Rights Group Frown At Sponsored Attacks On Falana

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September 30, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Human Rights Community, NHRC, has warned against sponsored protests organised to condemn and berate human rights activist, Femi Falana.

The coalition said such plots undermine the integrity and reputation of any democratic state while at the same time fuel the growth of tyranny.

The NHRC, a.

coalition of 130 civil society and community based organisations, said its members were appalled by the irresponsible conducts of certain individuals paid to undermine the historic contributions of the Nigerian foremost human rights leader.

“Few days ago, a tattered, sponsored rally was organised in Abuja condemning Falana’s criticisms of the military.

“The protest was led by Solomon Semaka who by his actions has written his name in the book of infamy.

“The protesters held up banners with inscriptions like;

”Falana stop blackmailing Nigerian military” and ”Falana enough is enough”.

The statement signed by Mallam Kudu Abubakar and Taiwo Adeleye on behalf of NHRC accused the protesters of attacking the very principle and foundation of democracy.

The group said criticism is the oil that lubricates the engine of democracy and that no government that values human rights and free speech should ever make any attempt to scuttle dissent.

“This action of a few scavengers is ridiculous. It is an attack on free speech and a dangerous pattern that may promote counter measures from Nigerian masses who largely support the historic interventions of Mr Falana in the affairs of bad governance in Nigeria spanning over four decades.

“Falana is an asset to Nigeria, without his intervention and sacrifices he and others made, there would be no democracy in Nigeria. To attempt to undermine his contributions to development and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria is a very dangerous trend that all men and women of conscience must oppose with all strength and every sense of responsibility.

“Unknown to these sponsored protesters, Mr Falana has defended the rights of several security officials including the military from infractions and gross abuse by state and non-state actors. He has even saved many military personnel from death sentences imposed on them. The current military leaders fail to realise that in the nearest future, they might again need protection from human rights abuse since no Nigerian is absolutely free from state persecution”

The NHRC cautioned the military suspected to have provided the funds for the protesters to be careful not to provoke Nigerians from staging counter protests.

Ondo PDP Says Media Director’s Resignation Part Of Reorganization

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Ayodele Oni

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September 30, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State, has reacted to the purported resignation of its Media Director, Leye Igbabo, clarifying that he was already due for sack.

In a statement on Tuesday, the State Secretary of the party, Oluseye Olujimi, explained that the party was carrying out reorganization with a view to strengthen it.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no crisis in the Ondo State chapter of the PDP. What is currently taking place is a deliberate and strategic reorganisation designed to further strengthen and reposition our party for the important tasks ahead.

“As part of this process, Mr. Leye Igbabo, the former Director of Media and Publicity, was asked to step aside to allow for fresh ideas and improved effectiveness.

“In the last three months, the immediate past Working Committee, in their wisdom, had already caused Mr. Igbabo to cease writing for the party based on questions regarding his loyalty and motives.

“It must be emphasised that Mr. Igbabo is an employee of the party, like 25 others in the State Secretariat, and we reserve the right to hire and fire.

“Despite this, and in a spirit of goodwill, the leadership extended to him the option of an honourable resignation in a mutually beneficial manner.

“Regrettably, he reneged on this courtesy and instead issued a scathing press statement designed to mislead the public and stir unnecessary controversy.

“His time in office was marked by disloyalty, poor coordination, and a tendency to prioritise self-promotion over party unity.

“These shortcomings weakened his effectiveness and, on several occasions, caused needless embarrassment to the party. Leadership requires loyalty, teamwork, and discipline, and these are values the PDP in Ondo State will always uphold.

“The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State remains strong, united, and focused. The exit of one individual does not amount to a crisis. On the contrary, it provides an opportunity to inject fresh capacity and strengthen our collective resolve as we prepare for the challenges and responsibilities ahead.

“The PDP in Ondo State is united, forward-looking, and better positioned to continue serving as the credible alternative for the people.”

