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Cabals, Not Buhari, Ruled Nigeria For Eight Years – Former First Lady, Aisha

December 17, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has revealed that some cabals held the country in the jugular for the eight years tenure of her husband, late President Muhammad Buhari.

In a book unveiled on Monday at the Banquet Hall of the State House, entitled ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari”’, authored by Dr. Charles Omole, the former First Lady narrated how the former president was held captive by “a small court of elderly relatives and elites”, whom she further described as a “mafia of a certain kind, (with) native intelligence bent to private ends.”

In chapter 22 of the book, with a subtitle, ‘Revelations at Last after the Silence:’ Aisha Buhari’s Account of the ‘Villa and the Men who fought a Presidency’, the author gave a gripping account of how those who laboured to ensure victory for Buhari in 2015 lost out in the power game at the State House with the mafia dictating who got what, when and how.

The former First Lady also revealed that there were attempts by these cabals, mostly family members of her husband, to eject her from the villa.

According to the publication, the First Lady’s predicament worsened in 2017, two years into the first tenure of the late President as the strong men who “cautioned the president that his wife’s ‘strong character’ would overshadow them if she were let in,” actually plotted to push her out of the Villa.

“In Aisha’s account, the house quickly filled with relatives and their wives and grandchildren, as well as courtiers and staff who learnt the shortcuts and shadows. They tried to push everybody out, including me,” she said.

“It is a blunt statement, and she knows it sounds blunt. But she stands firm on her boundaries: ‘This is my house. You can live wherever you like, but you cannot be in charge of my husband’s office and then also be in charge of me, his wife, inside my house.’

“With most of her children living and studying abroad early in Buhari’s first term, extended family members filled the void and occupied houses across the Villa.

“And because of his fondness and attachment to his extended family and old friends, Buhari was vulnerable to all kinds of scheming and manipulations.

“Those who knew his weaknesses exploited them to the detriment of the lofty goals of his administration.

OPINION: When Women Rise, Nations Flourish

James Orji

December 17, 2025

By Joy Inyamu Akut

When we speak about gender roles, it’s easy for the conversation to turn into a battle of superiority. But that has never been the point. Men and women are different, by design. Our bodies are built differently, so are our minds. And this isn’t a flaw; it’s a gift, because it keeps the universe balanced. It keeps us needing one another.

Men are not the same as women, and women are not the same as men. We were never created to compete, but to complete. What we seek is equity, a balance that allows both strengths to thrive side by side. The Reserved Seats Bill before the National Assembly isn’t asking for favors, but for fairness.

I often think of my mother when I speak about leadership and balance. She was one of only two women in the state cabinet and served as pioneer Commissioner for Women Affairs in Benue State. She also served as Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports, and for Commerce and Industries. She mothered the Lobi Stars players and still got the job done. I remember watching her come home exhausted, to oversee the running of the house, and the next morning, she was back at it. She was nurturing but firm, soft yet resolute. She didn’t need to imitate masculinity to command respect. Her empathy made her an exceptional leader. Through her, I saw strength in womanhood, a quiet power that governs with both heart and discipline.

This is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs. Women don’t lead better than men; they lead differently. And when both perspectives are intertwined, nations thrive.

The Reserved Seats Bill (HB 1349) is not charity. It’s a development strategy. It recognizes that when we make room for women, we invariably make room for progress. First sponsored by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha in the 9th Assembly, the Bill has now been refined and re-presented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Say what you will about politicians, but Kalu has shown, through both word and example, that gender inclusion isn’t about tokenism but transformation.
His advisory team is a fine blend of men and women, with women almost tipping the balance. He has exceeded affirmative action in his space, not because of sentiments, but because of competence. He gives them room, and in return, they deliver excellence. That is the power of equity: when people are trusted, they deliver results, and they rise.

If passed, the Bill will add specific seats for women in the National Assembly and State Assemblies. This will not only increase female participation in governance but also inspire young girls to see leadership as attainable and not a distant dream reserved for others.

