El-Rufai, Soludo, insist on fuel subsidy removal
Charles Soludo and Nasir El-Rufai, governors of Anambra and Kaduna States, have urged the Federal Government to end the fuel subsidy regime, which has negatively affected Nigeria’s economy.
The governors made the call on Tuesday in Abuja as lead speakers during a panel session at the policy conversation on “How Nigeria Can Build a Post-Oil Economic Future.”
The symposium, which was jointly hosted by Agora Policy and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, also featured the presentation of a recently published book titled “Economic Diversification in Nigeria: The Politics of Building a Post-Oil Economy,” selected as one of the Best Books of 2022 by the Financial Times.
Speaking, El-Rufai emphasised the need to end the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as fuel, and to be pragmatic about solutions to the problems instead of delaying them.
Read also:Soludo, El-Rufai to speak on Nigeria;s economic future at Carnegie, Agora Policy event
Senate investigates NDDC budgets over alleged unauthorised expenditure
Senate on Tuesday at plenary constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged unauthorised spending by Niger- Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for 2021 and 2022 budget estimates.
Senate also stood down consideration of report of 2023 budget estimates of the commission.
Senate resolution, followed a motion by Sen. Adamu Alero (PDP- Kebbi), alleging unauthorised spending by NDDC on its 2021, 2022 and 2023 budget estimates.
Aleros’ motion and objection to consideration of the budgets was after reports on three budget estimates of NDDC was presented by Committee Chairman on Niger Delta Sen. Amos Bulus.
Alero said it was a breach of the constitution by NDDC to engage on expenditure on the budget extimates without approval of the National Assembly. (NAN)
Jandor hails Supreme Court judgement affirming Adeleke’s victory
Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), the Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the March 18 governorship election, says the Supreme Court victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has rekindled hope in the nation.
Adediran made the remark in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, signed by Gbenga Ogunleye, Head, Media and Communications, JANDOR4Governor Campaign Organisation.
He said there was hope after the Supreme Court judgement validated his election as governor of the state in the July 16, 2022, Osun State governorship election.
“I received the verdict of the apex court affirming the decision of the Appeal Court, which declared Adeleke as the duly elected governor of the state, with gladness.
“The judiciary has, by this decision, rekindled the hope of Nigerians.
“I want to congratulate the Peoples Democratic Party and the good people of Osun State,” Adediran said.
Otedola disappointed over failed Transcorp deal
Femi Otedola, a Nigerian billionaire businessman, expressed disappointment on Tuesday over his failed offer to buy Nigerian conglomerate Transnational Corporation Plc for N250 billion, which was rejected.
Otedola said that he had acquired some shares of the conglomerate because he believed that with his resources, the organisation could hit a N2 trillion valuation.
Otedola said, “I offered to buy Transcorp Plc for N250 billion, but unfortunately, my offer was rejected. My goal was to maximise the company’s potential as a Nigerian conglomerate with a market cap of at least N2 trillion instead of the current N40 billion, but it seems some shareholders have a different vision.
“As a businessman, I believe in healthy competition and market dynamics. Two captains cannot man a ship, and I respect the majority shareholder’s decision to buy me out. This is the nature of the game.”
Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards accuser $5M
A jury found Donald Trump liable Tuesday for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996, awarding her $5 million in a judgment that could haunt the former president as he campaigns to regain the White House.
The verdict was split: Jurors rejected Carroll’s claim that she was raped, finding Trump responsible for a lesser degree of sexual abuse. The judgment adds to Trump’s legal woes and offers vindication to Carroll, whose allegations had been mocked and dismissed by Trump for years.
She nodded as the verdict was announced in a New York City federal courtroom only three hours after deliberations had begun, then hugged supporters and smiled through tears. As the courtroom cleared, Carroll could be heard laughing and crying.
Jurors also found Trump liable for defaming Carroll over her allegations. Trump did not attend the civil trial and was absent when the verdict was read.
Trump immediately lashed out on his social media site, claiming that he does not know Carroll and referring to the verdict as “a disgrace” and “a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time.” He promised to appeal. (AP)
