Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress national transition committee stormed the Labour Party headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, demanding the immediate resignation of National Chairman Julius Abure.
Led by the acting Chairman of the transition committee, Aduwaheed Omar, the labour union members chanted solidarity songs and called for Abure's resignation, arguing that his tenure as chairman had expired.
A group of fifty House of Representatives members from various regions and political parties in Nigeria, known as the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South East, has urged President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. They requested that the President invoke Section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to facilitate this release.
In a three-page letter dated June 19, 2024, the lawmakers also called on the President to initiate a peace initiative to address the ongoing issues in the southeast region. The signatories include representatives from diverse states, such as Hon Obi Aguocha (Abia), Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), and Hon Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), among others.
They urged the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, to use his powers of nolle prosequi to discontinue Kanu’s trial. The lawmakers believe that Kanu's release is long overdue and would promote essential dialogue for peace and inclusivity.
The legislators highlighted past instances where similar gestures were extended, citing the cases of Omoyele Sowore and Sunday Igboho. They expressed concern over the deteriorating security, economic decline, and displacement of families in the South-East, arguing that addressing these issues would demonstrate the President’s commitment to the rule of law and justice.
The letter emphasized that releasing Kanu could dismantle the violence and unrest in the region, fostering economic growth and national unity. The lawmakers believe this action would set a precedent for resolving conflicts through dialogue rather than prolonged legal battles.
They concluded by expressing optimism about a positive response from the President, believing it would enhance his administration’s legacy of prioritizing national unity, peace, and progress.
Under President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government allocated N14.77bn for the repair and maintenance of the presidential air fleet over 11 months. These expenditures, processed through the State House headquarters transit account designated as ‘Presidential Air Fleet Transit Funds’, occurred in 11 installments from July 16, 2023, to May 25, 2024.
This development arises as the National Assembly considers approving the purchase of two new aircraft. This decision follows the discovery that the President's 19-year-old Boeing 737 and other aircraft in the fleet were not fully operational. According to experts, this purchase might cost over $623.4m or N918.7bn.
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended the procurement of two new aircraft to ensure the safety and operational efficiency of the Presidential Air Fleet. The committee argued that this move would be cost-effective and provide a suitable and safe carrier for the President and Vice President.
Despite significant spending on the air fleet during previous administrations, there have been ongoing issues with the aircraft's availability. President Tinubu has had to charter private jets, and Vice President Shettima has had to cancel international trips due to technical problems with the official aircraft. On May 6, 2024, Shettima abandoned a trip to the US-Africa Business Summit because of such issues. President Tinubu also had to take a commercial flight to Saudi Arabia after experiencing similar problems.
The current fleet includes a Boeing 737, a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7Xs, a Challenger CL605, and six helicopters (two Agusta 139s and four Agusta 189s). Former President Buhari's administration spent N62.47bn on the fleet's operation and maintenance over eight years, despite a pledge to reduce its size. Budget allocations for the fleet increased significantly during Buhari's tenure, peaking at N12.55bn in 2021 and N12.48bn in 2022.
Using GovSpend, a civic tech platform, it was found that Tinubu approved the N14.77bn disbursement within his first year in office. This sum is separate from travel expenses incurred by the President, Vice President, and other officials. Payments included N1.52bn in July 2023, N3.1bn in August, N1.26bn in November, N2.54bn in March 2024, N6.35bn in April 2024, and N1.27bn in May 2024.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, defended the need for new aircraft, stating it was essential for the President's welfare and safety. He criticized opponents, questioning if they wanted the President to risk flying in unsafe planes.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved its judgment on an appeal filed by former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 others against current Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and five others.
The appellate court adjourned the case after all parties involved adopted their briefs. The proceedings, conducted virtually on Thursday, saw Amaewhule and his colleagues request the court to stay the execution of a high court judgment that removed them from office. They also sought to nullify any decisions made by Jumbo during his tenure and called for an accelerated hearing, arguing that the trial court's order was issued without jurisdiction.
In response, Oko-Jumbo and his co-defendants urged the court to dismiss the appeal, claiming it lacked merit and that the records of appeal were incompetent.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the three-man panel led by Justice Jimi Olukayode-Bada reserved judgment, stating that the date would be communicated to the parties later. The appellate court had previously ordered all parties to maintain the status quo and cease hostilities until the matter is resolved. This ruling came in response to an ex parte motion by the appellants seeking to reverse a high court judgment that declared their seats vacant.
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt had, on May 10, 2024, ruled that Martin Amaewhule should no longer parade himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The court's order came after Victor Jumbo and two others filed a motion asserting that Amaewhule’s seat had been declared vacant. Justice Charles Wali also barred 24 other Assembly members from accessing the complex or conducting legislative activities.
Unhappy with the State High Court's verdict, Amaewhule and the others appealed to the higher court.
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