2027: “Jonathan Qualifies To Run For Presidency” – Onoh, APC Chieftain Replies Bayo Onanuga

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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September 30, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In what looks like a crack in the ranks of the support base of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, the former spokesperson for the South East Tinubu Campaign Organization, Dr. Josef Onoh, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eminently qualified to contest for the nation’s top job in 2027.

The scion of C. C. Onoh family and brother of President Tinubu’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, faulted the position of President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, who claimed that the rumoured return plan of Jonathan will be subject to legal scrutiny.

Onanuga, in a statement on Monday, September 29, 2025, while welcoming the much speculated plan by the former President to contest against Tinubu in 2027, warned that Jonathan is not constitutionally qualified to contest, having been sworn-in twice as President of the country.

According to Onanuga, having been sworn-in as President first in 2010 , following the death of former president Umar Musa Yar’Adua, and in 2011, after the general elections , Jonathan can not be sworn-in for the third time as Nigerian leader.

The President’s media aide pointedly told Jonathan to get ready for a legal firework to determine his eligibility or otherwise for the 2027 presidential contest.

“Don’t get us wrong. President Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. It is his inalienable right. President Tinubu will wholeheartedly welcome him if he decides to enter the race.

“But Jonathan will have his day in Court to determine whether

having been sworn-in twice as President, he is constitutionally eligible to contest and if successful, be sworn-in for a third term”, Onanuga stated.

But at an interactive session with the media in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital on Tuesday, Onoh, a Chieftain of the APC from Enugu State, insisted that the issue of the eligibility and or otherwise of Jonathan to contest for the Presidency has long been legally settled.

“The eligibility of former President Jonathan under constitutional term limits is already a settled legal precedent .

“It was established through unchallenged judicial rulings that affirmed his qualification to contest future elections.

” In May, 2022, a Federal High Court Judgment in Yenagoa, with Suit No ( FHC/YNG/CS /86/2022, in which Justice Isa H. Dashen ruled on a case brought by APC members, Andy Solomon and Ibidiye Abraham, against Jonathan, the APC and INEC, the Court held that Jonathan’s assumption of office on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, was a succession to complete Yar’Adua’s unexpired term under the doctrine of necessity, and did not count toward the two-term limit for elected mandates

“The 2018 Constitutional amendment,which added Section 137 (3) to bar anyone sworn in twice from further contests ,does not apply retroactively to Jonathan.

“The amendment post-dated his tenures, and cannot retroactively disqualify rights accrued under the pre-amendment framework”, Onoh stated.

According to him, the ex-post facto laws are impermissible under Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, citing the 2015 Court of Appeal verdict in Cyriacus Njoku v Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Onoh insisted that since the 2022 ruling was never appealed and upturned, the judgment remains final and binding under what he described as res judicata.

“Any suggestions that the courts might revisit this issue is legally unfounded. Nigerian jurisprudence, including Supreme Court decisions such as Marwa v.Nyako (2012) upholds such finality to ensure certainty and prevent endless challenges to settled rights”, he noted.

To buttress the fact that the matter has been settled, the son of the former Governor of old Anambra State, Christian C Onoh, further cited a Federal High Court in 2013 ,( Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/231/2013 ) in which Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi in his ruling cleared Jonathan to contest for the Presidency in 2015.

According to him, this same verdict was never appealed.

Onoh, therefore, urged President Tinubu to concentrate on formulating people-oriented policies and voter- engagement, instead of dissipating energy on Jonathan’s qualification.

Ondo PDP Publicity Director Igbabo, Resigns

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Ayodele Oni

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September 30, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Leye Igbabo, has resigned his position.

This is coming few months after the publicity secretary of the party, Kennedy Peretei, resigned in circumstances similar to the position of the publicity director.

Igbabo, in his resignation letter dated September 30th, 2025, addressed to the state chairman of the party, said the PDP secretariat has become hostile to effective and efficient performance of his duties.

He accused the party leadership of utter deceit, huge compromise and gross indiscipline, stressing that the environment was no longer conducive for productive work.

“It is disheartening to know that the Secretariat has become hostile to effective and efficient performance of my duties as the Director of Media and Publicity.

“I note with pains, utter deceit, huge compromise and gross indiscipline. There is no more sincerity of purpose and under such circumstances, I do not want to be labeled as an incompetent official.

