Obasempire reports that there has been alleged accusations of bribery and violence in the recent anti-governance protests in Nigeria.
Demonstrators claim that some individuals were paid to disrupt their efforts, while others allege that they were subjected to violent tactics by authorities.
Protesters have voiced frustration over what they perceive as attempts to undermine their right to protest. According to reports, individuals allegedly affiliated with Seyi Tinubu and Umaru (Shettima) were accused of offering money to disrupt the demonstrations.
It was claimed that ten buses were used to transport people who were reportedly stationed at the stadium to observe and potentially interfere with the protests.
One protester expressed disappointment, stating that leaders like Tinubu and Shettima should act as father figures to the citizens. They criticized the lack of allowances and rights for citizens, suggesting that political leaders should emulate practices seen in Europe.
While some protesters lack concrete evidence of bribery, a man who identified himself as a Keke Napep driver claimed to have proof. He alleged that he and others were paid 5,000 naira each to counter the protests. This man reported being taken to a location where payments were made to anyone who showed up.
Additionally, the protests have seen reports of police aggression. Demonstrators recounted being teargassed on one day and shot at with live ammunition the following day.
These revelations have added to the growing tension and concern surrounding the ongoing protests.
Obasempire reports that the Lagos State Police Command has announced that it is currently not detaining anyone for taking part in the ongoing demonstration against difficulties in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, mentioned this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos, indicating that no demonstrator is in their custody.
“All protesters arrested on Thursday were released same Thursday.
“The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Adegoke Fayoade, called the State CID to order for their release,” he said.
One of those leading the protests, Inibehe Effiong, had told the gathering at Gani Fawehinmi Park that no fewer than 12 protesters were arrested on Thursday.
Effiong, however, later corroborated the police spokesperson’s claim that all those arrested had been released.
He commended the police and other security agents for their professional handling of the protest in the state.
The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters on Friday gathered in front of Park in Ojota for the second day.
The incident took place on Friday, August 2, during the second day of ongoing protests against poor governance, economic hardship, and hunger.
Eyewitnesses reported that chaos ensued when the police began firing at the protesters. In the confusion, one officer was struck by bullets from other officers. The wounded officer was found lying in a pool of blood amid a distressed crowd.
The protests, part of the #EndBadGovernance movement, have attracted considerable attention as citizens nationwide voice their dissatisfaction with the current conditions. Demonstrators have been demanding improved governance, economic reforms, and solutions to widespread hunger.
The incident in Katsina has intensified the strain between law enforcement and the public. Videos of the tragic event have spread widely on social media, leading to outrage and criticism of the police’s conduct.
Many have condemned the officers’ unprofessional behavior and called for accountability and better training for those managing public demonstrations.
Despite the tragic event, protesters have remained steadfast in their calls for change. The #EndBadGovernance protests continue to gain momentum, with participants urging the government to tackle the urgent issues facing the nation.
Obasempire reports that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that the Federal Government has yet to announce the locations for purchasing the ₦40,000 rice due to concerns about potential takeover and hoarding by affluent individuals.
Idris clarified that the government has set up various centers nationwide for acquiring 50kg bags of rice at ₦40,000, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s initiatives to enhance living standards for citizens.
In a press conference at the Radio House in Abuja, Idris affirmed that the rice is available and is currently being distributed to various states. However, due to security concerns, specific routes and schedules for distribution cannot be revealed at this moment.
He emphasized, “The distribution process is underway, but for security reasons, we cannot specify the exact routes and times. The rice will be sold at ₦40,000 and is being made available at various points nationwide. We are taking measures to prevent it from being monopolized by those with financial resources, ensuring that the intended beneficiaries receive it.”
Obasempire reports that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) issued a warning on Wednesday to Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State and the military to cease purported land acquisition for RUGA projects in Enugu State, asserting their intent to oppose such actions.
IPOB sounded the note of warning through its image maker, Emma Powerful, stating, “We have observed that the Nigeria Army deceitfully and shamefully mounted their flags and signboards at the ancestral land of Ochima community at Igbo Etiti LGA, Enugu State. The Nigerian Army and Enugu State Governor have marked these lands to be taken by force or by crook.
