CBN: Bible Clutching Emefiele Gets Bail

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July 25, 2023

After being held by the Department of State Services, DSS, for close to 50 days, Godwin Emefiele, suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor, has been granted bail.

Earlier this morning, the former CBN boss was seen arriving the court, clutching the Holy Bible in his hand, while being held on the other hand by a woman believed to be his wife.

He was granted a N20 million bail by a federal high court in Lagos presided over by Justice Nicholas Uweibo on Tuesday after he was arraigned by the secret police.

The court turned down DSS request to continue to keep the embattled apex bank governor in its custody.

According to the other bail conditions set by the court, Emefiele must produce a suretee with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court in Ikoyi, Lagos, deposit his passport with the court registrar, and also produce a Civil servant not below level 16 to perfect bail.

Emefiele was picked up by the DSS on June 10, few days after he was suspended from the bank by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

On July 15, more than a month after he was arrested, a federal high court in Lagos directed the DSS to charge him to court if they have any reason for holding.

The court also nullified his arrest and detention by the DSS.

Few days after the order, the DSS charged him with illegal possession of arms, marking the beginning of a legal battle which according to those familiar with the matter, is bound to last for a long time.

LP Loses Seat As Election Tribunal Sacks House of Reps. Member, Declares PDP’s Elumelu Winner

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The Source

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July 25, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

Labour Party, LP, has been dealt a fatal blow in Delta State. Its House of Representatives Member, Mr Ngozi Okoli, the representative of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta North, has been sacked by the National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Asaba Delta State. In his place, the Election Tribunal asked Ndudi Elumelu to step in.

Okolie’s misfortune was not that he lost at the polls. He won comfortably, and was so declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the winner.

Trouble started for him, however, when Elumelu, who was the incumbent before his loss at the polls, petitioned the Election Tribunal to the effect that at the time Okolie contested for the House of Representatives seat, he was not a member of the Labour Party.

In the petition which nailed Okolie, Elumelu had said that as at May 28, 2022, the day the LP held its National Assembly Primary, Okolie was not a member of the Party, and so, was not legally nominated as its Candidate.

On Monday, July 24, 2023, the Election Tribunal agreed with Elumelu that Okolie was not properly sponsored by the LP as its Candidate. It, therefore, declared Elumelu who came second at the polls the winner.

Elumelu is the immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Elumelu, 58, younger brother to corporate mogul, Tony Elumelu, has been a Member of tye House of Representatives since 2015.

It is not known yet if Okolie would appeal his sack, and om which grounds.

“It Is A Problem Being With Obi” – Abaribe

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The Source

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July 25, 2023

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By Valentine Obienyem

Mr. Peter Obi just returned from overseas Monday. By 10 am, we were at one of the Consulates in Lagos. After exchange of ideas with the Consul General, the Consul himself requested a photograph with him, saying: “In Nigeria today, you are about the most popular. Do not be troubled when people, including even the highly placed, scramble to take photographs with you.”

At the on-going event in Lagos – An Evening of Dinner and Reflections with Chidi Amuta – Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said there were problems these days attending the same function with Mr. Peter Obi.

“Obi would always outshine everybody. What every other person does is scrambling to take photograph with him as you saw me doing shortly. Who else has noticed that the love the people have for him is genuine? It is his unusual humility that enables him manage it very well.”

Speaking at the event, Obi said that Dr. Amuta was good in what he did. He said he was one of those he usually sends what he managed to scribble for corrections, but that he always reminded him to correct the written words and not the figures, which he was sure he got correctly.

All in all, all the speakers commended Dr. Amuta for his continued contributions to the literary world.

“Why Assassins Went After Atiku” – PDP; Demands Comprehensive Investigation On Attack

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The Source

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July 25, 2023

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said it is alarmed by the reported foiled terrorist attack on its Presidential Candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa State.

In a statement on Monday signed by its Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP insists that by the confession of the arrested assailants, the plot has the pawmarks of a sponsored attempt on the life of Atiku Abubakar, ostensibly, it alleges, “by forces who are unsettled by his bid to retrieve his mandate at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).”

The statement added:

“Our Party believes that the intent of the sponsors of this evil plot is to silence our Presidential Candidate, massacre innocent Nigerians and cause chaos, confusion and anarchy in the polity.

