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“We Cannot Be Intimidated Or Silenced”, Zamfara APC Suspended Lawmakers Tell Gov Lawal

May 5, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewchi

The Zamfara State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, condemned in very strong terms what it described as an emerging plot to intimidate and silence opposition voices by the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration in the State.

This is just as the factional State House of Assembly led by Hon Bashir Aliyu Gummi lamented the, alleged, new wave of “malicious persecution of opposition legislators by the Zamfara State Government.

The Source reports that Hon Gummi and eight other APC State Lawmakers were some months back slammed with an indefinite suspension by the PDP dominated House of Assembly.

They were accused of gross violations of extant rules and regulations guiding the activities of the legislative body.

But disenchanted by their prolonged political incarceration, the Lawmakers, penultimate week, inaugurated a parallel State House of Assembly with Hon Gummi as Speaker.

However, a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Gusau, the state capital, earlier last week, ordered the immediate arrest of the suspended Legislators.

But in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, the Zamfara APC on Sunday, accused Chief Magistrate Halima Jaafar Mikaila of gross act of judicial misconduct

According to the APC, the Magistrate issued the arrest warrant ,without first putting the Lawmakers on notice of the charges against them .

Besides, the party expressed deep concern that the order was issued without due consideration of the fact that the matter is already a subject of appeal at the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division.

“It is disturbing and embarrassing to see the judiciary being used as a tool to silence law makers who are pointing out issues of public concern.

“We call on Governor Dauda Lawal to end the harassment and engage aggrieved members in dialogue”, the APC stated .

Meanwhile, the Hon Gummi-led rebellious Lawmakers have reaffirmed their claim as the authentic representatives of their people, insisting that no amount of harassment and threats can deter them from their quest for justice and fairness.

In a statement issued by their spokesperson Hon Aliyu Ango Kabara, the suspended legislators expressed their unwavering commitment towards asserting their mandate .

“We are committed to our mandate, and the people we represent. No amount of intimidation, including biased Court orders, or threats to our lives will stop us”, the suspended legislators noted.

While urging the State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, to urgently investigate the conduct of Chief Magistrate Mikaila, they also alerted to alleged plans to attack them and their families .

IPOB Demands Reversal Of Proscription Order As A Terrorist Group

James Orji

May 4, 2025

Secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has called for the reversal of the federal government designation of IPOB as a terrorist group.

The Kanu Nnamdi-led group made the demand in a statement signed by its spokes Emma Powerful on Sunday, saying the process leading to the designation was bereft of Constitutional requirement of fair hearing.

The group claimed there’s a subsisting court order by justice Murtala Nyako that there’s not enough evidence to support claims that IPOB is an unlawful organisation, adding that the ruling had yet to be challenged by the federal government.

It said the federal government later obtained an exparte order, without the group’s knowledge, noting that the action violated Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Powerful said in any matter affecting IPOB it must be given a fair hearing as required by the constitution, saying so far this has not be done as regard its proscription as an illegal group, pointing out that IPOB remains a peaceful organisation and will use available legal means to achieve its aims.

“The proper forum for determining IPoB’s legal status remains in a fair and open judicial setting, where all parties are represented and heard.

“We remain committed to peace, dialogue, and adherence to lawful processes in pursuit of our goals,” the statement concluded,” the statement said.

In 2027, the federal government declared IPOB a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act. The declaration was later nullified by a High Court sitting in Enugu in 2023. But an Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal later upheld the proscription.

Badenoch: Sacking Me Will Not Return Conservative Party To Power

James Orji

May 4, 2025

The United Kingdom, UK, Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch says it will be pointless to sack her from her position because of her party’s poor performance in last week’s council elections.

During the May 1, 2025 elections, the Conservative Party had lost 674 council seats and control of 16 authorities in the elections, as a result of which her leadership has come under criticism by some members of the party who want her out.

