Spotlights
FG halts VAT on diesel, cooking gas to woo investors
The Federal Government has introduced new fiscal incentives to boost foreign investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The two incentives were unveiled by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement by the Finance Ministry, and signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga said the incentives are aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
It also announced that the importation of key energy products and infrastructure, including diesel, feed gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, electric vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas infrastructure, and clean cooking equipment would no longer require value-added tax payment.
Manga said the initiative would position Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for global oil and gas investments, bolster energy security, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
This policy directive arrives alongside new divestment plans from ExxonMobil and Seplat, which President Bola Tinubu said would receive ministerial approval in the coming days.
The statement read, “In its avowed determination towards ensuring a boost in the nation’s upstream and downstream sector, the Federal Government has introduced groundbreaking concessions aimed at revitalising the industry.
“This is just as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, today unveiled two major fiscal incentives aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s oil and gas sector: Value Added Tax Modification Order 2024 and Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, in accordance with the Oil & Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order 2024.”
Explaining further, Manga said, “The VAT Modification Order 2024 introduces exemptions on a range of key energy products and infrastructure, including diesel, feed gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, electric vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas infrastructure, and clean cooking equipment.
“These measures are designed to lower the cost of living, bolster energy security, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources.”
It explained that the notice of tax incentives for deep offshore oil & gas production provides new tax reliefs for deep offshore projects, stressing that, “This initiative is aimed at positioning Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for global oil and gas investments.”
The ministry said these fiscal incentives reflect the administration’s steadfast commitment to promoting sustainable growth, enhancing energy security, and driving economic prosperity for all Nigerians.
The statement added, “These reforms are part of a broader series of investment-driven policy initiatives championed by President Bola Tinubu, in line with Policy Directives 40-42.
“They reflect the administration’s strong commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in oil and gas production.
“With these bold initiatives, Nigeria is firmly on track to reclaim its position as a leader in the global oil and gas market.
“These fiscal incentives demonstrate the administration’s unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable growth, enhancing energy security, and driving economic prosperity for all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
Spotlights
Alleged fraud: Court issues public summons against Yahaya Bello
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons against former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, ordering him to appear in court on October 24 to face a 16-count charge of alleged fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges against Bello and two others, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, alleging criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion.
Justice Maryanne Anenih issued the public summons on Thursday after the EFCC applied for it, citing inability to serve Bello with the charges.
Bello’s absence stalled his arraignment, previously scheduled for Thursday.
This development follows previous attempts to summon Bello to court, including a May ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite insisting on his physical appearance and a Court of Appeal order last month.
Nigeria Tribune
Spotlights
Real reason Emefiele redesigned naira — Witness
A former acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Folashodun Shonubi, on Wednesday, told Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama Abuja, that intrigues and politics were involved in the naira redesign carried out in 2022.
Shonubi, who was the Deputy Governor of Operations before he was appointed Acting CBN Governor but is now retired, in his response to the question of defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), at the continuation of hearing in the trial of a former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, told the court that the former apex bank chief told him and others that there were intrigues and politics in the naira redesign.
Emefiele, before Justice Anenih’s court, is facing a four-count charge bordering on disobedience to the direction of law and illegal act causing injury to the public about the naira redesign brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Shonubi, led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said, “The currency redesign of 2022 was the only one that I was part of. When we had meetings with the defendant (Emefiele), he said there were politics and intrigues around the whole exercise.”
Shonubi’s answer was to the question Ojo asked him if, as a seasoned CBN banker, he was aware of the intrigues and politics in the naira redesign.
Shonubi further explained that he initially wasn’t in the know about the politics and intrigues, but was told by Emefiele, during one of their meetings, that there were indeed intrigues and politics in the exercise.
He however did not further explain what the intrigues and politics were about.
When asked if indeed there was presidential approval for the naira redesign, the witness said the defendant presented a document during one of the meetings of the CBN’s Committee of Governors containing the signature of the president.
He also said what was produced by the CBN under Emefiele, as the redesigned naira notes were not the same as what was approved by the President.