“The PDP asks: is this foiled attack on Atiku Abubakar and sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa connected to the recent APC’s threats of chaos and anarchy in the country, if the PEPC upholds the clear provisions of Section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) with regard to the mandatory and statutory requirements for which a Candidate in a Presidential election can be declared winner?

“Could it also be a plan to orchestrate a sense of insecurity in the country, starting in Adamawa State, the home State of our Presidential Candidate so as to justify the imposition of a State of Emergency in Adamawa State as a precursor to a declaration of a State of Emergency throughout the country?

“Our Party charges the Inspector General of Police to take the lead provided by the confession of the assailants to track down their sponsors and bring them to book in the interest of the security, unity and wellbeing of our nation.

“The Federal Government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of these dastardly act and their sponsors are brought to book. This particular investigation is important to the country because of the scope and dimension of the attempted attack.

“The PDP also calls on security agencies to tighten security around Atiku Abubakar and members of his family at this critical time in our democratic process.

“Our Party commends the collaborative effort of the vigilant people of Yola, Adamawa State and security agencies in foiling the attack while urging Nigerians to remain calm and alert as the authorities commence investigation to fish out those behind this evil plot.”

Nnamdi Kanu Cries Out, Says He Never Supported Sit-At-Home Order

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The Source

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July 25, 2023

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Simeon Ekpa and Mike Ozekehome and Nnamdi Kanu

By Gideon Njoku

Detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has lamented the destructive effect of the sit-at-home order in the South-east, and insisted that he was never in support of its declaration.

Kanu’s disclosure, through his lead Counsel, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has left not a few people confused as who then, authorised the order, and why he did not order that it be stopped immediately the Group began to enforce it.

IPOB had, in frustration, soon after Kanu was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, and brought back to Nigeria by Nigerian authorities, ordered a sit-at-home to protest the manner of his arrest, detention, prosecution, and to pressurise the Federal Government into releasing him unconditionally.

The Group declared Monday of every week a sit-at-home day, as well as any day Kanu was billed to appear in Court.

To enforce the order, those who dared to disobey, including school children were met with violence and blood and death. In one school in Imo State, the Principal, an Anglican Priest, was killed for daring to let his students take the West African School Certificate Examination on a sit-at-home day. Businesses were destroyed. The economy of the Zone went down to zero. The irony: the order had no effect on Kanu’s fate.

Neither the Federal Government nor other Zones noticed. And the people of the South-east Zone suffered while other Zones moved on.

After a lot of pressure was put on IPOB with an explanation that the Group was punishing the people whose fight it said it is fighting, as well as destroying the economy of the Zone, IPOB reduced the sit-at-home order to only the days Kanu would appear in Court. Gradually, it cancelled it entirely unless it became necessary.

But the cancellation was rather late.

Things had gone awry. And the order hijacked by the self-acclaimed disciple of Kanu, Simon Ekpa.

Based in Finland, Ekpa and IPOB parted ways. When IPOB cancelled the atrocious sit-at-home order, Ekpa and his (IPOB) Group, allegedly, known as Autopilot, continued with it.

It has since worsened.

Aside from the every Monday enforcement in a number of areas in the Zone, Ekpa has raised the antenna. He now takes the pleasure of grounding the Zone for days at a stretch, and, atimes, for weeks no matter protestations from Kanu’s IPOB and the people and the leadership of the Zone.

Now, Kanu, for whom Ekpa claims he declares and enforces the order has said that he was never in support of the sit-at-home order from the beginning.

Making his stand known through Ozekhome, Kanu cried out against the order and said he wished he could, personally, address the people, and tell them he was never in support.

In a video shared by Dan Nwomeh, Senior Special Assistant, Mainstream Media, to Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah on his Twitter handle on Monday, Ozekhome disclosed that Kanu does not, and has never believed in the sit-at-home. He said Kanu insists that “he could not be fighting for his people and at the same time shutting down their economy.”

He quoted Kanu as having “cited the effect of the sit-at-home exercise on the social, economic, cultural and political life of the people, lamenting that it has put them under psychological, psychical and mental stricture.”

Said Ozekhome: “As his lead Counsel and lawyer, he has told me that he does not believe in it. He cannot be fighting for his people and shutting down their economy. How do they feed? How will they train their children? Many a time, he cried to me in my presence that he wants to be released so that he can hold a world press conference and address the Igbo and Ala Igbo and the entire world to say, ‘Don’t stay at home on Mondays, go about your normal duties, go to work; because the Bible tells us it is upon the labour of your hands, I will bless the fruits of your labour’.

