Obi: “Many People In Office Today Are Parading Forged Certificates And Affidavits” … Challenges INEC, Security Agencies

By

-

October 6, 2025

The Labour Party leader and the party’s 2023 Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and other relevant clearing agencies to ensure thorough scrutiny of candidates to prevent the embarrassment of allowing criminals into office.

He recalled that a lot of people in the office today are parading forged certificates and fraudulent affidavits they used in 2023, yet scaled through both INEC, security and the Senate with forged documents.

Obi stressed that thorough scrutiny has become necessary because the process by which one gets to office is far more fundamental than what they do thereafter.

Going forward, Obi admonished INEC and others to ensure that candidates’ documents and character are thoroughly examined and necessary action taken.

Writing on his X handle titled ‘The danger of making crime a norm’, Obi noted “, Whenever I talk about Nigeria being a crime scene, those who are part of the criminality and their hirelings will quickly start their noise-making, attacking and blackmailing me. But how do you tell people that those whose integrity, character and behaviour are supposed to be exemplary and emulated in society have become the very source of the nation’s decay? How do you tell young Nigerians to be honest and upright when those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are criminals and dishonest?

“Certificate forgery is a serious criminal offence in all countries of the world. It is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished.

“In one of my knowledge-seeking visits to Indonesia early this year, after interacting with several ministers responsible for Health, Villages, SMEs, Planning, and Education, as well as the Vice President and President Joko Widodo on development, I met with the Chairman of the General Elections Commission of Indonesia. I asked him about the educational qualifications required to participate in elections from local government to the state legislature, governorship, and up to the presidential level. He openly stated these qualifications to me.

“My team and I then asked a simple question: What happens if someone contests for public office with a forged certificate or did not attend the school he claimed he attended? He looked at me, surprised and shocked, and said, “That attracts immediate disqualification and prosecution. It is a criminal offence. He added, “If someone can forge a certificate, how can that person be trusted to lead others?”

“But in my country Nigeria, though the laws are same as in other countries, that forgery is punished by immediate disqualification, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) makes no effort to scrutinize certificates before the elections, over looks complaints of forgery and when you challenged after the elections, court will dismiss the serious criminal issues as “pre-election matters” without giving this criminal act appropriate punishment.

INEC, even after the elections, does not bother to revisit or investigate these serious offences before the next election.

“The other concerning issue from all these is how criminals and dishonest people scale through all the scrutiny layers -security, parliament and government apparatus set to handle such.

“Even more disturbing, amounting to double tragedy, is that most of these dishonest people swore to an affidavit before a law court attesting to the authenticity of the documents they presented.

“We are now preparing for the 2027 general elections. INEC have enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims.

“Our Electoral amendments must include that anyone intending to contest for any public office, whether an incumbent or a new candidate, must submit all academic certificates to the electoral body immediately after party primaries, at least six months before the election. These certificates, alongside details of schools attended, what was studied and years of study, should be made public for verification within 90 days. This process must also apply to appointed officials, Ministers and even aides, because when dishonesty starts from the top, it spreads to every level of governance, just like it’s happening now.

“We must deal with certificate forgery holistically with the seriousness and level of criminality it deserves. Criminal offences should not be dismissed as a mere procedural matter. We must end the era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power. True leadership must begin with truth.

A New Nigeria is POssible.

E-sign

Ibrahim Umar

POMR Spokesman

October 6, 2025.

2027: “Tinubu Will Face Nationwide Rejection In 2027” – Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

October 6, 2025

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, GHSM, has sent a strong warning to incumbent President, Bola Tinubu. It declared that Tinubu would be rejected by voters across Southern Nigeria and Northern Nigeria in 2027.

GHSM is championing the Presidential aspiration of Dr. Gbenga Hashim under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The declaration is coming on the heels of a recent statement by the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, where the Party rubbished the GHSM Movement.

Abass Olaniyi, the South West Coordinator of GHSM, said the APC’s usual arrogance and false sense of invincibility will lead to its downfall at the polls.

