16 Terrorists Killed As Troops Repel Midnight Attack On Damboa Military Formation

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May 23, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

No fewer than 16 insurgents of the Boko Haram extraction were, on Friday, May 23, 2025, reported killed by troops of the joint task force Operation Hadin Kai, in the Damboa Local Council of Borno State.

The neutralization of the terrorists followed the repel of their audacious attack on a Military Formation in Damboa, close to the Sambisa Forest.

The attack, launched between 1am and 1.30 am, was swiftly repelled by the combined team of military personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

Spokesperson for the North East Joint Task Force of the Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, informed that the terrorists, during the attack, tried a bait unsuccessfully to penetrate the Headquarters of the 25 Task Force Brigade located in the troubled Damboa council of Borno state

However, during the repelling efforts by the military, several weapons, including improvised explosive device IED, were recovered by troops, in addition to the killing of about 16 of the insurgents

According to Captain Kovanviya ,some of the terrorists were forced to flee ,in the face of the superior firepower of troops.

He attributed the decisive response to the insurgents attack to the prompt intervention of the air component of the joint task force.

The Task Force spokesman, stated that efforts have been enhanced by troops, in conjunction with the civilian task force members to comb the forest with a view to smoking out the fleeing members of the terrorist group.

“The attack occurred at about 1am ,on Friday ,May 23, 2025 ,when troops sighted a group of terrorists ,and immediately engaged them with sustained indirect fire .

After approximately two hours of intense engagement, the terrorists were forced to retreat .

Several of the terrorists escaped with varying degrees of injuries ,while 16 of them were successfully neutralized” Captain Kovangiya noted.

The Source reports that the latest attack represents yet another in the renewed onslaught unleashed on the North East residents by insurgents gangs of late.

The escalating terrorists activities particularly in Borno state ,has forced the Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, to raise fears of the insurgents overrunning the state .

President Tinubu Promises To End Strikes In Universities, Assures More Funding

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Ayodele Oni

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May 23, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has assured that incessant strikes in the Universities will soon be a thing of the past as the administration plans to be on the same page with the Staff-based Unions of the Institutions.

The President believes that this will check incessant industrial actions that have hampered academic development in the past.

Tinubu also promised to release additional funds to the Federal Universities in the country to tackle infrastructural decay and address the paucity of funds in the institutions.

Tinubu said the release of additional funds would not only tackle the challenges in the nation’s Universities, but would enable them to compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo (AFUED), Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof Adebayo Bamire, said his administration was aware of challenges facing universities in the country.

A total of 12,556 graduates were conferred with first degree while 6,269 were conferred with the Nigerian Certificate in Education, (NCE) and 1,501 students were awarded Diploma in Computer.

The President stated further that his government was ready to tackle those challenges, including paucity of funds, manpower, and infrastructural challenges in the tertiary institutions.

According to him, “The paucity of funds to adequately handle administrative matters is a general and perennial challenge for most tertiary institutions.

“There are wholesome challenges of infrastructural decadence shortage of manpower and growing insecurity in the campuses include cult fraternities among students and staff.

“We are taking commensurate steps to address these challenges decisively. My administration was faced with a serious economic downturn at inception, and steps have been taken to fix the economy, which was not too palatable, but the positive results of our efforts are becoming noticeable to Nigerians.”

The President assured Nigerians that Universities and other tertiary institutions have been factored into the plans of the Federal Government for more funding so that they could compete favorably with others globally.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of AFUED, Prof Samuel Akintunde challenged the graduating students to contribute to the development of Nigeria in various parts they may find themselves.

Prof Akintunde said the graduating students have been equipped with the capacity to engage themselves meaningfully in the affairs of the nation in ways that transcend academic achievement, but in the realm of being highly innovative and creative in solving society’s problems and making legitimate wealth.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of AFUED, Hajia Ganiyat Adeola Yusuf, said the Council remained committed to supporting the national vision outlined in President Tinubu ‘s Renewed Hope Agenda and would continue to do its best as a body that direct oversight over the University.

