that people have been hyping, he spoke about it, and he made it clear that such court cases have no effect on our activities. It’s only a stop in a teacup, which the opposition or the party in government is trying to hype as if it’s of no use. So he has briefed us about a lot of issues that we should respect,” he said.

A former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Akin Akinbobola, said the coalition was on the right path, lamenting that Nigeria was sinking and there was a need to quickly salvage her from sinking.

“Our leader has spoken to us on the need for people of progressive minds, people of like minds, to come together and rescue this country from the titanic situation that we have found ourselves in. Nigeria is sinking, and we need to salvage Nigeria from sinking. The hardship, the hunger in the land, the insecurity, and the collapse of almost every sector are based on a lack of good security, a lack of good infrastructure, and a lack of openness in governance.

“There’s a need for people who want the progress and the development of this nation to come together. That’s what the coalition is offering, using the ADC as the vehicle to actualise that,” he added.

The All Progressives Congress has extended its congratulations to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, following the Supreme Court’s validation of his victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

In a statement released on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party also praised the judiciary for its professionalism, dedication to the rule of law, and steadfast commitment to upholding constitutional order and electoral democracy.

After months of legal battle, a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba upheld Okpebholo’s election and dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who sought to overturn the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

Reacting, the APC stated, “The All Progressives Congress welcomes the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo state in the 2024 governorship election.

“Our great Party congratulates Governor Okpebholo on this historic victory. We thank our teeming members, supporters and the good people of Edo state for their steadfast support during this legal challenge.

“We commend the judiciary for its dedication, professionalism and commitment to the rule of law, constitutional order and defence of electoral democracy as demonstrated in the adjudication of this matter.

“With this final judicial affirmation, Governor Okpebholo is now poised to expand and consolidate on the monumental development strides he has started since his inauguration as Governor.”

The APC called on all stakeholders, especially opposition candidates, to work together with Governor Okpebholo in advancing good governance and promoting development for the collective progress of Edo State and its people.

The House of Representatives Sub-Committee on the Protection of Critical National Assets on Thursday dismissed the corruption allegation against the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company by a civil society group, the Association for Public Policy Analysis.

The association had, through its President, Princewill Okorie, accused NELMCO of misappropriation of funds and shady operations among sundry allegations.

APPA had also questioned the continued existence of NELMCO 12 years after its privatisation.

At the resumed public hearing on the matter on Thursday, the Chairman of the Committee, Dabo Ismail, said the panel took the allegations seriously and immediately launched a comprehensive investigation to unmask what truly transpired.

According to the Bauchi lawmaker, NELMCO’s existence is backed by the provisions of the Nigerian Electricity Act, 2023, thus dismissing the position of the petitioner that the agency ought to have folded up in 2017 after the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

“We asked NELMCO to provide us with documents backing their existence, and they did. Under the Nigerian Electricity Act 2023, NELMCO assumed responsibility for all the PHCN’s and successor companies’ assets and liabilities.

“So, this enabling law and the committee verified this law to be true and correct,” the committee chairman said.

Responding to the allegation that NELMCO spent N94m on a five-day retreat in Lagos, the Managing Director of NELMCO, Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas, expressed the readiness of the agency to provide evidence of the expenditure incurred in the course of the training.

She said, “The Director General of the Debt Management Office, the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, my executive directors, two non-executive directors, facilitators-25 people in all spent five days at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, and we have pictures and documentary evidence to support this.

“We paid for flights, logistics, food, and accommodation, and that is where the N94 m went. It was not a one-day event but a five-day retreat, and the Minister of Power was there for the entire retreat. This is documented too,” a claim supported by the committee.

According to Ismail, the N94m “Is justifiable considering the dignitaries that attended the five-day retreat.”

An unidentified member of the committee added that at the Eko Signature Hotel Lagos, “A moderate room is N650,000 per night. Five nights for 25 people will cost N81m, no feeding, no ticketing. This figure (N94m) might be big in our eyes, but I think it is justifiable.”

In his contribution, a member of the Committee, Mr Billy Osawaru, said since the N94m was appropriated, there was no need for members to deliberate further on the issue.

“Was the money appropriated? Mr Chairman, if the money was appropriated, what that means is that at some poin, they brought this to us and we approved it. I don’t think that at this point, we should start going back. So if they have brought all this proof, we should move on,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee again said all documents relating to the five-day retreat, including payments made for logistics, were submitted by the agency during its investigation.

He also dismissed the petitioner’s claim of a purchase of office in the North by the agency, saying, “We didn’t see evidence of purchase of office in the North.”

The Committee urged the petitioner to feel free to come forward with other subsequent findings, promising that it would do justice to every petition submitted before it in the interest of Nigerians.