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NUPENG President insists, there is no crack in PTD branch of the Union

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***Says new leadership is the outcome due process

The national leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG,) is not in any crises as being insinuated, the National President of the union Comrade Williams Akporeha has indicated.
Comrade Akporeha made the clarification on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Abuja shortly after the Comrade Augustine Egbon and other national officers of the PTD- NUPENG assumed office at the Branch national secretriat in Abuja.
Investigation revealed that Comrade Egbon and certain  members of the  branch emerged as new set of national officers last Tuesday  at the end of the election held in Ibadan, in accordance with the Constitution of NUPENG and Bye Laws of  the Branch,  as approved by the National Executive Council of the Union.
Further investigation revealed that the election  was sequel to the judgement of Justice Bashir Alkali of the National lndustrial Court of Nigeria, in the Yenagoa Judicial Division, Bayelsa State, which nullified the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG election held on 30th June 2O22 in Ibadan, by NUPENG where Lucky Osesua had emerged as national chairman.
The NUPENG President who maintained that there was no faction in PTD- NUPENG declared that those who were not party to the election held in Ibadan in accordance with the Union Constitution and Bye Laws of  the Branch could not lay claim to the national secretriat of the Branch.
He said:”On the issue of whether there is a faction in the PTD Branch of our Union, the fact that you weren’t part of an election process or  just because you refused to contest and then go and declare yourself a winner elsewhere doesn’t mean that there is faction.
“To me, those are the antics of some desperate persons who wanted to hijack positions by all means and we have seen their kind of character, in the way they attacked the new national officers of the branch last week.
“If not for the grace of God, some of us would not have been here today but God saved us from their hands and they will face the wrath of the law for the criminal act they perpetrated. That’s not about election, that’s not about  trade unionism. It is about criminality . So, I want to say here that as far as NUPENG is concerned, there is one PTD Branch and the leadership of Comrade Augustine Egbon is the one recognized. I want to use this opportunity to implore Nigerians to ignore any criminal going parading himself as national chairman of PTD or saying he is a member of NUPENG or PTD Branch leadership. We don’t know such kind of persons and we urge  stakeholders and Nigerians to cooperate with this team  which we know as the legitimate executive of
the Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG.”
Earlier while addressing newsmen, the new National Chairman of the Branch, Comrade Egbon, also corroborated the NUPENG President on the processes that led to his emergence as national chairman of the Branch.
He said:”The elections that brought my colleagues and I to this positions was carried out 31st October 2023 at the University of Ibadan Conference Center, Ibadan ni accordance with the Constitution of NUPENG and Bye Laws of our great Branch as approved by the National Executive Council of the Union.
For the records, in compliance with the judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Bashir A. Alkali of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, in the Yenagoa Judicial Division, holden at Yenagoa on Suit No. NICN/YEN/1/2022 which nullified the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG,s election held on 30th June 2022 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)convened and peacefully held a special Delegates Conference for the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG today the
31st of October 2023 at the University of Ibadan Conference Center ni Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The Special Delegates Conference fully attended by 712 delegates representing 177 Units of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG from the four Zonal Councils of the Union ni Warri, Kaduna, Lagos and Port Harcourt Zones of our great Union (NUPENG).”
“The Special Delegates Conference was very peaceful and orderly conducted.
At the end of the  well conducted elections, I, Comrade Augustine Egbon from Benin Unit of the Warri Zonal Council of the Union was duly returned elected as the National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Union in accordance with the Bye Law of the Branch and Constitution of the Union.
“Other Officers returned elected after the elections are here with me in this office
today and I want to assure all our members across the Country, critical Stakeholders and the general public that there is no division at all in our Union
and the Branch, our Solidarity remains constant because we know that Workers United can never be defeated.”
General Secretary of NUPENG, Wale Afolabi also disclosed that the displaced executive was not in the dark on the resolution to conduct fresh election in accordance with the verdict of Justice Bashir Alkali.
He recalled that the National Executive Committee of the Union invited the former Branch  leadership to a meeting where it was briefed on its resolution to conduct a fresh election in accordance with the outcome of the Court judgement and a five care caretaker Committee was put in place after the dissolution of the executive to pave way for a fresh election.
“On July 26, an Emergency NEC meeting of the Union was convened on the judgement. We invited all members of the former Branch Administrative Council whose election were nullified to a meeting to brief them on the judgement , NEC decision to accept the judgement, the dissolution and the names of the Caretaker/ Election Organizing Committee to oversee the affairs of the Branch and organize the elections.”
“Similarly, on September 20,  in Asaba, the meeting Branch Executive Council of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers  Branch of the Union was called by the Caretaker Committee to brief the Council on the affairs of the Branch, take reports from the Units and Zones, take decisions on election date, venue and  the election guidelines from the National Secretariat. Guidelines were adopted and released with Nomination forms.”

