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Queues spread as petrol hits N1,100/litre in Abuja, others

Published
9 months agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
9th July 2024
By Okechukwu Nnodim
The queues for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, persisted in Abuja and neighbouring states on Monday, as it also spread to Lagos and other regions across the country, with marketers stating that the situation might drag till the weekend.
As motorists spend hours in queues at the few filling stations that dispensed the product, black marketers used the opportunity to raise their prices to between N1,000 and N1,100/litre, while some retail outlets increased the pump price of petrol to N900/litre, particularly in Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger.
This came as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited explained that the queues were due the recent thunderstorm and challenges of logistics that disrupted activities at fuel loading jetties.
It, however, stated that the company was working with stakeholders to resolve the situation and clear the queues.
Reacting to this, the President, Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed that NNPC had assured marketers that the matter was being addressed.
He, however, explained that the queues may not disappear in the next couple of days, stressing locations far away from major depots would experience lengthier days of fuel queues.
“Once they start loading, it takes some days to clear the queues. And don’t forget that filling stations in Abuja get products from Lagos, Oghara, Warri, Port Harcourt or Calabar, and that takes more than three days turn-around time to accomplish,” he stated.
On whether the situation was being resolved as stated by NNPC, Gillis-Harry said, “Yes it is being addressed and we’ve had an in-depth review of the matter. They’ve given us assurance that they are working on it and so we should be able to get products in our retail outlets.
“We could see what their challenges were, but during our conversation we were able to know that NNPC is working hard to tackle this situation. So we are certain that in the coming days petroleum products should be available and circulate widely.”
Gillis-Harry, however, stated that marketers could not confirm the claim of thunderstorm disrupting the loading of products at jetties, as stated by NNPC.
“Rather, as far as we are concerned there is a supply glitch which is now being addressed by NNPC,” the PETROAN president stated.
Gillis-Harry stated that to get a lasting solution to fuel scarcity and queues in Nigeria, the government and NNPC must work with downstream oil sector operators.
“We had recommended that NNPC should have a clearly-defined council made up of all the grassroot knowledge of the business so that when we sit down and discuss we can always project what is likely going to be our problem based on empirical evidence. We should be data-driven by the design and plan that we put together,” he stated.
Inadequate supply
However, a major dealer in the downstream oil sector insisted that there was inadequate supply of PMS by NNPC and that this was due to shortage, adding that the queues had spread to Lagos.
“The product is not there. If the product is there people will lift it and there won’t be queues. So I don’t think the queues will disappear any time soon, it might drag till weekend.
“This is because even in Lagos, when I was coming to office today, I saw queues from the MRS station in Alakaa to around the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
“So there are queues in Lagos too, not just in Abuja and states in that axis. The government and NNPC will keep assuring Nigerians, but it is until we see the product that you can say their assurances are true,” the dealer, who spoke anonymously due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.
The marketer further noted that there was no guarantee that the queues would clear in the next few days, particularly in states far away from loading depots in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar.
“I don’t think the queues will clear any time soon and not tomorrow because depots are not loading. I know the kind of pressure that came on me today, people pleading that I should just put them on programme.
“But why should I put you on programme when the product is not there? And again there have been demands to supply the limited products available to Abuja. So I can’t put you on programme until we are sure of the presence enough product,” the source stated.
NNPC blames thunderstorm
This came as NNPC explained on Monday that the queues in different parts of the country were due the recent thunderstorm and challenges of logistics that disrupted activities at fuel loading jetties.
NNPC’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, as the scarcity of petrol grew worse.
“The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that the fuel queues seen in the FCT (Federal Capital Territory) and some parts of the country, were as a result of disruption of ship-to-ship transfer of petrol between mother vessels and daughter vessels resulting from recent thunderstorm.
“The adverse weather condition has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, causing a disruption in station supply logistics.
“The NNPC Ltd also states that due to the flammability of petroleum products and in compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency regulations, it was impossible to load petrol during rainstorms and lightning,” the company stated.
It stressed that “adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose a severe danger to the trucks, filling stations and human lives.”
The national oil firm further stated that the development was compounded by consequential flooding of truck routes which had constrained the movement of PMS from the coastal corridors to the federal capital, Abuja.
“The NNPC Ltd is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore seamless supply of petrol to affected areas.
“Already, loading has commenced in areas where these challenges have subsided, and we are hoping the situation will continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy will restored.
“The NNPC also calls on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding of petroleum products,” the company stated.
Situation in states
Residents of Ogun State bought PMS at between N700 and N750/litre in most of the independent filling stations in the state on Monday.
It was, however, observed that some of the filling stations did not sell the product to customers on Monday. The filling stations that had queues were the ones operated by NNPC and it was because they dispensed PMS at N580/litre.
But in Sokoto State, the fuel scarcity persisted on Monday, as residents decried the situation and the hike in the pump price of the commodity to between N900 and N950/litre.
Most independent marketers in Sokoto did not dispense petrol on Monday. A motorist, Salami Isa, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said most of the filling stations were selling at exorbitant prices.
“The fuel issue is getting out of hand now as things are just too expensive and we still have to pay through our nose to get fuel,” he stated.
PMS in Asaba, the Delta State capital and its environs was sold at between N730 and N790/litre.
Marketers such as Matrix, Northwest and RainOil sold petrol for as high as N730, while dispensed theirs at N765 in Asaba.
But in locations like Ibusa, Issele-Uku, Issele-Azagba, and Agbor, among other towns, fuel was sold at between N765 to N790/litre without queues.
However, long queues were observed at the NNPC mega filling station along Benin-Asaba Express which dispensed the product at N590/litre.
There were no queues at petrol stations in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Monday, while petrol was still sold at between N600 and N750/litre in the state.
Additional reports by Bankole Taiwo, Animasahun Salman, Matthew Ochei, Bola Bamigbola, and Tunde Oyekola
Okechukwu Nnodim
Okechukwu, a journalist with Punch Newspapers, has 15 years experience covering Energy (Power and Petroleum), Finance, Agriculture, Environment, Humanitarian Services, Works and Housing, Trade and Investment, Capital Markets, Aviation and Transport, ICT, among others
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BREAKING: Court bars Akpabio, Natasha Akpoti, and Senate from granting interviews over alleged misconduct case