“In 2023, it was in this same manner that the Lagos APC dismissed opposition elements as ‘online politicians,’ only to lose the Presidential election in Lagos to the very people they mocked.

“The APC not only lost the Presidential election in Lagos State, but Tinubu also lost across Southern Nigeria. He was merely rescued by the APC in Northern Nigeria, a base that has now completely evaporated,” he added.

According to the movement, the Northern bloc that supported President Tinubu in 2023 has since “fractured beyond repair” due to what it described as the catastrophic economic and security failures of his administration.

Abass criticized the APC’s economic management, accusing the party of presiding over a decade long collapse that defies logic.

“For ten years under APC leadership, Nigeria’s economy has suffered a collapse that defies logic. The economy has shrunk by almost 50% within a decade, an economic disaster unprecedented in Nigerian history. Not even during military rule, nor in the civil war era, did the nation experience this depth of economic devastation.”

Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement said the APC administration has failed woefully in addressing insecurity, despite campaigning on the promise to end insurgency in the North East.

“Instead of improving security, its incompetence has expanded insecurity to the North West, North Central, South East, and even parts of the South West.

“This nationwide insecurity represents one of the worst governance failures in Africa’s contemporary history,” he added.

He described the Tinubu administration as “synonymous with hunger, poverty, and hopelessness,” adding that the people of Nigeria can no longer be deceived by propaganda or empty promises.

Olaniyi emphasized that the 2027 general elections would not be determined by regional loyalty or political coercion, but by the people’s lived realities.

“With the decapitation of the APC in the North and its dismal record in office, no amount of coercion or conscription of Southern State chief executives into its fold can offer it a pathway out of comprehensive defeat in 2027,” he said.

“The South West electorate is far too educated and progressive to reward monumental failure with another term simply because President Tinubu hails from the region,” he added

Responding to the APC’s mockery of Gbenga Hashim, his principal, Olaniyi drew a parallel with former President Muhammadu Buhari, who contested four times before achieving victory.

“President Buhari, whose burial site President Tinubu is now clutching to like a political totem for the 2027 election, contested four good times before becoming victorious. The time for victory in the race of life is in the hand of God, and it is our firm belief that 2027 is the time of Dr. Gbenga Hashim by the Grace of God,” he declared.

The GHSM maintained that Gbenga Hashim’s ideology of responsible governance and people-centered politics has become the new hope for millions of Nigerians disillusioned by the deceit and manipulation of the Tinubu political structure.

“While the APC administration continues to promote media driven illusions of progress, ordinary Nigerians are battling hunger, unemployment, and economic hopelessness.

The Tinubu government has turned governance into a publicity show, but what Nigerians need is substance, not slogans; results, not rhetoric,” Olaniyi said.

The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement concluded that the 2027 election will not be a contest of propaganda, but a referendum on competence, truth, and genuine development.

“The people have seen through the deceit. No political marketing can sell hardship as progress anymore. Gbenga Hashim will not only emerge as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2027; he will defeat Bola Tinubu and restore Nigeria to the path of justice, prosperity, and national unity.”

Army Refutes Claim Bandits Overran Troops In Kwara

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

October 6, 2025

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false and misleading online reports which alleged that bandits overran troops and carted away six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and over 30,000 rounds of ammunition in Obanla, Kwara State.

Lt. Col. Polycarp Okoye, Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Division, stated in a press statement that contrary to the sensational claims, troops of 148 Battalion (Rear) conducting ongoing clearance operations across Kogi and Kwara States have continued to record significant operational successes. In a recent engagement, the troops mounted a strong blocking position along the Kwara–Ekiti border axis, where they neutralized two armed bandits and recovered two brand new AK-47 rifles.

The Army stated that at no time were Army positions overran, nor was any cache of weapons or ammunition lost to criminal elements as mischievously reported by the online platform.

Okoye stated that the publication is a fabrication designed to mislead the public and undermine the morale of gallant troops diligently working to restore peace and stability in the region.

