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President Bola Tinubu is fully aware of the economic challenges Nigerians are facing and is taking deliberate steps to address them, according to Senator Orji Kalu.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Kalu revealed that Tinubu moves discreetly through Abuja at night to gauge the situation firsthand.

“The president himself knows that Nigerians are suffering and hungry. He is a street person; he knows the street very well,” Kalu stated.

Kalu further disclosed that Tinubu occasionally drives around the capital city with minimal security detail. “The president some nights uses his car to go around and know what is happening in Abuja here. The president goes around with one or two cars and sees what is happening. He is not a president that is locked up in the room.”

Nigeria’s inflation surged to 32.7% in September 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira by Tinubu’s administration have significantly increased the cost of essential goods, putting them beyond the reach of many citizens.

However, Kalu defended these policy moves as bold and necessary. “The moves were very courageous,” he said, adding that Nigeria is not the only country experiencing economic difficulties. He attributed part of the economic strain to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pressure of COVID-19 has not gone,” Kalu explained. “It is still affecting the global economy.”

The senator acknowledged the tough economic conditions but emphasized that they are not unique to Nigeria. “Let me be honest with you. I know things are not the way they are supposed to be,” Kalu admitted. “The economy has not been so friendly; the atmosphere has not been so friendly. But this economic problem is going on almost everywhere in the world.”

Despite the challenges, Kalu expressed confidence in the efforts of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to revitalize the economy. “They are trying to reform the economy. They are trying to bring back the economy where it is supposed to be,” he noted.
The Federal Government, states, and local government councils have shared a total of N1.298 trillion as revenue for September 2024.
The distribution was confirmed during the October 2024 meeting of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) held in Abuja.

According to a statement from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the total revenue comprised N124.716 billion in statutory allocations, N543.518 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), N18.445 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), N462.191 billion from exchange rate gains, and an augmentation of N150 billion.

A communiqué issued by FAAC revealed that the total revenue available in September 2024 stood at N2.258 trillion. Deductions for the cost of collection amounted to N80.993 billion, while transfers, interventions, and refunds accounted for N878.946 billion.

The report showed that gross statutory revenue for the month was N1.043 trillion, reflecting a drop of N177.426 billion from the N1.221 trillion generated in August 2024. VAT collections for September stood at N583.675 billion, an increase of N10.334 billion compared to August’s figure of N573.341 billion.

From the total distributable revenue of N1.298 trillion, the Federal Government received N424.867 billion, while state governments got N453.724 billion. Local government councils received N329.864 billion, and N90.415 billion was allocated to states entitled to 13% derivation from mineral revenue.

Breaking down the statutory revenue of N124.716 billion, the Federal Government received N43.037 billion, states collected N21.829 billion, and local councils got N16.829 billion. States benefiting from the 13% derivation received N43.021 billion.

The distribution of VAT revenue saw the Federal Government receiving N81.528 billion, states collecting N271.759 billion, and local governments receiving N190.231 billion.

Additionally, from the N18.445 billion generated from the EMTL, the Federal Government received N2.767 billion, while states and local councils got N9.222 billion and N6.456 billion, respectively.

The communiqué further highlighted that from the N462.191 billion exchange rate differential, the Federal Government received N218.515 billion, states got N110.834 billion, and local governments were allocated N85.448 billion. Another N47.394 billion from this revenue source went to states with mineral-producing status as derivation.

Finally, from the N150 billion augmentation, the Federal Government received N79.020 billion, states were given N40.080 billion, and local councils got N30.900 billion.


Senator Orji Kalu, representing Abia North in Nigeria’s Senate, has clarified details about his monthly earnings, addressing public assumptions about the wealth of lawmakers.
Speaking on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, Kalu disclosed that his total income as a Senator amounts to N14 million per month.

“I earn N14 million for everything in a month. That is everything encompassing, the overhead, the worker’s salary, everybody,” Kalu said.