First Bank : Otedola Sets On Course N500bn Recapitalisation

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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May 23, 2025

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FirstHoldco has assured that its subsidiary First Bank Nigeria, FBN, is on its way to raise the N500 billion capitalisation required for commercial banks in the country as minimum capital. The deadline for the recapitalisation exercise is March 31, 2026, according to the apex bank.

The parent company of Nigeria’s Premier bank gave the assurance to stakeholders in the sector during its 2025 Annual General Meeting, AGM on Thursday in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The Board Chairman of Firstholdco, Femi Otedola said he will ensure that this is achieved even if he had to invest more in the commercial bank. Recall that the business mogul had recently invested N320 billion to increase his shares in the company.

The Managing Director of Firstholdco, Wale Oyedeji, said the recapitalization target would be met within two months.

“Before the end of July, the bank will be at the minimum required capitalisation from the central bank,” Oyedeji said.

Otedola who spoke during the company’s 13^th AGM said the first phase of the recapitalisation exercise was highly successful considering that the N150 billion rights issue was over-subscribed by over N37 billion. The company raised N187. 6 billion during the exercise.

Sources in the company said plans are in the top gear to raise N350 billion through private placement at the next exercise, without declaring the date.

Otedola said his confidence in the company ahs been further bolstered by its recent successes, saying this is the reason he has invested huge amount in the bank. .

“The intentional drive to rebuild and reposition First Bank became emboldened by the acquisition of additional shares and assuming a leadership position to consolidate these objectives,” Otedola said.

Adding that “This was not a gamble, it was a calculated, strategic move to rebuild First Bank into a modern, well-governed, and highly profitable institution. And this doesn’t stop here.

“I am willing to invest even more as we prepare for our next round of capital raise, following the resounding success and oversubscription of our recent offer.

“By the time we conclude the next phase of capital raise, I would have personally invested over N320 billion, all in cash, without borrowing a single Naira. I am very positive that we will raise the capital required well ahead of the Central Bank’s deadline… that, I can assure you.”

MAN To CBN: Settle Forex Backlog To Stop Commercial Banks’ Harassment

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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May 23, 2025

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The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to save its members from being harassed by commercial banks in the country over forex backlog.

The umbrella body of manufacturers in the country said the CBN must quickly resolve the issue to avert severe consequences for the country as manufacturers are being denied forex for production and importation essential machinery.

According to MAN, in a statement issued by Segun Ajayi-Kadir, its Director General commercial banks are harassing members over unmet foreign exchange forward obligations, saying this is not their faults, adding that the CBN should clear the backlog before it degenerate into serious problems for the country.

Ajayo-Kadir said once its members have forwarded the naira equivalent of their required forex to commercial banks, whatever happens from there should not be blamed on them.

To now freeze the bank accounts of its members because of uncleared forex backlog, is wrong, saying it’s the CBN responsibility to intervene and ensure that such forwards are cleared, adding that the “complexities and undue highhandedness” by the banks towards its members is unwarranted. .

The MAN DG cited an example of a worrisome case of a forex forward related dispute involving KAM Industries Nigeria Limited, a leading manufacturer in the steel sector in West Africa and one of the commercial banks in Nigeria.

“This should stop in the interest of economic development of Nigeria, job security and business sustainability,” he said.

“As it is the norm, commercial banks receive payments in Naira either through direct remittance from their customers or credit facility for the purpose of securing FX for raw-material importation.

“Upon receipt of these funds or grant of credit facility, the banks then remit the Naira to the central bank on behalf of their customers.

“And from that point, the funds are deemed to be held by the apex bank, thereby completing the customers’ obligations.”

Given this background, MAN asserted that its members are not liable for delays or complications arising after the remittance of funds to the CBN by commercial banks.

“Our members have played their part and the commercial banks should play their own part,” he said. “Our members should not be harassed by the banks.

He urged commercial banks to show understanding and be supportive as stakeholders collectively seek a solution to this rather unfortunate and unexpected impasse.

“As the innocent one and quite evidently the weakest and most vulnerable in the tripod, it is unconscionable that manufacturers are bearing the brunt.

