The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi, has admonished prisoners not to feel isolated and finished because everybody is in prison in Nigeria seeking the face of God for freedom and redemption.
Obi who celebrated the Easter mass with prisoners at the Correctional Center in Onitsha, Anambra state told the prisoners that from the day’s reading, Mary Magandalen who was the first to discover the resurrected Christ was once unholy but today she is reformed and privileged to discover the rising of Christ even before the Apostles.
“What that means is that being in prison is not the end of life as they could get corrected and enjoy salvation even before the so-called free people”.
The Archbishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, His Grace Valerie Okeke who celebrated the Easter mass with about 12 other priests inside the Correctional Center had in a homily said that if Mary Magdalene could transform to be among the early beneficiaries of the Christ resurrection, even them in the Correctional Center will turn around to be great in the society and before God.
The highlights of the Easter celebration with the inmates which Obi has been doing from his days as Governor of the Anambra state (2006 to 2014) were the dancing and elation of the inmates in their various cultural groups all shouting his praises as a friend and father of the Prisoners.
During the dancing and praises, the LP standard bearer discovered a little child of one year six months, Musochukwu Ejiofor whose mother Is serving in the prison following the N250,000 business deal gone wrong.
Obi carried the child who was also in dancing attire like the mother and celebrated with them and their cultural groups.
The former Governor whom the Archbishop identified as one of the charity pillars keeping the Correctional center going announced the donation of some food items and some money for the project in the center.
Three years away from the next general election, political actors across parties and geopolitical divides bent on rendering President Bola Tinubu a one- term President have intensified moves to form a grand coalition that would eventually morph into a mega political party reminiscence of the 2014 birthing of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Recall that, focused on ousting the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from power, three main opposition parties-the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN ,Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA-coalesced to form the APC which subsequently went on to win the 2015 general election and has remained in power ever since.
Somewhat convinced that it could prove a Trojan task to bounce back to power and reckoning in its present form, the former ruling party – a faction of it controlled by its 2023 presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, – impeccable party sources told the magazine, is leading the charge in the emerging coalition of parties. The former VP, since losing to Senator Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election, has openly hinted his desire to once again try his luck in 2027.
The magazine was further informed by a PDP chieftain and an ardent promoter of the mega coalition of parties that “the unfolding coalition which will ultimately metamorphose into an indomitable mega party will rescue Nigeria from APC’s rudderless leadership, the coming mega party is poised to sweep Tinubu and the APC out of power. At the fullness of time, the parties and individuals involved in this patriotic movement will be revealed to Nigerians; I assure you that Nigerians will be amazed”.
Atiku: Championing formation of Mega party over 2027 presidential ambition?
And asked if the whole gamut of the coalition moves are all about Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition and for power to return to the North, a chieftain of the APC from the Northwest who is well disposed to a mega party to undo his party in 2027 retorted rhetorically: “Are you happy with the situation of things in this country in the last nine years, especially since May 29, 2023? If you are happy with the situation, I’m not happy and so do millions of Nigeria who want a durable solutions to the country’s woes irrespective of who or what party is capable of providing such solutions”
Meanwhile, The Source can authoritatively reveal that several bigwigs within the APC, majorly from the North are involved in the mega party plan. As an alibi to justify their participation in the coalition, an intractable crisis, it has been learnt, will soon be simulated in the party, akin to the one that engulfed the PDP prior to the formation of the APC.
“What is in the offing is the re-enactment of the rebellion by renegade PDP Governors in 2014 and the dramatic split within the party which birthed the famous new PDP (nPDP)”, the magazine was told.
It was gathered that the arrowheads of the mega party plot within the APC will, towards the end of next year, begin to loudly grumble about the economic hardship and spiraling insecurity in the country and then insist that President Tinubu openly gives an undertaking that he won’t be seeking second term on the ground that he is clueless and lacks ideas as to how to tackle Nigeria’s myriad of problems.
As would be expected, it was learnt, the President will reject their demand and call their bluff. This will thus provide the pro-mega party APC agitators the ammunition to announce a parallel national leadership of the party and claim authenticity preparatory to the formation of the mega party.
Also in the mega party mix is the Labour party. Different factions in the party maintain varied dispositions to the ongoing moves to merge opposition parties to form a mega party. While loyalists of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election and former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, are favorably disposed to the idea provided, their principal would fly the flag of the party that would emerge out of the coalition, the Lamidi Apapa group is only interested in wresting the party from the Obi/Abure faction and keep it as an appendage of the APC.