”So, I am now re-echoing again and again what Nnamdi Kanu has told me.

“He does not believe in that sit-at-home on Mondays which cripples the social-economic, social-cultural and political life of the people, putting them under psychological, psychical and mental stricture and torture.”

FBN Holdings: We Understand The Market, Okonkwo Says Of Superlative Profit Ahead AGM

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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July 25, 2023

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The Group Managing Director of First Bank Holding, FBNH, Nnamdi Okonkwo has set the tone for what stakeholders are expecting at the Holder’s next month’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, next month after disclosing that the company understands the financial market better than competitors.

The deeply rooted understanding of its operating business environment, Okonkwo said, has ensured that the Group continues “to deliver a strong financial performance,” leveraging cutting-edge digital platforms despite the prevailing economic headwinds.

Coming on the back of the release of FBNH 2023 Half Year results, keen analysts insist that his comment will resonate positively with investors and other major stakeholders amidst the economic headwinds currently affecting the country’s financial sector.

Okonkwo while commenting on the results said in line with its focus, “the Group delivered strong growth in gross earnings and profit before tax resulting in N656.6 billion and N206.3 billion respectively, for the first half of 2023 financial year.

“Across our businesses, we continue to focus on customer-centric innovations with strong transactional and digital capabilities supported by sound risk management practices to anticipate and creatively deliver products and services that delight the different customer segments that we serve.

“Furthermore, we are committed to leveraging technology via digital platforms to enhance operational efficiency.

“Although the current operating environment remains challenging, we are confident of successfully navigating the terrain in our transformation journey to deliver sustainable value to our stakeholders,” he added.

FBNH’s half-year 2023 results, clearly indicate that the financial service provider delivered superlative performances in key metric areas in the period ending June 30, 2023.

The results have received wide applause from not a few industry stakeholders who said the conglomerate is well positioned in the nation’s financial sector.

For instance, Futureview Financial Services Limited, in its analysis said the report “portrayed a positive outlook” citing management and tax efficiency as key factors that delivered incredible profitability for FBNH.

According to the financial service firm, “The financial analysis of First Bank Nigeria Holdings for H1 2023 portrays a positive outlook, with notable growth across key financial indicators and improved profitability.

“The bank’s increased interest income, net interest income, and fee-based revenue demonstrate its strong financial performance during the period. Furthermore, First Bank Nigeria Holdings’ prudent cost management practices and tax efficiency have contributed to its enhanced profitability.

“The growth in total assets and net assets indicates a robust financial position, enabling the bank to effectively support its business expansion and future endeavors.

“With this positive momentum witnessed in H1 2023, the company is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory in the Nigerian financial market. Nevertheless, prudent financial management and risk mitigation strategies will be crucial in sustaining this impressive performance in the coming periods.”

The report obtained by the magazine indicates that the company’s assets have grown significantly by close to 50 percent year-on-year, YoY to N14.2 trillion at the end of June 2023.

Commenting further, the firm said, “Return on Average Assets (ROAA) remained stable at 1%, reflecting the bank’s ability to generate earnings from its assets. Earnings Yield experienced a remarkable growth of 20% to 29%, signifying increased returns for investors relative to the market price.”

Compared to the half year 2022, its profit before tax, PBT, rose by over 200 percent to over N200 billion from N65 billion, while Profit After Tax, PAT, stood at over N187 billion compared to the same period in 2022.

The significant increase in PAT, the firm said, reflects the bank’s ability to generate higher earnings while efficiently managing tax liabilities.

Further analyses of the report indicate that Net Interest Margin declined by six percent to 62 percent, while Net Interest & Commission Margin decreased by seven percent to 19 percent.

Operating Profit Margin rose by 25 percent to 54 percent; Tax Rate decreased by five percent to nine percent; while Net Profit Margin witnessed a significant increase of 24 percent to 49 percent.

Meanwhile, key industry stakeholders familiar with the holder’s trajectory insist that Okonkwo has been a round peg in a round hole since he took charge of FBNH, bringing with him a wealth of experience spanning over three decades in the nation’s banking sector.

EndSARS: Amnesty Int’l Counters LASG Mass Burial Of Victims

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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July 25, 2023

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Amnesty International, AI, a global human rights body has demanded that the federal government disclose the identities of EndSARS protesters allegedly killed in Lagos 2020.