“We call on the Central Bank to direct the concerned commercial banks to immediately unfreeze the accounts of innocent manufacturers in relation to the vexed issue of forex forwards.

“We reiterate our call on the Central Bank of Nigeria to speed up the long overdue redemption of the unsettled forex forward, as a lasting solution to the dilemma,” he said.

The Yemi Cardoso-led CBN claimed it has cleared forex backlog to the tune of $7 billion.

2027: EX- Gov Yahaya Bello Speaks On Presidential Ambition

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James Orji

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May 23, 2025

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A former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello says he has no presidential ambition. The controversial former helmsman said he’s supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Recall that Bello was among the aspirants that willingly dropped out ahead the 2023 presidential election for Tinubu to emerge the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate for that election.

But a recent report had claimed that the former governor is aspiring again for the nation’s highest office.

A statement issued on Friday by the Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, stated that he will not contest, describing the report as a ploy by ‘mischief-makers’ who are trying to mislead unsuspecting Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians to be unwary of ‘bloggers’ who write untrue for their pecuniary benefits.

Bello: “Our attention has been drawn to yet another senseless post by mischief-makers who have no other job than to fabricate falsehoods and disseminate them to mislead unsuspecting Nigerians.

“They have tried so hard in their ‘bring-him-down-at-all-costs’ mission against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, but have always failed woefully.

“This is not the first time detractors and their co-travelers would spread absolute falsehood with the aim of setting the former governor against our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“But this latest slant reposting a 2022 rally and insinuating that it just happened, reflects nothing but insanity.

“Nigerians should be wary of witless bloggers who concoct stories without thinking, just to satisfy the interests of their equally brainless paymasters.

“In their desperate bid to create a crisis where there is none, they forgot the 2022 dates boldly written on the banners on display. Yet, they expect reasonable people not to recognize this as the handiwork of frustrated detractors.

“While we state categorically that our principal, His Excellency, former Governor Yahaya Bello, has no 2027 presidential ambition, we also stress his unflinching commitment to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

“The facts speak for themselves. The President and his team have done exceedingly well for the country despite global challenges. On merit, he deserves the support of well-meaning Nigerians.

“Nigerians should disregard the mischievous post insinuating a fresh presidential support rally for what it is—a senseless post by a confused, witless mind.”

Bello’s rebuttal is coming on the heels of Thursday’s adoption of President Tinubu as the APC sole candidate for the 2027 election, by key leaders of his party.

Tinubu To PDP On Defection: You Are A Sinking Ship, Without Life Jacket

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James Orji

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May 23, 2025

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a dig at the major opposition party in the country, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP over the recent defection that has rocked the party.

According to the president, the reason why PDP members are leaving the party in droves is because the PDP future has become endangered, and its supporters no longer have confidence in the party.

The president spoke in Abuja on Thursday at an event to mark his two years in office, and his endorsement by his party as the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The PDP has recently witnessed the defection of many members from its fold to the APC, with many still preparing to dump the party, according to reports in Nigeria’s political circles

On Thursday, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state, a PDP governor gave a notice to the party that he would soon leave for the APC. The governor also ordered all his appointees to defect with him or resign their appointments.

Governor Eno spoke barely a month after his counterpart in Delta state, Sheriff Oborevwori and other key PDP members in the state dumped the PDP for the ruling party.

President Tinubu in his reaction to the suggestion that the APC is muscling the opposition political parties, and on its way of turning the country into a one-party state, said it’s not his fault that people are joining his party. He said those defection had only exercised their freedom of movement and Association, saying what’s the point remaining in the PDP where there future could no longer be guaranteed.

“I just need to tell those who say a one-party system is no good. It is one party ruling, driving the aspirations of Nigerians. You don’t blame a people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no life jackets,” Tinubu said.

2027: CUPP Kicks As APC Adopts Tinubu As Sole Candidate; Nigerians Will Decide His Fate

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James Orji

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May 23, 2025

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The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP in Nigeria has criticised the adoption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate in the 2027 election. The adoption is against the will of Nigerians, CUPP said in a statement.

