Politics
Reps Order CBN, Finance Minister To Refund 50% Deduction From NSC
The House of Representatives has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance to immediately refund the 50% deduction made from the Nigerian Shippers Council’s (NSC) account.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Ahmad Muhammad, who noted that the Federal Ministry of Finance had deducted 50% of the Council’s account balance in December 2023 under the 2021 Finance Act.
He said while similar deductions from other agencies had been refunded, the Nigerian Shippers Council is yet to receive its reimbursement.
Hon. Muhammad expressed concern that the non-release and delay in refunding the funds have caused significant operational challenges for the Council, including difficulties in paying staff salaries and retirees’ entitlements. The situation, he noted, has led to undue hardship for both employees and retirees.
In a related development, the House also urged the Federal Ministry of Power to declare electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) as non-state actors and take immediate steps to address their alleged reckless actions, which pose a threat to the nation’s economy.
The lawmakers further recommended the recapitalization of Discos, requiring a minimum of ₦500 billion in financial capacity adding that Only operators with the financial strength to provide satisfactory services to consumers should be allowed to continue operations.
Moving the motion, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka decried the unfair practices of Discos, particularly their demand for additional payments from consumers to replace electricity meters that had already been paid for during installation. He described the demands as dubious, eroding consumer trust and exacerbating financial burdens on households and businesses.
Hon. Isiaka expressed worry over the sabotage of economic growth caused by Discos, where essential services are manipulated against citizens rather than serving them.
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Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Amaechi completed his registration at Ward 8 in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Friday morning.
Ekwutosblog had reported that thugs earlier stormed the ADC’s office in the community and set it ablaze.
Speaking to supporters after his registration, Amaechi appealed for calm, urging his loyalists to resist any temptation toward reprisal or disorder.
“Don’t be violent because violence may lead to the death of somebody — don’t be violent. At the same time, they can’t stop us from meeting in our community,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor expressed satisfaction with the conduct of security operatives deployed to the area, singling out the state commissioner of police and the director of the Department of State Services for praise.
Amaechi equally called on security agencies to move swiftly to identify and prosecute those behind the arson, warning that such acts of intimidation would not deter the party’s activities in the area.
Trump also indicated that he would reject any successor who continues the policies associated with the late Iranian leader.
The United States President, Donald Trump, has said he must take part in determining who becomes Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ali Khamenei.
Trump made the statement during an interview with Axios on Thursday while reacting to discussions within Iran over possible successors to the late leader.
“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela,” he said.
The US president was referring to Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power in Venezuela after US forces captured former president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
Trump also indicated that he would reject any successor who continues the policies associated with the late Iranian leader.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” he stated.
He warned that installing a leader who follows the same path as the former supreme leader could force the United States back into war with Iran “in five years.”
Mojtaba Khamenei, a cleric believed to have strong ties with Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards, is widely considered one of the possible successors to his father, although Tehran has yet to formally announce a new leader.
Trump’s remarks came a day after the White House suggested that regime change in Iran was not the main objective of the administration’s ongoing military campaign in the region.
Iran’s Supreme Leader serves as the country’s highest political and religious authority and holds significant influence over the armed forces, judiciary and major state policies.
The leadership uncertainty follows the death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in late February during a wave of joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian military and government targets.
The attacks formed part of a major military campaign launched amid escalating tensions over Iran’s regional activities and nuclear programme.
The strikes reportedly targeted several strategic facilities in Tehran and other locations, triggering a wider conflict across the Middle-East.
Iran later responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli and US-linked targets across the region, raising fears of a broader regional war and disrupting energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989, had not publicly named a successor before his death.
His killing created a power vacuum in Tehran, prompting speculation over who might lead the country next as the conflict continues.
Success Opara has extended heartfelt congratulations to Hon Onyekachi Ibezim on his emergence as the State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State.
Onyedebelu Austin was elected as the new State Chairman, while Ibezim secured the position of State Secretary during the party’s congress in Owerri.
Governor Hope Uzodimma praised the new leadership, emphasizing the importance of unity and adherence to the party’s constitution.
The emergence of Hon Onyekachi Ibezim as APC State Secretary is seen as a boost to the party’s efforts to revamp and reposition itself in Imo State. With Success Opara’s congratulatory message, it’s clear there’s a sense of unity and camaraderie within the party ranks.
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