” The Enugu Governor and the Nigerian Army are deceptively occupying these lands and handing over the same lands to the Fulani terrorists they nicknamed herdsmen to convert into a Fulani settlement called RUGA. It is obvious that Governor Peter Mba and the Enugu State House of Assembly members want to create confusion and insecurity in Enugu State.
“When did the Nigerian Army start collecting the community’s lands by force and handing them over to Fulani terrorists for RUGA and settlement? We will not accept that in the South East Region. The Governor and his “Oh Yes members” in the State House of Assembly may be daft to understand that the Fulanized Nigerian Army is grabbing the community lands for Fulani settlements in that region of Biafra.
” The Nigerian Army has a large expanse of land in their formations and barracks within Enugu State. What else do they need these lands in Igbo-Eze LGA for, if not to deceitfully grab the community’s land and transfer to the marauding Fulanis. Ndigbo and IPOB-ESN will resist any marauding Fulani settlement in Biafra Land.
“Ala Igbo is the dot in the circle according to Othman Dan Fodio foundamentalist, Mohammed Buhari. Ndigbo do not have sufficient land for our own agricultural and developmental projects, let alone the land that the marauding Fulani terrorists will occupy in any disguise. Fulanis claim to be Nigerians but can not be found on any Nigerian map as owners or occupiers of any ancestral land.
“Hence, they should go and occupy their ancestral land and leave Ndigbo land alone. Ndigbo are not seeking any lands to occupy in Northern Nigeria. Fulani cabals and their political stooges in the South East Region should desist from actions that will make the South East Region unsafe and insecure. It is evident that the Nigerian Army are accomplices to the various terrorist attacks by the Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army are endangering the territorial integrity of Nigeria that they swore to protect by colluding with foreign Fulani jihadists to grab indigenous People’s land by force. This evil collaboration of the Nigerian Army and the marauding Fulanis in land grabbing will be resisted by IPOB with everything within our power. ESN Operatives must do everything humanly possible to ensure that the Nigeria Military and the Enugu State Governor do not cede any land to the marauding Fulani terrorists nicknamed herdsmen, in Enugu State.
“The Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Mba is Establishing Ruga from the back door and he will fail and run out of government and stop subjugating the people of Enugu State and Ndigbo in their land. The information available to us is that the Enugu state governor Dr Peter Mba has agreed to establish livestock Ministry Regional Veterinary Hospital in Enugu State and that is another easy way to establish RUGA and Fulani settlement for Fulani.
“That will not work for Peter Mba and livestock ministry. This Peter Mba must not think that millions of Igbo people are fools. The Fulani tried their best to force Ruga on the East during the Buhari era but failed, now Peter Mba thinks he can succeed with the new gimmicks and antics. They tried to use Fulani herdsmen terrorists to force our people in Enugu State and south East states to succumb to Ruga and met a fierce confrontation from ESN.
“Now they have bargained with the governor of Enugu state to bring this Ruga from the back door. It is imprtant we show Peter Mba how IPOB-ESN behave and Peter Mba should tell us how he became Enugu state governor. The good people of Enugu state did not vote for Peter Mba as governor. Peter Mba is not sure of what he is doing.
“Peter Mba refused to admit that there are other livestock departments like pigs, chickens, goats and other animal but he focused on only Fulani cows, what did Peter Mba need to achieve on Fulani settlement in Enugu State?
“Dr Peter Mba must learn from our neighbours. Fulani has become part of the Yoruba people in Ilorin and part of the Tiv people in Benue. How did they become part of Benue indigenes? They came there and were given land by the elders. After many years, Fulani has expanded; brought their families and turned that place into a community. Today they are now indigenous to Benue state and Kwara state. They have emir and government representatives.
“This is exactly the game they are playing using the Enugu state governor to achieve in Igboland. Why Peter Mba and Enugu state? Enugu state is a gateway out of Ị́gbo land and they are closer to the north. So if Fulani become indigenes of Enugu state, it will be difficult to chase them out and also it will be easier for them to penetrate other communities in Igboland and that IPOB-ESN will not tolerate or accept
“The Enugu State Stakeholders, the Traditional Rulers, and the Religious Leaders must call Governor Peter Mba and his clueless House of Assembly members to order, or they will face what they cannot bear soon.