CUPP, the umbrella body of opposition political parties in the country made their position known on Thursday, few hours after state governors under the platform of the ruling All progressive Congress, APC, endorsed the incumbent for a second term in office.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state and Chairman of the Progressives Congress led the endorsement seconded by his counterpart from Kaduna state during an event organsied by the party in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The magazine also reported that the APC, on Thursday, endorsed President Tibubu as the ruling party’s sole candiadte in the next presidential election.

Reacting, CUPP in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Peter Ameh, said adopting Tinubu for the next election is like rubbing said on the injury of Nigerians who are suffering over the wrong decisions made by his government.

The coalition said rather than address the problems facing the country, the ruling party appears to be interested in power grab at the expense of Nigerians, adding that APC action points to the “unease within the APC camp amid widespread public dissatisfaction” against the administration of President Tinubu.

CUPP said the ruling party will not determine the fate of Tinubu in the next presidential election, that Nigerians are the ones who will decide who becomes president, saying for the two years that the incumbent has been in office the country has been worst for it, warning that any attempt by the ruling party to rig the next election will be resisted.

CUPP: “The recent motion at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit, where the Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum moved for President Bola Tinubu to be adopted as the sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, seconded by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, has raised significant concerns among Nigerians.

“This unprecedented move, just two years into President Tinubu’s term, signals deep unease within the APC camp amid widespread public dissatisfaction with the harsh economic realities facing the nation.

“The adoption of Tinubu as the sole candidate for 2027 does not reflect the will of the Nigerian people, whose votes will ultimately determine the outcome of the election..

“Nigerians across the country view this move as a troubling indication of the APC’s disconnect from the masses and an attempt to undermine the democratic process.

“We wish to make it clear that the events of the 2023 elections were merely a precursor to the collective resolve of the people. We stand united in our commitment to resist any attempts to manipulate, steal, or rig the 2027 elections.

“The Nigerian electorate will not be silenced, and we will ensure that our voices are heard through the power of our votes.

“We call on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and steadfast in defending our democracy. The 2027 elections will be a defining moment for our nation, and we will not allow the will of the people to be subverted.”

The magazine reports that controversy has trailed, the adoption of Tinubu as the sole candidate by APC big wigs,which includes its National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Vice President Kassim Shettima, Senate President Godswills Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representative, Tajudeen Abass, Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, among others, on Thursday, at an event to mark the president’s two years in office.

Senator Natasha’s Problems Multiplies As FG Charges Her To Court For Alleged Crime

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 23, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is in trouble as her problem has multiplied. She spoke herself into more troubles than she was coping with over allegations she made during an interview granted a television station.

In the interview, she alleged there was a plot by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to assassinate her.

Now, the Federal Government has filed charges against her before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. The Senator’s allegations which she made without providing any proof, yet, was during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme aired April 3, 2025.

She told her interviewer:

“I am glad you did admit that I am a lawyer, and even if I am not a lawyer, I am a sane individual, and I do stand by what I said. In respect to the meeting or discussion Akpabio had [with] Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.”

She, also, insisted that withdrawing her security details was a deliberate act meant to expose her to danger. Her words:

“Just ask the Senate President why did he withdraw my security if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. Mind you, of all the senators, about 109, we all have different stories. I have been high profiled, vulnerable individual because of the nature of politics I have had, I have experienced since the year 2018. Very violent and dangerous. And I always have my security. So stripping me of my security because I am suspended illegally, actually it just positions me before attacks.”

The charge sheet, which has the Federal Government as the complainant has Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant.

Both Akpabio and Bello will testify in Court against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Senator’s problem started when she had an open confrontation with Akpabio over sitting arrangement in the Senate Chambers. She protested against the new seat allocated to her.

Natasha was to later follow that up with other allegations against the Senate President including discrimination and se*ual harassment. The limit was the alleged plan to assassinate her by Akpabio and Yahaya Bello after she was suspended for six months by the Senate for misconduct.

2027 Polls: “Umahi Is Deceiving You” – Ebonyi Group Tells Tinubu

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 22, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to be wary of the unbridled and frivolous sycophantic disposition of some of his appointees ahead of the 2027 polls.