The former governor of Abia State also emphasized that the income is used to cover several expenses, such as transportation to his constituency and maintenance of his constituency office.

He suggested that the sum is insufficient to meet these responsibilities, countering the belief that legislators enjoy excessive affluence while the general populace faces economic challenges.

Addressing criticisms about lawmakers receiving luxury vehicles, Kalu denied that individual Senators are given official cars. According to him, only committees in the National Assembly are assigned vehicles.

“I am in the Senate, and a lot of things are said about the Senators. I sit there quietly and watch, and most of these things are not true. All I know is that committees get vehicles; no lawmaker is given any vehicle,” Kalu explained.

Economic Hardship and Tinubu’s Awareness
The Senator acknowledged the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians, noting that the situation is part of a global trend. He attributed some of Nigeria’s economic challenges to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that countries with long-established, strong economies have managed to recover more swiftly.

Kalu also praised President Bola Tinubu’s awareness of the hardships citizens are experiencing, stating that the president has been making efforts to monitor the situation firsthand.

“The president himself knows that Nigerians are suffering and hungry. He is a street person; he knows the street very well. The president some nights uses his car to go around and know what is happening in Abuja,” Kalu said.

This candid discussion sheds light on the realities of legislative earnings and the efforts to address Nigeria’s economic difficulties amid public criticism of the National Assembly.

 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, has announced an increase in the minimum wage for civil servants in the state to N85,000. 

The governor made this statement during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, October 16.

“I’m glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we have discussed with our union, is N85,000 today,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor emphasized that the decision was not about competing with other states but was based on the state’s financial capacity and the high cost of living in Lagos.

“It is not a competition. I am not going to say that we are paying more than some people, it is a function of affordability and capacity,” Sanwo-Olu added.

He acknowledged the unique economic pressures faced by residents of Lagos, stating, “We know too well that when people live in Lagos, Lagos has a premium in terms of the cost of living. We are fully aware.”

Sanwo-Olu also mentioned that civil servants in the state had already seen salary increases earlier in the year. He expressed his hope to further raise the minimum wage to N100,000 in the near future.

“I will want to come back in January and say that I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos to N100,000, not because I want to make anybody look bad, but because I want my people to have a living wage,” he said.

Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw has shared her thoughts on Genevieve Nnaji’s reserved nature, mentioning that it sometimes leads people to question if they’ve done something wrong.

Henshaw recounted a moment when she felt unsure about her relationship with Nnaji due to her distant demeanor. However, during a recent film shoot, Henshaw realized that Nnaji’s behavior was not personal.

“She was quite nice to me and checked up on me and others,” Henshaw explained, adding that it helped her understand that Genevieve simply enjoys her own space.

Watch the video below…

Former member of boyband One Direction, Liam Payne has d!ed after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires. He was 31.


According to a police statement, the British singer died on Wednesday, October 16, at a hotel on Costa Rica Street in the Palermo neighbourhood.


Buenos Aires police said that personnel from the 14B Police Station went to the hotel on Wednesday afternoon after receiving a 911 call about an aggressive man who was possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.


Police said he fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina’s capital, resulting in “extremely serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death on the spot, the statement said.


Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, said in a statement that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room.”


Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, told Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel that authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting an autopsy.


Payne had been vocal about struggling with alcoholism, posting a video in July 2023 to his YouTube channel where he said he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment. Representatives for Payne did not immediately return emails and calls.


Payne was born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, and is the youngest of three. He is an alum of the City of Wolverhampton College, where he studied music technology.


Payne was best known as a member of the famed British boyband One Direction. The band, which also included Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Horan.


Payne had a 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former girlfriend, the musician Cheryl who was known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud.


Payne was previously engaged to Maya Henry, from August 2020 to early 2022. Henry released a novel earlier this year that she said was based on their relationship.


In addition to his son, he is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
 

Ghanaian internet sensation, Shatta Bandle a.k.a Young Rich Nigga expresses overwhelming joy as he welcomes his second child.

