Politics
Gbajabiamila Rejects Hike In Electricity Tariff
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for the suspension of the proposed hike in electricity tariff, saying the increment should not be allowed until estimated billing is criminalised.
The speaker expressed worry over the ability of power distribution companies to provide uninterrupted power supply after tariff hike, adding that there is no guarantee the Discos will not continue with the nefarious practice of bills estimation.
Mr Gbajabiamila then urged the National Assembly to ensure that the proposed new electricity tariff, when eventually implemented, was cost-reflective.
In a series of tweet on Friday, the speaker also disclosed that he would meet with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and other ‘stakeholders’ in the power sector over the matter.
Mr Gbajabiamila has already sponsored a bill seeking to make it criminal for electricity service providers to deny consumers meters or estimate their bills. Introtroduced in the 8th National Assembly and revisited by the current 9th House, the bill is awaiting third reading.
Last December, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced the immediate review of electricity tariffs in the country from January 1. The order was issued to the 11 electricity distribution companies (DISCos).
Signed jointly by the Chairman of the Commission, Joseph Momoh, and the Commissioner for Legal, License & Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, the order spelt out the various tariff reviews for all categories of consumers — except those consumers classified as residential (R1).
The reviews ranged from 59.7 per cent for consumers in Ikeja to 77.6 per cent in Enugu.
Under the new order, electricity consumers in Ikeja who used to pay about N13.34 per kWh since under the 2015 MYTO when the last review was carried out will from January 1 this year pay N21.80 per kWh, same as their R2 counterparts.
Their counterparts in Enugu, who used to pay about N17.42 per kWh will, under the new order, pay about N30.93 kWh from January 1.
Their R2 and R3 counterparts who paid about N19.31 and N27.11 per kWh since 2015, will now be paying N34.28 and N48.12 per kWh. Residential (R2) and R3 consumers in Ikeja, who have been paying N13.34 and N26.5 per kWh since 2015, will now be paying N21.30 and N21.80 per kWh.
Residential consumers are those categorised as those using singe phase and three-phase meters and electricity consumption of about 50 kWh in premises with flats exclusively for residential purposes.
The federal government, in reaction said it will continue to subsidise the gap in electricity cost to consumers pending the hike in April.
Tweeting via his verified handle, @ femigbaja, Mr Gbajabiamila on Friday wrote that the increase should not be whimsical with no empirical basis.
“There is no guarantee that after any electricity tariff hike, the Discos will not continue with the nefarious practice of bill estimation or provide uninterrupted power supply,” he tweeted.
“I believe @nassnigeria should ensure that any increase in electricity tariff, if at all, should be cost-reflective and not just a whimsical increase with no empirical basis.
“Also, any such increase should only be made after the proposed amendment to the law criminalising estimated billing is signed into law. I intend to meet and discuss this sequence and other conditions with the Attorney General of the Federation and other relevant authorities.”
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Politics
Stay in your lane or be sued – ADC threatens Abaribe
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Abia State has threatened legal action against Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) over alleged interference in the party’s affairs.
The party accused Abaribe, who is not a member of the party, of convening unauthorized party meetings and sponsoring a parallel executive committee in opposition to the leadership of the ADC in Abia State.
Abaribe’s media aide, Mr Uche Awom, in reaction said his principal would not respond to the allegations.
The state’s Publicity Secretary of the party, Chiamaka Ohaka, in a statement stressed that Abaribe has been undermining the party’s leadership and warned him to desist from such actions or face legal consequences.
The ADC also demanded that the lawmaker immediately remove all affiliated agents and hire individuals posing as ADC members in the state within 48 hours.
“For clarity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is not a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and is therefore not affiliated with any level of the party from the ward to the national level. He has never obtained a membership form, attended any meetings, or contributed financially to the growth of our party.
“Yet, in a brazen display of political impropriety, he has established fake parallel executives, improperly influenced vulnerable party officers, and propagated malicious falsehoods—all aimed at creating discontent and dismantling the legitimate structure of the ADC in Abia State.
“We hereby firmly warn Senator Abaribe to allow the ADC in Abia State to function without interference and to stop sowing discord with the intent to hijack the party for selfish interests,” the statement read in part.
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Politics
PDP crisis: “Nigeria’s democracy under threat” – Ex-presidential candidate
Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a former presidential candidate and member of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared that Nigeria’s eemocracy is under threat.
