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The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), congratulated Edo State Governor , Godwin Obaseki , on his victory at the state governorship election held on Saturday .

Obaseki , the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party , defeated Osagie Ize -Iyamu of Buhari ’ s All Progressives Congress at the poll.

The President , according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu , commended the electoral process that saw the Independent National Electoral Commission declaring Obaseki winner .

In the statement titled “ President Buhari commends election process in Edo State reiterates commitment to free and fair elections , ” Shehu quoted Buhari as reiterating his commitment to credible elections .

In congratulating Obaseki , the President was further quoted as urging him to “ show grace and humility in victory . ”

Buhari said , “ My commitment to free and fair elections is firm , because , without free and fair elections , the foundation of our political and moral authority will be weak .

“ I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order .

“ Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don ’ t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with . ”

In the same vein, Members of the House of Representatives have congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party for defeating Osagie Ize – Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress in the governorship election held in Edo State on Saturday.

In a statement titled, ‘ Edo: Reps Minority Leader, Elumelu , Congratulates Gov Obaseki on Reelection’ , Elumelu described Obaseki ’ s reelection as well -deserving , given his sterling performance in developing the state and empowering the people during his first tenure.

The Minority Leader praised the people of Edo for the courage they exhibited by “ coming out en masse not only to vote but also to protect their votes and monitor the process to the end. ”

Elumelu also applauded Chairman of the South- South PDP Governors ’ Forum , Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State , for the leadership role he played towards the success of the election.

He also commended Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State ; Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council , Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State , as well as other PDP governors , PDP National Assembly caucus , leaders , elders , and teeming members of the party “ for their roles in upholding a free, fair and credible electoral process in Edo State . ”

The Minority Leader urged Obaseki to continue with providing good governance for the people of Edo, which he said was the basis of his incontestable victory in the election.

Punch

The Federal Government has apologised for asking all account holders in the country’ s financial institutions to register their details again .

It tweeted, “ We apologise for the misleading tweets (now deleted ) that went up yesterday , regarding the completion of self – certification forms by Reportable Persons . The message contained in the @ firsNigeria Notice does not apply to everybody. FIRS will issue appropriate clarification shortly . ”

In a press statement , the Federal Inland Revenue Service explained that only “reportable persons ” are expected to submit the form .

The statement read , “ This is to clarify the publication for financial institutions account holders in Nigeria to complete the self – certification form , pursuant to the Income Tax (Common Reporting Standard) Regulations 2019 which is for the fulfilment of Automatic Exchange of Information Requirements .

“ The Self Certification form is basically to be administered on Reportable persons holding accounts in Financial institutions that are regarded as “Reportable Financial Institutions” under the CRS .

“ Reportable persons are often non -residents. And other persons who have a residence for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction or Country .

“ Financial Institutions are expected to administer the Self Certification form on such account holders when the information at its disposal indicates that the Account holder is a person resident for tax purpose in more than one jurisdiction .

“ The information that indicates an account holder is a resident for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction , is expected to be available to Financial Institutions during the account opening processes for the KYC and AML purpose . ”

Punch

Ahead of Saturday governorship election in Edo State , the Inspector -General of Police , Mohammed Adamu , has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 11 . 59 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday.

The IG noted that the order was informed by the need to prevent the free flow , circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs and checkmate the movement of political thugs and other criminally – minded individuals .

The IG in a statement by the force spokesman , DCP Frank Mba , enjoined the citizens to go out en- masse on the day of the election and vote , noting that the police and other security agencies have been sufficiently mobilised to provide a safe , secure and conducive environment for the election.

He warned that the Force would not condone violent and destructive acts, snatching of ballot boxes, vote buying , vote selling , hate speeches, and other acts capable of compromising the electoral processes .

The statement titled, Edo election: IG orders restriction of vehicular movement , ’ read in part , “ The IGP notes that the restriction order is informed by the need to prevent the free flow , circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs and checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts and other criminally – minded individuals , especially from contiguous states from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes . ”

Punch

The Federal Government has released more guidelines that will prevent the spread of COVID – 19 as more states fully reopen schools on Monday .

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control , which disclosed this to newsmen , stated that schools had been directed to conduct COVID- 19 risk assessment every week .

The NCDC also disclosed that local governments and states were directed to conduct monthly and quarterly COVID- 19 risk assessment in schools respectively .

The NCDC Director General , Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu , stated these in an electronic mail sent to one of news correspondents in response to enquiries .

He stated , “ We have also continued to educate the public on measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID- 19 .

“ We know that as the economy and society re – open gradually , we may record a spike in COVID- 19 cases. We have reviewed the situation in other countries that have re- opened schools as well as guidance from WHO , UNICEF and other public health authorities .

“ There is lesser risk of COVID- 19 cases in school settings, if schools carefully coordinate , plan and put the required safety measures in place before reopening .

“ We are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education, PTF-COVID- 19 , states and our partners to ensure that the required safety measures are in place to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our schools . ”

“ The PTF- COVID- 19 and Federal Ministry of Education have mandated schools to conduct periodic ( weekly ) risk assessments . This is to review the gaps that may exist in reducing the risk of COVID- 19 spread in schools , and tailor interventions to address these gaps . Local governments areas and states are to conduct monthly and quarterly risk assessment respectively . ”

“ In addition to this , schools are to set up school health teams including teachers and learners that would facilitate implementation of the safety protocols in schools . LGAs and States have been advised to set up multi -sectoral school health committees dedicated to supporting and monitoring the implementation of safety protocols in the school . ”

The Federal Government has ordered all account holders in the country’ s financial institutions to register their details again .

