Why APC Governors Visited Buhari

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April 8, 2025

By Adesina Soyooye

Governors elected under the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday, April 7, 2024, left their various States and converged on Kaduna State.

Their destination was the newly renovated residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari, recently, relocated to Kaduna from his Daura, Katsina State, home where he had been since he left office on May 29, 2023.

The Progressives Governors were led to the Kaduna home of the former President by their host Governor, Senator Uba Sani and their Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Imo State Governor.

Uzodinma, who addressed Journalists after their meeting with Buhari said the Progressives Governors Forum visited the former President primarily for three reasons viz: To congratulate him on a successful Ramadan Fast and extend warm Sallah greetings to him; to wish him well as he settles into his newly renovated Kaduna home; to confirm their respect, loyalty and appreciation to Buhari for his statesmanship and legacy.

Uzodinma: “This visit is symbolic and deeply rooted in respect, loyalty and continued appreciation for the statesmanship and legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As a party, we remain united and committed to the ideals of good governance which he championed during his tenure.”

However, not a few people think that the visit was a sort of fence-mending exercise. Recall that the former President was conspicuously absent at the first APC National Executive Council Meeting since the Presidency of Bola Tinubu. Explaining why he shunned the NEC meeting presided over by Tinubu, Buhari’s Spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said the invitation to the meeting was extended to his Principal late. Add that too to the stinging criticisms of Tinubu’s Government by Buhari’s ally, immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai recently dumped the APC for tye Social Democratic Party, SDP. He let it be known to everybody that he discussed with Buhari and that he never does anything, politically, without discussing it with him. A source told this medium that the APC leadership was worried by El-Rufai’s statement.

Buhari was Nigeria’s President from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023.

We Are Under Pressure To Implicate Ehie In The Razing Of Rivers Assembly Complex – Suspects

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 7, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

“We were offered the sum of N200m and a trip to Ghana with our families”

The four suspects arrested and arraigned in the wake of the razing of a substantial part of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex in December 2023, have alleged that they are under intense pressure to rewrite their statements so as to implicate Hon Edison Ehie the Chief of Staff to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

It would be recalled that Dr George Nweke ,the immediate past Head of Service of the State, had, in Abuja, alleged that Edison Ehie was given money by Fubara to mastermind the bombing of the Assembly Complex.

According to him, Governor Fubara in a bid to prevent his impeachment by the Pro-Nyesom Wike- dominated Legislative body, advanced generous funds to Ehie to recruit those to bring down the Assembly Complex.

The Source reports that following the burning of the Assembly building, some suspects were arrested and arraigned by police.

While some were taken to Abuja for detention and arraignment, others were taken to a Port Harcourt Federal High Court.

However, after several months of incarceration, they were granted bail by the Courts.

But speaking in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital on Monday, April 7, 2025, one of the released suspects, Chime Ezebalike, informed that some elders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the Obio/Akpor Local Council of the state have been trying to cajole and buy them over to change their original statements with the intent to rope in Governor Fubara’s Chief of Staff.

Other freed suspects, apart from Ezebalike ,are Kenneth Kpasa, Prince Oladele Lukeman, and MacPherson Olumini.

According to Ezebalike, the accused were arrested and detained for over six months before being granted a reprieve by a Federal High Court sitting in the State capital Port Harcourt.

He, specifically, alleged that those who have approached them want them to re-write their original statements to align them with the position of Dr Nweke, the former HoS on the alleged role played by Ehie.

“Even after our ordeal, and when we had thought we could return to normal life, only a few days ago, one of us was called by a PDP leader in Obio/Akpor to come and meet with one of their leaders.

“Upon further prodding, he said they were reaching out to us to persuade us to re-write our statement in order to implicate Edison Ehie as the sponsor or the mastermind of the fire incident at the Assembly Complex as follow up to the former Head of Service, George Nweke’s press briefing in Abuja .

“This is why we want to speak out as we do not want to be part of any nefarious activities, especially after the torture we faced.

“For six to eight months we endured an unjust harrowing experience in the hands of security agencies and political actors.

“Our offence was because we refused to frame individuals, including the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor Ehie, as the mastermind of the Rivers State House of Assembly inferno.

“Starting from December 2023, we – Chime Ezebalike ,Kenneth Kpasa , Prince Oladele Lukman and MacPherson Olumini – were individually and collectively subjected to arrest, intimidation ,physical assaul, and psychological torture.

“All of this happened between December 5, 2023, and January 16, 2024. At some point, we were offered bribes in exchange for our freedom even though it was clear that we had committed no offence that warranted our being arrested and detained.