Right now, Nigeria is at the bottom of the ladder in female representation. Out of 469 seats in the 10th National Assembly, women occupy only 4 seats out of 109 in the Senate (2.7%) and 17 out of 360 in the House of Representatives (4.7%), a total of just 4.2%. This is one of the lowest rates in Africa. For comparison, Rwanda, a country that emerged from genocide just three decades ago, made an intentional decision to rebuild differently. They reserved seats for women in parliament, and today, women hold 63.8% of the seats in their lower chamber, the highest in the world. Since 2000, Rwanda’s GDP per capita has more than quadrupled, and the country is celebrated globally for its recovery and inclusive governance.

Closer home, Senegal’s parity law requires political parties to field equal numbers of men and women, leading to improved representation, more inclusive policymaking, and a cultural shift in how leadership is perceived. It’s that simple: when women take their rightful place, nations rise.

But let me be honest: what stands in the way of progress isn’t always capacity. It’s perception. And sometimes, it’s fear. Too many competent women have chosen silence because the system wasn’t built to make room for them.

The veil must be lifted from the eyes of those steeped in outdated traditions. If we trust women to raise families, the most vital unit of society, why can’t we trust them to help build a nation? The logic fails.

Even faith teaches us this truth. As a Christian, I see Jesus Christ as the greatest advocate for women’s inclusion. He trusted women to support His ministry, to be witnesses of His resurrection, and to carry the message of life. Likewise, the Sultan of Sokoto recently reaffirmed Islam’s historical respect for women’s leadership and contributions at the TOS Symposium, organized to commemorate the Day of the Girl Child. Both faiths meet at the same truth: women matter in God’s plan.

As the House of Representatives prepares to vote, the question before us isn’t just political; it is moral. Will our lawmakers choose reason and vision over fear and bias? If the 10th Assembly passes the Reserved Seats Bill, it will not just be about Benjamin Kalu; it will be a legacy for the 10th assembly. They will be remembered as the lawmakers who made a generational difference, those who looked beyond politics to posterity.
Or they won’t. And we’ll continue recycling old systems that exclude half our population while wondering why progress is so slow.

Nigeria has a choice. We can continue as we are, or we can chart a new path where every citizen, male and female, contributes fully to nation-building. Equity is not about replacing men; it’s about strengthening humanity. When women rise, nations flourish.

And perhaps, years from now, a young girl sitting beside her mother will watch the evening news and see more women on the legislative floor, contributing and making a difference. That will be the day Nigeria truly comes into balance.

* Ms Akut is Special Assistant on Women and Youth Development, to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives.

How Generals Stopped Promotion Of Tinubu’s ADC To Brig. Gen.

James Orji

December 17, 2025

Bola Tinubu and his ADC - Nurudeen Yusuf

Acting on the advice of some retired military Generals in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stopped the planned decoration of his Aide-de – Camp, ADC, Col. Nurudeen Yusuf to the rank of Brigadier General.

President Tinubu, the magazine learnt was billed to decorate Col Yusuf to his new rank on Tuesday, save for the intervention of some respected retired military Generals who advised him to shelve the plan because of its immediate and far-reaching consequences on the nation’s armed forces.

The magazine reports that Yusuf, who became President Tinubu’s ADC in 2023, was reported to have been promoted few days ago, to the rank of Brigadier General based on the recommendation of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu.

The recommendation was reportedly conveyed in a letter from the Office of the NSA to the Chief of Army Staff. The letter, dated December 12, 2025 also noted that Yusuf would be retained as the President’s ADC despite the proposed promotion.

The ceremony to decorate him to the higher rank was supposed to take place yesterday before it was hurriedly cancelled by the Presidency, following the backlash from not a few Nigerians, particularly in the military who insist that promoting Yusuf, who was only promoted to the rank of Colonel in January 2025, will set a bad precedence.

Meanwhile, Ribadu’s approval is believed to have bypassed the military tradition, which required that for a Colonel to be recommended to the rank of Brig. General the officer must have attended the National Defence College.

Those monitoring the presidency claimed that Yusuf has become so influential in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s Presidency , so much so, that he was able to influence the promotion of some military officers in the Army. His powerful influence must have extended to the NSA Office where he got the nod to be promoted to a new rank, according to some military sources, who condemned what is happening as unnecessary wholesomeness in military affairs by politicians.

They also pointed out that , Yusuf, who has been appointed as a traditional ruler in his hometown in Kwara state should not be allowed to politicised his position as the chief protector of the president, because he will be setting a bad precedence for other ADC in the future.

The reactions generated regarding the promotion of the ADC is coming on the heels of the recent revelations by the immediate past First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari on how some presidency officials, including security chiefs tried to hijack the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former First Lady made the revelations in a biography authored by Dr Charles Omole, titled ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’, unveiled at the State House, Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Monday. The ceremony, the magazine reports, was attended by President Tinubu, Vice President Kassim Shetima and other top government officials.

Among the staggering revelations in the book is that some unknown Presidency officials forged a presidential document, purporting that Buhari directed the DSS, IGP, Service Chiefs to impose former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan as the 2023 APC Presidential candidate.

Since the reported promotion of Yusuf, sources close to the Presidency informed the magazine that some retired Army Generals had called the president, advising him to shelve the promotion because it is against known military traditions in the country. They pointed out that the nation’s armed forces, particularity the Army cannot be toyed with or politicized in such a manner, even though they also recognized the powers of the president as commander-in-chief. Tinubu, as commander-in-chief, they insist, is expected to exercise his powers with utmost discretion, in such a way that such will not cause dysfunction in the military.

“At least four respected Army Generals, two from the North and two from the South reached out to the president, telling him to reconsider his decision to promote his ADC. The president was told that such action is capable of triggering disaffection in the military, stressing that the military is different from other services like the police and others, where such actions, when taken, will ordinarily not receive serious reactions. That, this one has caused angry reaction from Nigerians, including the political class is a signal to the president that it’s not the right thing to do,” a source said.

“This, is even moreso, considering that the ADC was only promoted to the rank of Colonel early this year. Some of his course mates in the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA are still in the Lt. Colonel rank, the source added.

Some Nigerians who waded in on the issue, warned President Tinubu not to take action capable of destroying military tradition, saying closeness to power should not be the basis for promoting a military officer. They advise him to exercise great restraint on this issue because of its capability to destroy the fabrics of the nation’s Armed forces, and possible dissatisfaction among officers , particularity at a time the nation is facing serious security problems.

According to them, no President in the country, since the return to democratic government in 1999 used an officer in the rank of Brig. General as ADC. The highest ADC rank, from Olusegun Obasanjo to Buhari is Colonel, they insist.

This sources also stressed that special consideration should not be given to military officers serving in the Presidency, because of their closeness to politicians while officers risking their lives in the war front against Boko haram and Banditry, are neglected and made to stay in the same ranks for years.

The analysts also stressed that it’s wrong to promote the ADC to the rank of Brig. General while he has yet to attend the National Defence College, an essential military tradition, before a Colonel can be considered for promotion to brigadier general. This, they insist, is in line with Nigeria’s military policy for years.

In a piece, titled ADC Promotion: A memo to President Tinubu On military Tradition, Yushau A. Shuaib , a public affairs analyst said the presidency should not apply the policy of Rapid Promotion, as being used in the Nigerian Police and DSS to justify the promotion of the president’s ADC, saying the military tradition abhors such, noting that if the promotion is allowed to go ahead, Yusuf will be the first General officer to serve as ADC to a civilian president in Nigeria, adding that his promotion will generate huge furore in the nation’s armed forces.

He explained that promoting the ADC will amount to bending military norms in a manner that would send a dangerous signal that “proximity to power matters more than service, sacrifice, and seniority,” in the nation’s Armed Forces, which he said is capable of leading to instability and disquiet among officers.

According to him, President Tinubu must avoid actions that could inadvertently trigger frustrations among military officers, which could push them to embark on some dangerous adventures, such as coup detat, citing the reported recent coup in the country as a warning that the military should not be politicised or toyed with.

“A recent report by PRNigeria indicates that your decision to promote your Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier General has generated deep unease within military circles. If implemented, it would mark a historic departure from long-established military tradition, potentially making him the first general officer to serve as ADC to a civilian president in Nigeria,” Shuaib said.

“Colonel Yusuf was promoted to his current rank in January 2025. Elevating him again in less than a year would amount to a second rapid promotion, justified by comparisons with practices in other services such as the Police or DSS. But such comparisons miss a critical point: the Nigerian Armed Forces operate under a rigid, globally recognised promotion system built on seniority, merit, qualifications, time-in-rank, and competitive examinations. Deviating from this framework for political convenience risks undermining the very spine of military professionalism.

Historically, ADCs to Nigerian leaders have ranged from junior officers to Colonels, reflecting both tradition and prudence. Since the return to civil rule in 1999, civilian presidents have consistently appointed Colonels as ADCs—an arrangement that balances professional competence with respect for hierarchy. Elevating an ADC to general-officer rank while still serving in that role would be unprecedented and deeply destabilising.

Mr President, while you are constitutionally empowered as Commander-in-Chief—particularly at a time when a recent Supreme Court ruling has further expanded executive authority to include the declaration of a state of emergency and the removal of elected officials without prior National Assembly approval—leadership ultimately demands restraint. This is especially critical in institutions like the armed forces, where discipline, hierarchy, seniority, and predictability are not mere conventions but sacred pillars of stability and professionalism.

“To bend military norms in the manner you intend to would send a dangerous signal that proximity to power matters more than service, sacrifice, and seniority. It would risk breeding resentment among officers who have spent years in harsh terrains, away from their families, confronting bandits and terrorists with courage and professionalism.

“Recent events heighten this concern. Only months ago, Nigeria narrowly avoided a coup attempt reportedly fueled by grievances over stagnation and blocked promotions among senior military officers. As a nation, we rightly condemned that plot. But leadership must also avoid actions that could inadvertently validate the very frustrations that often underpin such dangerous adventures elsewhere in the region.

“Why should aides working in the comfort of state houses be fast-tracked over gallant officers battling real enemies in forests and frontlines—some paying the ultimate price—without even the courtesy of seeing their families regularly? Such optics are corrosive.

“If Colonel Yusuf cannot find the courage to advise restraint in the interest of the institution he serves, then, Mr President, that burden rests squarely on you. Suspending or reconsidering this promotion would not diminish your authority; it would reinforce your commitment to military professionalism, morale, and national stability.

“Nigeria’s armed forces do not need symbolic gestures that strain tradition. They need reassurance that fairness, merit, and order still define the path to advancement. In moments like this, true loyalty is shown not by acquiescence but by counsel grounded in the nation’s long-term interests.

“Therefore, my dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I respectfully and passionately appeal to you to reconsider and jettison any move that elevates your Aide-de-Camp above his seniors through accelerated or exceptional promotion. At this critical moment in our nation’s security journey, restraint, fairness, and respect for military tradition will speak louder than authority exercised without caution,” he added.

Meanwhile, some analysts insist that the president can exercise his powers as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces by promoting Yusuf to the next rank, saying it’s not beyond his authority to carry out such actions, noting that he may decide to ignore any advise to that effect.

Celebrating Dan Agbese

The Source

December 17, 2025

By Valentine Obienyem

The first time I heard of Newswatch magazine was in 1986. I was then in SS1. One of our auxiliary teachers who handled Literature-in-English, Mr. Job Okonkwo, walked quietly into the classroom that day. He looked pale—unusually subdued. Without a word, he wrote NEWSWATCH on the board and asked how many of us knew the magazine. I can no longer recall our response, but what followed left an indelible impression on many of us.

He told us that Mr. Dele Giwa, the Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, had just been murdered by a parcel bomb. That tragic announcement was how many of us first became aware of the magazine – not through its journalism, but through the terrible price paid for truth. We learned that day that journalism could be dangerous.

Mr. Okonkwo went on to tell us more about Newswatch: how it was founded by Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, Ray Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed, and how the quartet introduced fresh ideas that would revolutionise journalism in Nigeria.

A few weeks ago, one of the magazine’s co-founders, Chief Dan Agbese, passed on. Mr. Peter Obi marked his death with a tweet, recalling his brief encounters with him and highlighting his trademark frankness and objectivity – qualities evident even in his analysis of the 2023 presidential election.

Today, we were scheduled to travel from Lagos to Abuja. As preparations were underway, Mr. Obi called to say the trip had been cancelled. There was, he explained, a memorial event in Ikeja which he would ordinarily have attended himself, but for unforeseen developments. The event was scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm.