Published
13 hours agoon
April 4, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senate President, God’swill Akpabio and Senate from granting press, TV interviews and social media posts regarding the pending case on the suspension of the female lawmaker until the matter is decided.
Justice Binta Nyako declared this in her ruling on Friday, while restraining the parties and their lawyers.
Ekwutosblog previously reported that Justice Obiora Egwuatu, had withdrawn from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s pending suit, which challenges her suspension by the Senate over allegations of misconduct, based on allegations of bias by one of those sued by her.
The Chief Judge John Tsoho eventually reassigned the matter to Justice Binta Nyako.
Nairametrics previously reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a motion ex parte, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, suing the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS), the Senate, the Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
The lawmaker sought an “order of interim injunction restraining the Senate’s committee, chaired by Imasuem, from proceeding with the purported investigation against her for alleged misconduct, which stemmed from events that occurred during plenary on February 20 and were referred by the Senate on February 25, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.”
Ekwutosblog previously reported that amid the pending case, the Nigerian Senate went ahead to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, 2025, citing violations of Senate rules.
Justice Egwuatu later announced his withdrawal from the case, citing allegations of bias levelled against the court by one of the defendants.
The judge said that justice is rooted in confidence in the court and that once a litigant expresses his belief that there is bias or likelihood of bias on the part of the judge, it will not be in the interest of justice for the judge to continue.
What transpired in court
At the resumed hearing on Friday, J.S. Okutepa SAN, counsel for Akpoti, said that his case was urgent given that the suspension of his client which he is complaining of is for six months.
He called for streamlining of all processes and that the matter be resolved expeditiously.
- The court, Charles Iyoila, counsel for Clerk of National Assembly, Chikaosolu Ojukwu SAN for Senate, Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, counsel for Godswill Akpabio and Umeh Kalu SAN for fourth defendant, Senate Committee chair, agreed to expedite the proceedings alongside Okutepa.
- However, Kehinde Ogunwumiju said that motions for injunctions has to be attended to urgently because, according to him, Natasha has been granting interviews on BBC and CNN and other media houses which he believes are prejudicial to the course of justice.
- Okutepa faulted the line of submission of Ogunwumiju, saying there is also a Senator (from the South East) who has been appearing on TV and speaking on the issue.
Okutepa insisted that the court’s orders should include all privies and any member of the Senate.
“They should maintain decorum,” he said.
What the judge said
Ruling on the application, Justice Binta said there should be “no press interviews by parties and counsel as regards the subject matter of this case.”
“No streaming or social media posts as regards this case by any of the parties and counsel.
“No TV interviews analyzing the subject matter of this case while the case is subjudice,” she ruled.
She equally directed the parties to ensure “total media blockade” on this case until this matter is decided.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 12, 2025 for hearing.
Backstory
The altercation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio became widely publicized after she was asked to change her seat during plenary.
On February 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his home in December 2023.
Her suspension has sparked mixed reactions within the political landscape.
While some lawmakers and analysts view the decision as a necessary enforcement of legislative discipline, others argue that the penalties are excessive and could set a dangerous precedent for stifling dissent within the Senate.
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Anambra Native Doctors in Court: Akwa Ọkụkọ, Eke Hit, and Onyeze Jesus Face Justice