“Our ordeal began with an arbitrary arrest of Oladele Lukman on December 5,2023. On December 16, Chime and MacPherson were violently apprehended at Ogbakiri Junction along the East/West Road while returning from a funeral in Ahoada.

“On January 5, 2024, Kenneth Kpasa was forcefully taken in GRA, Port Harcourt, by a convoy of no fewer than three Hilux vans.

“We were blindfolded and taken to the Federal Intelligence Response Team Unit, along the Eastern Bypass, Port Harcourt, under the false pretense that the vehicle we were traveling in was stolen.

“It was later revealed that this was a ruse intended to force us into implicating Rt Hon Edison Ehie in three serious allegations –

the murder of Supol Bako Angbashim, an assassination attempt on Martins Amaewfule, and the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex”, Ezebalike stated.

He further alleged that while in detention, several other attempts were also made to break their spirits and coerce them into implicating their prime target- Edison Ehie.

According to Ezebalike, after failing in their mission in Port Harcourt, they were moved to Abuja where they were subjected to more brutal torture.

Similarly, he noted, it was in Abuja that they were offered the sum of N 200 million and a trip to Ghana together with their families.

No Candidate Yet For LP, In Anambra Gubernatorial Election, Aspirant Nwosu Insist

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 7, 2025

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By Suleiman’ Anyalewechi

One of the two aspirants that purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms of the Labour Party, LP, for the forthcoming Anambra State off-circle gubernatorial election, John Nwosu, has urged party members and the general public to disregard the claim by Chief George Moghalu of being the party’s candidate.

The Source reports that Nwosu had, in the wake of last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling sacking the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee NWC, announced his withdrawal from the LP’s Primaries, citing the Apex court’s verdict and the alleged untidy preparations for the exercise as reasons.

His sudden exit thus left the former National Auditor of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Moghalu, as the only one for the primaries.

,The two were the only ones that bought the party’s nomination forms.

But in a statement issued on Monday April 7, 2025, by Ben Chuks, the Director-General of his Campaign Organization, Nwosu expressed deep shock and surprise that despite his withdrawal from the race, some desperate forces still went ahead to allocate votes to him in their bid to confer legitimacy on the shambolic exercise they conducted in the name of primaries.

“The attention of John Nwosu Campaign Organization has been drawn to the purported allocation of some votes to our principal, Mr John Chuma Nwosu, at the 5th April Labour Party Primary election in which he did not participate in person or by proxy.

“Accordingly, it is patently mischievous for the organizers of the purported election to allocate any number of votes purportedly cast by delegates to Mr John Chuma Nwosu who had withdrawn from the primary election ,because of cogent and verifiable series of manipulation of the delegate list .

“Nwosu chose to withdraw because the election lacked legitimacy in the teeth of the intent and meaning of the Supreme Court judgment sacking the National Chairman Barr.Julius Abure”, the Campaign Organization stated.

According to the statement, Nwosu also took steps to formally inform both the embattled Abure and the Senator Esther Nenadi Usman-led Interim Leadership of the Party about his withdrawal from the primaries.

Nwosu ,therefore, expressed serious concern about how the organizers of the primary election could, in the face of overwhelming evidence of his non-participation in the exercise continue portray him as one of the contestants .

“We advise all members of the Labour Party in Anambra State nationwide, and all citizens of Nigerians who it may concern to disregard this subterfuge allocation of any number of votes to Mr John Chuma Nwosu who withdrew from the purported primary election”, Nwosu asserted.

UPDATE: Presidency Debunks Report, Says Yakubu Remains INEC Chairman

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 7, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Presidency has refuted the viral report that President Bola Tinubu has removed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, and replaced him with with Professor Bashiru Olamilekan.

O’tega Ogra, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on New Media and Digital Media dismissed the news as false.

He said the public should disregard any information as regards the removal of Yakubu as INEC Chairman.

“The news is fake, disregard any information claiming that the INEC Chairman has been removed.

“Any information as regards this development will be relayed to the public through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF”, the statement reads.

Nationwide Protest: UN Peace Ambassador Calls For Calm, Urges Protesters To Embrace Dialogue

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 7, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The United Nation Country Director, UN-ECOSOC (IAWPA) and Peace Ambassador, Amb. John Adekorede Aderibigbe has appealed to the the Take It Back Movement, TIBM, protesters to give room for peaceful dialogue.

TIBM proceeded with its nationwide protest against the state of the nation, including the abuse of the Cybercrime Act by Security Agencies, hardship, and the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State irrespective of the warnings by the Nigeria Police Force which advised that the protest be shelved due to alleged wrong timing.

The protest has since degenerated to violence in Abuja and Rivers State.

Aderibigbe urged the organizers of the Nationwide Protest, Youths and Nigerians as a whole to remain calm, shun violence, and continue to engage in peaceful and lawful activities either via social media platforms which is seemless, and a more effective way that gives room for inclusion of everyone in the country.

The Peace advocate expressed concerns over the potential for unrest and called for a more constructive approach to addressing national issues.

He admonished them to shun violence, even though they are fighting a genuine cause, but the approach is wrong.

“No doubt, the people need to bring their leaders to book, query their activities and show their grievances over the State of the Nation, but it must be with a right approach, with a good intent that will bring about peace and unity”.

Aderibigbe acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances driving the calls for protest, he however maintained that peace and national stability must remain top priorities, irrespective of the grievances.

“The development and empowerment of the Youth and Nigerians as a whole should be the main priority of the Government, I strongly understand the frustrations and aspirations of the people leading to this Protest, but i believe that the nation currently requires calm, dialogue, and patience, not actions that could further destabilize our fragile peace.”

He admonished the organizers to embrace peace and not allow the Protest to be hijacked by non state actors and those fanning the ember of hate, working tirelessly to plunge the nation into unnecessary crisis and chaos that will destroy our unity as a nation and affect our fledgling democracy.

BREAKING: Tinubu Replaces Yakubu As INEC Chairman, Appoints Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 7, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola Tinubu has appointed a new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He is Professor Bashiru Olamilekan. The Professor replaces Professor Mahmood Yakubu whose tenure has just expired.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman has been removed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

UPDATE: Presidency Debunks Report, Says Yakubu Remains INEC Chairman

Yakubu conducted two General Elections, 2019 and 2023. She succeeded Prof. Attahiru Jega after the 2015 Elections.

Details later…

Take-In-Back Movement: Police Beat Up, Forcefully Disperse Protesters In Rivers State

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 7, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Rivers State Police Command, on Monday, April 7, 2025, applied a high handed approach in handling the Take-It-Back protesters in Port Harcourt.

The movement had, by 9.00am, begun to amass at the Isaac Boro Park in keeping with its promise of protesting against the recently proclaimed state of emergency in Rivers state ,as well as the dysfunctional state of affairs in the country at large.

But the protesters’ quest for a peaceful ventilation of their anger was interrupted, following their forceful dispersal by the Police who fired several canisters of tear gas at them.

The Police had earlier opposed the timing of the nationwide protest ,insisting the organizers called it off ,for coinciding with its celebration of the ” Police Day.

The gathering of the protesters at the Isaac Boro Park was met with heavy police presence,bwho were apparently more protective of the state of emergency in Rivers than the beleaguered residents.

However ,the refusal of tge protesters to disperse as demanded led the police to start beating them up, including journalists covering the peaceful march.

Further resistance resulted in the Police firing tear gas canisters indiscriminately, in addition to molesting the protesters.

The Police persisted in their suppressive manner ,even when the movement, comprising mainly Civil Society Groups decided to move to the streets, especially the ever busy Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway.

The Police operatives continued to fire tear gas at the protesters ,forcing them to scamper in different directions.

The Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, however, questioned the motives of the organizers of the nationwide protest.

He, particularly, berated the protesters for choosing same day as the widely recognized day to honour men of the Force that sacrificed for the peace and unity of the country for their action.

LP: Obi, Oti Summons NEC Meeting/Stakeholders Engagement

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The Source

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April 7, 2025

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The two leading figures of the Labour Party, the 2023 Presidential flag bearer Peter Obi and the sole state Governor of the party, Alex Oti of Abia state, have summoned the National Executive Committee, NEC of the party in Abuja on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

In a notice signed by the two men, the NEC meeting shall be followed concurrently by an interactive Town Hall Engagement with major stakeholders and other organs of the party Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The stakeholders, according to Ibrahim Umar, Spokesperson for Peter Obi Media Team, listed to attend the meeting include the Vice Presidential candidate for the 2023 election, serving and former Senators and Senatorial candidates of LP in the 2023 election, serving and former Members of House of Representatives and LP candidates in 2023 election, All members of the National Caretaker Committee and NTC, All former Governors candidates who are still in the party, Representatives of NLC/TUC Political Commission, All members of the former LP National Working Committee.

The meeting is a follow-up to the Supreme Court ruling last week terminating the Julius Abure-led NWC.