The statement stated that the Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring that all forms of criminality are decisively dealt with across the country.

“Members of the public are, therefore, urged to disregard the false report and continue to support the military with timely and credible information that would aid ongoing operations”.

The Nigerian Army also reiterated its readiness to sustain the tempo of operations until all criminal networks in Kogi, Kwara, and adjoining States are dismantled.

Kano Anti Corruption Agency Set To Arraign Ganduje Over Alleged Diversion Of N4b

By

Ayodele Oni

-

October 6, 2025

0

By Ayodele Oni

Kano State Government has commenced a full probe of the immediate past administration in the State under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as the State Anti corruption agency beams searchlight on alleged diversion of N4 billion into a private account.

Ganduje, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is being probed over an alleged diversion of more than N4 billion of Kano State funds into the Dala Inland Dry Port, said to be owned by Ganduje’s clans.

The State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has commenced investigation of the alleged diversion to launch a probe, according to the chairman, Saidu Yahya.

According to the Chairman, the investigation centres on claims that contracts worth billions of Naira for infrastructure was awarded at the port when Ganduje was Governor of Kano State, shortly after the state’s 20 percent equity was converted to the former Governor’s family in 2020.

The PCACC Chairman, added that the matter would soon be charged to Court as a prima facie case had been established.

The transaction was said to have effectively edged Kano state out of ownership and installed Ganduje’s children as directors and shareholders of the multi-billion naira investment.

By the time the contract was awarded, the state reportedly had no stake in the project.

Yahya explained that the investigation was triggered by petitions filed against the alleged misappropriation.

Said Yahya: “Yes, we received petitions from the public on the alleged over N4 billion Kano State fund diverted into the Dala Inland Dry Port by the immediate past administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.”

He stated further that some individuals of interest had been invited, with one person arrested and later released on bail after providing key information.

Added Yahya: “Investigation revealed that one of the parties is now in Yola, Adamawa State.”

FIFA Under-20 World Cup: Flying Eagles In Round Of 16, Set For Argentina

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

October 6, 2025

0

By Akinwale Kasali

As was the case in 2023, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria will meet Argentina in the Round 16 of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Championship going on in Chile.

At the 2023 Championship the Flying Eagles defeated Argentina 2-0 in front of their vociferous crowd, leaving Coach Javier Mascherano disappointed for failing to take his team to the Quarter Finals at home.

The Seven-time African champions, Nigeria, put up an impressive performance against Colombia in the early hours of Monday to reach the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile.

Goalkeeper, Ebenezer Harcourt made big saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the scoreline pristine in Talca, Chile, but the Flying Eagles were the more adventurous side as they hit the upright on a number of occasions, with Sani in full flow for large swatches of the encounter.

Colombia went ahead in the 51st minute when Kener Gonzalez swept the ball in off an assist by Neyser Villareal, but the Flying Eagles were undaunted and launched onslaught after onslaught against the South Americans at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca.

Defender, Odinaka Okoro was denied by the goalkeeper as he headed the ball from a pull-out by Maigana in the 76th minute.

However, the two-time silver medallists got their breakthrough with four minutes left in regulation time, when captain Daniel Bameyi sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after a shot by Maigana was handled in the box.

Nigeria came close to earning the winner in the 89th minute, but Arierhi’s shot was blocked in the box.

The draw sets up Nigeria against Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday, in what is a repeat of the quarter-final pairing of the last championship hosted by Argentina, which Nigeria won 2-0 in San Juan.

Colombia will confront another African side, South Africa, while Norway will take on Paraguay in the Round of 16.

Shehu Sani To Politicians: Avoid Certificate Forgery, Use Your WAEC Certificates

By

Ayodele Oni

-

October 6, 2025

0

By Ayodele Oni

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has advised politicians to take advantage of their secondary school certificates to seek appointments and contest for positions rather than forging higher school certificate.