A founding member of the PDP, Olawepo-Hashim said the nation’s democracy is currently being threatened by the lingering crisis within the hierarchy of the opposition party.
The crisis tearing party leaders apart took a fresh turn following the controversial PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A faction of the party members organised the event despite multiple conflicting court orders over the party convention.
Highlighting the need for the urgent resolution of the crisis, Olawepo-Hashim in a statement on Sunday said the PDP which is a merger between 13 different associations was built on dialogue, broad consultation, and a deep spirit of inclusion.
”The founding fathers of the PDP deliberately built a platform capable of preventing further military intervention in governance, safeguarding national unity, and strengthening federalism.
“This inclusive foundation gave the PDP an early advantage, enabling it to win nearly two-thirds of elective positions in the December 1998 local government elections, a milestone that helped stabilise Nigeria’s returning democratic order in 1999,” Olawepo-Hashim said.
He further called on all members of the PDP to invest their time and resources towards mending the fragmented party for the good of the nation.
“We must strive to bring all sides back to the table to save the PDP and save Nigeria’s democracy. We must not leave anyone behind,” he added.
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Headline
‘We’re Up To The Task,’ Turaki Assures Nigerians After Emerging As PDP Chairman
…Mutfwang, Fintiri Fault Expulsion Of Wike, Fayose, Others
Following his election as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s National Convention in Ibadan on Saturday, Kabiru Turaki has promised to live up to the expectations of party faithful and Nigerians at large.
Turaki emerged as the new chairman at the convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates from 17 states across the country cast their votes to choose national officers.
The former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs scored 1,516 votes at the exercise held at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
Senator Ben Obi, who supervised the election, announced that Senator Yakubu Danmarke came second with 275 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki acknowledged that the task ahead is enormous but expressed confidence that the party’s new leadership is capable of delivering.
“The cross you have given us means that you watch us also take it to the Nigerian people, and that we shall do. We are not under any illusion that the task placed on us is a simple one. Our party is at a crossroads now, but we are up to the task; we are up to the challenge,” Turaki said.
He added, “Very soon, we shall be rolling out what our guiding principles will be and the modus operandi for achieving them. When we do that, we shall be hitting the ground running from day one.”
Turaki assured members and supporters of the party that the confidence they have reposed in him would not be taken for granted, promising to faithfully discharge the mandate given to him.
He said: “Today, as I talk to you, the only political party that has retained its name is the Peoples Democratic Party. This has been possible because this is the party of the Nigerian people. Make no mistake about it; we are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity.”
The convention, which drew over 3,000 delegates from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, commenced on November 15 and ran into the early hours of November 16.
Meanwhile, governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has formally distanced himself from the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He also dissociated himself from the expulsion of a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and other leaders of the PDP.
The party unanimously voted to expel them for anti-party activities and fostering disunity with series of litigation against the interests of the party.
In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor explained that the issue was neither discussed by the PDP Governors’ Forum nor the National Executive Committee (NEC) before the motion was presented.
He stated that the proposal did not reflect his position on the matter.
Governor Mutfwang further noted that expelling the party leaders at this crucial time was not a strategic step toward resolving the internal challenges currently confronting the PDP.
He said there was a need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding and repositioning the party.
Mutfwang is the second governor to distance himself from the expulsion of the PDP leaders at the national convention in Oyo.
The Plateau governor’s comment came shortly after his Adamawa State counterpart, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, distanced himself from the expulsion of the former Rivers State governor, Fayose, and nine others.
In the same vein, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has dissociated himself from the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from the party.
This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Saturday.
Fintiri, who is also the Chairman of the PDP 2025 Elective National Convention, noted that the decision was not in the best interest of the party.
He said he would not be party to any attempt that could further plunge the PDP into unending crisis.
“As a faithful party member, my position is clear: I stand for the peace and stability of the PDP, and I will not support anything that could lead to its disintegration.
“I believe that peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party,” the governor was quoted as saying.
Fintiri urged all stakeholders to work towards healing the divisions within the party and to strive for unity and cohesion.
He stated that as a party man, he remained committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, stability, and progress within the PDP.
The governor reiterated that his position was guided by the desire for peace and reconciliation and will continue to work towards achieving this goal.
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