“The same way IPOB-ESN frustrated desperate Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma from creating Fulani settlement in Imo State, in the same manner the fulanization agenda in Enugu State will be twarted because IPOB has sworn to protect Biafra land from land grabbers, jihadists, and terrorists and we must continue until Biafra is restored.
“Fulani herdsmen settlement is synanimous with terrorism and banditry. The Middle Belt Region of Nigeria is an epicenter of terrorism and banditry today because they allowed Fulani vandals to settle in their land. Today, the same Fulani settlers are killing and maiming their host communities, forcing many of the indigenous people to flee from their ancestral land while the Fulani vandals are allowed to occupy.
“This scenario is what IPOB and ESN are making sure that Ndigbo never experience. Unfortunately, some selfish politicians in the East are blinded by their political ambition. They are willing to trade Ndigbo’s homogeneity, safety, security, and biodiversity. That will not happen as long as IPOB is in control of the Biafra land.
“Gov. Peter Mba and the Nigeria military should stop the subtle and forceful takeover of the communal land in Igbo-Eze LGA in Enugu State. Whatever amount is involved and any agreement reached with Fulani groups should be discarded immediately. No part of Alaigbo will be reserved and preserved for Fulani settlement or in any other code name that they will try to give to RUGA. IPOB volunteers, ESN Operatives, and other patriotic Biafrans will never allow Fulani terrorist settlement in Biafra Land,” the movement vowed.
Obasempire reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), led by President Bola Tinubu, has authorized the sale of crude oil to local refineries, including the Dangote Refinery, in naira.
The move aims to decrease Nigeria’s reliance on the U.S. dollar and strengthen the local currency.
Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), revealed the decision after the FEC meeting on Monday.
He noted that President Tinubu has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited to execute this directive without delay.
Adedeji said: “The attitude of Mr President is thinking outside the box to solve Nigeria’s problem and actually to localised the solutions to Nigeria’s problem.
“He has approved through the Council that effective immediately, that NNPC get engaged with local refineries and we are starting that with Dangote Refinery. That the sales of crude oil to Dangote Refinery be denominated in naria and also the sales of byproducts from Dangote Refinery to distributors also be conducted in naira.
“And what does it mean to our economy? One, the pressure on foreign exchange will be reduced.
“President Tinubu is committed to innovative solutions for Nigeria’s challenges and this move to sell crude oil in naira to local refineries exemplifies this approach,” Adedeji stated. “Adedeji explained the economic implications of this decision.
Currently, Nigeria spends between 30% to 40% of its foreign exchange on importing petroleum products. “We spend approximately $660 million monthly, which amounts to $7.92 billion annually,”
he noted. “With this new policy, we anticipate a reduction of at least 90% in these costs. Transactions in naira will stabilize the pump price and reduce our reliance on foreign exchange fluctuations.”
The shift to naira-based transactions is expected to save Nigeria significant foreign exchange.
“The approval by FEC will reduce our monthly foreign exchange expenditure from $660 million to a maximum of $50 million, resulting in annual savings of $7.32 billion,” Adedeji highlighted.
“This will also decrease finance costs associated with opening letters of credit, which currently amount to $79 million.”
Furthermore, the FEC has approved Afreximbank as the lead arranger for transactions between the NNPC and the Dangote Refinery. This partnership is seen as a crucial step in ensuring the smooth implementation of the new policy.
“This policy is a major innovation in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges,” Adedeji emphasised.
“It will not only create more employment opportunities but also ensure greater control over one of the mainstays of our economy. We congratulate President Tinubu, the FEC, the NNPC, Dangote Refinery, and Afreximbank for their roles in making this transformative initiative a reality.”
The move is expected to enhance economic stability by reducing the pressure on foreign exchange and supporting the local currency, marking a significant step towards solving Nigeria’s economic problems permanently.
Igboho emphasised that the Yoruba Nation has no intention of joining the protest, stating, “While the right to peaceful protest is enshrined in our Constitution, it does not extend to calls for an unconstitutional regime change.”
He further explained that during President Buhari’s tenure, there were no protests from the Southwest for regime change, even in the face of oppression and atrocities.
He said the focus of their protests has always been on protecting their communities, not destabilising the country.