On the other hand, the faction led by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC President President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, is not interested in merging the party with other fringe parties to form a mega party for the purpose of wresting power from the APC in 2027 which, according to impeccable sources was the main reason the Labour union invaded the National Secretariat of the party recently insisting LP belongs to it and demanded the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure’s resignation.
Said an insider knowledgeable about the schism in the party: “I can tell you categorically that denials notwithstanding, certain elements in the Labour movement are interested in contesting for national political offices in 2027 and sees the LP as tailor made for such ambitions…they do not want to be encumbered by outrageous party nomination fees hence the insistence on appropriating LP to run the show their own way when the time comes.
“They fear that if the Abure led LP eventually leads the party into merger with other parties and a mega party is birthed, they may not be able to compete with politicians with deep war chest for the nomination tickets for various political offices of the would-be new mega party, so they want LP to remain a legal entity entirely controlled by them for the purpose of using it as a vehicle to vie for elections in 2027”
Meanwhile, The Source has learnt that a faction of the PDP led by the FCT Minister and immediate past River State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, is poised to pull the rug off Atiku and his PDP faction’s feet as regards the impending mega party. According to multiple sources privy to the goings on in the Wike faction, the former Rivers state governor has as loyalists in the PDP who are ready to do his bidding, several serving National Assembly members, some PDP National Working Committee, NWC members and a number of incumbent and former PDP Governors.
“The game plan is for Wike to lead all his loyalists in the PDP to the APC as soon as it becomes clear that the Atiku-inspired mega party coalition is a fait accompli. With that, Atiku will only be leading the empty shell or the carcass of what was the PDP to an insipid coalition”, one of the sources told the magazine.
Another source identified Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammed, Oyo state Governor, Seyi Mankinde and Enugu state Governor, Peter Mbah as PDP Governors amenable to leaving the party for the APC at Wike’s behest.
According to the source who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject matter, “members of the G-5 PDP governors-former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu state), Victor Ikpeazu (Abia) and Sam Ortom (Benue)- who along Wike, worked against Atiku’s presidential campaign, and a good number of former Governors of the party are also ready to dump the PDP for the APC should Atiku and his gang insist on eroding PDP’s time tested identity by railroading the party into a quicksand coalition or mega party just because of his 2027 presidential ambition”
A self acclaimed Islamic cleric, has been arrested by men of the Ondo state Police Command for allegedly being in possession of human parts.
The State Police Command release on Sunday stated that the suspect, one Oluwafemi Idris has been on watchful list of detectives since January for unlawful possession of human parts.
Arrested along with Alfa are two other suspects, one a supplier and other a receiver of human parts.
The Police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odulami-Omisanya explained that “police got an intel from a reliable source in January 2024, that one Idris popularly known as Alfa, in his area kept human parts in his house and intends to use it for ritual purposes.
“The Police swung into action and apprehended the suspect.
A search was conducted in his house at Akoko and the following human parts were found in his possession :human hands, three kidneys, three hearts, spine and tongue.
“The suspect claimed he is an Islamic cleric and some of the human parts was supplied by his friend an Alhaji, who is also a cleric and one Samuel Kutelu, while he supplied one Babatunde Kayode, an Oluawo, 3 human heads.
“The said Oluawo and Babatunde Kayode have been arrested. Effort is on to arrest the other cleric who he claim sourced the human parts for him.”
A man described as a specialist in snatching of Motorcycles popularly known as okada, has been arrested by the Ondo state police command while his accomplice is on the run.
His arrest followed hacking to death owner of a motorcycle in Ondo town, after he was lured to a farm.
Police record disclosed that “On 25/3/2024, a complaint was received from Ondo Town, it was reported that on 25/3/2024 that a motorcycle with registration number KAK 136 VF was stolen on 15/3/2024 while the rider, one Evangelist Opeyemi Oyelakin is nowhere to be found.
“Consequent upon this report, detectives swung into action and arrested one Babalola Dolapo Daniel same date.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed that the said Opeyemi Oyelakin ‘deceased’ was his childhood friend, they have not seen for a very long time until 14/3/2024.
“That on 15/3/2024, himself and one Sikiru Mutiu aka S.K deceived the said Opeyemi Oyelakin, ‘deceased’ to carry them on motorcycle to where they have farm at Oke-Igbo Area.
“That as soon as they dropped, Sikiru Mutiu aka S.K gripped him from behind while himself used stick and stone to hit him on his head, while victim died, the corpse was dragged to a shallow pit, they covered it with leaves before his motorcycle was stolen.