“Staying in such an unproductive environment amounts to precious waste of time and energy.

“I therefore resign my appointment as the Director of Media and Publicity PDP Ondo State with immediate effect,” Igbabo wrote.

FG Says Commercial S*x Workers Will Pay Tax

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 30, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

Commercial S*x Workers have been mandated by the Federal Government to pay tax under the new laws.

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, made it known that ‘runs girls’, will begin to pay Tax. He said this during an engagement session at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Lagos.

He said: “If somebody is doing runs girls (s*x worker), right, they go and look for men to sleep with. You know that’s a service. They will pay tax on it.”

According to him, the new laws do not differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate income sources.

“It just asks you whether you have an income. ‘Did you get it from rendering a service or providing a good?’ Then, you pay tax,” he explained.

He explained further that money sent to relatives, friends or even strangers are not taxable, as they are considered as gifts.

He said: “You earn a certain amount of money and you have to send upkeep to your cousin, your brother, even a stranger, it doesn’t really matter.

“If the amount you are sending is money you are giving to them not because they have done something for you, then it is a gift. We call it a non-exchange transaction. That is not taxable.”

It would be recalled that the new (reformed) laws are the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act was signed into law on July 26, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

President Tinubu Orders Probe Into Arise TV Anchor, Maduagwu’s Killing

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 30, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate probe into the killing of Arise TV Anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu. The 29 year-old was killed during a robbery incident at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

President Tinubu condemned the killing as unacceptable uncalled for, and ordered that the perpetrators must be brought to book.

This was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, titled ‘President Tinubu condemns the killing of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu, urges security agencies to fish out the killers’.

The statement reads in part:

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received with deep sorrow, the news of the tragic passing of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a brilliant news anchor with Arise News Television, who was killed during an attack by robbers at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

“Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner”.

The Commander In Chief further extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Maduagwu, the management and staff of Arise News Television, and the entire Nigerian media fraternity over this painful loss.

He also extended condolences to the management and staff of Arise News, as well as the Nigerian media community, noting that the tragic loss was not only personal to the family but also to the nation.

President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, and will continue to strengthen measures aimed at combating crime in all its forms.

In a similar development, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has described the death of Maduagwu as painful and unfortunate.

The President’s wife, in a statement she personally signed said: “I woke up to the sad news of the unfortunate and untimely death of one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.

“Her death is painful and quite unfortunate.

She has been cut down in her prime. I condole with the chairman arise news media, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, her family, friends colleagues, and loved ones. It is my hope and prayer that the perpetrators will be apprehended as soon as possible and brought to book.

“May her soul rest in peace, and may God give her family, and all her dear ones the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

Students Resumption, Convocation, Put On Hold As AAUA Lecturers’ Strike Continues

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Ayodele Oni

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September 30, 2025

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Adekunle Ajasin Univeristy - Akungba Akoko

By Ayodele Oni

Lecturers at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State are on a collision course with the authorities following months of unpaid salaries.

The academic staff, under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have warned that unless their outstanding salaries and arrears are cleared, both the planned resumption of students and the forthcoming convocation ceremony of the institution will be disrupted.

The lecturers had already embarked on an indefinite strike last month over the non-payment of their entitlements, a development that has crippled academic and social activities on the university campus.

Chairman of AAUA ASUU, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi lamented what he described as the insensitivity of the state government to the plight of the lecturers. According to him, members of the union have been stretched to the limit.

“We have been patient and tolerant for too long, but this time, we won’t be again. Our members have been pushed to the wall, and we see no indication that the state government is willing to rectify the situation.”

Oshodi disclosed that several efforts to meet with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to seek an amicable resolution has been frustrated, and this further heighten the frustration of the union members

Reacting however, the state government denied abandoning the institution.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, insisted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has been alive to its responsibilities to all state-owned tertiary institutions, including AAUA

Ajibefun, a former vice Chancellor of the University, explained that the government has consistently released monthly subventions without delay and is engaging with the striking lecturers to resolve the lingering dispute.

“The government is actively working to address the issues at hand. Dialogue is ongoing, and we are confident that the matter will soon be resolved,” he assured.

Meanwhile, the prolonged strike has taken a toll on the university community, with academic calendars disrupted and students left stranded.

Parents and stakeholders have expressed concerns that the impasse, if not urgently resolved, could further worsen the already fragile state of tertiary education in the country.

FAO Collaborates With Ondo In Food Security, Climatic Resilience

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Ayodele Oni

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September 30, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The Food and Agricultural Organization, (FAO) has reaffirmed commitment to deepen collaboration with Ondo State in areas of food security, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and forestry management.

This is just as the world body revealed that ongoing projects in the state, include the Global Environment Facility (GEF7) Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FLUR) project, and the newly approved GEF7 Biodiversity project.

FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Hussein Gadain, disclosed this during a courtesy call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure.

According to him, these initiatives, focus on forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, sustainable cocoa production, climate-smart agriculture, and youth empowerment.

He noted that FAO has already provided Ondo State with vital support such as a Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratory, farmer field and business schools, solar-powered agroforestry nurseries, and a multi-stakeholder platform for land and forest management.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa pledged stronger support for the Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as the agency expands its interventions in Ondo State.

He expressed delight at the progress made since the programme’s inauguration in July 2024, commending FAO for its support, particularly in providing tools such as GIS for forest mapping and in driving advocacy and farmer training.

Governor Aiyedatiwa assured FAO of the state’s readiness to collaborate further, especially in areas of land allocation for farmers, youth recruitment into agribusiness and budgetary support for the projects.

He emphasized the importance of setting up land allocation committees at the local government level to resolve issues of encroachment and land scarcity.

“Ondo State will continue to provide the needed leadership and support to ensure the success of FAO’s interventions.”

The governor also pledged to encourage youth participation in agriculture as part of efforts to secure the state’s food future.

He assured the visiting team that the state is committed to working closely with FAO and other stakeholders to boost food production, create jobs, and protect its forest resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

INEC Chairman, Guilty Of Contempt, To Be Arrested

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Ayodele Oni

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September 30, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

For non compliance with its order, the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has directed the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged contempt of court.

The order came after INEC allegedly failed to comply with a ruling in favour of the Action Alliance (AA).

The party had gone to court demanding that the commission recognise all State Chairmen elected under the leadership of Adekunle Rufai Omoaje.

Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi, who presided over the case, criticised the electoral body for disobeying a valid judgment.

She ordered Prof. Yakubu to restore the names of the affected chairmen on the INEC portal within seven days.

The Court further imposed a fine of N100,000 against the INEC Chairman, warning that failure to comply within the set period would trigger his immediate arrest by the police.

However, the Court had earlier ruled that the convention that produced Omoaje as National Chairman of the party was valid.

According to the Judge, the convention was monitored by INEC and held in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

Presidency: PDP Chieftain Rallies Support For Gov Makinde

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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September 30, 2025

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Taofeek Arapaja, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) has called on Nigerians to support Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential bid.

Governor Makinde, the magazine reported, recently disclosed that he’s qualified to run for the nation’s highest office under the PDP, saying he will make his intention on the issue known when the times comes.

On his rumoured presidential ambition, Makinde said: “But all I can say to you is, I’m old enough if I want to do something, I will come out and say, this is what I want to do.0 / 0:00

“So, no speculation, nobody can push my agenda. I will push my agenda when the time comes.”

Arapaja made this assertion today while addressing the delegates and stakeholders at the State Congress of the PDP held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the state’s capital.

According to him, Makinde should be supported to lead the country to replicate his benevolent governance in the country, adding that he has the capacity to change the current problems in the country, including poverty, insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship in the country.

He said Nigerians will have the opportunity to enjoy what the people of the state are enjoying under the administration of Makinde, if they throw their weigh behind him to become Nigeria’s number one citizen in 2027.

Apart from Mainde other potential presidential aspirants under the PDP include, Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been rumoured to be planning a come back to the Nigerian Presidency close to 11 years after he was defeated by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.