Nigeria moves to re-open borders with Benin Republic, signs 12-point communique – Newstrends
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Nigeria moves to re-open borders with Benin Republic, signs 12-point communique

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In line with the Federal Government’s drive to facilitate trade and improve Nigeria’s economy to become globally competitive, a delegation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), led by the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has paid a working visit to the Republic of Benin and signed a 12-point communique which aims to fully re-open the border between both countries, a statement signed on Tuesday by National Spokesman of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada revealed.

According to the Customs statement, “The Ag. CGC and his delegation visited the Nigerian Embassy on Monday, 24th of July and met with Ambassador Kayode Aluko, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

“Thereafter, they were received by the Director General of the Customs Administration in Benin, Mr. Alain Hinkati, Customs partners Webb Fontaine and Benin Control.

“They also visited Customs facilities at the port of Cotonou, where the Ag. CGC was taken through the processes and operations at the port.”

During the visit, the two chiefs engaged with stakeholders from both countries and their concerns were identified and effectively considered.

Notable among the concerns is the request to review the possibilities of reopening the border, as well as addressing the issue of administrative charges.

According to the Ag. CGC, “The visit is to deepen collaborations in mutually positive areas.

“The objective of the visit is for us to review friendship with the Customs administration of Benin and also to deepen collaborations in areas of common interest.”

“I saw the attention that was given to the port of Cotonou, the progress that is being made in reducing clearance time, ensuring that there is no congestion at the Port and, more importantly, using technology to drive operations of the Customs Administration”, he said.

“The attempt which Benin Customs has done towards trade facilitation is something that Nigeria Customs will also be doing particularly to look at where we can use our processes to reduce the cost and time of doing business.”

At the end of the meeting, a joint communique signed by the two delegations read as follows:

“The continuation of efforts to promote the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and the facilitation of the movement of goods and community products in particular;

“Facilitation of the issue of Laisse passe for a short stay in one of the countries of means of transport registered in the other country;

“The removal of barriers and other obstacles to legitimate trade and the establishment of Customs units when the traffic justifies it;

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“Strict compliance with transit rules;

“Harmonization of the list of products prohibited by the two countries;

“The rapid integration of Nigeria into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), which already includes the Customs Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo;

“Strengthening the fight against cross-border crime through cooperation, intelligence sharing and the pooling of resources;

“Holding meetings twice a year to discuss matters of common interest;

“The reactivation of the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations;

“The revival of consultation frameworks of border customs units with the active participation of the private sector;

“Promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism and tax compliance;

“and securing the international supply chain.”

Meanwhile, the Ag. CGC and his delegation had a private meeting with the President of the Republic of Benin, his Excellency Mr. Patrice TALON, on Sunday, 23rd of July, expressing the desire to initiate a new turning point marked by close collaboration in all areas.

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Obasa: Tinubu’s Abuja meeting fails to calm Lagos Assembly impasse as crisis deepens

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March 16, 2025

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Obasa: Tinubu’s Abuja meeting fails to calm Lagos Assembly impasse as crisis deepens

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s last Wednesday peace accord, brokered among two warring parties in the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by Mudashiru Obasa and Mojisola Meranda over speakership tussle, the development has failed to calm high tensions among lawmakers and stakeholders in the state.

Tinubu had, at the end of the meeting, directed aggrieved lawmakers to work with Obasa.

Obasa was ousted as Speaker on January 13, 2025 by about 35 of the 40 lawmakers over allegations of highhandedness, financial misappropriation, and despotic tendencies, among others, and was replaced by Meranda, who was his deputy before the impeachment.

The development generated a lot of conflict putting the House and Governance Advisory Council, GAC, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, party faithful, supporters, in disarray. The crisis prompted President Tinubu to draft a high-powered committee made up of Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, among others, to finally arrived at a truce.

The panel subsequently, convinced Meranda to resign her position as the Speaker of the House after a deal reportedly agreed upon by all stakeholders who have been mediating to ensure that the crisis was put to rest.

Speculation had it that all the parties agreed on a deal which was for Meranda to resign while Obasa would be returned as Speaker and after 48 hours, would also resign his position. The arrangement, it was learnt, was to pave the way for a new Speaker from Lagos West as demanded by the 34 aggrieved lawmakers.