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Obidient Movement tackles APC for threatening Peter Obi, demands accountability

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Peter Obi

The Obidient Movement has strongly condemned the recent remarks by Mr. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, describing his comments as reckless and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking on Arise TV on January 5, 2025, Mr. Morka asserted that “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and he has what’s coming to him, and whatever he gets, he should manage it.” This statement, the movement insists, constitutes a veiled threat to Mr. Obi’s life and safety, as well as an assault on the fundamental principles of democracy.
The coordinator of the Obidient Movement Dr. Yunusa Tanko in a statement on Monday raised critical questions about the legitimacy of such remarks asking rhetorically what line Mr. Obi crossed, and who set these boundaries? What specific actions or statements justify such ominous threats? What exactly is ‘coming to him,’ as implied by the APC spokesman?
Such language, the group contended, reflects authoritarian tendencies and undermines the rule of law, which guarantees freedom of speech and protection from harm.
Explaining further, the statement indicated that Mr. Peter Obi’s commitment to issue-based politics, constructive criticism, and solutions-driven proposals has been a hallmark of his leadership.
“His New Year address, which evaluated Nigeria’s current challenges while offering actionable solutions, was devoid of hate or incitement.
“The APC’s attack on Mr. Obi shows a disturbing trend of silencing opposition voices rather than engaging in meaningful debate,” the statement noted.
The Obidient Movement issued a stern warning to the ruling APC and its agents, declaring that they will be held directly responsible should any harm come to Mr. Obi, his family, or supporters.
“This administration must know that democracy cannot thrive under threats and intimidation,” the statement emphasized.
The Obidient Movement therefore semanded an immediate retraction and apology from Mr. Felix Morka and the APC leadership.
The Movement demanded an investigation by security agencies into the intent and implications of Mr. Morka’s remarks.
It also demanded a commitment by the government to protect democratic values and promote constructive engagement over divisive rhetoric.
The monement vowed that it can not be intimidated, stressing that Nigerians must resist the slide into dictatorship by demanding accountability and justice.
“We urge Nigerians to stand united and protect the gains of democracy. We also call on the international community to take note of this emerging pattern of repression and help safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
Finally, the Obidient Movement called on the APC to discipline its spokespersons and adopt a more mature approach to political discourse, focusing on solutions rather than threats.

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Incessant Military Strikes on Defenceless Nigerians Unacceptable

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An activist and public affairs commentator, Malam Salihu Othman Isah, has condemned what he described as the incessant air strikes and other forms of military attacks on defenceless civilians in some parts of the country.

Isah, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said in an interview that it is unprofessional for the Nigerian military to continue unleashing its weapons on people they are trained and paid to protect.

He also criticized the approach being deployed by the authorities—both the government and the Nigerian Armed Forces—to stop the killings, which have become a recurring situation in the country.

He disclosed that it is common knowledge that hapless and harmless Nigerians, going about their normal duties to seek their livelihoods, are sent to their early graves through avoidable military attacks.