“Suspect took the detectives to the scene of crime, where they perpetrated the criminal act, and the corpse together with the stick and stone were recovered.
“He stated also, that he has a large syndicate and has been into the business of snatching motorcycles since 2021.
“That since then, he has snatched uncountable number of motorcycles. That he normally use stick and stone on his victims. That his operational zones are; Ondo town, Akure, Ekiti, Ilesha and Ife town.
“Therefore, members of the public, particularly motorcycle riders are warned to be mindful of the type of pillions they carry and the terrains they enter with their motorcycles.
“The Command is intensifying efforts to get everyone connected to the crime arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”
In a brief on the incident, Abayomi Oladipo, the State Commissioner of Police, said; “through technical intelligence, the suspect was arrested and upon the interrogation he confessed to how the rider was engaged from Ondo town to take him and one other to a farm area in Oke-Igbo.
“The rider, who incidentally happens to be his friend and brought him to this area where we are and on getting to this point they came down under the pretence that they want to inspect their farm, the other suspect who is now at large gripped the okada rider at the back while the arrested suspect hit him with stone on the head and consistently use wood to battered his head.
“Thereafter, they carried the dead body into the bush and use leafs to cover him and they left him there. After the interrogation, he led operatives to this particular location where they put the dead body of the deceased and that is why we are here to remove the corpse do the necessary procedure so that the family can give him the burial.
“Also, I want to say that the residents of this area, especially those who farm here since on the 15th of March, when this incident happened till date, kept mute which is not supposed to be. So what we are saying is that if you see something you must say something.
“At the moment we are still investigating to apprehend all other offenders who are on the run.
“Also, we have embarked on enlightenment campaign to sensitize okada riders for them to know the dangerous in taking passengers to isolation places.”
The suspect; Dolapo Babalola 39-year-old man who confessed to the crime stated that “it is the work of the devil, I can’t explain because this person that we are talking about is my close friend.
“He is a close friend of mine. Truly his bike is not the first bike I will ever snatch but I have never killed before. Even those that are not related to me I snatched bike from them and I did not even do anything harmful to them but this one is just a coincidence.
“It is the work of the devil I can’t explain how it happened. At least I have snatched about 15 bikes but I have never killed before. His own is the first, my buyer is at Ibadan.
“The clean of the bike at times determine how much we are going to sell it, but no matter how clean the bike is, my buyer will buy it around N200,000.”
Good Friday usually celebrated by Christians to mark the cruxification of Jesus Christ, ironically, turned bad Friday for about 60 South-East bound Passengers headed home to celebrate Christ’s victory over death – Easter.
The Passengers had boarded the bus from Lagos, and were headed for the South-east to celebrate the Easter Holidays with their families and kinsmen.
In most Communities in the Region, the period is used, just like the Christmas and New Year periods, as a reunion time for families and the launch of different community projects.
When these Passengers boarded the Luxury bus, therefore, it was with joy and hopes for a relaxation at home.
But it turned awry.
The Ifesinachi bus they took was a night bus. Night buses usually leave their bases in the night and arrive their destinations early in the morning.
However, this particular bus never made it beyond Ijebuode, a town in Ogun State, Lagos State’s nearest neighbouring State.
At Ijebuode, they were attacked by callous armed robbers who stripped them to their skins. They were attacked with machetes, rods, clubs, daggers, guns and stripped of everything they had. But worse was to come.
After the terrifying act, the criminals upped the ante. They herded the Passengers back into the bus, and set the bus on fire.
It was a miracle that none of them died. But a number of them sustained injuries including matchet cuts. Some were also stabbed. While the Passengers survived the ordeal even though they came out empty-handed, the Luxury bus was completely burnt down. The Passengers, therefore, lost not just money, but all their luggages as well.
In a video made of the frightening incident by one of the Passengers, a couple of them were heard bemoaning their fate and wondering if they were deliberately delivered to the armed robbers. One of them alleged that the driver was warned that there was danger ahead; he was allegedly of the operation, in front, by armed robbers, but that instead of stopping to tarry awhile, he continued until he drove smack into the hands of the armed robbers.
Among the Passengers who were left stranded in the middle of nowhere were a number of children who embarked on the trip with their parents.
On a number of times, both the Police and the Federal Road Safety Commission had warned of the dangers inherent in inter-state night travels. One of the dangers is the fate that has just befallen this Ifesinachi Luxury bus. Apparently, the warnings usually fall on deaf ears of Passengers and transportation companies.
Said a Road Safety Officer of the ill-fated Ifesinachi bus: “It is surprising that with the activities of kidnappers and bandits, some people still choose to travel in the night- even with their children.”
Immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, accused his predecessors of buying houses in Dubai with the loans they took on behalf of the State.
El-Rufai made this allegation when he rose in stout defence of his administration over allegations of plunging the state into a debilitating debt. He insisted that all funds borrowed were channelled in to infrastructural development and other long term productive ventures.
El-Rufai’s response comes on the heels of Governor Uba Sani’s outcry that the huge debt profile inherited by his adminstration is frustrating the State Government from meeting its obligations to the people, particularly the payments of workers monthly emoluments.
At a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders on Saturday March 30 2024 ,the Kaduna State Governor said the N85 billion and $587 million domestic and foreign loans obtained by his immediate predecessor in office has considerably created a serious financial problem for the State. He added that a substantial part of Kaduna State statutory monthly earnings from the Federation Account goes into debt servicing.
According to him, the sad development has resulted in the state being left with little or nothing for other governance activities.
But reacting on Sunday March 31 through a message on one of his official sites, former Governor El’Rufai said much as his administration borrowed funds, they were not used for personal luxuries of life and aggrandizement as was the case during past regimes in the State.
“Those saying that we took loans can see their money on infrastructures.We didn’t take their money to go to Dubai to buy houses .
I became Governor with one house in Angwan Sarki Jabi Road Kaduna,and I finished with the same house” El- Rufai stated.
He said he was goaded into the service of Kaduna state not by the need to pursue opulence and personal fulfilment, but by commitment to public interests and progress of his state.
The former Kaduna State Governor, had also during his hand over ceremony to his successor on May 29 2023 equally admitted living behind domestic and foreign debt portfolio of N80.60 billion and $577.32 million for his successor.
However, he assured that the impact of the debt burden will be mitigated by various receivables from reimbursements of infrastructure and security expenditures from the federal Government to the tune of about N41 billion .
This according to him, is in addition to about N100 billion due to Kaduna state from accumulated stamp duties which his successor was to inherit before the end of 2023 ..
“Iam, therefore, optimistic that the incoming Government (Governor Sani’s regime) will, in due course, be in a position to settle all inherited liabilities, complete ongoing projects, and initiate new ones” El-Rufai had stated
However, before his reaction, one of his scions, Hon Bashir Nasir El’ Rufai had late on Saturday, March 30, berated Governor Sani for his outburst over the the debt inherited .
Hon Bashir, who is a member of the Green Chamber of National Assembly, called on his father’s successor to commit himself more into the serious business of governance, rather than engage in needles blame game.
The younger El Rufai described Governor Sani’s administration as not only incompetent, but also riddled with those he called clowns and unserious elements .
In a series of posts on his official handle , Hon Bashir ,admonished the State Governor to stop spending most of his time junketing in Abuja and concentrate on giving the Kaduna people good governance.
Foul-mouthed and hard-hitting Bashir El-Rufai, has dismissed Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani as an incompetent clown.
Bashir, an Honourable Member of the House of Representatives, is the son of the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. His father handed over to Sani who was his Media Adviser and Spokesperson, and later, a Senator, from where he became a Governor.
Bashir’s reaction stemmed from Governor Sani’s surprising public lamentation over Kaduna State’s debt profile. Sani said that the huge debt profile of the State, incurred under his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, has incapacitated his Government to the extent that he would no longer be able to pay Worker’s salaries. Sani, who spoke during a Townhall meeting in Kaduna on Saturday, put the debt profile at a huge N85b and $587m. He also put contractual liabilities at 115.
Stung by the dart thrown at his father and his administration, Bashir dismissed the Governor and those around him as incompetent clowns. He said the Governor should sit down and do his work instead of staying back in Abuja most times.
He urged Governor Sani to admit his incompetence instead of taking refuge in the debt profile he inherited from his predecessor.
Said Bashir in a post on X: “These guys have realised that they are wholly incompetent, and the only way to mask the nonsense is to deflect.
“From a Governor that is always sleeping in Abuja to a litany of incompetent aides that were only rewarded for foolish political reasons.”
Referring specifically to the debt profile which Governor Sani referenced as a great drawback to his administration, Bashir said Sani, as a Senator, lobbied for the loan on behalf of the State Governor.
Bashir: “FYI: He was the Senator from Kaduna who lobbied and approved the loans.”
He also, indirectly, alleged corruption on the part of the Governor.
His words: “One would think that from all the FAAC these unserious clowns have changed to dollars, debt would be the least of their problems.”
