Connect with us

General News

No Plans to Sack Jega- Jonathan

Published

on

Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Kindly share this post

President Goodluck Jonathan has restated that he has no plan to sack Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ahead of the March 28 and April 11 elections.

Speaking in an interview with Aljazeera, President Jonathan denied he was nursing such a plan and said that INEC is a sensitive and important institution and that removing its chairman arbitrarily would spark public outcry.

There has been speculation that the Federal Government was plotting to remove the INEC chairman before the elections.

Jega’s tenure ends in June but there are claims the administration plans to send him on a three-month pre-disengagement leave before the election.

The speculation followed allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the anti-Jega posturing of the Peoples Democratic Party as well as groups and individuals rooting for President Jonathan.

Last Thursday, senators of the APC, led by George Akume, said they had reliable Intelligence that Jega would be asked to proceed on pre-retirement leave this week through a letter that would originate from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

But president Jonathan said that “Except somebody is insinuating that the Chairman has done something wrong. You cannot change an officer, except the person has done something wrong,” Jonathan said in response to a question on Jega.

He added that “Government, whether at the federal or state level, president or governor, does not wake up and change somebody, especially somebody like the INEC Chairman, except that person has done something wrong.

“INEC is a very sensitive body. For me to change INEC Chairman Nigerians will ask questions. So, you cannot wake up and change INEC Chairman.”

He added that he had never discussed with “any human being on earth about changing INEC Chairman”.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution warning the federal government of imminent danger that will lead to break down of law and order if the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is removed from office before the March 28 presidential poll.

The House at plenary presided over by the Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, urged the federal government, political class and the security agencies to heed the warning in the interest of the nation, not to interfere with the existing schedules of the general elections.

The House also said it would hold accountable at both domestic judicial forum or at the international criminal court, any person or organisation that foists on INEC any person or action whatsoever, that has the effect of making it impracticable for the election to hold on the 28th March and 11th of April 2015.

A motion under the matters of urgent national importance, moved by Rep Ali Ahmed (APC Kwara), noted that the initial postponement of the general election for six weeks due to the security concerns related to the Boko Haram insurgency has further heightened the tempo for pre-election violence.

He further warned that any alteration to the current arrangement in whatever form including but not limited to illegal removal of the current INEC chairman at this crucial stage would invariably lead to further postponement of the date of election.

He informed the House that already there is documented evidence from several sources that any change in status quo arrangement, especially removal of Jega ” present a possibility of violence” and would occasion the sowing of seeds of a major crisis.

He maintained that the civil society organisations and lawyers including usually reticent senior advocates of Nigeria have sounded “a note of warning” that such removal will be unconstitutional, giving the decision of the Supreme Court that removal of Jega or members of such an independent electoral body as INEC pursuant to section 157 of the constitution can only be achieve when two things happen, either his inability to discharge the functions of the office or for misconduct.

He added that any such deliberate induced violence as it did in 2011 post-election period into widespread or systematic attack, persecution, arson murder, thereby amounting to serious crime of concern to the international community as contained in article 5 of the 1998 Rome status of the international criminal court, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

However, the motion was challenged in a point of order moved by Deputy Minority Leader, Rep Leo Ogor (PDP Delta), who argued that the motion was totally speculative and that it will only bring confusion. He claimed that as it is, nobody is removing Jega as it was reported. His point of order was however over ruled by the Speaker who moved that the motion be read.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

General News

Court Orders FG to Reveal Identity of Local Contractors in $460m Abuja CCTV Project

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Federal High Court has ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total amount paid under the $460 million Abuja CCTV loan, the identities of local and Chinese contractors who received the funds, the status of the project’s implementation, and details relating to the N1.5 billion reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.

Court Orders FG to Reveal Identity of Local Contractors in $460m Abuja CCTV Project

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy to immediately disclose the identities of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and other entities that benefited from the payments under the National Public Security Communication System project in Abuja, commonly referred to as the $460 million Abuja CCTV Project.

The Federal Ministry of Finance, in response to SERAP’s contempt proceedings, had recently disclosed that: “Records from the Ministry of Police Affairs indicate that while local subcontractors may have been engaged, there is an absence of detailed subcontracting records identifying specific local companies that received funds directly from the Chinese loan.”

The Ministry made the disclosure in a letter dated 15 May 2026 and signed by R. O. Omachi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance,.

Responding, SERAP in a letter dated 23 May 2026 and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, said: “We are concerned that although the judgment was delivered in May 2023, the Ministry only released some information after we commenced contempt proceedings and served a Notice to show cause in January 2026.”

According to SERAP, “Nigerians still do not know exactly the names of local contractors for the project. The absence of this information raises serious concerns about record keeping, transparency and accountability, and whether the project was implemented in a manner consistent with the public interest.”

On 15 May 2023, the Federal High Court ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total amount paid under the $460 million Abuja CCTV loan, the identities of local and Chinese contractors who received the funds, the status of the project’s implementation, and details relating to the N1.5 billion reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.

SERAP said, “The details provided amount to only partial compliance with Justice Emeka Nwite’s judgment. Key questions remain unanswered, and further clarification is needed to ensure full and effective compliance with the judgment.”

SERAP’s letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the requested details are provided within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall proceed with our contempt proceedings against the Federal Ministry of Finance for failure to fully and effectively comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

“SERAP appreciates the steps taken by the Ministry to provide some information concerning the Chinese loan drawdown, counterpart funding arrangements, and certain records on equipment deliveries connected with the project.

“However, there is still no explanation regarding the missing 6,035 items as part of the status of implementation of the project. It remains unclear whether the items were subsequently delivered, whether payment was made for them, whether the contractor defaulted, whether Nigeria suffered any financial loss, and whether any steps were taken to recover public funds.

