Category: All News

SaharaReporters gathered that Onwuemelie’s redeployment followed complaints about his human rights record. He had earlier served as aide-de-camp to former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo.

The Area Commander claimed that his refusal to participate in an illegal “kickback” scheme led to the withholding of his funds.

The member representing Ohafia North constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Mandela Obasi, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and joined the Labour Party, LP.

Obasi confirmed his defection to journalists on Wednesday at Governor Alex Otti’s residence in Nvosi, Isialangwa South LGA, after holding a closed-door meeting with Governor Otti, his Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, and other politicians.

The three-term member of the Abia State House of Assembly explained that his decision to join the Labour Party was hinged on what he described as the visible works of Governor Otti across Abia State, adding that crises in the PDP drove him away.

“I am leaving PDP, and the reason why I’m leaving PDP is because we don’t have a leader any longer.

“Some of us in PDP, their legs are in ADC; some in APC, so what am I doing there? If you check in the Abia State House of Assembly, I’m one of the last men standing there in PDP,” Obasi said.

He announced that a later date would be set for the defection of his large group of supporters into the LP.

With Obasi’s defection, PDP is now left with only one lawmaker in the Abia State House of Assembly.

Earlier on Wednesday, Senator Austin Akobundu, who represents Abia Central district, resigned from the PDP, citing crises within the umbrella party as the reason for his decision.

Abia Assembly member, Obasi joins LP after closed-door meeting with Otti

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has accused oil thieves, former contractors, and political actors of attempting to pressure the government into cancelling a major pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta.

Adeyanju said those who once profited from illegal oil activities are now leading a campaign to compel the Federal Government of Nigeria to terminate the deal.

According to him, criticism of the contract is largely coming from individuals who lost both money and influence after security around oil pipelines was tightened.

He claimed some of these groups are also collaborating with corrupt officials in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the surveillance arrangement and push the government to scrap it.

The surveillance contract was awarded to a company linked to former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

Supporters of the deal say it has helped reduce oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. They argue that improved monitoring has enabled Nigeria to raise its oil production to more than one million barrels per day.

Before the contract was introduced, production had reportedly fallen to around 300,000 barrels per day due to frequent pipeline attacks and illegal oil tapping.

However, some critics believe the government should review the contract, arguing that the arrangement could be perceived as political favouritism and warning that it may increase the influence of former militant groups in the region.

Adeyanju dismissed these concerns, saying the contract has already delivered clear results in protecting Nigeria’s oil facilities. He also called on the government to investigate those advocating for the contract’s cancellation, suggesting some may have personal interests linked to oil theft.

The activist warned that scrapping the surveillance deal could weaken efforts to protect pipelines and allow illegal oil activities to surge once again in the Niger Delta.

He urged the government to remain focused on safeguarding the country’s oil resources and resist pressure from those he claims seek a return to the era of widespread pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

Oil thieves behind campaign against pipeline contract – Adeyanju

Scarcity of fuel has hit Delta State, first noticed on Monday in places like Asaba, Agbor, and Umunede.

The situation worsened on Tuesday as news of a price increase spread.

Most fuel filling stations in parts of Asaba and its environs witnessed long queues of vehicles as independent petroleum marketers increased pump prices to between N1,200 and N1,400 per litre.

Many stations locked their gates, while those still dispensing fuel sold at the new prices, resulting in long queues.

Some filling stations that sold fuel at N1,050 and N1,100 over the weekend have adjusted their prices to the current levels.

Rain Oil stations along Okpanam Road, the Expressway, and other outlets in Asaba, Ogwashi Uku, and within the state capital territory are dispensing fuel at N1,250 to N1,300 per litre.

Reports from Agbor indicated that some filling stations, including North West in Asaba, were selling at N1,250 per litre around 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Intra-state transport fares have increased, with fears of further hikes if authorities do not intervene, given petrol prices in Delta State now range between N1,250 and N1,300 per litre.

An IPMAN official in the Delta State branch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said independent marketers should not be blamed for the pump price increase, attributing it instead to OPEC.

The official added that his members have no choice but to sell fuel between N1,200 and N1,400 per litre after purchasing it from privately owned depot agents.

He appealed to the federal government to act quickly so that marketers can access fuel at the government-approved price.

Queues in Delta over hike in fuel price