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the popular influencer shared a photo of himself proudly holding the newborn.

He captioned the picture with, “Congratulations 🎊🎉🎈🍾 to myself,” expressing his happiness at the arrival of his bundle of joy.

The news of Bandle’s second child has been met with excitement from his followers, many of whom flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages and well-wishes.

This joyous occasion marks another milestone in Shatta Bandle’s journey, balancing his online fame with his growing role as a father.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says that Nigerians have ‘stopped’ complaining about the hike in petrol price because they no longer need it to run their generators due to constant electricity supply.

The minister stated this while speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, October 15. Last week, the NNPCL increased the pump price of petrol at its retail outlets from N868 per litre to N968 per litre in Lagos and above N1000 in some other regions. The astronomical rise in the price of petrol led to the sharp increase in the cost of transportation, food items and other essential household commodities in Nigeria.

During the conference, Adelabu said;

“People don’t need to buy petrol again as much as they used to do for them to have power. That’s why the noise is even at this level. If they had to be going to the filling stations to buy N1000 per litre of petrol to generate electricity, we would have even had louder noise from the public.

So, what we intend to do is to make sure that all the generators are replaced in line with Lagos State Policy of Replacement of 1 Million Generators in One Year. I saw that. We must replace all the generators.”

In the same breathe, the minister lamented Nigeria’s abysmal performance in the area of power generation, stating that the country added only 2000 megawatts of power to the national grid in the last 40 years dating back to 1984.

“But we are over 200 million people, we are still celebrating achieving 5000MW milestone. Why this seems to be an achievement is because it took us almost 40 years to generate additional 2000MW from the 2000MW milestone we achieved in 1984. When we came to the office, we met 4000MW.

Now, we have taken it to average of 5000MW, with a peak of 5,527MW on the third of September. But we are not deterred. If the last best time was 50 years ago, I believe the next best time is today, and this must wake us up. So, it’s an issue I don’t like to remember”, he said

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested thirty-six (36) suspected internet fraudsters at different locations of Onitsha, Anambra State.

The suspects were arrested on October 11, 2024 following actionable intelligence linking them with suspected online criminal activities.

Upon arrest, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects impersonated foreign nationals using social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims.

Items recovered from them include eight luxury vehicles, sophisticated brands of mobile phones and laptops.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has announced that the minimum wage for civil servants in the state is N85,000.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Wednesday during an interview with Channels Television.

“I’m glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we have discussed with our union, is N85,000 today,” Sanwo-Olu said.


Very dark man started his NGO a couple days ago and as of yesterday he has been able to raise a total of 72 Million naira.

VDM says he slept and woke up only to discover an additional deposit of 100 Million naira and he is unable to tell where the money came from and he is scared it might be a setup from one of his enemies.

Full video above…

Drama as controversial singer, Speed Darlington discloses intention to delete apology to Burna Boy as he reveals why he had done it.

Earlier, it was reported that Speed Darlington had released a statement apologizing for the comments he had made about the musician, Burna Boy which got him arrested.

However, in a recent video he made, he noted that he had done it only because he wanted back his phone which was withheld.

He revealed that he intends to delete the apology because his phone wasn’t released, and his lawyer had made him post the apology online.

Speed Darlington taunted them, stating that the contents on his phone are on his laptop, and he plans on buying another phone soon.

Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, the popular musician and activist Folarin Falana, widely known as Falz, have jointly called for a public apology and a retraction of the defamatory statements made by crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.

In a recent statement, the Falana duo expressed their concern over the impact of Bobrisky’s remarks, which they believe have unjustly tarnished their reputations.

The demands for a public apology and retraction come in response to the circulation of audio recordings online, in which Bobrisky made several unverified claims about the Falanas.

These recordings have raised significant concerns regarding the accuracy and intent behind the statements, prompting the Falana family to take a stand.