Her critics have even lambasted her the more because most seats were lost to the Reform Party, which won 677 council seats. Following the win, political pundits, insist that the development could change the future of the UK as a two- party state.

Recall that the UK-born Nigerian became the Conservative Party Leader, a position she took from former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak , after the party’s historic loss to the Labour Party, LP in last year’s general elections.

She however said the call for her removal as Leader by some members of her party will not change the party’s electoral fortune, saying what the party need at the moment is to focus on how to draw a wining plan for the party in the future.

According to her, there is no need for a quick fix to the party’s current problem as the party strives to win future elections.

“We tried that previously. And that brought us to a historic defeat,” Badenoch said.

Adding, “We are going to come out with the policies that people want to see, but what we are not going to do is rush out and tell the public things that are not true just so we can win votes.

“This is not about winning elections; this is about fixing our country. Yes, of course, you need to win elections to do that, but you also need a credible plan.”

Since she became the Conservative Leader in November last year, Badenoch has faced serious opposition within and outside her party.

In February, the Prime Minister, Keith Starmer had criticised Badenoch as an attention seeker, saying she has made herself the “savior of Western civilization”.

The PM remark came after Badenoch criticised him for allegedly stealing her idea on the need to increase the country’s Defence Budget.

“She’s appointed herself, I think, the saviour of Western civilisation. It’s a desperate search for relevance. If you take the numbers for this financial year, and then the numbers for financial year 27/28, that’s a £13.4bn increase—the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War,” Starmer said.

Ondo Police Command, Amotekun Corps Clash Over Custody Of Suspect

Ayodele Oni

May 4, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has confirmed that its officers and Amotekun Corps engaged in shooting spree following a disagreement over the arrest of a suspect.

The incident happened in Akure, Sunday, when some Policemen and Amotekun Security Corps attempted to secure custody of a suspect.

In a melee which ensued, one Policeman was reportedly wounded while residents at the scene took to their heels to escape being hit by stray bullet.

In a statement by the command spokesman, Ayankade Olayinka, the Police gave account of the incident thus: “The Ondo State Police Command wishes to address and clarify the incident that occurred earlier today, May 4, 2025, involving personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of the Amotekun Corps at Ijoka area, Akure.

“At about 0800hrs, a report was received at the Ijoka Divisional Police Headquarters regarding the arrest of a suspect alleged to have been involved in the theft of property from a Church located around Sunday Bus Stop.

“Acting promptly on the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) detailed two Police Officers along with the Incident Duty Officer to proceed to the scene, recover the suspect, and secure exhibits linked to the crime.

“It is important to note that the Police Officers were the first to arrive at the scene. However, while they were executing their lawful duties, operatives of the Amotekun Corps arrived in the company of a large group of commercial motorcyclists (okada riders).

“In a disorderly and commando-like manner, the Amotekun personnel and accompanying individuals forcefully took custody of the suspect and the exhibits, in the process injuring a Police Officer.

“Following this, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, psc+, mnips, immediately directed Tactical Commanders to recover both the suspect and the exhibits.

“Subsequently, after intervention and dialogue led by the Commanders of both Agencies, the suspect and exhibits were returned to the police in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation.

“However, it must be stated that while the matter was being amicably resolved, a few aggrieved members of the Amotekun Corps, unhappy with the release of the suspect, began firing sporadically into the air.

“To prevent a breakdown of law and order and to disperse the agitated crowd without harm, the Police Officers at the scene responded with the professional use of tear gas. No exchange of gunfire occurred between the two agencies.

“The Ondo State Police Command reaffirms its commitment to collaboration with other Security Outfits in the State but stresses the need for all personnel to operate within the bounds of the law and established protocols.

“The Command assures members of the public that it remains dedicated to the maintenance of peace, public safety, and the rule of law across the State.”