According to him, some of these attacks and killings—both by the ground army and the Air Force—cannot be justified, as they are extrajudicial in nature.

“The army of any nation is established primarily to defend the territorial integrity of its people and not to eliminate them.

“The army is supposed to complement other arms of the security apparatus of a nation. It is meant to protect its citizens and not mow them down,” he reiterated.

It will be recalled that a few days ago, a fighter jet said to be carrying out an attack on Lakurawa bandits in Sokoto killed over ten innocent civilians during the operation.

An Air Force fighter jet, on a mission to dislodge the bandits, was reported to have terminated the lives of innocent villagers going about their legitimate businesses.

But in their usual manner, the Federal Government as well as the army authorities have set up commissions of inquiry primarily to ascertain the remote cause of the incident.

Isah expressed disappointment over the trend, saying, “We often travel this same lane anytime there is an occurrence.

“Why would the Chief of Army Staff constitute an inquiry to investigate the remote cause of the attack on defenceless Nigerians instead of acting decisively to tackle the failure of its men and officers?

“Instead, energies should also be directed at solution-seeking, beginning with holding errant officers responsible for such killings accountable.”

He lamented that investigations and inquiries have become too monotonous and counterproductive, surmising that real action is required.

The civil rights activist advocated that the armed forces must follow laid-down rules of engagement, which is a global practice required for any army operation to be successful, especially when carried out in civilian-populated areas.

Isah pointed out that, “Beyond the rules of engagement, every individual army officer must have service rules to guide their operations. And while these are available but flouted, there must be consequences.

“It is not enough to set up inquiries whose reports are kept secret and with no reprimand of violators.”

He further stressed that the trend has always been to condemn military actions against civilians, adding that such condemnations have come in torrents.

Nigerians in both high and low places have been unanimous in their criticisms after the recent attack.

“It’s sad that after this, we usually move on, awaiting the next incident and speculating where and how it will occur. Don’t expect any severe action against any of the officers responsible for this action. And next time, another attack will occur, the real targets will be missed, innocent souls will be terminated, and the vicious circle will continue with no end in sight. For how long will this be?” he noted.

The political scientist also stated that a nation with no disciplined army and no regard for its citizens is bound to fail. This is simply unacceptable.

“Henceforth, those found wanting should be called out, and punishment must be meted out to serve as a deterrent in the future.”

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Bayelsa Groom Flees Engagement Ceremony Over Endless Cash Demands in Imo

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***Elders’ N850,000 Refund Request Sparks Drama

What was meant to be a joyous union turned into high drama in Imo State when a Bayelsa man, Biobelemoye David, fled his engagement ceremony after being subjected to a series of outrageous financial demands by his bride’s family.
The ceremony, which began on a celebratory note, took a dramatic turn as David faced mounting charges, including a N1.5 million bill for food, tents, chairs, and a public address system, in addition to a N100,000 bride price that both families had initially agreed upon.
However, tensions escalated when David was asked to pay an extra N50,000 fine for impregnating his fiancée before the ceremony. The fines didn’t stop there—he was slapped with another N10,000 penalty for mistakenly taking a wrong route to the bride’s homestead and a N15,000 charge to appease elders who had grown impatient with his late arrival.
The breaking point came when David was subjected to a bizarre test. Twelve veiled women were paraded before him, and he was asked to identify his fiancée. When he guessed incorrectly, he was fined N15,000 yet again.
But the final straw was the elders’ demand for an N850,000 refund—allegedly covering the bride’s school fees and upkeep since childhood. Unable to contain his frustration, David excused himself under the guise of using the toilet.
Eyewitnesses later confirmed that David switched off his phone and was spotted boarding a bus back to Bayelsa, leaving the ceremony in chaos and disbelief.

The incident has since sparked widespread debate on social media, with many condemning the excessive demands and calling for an end to exploitative marriage practices.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach David for comments have been unsuccessful as his whereabouts remain unknown.

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