“The Ministry lists items reportedly delivered in 2013. However, it has failed to clarify how many cameras were installed, if any; where they were installed; whether the cameras are currently operational; and whether the project delivered value for money.

“The inability or failure to disclose these records raises serious public interest concerns about record keeping, contract administration, and accountability for public expenditure.

“For a project financed through public borrowing—debt Nigerians continue to repay—full transparency over all beneficiaries, foreign and domestic, is essential. Nigerians have the right to know how public funds were spent, who received them, and what was delivered in return.

“Compliance with court judgments is fundamental to the rule of law and constitutional governance. Government agencies cannot selectively comply with judicial orders or release partial information while withholding records central to public accountability.”

SERAP, therefore, urged Mr Oyedele and the Federal Ministry of Finance to fully, effectively, and urgently implement the judgment of the Federal High Court ordering disclosure of information relating to the Abuja CCTV project including by:

*Publishing the names of all Nigerian companies, subcontractors, consultants, and vendors involved in the project.

*Disclosing the amount paid to each contractor or subcontractor and the nature of work performed.

*Provide details of the status of implementation of the project including by releasing the certificates of completion, and accounting for the 6,035 project items identified as undelivered.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

NCAA Suspends Services to Air Peace, Others over Debts

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has placed 11 domestic airlines on its updated “No-Pay-No-Service” list over unpaid statutory charges, a move that could affect the renewal of key operational approvals, including Air Operator’s Certificates (AOC).

NCAA Suspends Services to Air Peace, Others over Debts

According to an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, the regulator directed all its directorates to suspend regulatory and administrative services to the affected carriers until they clear outstanding debts or agree on repayment terms.

The directive means that services linked to certification and oversight, such as AOC renewals, Air Transport Licences (ATL), and Airline Operating Permits (AOP), may be withheld, raising concerns over possible operational disruptions in the aviation sector.

The affected airlines include Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air, Arik Air, ValueJet, United Nigeria Airlines, Umza Air, NG Eagle, Max Air, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, and Rano Air.

At the centre of the dispute is the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge, which airlines collect on behalf of the NCAA to fund safety oversight, personnel training, and economic regulation in the industry.

The memo, signed by Olufemi Odukoya, director of Finance and Accounts, NCAA, and circulated to regional offices, instructed that no directorate should render services to the listed airlines without financial clearance from the finance department.

It further warned that all services remain suspended pending verification and clearance of outstanding obligations.

While the directive has sparked concerns among industry stakeholders about possible delays in regulatory processes, some affected operators say they are unaware of the order.

Banji Ola, Arik Air’s spokesperson,  said the airline had no knowledge of such a directive.

“I am not aware of any such directive or report.” Ola said

Whisky Efe and Anietie Essienette, spokespersons of Air Peace and Ibom Air, respectively did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

The development has raised fresh uncertainty in the sector, with operators and passengers wary of potential disruptions if the standoff persists


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

FG Classifies Ebola Importation into Nigeria as High Risk

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has classified the risk of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) importation into Nigeria as high amid the ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, though the agency confirmed that no case linked to the regional outbreak has been detected in the country.

FG Classifies Ebola Importation into Nigeria as High Risk

Dr Jide Idris, director-general of the NCDC, in a public health advisory released on Sunday, stated that the assessment followed the World Health Organization’s declaration of the outbreaks as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

According to Dr Idris, the high-risk classification was informed by increasing international travel and population movement, continued transmission in the affected countries, uncertainty surrounding the full scale of the outbreak, and the possibility of delayed detection because Ebola symptoms resemble other endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever.

He, however, assured Nigerians that high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs, and Points of Entry had already been identified as part of ongoing preparedness efforts.

Despite the risk, Dr Idris noted that the country possesses critical response capacities, including functional laboratories, trained rapid response teams, emergency operations centres, and existing viral haemorrhagic fever preparedness structures strengthened by previous successful responses to Ebola and similar outbreaks.

He also stated that the National Emergency Operations Centre had been placed on alert mode, while the National Incident Management System had also been activated to strengthen coordination, reporting, and rapid response mechanisms nationwide.

He explained that epidemiologists and rapid response teams had been placed on standby for possible deployment, while collaboration among state ministries of health, port health services, and other relevant agencies had been intensified.

According to him, surveillance activities have also been strengthened nationwide through enhanced monitoring of alerts, rumours, and unusual health events to support early detection and response.

Dr Idris said border communities and points of entry are under increased surveillance, while health workers across the country are undergoing refresher sensitisation on infection prevention and control measures, early identification of suspected cases, and proper triage procedures.

He further said that states had been advised to incorporate Ebola preparedness into their emergency response systems by designating isolation and treatment centres, assessing bed capacity, strengthening referral pathways, and ensuring the availability of logistics and essential medical supplies.

He also revealed that plans were ongoing to preposition critical response commodities such as personal protective equipment (PPEs), laboratory consumables, body bags, and emergency medical supplies in strategic locations across the country.

On laboratory readiness, Dr Idris said Nigeria currently maintains Ebola testing capacity in states with international points of entry and within the national public health laboratory network, with surge testing capability available if needed.

He said the agency has intensified public awareness campaigns and risk communication efforts aimed at combating misinformation and false claims circulating online about Ebola.

While urging Nigerians not to panic, Dr Idris advised members of the public to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, refrain from handling corpses of individuals who died from unexplained illnesses, and avoid bushmeat from unknown sources.

He advised travellers arriving from countries with confirmed Ebola cases to monitor their health for 21 days and immediately contact health authorities if symptoms develop.

He also urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Ebola cases, strictly observe infection prevention protocols, use PPEs appropriately, and promptly report suspected cases through established channels.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending