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“You Are Working Under Me As Personal Aides, Not To Be Holding Nocturnal Political Meetings”, Fubara Warns New SSG, CoS

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Siminalayi Fubara
Governor Siminalayi Fubara

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

The embattled Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday February 26, 2026, sounded unusually tough as he  read the riot act to his newly appointed Chief of Staff, CoS, and Secretary to the State Government SSG.

 

At the official swearing-in of Dr Dagogo Wokoma ,and Barr.Sunny Ewule, as SSG and CoS respectively, Governor Fubara warned them against any involvement in political and nocturnal meetings with a firm threat to dispense with the services of any of his appointee who goes contrary to his directive.

 

The Source reports that the two appointments, announced early Thursday morning, signaled the beginning of the re-building process post-settlement of the long drawn crisis of confidence between Governor Fubara and the camp of his political godfather, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike.

 

Governor Fubara insisted that the essence of having the two  technocrats on board is to assist him in the re-building process and not to further  create  problems by way of unnecessary involvement in political activities and other unwholesome practices.

 

“This appointment is not for any political empowerment that you are appointed to start raising, or believing that you have a platform to abuse, insult, or create problems. It is an appointment to help this administration succeed.

 

“The most important thing to this administration now is to see that the good works that we started, and the ones we met on ground are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our State.

 

“You are working under me. You are my personal aides. It is not a position that as you are leaving here now, you start holding political meetings, and calling.people without my permission.

 

” Let me sound a warning here clearly. Your job is to make sure that  administrative activities, image making are well coordinated by way of liaising with everyone on official engagement here is handled satisfactorily.

 

“However, if you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings, and political gatherings, I will not hesitate to sack you.

 

“What is more important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of Rivers state. It is important, and I am not going to compromise it for anything.

 

“I believe that those that have worked closely with me are very much aware that I don’t say what I won’t do.  May be before now, a few things had gone wrong because of my not being observant, and I let anything to go.

 

“But this time, I am not going to let things to go just like that. I am watching everyone, and any step that will bring any form of embarrassment to this Government or to my person, I assure you will be met with commensurate sanctions”, Fubara stated.

 

He also sounded a note of warning to some retired Permanent Secretaries who have refused to vacate their seats months  after being duly retired from service.

 

The Governor assured that he will dispatch a team to  decisively handle the situation by next week.

Terrorism Financing: EFCC Petitions Against Judge In The Trial Of  Bauchi Finance Commissioner

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Yakubu Adamu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 26, forced a Federal High Court Abuja Division, presided over by Honourable Justice Mohammed Umar, to hands-off a case and adjourn it indefinitely.

 

Justice Umar was handling the case on the alleged  terrorism financing to the tune of $9.7 million. preferred  against the Bauchi State Finance Commissioner Yakubu Adamu , Miyetti Allah Leader Bello Bodejo,and two others ,by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

 

This development followed a petition by the EFCC lodged with the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Honourable Justice John Tsoho, against Justice Umar by the anti-graft Commission.

 

The EFCC in the petition sought  the disqualification of Justice Umar from  further handling  the alleged terrorism financing case involving the Bauchi State officials on the grounds that it longer reposed confidence in his ability to guarantee fairness and justice the  handling of the matter.

 

The Source reports that Justice Umar had, on January 21, 2026, granted bail to the Bauchi Finance Commissioner and three of his co-defendants including Badejo to the tune of N100 million each after they were initially denied bail on January 5,2026 by vacation Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.

 

The granting of bail to the defendants, however, came amidst strident opposition from the EFCC which had  contended that the defendants posed a great risk to public safety and national interest.

 

The EFCC,  in its petition to the Chief Judge noted that its trust and confidence in Justice Uma became shaky immediately after he granted bail to the defendants despite the weight and gravity of the allegations against them, as well as the strength of the counter-affidavit against their bail application.

 

The anti-graft Commission expressed serious regret that Justice Umar’s action came after a previous Judge (Justice Emeka Nwite) had denied the accused bail.

 

The EFCC in the petition  asked the Chief Judge to either reassign the matter to another Judge or in the alternative, have Justice Umar recuse himself.