They argue that the unfounded allegations not only damage their personal and professional reputations but also contribute to a culture of misinformation that can have far-reaching consequences.

The Falanas are seeking to address this issue not just for themselves, but to uphold the principle of truthfulness in public discourse.

The controversy began when Bobrisky, in an audio clip shared by controversial social media critic Martin Otse, alias VeryDarkMan, alleged that he or she contacted Falz to solicit his help in persuading his father, Femi Falana, to secure a presidential pardon. According to Bobrisky, this supposed favor cost N10 million. She or he further claimed that he or she requested N3 million from Falz to ensure preferential treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

In a second audio clip also shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky alleged that she or he had paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to facilitate a Federal Government pardon concerning charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In response to these allegations, Falana’s legal team, through Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, issued a strongly worded letter dated October 14, 2024. The letter categorically refuted Bobrisky’s claims, describing them as baseless and harmful to the reputations of both Femi Falana and his son, Falz.

The legal representatives demanded a full public retraction of the defamatory statements and a formal apology to be published on all platforms where the audios were circulated. The letter stressed that failure to comply could result in further legal action.

Celebrity barman, Cubana Chief Priest celebrates as he rejoices over Davido’s father revealed that his power plant generates 15% of Nigeria’s electricity.

Earlier, it was reported that Davido’s father, Dr. Deji Adeleke revealed during a recent conference that he provides 15% of electricity to Nigerians.

The revelation had sent a wave of surprise to Nigerians and has deepened their regard for the Adeleke family.

Cubana Chief Priest took to his Instagram page to note that he couldn’t sleep after the revelation.

He celebrated the family over the achievement of their power plant while noting that he is proud to be a member of the 30BG.

His words read…

“Couldn’t Sleep Last Night, That My Inlaw Testimony No Gree Me Close Eyes. So Na This Kind Money Dey Wey We Go Still Chop. This One Na Just One Power Plant. Chai !!! Thank God I’m Not A Chosen, I’m A 30BG💸

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has denied the invasion of the National Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged impeachment move.

Akpabio, who made the refutal at the Wednesday’s plenary, said that the allegation reported on the social media that the DSS invaded the national assembly was not true.

He said: “It has just been brought to my attention by one of us that there is a fake news trending on the social media that the DSS surrounded the national assembly with possible impeachment of principal officers.

“There is no limit to social media. We are here sitting down and doing your work very peacefully, oblivious of the mischief that is going on behind us.

“This is what we pass through on a daily basis. It’s either they use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inject something to turn it around in order to drive traffic. I understand that they are being paid by YouTube.

But I hope the public is aware that this is total fake news and that the chamber is very stable and that there is no issue of impeachment,” Akpabio said.

He thereafter referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Special Duties to investigate and report its findings within 24 hours.

Sen. Shehu Kaka, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, investigate and report back to us as soon as practicable,” he said.

Very influential Nigerians are set to participate in the upcoming Social Media Fest (SMFEST 2024), the fourth edition of the Africa’s premier technology and business innovation event. 

With the theme, "Evolve", the event is bringing together the best minds in the tech and business world to explore how digitalization can drive growth and transformation in Africa.

Among them is the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, a leadership coach, Linus Okorie, child comedian Mark Angel and Chimezie Amadi. 

Others are, Dr. Gideon Osi, CEO of Gosima Group an established business guru with results, Mark Angel a globally recognized content creator known for his viral comedy skits that have transcended borders and John Obidi a thought leader in personal development and digital entrepreneurship. 

Also to be at the event include, Kenny Nwokoye a business strategist and dynamic speaker specializing in empowering businesses through innovative strategies, Nathaniel Disu a tech innovator making strides in Africa’s digital landscape and Dr. Ninnah – An expert in leveraging technology to drive business growth and innovation.

SMFEST according to the organizers is on a mission to build a thriving community of creatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators who maximize the power of technology and social media to grow businesses, increase visibility, and foster social change. 