Mr Ray Ekpu & Valentine Obienyem2 — **Mr Ray Ekpu & Valentine Obienyem**

“Where are you?” he asked.

“Somewhere around Banana Island,” I replied.

“Leave whatever you are doing,” he said, “and go to the venue. I will send the invitation and other details to you on WhatsApp. Represent me.”

He went on to say:

“Val, Dan Agbese was a good, objective journalist. I admired him because he was deeply concerned about leadership and the direction of the country. He was, unarguably, a patriot.”

As Mr. Obi spoke, a clear picture of the journalist Dan Agbese emerged. He was not a catch-and-carry journalist. He was not a praise-singer. He belonged to a tradition in which journalism served the public interest, not personal or political vanity.

I was privileged to read Agbese’s articles in 2023, when Obi’s entry into the presidential race unsettled the political establishment. Agbese recognised the significance of that candidacy – not as a personality cult, but as a disruption of a failing political order and an awakening of civic consciousness, particularly among young Nigerians. His commentary was marked by intellectual honesty and independence – qualities Mr. Obi consistently admired.

At the event held at the Whitestone Event Place, Billings Way, Oregun, Ikeja, tributes flowed freely and sincerely. In a country where even the devil can procure a hagiographer and be granted posthumous sanctity, Agbese did not have to procure anyone. Those who worked with and for him testified to who he truly was. Taken together, the tributes were a testament to his journalistic genius.

One fact stood out unmistakably: Dan Agbese was a journalist’s journalist. He mentored many, shaped careers, and raised professional standards. My friend, Dotun Oladipo, summed it up aptly: Agbese’s outlook was always to make one a better person and a better journalist.

I also listened to the tribute by Maureen Chigbo, publisher of Realnews magazine – one of the scions of Newswatch academy as they boldly call it. She echoed the same verdict. She recalled meeting Agbese for the first time in Ghana. A man with a keen eye for talent, he invited her to work with Newswatch. “He made promises and kept them,” she said. “He encouraged people. Some principles you learn from him early remain useful throughout life.”

As the tributes continued, my thoughts drifted naturally to Mr. Godwin Agbroko. Godwin Agbroko, the late Chairman of ThisDay’s Editorial Board, was assassinated in 2006. Between 2003 and his death, he published my opinion pieces almost weekly – as though I were a staff columnist. One day, I visited ThisDay to see Rev. Okey Ifionu, and asked to be shown Agbroko’s office. When I entered and introduced myself, he sprang from his seat and threatened to stifle me with a warm embrace.

I thanked him for the honour of consistently publishing my work. He replied that ThisDay was the one being honoured by providing a platform through which readers could benefit from my “highly educative pieces.” I expressed surprise that he had used those articles without any formal acknowledgment or even a phone call from me. He smiled and said, “Val, it is only someone who does not understand quality who would not publish your articles.”

The climax of the memorial was the closing reflection by Ray Ekpu, the oracle himself. He traced the history of Newswatch: the shared dream, the principle of equal remuneration, and the democratic culture in which major decisions were subjected to voting. He spoke of how they consciously transcended Nigeria’s fault lines of ethnicity and religion, dismantled the culture of editorial omnipotence, and took collective decisions – from cover story to back page.

Ekpu noted that although Dan Agbese was the oldest among them and of blue blood, that he never played royalty and never displayed a superiority complex. “Dan was not just an editor,” he said. “He was a mentor.” He rejected the dictatorship of words and firmly believed that every act – including journalism – has a moral obligation to be understood or shut up.

Regretting what journalism has gradually turned into – especially the brand beholden to “Afghanistanism,” where attention is fixated on distant or safe issues while urgent local truths are ignored – he recalled a very different era of practice. In their time, the measure of journalistic glory was not popularity or proximity to power, but courage: the readiness to go in and out of detention, to endure proscription, harassment, and intimidation in defence of the public interest. That tradition, he noted with some sadness, stands in sharp contrast to what is often obtainable today,

There is much to learn from that generation. One enduring lesson is the beauty of collaboration – how four friends, Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, Ray Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed, shared a vision and joined hands to build an institution that changed Nigerian journalism.

Dan Agbese belonged to a vanishing breed. Nigeria is poorer without him – but richer for having known him.