Published
14 hours agoon
April 4, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
In a significant development, three notorious native doctors from Anambra State, Akwa Ọkụkọ, Eke Hit, and Onyeze Jesus, were spotted in court today, 4/4/2025.
The trio is facing charges related to their alleged involvement in “quick riches” rituals and other illicit activities.
According to Ekwutosblog metro, the Anambra State Government has filed a six-count charge against Akwa Ọkụkọ (Chidozie Nwangwu) and 28 others, including Eke Hit and Onyeze Jesus. If found guilty, they could face up to 20 years in prison.
Onyeze Jesus, the founder of Children of Light Anointing Ministries, had been under scrutiny for his controversial rituals, which involved taking followers to a river for “quick riches” ceremonies. He had also been accused of idol worship and other nefarious activities.
The arrests and subsequent court appearances of these native doctors are part of the Anambra State Government’s efforts to crack down on ritual killings and other crimes in the state.
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South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol impeached over martial law order

Published
16 hours agoon
April 4, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
President Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as the court upholds impeachment. ‘I am truly sorry and heartbroken that I could not live up to your expectations,’ ousted leader says
The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, resulting in his immediate removal from office. The decision to remove the president from office was unanimous, with all eight Constitutional Court justices voting in favor, 8–0.
The ruling came 111 days after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Yoon, accusing him of treason for declaring martial law on Dec. 3.
Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae began reading the reasoning for their ruling at 11 a.m., and the decision to remove Yoon from the presidency was finalized at 11:22 a.m.
“The respondent declared the martial law in question with the intent of overcoming a standoff with the National Assembly, then deployed military and police forces to obstruct the Assembly’s exercise of its constitutional authority, thereby denying the principles of popular sovereignty and democracy,” Moon said, emphasizing that Yoon abandoned his responsibility to safeguard the Constitution and gravely betrayed the trust of the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea.
“Given the significant negative impact and widespread repercussions of his violations of the constitutional order, it is recognized that the benefit of upholding the Constitution by removing the respondent from office far outweighs the national costs associated with dismissing a sitting president. Accordingly, the court issues the following unanimous decision: … Ruling: the respondent, President Yoon Suk Yeol, is hereby removed from office,” the acting chief justice read in the ruling.
There were no dissenting justices, and only a few expressed separate opinions on specific issues. This marks the first dismissal of a sitting president in Korea in eight years, following the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in March 2017. Under Article 68 of the Constitution, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days of the court’s ruling.
In Park’s impeachment case, the Constitutional Court upheld the decision on March 10, 2017. Exactly 60 days later, on May 9, a presidential election was held, resulting in the victory of Moon Jae-in, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.
With the impeachment ruling now issued, the 60-day deadline falls on Tuesday, June 3, making it highly likely that the presidential election will be held on that day or earlier.
Following Yoon’s immediate removal, he and first lady Kim Keon Hee must vacate the presidential residence in central Seoul’s Hannam-dong.
If they return to their previous home in southern Seoul, where they used to live before Yoon’s inauguration, security measures will be provided. Under the current law, an impeached president who fails to complete their term is entitled to up to 10 years of security protection.
Similarly, Park was only able to move to her private residence in southern Seoul two days after her impeachment ruling, due to the time needed to arrange security measures. Following the top court’s decision, acting President Han Duck-soo stated in a national address that he takes the unprecedented impeachment of a sitting head of state — the second in the nation’s constitutional history — with great gravity. He pledged to ensure there would be no gaps in national security and foreign affairs during his tenure as acting president.
He also emphasized his commitment to addressing ongoing economic and trade issues without disruption, maintaining public order, and thoroughly preparing for various disasters.
Yoon also issued a statement about three hours after the court’s ruling, saying, “It has been a great honor to serve the Republic of Korea.”
He continued, “I am deeply grateful to all of you who supported and encouraged me despite my many shortcomings. I am truly sorry and heartbroken that I could not live up to your expectations. I will always pray for our beloved nation, Korea.”
The chief of staff and all senior secretaries at the presidential office tendered their resignations later in the afternoon.Meanwhile, Kwon Young-se, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), expressed the party’s regret and apologies to the public following the impeachment ruling, saying the party takes the Constitutional Court’s decision seriously and humbly accepts it.
Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Kwon acknowledged that opinions may differ but emphasized, “We firmly believe that respecting this decision is the only way to uphold democracy and the rule of law. We see this as part of our society’s progress toward becoming a more mature democracy. Above all, I extend my deepest apologies to the people.”
He added that the party takes the public’s criticism and reprimands to heart and will accept them fully.
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, stated that his party will do its utmost to ensure that the tragedy of constitutional disruption is never repeated and that politics becomes a source of hope for the people and the nation.
“The court has ruled to remove former President Yoon, who destroyed the Constitution and threatened democracy and the public with the power and military force entrusted to him by the people,” Lee said in an emergency statement at the National Assembly. “The impeachment of a sitting president for the second time in our nation’s history is a tragedy that must never happen again. This is a moment for deep reflection and a profound sense of responsibility for everyone in politics, including myself.”
Lee further stated that Korea holds a unique place in world history as a nation where unarmed citizens peacefully succeeded in toppling authoritarian power, emphasizing that the country’s democracy has been revived by the will of the people.

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