An Ebonyi State group, Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora, AEISCID, which made the appeal on Thursday May 22, 2025, in Abuja, spoke against the backdrop of the sweeping comment credited to Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works on the second term ambition of the President.

Engr Umahi, the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State ,in a feature contained in Aso Rock’s publication on the second year anniversary of the first term of President Tinubu, made public on Tuesday, claimed that the South-east

Region, including its Governors are supportive of the President’s 2027 re-election bid.

While also urging Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in 2023,to join the support train, Umahi informed that the region will soon hold a regional summit where the President will be endorsed.

But in a statement issued on Thursday by its President, Pascal Oluchukwu, the group noted that Umahi was only deceiving the President, insisting that he does not have the capacity even to deliver Ebonyi State in a free and fair contest.

According to them, the Minister of Works is very much aware that the South-east, just like other suffering people of Nigeria, are not in anyway ready to look in the direction of APC in 2027.

The AEISCID particularly expressed deep regrets and shock over Umahi’s claim that the South-east is not marginalized by the current APC led Federal Government.

Besides ,they wondered how Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi, a South East State, will egregiously gloat over the unjust arrest, detention and trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, by the same APC led Federal Government he is rooting for.

The grouped also blasted the Works Minister for his failure to leverage his position to attract positive developmental projects to the region, noting that he has only been more concerned about personal gains.

According to them, a clear testimony to the unconcerned attitude of Umahi towards towards the interests and wellbeing of Igbo is his studied silence on the ugly fate that recently befell JAMB candidates from the region.

So far, according to AEISCID, Umahi and South-east Governors have remained silent on the UTME fiasco which severely affected South East candidates.

The AEISCID, however, attributed the sycophantic disposition of Umahi to his desperate quest to impress his master and maintain his political patronage not minding if the general interests of the people are trampled upon.

“We are aware that as a man insipidly desperate to impress his paymasters, Umahi is only interested in recouping gains and lots to be shared between him and his paymasters, and not sincerely interested in actualizing the many bogus projects the administration has embarked upon,such as the Lagos/Calabar coastal highway among others.

“To further drive home our points on the high level of deceit ongoing in the guise of ambitious projects ,by the Tinubu-led Government using Umahi ,as a conduit executioner ,no existing road infrastructure in the South East region has been completed in nearly two years,from Enugu to Port Harcourt, Enugu/ Onitsha, Onitisha/Owerri, Enugu/Abakaliki, or Afikpo to Okigwe highways.

“It is visible even to the blind that no work has been ongoing on some of the roads awarded for nearly two years, leaving road users struggling to use a section of these roads.

“We recall that the above scenario was responsible for the Ugwu Onyema accident in Enugu that claimed several lives.

“The last we recall on his electoral outing was his colossal loss of his Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone in 2023 where, even as a sitting Governor, he couldn’t control a meagre five Local Government Areas.

:Of course, we know how he allegedly used the influence of security agents and INEC’s top brass to be declared the winner of that Senatorial election he had manifestly lost before midday ” the AEISCID stated.

According to the group, it is manifestly clear also that owing to his utterances from his time as Governor, and now as Minister, Umahi is a political liability without the capacity to influence any serious political actor in the South East.

Governor Eno Orders Cabinet Members Other Appointees To Join APC Or Resign

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 22, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

In an unprecedented move, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has ordered all his Commissioners and Political Appointees in his to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress, APC, or resign.

It was gathered that this directive was, allegedly, issued during an Executive Council Meeting at the Government House in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital.

The meeting which was held Thursday saw the Governor openly confirming his decision to leave the PDP for the APC.

Reports have it that at the meeting Governor Eno made it crystal clear that his defection should come as no surprise to any of his appointees, stating:

“Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century,” he said.

He explained that his decision to align with the APC was driven by his admiration for the leadership style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that he wants to work more closely with the Federal Government.

He then issued a stern warning to his appointees that there is “nothing to negotiate” with anyone unwilling to follow his political direction.

“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” Eno declared.

“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure.”