Folashodun Shonubi, former Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), testified before Justice Maryann Anenih at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, revealing that intrigues and politics played a role in the 2022 naira redesign.
This was disclosed during the trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, who is facing a four-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including disobedience to law and acts causing public injury.
Shonubi, who served as the Deputy Governor of Operations at the time, stated that Emefiele had informed him and others about the political influences surrounding the currency redesign during one of their meetings.
He admitted that he was initially unaware of the underlying politics but was made aware by Emefiele.
In response to a question about presidential approval for the redesign, Shonubi confirmed that Emefiele had presented a document with the president’s signature during a Committee of Governors meeting.
However, he noted that the naira notes eventually produced were not the same as those initially approved by the President.
He said what the CBN under Emefiele produced after the naira redesign was different from what the former President, Muhammadu Buhari approved.
He also said the redesigned notes were launched by Buhari, and he wasn’t aware of a letter from the president complaining about the naira redesign.
The witness also said he did not come across any letter from either the Committee of Governors or the board of the CBN protesting against or condemning the approval of the president for currency redesign.
When asked if he knew all that transpired between Buhari and Emefiele in the course of the naira redesign, he answered no.
He said it was only Emefiele who was interacting with the president on the issue.
He said he was once invited by the EFCC in connection to the redesign case and that he made statements.
He however said the EFCC did not have a physical confrontation between him and the defendant concerning what was contained in his statements that related to Emefiele.
He said the memo presented to the president for the naira redesign was solely prepared by Emefiele and sent to the president.
He added that the CBN, under Emefiele, did not follow its laid down procedures for the currency redesign.
The witness explained that the normal procedures involved the Currency Management Department of the CBN making recommendations for currency redesign. After this, a paper would be submitted to the Committee of Governors of the bank for consideration.
He added that upon the COG’s approval, the CBN Board would make recommendations to the President. After receiving the President’s approval, the bank would then set up an internal committee to execute the currency redesign exercise.
The witness, who served as a Deputy Governor of the apex bank and was a member of both the COG and CBN Board, stated that Emefiele disregarded the recommendation made in early 2021 by the apex bank’s Currency Department.
He said, “While serving as Deputy Governor, there was a currency redesign in 2022. The CBN did not follow the procedures for redesigning the currency. I was a member of the CBN Board as Deputy Governor. The Chairman of both the COG and board was the Governor. Before 2022, in early 2021, the Currency Department recommended the redesign of the currency notes.
“A paper was presented to me, and on the instruction of the Governor (CBN), it was disregarded. In 2022, we again presented the paper and were asked to hold on.
“In mid-October 2022, the Deputy Governors of the bank were invited to a meeting in the office of the Governor, where he informed us that he had presidential approval for currency redesign.
“He showed us the memo, Mr. President’s signature, and instruction on the last page.”
The court subsequently adjourned till October 9 for further hearing after the witness finished with his testimony.
Nigeria Tribune
Spotlights
BREAKING: Tinubu writes NASS, submits 4 tax reform bills
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tibubu has written to the National Assembly seeking lawmakers’ consideration for the quick passage of four tax bills.
The president in his letter which was read on the floor of the plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said that the proposed tax bills have been designed in line with the reforms outlined by his administration.
Reading the president’s letter on Thursday, October 3, Abbas listed the four bills as – Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the tax administration bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service establishment bill, the Joint Revenue Board establishment bill.
According to the letter, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 would provide the fiscal work for tax in the country.
For the tax administration bill, it will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in Nigeria and reduce disputes.
In addition, the Nigeria Revenue Service establishment bill seeks to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and in turn establish the Nigeria Revenue Service.
Also, the Joint Revenue Board establishment bill will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
According to President Tinubu, these four bills will strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal institutions and align with the objective of the government towards the nation’s development.
Spotlights
EXCLUSIVE! Fear grips ministers as cabinet reshuffle date reveals
Many of Nigeria’s ministers already intensifying lobbies from different political godfathers to save their position with numbers of underperformed executives increasing on the list of President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu had played a joker after snubbing the announcement of his new cabinet on the October 1st nationwide broadcast.
