HURIWA Condemns Kogi Gov Ododo, Police’s Interference In Natasha’s Visit

HURIWA condemns Kogi Gov Ododo, police’s interference in Natasha’s visit. HURIWA accused the police of being a tool for the All Progressives Congress, particularly in Kogi State, in trying to stop the senator’s visit.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo, and the state police over the ban on political activities in the Okehi Local Government Area, where suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was to meet her family and engage with her constituents.

HURIWA said the announcement of the ban two days before Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s homecoming event was politically motivated.

The association said in a statement by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, that the police, which should serve independently in protecting and serving all citizens without bias, was instrumental in trying to block Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s visit to her hometown.

The HURIWA accused the police of being a tool for the All Progressives Congress, particularly in Kogi State, in trying to stop the senator’s visit.

“HURIWA is miffed that the Nigeria Police Force, which is a creation of the Nigerian Constitution that ought to work to advance the common good, has unfortunately become the official ‘attack dog’ and has further deteriorated to become the official ‘lapdog’ of the All Progressives Congress,” the association said.

Okehi LGA chairman Amoka Eneji had announced a ban on all political gatherings, noting “the decision was aimed at maintaining peace and order”.

Police authorities in the state also urged Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan to cancel her planned homecoming visit due to security threats.

However, HURIWA called on the police leadership to immediately take steps “to shake off their parasitic attachment to the party that produced the current president of Nigeria” and comply with the constitution’s provisions in carrying out their duty.

HURIWA Condemns Kogi Gov Ododo

HURIWA asserted that the situation was a deliberate plot to undermine the senator’s constitutional freedom of movement and peaceful assembly. It criticised the involvement of the APC in the act and called for an investigation into the conduct of the police and its commissioner.

“Why should the Kogi State Police Command follow sheepishly the political directive of the APC governor by abusing the Police Act of 2020 and using illegal means through totally politically motivated and contrived reasons to attempt to stop Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from exercising her constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights to freedom of movement, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of information?” it said.

The association decried the “deterioration of policing standards” and urged the state police commissioner to investigate and provide evidence of security threats that necessitated the ban.

“HURIWA believed that the so-called security concerns were the contrived and dangerously partisan plot of the All Progressives Congress to frustrate the PDP senator from going ahead with her preplanned rally. This is undemocratic,” It said.

Government Warns Commercial Bus Drivers Against Route Violations, Illegal Parking In Lagos

Government warns commercial bus drivers against route violations, illegal parking in Lagos. Mr Giwa emphasised that all commercial vehicle drivers must restrict their operations to designated bus stops and terminals.

The Lagos State government has warned commercial bus operators, particularly drivers of minibuses, colloquially known as “Korope”, against route violations and illegal parking.

The special adviser to the governor on transportation, Sola Giwa, gave the warning in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Taofiq Adebayo, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

“Illegal parking and flagrant route violations have metamorphosed into a grave menace in Lagos, particularly due to the arbitrary conduct of minibus operators.

“Such transgressions, which impede traffic fluidity and endanger public safety, will no longer be condoned,” he said.

Mr Giwa emphasised the importance of unwavering adherence to traffic regulations, particularly regarding unauthorised route deviations.

“This resolute directive is in alignment with the government’s overarching initiative to instil orderliness on Lagos roadways and ensure the uninterrupted flow of vehicular movement across the metropolis,” he said.

Mr Giwa directed all “Korope” operators to immediately desist from utilising unauthorised routes, underscoring that any act of defiance would attract the full weight of legal sanctions.

He further articulated that LASTMA operatives had been duly mandated to escalate enforcement strategies to curb reckless driving and unlawful practices that hinder urban mobility and disrupt the city’s traffic ecosystem.

Government Warns Commercial Bus Drivers

Additionally, Mr Giwa issued a directive against the indiscriminate occupation of public roadways for unauthorised parking and loading activities. He said these activities significantly aggravated traffic congestion and posed substantial risks to other road users.

Mr Giwa emphasised that all commercial vehicle drivers must restrict their operations to designated bus stops and terminals to avert unwarranted impediments to vehicular circulation.

“Furthermore, strict adherence to designated routes is imperative for security purposes, as it acts as a deterrent against unscrupulous elements who exploit commercial vehicles, particularly ‘Korope,’ for illicit activities,” he said.

CBN: Net FX Reserves Stood At $23.11bn In 2024, Highest In 3 Years

CBN: Net FX reserves stood at $23.11bn in 2024, highest in 3 years. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says Nigeria’s net foreign exchange (FX) reserves (NFER) stood at $23.11 billion in 2024, marking the highest level in three years.

Net international reserves are defined as the difference between reserve assets and reserve liabilities.

According to the CBN, NFER was $3.99 billion in 2023, $8.19 billion in 2022, and $14.59 billion in 2021.

The NFER, which adjusts gross reserves for near-term liabilities such as foreign exchange (FX) swaps and forward contracts, is considered a more accurate indicator of the country’s ability to meet immediate external obligations.

Additionally, gross external reserves rose to $40.19 billion at the end of last year, up from $33.22 billion at the end of 2023.

The CBN attributed the increase in reserves to strategic policy measures, including a substantial reduction in short-term FX liabilities, particularly swaps and forward obligations.

“The strengthening was also spurred by policy actions to rebuild confidence in the FX market and increase reserve buffers, along with recent improved foreign exchange inflows – particularly from non-oil sources,” the bank said.

“The result is a stronger and more transparent reserves position that better equips Nigeria to withstand external shocks.

“The expansion occurred even as the CBN continues to reduce short-term liabilities, thereby improving the overall quality of the reserve position.”

Olayemi Cardoso, CBN’s governor, described the progress as the result of deliberate policy choices aimed at stabilising the economy.

“This improvement in our net reserves is not accidental; it is the outcome of deliberate policy choices aimed at rebuilding confidence, reducing vulnerabilities, and laying the foundation for long-term stability,” Cardoso said.

“We remain focused on sustaining this progress through transparency, discipline, and market-driven reforms.” CBN noted that reserves have continued to strengthen in 2025.

The bank said while the first quarter figures reflected some seasonal and transitional adjustments, including significant interest payments on foreign-denominated debt, underlying fundamentals remain intact.

CBN

The regulator added that the reserves are expected to continue improving over the second quarter of this year.

“Going forward, the CBN anticipates a steady uptick in reserves, underpinned by improved oil production levels, and a more supporting export growth environment expected to boost non-oil FX earnings and diversify external inflows,” the bank said.

The CBN reaffirmed its commitment to prudent reserve management, transparent reporting, and macroeconomic policies that support a stable exchange rate, attract investment, and build long-term resilience.