“I and the Yoruba Nation Movement firmly declared that we will not participate in any protest aimed at using the Southwest as a battleground for political upheaval,” Igboho, said, affirming that the Yoruba Nation will not be a launchpad for disintegrating Nigeria.
Igboho also highlighted that economic hardship is a global issue and acknowledged the efforts of the government in reducing food prices and increasing the minimum wage.
He called on all Yoruba people and well-meaning Nigerians to reject what he described as politically motivated protest.
“The Yoruba Nation unequivocally opposes any such protests and believes that President Tinubu should be allowed to complete his term in office,” Igboho said, emphasizing that the path to change lies in democratic processes, either through the ballot box or a referendum.
Igboho urged their members and the broader community to resist the temptation to participate in these protests, as they do not serve the interests of the Yoruba people or the nation as a whole.
He also issued a strong warning against any individuals or groups attempting to instigate violence under the guise of these protests, stating that they will firmly resist and stay off the streets during the designated protest days and in the future.
Obasempire reports that President Bola Tinubu has approved a new directive to advance crude oil trade using the local currency.
The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacchaeus Adedeji, revealed this to State House reporters on Monday, following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He stated that, effective immediately, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited will conduct transactions with local refineries in Naira.
This policy also applies to the sale of crude oil to Dangote Refinery, with Dangote’s subsequent product sales to be carried out in Naira.
Adedeji explained that the initiative aims to reduce the heavy dependence on foreign exchange for crude oil imports, which currently represents about 30 to 40 percent of Nigeria’s forex spending.
The FIRS Chairman added that by denominating transactions in Naira, the Federal Government hopes to significantly lessen the forex burden, projecting annual savings of approximately $7.3 billion.
He emphasized that the shift is expected to stabilize domestic crude oil prices by minimizing the effects of forex fluctuations and alleviate pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, reducing monthly forex expenditure from $50 million to roughly $600 million.
Afreximbank has been chosen as the pilot settlement bank to implement the transactions.
Obasempire reports that numerous depots for Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, are currently empty, causing fuel shortages and long lines in Lagos, Ogun, parts of Abuja, Niger, and other states nationwide.
It has been reported that black marketers are exploiting the situation, charging up to N1,300 per litre and N1,500 per litre in some areas of Lagos and Ogun states.
Extended queues began forming at fuel stations in Abuja and Lagos on Friday and continue to this day.
On Saturday, in response to the ongoing queues and shortages in various regions, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited stated that the supply and distribution issues were due to a problem with the discharge operations of several vessels.
“The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that the tightness in fuel supply and distribution witnessed in some parts of Lagos and the FCT is as a result of a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels,” the NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said.
The company added that it was “working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations.”
Obasempire reports that Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Lagos and daughter of President Bola Tinubu, has advised merchants in the state to deter their children from joining the upcoming nationwide demonstrations starting on August 1.
Addressing attendees at Dosunmu market on Saturday, Tinubu-Ojo highlighted that the Lagos state government has made significant strides in improving residents’ lives.
Recalling the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests in 2020, Tinubu-Ojo pointed to the damage to government properties and the prolonged recovery difficulties faced by businesses as instances of the negative consequences of protests.
Tinubu-Ojo urged families to dissuade their children from participating in protests and called on Lagosians to remain composed and support the state government, which she asserted is working earnestly to better the welfare of its citizens.
Her words: “Let’s tell ourselves, family, and children that there is nothing like protest in Lagos. It is a gimmick to destroy the country.
“Look at what they did during the last protest (#EndSARS), look at how they burnt government properties. Can you see that they are fighting against us?
“Don’t allow any political party to give money to some persons to fight. Don’t allow our children to get killed during the process.
“Look at the ShopRite at Adeniran Ogunsanya, Sangotedo, Lekki. Those businesses that were destroyed… have the owners recovered from their losses?
“I’m begging you in the name of God, let’s talk to ourselves and our children that there is nothing like protest in Lagos state because the government of Lagos state is making us proud.
“They (Lagos government) are making us happy. They gave us a sense of belonging.
“The federal government recently assumed office. Before you say a government is not doing well, let it spend three years in office. Let everyone tell their children at home to remain calm.”