A source disclosed exclusively to THEPAPERS that the President shocked many expectancies of the new cabinet list while some ministers are already lobbying to know if their names are included.
ThePAPERS reports that President Tinubu has already penned down some names to replace underperforming ministers in his cabinet.
It has been gathered that the announcement of the cabinet reshuffle could happen any moment from today as President Tinubu had departed the country to block any form of lobby from political allies.
The source further said that his departure to the United Kingdom is strategic in the process of announcing the new cabinet.
Meanwhile, In a recent interactive session on Channels TV, Segun Showunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shared insights from a conversation he had with former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.
The discussion, which has since gone viral, highlights the complexities involved in cabinet reshuffles.
When asked by the presenter if he would welcome a cabinet dissolution by the President, Showunmi recounted Fashola’s perspective on the matter.
He stated, “One of the fine men in this country who understands administration, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, told me that if you change your cabinet at any point in time, they need about three months to understand the bureaucracy of where they are posted to, and probably another three months to begin to come up with something that can look like a realistic vision they can put on the table.”
Showunmi emphasized Fashola’s experience, noting his roles as Chief of Staff, Minister, and Governor, which lend weight to his observations about the challenges new appointees face in navigating the complexities of government operations.
Spotlights
N13bn diverted public funds recovered in September — ICPC Chairman
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Adamu Aliyu, has announced that over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds was recovered in September 2024.
Aliyu did not specify the sectors or individuals from whom the funds were recovered but highlighted that the anti-corruption agency has been working relentlessly to fulfil its mandate.
He made this statement during the launch of the commission’s 2024-2028 strategic action plan in Abuja on Tuesday.
Aliyu said, “Over the past year, the ICPC has made significant progress in discharging its mandate; for example, we recovered over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds in September 2024 alone. This is just one of the many ways we have worked tirelessly to fulfil our mandate.”
Aliyu also disclosed that plans are underway to digitalise the commission’s operations.
He added that this would enable more efficient investigations and case management, among other improvements.
“We are also embarking on ICT reforms that will digitalise our operations and enable more efficient investigations, case management, and internal processes. This transformation will position the commission as a leader in leveraging technology to combat corruption, keeping us one step ahead of criminal activities in the digital age,” he stated.
Aliyu further mentioned that a specialised curriculum is being developed to enhance the enforcement capacity of the commission’s personnel, equipping officers with the necessary skills to handle complex corruption cases with professionalism and efficiency.
He noted that the agency is working on decentralising anti-corruption efforts by empowering state governments through their Attorneys General, allowing for more effective corruption prevention at the local level.
“Additionally, we are decentralising the anti-corruption effort by empowering state governments through the mobilisation of State Attorneys General. This approach ensures that state governments are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to effectively combat corruption at the local level,” Aliyu added.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritises the fight against corruption.
He said, “The fight against corruption remains a cornerstone of this administration’s agenda, as we recognise that corruption is a cancer that eats away at the very fabric of our society. It undermines trust, weakens institutions, and hampers our progress as a nation.
“In this light, the work of the ICPC is of paramount importance, not only in ensuring that corrupt practices are identified and prosecuted but also in fostering a culture of integrity and accountability across all sectors.”
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, pledged the court’s support for the implementation of the ICPC’s action plan.
“Implementation and collaboration are vital. Corruption is not just about stealing money; it is failing to do what you ought to do. We are a great country. We will do what we can to support the ICPC in implementing the action plan,” she said.
Spotlights
October 1 protests record low turnout nationwide
The #FearlessInOctober protest recorded a low turnout in the Federal Capital Territory and states amid the heavy presence of security operatives.
This was as the organisers of the protest, the Take It Back Movement, rejected the planned 30-day National Youth Confab, announced earlier on Tuesday by President Bola Tinubu.
The group described the initiative as ‘’a jamboree” designed to reward the President’s supporters.