They said the event is focused on offering practical insights, cutting-edge ideas, and digital tools to help attendees understand how to harness the immense potential of digitalization for personal and professional advancement.

SMFEST 2024 will take place on October 19, 2024, at the Landmark Event Center in Owerri, Nigeria. The venue is set to come alive with the electrifying energy of participants, speakers, and sponsors all united by a common goal—to connect, innovate, and grow.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed approximately N10 billion to 40,000 students since the launch of the student loan programme, according to the agency’s managing director, Akintunde Sawyerr.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Mr. Sawyerr provided updates on the programme’s progress.

He revealed that around 370,000 students have registered on the NELFUND portal, with 280,000 of them proceeding to apply for the loan.

The programme, aimed at providing financial support for students in need, has gained significant traction since its inception, with more applications expected as awareness of the loan opportunities grows.

According to him, this leaves a number of students “who have not decided as to whether or not they want to proceed and apply, which is fair enough”.

“It’s a loan, people need to think about it. About 89,000 of those exist,” Mr Sawyer said.

He continued, “About 40,000 of them have been approved and we’ve actually disbursed to them…I think that’s probably in the region of N9 to N10 billion.”

He said many of the 89,000 students who have yet to apply for the loan may still be holding back their decision while waiting for parental consent or seeking further clarification on the loan programme.

Mr Sawyerr said funds disbursed to students under the loan programme cover sessional institutional fees and a monthly upkeep of N20,000 for each of the students.

“The way we disburse the loan is that we pay the fees, and so far, we have a commitment of paying fees of about N30 billion and about N 60 billion in upkeep loan. So, the second tranche of this is that we pay directly to the students for upkeep – pocket money if you like,” he said.

Speaking further, Mr Sawyerr said to be eligible for the student loan, the student must have gained admission or be under continuous enrollment at a tertiary institution owned by the government, and is faced with financial constraints.

He explained that the requirement of enrollment in government-owned institutions was put in place because the institutions provide a reliable pool of eligible candidates.

“Our objective is to look, seek out and find these students and put this opportunity before them so that they know that the option of dropping out, which often isn’t an option in itself, is not one that we never want them to put up with,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act in June 2023, about a month after his inauguration, creating a legal framework to support fee payments for low-income Nigerians.

In July this year, the president launched the digital NELFUND disbursement exercise at the State House in Abuja.

In August, NELFUND confirmed receiving N50 billion from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to boost the student loan scheme, following a directive from President Tinubu in his 4 August speech addressing the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.

To expand the NELFUND’s reach, Mr Sawyerr, revealed that the agency will collaborate with private institutions like banks to increase accessibility for those without internet access.

Speaking further, he explained that the agency refused to use manual processes to curtail corruption.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned recent allegations credited to Kwara South Senator, Oyelola Ashiru, branding the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as the most corrupt and compromised government agency in Nigeria.

Debunking the claims as baseless and politically motivated, HURIWA, during a press conference, on Wednesday, described the senator’s accusations as a figment of his imagination, further noting that such a presentation does not befit a distinguished representative of the people.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in his statement, expressed dismay at the senator’s comments, questioning how a legislator could stand on the floor of the National Assembly and make sweeping allegations without presenting concrete evidence to support his claims.

According to HURIWA, Senator Ashiru’s remarks lack any form of credibility as they are not backed by specifics, evidence, or facts but rather appear to be driven by sentiments and possible ulterior motives.

“We find it alarming that a lawmaker would make such a ‘reckless’ and generalized allegation against one of Nigeria’s most hardworking agencies. This is simply based on nothing but sentiment and perhaps hatred for certain individuals within the NDLEA,” Onwubiko stated.

He further stressed that this trend of politically motivated smear campaigns against government institutions is becoming rampant and must be checked.

The advocacy group further raised concerns about the timing of the allegations, suspecting that there is a larger conspiracy behind Senator Ashiru’s outburst.