 

During the resumed hearing on the case on Thursday, Justice Umar announced his decision to temporarily step down  pending the final decision of the Chief Judge on the EFCC’s petition.

 

His decision to also adjourn proceedings sine die was amidst spirited efforts by the defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, to persuade him to go ahead with the business of the day.

 

Justice Umar, however, maintained that it will be in the best interest of justice for him to step aside temporarily.

 

The Source further reports that the EFCC had, on December 31, 2025, arraigned the defendants on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, unlawful conversation of public funds, and terrorism financing  involving over  $9.7 million.

Attack On Obi, Oyegun Others:  You Are Your Own Nemesis, APC Replies ADC

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Peter Obi escaped assasination
Peter Obi, attacked in Edo State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress, APC, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, distanced itself from the attack on the Edo State, Headquarters of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, and some of its chieftains including Peter Obi.

This is as the Party called for an unfettered investigation to unravel the actual circumstances surrounding the said attack.

The Source reports that the emerging opposition Coalition platform, ADC, had in a statement from its spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, domiciled the blame for the attack on Obi, and others by some armed hoodlums  at the Benin residence of former Governor of Edo state Chief John Oyegun on Tuesday ,at the door steps of both the APC and Edo state Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo.

According to the ADC, the attack mirrored a troubling pattern of opposition harassment by the ruling APC across the country .

The ADC alleged that Governor Okpebholo’s series of incendiary and inflammatory rhetorics and threats preceded the attack on its Edo state Secretariat and Oyegun’s residence.

According to the ADC, the APC and the Federal Government have increasingly become terrorists organizations , with the opposition party it’s primary target.

“This was (attack on Obi and others) not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation ,and terror against our party across the country”, ADC alleged .

But reacting, the APC in a statement on Thursday from its National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka , while denying  any involvement,blamed the unfortunate incident on  internal contradictions and crises within the ADC itself.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, is undoubtedly its own nemesis.  It needs no external help to achieve its political demise .The party is doing a good job crippling itself even before it has come to stand on its feet.

“The ADC and its leaders are insufferable jesters. They weaponized dark humour as a strategy to deceive ,distract and disrupt in desperation for public sympathy”, Morka stated.

The APC, according to the national spokesperson, is too busy celebrating its sweet victory in the recently conducted FCT Council polls and by-elections in Kano and Rivers states to get involved in the unfortunate attack on the ADC and its leaders.

This is as Morka described as “senseless and unfounded” ADC’s resort to blame game without any verifiable evidence and or investigation being carried out.

According to the APC, the tendency for the opposition party to shift blame from what appears to be a result of its internal challenges, smacks of complete lack of focus and total disregard for the rule of law.

Morka further described as reckless and unjustifiable  ADC’s characterization of APC as a “terrorist organization”.

” By its baseless conclusion ,the party ( ADC) has declared itself to be the accuser , investigator , prosecutor and judge in its own case ..

” This characterization only reveals the ADC ,and its leaders as a confused bunch , desperate to whip up sentiments ,and curry public sympathy at all cost.

” Its flippant accusation clearly shows that the ADC is out of touch with prevailing realities of the country’s war on terror ,and insensitive to patriotic sacri.of our troops in the frontlines in defence of our lives and liberty” Morka added.

While condemning the Edo state attack ,the APC however called on security agencies and all other relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident , beginning with a scrutiny of the ADC itself.

“They Killed My Father, Critically Matcheted My Mother, Abducted My Two Sisters”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Community Leader Killed in Edo

By Adesina Soyooye

A heart broken Edo young man has told the heartbreaking story of how gunmen stormed their family home, killed his father, injured his mother, critically, and abducted his two sisters.

“I received a call that my father has been shot. When I returned home, I met my mother in a critical condition, and my two sisters had been taken away”, narrated Lucky Ogboi of the tragedy which befell his family.

This tragedy unfolded Monday night in Idua, Kingdom, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, when gunmen invaded the home of Chief Jimah Jacob Ogboi, high-ranking Palace Chief in Iduah Kingdom, shot and killed him, macheted his wife very critically, and abducted two of his daughters.