Bashir was of the opinion that Governor Sani is wasting the State’s money on frivolities. For instance, he wondered: “The current administration in Kaduna is building a banquet hall for 7bn Naira, and is lamenting about debt left by the previous administration.”
Honourable Bashir El-Rufai has recently carved a name for himself for his blunt opinions on National issues. He is a first time member of the House of Representatives.
A Muslim group, Islamic Counselling Initiatives of Nigeria, ICIN, says the Lord Jesus Christ Symbolises peace.
According to the group, Christians and those in leadership positions in the country must emulate him, saying that Jesus entry of the city of Jerusalem “with people spreading palm branches on the road where he rode,” symbolised peace, harvest, serenity, and forgiveness.
The group Executive Director Hajiya Fatima Suleiman who issued the statement on Sunday, to mark the Easter celebrations said Jesus’ leadership style of simplicity and peace must be emulated by Nigerian leaders, adding that Nigerians must eschew bitterness, and be their brothers and sisters keepers.
She said Nigerians must have a sober reflection on the current economic situation in the country, adding that through prayers and supplications the challenges will be a thing of the past.
According to Suleiman, “We pray that this season will be a period of reflection for our leaders Christ’s humble leadership.
“He entered the city of Jerusalem with people spreading palm branches on the road where he rode, symbolising peace, harvest, serenity, and forgiveness.
“May God put them on the path of leadership and good governance.
“We pray for our leaders to be guided to save our country and take it to greater heights.
“ Issues of banditry have been on the rise, each and everyday.
“The government should have the political will to be able to have security in place to save the citizens of the country.
“ Because the security of lives and property should be the number one mandate for the leadership of the country, and by extension, state, local governments and the communities.
“We pray that this season will be a form of reflection where actions are taken and implemented for a better world for the people of Nigeria , for better economic living conditions, better security and safety.”
Nigerian must not allow the current hardship in the country to weaken their faith in the country, the Peoples Democratic Pary, PDP, the main opposition party has said.
The PDP made the admonition in its message to Nigerians in the celebration of Easter, marking the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ.
Not a few Nigerians are complaining that this year’s celebration is one of the hardest for them due to the current economic crisis in the attending.
In the last few months, many Nigerians have suffered untold hardship as they manage to live from hand to mouth.
In spite of the situation, the party said Nigerians must not lose hope as the future will be better.
The party’s message was contained in a statement issued by Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary on Sunday.
The party said all efforts by political leaders in the country must be directed to bringing joy to Nigerians, as well as promoting peace, love and unity among the people.
PDP said: “Indeed, the coming of Easter, the celebration of the triumph of life over death serves as divine reassurance of the saving grace of God in the gift of Salvation to mankind and His willingness to bring succor in any adverse situation.
“We also call on leaders at all levels and spheres to renew the virtue of selfless service by directing their energies principally towards the wellbeing and happiness of the people.
“Against this backdrop, the PDP urges the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the high cost of food, petroleum products, other essential commodities and services so as to alleviate the suffering in the country.”
Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state, in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has changed his constituents to emulate the unconditional love of Christ, whose remarkable death and resurrection, Christians world over celebrate in Easter.
Hon. Ogene made this call in Awka, Anambra state, in an Easter message to commemorate the most important event in the Christian calendar.
He admonished the people to be their brothers’ keepers and always show good neighbourliness, in the true example of the teachings of Christ, who in the scripture encourages that “We love our neighbours as we love ourselves.
Ogene said further: “It is important as followers of Christ our Lord, to let love rule in all we do this period and beyond, in our relationships with one another in our communities.
“If we love one another, right from our individual families, there won’t be wickedness, rancour, jealousy and rivalry that often snowball into something sinister in the community.
“This is a precarious time of economic and security challenges in our society and our nation in general. But I’m convinced that if we apply the love of Christ in our conducts and decision making, our collective burdens as a people would become lighter.
“For instance, if we imbibe the love of Christ and practice it in the true sense of the injunction, criminality and other social vices would abet, since one that truly loves and obeys the teachings of our lord, would not hurt another or cause others pain and anguish as we currently experience in our society.
“Love also means that we share the little we have to assuage the sufferings of others in our neighborhood.
“Ogbaru remains a land of peace and conviviality and we all should put our hands together to make it a better place, through meaningful leadership and support base that will only prioritise the interest of the people and development of Ogbaruland.
“But we can only achieve that when we have sustainable peace and unity of purpose rooted in true love for one another and the overall good of Ogbaru.
“I wish the good people of Ogbaru, home and abroad, a happy Easter and peaceful and progressive future.