Group Urges Tinubu To Probe Defence Minister Over Alleged Abuse of Office

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 7, 2025

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Mohammed Abubakar Badaru - Minister of Defence

By Akinwale Kasali

The Civil Rights and Anti-Corruption Network, CRACON, has called on President Bola Tinubu to set up a special investigative committee to probe Defence Minister, Muhammed Abubakar Badaru over allegations of abuse of office and conflict of interest.

In a statement by CRACON, through its Coordinator, Folashade Olumiya, the Group urged President Tinubu to demonstrate consistency in his administration’s fight against corruption by applying the same scrutiny to Badaru as was done in the case of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu.

The Group stressed that the President cannot afford to be selective in the war against corruption.

“If a committee was set up to investigate Betta Edu over allegations of financial misconduct, then the same must be done in the case of Defence Minister Muhammed Badaru,” the statement reads.

CRACON added that an earlier petition had been written by the Young Guardians of Accountability, YGA, accusing Badaru of violating Federal Laws by maintaining active business interests while holding public office.

The group also alleged that the Minister has continued to run private companies, including a Bureau de Change, despite clear legal restrictions.

According to CRACON, the allegations against Badaru, if left unaddressed, could erode public trust in the Government’s anti-corruption stance.

“This administration has repeatedly assured Nigerians that no one is above the law. However, failure to subject the defence minister to the same level of scrutiny as others accused of corruption will create the impression that the fight against corruption is selective.

“We cannot afford a situation where certain individuals are investigated and prosecuted while others are shielded from accountability.”

The anti-corruption watchdog insists that beyond the anti graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, investigating Badaru, a Presidential Committee must be constituted to ensure transparency and accountability.

“The Defence Ministry plays a crucial role in national security, and the integrity of its leadership must be beyond reproach. We call on the president to take immediate action, as anything less will send the wrong message to Nigerians about his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption,” Olumiya added.

The group also raised concerns about potential national security risks posed by the Minister’s alleged private business dealings.

“It is deeply troubling that the individual responsible for overseeing Nigeria’s defence and security is allegedly involved in financial dealings that could pose a conflict of interest. This is not just about corruption—it is about the safety and security of the nation. If the allegations are true, then Badaru must step aside to allow a full and independent investigation,” the statement read.

CRACON further urged the president to reassure Nigerians that his government remains committed to upholding accountability across all sectors.

“We are calling on the president to act decisively and prove that his administration’s anti-corruption agenda is not just rhetoric. The credibility of this government is at stake, and Nigerians are watching closely.”

Nationwide Protest: Protesters Defy IGP, Converge In Lagos, Abuja

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 7, 2025

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To Protest Against Cybercrime, State Of Emergency

By Akinwale Kasali

“Police tear-gas protesters in Abuja”

Despite the warnings by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against the Nationwide Protest against Cybercrime and the State of Emergency Rule in Rivers State, protesters remained defiant. They converged at Abuja and Lagos. In Lagos, protesters converged at the Ikeja “Under- Bridge” chanting solidarity songs.

The protest organized by the “Take It Back Movement”, TIBM, saw hundreds of participants proceeding towards the Lagos State Government House and the State House of Assembly in Alausa from the popular Ikeja Under-Bridge to voice their concerns.

The demonstration was led by the National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, as protesters continued their procession toward Alausa, en route to Ojota and Gani Fawehinmi Park, where Sanyaolu is expected to address the gathering.

Though there was presence of tight security around the area, the demonstration remained peaceful.

It would be recalled that In a statement released on Sunday by the Police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the protest was described as “ill-timed,” particularly because it coincided with the newly designated National Police Day.

“In line with global best practices in celebrating police institutions, the Nigerian Government has declared April 7 as National Police Day,” the statement read.

“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is questionable and perceived as a deliberate and unpatriotic act aimed at maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole,” the police statement continued.

“The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve the planned protest.”

In Abuja, Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force dispersed the peaceful protesters with tear gas in the Maitama area of Abuja, as demonstrators took to the streets to demand urgent Government action on worsening economic conditions, rising repression, the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act and the State of Emergency Rule in Rivers State.

The Protest coincides with the National Police Day celebrations being held at Eagle Square, In Abuja.

As part of the security arrangements for the official event, authorities had placed a blockade around the Three Arms Zone, where top police officials were expected to attend the ceremony honoring the service of the Nigeria Police Force.

Protesters — including human rights activist and former Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore — carried placards with messages such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” aimed at drawing attention to what the organizers described as a growing wave of authoritarianism under the current administration.

It was gathered that the protest began peacefully, before it descended into chaos when Police Operatives deployed tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. Protesters were seen fleeing the area, with tensions running high.

Details Later…..