The assailants, sources said, invaded the house and shot the chief at close range. They, also attacked his wife   with machetes and other dangerous weapons, and left her seriously injured.

According to Lucky, he had, luckily just stepped out to buy an item when the attack occurred.

His words: “I received a call that my father had been shot. When I returned home, I met my mother in a critical condition, and my two sisters had been taken away.”

The incident has prompted an emergency meeting of elders to discuss how  to secure the release of the killed Chief’s daughters and dig out the underlying cause(s) of the attack.

HRH Alhaji Amedu Momoh, the Traditional Ruler, has appealed to the Edo State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene and strengthen security in the area.

He said:

“About four armed men went to the house of one of our chiefs. They shot him and abducted two of his daughters. The Nigerian Police and other security agencies have been here since the incident occurred.

“We need assistance in tackling security issues. The government should come to our aid. There had been relative calm in our land, but it appears the attackers have regrouped.”

The Edo State Police Command, CSP Eno Ikoedem, who has since confirmed the incident said investigations have started.

She said that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was in Ekpoma, Edo Central, with other senior officers to see to the security situation.

“I can confirm the incident. The Commissioner of Police and other top officers are currently in the area to forestall further attacks. The police have launched an investigation into the killing and abduction,” the PPRO said.

Terrorism Financing: Trial Of Bauchi Commissioner Adjourned Indefinitely

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Yakubu Adamu

By Akinwale Kasali

The alleged terrorism-financing case against the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, was on Thursday, adjourned Indefinitely by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Judge  ordered the adjournment, stating that the  prosecution, led by M.O. Adebayo, had written to the Chief Judge expressing discomfort with the handling of the matter and requesting that the case be transferred.

He added that the Chief Judge had yet to respond to the letter.

Defence Counsel, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, expressed shock at the development, arguing that any communication to the Chief Judge or presiding judge ought to have been copied to the defence for input.

He described the development as “unfair”, adding that the right of the defence had been taken away by the failure of the prosecution to copy it on the letter.

The Senior Advocate, also, urged the court to release the passport of the first defendant to enable him travel, stating that Adamu was part of a high-powered delegation overseeing Hajj preparations in the State.

In response, Justice Umar noted that the issue was administrative rather than judicial, adding that he was not expected to continue hearing the matter in view of the letter to the Chief Judge. He subsequently urged counsel to take a date.

Uche told the court that he would also write to the Chief Judge to protest the prosecution’s failure to notify the defence, arguing that such moves “will not do the administration of justice any good.”

While the prosecution asked that the matter be adjourned sine die pending reassignment to another Judge, the defence objected, contending that without a definite date the case would “die”.

Justice Umar, however, adjourned the matter sine die pending the decision of the Chief Judge.

Adamu and three others are facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing and money laundering in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025 filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The prosecution alleged that between January and May 2024, the defendants conspired to channel millions of dollars in Bauchi State Government funds to individuals allegedly linked to terrorist elements.

The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendants were initially arraigned on December 31, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat asa  vacation judge, and pleaded not guilty.

Adamu was subsequently granted bail in January 2026 in the sum of N500m with two sureties in like sum.

Ondo Police Command Arrests Six Suspects Over Fake Miracles

By
Ayodele Oni
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Fake Miracles Pastor in Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

Six suspected fake men of God specializing in dishing out fake miracles to members of the public are now in police net in Ondo state.

They were picked up at the various points where they fake miracles at Idanre local government area.

Giving details of their arrest, Ondo state Police Command spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh stated that the suspects had exploited unsuspecting members of the public with unspecified sums of money.

In a statement, the spokesman confirmed the arrest of six suspects over an alleged fake miracle scam in Idanre.

“On 16th February, 2026, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams, in collaboration with the Community Safety Officers (CSOs), carried out a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation following credible information about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate operating within Idanre and its environs.

“The operation led to the arrest of six suspects alleged to have organized and executed fraudulent schemes targeted at unsuspecting members of the public.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects posed as pastors and religious leaders, staging fake miracles and spiritual interventions as a strategy to gain the confidence and trust of their victims.