Obaze, Peter Obi’s Presidential Place-holder Quits Labour Party

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 4, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A former Secretary to the Anambra State Government, SSG, and staunch ally of Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP in the 2023 general elections, Oseloka Obaze, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, resigned his membership of the party.

In a letter made available to the Media, Obaze, who served as SSG during the tenure of Obi as Governor of Anambra State, cited the April 5, 2025, gubernatorial Primaries in the state as a major reason for his departure.

According to him, he had, on April 6, a day after the said party primaries communicated to the LP Chairman of Ward 406 in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state about his decision to exit the party.

Consequently, Obaze a former diplomat, informed that his resignation actually took effect from April 6, 2025.

Obaze who has worked closely with Obi for several years, including as an adviser, was one of the stalwarts of LP in the State.

He joined the ranks of LP in 2022, almost the same time as Obi from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the countdown to the 2023 General Elections.

He later became the place-holder for Obi as the Presidential candidate of the Party.

Obaze was to function as the Anambra State Coordinator of the Obi Presidential Campaign and one of the progenitors of the Obedient Movement .

He, however, noted that his resignation is to show his disapproval of the shambolic conduct of the party’s primaries in the State, which is billed to hold an off-circle gubernatorial poll on November 8,2025 .

“The processes, conduct and outcome of the Labour Party Governorship primaries held on April 5, 2025, in Awka were fraught with outright irregularities bothering on fraud and criminality.

“It was not in tandem with either the party’s constitution or espoused core values, or true tenets of democracy.

“As such, I hereby dissociate myself from the Labour Party. Obaze stated.

Furthermore, the former Anambra state SSG equally gave the festering leadership crisis at the national level of the party as part of his reasons for quitting.

According to him, the failure of the Julius Abure and Nenadi Esther Usman factions to reconcile has left him with no other option than to leave the party.

Instructively, Obaze was not known to be one of the gubernatorial aspirants of the party as he never bought its nomination form.

Only two people – Sir John Nwosu and Dr George Moghalu purchased LP’s expression of interest and nomination forms before the April 5 primaries.

INEC Says No Date Yet For Voters Registration

Ayodele Oni

May 4, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified social media report on the proposed Continuous Voters Registration, (CVR) exercise ahead of 2027 general election.

The report had indicated that the exercise is expected to commence on 27th of May nationwide.

During the exercise, that electorate that want to transfer their voters card or replacement of lost ones, will be privileged to do so.

A statement by the commission however disowned the report insisting that no date has been fixed for the exercise.

The statement, released on Sunday, signed by Rotimi Oyekanmi

Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, stated that “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform the general public that it has not yet announced any date for the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), Transfer and Replacement of lost Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

“The Commission therefore urges the public to disregard the fake, anonymous statement making the rounds, claiming that the CVR and other associated services will resume on 27th May 2025.

“In line with its tradition, the Commission will publicly announce the date for the resumption of the CVR at the appropriate time, the full details of which will also be shared via our official social media platforms.”

Buhari is ‘CPC’, Will Determine Whether To Be Part Of Coalition To Stop Tinubu’s Second Term

James Orji

May 4, 2025

Former President Muhammaadu Buhari will decide whether the defunct Congress for Progressives Change, CPC, will oin the coalition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa state made the remark at the weekend during a grand reception organised by the chairmen of the 13 local government areas, LGAs in the state to homur the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government, Labaran Magai.

According to Governor Sule, no one except the former president can determine whether the CPC will be part of the coalition being muted by some key politicians in the country, planning to oust President Tinubu from power in 2027.

The magazine reported that a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El rufai as part of the coalition against President tinubu have been wooing the former Nigerian leader to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as part of the ongoing efforts by key opposition parties trying to block President Tinubu’s re-election.

Former governor El Rufai is a member of the CPC led by Buhari. The party was part of the legacy poltical parties that ousted former President Goodlcuk onathan from power in 2015.