After the event, as Ray Ekpu was leaving, I took the opportunity to have a photograph with him. When I introduced myself again as representing Mr. Peter Obi, his face brightened and he said, “What of my in-law? Please give him my regards. Tell him that we are following him and that he is doing very well.”

Fake Wedding: How I Dismissed Myself From President Buhari’s Presence: Fmr. DG, DSS, Bichi

Ayodele Oni

December 17, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

There was a marriage (wedding fatiha) in which late President Muhammad Buhari was supposed to be the groom, but he was never aware of the ceremony.

Instead, the late President was informed by Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the urbane former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), about an invitation for the event in circulation and dismissed with just a wave of hand.

The former DSS boss recounting, stated that late President Buhari had a strong sense of humor.

In a shared video, Bichi said that while Buhari was President, there was a report on social media inviting people to attend his supposed wedding fatiha.

Bichi explained that he took the matter seriously and went to brief Buhari about it. He said instead of getting angry or asking for an investigation into the false report, Buhari simply laughed.

Bichi pointed out that when he saw Buhari’s reaction, he quietly left the room without further discussion.

In Bichi’s words: “When I went to him and said, ‘Sir, there is a social media report inviting people to your wedding fatiha’ he looked at me and laughed so I dismissed myself.

“So when I came out, I said well this President is still a born again democrat. Instead of him to ask me to go and investigate the source of that report he just dismissed it.”

Nigeria’s Vice President Powerless… I’m Too Presidential For That – Rotimi Amaechi

Ayodele Oni

December 17, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Former Minister of Transportation and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has adduced that one of his reasons for rejecting to serve as a Vice President is that the designation of the office makes it subordinate, often powerless, and dependent entirely on the temperament of the President.

The former Governor, who ruled out any possibility of serving as Vice President to anyone, stated that ”For Amaechi, the problem with the office of Vice President is not ceremonial, it is structural.

Amaechi made the clarification on Sunday in Abuja during The Uncensored Hangout, hosted by the CLARM and RAPAG.

Asked directly whether he would consider a vice presidential slot, Amaechi said:

“My wife said I should dodge the question. I won’t dodge it. I will not be vice president to anybody. There are too many reasons why I won’t be vice president to anybody.

“We will quarrel. Instead of that, I would rather be a minister than be a vice president.”

He explained that his rejection of the role is rooted in his own experience as a governor and how he ran government with his deputy.

According to Amaechi, power-sharing must be deliberate and institutional, not dependent on goodwill.

“Unless I see a president that will do what I did to my deputy. We ran a joint office.

“Every morning he reported to my office, we sit in my office, and we ran the government together.

“He closes at 4 p.m., I continue till 8 p.m, I go home. Anything short of that turns the Vice President into a political spare tyre, present but ineffective.

That’s the first reason.”

The second reason Amaechi gave was political credibility, particularly with the South. He recalled his stance in 2015, when he openly argued that it was the North’s turn to produce the president and that it would be wrong for the South to take power at that time.

“In 2015, my argument to the South was that it was the turn of the North. It would be wrong for the South to take power from the North because it’s their turn.”

Amaechi insisted that having taken that position publicly, it would be intellectually dishonest for him to now turn around and ask the South to accept a vice presidential role while power returns to the North.

“So what can I tell the South now? Maybe we’re not qualified to be President? Let’s go back to the North? It’s the turn of the North? No, I won’t. It will be difficult for me to go and sell that idea.

”While he was quick to add that he personally does not believe in zoning, Amaechi acknowledged the political reality that arguments made in the past bind future credibility.

“Trust me, I don’t care about zoning. I don’t care,” he said. Amaechi then veered into a broader critique of Nigeria’s political culture and voter behaviour.

He revisited his warnings during the last election cycle, insisting that the hardship Nigerians are currently experiencing did not come as a surprise to him.

“I told Nigerians that if you voted for President Tinubu, you will suffer,” he said bluntly.

According to Amaechi, politics in Nigeria is predictable, driven by interests rather than sentiment. Those who are surprised by the outcomes of elections and governance, he argued, either refused to listen or chose denial.

Amaechi did not absolve the electorate of blame. He argued that citizens must take responsibility for the outcomes they enable, particularly when they fail to protect their votes.