In his Independence Day address, Tinubu announced plans to convene a youth conference which he said would be held for 30 days to address and discuss challenges facing the Nigerian youth, who accounted for more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population.
“I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population.
‘’The 30-day confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates will be designed in close consultation with our young people through their representatives. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations,” the President said.
Reacting to the plan, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, noted that the President did not organise any confabs before implementing his policies.
He said, ‘’I think President Tinubu wants to lavish taxpayers’ money to organise a jamboree for his supporters. We saw some of them that were paid, NANS (National Association of Nigerian Students), singing his praises in Abuja, so I think that is simply what the President wants to do.
“What confab did he organise before he awarded a private jet to himself costing billions? Did we hold any confab before he decided to use billions of naira to construct an apartment for the Vice President? Or which confab did we hold before they started paying themselves huge allowances, budgeting billions for kitchen utensils?’’
Continuing, Sanyaolu added, “As a matter of fact, what confab did the President hold before increasing the price of fuel, even between August and now, to over N1,000? Even, some are buying at N1,500. Nigerians don’t need a confab.
“We don’t need our money to be wasted on organizing a jamboree for his supporters in APC or wherever they come from. Nigerians need good governance, and it is not a confab that will fix that.”
Asked whether the protest will continue, Sanyaolu said “The protest continues, but the new date will be announced because I am aware that there are still people in different states who want to protest. But we are going to announce the next days, which we will definitely not be far from now.”
Speaking to The PUNCH, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed that the Federal Government would set up an implementation task force to spearhead the implementation of the recommendations from the upcoming youth confab.
Adding context to the nature of preparation, Olawande said it included creating an implementation task force for various issues on the agenda.
“We are going to roll it out very soon, and we are going to have the terms and conditions, the areas, the views and all that. And we are still going to plead with the President to give us what we call an implementation task force so that immediately, where we need to do an Executive Order, we put it up.
“Those (recommendations) that need to go to the National Assembly, we take it off and we start having this as quickly as possible. So, it’s a done deal,” the minister noted.
Olawande said the process leading to Tuesday’s announcement stemmed from extensive stakeholder consultations.
Although the initial brief proposed four days for the dialogue, the President recommended a one-month confab.
He explained, “I was very happy because I’ve been telling the young people in my constituency that the President is a listening President. Last month, we brought many young people together and talked to ourselves. After the strategy meeting, we told ourselves that we needed to get all the youths from all the parties to come and talk, strategise together and present something to the President.
“We called it a Youth Dialogue. We consulted with all the stakeholders. After consulting with the stakeholders, the President listened to us and said, ‘Fine, you want to dialogue within four days, right? But for me, I want to expand it, and let’s see how you can come together as young people of this country.
“We believe in this country and know that it belongs to us. This is what you’ve seen today, and we are very happy with it. It’s a very good development, and we are preparing to roll out things very soon with all stakeholders involved, which the President has consulted.”
The Senate Majority Leader, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, promised to support the recommendations from the youth confab, saying such an initiative was overdue.
He stated, “The need for a youth confab at this point cannot be overemphasised. The youth, like the President, who is also duly recognised, constitute over 60 per cent of our population or demography. And I believe that the time to listen to the youth is not just when they are on the streets protesting.
“If we can hear them loud and clear when they are protesting, we should be able even to hear them louder when we are all seated through a confab to discuss in a very articulate manner.
“So it would be a welcome development. We all look forward to that. And as elected representatives of the people, we also will ensure that we join in creating a conducive amosphere and environment for the youth confab.”
The lawmaker also said that the National Assembly would give due consideration to the Economic Stabilisation Bills, which were approved at the last meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
Unimpressed, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Coalition for United Political Parties criticized the President’s decision to hold a youth confab, describing it as ‘a misallocation of priorities.’
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, argued that the move highlights the President’s lack of ideas on governance.
He stated “The President has just said he’s bereft of ideas on how to govern this country. You see, the President likes rhetoric, big talk, and zero action. It is time for an economic summit rather than a youth conference.