The Nasarawa governor however disclosed that being the de facto leader of the CPC Buhari will be the one to determine whether the party will be part of the opposition parties trying to stop Tinubu’s second term in office.

The governor pointed out that Buhari being the ‘CPC himself’ is going nowhere with his “12 million votes” and that the CPC is not ‘going away” to be part of nay coalition forces. er

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The governor: “There is nothing like taking CPC away. There is only one person in this world that can decide for the CPC, and that is our father, Muhammadu Buhari. Nobody speaks of the CPC more than this man. The day he says CPC is with you, then CPC is with you.

“The day he says CPC is not with you, it is not with you. Because he is the CPC himself. He keeps carrying his 12million voters along with him everywhere he goes, so he is also not going anywhere.

“That was why we went to see him in Kaduna, and we said ‘Baba, you are not going anywhere. We are going to be in this house (APC) together so that we will continue to build our house.”

The former president recently passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu’s government. He had also promised that he’s not leaving the ruling APC.

Deji Adeyanju Alleges EFCC Labelled VDM A Bandit

Adesina Soyooye

May 4, 2025

By Adesina Soyooye

Deji Adeyanju, Counsel to Martin Vincent Otse, popular as VeryDarkMan, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has labelled his client a bandit.

VDM was arrested in controversial circumstances by the EFCC Operatives at a branch of the Guaranteed Trust Bank Plc in Abuja when he and a friend of his accompanied his mother to find out why the bank was deducting money from her account as loan repayment when she had never taken any loan from the bank.

The initial story was that the bank detained VDM within its Security door until the EFCC arrived and arrested him. But a CCTV recording of the arrest released by the bank showed that the arrest was made outside the bank, at the parking lot.

However, in a statement released late Saturday, Adeyanju claimed that his client was not only physically manhandled by Operatives of the EFCC but was Labeled a “bandit”.

The statement posted on Adeyanju’s official X page titled “Preliminary Statement on the Arrest of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse (aka Very Dark Black Man) and Mr. Steven Avuara (aka C-Pack) by Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission“, reads:

“The incident occurred on May 2, 2025, shortly after Mr. Otse, his mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, and Mr. Avuara visited Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Garki, Area 3, Abuja, to inquire about “the incessant deductions from Mrs. Otse’s bank account.

“After completing their inquiry, the trio attempted to exit the bank but were “locked in the bank’s security door for over five minutes.”

“Upon stepping outside, they were reportedly “accosted at gunpoint, a few metres outside the bank’s premises, beaten and blindfolded by some armed men wearing black uniforms.”

During the arrest, the officers labelled them as ‘bandits’ and threatened to shoot them in the presence of Mrs. Otse.

“Upon learning of the incident, my colleagues, Marvin Omorogbe and Steven Eze, visited the EFCC headquarters where they confirmed that both Otse and Avuara were being detained by officers attached to the Commission’s Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4.”

“While they were denied access to VeryDarkMan — who “declined to see anybody” — they were able to speak with Avuara, who provided an account of the events.

“Efforts to determine the basis for Avuara’s detention were unsuccessful.

“The EFCC officers reportedly refused to disclose the allegations against him. Instead, they presented an arrest warrant against Otse, allegedly, issued by “His Worship, Njideka Iloanya-Duru (Mrs), Chief Magistrate II, Wuse Zone 2, on the allegation of cyber stalking.

“Despite repeated requests, the officers attempted to interrogate Avuara without clarifying any charges against him. The lawyers eventually exited the interrogation room, refusing to be part of a process that they considered a violation of Avuara’s ‘constitutional right to be informed of the allegations against him.’

“While we continue to interface with the EFCC on this issue, we call on the Commission to respect our clients’ constitutionally guaranteed rights.”

Recall that VDM had, just a few days ago, called out the EFCC over its arrest of E-Money for alleged Naira abuse. While urging the EFCC to, immediately, release E-Money, VDM attributed his arrest to his being Igbo. Otherwise, he argued, why arrest him when the two sons of Chief Okaya (of the Eleganza fame) who publicly abused the Naira, were not arrested, and have been free since then? For the records, E-Money has been released after interrogation by the Commission.