HURIWA emphasized that the NDLEA, under the leadership of Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Retd.), has seen unprecedented success in its war against narcotics and drug trafficking. The rights group insisted that the agency has made significant strides in arresting drug barons, prosecuting high-profile individuals involved in drug-related crimes, and strengthening Nigeria’s international standing in the fight against drugs.

Comrade Onwubiko pointed out that NDLEA’s recent successes have rattled several powerful individuals who may now be resorting to political maneuvers to destabilize the agency’s operations.

He stated that the genesis of the bill to establish a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, which Senator Ashiru supports, appears to be part of a coordinated effort to undermine NDLEA’s accomplishments and weaken the current counter-narcotics strategy.

“We at HURIWA suspect that the introduction of this bill is a game plan orchestrated by certain forces who are unhappy with the current NDLEA leadership’s determination to intensify the drug war. Under General Marwa’s leadership, no one has been above the law—not even high-ranking politicians or politically exposed persons. This is why we believe there may be political forces at play here,” Onwubiko argued.

HURIWA further bolstered its position by citing remarks made by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, earlier this year.

In January, Governor Soludo warned that drug barons and internet scammers have infiltrated politics, using it as a haven to evade law enforcement and continue their illicit activities. Soludo’s cautionary words, according to HURIWA, give credence to the notion that there are vested interests behind the push to derail the NDLEA’s counter-narcotics efforts.

Governor Soludo had said, “Many drug barons now see politics as the next easy alternative. Appointment or election into public office is seen largely as an opportunity to ‘eat’ rather than a call to selfless service.” HURIWA believes that the current debate in the National Assembly on the creation of a new agency is potentially being fueled by these same forces, seeking to destabilize the NDLEA and prevent it from achieving further victories in its war against drug trafficking.

“Governor Soludo’s statement carries significant weight given his elevated position in both political and economic circles and his access to critical intelligence. For him to raise such concerns shows that there is indeed a serious issue at play. We cannot allow a bill with no altruistic or nationalistic value to derail the progress the NDLEA has made,” Onwubiko remarked.

HURIWA said it strongly opposed the establishment of a new drug-related agency, arguing that it would be a needless duplication of functions.

“The NDLEA already has departments dedicated to drug awareness and rehabilitation, which have performed exceptionally well. The proposal to create another agency with similar functions would only serve to weaken the NDLEA’s capacity and could be seen as a deliberate attempt to destabilize its operations.

“This bill is not just redundant; it is a direct attack on the NDLEA. The NDLEA’s public awareness programs and rehabilitation efforts are already effective, so there is no need for another agency. The only thing this bill will achieve is to divide resources and energy, ultimately weakening the fight against drug barons,” Onwubiko explained.

In light of these developments, HURIWA called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch a thorough investigation into the motivations behind the proposed bill and those sponsoring it.

The organization insisted that the bill’s proponents must be scrutinized to determine whether there are links to individuals or groups seeking to undermine the NDLEA’s fight against narcotics.

“A few months ago, HURIWA raised concerns about a coordinated campaign to discredit the NDLEA, and now we are seeing this bill emerge. The DSS must investigate the true intent behind this bill and uncover whether there is a conspiracy to sabotage the counter-narcotics war. The NDLEA has been praised by international bodies, including the U.S., U.K., and the EU, for its efforts, and we cannot allow a few disgruntled individuals to derail this progress.” HURIWA recounted.

HURIWA, also called on the National Assembly to act with greater responsibility and ensure that bills brought before it serve the nation’s best interests, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to play politics with critical issues like drug enforcement, and the NDLEA’s remarkable progress should be supported, not sabotaged.

“HURIWA remains resolute in its defense of the NDLEA and we urge the government to dismiss Senator Ashiru’s baseless accusations, which are devoid of facts and evidence. We also warn that passing such a bill would be a monumental scandal, one that would harm Nigeria’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and further undermine public trust in the nation’s institutions,” Onwubiko concluded.