Reacting to the controversy surrounding the academic credentials of the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, Sani stated that all a politician really needs to contest elections or secure a political appointment in Nigeria is a secondary school certificate.

Sani made the comment on Monday via his X handle in reaction to an investigative report by Premium Times.

The report revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), had disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate in Minister Nnaji’s possession, confirming that the politician “did not complete his studies” at the institution and “was never issued a certificate

Citing court documents filed before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the report also claimed that Nnaji “admitted that UNN never issued him a degree certificate.”

The Minister had instituted a suit against the UNN, the Minister of Education, and other officials, seeking, among other things, to compel the university to release his academic transcript.

The court granted three of Nnaji’s prayers, including the order to compel the university to release his transcript, but declined to issue an injunction against the defendants. Reacting to the development, Sani cautioned political office seekers against making false claims about their academic qualifications.

Sani wrote “All you need to contest elections or for political appointment is a secondary school certificate.

“There is no way in the realm of politics one can claim any unearned qualifications without his or her political opponents digging into the matter. Some troubles are unnecessarily self-inflicted.”

Dangote Refinery Lauds Tinubu For Ending PENGASSAN Strike

By

James Orji

-

October 6, 2025

0

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt intervention in averting a prolonged strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN.

The magazine reported that the federal government’s intervention averted a major strike action that could have snowballed into a major crisis in the oil and gas sector, capable of disrupting fuel distribution in the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the company commended the President’s leadership and the coordinated efforts of key government officials which restored order and stability to the energy sector at a critical moment.

“Dangote Refinery is grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, HE Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his intervention, through his Ministers and senior officials, which resulted in the abatement of the disruptive actions of PENGASSAN against the Refinery,” the statement read.

Dangote also applauded other government officials such as the National Security Adviser, NSA Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Director General of the Department of State Services ,DSS,. Adeola Toyin Ajayi; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency NIA, Mohammed Mohammed among other for their timely intervention in the crisis.

According to the Refinery, the interventionists also include the Minster of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, . Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

“To Nigerians of all walks of life, we owe you more than a debt of gratitude. Your support for our righteous cause was both humbling and overwhelming. You gave us hope and reinforced our belief in the Nigerian nation and people as the backbone of our enterprise,” Dangote said in the statement.

Oshiomhole To Atiku, Obi: Tinubu Will Defeat You Again, Even Under A Joint Ticket

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

-

October 6, 2025

0

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has declared that Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi cannot defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should they decide to contest under a joint ticket in 2027.

Abuabaka and Obi, the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP, had contested against Tinubu in the last presidential election, but lost.

They had Earlier in 2019, lost as PDP president and vice president candidates to the late President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

Oshiomhole, representing Edo North in the Nigerian Senate is a staunch ally of the president and former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

He spoke on Sunday on Channels Television programme Sunday Politics, insisting that the two presidential hopeful will stiLl face disgrace if they contest against Tinubu, separately or under a joint ticket.

Abubakar and Obi are part of the key opposition leaders in the country who have vowed to oust President Tinubu and APC from power in 2027, using the African Democratic Congress, ADC as a platform, but not a few Nigerians insist that their chances of winning are brighter under a joint ticket.

Some political analysts have also urged the two politician to step down for each other, to stand a chance of stopping Tinubu’s return to power in the next election.

While Obi insist that he would not run with Abubakar as Vice president, the latter has also disclosed that he would not step down for the former Anambra state governor.

According to Oshiomhole, whichever way the two politicians chose to run in the next presidential election, they will still be defeated by the incumbent.

“Did Atiku not run with Obi before and contested against the APC. Were they not defeated? Oshiomhole asked.

“Throw any number you want to throw. The point is that when these two ran together, they were roundly defeated by the APC.

“They have a history of being defeated together and they have a history of being defeated apart. So, if they come back together, they will still be defeated,” he stated.

Abubakar had last week refused reports that he was planning to step down for a younger presidential candidate.

His media aide, Louis Ibe said in a statement that his principal’s interview with the BBC Hausa Service was misconstrued.

