Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, has stated that state governments have not yet reaped the benefits of the increased revenue from the oil sector, as the funds are not being accurately credited to the Federation Account.

In his capacity as Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Governors Forum, he called on the Federal Government to offer a comprehensive and transparent explanation to the public regarding the failure to properly remit collected revenues for fair distribution among the three levels of government as required by law.

The governor made these comments during a visit from Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, who paid a courtesy call to the state government house ahead of the 2024 Conference for the National Council on Finance and Economic Development taking place in Bauchi.

He emphasized that it should be regarded as nothing short of a miracle that states have not yet benefited from the current oil revenues, despite the country being one of the world’s leading oil producers.

The PUNCH highlights that NNPCL is a significant source of income for Nigeria, functioning as the national oil company responsible for overseeing the management, sales, and other essential activities related to the country’s crude oil and gas.

It contributes revenue from crude oil sales to the government’s treasury.

However, in recent years, NNPC has transferred almost no funds to the Federation Account due to the costs associated with the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit.

Our reporter’s investigation revealed that the national oil company did not contribute any money to the federation account in 2022.

It stated that the fuel subsidy prevented the revenue-generating company from paying taxes and royalties to the Federation Account and stopped it from turning a profit.

However, Umar Ajiya, the former Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL, confirmed in a documentary earlier this year that the removal of the subsidy led to the company beginning to make remittances into the Federation Account.

“We have now begun to pay dividends to the federation. We are also paying our due obligations in terms of taxes and royalties,” he stated.

The company further stated in the documentary that the end to subsidy enabled it to contribute N4.5tn to the Federation Account in nine months.

“For the first time in a long time, NNPC Ltd in 2023 contributed to the Federation Account, accounting for N4.5tn between January and September 2023,” the national oil company stated.

Further investigations showed that NNPC transferred N431.06bn of its accumulated earnings to the federation account during the first seven months of 2024.

Stakeholders had anticipated better allocation of funds after the fuel subsidy was removed through the current sector deregulation, which led to a 490 percent increase in petrol prices.

However, in his remarks, the governor expressed dissatisfaction, stating that no noticeable changes have occurred.

He said, “It’s a miracle that we are one of the biggest oil-producing nations, but we have not benefited for some time since you came on board.

“You have to explain that this is what you are going through. That is inclusion. And if you don’t say it, nobody will know. But, some of us know. We call this leadership and responsibility.”

 “You have to make our oil and gas sector produce. Not only to produce and sell but put it in our Treasury for distribution and sharing.

“You must provide financial services to us at subnational. Financial services that will help us to enhance our productivity, and also use the resources wisely. Because without us, there will be no Federal Government.”

In reply, the governing All Progressives Congress has criticized governors from the Peoples Democratic Party, urging them to demonstrate that they have not gained from the crude revenue under President Bola Tinubu’s current administration.

He said, “Our call at all points in time is that opposing views are welcome in as much as they are constructive towards nation-building, and they are not views expressed only because they want to play to the gallery. If his view is to be taken seriously, it must not be generic and verbose. It must be specific and concrete.

“Senator Mohammed must put down those evidence on the table for further elaboration. It is only at that point that we can then, as a political party, venture to take on the issues in a very objective manner. We have seen clamours of this before now and when you dig further, you will find no substance in it.

“So, by and large, it is welcome, and our call would be that he put the facts. We have always known that proceeds that ought to go into the consolidated revenue account of the country are not things done in an obscure manner. They are things that are done transparently.”

In a special interview with The PUNCH, Nze Chidi Duru, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, advised Senator Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, to seek clarification before presenting unverified claims to the public.

Duru emphasized that the APC government is open to corrections, but urged Mohammed to provide concrete proof to support his assertion, particularly since it is widely known that every state receives a higher allocation under the current administration.

He pointed out that previous warnings of this nature had proven to be nothing more than attempts to discredit the Federal Government and paint it in a negative light before the public.

“It is important again to note that this is the first time in the history of our country that more money has gone into the hands of the various tiers of government at various levels. At the state level and the local government level. So, one would be interested to know what these enormous resources have been deployed at those levels and used in the various states and tiers of government.