The demand comes on the heel of a leaked memo that the Lagos state government was planning to conduct a mass burial for over 100 persons killed on October 20, 2020, during the protest against police brutality across the country.

Some human rights bodies have alleged that some protesters were killed by soldiers sent to the Lekki Toll gate, Lagos where many youths had gathered for the protest.

The state government, however, denied the allegation that the killing took place.

But a viral memo on Sunday detailing a plan by the state government to spend over N60 million to conduct a mass burial for 103 casualties has brought the controversy back to reckoning, even though the government said those concerned were not killed at the Lekki Toll gate.

Not a few Nigerians have demanded a thorough probe of the matter.

Reacting in a statement on Monday, AI Director in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the state to put the burial on hold while an investigation is conducted on the true identities of the casualties being prepared for the burial.

The human rights body accused the state government of being secretive about the matter, saying the families of those killed and their families must be compensated after investigation has been concluded.

According to the statement, “The Nigerian authorities must urgently halt their plans to carry out a secret mass burial of #EndSARS victims and instead carry out a thorough and independent investigation into the killings and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in fair trials.

“They must also carry out transparent coroner inquests and autopsies on the 103 #EndSARS victims and publish their identities and the circumstances of their deaths.

“It is appalling that the Lagos state government has not even mentioned that it has held the bodies of 103 #EndSARS victims in its custody since October 2020.

“All those detained because of their role in the #EndSARS protests must be immediately released. The Nigerian authorities must also ensure that victims and their families are provided with access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation.

“In October 2020, an on-the-ground investigation by Amnesty International confirmed that Nigerian security forces opened fire on thousands of peaceful protesters, who were peacefully calling for good governance and an end to police brutality, killing at least 12 protesters at Lekki toll gate and in Alausa.

“Amnesty International was able to establish that pro-government supporters instigated violence at many of the demonstrations, providing cover for the police to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.

“On 16 November 2020, a Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate the Lekki toll gate killings submitted its report, which indicted the military and the police for killing unarmed protesters, who were sitting on the floor and waving Nigerian flags and singing.”

The EndSARS protests began on October 8, 2020, and climaxed on October 20 when heavily armed soldiers stormed Lekki Toll gate where many Nigerians were protesting peacefully.

Imo Government Works Out Modalities For Palliatives Distribution

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The Source

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July 24, 2023

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The Imo State Government has put machinery in motion on how to distribute food items as palliatives for the suffering masses.

At an emergency Imo State Executive Council sitting, Monday, presided over by Governor Hope Uzodimma, the government approved the various palliative proposals to cushion the effects of hardship and difficulties suffered by the people as a result of removal of fuel subsidy and consequently, the increase in commodity prices.

The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, is expected to work with the relevant ministries and Head of Service to fine-tune the modalities for the palliatives implementation.

Briefing newsmen at the end at the meeting, the Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Statistics, Dr. C. C. Osuala said that government has set-up Commodity Centres in the 27 Local Government Areas that will stock and sell products such as rice, garri, fertilizers etc, at reduced prices to her citizens.

Osuala was supported at the media briefing by the Commissioners for Transport, Barr. Rex Anunobi; Education, Prof. JohnCliff Nwadike; Trade and Investment, Comrade Simon Ebegbulem; Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi; the Chief Political Adviser/Head Political Bureau, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu and the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku.

“The Commodity Centres are meant to bring down the astronomical market prices by the shylock men and women,”Osuala explained.

Osuala also said that EXCO approved a new Mass Transit system that will reduce transportation cost from one point of the State to another. “This government hopes to achieve through improved Imo Transport Company (ITC) operations and expansion of the Civil Service Free Transport Scheme by expanding the routes and injecting more vehicles.”,

He said that the Exco also congratulated the Governor on the several awards and recognitions he received recently such as the award from Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) as “Prudent Manager of Fiscal Recourses of the State”as well as the one where he was recognised as the ‘’Most Innovative Digital Governor’’ by Titans of Tech Awards.

Osuala said that the award in the tech sector “happens to be the first of such to any Governor in Nigeria because of his establishment of the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government in Imo State and the attendant Skill-Up programmes of the Ministry that have turned out digital youths, who are provided with skills that make them employers of labour instead of dependants.”

