News
Speakership: APC Youths Seek Review Of Zoning
By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja
A group under the auspices of Northern APC Youths have called for a review of their party’s zoning at the national assembly and called on the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the North Central get the office of the speaker of the 10th Assembly.
According to the group, the North Central contributed a lot to the APC adding that they deserve the office of the speaker.
Speaking at a press conference, the leader of the group who is also a member of the APC presidential campaign Council, Hon Yakubu Abubakar, said haven played a great role in the recent politics that brought victory to the APC, they are requesting that the office of the speaker should be zoned to the North central
“It’s time to pay us back with a sustainable leadership system that will benefit us, the Northern youths and all Nigerians.
“Our unflinching support in the recent electioneering campaign was massive and unambiguous. As the party scout for a candidate, we advise them to consider committed leaders, with competency, capacity and good character,
“We appeal to the APC National Working Committee (APC-NWC) to as a matter of urgency, withdraw in totality their Zoning which was released on 8th May, 2023 and indicating their interest in Zoning The Senate President to South – South and Speakership to North-West.
“The National Party leaders and National Assembly leadership should always put it at the forefront of the interest of Nigerians not their interest first as our votes speak louder in every election that counts.
“We want to say categorically that we disagree and are against this APC-NWC zoning and call for total withdrawal of the Zoning as it did not speak to our 2023 Presidential efforts.
“Furthermore we call on Mr. President H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and look thoroughly into the unavoidably zonal efforts during the 2023 Presidential election, and the delivery of the both leaders of the 10th Assembly.
“Mr. President Elect sir, it will be a good choice if Hon. Ahmed Wase the current Deputy Speaker of the 9th Assembly take the mantle of the 10th Assembly Leadership as he is the most qualify and dedicated person among all the candidates aspiring for the position of Speakership; he is a man we sighted and whom we always defined by Late Yusuf Maitama Sule Words of wisdom; “We need leaders who will not steal, leaders who are incorruptible, leaders who will look at the lot of the common man with the eyes of a compatriot not with the eyes of the privileged few, leaders not Rulers, Leaders with fire in their belly but humanity at heart,” the group said adding that if truly politics is about investment and conciliations, “we call on our Present Elect again to H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Zone it to North Central and to Hon. Ahmed Wase of Plateau State.
“We therefore call on the support of Ahmed Idris Wase due to his achievements in quality leadership representation as the Speaker of the 10th assembly in the green chamber,” the group added.
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N825.
Esan Sunday, head of media relations and branding communications at Dangote Group, announced the reduction in a statement on Wednesday.
The development comes more than three weeks after the refinery reduced petrol price from N950 per litre to N890.
The new price means that the refinery has significantly cut the ex-depot price by N125 from N950 per litre in January.
“This recent price reduction will also ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“This strategic price adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in celebration of the Ramadan season, while also supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.
“It is important to note that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
“This marks the second reduction of PMS prices in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60 earlier in the month.
“Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.”
The oil firm refinery also said previous reductions have positively impacted the overall cost of living, benefiting various sectors of the economy.
Dangote refinery added that its high-quality products, which have become a favourite in both domestic and international markets, will remain available nationwide, particularly through its key partners — MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden — at market-friendly rates.
The organisation assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings.
The refinery also called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of its effort
Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party had a debt of N8.9 billion when he assumed office.
Ganduje took over from Abdullahi Adamu, who was the national chairman of the APC until his resignation in July 2023.
Speaking during the APC’s NEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Kano governor said the expenses were incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
“The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” Ganduje said.
However, the APC chairman said Kareem Kana, the national legal adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the national executive committee to intervene accordingly,” he said.
Earlier today, the chairman said the party is making efforts to mend internal divisions and bring aggrieved members back into the fold.
Ganduje explained that the APC had initiated high-level discussions among party leaders and stakeholders to address lingering disagreements and strengthen party unity.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.