“So, the party and the government are not averse to any constructive criticisms or further feedback or data that would help the government to plug in the various loopholes that would bring in money. At the end of the day, these monies are not just meant for the federal government. It is not meant for the APC government or the Tinibu government. These are monies meant for distribution to the states, the local government as well as the federal.

“So, as much as the federal is interested in receiving more money, I would also believe that the states and the local government are also interested in receiving more money. The only way they can make more money or get more money on top of what they are getting is to point out if there are recognisable leakages in the system that need to be blocked.

“If the money that needs to come into the consolidated account is not coming in and is pointed out, the government would make the necessary effort to make sure that those monies are coming into the coffers of the government. This is where I think that the opposition should help headline and spotlight what needs to be done to make the country a much better place than is currently the case,” he stated.

The NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, did not reply to phone calls, text messages, or WhatsApp messages sent to his contact numbers for clarification on the matter.

The PUNCH

The federal government has urged a joint effort to regulate genetically modified organisms (GMO) foods within the country.

This comes as experts caution about the potential risks of consuming genetically modified foods, highlighting their possible health effects on consumers.

During a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Production, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, assured that the Federal Government would take all necessary measures to protect the well-being of Nigerians.

Kyari emphasized that while the government, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, is dedicated to ensuring food safety and security, efforts will be made to find a balanced approach between those who support and those who oppose the use of GMOs.

He said, “The government will not deliberately bring what is poisonous to the people. This forum is meant for sharing ideas from GMO experts to find a level playing field for food security.

“There are seed councils and regulatory bodies in charge of checkmating seedlings used by farmers hence the need for a collaborative effort.”

During the public hearing, anti-GMO advocates, organized under the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, which includes approximately 200 individuals and organizations, voiced their concerns about the potential health and environmental risks associated with consuming genetically modified foods.

The group also called on the National Assembly to impose a total ban on GMOs, emphasizing that foreign entities determined to introduce GMOs into the country play a role in the ongoing insecurity challenges in Nigeria.

Inibehe Effiong, the group’s consultant, presented their memorandum to the Committee, urging the Federal Government to adopt a policy of  ‘No to GMO and GMO distribution and circulation in Nigeria.’

He said,”We would like to see in the interim, while the argument is even going on, a national moratorium declared that even if they are not convinced that the adverse effects which majority of the experts have spoken eloquently to are obvious, even if they still want to go ahead with the investigation, pending when they conclude; GMO distribution and circulation in Nigeria should be halted.

“There is a perception that you can do to Nigerians whatever you want to do and nothing will happen. And that explains some of the institutional arrogance that we witness today. To the point that someone was so audacious as to say it is better to eat and die than not to eat and die.

“While we recognise the government’s efforts at improving food security in Nigeria, the adoption of GMOs as a silver bullet to agricultural challenges is an error. Continuing this path holds serious implications on Nigeria’s food sovereignty, on our biodiversity/environmental sustainability, and our health.”

Also speaking, a stakeholder, John Ekpere noted that in September 2024, the National Cotton Association of Nigeria reported that they “Did not record any significant increase in their yields compared to the local seed varieties. They added that instead, since the introduction of GM cotton seeds during the 2020/2021 farming season, yield per hectare remained almost the same.

“They also reported that no other plant has been able to germinate on the farmlands where the GM seeds were planted, even after four years.

“While some GMOs are designed to have increased levels of some nutrients, studies have revealed that other essential nutrients or functions can be reduced in the process. An in-depth scientific comparison of GM crops and their non-GM varieties shows that the assumption of substantial equivalence is false, as unexpected differences have been found.

Speaking to the press after the hearing, Mr. Qrisstuberg Amua, the Executive Director of the Centre for Food Safety and Agriculture Research, attributed Nigeria’s security issues to external influences.

He said: “In Benue State, the supposed food basket is becoming empty, not because Benue people are not producing food, not because they don’t have GMOs. It is because ethnic and foreign interests are taking over. GMOs are biological weapons and agents of mass destruction.

“They are pushing insecurity on our nation, sponsoring it clandestinely, and I challenge the national security apparatus to look deeply into this, investigating why our farmers can’t go to farms. But these people are ready to create a scenario of hunger to advertise genetically modified poisons.”

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) sounded the alarm on Tuesday about a scheme to undermine the welfare of public universities in Nigeria.

