Bayelsa Poll: One killed, others injured as thugs attack PDP members – Newstrends
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Bayelsa Poll: One killed, others injured as thugs attack PDP members

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Bayelsa Poll: One killed, others injured as thugs attack PDP members

A member of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Timi Biriyai Macdonald, has been reported dead, while others including one Diepreye Akrisia, a chieftain of the party, sustained injuries in an attack by thugs.

This is coming barely eight days to the governorship election in the state where the incumbent governor, Senator Douye Diri of PDP is seeking second term in office and contesting against the former governor of the state and immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Leadership of PDP in the state has already condemned the attacked, describing it as  “dastardly” and “senseless” claiming that the hoodlums suspected to be APC supporters attacked their members in Ogbolomabiri community in Nembe LGA.
PDP in a statement issued on Friday  by the State Chairman, Hon. Solomon Aguanana, the Secretary, Hon. Gesiye Isowo and the Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ebiye Ogoli, said the party while sympathizing with the families of the deceased and the injured, “condemn the situation whereby a political party resorts to violence, maiming and killing or scaring away supporters of other parties and freely hijack, collate and return fictitious and non-existence result in its favour from the said community during elections.”
He said: “The PDP, to this end strongly urge the police and other security agencies in the state to, without delay, investigate, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of this wicked and senseless attacks on innocent citizens, to serve as deterrent to others during the November 11 elections.”
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The APC leadership in the state had earlier accused APC led government in the state for trying to instigate violence in Nembe LGA ahead of the governorship election.

APC spokesman in Bayelsa State, Mr Doifie Buokoribo, in a statement on Friday, said the intelligence reports available to the party leadership in the state indicated that PDP in cahoots with Governor Diri had perfected plans to cause a breach of peace in Bassambiri Community, Nembe LGA.

He said: “The goal of this scorched earth policy is to make it extraordinarily difficult for electoral officials to gain access to the place, harass and intimidate our members and supporters, and ultimately prevent the November 11, 2023 elections from holding in Bassambiri-Nembe, our stronghold”, Buokoribo pointed out.

“We consider this intelligence credible as the PDP is now desperate, knowing that the Bayelsa people are not with them. Their performance in office has been lamentably poor. Hence they are not campaigning on any known record of achievement. Instead the PDP is running from court to court, trying to stop the APC from being on the ballot.

“Not only are they threatening violence, they are actually visiting violence on our members in places like Opokuma, Odi and Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opukuma Local Government Council (Governor Diri’s local government)  and Sangana in Brass Local Government Council.”

Effort by our correspondent to get the police comment to the incident was unsuccessful as the Bayelsa State Police Command Spokesman, CSP Asinim Butswat, did not pick up calls to his line

Bayelsa Poll: One killed, others injured as thugs attack PDP members

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Updated: NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, hoarding, marketers disagree

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Updated: NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, hoarding, marketers disagree 

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has attributed the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country to panic buying and sharp practices by some petroleum marketers. But the marketers have refuted the claim, asserting that inadequate supply is the primary cause of the persistent scarcity.

The NNPCL assured the public that the fuel queues across the country would disappear by next week.

It stressed that it had sufficient fuel reserves to resolve the scarcity issue. This statement came in response to concerns raised by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other stakeholders regarding the scarcity.

The NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, had earlier indicated that the corporation had over 1.5 billion litres of petroleum products, enough to last for at least 30 days.

But some individuals were allegedly exploiting the situation for profit.

Petroleum marketers maintained they were not responsible for the fuel scarcity, as they are not importers of petrol. According to the National Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, blaming marketers for hoarding petrol was unfounded as they could only divert the product if available.

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Furthermore, Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, emphasized that independent marketers operate their businesses to maximize profit and return on investment. He highlighted the challenges faced by marketers in ensuring product availability and dismissed allegations of sharp practices.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, acknowledged the existence of sharp practices within the oil sector but argued that it is too simplistic to attribute the fuel scarcity solely to such practices.

To address the fuel scarcity effectively, stakeholders emphasize the need for increased distribution of petroleum products by regulatory authorities. They also call for the involvement of security agencies to deter profiteering and ensure fair distribution to consumers across the country.

Updated: NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, hoarding, marketers disagree

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Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

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Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

Lagos State Government has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to illegal squatters at abandoned Ikoyi Towers, Lagos Island to evacuate.

The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the notice on Saturday, during an inspection of some identified sites, including the abandoned Federal Government property, Ikoyi Towers.

The Ikoyi Towers, located behind the abandoned Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, comprise of three blocks of 12 floors, tagged: A, B and C.

Wahab said the quit notice has become necessary to protect lives which is the primary function of any responsible and responsive government.

According to him, “Apart from constituting an environmental nuisance, they are security risk to the state which can be used as hideouts for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious acts.

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“Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is passionate about the well-being and safety of all citizens and would spare nothing to ensure these ate achieved.”

The occupants of the building, who are largely security personnel, appealed to the commissioner to give more time inorder to make proper arrangement for relocation as they have no place to go immediately.

One of the occupants, who simply identified himself as Mallam Abubakar, from Ilorin, Kwara State, said he is a Police Spy, and moved into the building in November 2023.

According to Abubakar,”The agent collected N200, 000, one off rent from each of the occupant, numbering hundreds of us.

“We have our families here. Our children are in schools. Where do we go from here? Government should have compassion on us this harsh economy.”

Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

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Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association to devise ways of producing vehicles that would be affordable for all categories of Nigerians.

He said this is necessary as the government rolls out consumer credit for millions of Nigerians to purchase vehicles and other important goods and services.

He also urged the delegation to ensure that locally manufactured vehicles are of the highest standard that would stand the test of time, and complement the government’s efforts in revitalising the automotive industry.

Tinubu said this when he received a delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association in Aso Rock presidential villa on Friday, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.

The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, met the members led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Friday in Abuja.

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The delegation had earlier notified the President of their efforts to start manufacturing vehicle and spare parts in Nigeria.

He said that a legislative bill to drive the automotive industry was being drafted and reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

They emphasised the need to develop the industry, which would create massive employment for youths and ease the burden on the much-needed foreign exchange.

The delegation consisted of the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin.

Others are the representatives of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), as well as Executive Directors of Stallion Group, Toyota/CEAO and NISSAN.

Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers

(NAN)

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