How DSS Operated Under Late President Buhari – Bichi

Ayodele Oni

December 17, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, has revealed that late President Muhammad Buhari made his job easier, while serving as the head of the secret agency.

According to him, the late former President never interfered with the agency’s work throughout his time in office.

In a video shared by NTA, Bichi stated that when Buhari assigned the DSS to investigate a petition against the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he told Buhari clearly that he (Bichi) could end up stepping on toes while carrying out the task.

The former DSS boss said Buhari told him to go ahead with the investigation without fear or favour.

He said Buhari told him that even if his own son, Yusuf Buhari, was found guilty during the investigation, he should be dealt with.

In Bichi’s words: “When he assigned us to investigate the petition against the then-CBN governor I went back to him and I said, ‘Sir, in the course of this investigation I will step on toes’.

“Then he looked at me, adjusted his seat and asked me, ‘Have I ever interfered with your job?’ I said never, you have not. He said, ‘Go, even if it is Yusuf you find wanting, deal with him, don’t come back to me.’

Aircraft Crashes At Imo Airport, Investigation Begins

Ayodele Oni

December 17, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), has confirmed that a Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of NSIB, explained that the aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

According to reports, the crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Oladeji said the agency had been notified of the crash.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.

The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly.

Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”

Tony Elumelu’s Wife, Awele Appointed Chair Of Transcorp Hotels Plc Board

Akinwale Kasali

December 17, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the retirement of Emmanuel Nnorom as Chairman of Transcorp Hotels PLC Board, Dr. Awele Vivian Elumelu has been appointed as his successor.

The hospitality, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp Group”), in its announcement, stated that the appointment of Dr Elumelu as Chair of the Company will take effect from January 01, 2026.

Dr.Elumelu, OFR, wife of Tony Elumelu, CFR, Chair of United Bank of Africa, brings her exceptional leadership and wealth of experience across healthcare, insurance, corporate governance, and philanthropy into play as she mounts the saddle.

Awele, a Medical Doctor, is the Chair of Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO), Nigeria’s leading health insurance provider.

Avon Medical Practice is a fast-growing network of hospitals and clinics which has carved a niche and name for itself overtime.

She also Chairs Heirs Insurance Brokers and is a founding Director of Heirs Holdings Limited.

Elumelu got her MBBS from the University of Benin and Clinical experience in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Her medical training has been complemented with world-class executive education from institutions including Harvard Business School, IMD Switzerland, and the London School of Economics.

Her commitment to social impact is demonstrated through her role as Trustee and Co-Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Africa’s leading philanthropy empowering young entrepreneurs.

Through the Foundation, she has been instrumental in driving gender inclusion and supporting over 24,000 young African men and women with seed capital, training, and mentorship.

Tony Elumelu, CFR, Group Chair of Transcorp Group, commenting on her appointment said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Awele Elumelu as the Board Chair of Transcorp Hotels. Her distinguished track record perfectly aligns with our ambition to redefine hospitality through innovation, wellness integration, and responsible business practices.

“Her strategic insight will be invaluable, as we continue to elevate guest experiences and deliver sustainable value to all stakeholders.”

Delta: Two Months Old Baby Snatched From Mother In Warri

Ayodele Oni

December 16, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Some gunmen operating in a commercial tricycle, popularly known as keke, in Warri, Delta State, on Tuesday snatched a two-month-old baby from his mother in a daylight operation.

The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. along the NNPC bypass, near the Delta Careers College fence, before the traffic light.

The baby’s mother, Mrs. Rita Oghale, explained that she boarded a tricycle at Shaguolor Junction en route to Airport Road, alongside her two children.

She claimed that there were two other passengers in the tricycle — a man and a woman — seated at the back.

According to her, while the tricycle was approaching the NNPC bypass, the male passenger suddenly brought out a gun, pointed it at her, and demanded for her two-month-old baby.

Mrs. Oghale stated that the assailant forcefully snatched the baby from her, collected her phone number, and pushed her and her other child out of the tricycle before the suspects sped away.

She added that the incident has been reported at the police station and appealed to members of the public to assist with any information that could help recover her abducted child, identified as Riches.

She urged anyone with useful information to contact the nearest police station.

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