VeryDarkMan: Peter Obi Condemns Manner Of Arrest, Urges Lawful Conduct

The Source

May 4, 2025

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the recent arrest of social media activist Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), describing it as a troubling reflection of the nation’s current disregard for due process and civil liberties.

In a strongly worded statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Mr. Obi condemned the manner in which the arrest was carried out, noting that although security agencies may operate within the law, their methods must remain civil, transparent, and lawful.

“The arrest of Martin Vincent Otse, though perhaps within the legal rights of security agencies, was carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled,” he said. “The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled an abduction – a disturbing method that not only creates fear but also risks being mimicked by criminal elements.”

Mr. Obi warned that such actions erode public trust in the security system and endanger national security. “If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability,” he added.

Citing a disturbing trend, Obi recalled similar violations in recent years, including the treatment of members of the judiciary. “Even our esteemed judges, the last line of defence for justice, have suffered similar indignities. When those who interpret the law are treated with such disregard, it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected under the law,” he stated.

The former governor also linked the arrest to wider economic implications. He referenced the backlash against Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), which some Nigerians have allegedly connected to Mr. Otse’s arrest, noting that such controversies can undermine confidence in financial institutions and further discourage investment.

“At a time when investor confidence is already fragile, we must do all we can to avoid actions that tarnish institutions or undermine the trust of both citizens and the international community,” Obi said.

He questioned whether a civil and lawful invitation could not have sufficed in addressing the matter involving Mr. Otse, suggesting that such a route would have spared the country embarrassment and economic fallout.

Obi also raised concerns over reports alleging the controversial adoption of the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), warning of a growing trend of coercion and suppression of youth voices.

“Nigeria’s youth should not feel coerced, silenced, or absorbed into political agendas that do not reflect their will. The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalize,” he warned.

Mr. Obi concluded with a call for a national recommitment to the principles of justice, human dignity, and institutional integrity. “We must return to a Nigeria where justice is done and is seen to be done without theatrics or abuse. A country where youth can speak freely, judges can serve with dignity, and institutions act responsibly,” he said.

“Don’t Push Us Into Exposing Why You Were Removed From Office” – Kano Govt. To Ex-SSG

Adesina Soyooye

May 4, 2025

By Adesina Soyooye

The Kano State Government has warned its former Secretary to the State Government, Baffa Bichi, not to push it into making public why he was removed from office.

The Government was reacting to Bichi’s strong allegations of corruption against it. In a statement, Bichi, who Nigerians were told, left office as the SSG over health-related issues accused the State Government of massive corruption. Comparing the level of alleged corruption during the immediate past APC Government of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje that of the current Administration, Bichi said Ganduje’s Administration was a Saint.

Said Bichi: “All that we alleged Ganduje did wrong during his eight years, this government has done ten times over in just two years.

“We only suspected Ganduje, but for this one, we have evidence. They have committed ten times as much in less than two years.

But in reaction to Bichi’s allegation, the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, dismissed it as politically motivated, unfounded, and an attempt to mislead the public.

He said: “We find his claims not only unfortunate but deeply misleading.

“This administration is committed to transparency, accountability, and service delivery. Comparing it to the previous government is unjust and a disservice to the people of Kano State.

“If he (Bichi) truly has proof of corruption, we challenge him to present it publicly. Empty accusations will not derail the progress of this administration.”

Trying to clarify, exactly, why Bichi was removed from office, the Commissioner said:

“We deliberately concealed the actual reason for his removal from office and stated it was due to health concerns out of respect for him. But let it be known that his sack wasn’t purely for health reasons.

“Given the nature of his recent outburst, I strongly advise him to seek appropriate medical assistance. His health should be his primary concern now.”

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