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After the peace deal and Meranda’s resignation, Obasa was subsequently re-nominated for the position of speakership by one of his loyalists in the House, Noheem Adam, a lawmaker representing Eti-Osa 1 and seconded by his colleague, Nureni Akinsanya, representing Mushin 1.

Obasa’s expected resignation

However, Obasa’s attempts to win back the lost loyalty of the aggrieved members hit a brick wall when he called for a truce meeting, a day after he was reluctantly re-elected. The aggrieved lawmakers felt betrayed by his action as they expected him to also tender his resignation in tandem with the agreed structure for settling the Assembly crisis permanently. Obasa’s action opened a kind of cold war in the Assembly which is currently on indefinite recess.

Resignation not part of agreement

Meanwhile, the APC in Lagos has said that the issue of possible resignation by the Speaker was not included in the terms of settlement reached to end the leadership crisis.

The party’s spokesman in the state, Seye Oladejo, told Sunday Vanguard that he was not aware of such an arrangement in the terms of settlement during the negotiation period by the party.

“To the best of my knowledge there was no time the arrangement for Obasa to resign came up in the terms of settlement of the crisis.

“To me, all this struggle is all about instance, before any candidate would emerge there must have been sacrifice by others”, Oladejo stated.

Crisis deepens

The crisis worsened recently following fresh controversy trailing the purchase of alleged N5 billion vehicles for 40 lawmakers by the then Speaker, Meranda, and now deputy Speaker.

The feud between re-elected Speaker Obasa and his deputy has continued to divide the Assembly, setting the two parties on a collision course.

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According to reports, Meranda, who presided over the legislative arm for 49 days, purportedly led the purchase of about 39 vehicles for the lawmakers during the period Obasa was removed.

It was learnt that Obasa had in December 2024 approved N7 billion for the same purpose of the vehicles before he was ousted on January 13, 2025.

The crisis further snowballed as Obasa dragged Meranda, 33 Lawmakers and the Assembly to the state High Court, challenging the basis for his removal and other allegations. Amid the legal battle is the contention between the duo over the purchase of the vehicles with money withdrawn from the assembly’s account.

A source who preferred anonymity told Sunday Vanguard that Obasa was contending the purchase of the vehicles without his authorisation as the Speaker and already had his plan of purchasing the vehicles from Dubai having contacted a bidder for the contract.

“He had approved the money before his removal. But Meranda proceeded with buying them, a move that infuriated Obasa,” an aide to Obasa who preferred anonymity confided in our reporter.

When contacted, Meranda’s Spokesperson, Victor Ganzallo, declined to make a comment, promising that an official statement would be issued in due course.

Also, a source loyal to Meranda stated that the first female Speaker only saved N2 billion by purchasing 32 units of 2025 Toyota Prado Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV and seven units of Toyota Landcruiser 2025 at the sum of N5 billion, rather than the N7 billion budgeted by Obasa.

“Unlike Obasa who had planned to import the vehicles from Dubai, all the cars were locally supplied. It is imperative to note that no money was withdrawn by Meranda, she only reviewed an existing approval.
“Interestingly, Meranda spent far less money to acquire better quality cars and didn’t even approve a single one for the office of the Speaker that she occupied,” the source stated.

Obasa’s resignation

A Lagos pro-indigeneship group, De-Renaissance Patriots Foundation, has urged Obasa to step down in the interest of democracy and the rule of law.

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The call was contained in a statement by the elders of the group, as a rejoinder to a recent statement by Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, APC chieftain on the State Assembly crisis and intervention by Chief Bisi Akande-led peace committee.

Our position

“While we acknowledge and commend Dr Muiz Banire, SAN, for his willingness to weigh in on the crisis, we must, however, respectfully correct certain misrepresentations in his submission.

“Banire asserted that Chief Akande and Aremo Osoba were not “busybodies” but were rather invited by Lagos political stakeholders within the ineffectual GAC. However, we must emphasize that their intervention ultimately undermined the democratic aspirations of the Indigenous people of Lagos State,
“The decision to reinstate Speaker Mudashiru Obasa at the expense of Mojisola Meranda, an indigene, effectively disregarded the will of Lagosians from Epe, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos, and Ikorodu divisions, who had overwhelmingly supported Meranda. The intervention of these external figures, therefore, dashed the hopes of Lagos indigenes and will be remembered in history as a betrayal of democratic principles.