“What he should be doing now is organizing an economic summit where he will gather Nigerian economic experts from around the globe to get the best minds to assist him in fixing Nigeria’s economy. He should also convene a security summit to engage some of the best security chiefs and experts to address the security issues in the country.’’
The Labour Party National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, similarly criticized the move as a superficial approach to addressing urgent national issues.
Ahanotu said the idea of a youth confab is poorly timed, emphasizing that what Nigerians truly needed is good governance.
“I feel that this is just a peripheral approach to solving pressing national issues. This conference was initiated to divert the attention of Nigerian youths. What Nigerian youths have been asking for is good governance. When transportation, education, healthcare, and other sectors are functioning, why do we need a national youth conference?’’ he queried.
The CUPP National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, slammed the Federal Government over the proposal, describing it as insincere.
He expressed concern that the confab might turn into another jamboree to influence youths to support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, ‘’despite his poor performance.’’
He stated, “As far as I’m concerned, this so-called national youth conference will likely be a mirage with no concrete achievements resulting from it. It’s a deliberate and strategic distraction by the government, in my opinion. Another senseless waste of resources that will run into billions of naira in a very sick economy. It has no intrinsic value.”
But the All Progressives Congress and some youth groups commended the planned conference.
APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said by this decision, Tinubu has shown he is a caring and attentive leader who exemplified the party’s principles.
He urged the protesting youths to rethink their positions, emphasizing that the president’s mission and intentions are honourable and genuinely aimed at benefiting the country.
Ibrahim also labelled the PDP, LP and CUPP, which have criticized the move, as not having Nigeria’s best interests at heart.
“What the president is trying to do is engage the youth politically and politely so they can plan for their future. A conference of this nature will help prepare young minds to take charge of their country’s future and shape their destinies. Anyone who opposes this does not have the country’s future at heart, ’’ he insisted.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria commended Tinubu for approving the youth confab.
The youth body in a statement by its President, Sara-Igbe Sukubo, on Tuesday, said ‘’This initiative marks a significant milestone in promoting youth engagement and empowerment within our nation, highlighting the government’s acknowledgment of the essential role young people play in shaping Nigeria’s future.’’
The Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership, Abdul Danbature, urged the President to move beyond mere statements and ensure the implementation of all his promises.
Danbature expressed disappointment that despite responding to Tinubu’s call for dialogue during the #EndBadGovernance protest, nothing came of it.
Earlier on Tuesday, the October 1 protest was dispersed by police officers who fired tear gas canisters on the protesters in the Utako area of the nation’s capital, but the FCT police command denied the attack on the youths.
The protest was a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance protests held between August 1 and 10 in response to the economic hardship experienced by many Nigerians.
As early as 7am, the protesters, whose numbers were considerably lower than the previous rally, gathered at the busy Utako market in the Utako area of the FCT.
The participants consisting mostly of youths were demanding a review of the policies causing hardship in the country when some police officers arrived and dispersed them with tear gas.
However, the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh denied that the police attacked the protesters.
Adeh, in a statement, said the police officers only took measures to prevent miscreants who allegedly took advantage of the protest to loot shops in the market.
She said, “The FCT police command is aware of reports making the rounds that policemen attacked protesters at Utako Market in Abuja earlier today, October 1, 2024.
‘’The command wishes to categorically debunk the narrative, tagging it completely false and misleading. Acting on intelligence, the operatives only took measures to forestall some miscreants who were taking advantage of the protest to loot shops in the market and as a result, extended focus to them.
“As a responsible agency, we could not stand by and allow traders to be robbed of their hard-earned money and belongings without intervening. We therefore urge the populace to disregard such misleading and mischievous information, as the command is committed to ensuring the safety of the populace in the exercise of their civil rights.”
But our correspondent, who was at the scene, reports that the police officers dispersed the protesters with tear gas.
Unlike the previous protest when the participants regrouped after being tear-gassed, the youths simply fled from the relentless onslaught of the armed security personnel who had been deployed across the FCT.
Heavy security presence was observed at the city centre, including Eagle Square, Berger Roundabout, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Wuse Market, Airport Road, and the Maraba/Nyanya axis.
