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Reasons APC National Executive Committee May Sack Oshiomhole, NWC Members On Thursday
A reliable source told Saharareporters on Wednesday that many APC governors had withdrawn their support for Oshiomhole considering the cracks in the party.

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKJUN 24, 2020

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As the fate of the embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, continues to hang in the balance, the National Executive Committee of the party has reportedly perfected plans to remove him from the fold at a meeting slated for Thursday.

A reliable source told Saharareporters on Wednesday that many APC governors had withdrawn their support for Oshiomhole considering the cracks in the party.

The crisis, which has already spread to some states the APC presently controls, is projected to have a negative impact on its quest to retain power at the federal level in 2023 if the problems are not immediately tackled.

Some of the misdemeanour of Oshiomhole, which the NEC may consider includes his inability to convene NEC meetings once in three months as stipulated by Article 35 of the party’s constitution.

That Oshiomhole, it was gathered, had only convened NEC meetings twice since 2018 – a gross violation of the party’s laws.

It was also gathered that he had been paying every member of the National Working Committee N2m each monthly as against the dictates of the party’s constitution.

The source also disclosed that Oshiomhole has not given a proper account of the funds realised during the 2019 general elections and this has angered some top members of the APC.

He said, “The annual budget of the party is to be approved by the NEC. He (Oshiomhole) has been running away not to give account of the proceeds of the nomination forms and expression of interest forms sold in 2019.

“He knows that NEC will ask about the finance and expenditure of the party and that is why he has refused to call for NEC meeting.

“We are due for NEC meeting for a long time and it is only the NEC that can resolve the crisis we have in the party.

“Since 2018 he has only called for NEC meeting two times.”
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Findings also revealed that Abiola Ajimobi, a former governor of Oyo State, who was favoured to act as National Chairman after a court ordered the removal of Oshiomhole recently, was not a product of convention.

He was nominated from South-West to replace Otunba Niyi Adebayo, who got a ministerial appointment.

“You cannot be an officer of the party without being elected even if there was no election, there must be affirmation from the members.

“Bringing Ajimobi from his zone is not the final, the entire APC members must assemble and adopt it.

“That was why the court recognised Victor Giadom because he is a product of a convention. Ajimobi is not an elected officer and nomination must be ratified.

“Giadom has vowed to go ahead with the NEC meeting slated for Thursday at the Villa insisting that he was reconvening the NEC meeting earlier billed to hold on the 17th of March, 2020 but was postponed.”

The source added that a caretaker committee may be set up with the mandate of piloting the affairs of the party and organising a convention.

By admin

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.