The order was given despite the possession of the Bank Verification Number and the National Identification Number by account holders .

This new order was disclosed by the government on its Twitter account , @ NigeriaGov .

It said , “This is to notify the general public that all account holders in financial institutions ( banks , insurance companies, etc) are required to obtain, complete and submit self – certification forms to their respective financial institutions.

“ Persons holding accounts in different financial institutions are required to complete and submit the form to each one of the institutions.

“ The forms are required by the relevant financial institutions to carry out due diligence procedures in line with the Income Tax Regulations 2019 .

“ The self – certification form is in three categories : Form for entity – for controlling person (individuals having controlling interest in a legal person , trustee , etc) – Form for individual .

“ Failure to comply with the requirement to administer or execute this form attracts sanctions , which may include monetary penalty or inability to operate the account . ”

The government , however , did not give more explanation on this order.

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has handed a two – week ultimatum within which the Federal Government should reverse the increase in the price of fuel and electricity tariff or face an indefinite strike .

This was the outcome of its communique issued by the Central Working Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress held in Abuja .

The NANNM expressed these decisions in the directive signed by its General Secretary , T. A . Shettima, issued to its State chairmen and Secretaries and sent to journalists in Abuja .

The document reads , “ I write to forward herewith the communique issued at the end of the Central Working Committee of the NLC held on September 16 2020 .

“ In summary , the meeting discussed the unprecedented hike in the cost of Petroleum Motor Spirit (and ) the outrageous increase in electricity tariffs .

“ The meeting resolved to issue a 14 days ultimatum to the Federal Government within which to reverse the increases or face an indefinite strike .

“ You are by this letter directed to start mobilisation and sensitisation of our members . We shall keep you posted on any further development in this regard. ”

Punch

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has signed the Nigeria Police Bill 2020 into law .

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , disclosed this in a statement titled “President Buhari asserts to Police Bill , 2020 ” .

The statement read , “ The Act repeals the Police Act Cap . P19 . Laws of the Federation , 2004 , and provides for a more effective and well organised Police Force , driven by the principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources .

“ Among others, the Act establishes an appropriate funding framework for the Police in line with what is obtainable in other Federal Government key institutions, enhances professionalism in the Force through increased training opportunities , and creates enduring cooperation and partnership between the Police Force and communities in maintaining peace and combating crimes nationwide . ”

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The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed , says Nigeria ’ s revenue has dropped by about 65 per cent.

She said this necessitated the decision of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , to discontinue the payment of petrol subsidy .

Ahmed said this on NTA ’ s ‘ Good Morning Nigeria ’ programme which was monitored by our correspondent .

She said if the petrol subsidy returns , it would lead to fuel scarcity because the government would not be able to pay marketers .

The minister stated, “ What we have been doing is not sustainable. If we bring back fuel subsidy , we will fail because we will not be able to pay it and the problem of disputes with marketers will come back , then we will have queues again . We just cannot afford it and therefore this deregulation must be made to work.

“ We appeal to Nigerians to understand that in the past when subsidy was done , we could afford to do it but right now , we cannot pay . Remember that right now our revenue has gone down by about 65 per cent . So , it is not business as usual . We cannot do what we used to do anymore. ”

When asked if subsidy would return if the price of crude oil bounces back to how it was in previous years , Ahmed said it was unlikely that would happen.

She , however , said the decision remains that subsidy would not return .

The Federal Government has said all airports in the country including private airports and airstrips were now opened for domestic commercial flights .

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika , made this known during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 in Abuja .

He said , “ Regarding approvals for flights within the country – domestic approvals . All airports in Nigeria are now open for domestic flights . Private charter operations will no longer need approvals from us to operate within domestic airports in all government -approved airports and in all government – owned airports .

“ However , those airports that are private airports – government -approved airports – the operators should check the safety status with the NCAA (Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ). Such airports like Jalingo , Uyo, Asaba , Gombe , Nasarawa , Damaturu, Osubi , etc.

“ So , you won ’ t need any approvals from the minister but you should kindly check the status of these airports with the NCAA which is normal .

“ However , all flights out of the country and into the country that are private charter will still need approvals for those kinds of flights including technical stops . ”

Punch

The Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu, has disclosed that no fewer than 31 , 000 personnel have been deployed for the governorship election in Edo State .

Adamu disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Benin ahead of the governorship election holding on September 19 .

He noted that the force was not unconscious of heightened tension and violence that had characterised political campaigns ahead of the election.

He stressed that the police remain impartial, firm, and committed to the conduct of a free, fair , and credible election in the state .

He said the stakeholders’ meeting was a platform for interaction with political actors in the governorship election with a view to charting a course for a peaceful poll.

He noted that for the first time , inter -agencies in the state had developed a code of conduct for security personnel that would be deployed for election duties .

He added that the personnel deployed would ensure adequate security and protection across the three Senatorial District as well as the 192 wards and the more than 2 , 000 polling units in the state .

Adamu stressed that violators of electoral laws and rules during the election would be decisively dealt with irrespective of political affiliation .

He advised parents and guardians to appeal to their children and wards to resist the temptations by politicians to engage them in violence .

He said the police and other security personnel deployed for the election have been trained to be civil in carrying out their responsibility .

He , therefore , called for cooperation from members of the public to achieve a peaceful election .

NAN