Security operatives also mounted barricades on the roads leading to Eagle Square, where dozens of security operatives were stationed.
The organisers of the protest had expressed interest in using Eagle Square, but the security personnel prevented them from accessing the facility.
In Lagos, protesters gathered at Ikeja Underbridge with the rally closely monitored by a large contingent of security personnel, including policemen, officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the NSCDC.
Leading the team of policemen at the protest ground was the state Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola.
The protesters chanted solidarity songs, displaying placards bearing inscriptions such as “Reverse electricity tariff now, “End all attacks on democratic rights”, “Reduce petrol price to N197 per litre, end scarcity”, and “Profit soars while people suffer.”
Spearheading the protest were some civil society groups, including the Take It Back Movement, the Education Rights Campaign, the Coalition for Revolution, and the Socialist Workers League.
A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, joined the protest just before the procession began from the point of convergence.
Sowore, who is one of the key organisers of the protest, arrived at the protest ground at exactly 8:50am.
Addressing newsmen, he said the protest was a crucial step towards taking Nigeria to the “Promised Land.”
He said, “This is one of the actions that will take us to the Promised Land. We did it in August and today is a symbolic day to reject their independence as we want our independence.
“Have we not tried enough? We have no time left. We gave more time; look at what (Muhammadu) Buhari did with more time. We gave them more time they bought themselves a private jet, we gave them more time, they bought a new house, they increased fuel price. We gave him more time they put us in darkness.
“We gave them more time they gave us minimum wage and gave themselves maximum wage. Let them resign, that is how we will know they actually understand how people feel this time around.”
There was heavy presence of security operatives in Ogun State, including soldiers, police and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, one of the venues approved by the state High Court for the protest, but there no protesters at the arena.
The other venues are the Gateway Stadium in Sagamu, Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode and Ansar-Ud-Deen Comprehensive High School in Ota.
There were also no protests in other parts of the state as the Independence anniversary, which is usually celebrated at the MKO stadium was shifted to the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Abeokuta.
One of our correspondents, who monitored activities around the Mowe, Interchange, Okemosan, Panseke and Kuto areas of the state, observed that regular activities and movement were not disrupted as security operatives and Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps and men of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency manned strategic positions to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
One of the organisers of the protest in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Demua Dumka, who is also the state Chairman of the Civil Rights Council alleged that he and the Leader of the Take It Back Movement in the state, Adeyemi Ademola, were among protesters attacked by thugs accompanied by security operatives.
Thugs opposed to the protest, numbering about 50, took over the Federal Secretariat and the Pleasure Park in Port Harcourt, venues of the protest in Port Harcourt, amid heavy security presence at both locations and the Hotel Presidential.
“This (Tuesday) morning some policemen and joint taskforce officials came here (Port Harcourt), beat and harassed some of us, though none of us was arrested.
“Beating protesters doesn’t stop the fact that there is hunger in the land. It doesn’t also stop the fact that there is a hike in food items and that we cannot even buy Premium Motor Spirit anymore.
“They (government) must listen to our demands. Our demands must be met and we must continue to talk whether they like it or not,” Dumka told journalists.
One of the youths, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The PUNCH they were out to ensure the protest didn’t hold.
“We are not protesters. We are waiting for those who want to protest so that we can stop them.”
Also at the Pleasure Park the anti-Fearless Protesters numbering about fifty were seen while three canopies were mounted near the gate of the popular fun spot in the metropolis.
Our correspondent observed that five youths, who’s identities or the crime they committed could not be immediately ascertained, were arrested and taken away inside a mini-bus near the Federal Secretariat.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, on the arrest of the youths proved abortive as she did not take calls put across to her mobile by our reporter. She had yet to reply to a text message to her mobile as of the time of filming ng this report on Tuesday morning.
The planned protest in Kano, which was organised by the Nigerian Patriotic Front Movement, was aborted following the alleged arrest of five of their officials by the police.
The NPFM officers last week vowed to stage a peaceful protest against the current hardships being experienced by Nigerians.