At an event in Abuja celebrating ASUU’s Heroes Day in 2024, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, claimed that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are persistently working to dismantle Nigeria’s public education system.

The union expressed frustration over the stalled renegotiation of its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, pointing out that, despite multiple Memoranda of Understanding and Action, the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement remains unresolved and unfinalized.

Prof. Osodeke also lamented that the situation has worsened due to the continued enforcement of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System in public universities, despite the Federal Executive Council’s previous announcement to remove the system from higher education institutions.

Osodeke also voiced concern that the Federal Government continued to unfairly withhold the union’s salaries for three and a half months, along with unpaid wage arrears, overdue promotions, and the unresolved Earned Academic Allowance.

Speaking further at the event, where ASUU honoured what it described as its “past and living heroes,” Osodeke commended the union’s members nationwide for their “courageous comradeship and sacrifices to the cause of our union, which forever resonate with the emancipation of Nigerian public university education and the suffering Nigerian people.”

He stated that the union plans to provide PhD scholarships to select members from different public universities nationwide. Each grant, worth N500,000, will be awarded following a thorough evaluation of proposals conducted by specialists in the relevant fields.

“Comrades, like in the past, this year’s celebration of our heroes also takes place as we continue the struggle to rescue Nigeria’s public universities from the suffocating clutches of the World Bank and the IMF, whose determination to destroy and bury our public university system has not abated.

“It is rather lamentable that we are still struggling to compel the renegotiation of our 2009 Agreement with the federal government, twelve years after it should have been concluded, and after four rounds of failed negotiations.

“It is most disheartening and egregious that despite the several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs), the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement is yet to be renegotiated and finalised,” he said.

Osodeke alleged that at the state level, ASUU members “are still being punished for fighting for the interests of members and the university system.”

He added, “Let me re-emphasise that we stand with our members at Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in their persecution for their principled support and solidarity in the struggle to defend the soul of public university education in Nigeria.

“As part of our Heroes Day celebration, this year, and in line with the NDC decision, the union will be offering PhD grants to some of our members across various public universities in the country.

“The grants, valued at five hundred thousand naira per recipient, will be based on the rigorous assessment of their proposals by experts in their respective disciplines.”

The event honored distinguished individuals, including Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, Prof. Oye Oyediran, Mallam Bashir Kurfi, Prof. The Name Ikiddeh, Mr. S.A. Fadipe, and Prof. Sola Olukunle.

Additional honorees included Nasir Hussain, Tunde Oduleye, Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, Akin Oyebode, Mustapha A. Danesi, A.T. Wins, and Dr. Peter Ozo-Son.

The PUNCH

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set up a dedicated three-member panel to address political cases originating from Rivers State, with hearings set to start on Thursday, November 14.

This decision comes in response to the rising number of legal conflicts linked to the ongoing dispute between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The clash has triggered a wave of lawsuits from the state, causing divisions among political figures and resulting in inconsistent rulings from courts of equal authority—an issue that has faced scrutiny from judicial stakeholders and the public alike.

To streamline the handling of these cases, Court of Appeal President Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem appointed a special panel to manage all appeals connected to the political tensions in Rivers.

The panel, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi and joined by Justices Misitura Bokaji-Yusuf and James Abundaga, is set to handle cases involving prominent political figures and factions within the state.

Among the appeals scheduled for review is one submitted by Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, along with cases featuring both the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress. These cases concern the alleged defection of 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike from the PDP to the APC.

On Monday, a court panel postponed three appeals, including one brought by the Rivers State Government against the Rivers State House of Assembly and others, which will now be addressed by the newly appointed special panel.

The presiding Justice Hamma Barka noted, “The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1211m1/2024, is among the Rivers matters for which a special panel was constituted.”

Senior lawyer Chief Paul Erokoro, representing the appellant, notified the court about plans to ensure that all respondents who had not yet been served would receive the required documents by Thursday.

He added that he had just obtained some filings from the respondents and would need time to prepare his reply.

Counsel for the first and second respondents, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) and Dr. Joshua Musa (SAN), who also represented other respondents, concurred with the request to postpone the hearing until November 14.

Two other cases—a suit by the Accountant General of Rivers State against the Rivers State House of Assembly and one by the Action Peoples Party against the Independent National Electoral Commission and others—were also postponed to Thursday for a hearing by the special panel led by Justice Otisi.