“They allegedly exploited the faith, emotions, and vulnerabilities of individuals by promising divine solutions to financial difficulties, health challenges, and other personal problems, only to defraud them through various forms of obtaining by false pretence and related scams.

“The suspects include; 1. Fadahunsi ‘m’ 2. Kolade ‘m’ 3. Tijani ‘m’ 4. Iyanuoluwa ‘m’ 5. Arijesulola ‘m’ 6. Ademola ‘m’.

“During interrogation, it was gathered that the suspects operated in a coordinated manner, assigning specific roles to members of the group to create a convincing and structured façade of legitimacy.

“Further investigation is ongoing to ascertain the total number of victims, determine the financial magnitude of the fraud, and identify other collaborators who may still be at large.

“All suspects are currently in Police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan Alleges Frustration At The Senate

By
Ayodele Oni
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

By Ayodele Oni

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Thursday, revealed how she was prevented from attending an international event on women in the United States.

She, also, expressed anger and frustration over her alleged sidelining from activities at the Senate.

Expressing her bitterness on.the floor of the Senate during the budget Defence of the Committee on Women Affairs, Natasha accused the Committee Chairman, Ireti Kingibe, of sidelining her from certain Committee activities.

She questioned the lack of unity and coordination among female Senators regarding a significant global women’s event, highlighting her alienation from the process.

The Lawmaker noted the limited female representation in the Senate, raising a concern regarding an invitation to attend the UN’s Commission on the State of Women, (CSW), event in New York.

According to the senator, she was informed of the invitation and was told to provide her passport for processing.

She said despite responding within three hours, she was later told by the Ministry of Women Affairs that she could no longer attend due to a late response.

“I was only informed about the event yesterday at 1:00 pm, and I immediately responded with my passport. Despite my prompt response, I was subsequently told that I responded too late and would not be attending.

“I should not be treated differently from other women, especially concerning an event focused on the betterment of women,” Natasha said.

Young Woman  Challenges  Tinubu To 2027 Presidential Seat

By
The Source
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Onuoha Julette for President

By Adesina Soyooye

President Bola Tinubu’s obstacle to a second term in office may not be Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi.

It will come from a totally unexpected quarters.

A young, refreshing lady, Juliet Onuoha, says she is all set to topple Tinubu in 2027 by giving to Nigerians what they have been yearning for.

While officially declaring her intention, Onuoha said she will run on the platform of the Youth Party.

She said her ambition is a  generational movement focused on youth inclusion, economic reform and national development.

Announcing her candidacy in a post, Onuoha said her mission is to shift Nigeria “from potential to prosperity.” To achieve that, she said she would prioritise youth energy, innovation and integrity in governance.

Her words: “I am Onuoha Juliet, and I am officially declaring my intention to run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2027 under the Youth Party. Our mission is simple: to move from potential to prosperity by putting the energy, innovation, and integrity of the youth at the forefront of governance.

“It’s time for a new vision. It’s time for a new leadership. It’s time for us.”

In another post  addressed to Nigerians, Onuoha said her ambition is more than a personal political pursuit. It is, instead,

a movement aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s future.

The key areas she would focus on are job creation, economic reform, women empowerment, support for small businesses, improved security and stable electricity supply.

Nigeria’s abundant resources and resilient population, according to her, should translate into better living conditions for citizens.

She said: “Nigeria is blessed. Blessed with oil. Blessed with talent. Blessed with resilient people who wake up every morning and refuse to give up. Yet too many of us are surviving instead of living. Too many dreams are delayed by poor leadership, corruption, insecurity, and a struggling economy. It does not have to be this way.”

She did not forget corruption and promised reforms in governance, anti-corruption efforts through transparency and technology, agricultural investment to boost food security, and policies to strengthen local production.

Onuoha: “We will build a Nigeria where electricity is stable, education is modern and accessible, healthcare is affordable, the Naira is respected, and hard work is rewarded.”

She, also stated  that her campaign is not  ethnicity, religion or partisan driven.

“This campaign is not about tribe. It is not about religion. It is not about party. It is about progress,” she declared.