However, following the arrest of the NPFM officials, the protest could not hold as Kano and its environs remained calm while residents went about their daily and lawful activities.
Following the anticipated planned protest, many residents remained indoors while many business places, including some markets and shops, remained closed.
In Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the protesters were led by members of the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens, who were joined by members of the Take It Back Movement. They were accompanied by security operatives at Freedom Park, where the protest march took off.
A large number of operatives of the police, Department of State Security, NSCDC, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Correctional Service kept a close watch on the protesters in a long convoy from close distance, as they moved towards the Oke Fia Area of the state capital.
Chanting anti-government songs, the protesters demanded an immediate end to the economic hardship ravaging the country.
Addressing journalists, the coordinator of the group that organised the protest, Adetunji Ajala, said,”Enough is enough. Our demands during the Endbadgovernance protest have not been met, and we will continue protesting as long as they are not willing to do what the masses want.”
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Edo State on Tuesday demanded the restoration of fuel subsidy, improvement of security, revert to single legislature among others by the Tinubu administration.
The group, which include African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Talakawa Republic, Take It Back Movement and Faculty of Peace Organisation, said the removal of fuel subsidy, insecurity and floating of the naira have made life very difficult for Nigerians.
The coordinator, Take it Back Movement, Edo State, Lawal Haifz, said, “We are here to protest the current situation in Nigeria. People are really suffering. We demand the restoration of fuel subsidy. Insecurity has made it impossible for our people to go to farm and that is why you can no longer buy foodstuffs.
“We don’t need the Senate and House of Representatives at the same time. The money spent on the two can go a long way in taking care of the needs of Nigerians. The so called minimum wage cannot even buy a bag of rice. There is extreme hunger.”
States shun protest
The PUNCH reports that at least 20 states, including all five in the eastern part, shunned the protest.
The others are Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Katsina, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, Bayelsa and Yobe states.
In Minna, the Niger State capital, residents stayed indoors during the Independence Day celebrations amid a heavy presence of security operatives at strategic locations while police and NSCDC patrol vehicles parked at major spots as others were patrolled the city.
Another major town in the state, Suleja, was peaceful unlike during the #EndBadGorvernance protest when protesters invaded a police station with six of them reportedly killed.
Meanwhile, Adamawa and Nasarawa youths staged solidarity walks in favour of President Tinubu.
The Adamawa youths under the aegis of ‘Concerned Youths of Adamawa’ hit major streets of capital city Yola as Nigeria marked its 64th Independence anniversary.
Convener of the group, concerned youths Yakubu Umar Girei, told journalists the walk was meant to support the laudable policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
In Nasarawa, convener of the I Am Nigeria group, Ibrahim Maiyanga, said they unanimously decided not to participate in the protest in order to sustain the existing peace in the state and Nigeria at large.
“We know that we are not where we ought to be, but we are not where we used to be. So, I want to urge all the citizens of the country to be patient with our President. I am confident that very soon we will all have reasons to smile.”
However, security operatives kept watch at the Secretariat junction and Old Airport junction in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Tuesday.
A former sports minister,Solomon Dalung, who led the EndBadGovernance protest in the state last August, said, “It is not as if we do not want to protest in Plateau but the context of the situation we have and the previous one are not the same.
“So, you should not expect us to adopt the same method. But the truth is that the economic hardship and sufferings by Nigerians that warranted the EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest have not changed as we speak, so you cannot say that Nigerians in Plateau have stopped protesting for those responsible for the situation to change it.
“So, we will continue to protest against the bad situation we have in Nigeria until the people get relief but the method of this protest should not be expected to be the same here in Plateau.”
In Kaduna, one of the most volatile states during the August protest, residents went about their usual activities, businesses in the metropolis and environs remained open, and shops in the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Central Market were operational as no protest took place despite initial tension.
However, security operatives were deployed to strategic locations across the state, including Narayi High Cost, Barnawa Complex, and Stadium Roundabout, as a precautionary measure.
Interestingly, the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Kaduna State distanced itself from the protest.