Osuala told the newsmen that the Governor had earlier reeled out the palliatives in his address to Stakeholders in the State and “anyone desirous of the report can approach office of the Secretary to the State Government to get a copy.”

Answering reporters questions, the Commissioner for Transport and his Trade and Investment colleague, Anunobi and Ebegbulem respectively said that plans are nearing conclusion for the Mass transit to take off just as the Commodity Centres as approved will soon start procuring products for sale to Imo citizens.

“I Have Resolved To Conduct Local Government Election” – Gov. Uzodinma

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The Source

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July 24, 2023

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The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma has reiterated his Government’s resolve to conduct Local Government elections that will usher in Executive Chairmen and Councilors at the third tier of government this year.

The Governor spoke while swearing-in the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) Chairman, Chief Charles Ejiogu and two newly appointed members, Mr. Igbo Kenneth Chinyere and Chief Dominic Uzowuru, at the New Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri on Monday.

Addressing the Chairman and members of the Commission, the Governor congratulated them for making themselves available to serve, informing that the inauguration is a process of strengthening the ISIEC as a body that will take the government to the rural areas.

He then charged the Chairman, the old and new members, to study the law establishing their office and do well to keep the principles of their oath.

Governor Uzodinma enjoined them to work hard to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of Imo people who have longed for Local Government elections.

He seized the opportunity to remind Imo people that the events of past years which include insecurity, killings and maiming, banditry, actions of unknown gunmen, the #ENDSARS# and even the Covid-19 pandemic, did not create enabling environment for the conduct of Local Government elections.

He promised that now that the situation has changed and the environment becoming more conducive, his Government will conduct the Local election before the November governorship poll.

Concluding, the Governor said his idea of democracy in progress includes bringing it nearer to the people at the Councils.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Chief Ejiogu as the Chairman ISIEC expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding them worthy to serve at this critical time of political era.

He promised that they are duty bound to carry out their assignment according to the oath they took, noting that they are ready to work to satisfy the yearnings of Imo populace.

He promised that they will justify the confidence repose on them.

The swearing-in was witnessed by all members of Imo State Executive Council in session, as well as the old members of ISIEC – Dr. Henry Adimelechi, Mrs. Jacinta Uchechukwu and Chief Charles Ohiri – while Barr. Magnus Agu was unavoidably absent.

Desperation On Display As APC Fakes THISDAY Newspaper Headlines – LP

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The Source

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July 24, 2023

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The Labour Party has said that its Presidential Candidate in the February 25 2023 election, Peter Obi, remains the phenomenal political leader of contemporary Nigeria that all good heads wants to hug but devious ones want to de-market, tarnish and if possible, destroy.

In a statement signed by Diran Onifade, Head of Media, the Party said as “Obi’s political profile continues to soar among Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, the envy, and anger against him by those envious of his positive attributes continue to rise.”

Obi-Datti Media office noted how a worried ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and its Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu are even wishing and pleading with the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal PEPC to consider pairing them with ATIKU Abubakar of the PDP instead of Obi and in fact, wants Obi disqualified outrightly and be prevented from participating in the rerun, should there be one.

“It said: “In their desperation to stop Obi at all costs, they have lined up a series of untoward activities using rogue troll agents that seek to portray him negatively and copiously misrepresent him in public space.

“The latest machination is the production of a fake Sunday’s edition of THISDAY NEWSPAPER of July 23, 2023, which they are circulating and purporting in their mischievous lead story that Obi granted an interview which they captioned as him saying: “Tinubu won but disqualify him and set a rerun between ATIKU and I.”

“This devilish act is ostensibly to enable them to defend their call that Obi should be disqualified by the PEPC thus seeking a rerun between Tinubu and ATIKU.

Obi-Datti Media recalls that last week the same rogue agents had claimed that Obi granted an interview on Arise Television saying he is willing to take defeat and wait for elections 2027.

“All this wicked and dubious propaganda is aimed at achieving one mission; to confuse the public, distract and defocus the Justices from their statutory responsibilities.

“We, therefore, wish to urge the Nigerian public not to be gullible and to disregard the fake THISDAY publication and embrace the correct edition with the lead story, ATIKU: APC Plotting to Manipulate Judiciary, Undermine Democracy.“ They should also watch out for more of these sinister acts of desperation orchestrated by a drowning government that is visibly afraid of justice which must certainly come.”