Focusing on young people, women, entrepreneurs and Nigerians who feel disillusioned, Onuoha said:

“2027 is not just another election year. It is our reset year. Let us rise together. Let us rebuild together. Let us restore dignity, prosperity, and pride. The Nigeria we dream of is possible. The Nigeria we deserve is achievable. The Nigeria we will build starts now.”

“PDP Leaders Are Idiots” – Iyabo Obasanjo

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Iyabo Obasanjo
Iyabo Obasanjo

By Ayodele Oni 

 

A daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo, has described leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “idiots” as she publicly justified her defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

In a no-holds-barred appearance on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, Iyabo Obasanjo, a former senator, accused PDP power brokers of arrogance, political shortsightedness, and treating prominent members as disposable tools.

 

“I think they’re idiots, if you can put it that way. If elections are about people and you don’t reach out to the people who are prominent in your party, how do you win elections? You can’t,” she said against the background of the claim that party leaders only reached out to her during elections.

 

Obasanjo, who recently re-emerged into partisan politics after nearly 15 years abroad in academia, insisted she was neither courted nor pressured by the APC.

 

“APC never approached me. I made a choice. I analyzed the situation. I left PDP because I wasn’t comfortable there.”

 

According to her, PDP leaders only remembered her when elections approached — not out of respect, but out of need.

 

“The only time I got a call from them was when elections were coming. Somebody from the presidency reached out. How transactional is that? I dropped the phone. You only remember people when you need them.

 

“I left and nobody cared to ask why. At the level I left, nobody cared. The individuals there are not people I want to associate with.”

 

She suggested that the party’s inability to manage relationships within its own leadership circle reflects why it struggles electorally.

 

“If you can’t care for people in your own leadership team, how can you care for the ordinary person on the street?”, she asked pointedly.

 

Obasanjo disclosed that she had long contemplated leaving the PDP, but delayed doing so because her father was still a leading figure in the party at the time. 

 

Now that the former president has publicly severed ties with the PDP, she said she feels politically unrestrained.

 

“He tore his party card. I’m a free agent,” she said.

 

Having lost her Senate re-election bid in 2011 to Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Obasanjo withdrew from frontline politics and relocated to the United States, where she rose to become a professor. 

 

Her return now — and the ferocity of her remarks — signal that she is not stepping back quietly.

APC National Convention: Yilwatda Charges Cmte To Rise Above Personal Interest

By
James Orji
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0
Aminu Masari

Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged the Central Coordinating Committee for its upcoming National  Convention to shun partisanship and ‘personal interest’.

The APC chairman made the admonition on Wednesday while inaugurating the Committee headed by a former Governor of Katsina state, Aminu Masari, as its Chairman. The party’s Convention, the magazine reports, is slated for next month.

The 92-member inaugurated by Prof. Yilwatda also includes former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who will serve as Vice Chairman 1 and 2, respectively.

According to the APC National Chairman, the Committee should g ahead to perform their duties, as they will be provide with all the support and resources it needed to succeed in its alignment, saying the party expect nothing “short of excellence”,  from the Committee, saying the members should be guided by the interest of the party.

Let the good of this party, the colour of APC, guide you in every decision that you make, he said.

“Time is of the essence. And I expect nothing short of excellence from each and every one of you. The national working committee and the entire party structure will stand strong and ready to support you.

“You shall have the resources, cooperation and goodwill required to deliver on this mandate. Let history remember you today. We have set in motion the wheels that is required to get the convention, and that will further strengthen our party and renew the collective will of our party members.

“Your acceptance of this responsibility is a further demonstration of your selfless commitment to the APC and Nigeria.”

“We are honoured to have you at the helm of affairs of this committee. And we are proud that you will do a yeoman to the assignment that has been given to you by the party.

He said the members of the Committee have been carefully selected due tot their proven integrity and commitment to the ideals of the ruling party, urging them to conduct a credible Convention for the party.

Yilwatda: “To all members of this committee, you have been carefully selected because of your proven integrity, wealth of experience and your commitment to the ideals of our party.

“Standing before you is the honour and responsibility in the APC. You have been called upon to plan and deliver a Convention that would be transparent, inclusive, credible, befitting of a ruling party of great stature like the APC.”

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