This panel was set up to ensure a swift and decisive resolution to the political disputes, marking an essential move toward restoring stability amid Rivers State’s ongoing political challenges.

The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has requested comprehensive data on internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and neighbouring countries who have lost their homes due to natural disasters.

Kalu made this request on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs, Tijani Ahmed, in Abuja.

In a statement released on Thursday, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, noted that Kalu attributed some of these displacements to natural disasters like flooding and erosion.

“We are charging your commission to give us the total report on the plight of Nigerians currently all across the country.

“So, let the commission have an intervention fund dedicated to doing the proper needs analysis so that as we do the budget, we look into it. This is part of the oversight function. So, get us a report on that.

“Your mandate includes refugees and the IDPs. You can’t be internally displaced only through war or crisis. You can be internally displaced through climate-induced displacement and that’s what we are experiencing now.

“The climate is at war with us. So, the issue of mitigation and adaptation is something that, as a government, we must take seriously but in doing that, agencies like you which manage the consequences of these climate impacts need to be aware that it’s beyond what we are seeing currently.

“We heard of what happened in Maiduguri. I mentioned it even before the African Union. Beyond Maiduguri, a lot more is happening around the country,” Kalu said.

The statement also highlighted the importance of raising the annual budget allocation for the commission to support it in fulfilling its responsibilities.

“How prepared are you? I checked your budget last year and was wondering if a budget of N1.6bn or thereabout will be able to handle that across the country.

“And I have not heard your agency bring it to the fore, both in the parliament and also to Nigerians, maybe through a documentary to show us the volume of the needs analysis, showcasing the plight of Nigerians.

“There are so many people suffering due to climate change. The parliament needs to hear from you on the total national needs analysis of internally displaced persons. And the impact of climate-induced displacement. We need to get a document on that.

“We are giving you two weeks to bring the report because we want it to guide us as we make our budget.

“Also a copy of that will be sent to the Budget Office of the Federation so they will understand the enormous nature of your mandate,” he added.

Ahmed conveyed his appreciation to the Deputy Speaker and committed to submitting the report to the parliament by the deadline, while also requesting additional funding from the commission.

“We thank you for giving us this audience today and I have listened carefully. We will ensure that these individuals who are our own are returned.

“We will put the reports together, both the refugees and displaced persons, to show the parliament and for you to also see the plight of the commission in the area of funding,” he said.

On Monday, a two-storey building under construction collapsed in the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, resulting in one fatality and one person critically injured.

The collapse, which took place around 2 p.m., marks the second such incident in the area within a week.

Eyewitness Jonathan Obey reported that the building crumbled while workers were on the second floor, tragically claiming the life of a young man known as Udeme, from Akwa Ibom State.

Another worker barely escaped with his life but suffered severe injuries. Obey attributed the incident to poor-quality materials, noting that the foundation and structural supports were inadequate.

“When we came, we noticed that substandard materials were used in the construction. The building’s foundation was for a two-storey structure, yet low-quality rods and insufficient cement were used. The decking lacked a centre pillar and beam, which ultimately led to the collapse,” Obey explained.

In response, Evans Bipi, the Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the location, instructed that it be closed off, and announced the developer as a wanted person.

Bipi criticized the developer’s carelessness, explaining that the construction was undertaken without government authorization and used inferior materials.

“We’ve made it clear that if you build without approval, you will face the consequences.

“This site is sealed, and the developer has been declared wanted. He must answer for using substandard materials that led to the loss of life,” Bipi said.

Continuing, Bipi warned that the government would take strong action. “This is unacceptable. We must use him as an example,” he added.

Through a statement from his media aide, Emeka Idika Kalu, Bipi conveyed his condolences to the victim’s family, indicating that the body would be held at a mortuary, the location of which would be publicly shared to allow family access.

“This incident must serve as a warning to those building without government approval,” Bipi stated.

Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Samuel Anya, voiced disappointment about the incident, criticizing the developer for placing profit above safety concerns.

“This is heartbreaking. Not only was the building of poor quality, but it also lacked proper approval. Someone has now paid the price with his life.

“The owner and engineer responsible must be held accountable as the government prioritizes the safety of lives,” Anya said.