Trade Fair Buildings Demolition: “Allow Igbo Breathe” – Sen Umeh Tells Lagos Govt

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

-

October 6, 2025

0

Senator Victor Umeh has appealed to the Lagos state government to stop victimizing Igbo who he said are the major investors in the state and the country at large.

The senator representing Anambra state in the National Assembly made the remark on Channels Television programme Morning Brief on Monday, against the backdrop of the recent demolition of some buildings at the Lagos Trade fair Complex, by the state government.

Recall that Umeh, Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Senator Eyinaya Abaribe, among others had last week visited the Complex, after which they made scathing remarks against the state government.

The magazine also reported that the demolition had elicited serious anger from not a few Nigerians, particularly Igbo who claimed that the action of the state government was part of an orchestrated plan to frustrate them out of the state.

Speaking on the television programme today, Umeh said what the state government did was an act of illegality, saying the Complex is a federal area, and managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Trade Fair Complex Management.

He stressed that the alleged plot to frustrate his people out of the state cannot work because, noting that the Constitution allowed Nigerians to live wherever they want.

Adding that Igbo traders constitute the major contributors to the nation’s economy, noting, for instance, that they paid over N6 trillion as import duties to the federal government last year, the senator said his people should be encouraged instead of being vilified because of where they came from.

He also criticised the state government for not issuing demolition notice to the traders doing business in the Compex before their structures were brought down, saying the action lacked human face and constitute a violation of the rights of those affected.

Speaking after paying a visit to the Complex last week, Obi said the action of the state government was bereft of compassion, fairness and a deep sense of justice, saying it’s very wrong to destroy the livelihood of some people.

He said the state government’s action came at the time when many Nigerians are facing serious economic difficulty, noting that some of the traders who were affected by the demolition obtained bank loans to erect them, dismissing the state government’s claims that the demolished structures had no approval.

He said, “To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.

“Today, alongside Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowumi, George Adegeye, Labour Party Lagos State Gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and coordinator of the Obidient Movement Tanko Yunusa, we visited the site of the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Trade Fair in Lagos, where plazas were pulled down despite traders having obtained the requisite approvals.”

The Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu led administration has defended the demolition, saying the traders were notified severally before it moved in last week, claiming that some state officials sent to the Comlex were at a time attacked by the traders.

Appeal Court Lifts Ban On Oyo NURTW

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

-

October 6, 2025

0

Six years after Governor Seyi Makinde proscribed the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state, the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has declared the governor’s action as illegal.

The judgment was handed down by a three-man panel headed by Justice Kenneth Amadi, which ruled that the grounds on which the union was banned by the government could not be proved.

Recall that Governor Makinde had in 2019 proscribed the state NURTW accusing them of promoting violence and crime.

The union had dragged the state government to court, two years after in July 2021 but lost the case at the National Industrial court, NIC, prompting the NURTW to appeal the judgment through its counsel Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, on the grounds that the Union is duly registered in the country, and therefore cannot be proscribed by the government by just a wave of the hand.

The NURTW counsel, in the appeal prayed the court to determine whether “the executive governor of Oyo State or his agents are vested with the power to proscribe or suspend the operation of NURTW, which is a trade union registered under the Trade Union Act CAP T14 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Delivering his judgment, Justice Amadi ruled that the state failed to show any act of breach of peace and order on the part of the union to warrant proscription.

The judge ruled:“Nowhere in the counter-affidavit filed by the respondents at the lower court did they aver that the conduct of the appellant warranted a suspension on the grounds of breach of peace, law, and order.

“I therefore hold that the respondents failed to justify the suspension of the activities of the appellant based on the ground of breach of peace, law and order in Oyo State caused by the union.

“I allow this appeal, set aside the suspension on the operations of NURTW in Oyo State. I also set aside the judgment of the lower court.”

The magazine reports that the state government had in 2020 set up the Park Management System, PMS, to run the affairs of transport unions following the proscription of the NURTW a year before.