“The most honourable course of action for Obasa is to step down in the interest of democracy and the rule of law. Having lost his grip on the Assembly, his continued leadership, enforced by external political forces, constitutes a threat to democratic integrity.”

In a similar incident, a pro-Lagos development group, Agenda for New Lagos, ANL, has raised the alarm over plans to use the court to invalidate Obasa’s impeachment as the Lagos State speaker.

In a statement by its Protem Chairman, Kamal Olorunnisola, the group alleged that the court judgment to make this happen has already been written and will be delivered after hearing the case instituted by Obasa in the heat of his impeachment saga. “Many of the Assembly members were tricked into accepting that Obasa would subsequently resign after Meranda. But unknown to them, it was just a political gimmick. As soon as he was ‘re-elected’ out of damage control, he adjourned indefinitely, obviously awaiting judgment in the case instituted to legitimise the illegalities.

“That explains why, contrary to the pledge to withdraw his case, it continued. They already have the judgment written invalidating the proceedings that removed him. All machinery has been put in place towards railroading the judge.

“Upon given the judgment, obviously wrong in law, Obasa will direct no appeal on behalf of the Assembly while Meranda is already out of the way.

“The import is that he had never been removed while Meranda was never a speaker. The further implication is that the removed clerk will equally return contrary to the resistance of his colleagues, as of right as no valid proceeding would have removed him.”

 

Obasa: Tinubu’s Abuja meeting fails to calm Lagos Assembly impasse as crisis deepens

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Rivers crisis: Adopt political solution, PANDEF tells Tinubu

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March 16, 2025

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Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara

Rivers crisis: Adopt political solution, PANDEF tells Tinubu

Last Tuesday’s consultation between President Bola Tinubu and leaders of  the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the mouthpiece of the traditional rulers, leaders, and stakeholders of the coastal states of the Niger Delta, held at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, was absorbing as it was instructive.

The president made revealing comments on the political crisis in Rivers State, the first item the leaders of the South-South geopolitical zone presented for discussion. The matter practically dominated the entire time for the assembly, with Tinubu guaranteeing he would subsequently consider the other germane issues raised by the PANDEF leaders.

The PANDEF delegation was led by the Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and a former military governor of the old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, and his counterpart, a former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah.

As protocol required, they were seated and waiting for Tinubu when he sauntered in his emblematic flowing Agbada attire.

The National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali; a former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson; Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN); a former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Liyel Imoke; a former deputy governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru; a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr Timi Alaibe; and the Jaja of Opobo, Prof. Dandeson Jaja, sat in compliance.

Also in the PANDEF entourage were Senator Ita Enang; Senator Bassey Henshaw; Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, a former acting Managing Director of the NDDC; Mr Uche Secondus; Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chairman of PANDEF in Delta State, and National Coordinator of Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM, Prince Okareme Maikpobi; Niger Delta activist, Ms. Ann-Kio Briggs; spokesman for PANDEF, Obiwevbi Ominimini; a former PANDEF spokesperson, High Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe; and Senator Lee Maeba.

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The president politely shook hands with Diete-Spiff, the Amanayabo (traditional ruler) of Twon-Brass in Bayelsa State, who sat close by before taking his seat.

It was the first time since the PANDEF was founded in 2016 that the group would show up at such a high-profile meeting without its Convener and National Leader, Pa Edwin Clark, who died last month, directing affairs. Our source said PANDEF had requested a courtesy call on Mr. President to acquaint himself with the new leadership soon after its general national assembly met in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, in October 2024.

When the Supreme Court delivered judgment on Rivers State enmeshment, it intensified efforts, and the Tuesday date was granted

The dialogue initially fixed for 1.00 pm was shifted to 3.00 pm, but it eventually started about one hour later.

The president requested a two-minute silence to honor Clark moments after the national anthem.

Call Wike and Fubara to order — PANDEF

The PANDEF came prepared for the meeting as it held an expanded national executive council meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, more than three hours earlier on Monday to discuss the various issues presented the following day.

King Diete-Spiff started with some preliminary remarks, telling Tinubu that the leaders of the Niger Delta were in support of his government and his efforts to kindle the national economy.

“Your government has taken the bull by the horns, and we are sure you will succeed. We are here to give you our assurance and support. I can say now that God bless Nigeria and your government,” he said.

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Obong Victor Attah, in his remarks, naturally presented what would be termed PANDEF’s official statement to Tinubu in his characteristic expression.

The elder South-South leader, who chairs a high-level Peace and Reconciliation Committee inaugurated by PANDEF to handle the Rivers political crisis, told the president some home truths.

Either the president did not exhaustively scrutinize the lines or discounted the coded message on the Federal Capital Minister and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

The regional body indicated exasperation with Wike and the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on the political crisis when it requested that Tinubu impress on the two feuding leaders to prioritize peace.

It was more of asking him to call Wike to order, but Fubara was included to balance the equation.

The statement read: “It is very commendable that the Governor of the State (referring to Siminalayi Fubara) has publicly expressed willingness to abide by the recent Supreme Court ruling.

“Tension is at boiling point, and urgent intervention is needed to prevent a full-blown crisis. Let us also not forget that our region is still recovering from protracted years of crisis, when the national economy equally suffered heavily.

“In light of this, we have proactively established a high-level Peace and Reconciliation Committee, chaired by Obong Victor Attah, with eminent members, including former military governor of Kwara State, Col. Pam Ogar; Senators Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Roland Owie, and Stella Omu; former Bayelsa State deputy governor, Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah (rtd); and Hon. Stella Dorgu”.

The PANDEF committee had made some progress but pointed out that “full cooperation from some remains elusive.” (The statement made no explicit reference to the elusive individuals.)

“We therefore urge you, Mr. President, to impress upon all stakeholders, particularly a member of your cabinet, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the necessity of prioritizing peace.

“An amicable resolution must be sought outside the courts, ensuring that no party is considered superior to the other, and that a win-win outcome is achieved.”

The National Chairman, Ambassador Igali, also made a short speech and presented a souvenir to the president on behalf of PANDEF

Rivers crisis: Adopt political solution, PANDEF tells Tinubu

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TCN, BEDC disagree on electricity supply problems in Delta communities

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March 16, 2025

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TCN, BEDC disagree on electricity supply problems in Delta communities

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has denied claims by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) that its maintenance activities were responsible for BEDC’s inability to supply electricity to its 33kV customers in some parts of Delta State.

The denial was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah.

The statement was in reaction to BEDC’s March 14 social media publication, which linked power supply disruptions to maintenance work by TCN.

According to the statement by BEDC on Friday, the areas affected by power supply shortages include Abraka Commercial, Industrial Commercial, Ughelli/Shell, Sapele (Sapele), and Abraka.

The BEDC statement read in part: “Service Level Shortfall: March 14th 2025:

“Dear Valued Customer, We sincerely apologize for not meeting up with the required minimum service level of 20 hours on the feeder below.”

The distribution company listed the aforementioned areas and blamed TCN maintenance for the supply issues in these areas.

However, the transmission company clarified that it had only conducted a planned outage on March 11 at the Amukpe Transmission Station, which was completed the same day, with the bulk power supply restored immediately.

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“Contrary to BEDC’s claims, TCN’s maintenance activities did not cause the power delivery issues experienced by BEDC’s customers,” the statement read.  

TCN acknowledged that the only accurate part of BEDC’s statement was the tripping of the Ughelli/Shell 33kV feeder T1 60MVA on March 14 due to a fault, which TCN is actively working to resolve.

However, it maintained that all other areas BEDC cited as experiencing power issues were affected by faults on BEDC’s 33kV feeders.

“The only accurate statement in BEDC’s publication was regarding the Ughelli/Shell 33kV feeder T1 60MVA, which tripped due to a fault on 14th March 2025. TCN is currently working to restore the bulk power supply to the affected feeder.

“It is essential to note that all other areas mentioned by BEDC in their release, experiencing power delivery issues, are a result of faults on their own (BEDC’s) 33kV feeders. TCN urges BEDC to please provide accurate information to its customers, stating facts as they are, for the benefit of all stakeholders,” the statement read further.

“TCN remains committed to ensuring efficient and reliable transmission of electricity nationwide,” the power distribution company concluded in its statement.  

The transmission company urged BEDC to provide accurate information to its customers and avoid misrepresenting facts.

TCN, BEDC disagree on electricity supply problems in Delta communities

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