Fubara To Wike: “Your Submission On Disruption Of First Lady’s Programme Is Patently False”

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May 4, 2025

L-R; Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has described the allegation made against him by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, over the disruption of an empowerment programme of First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as patently false.

Mrs Tinubu, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, asked the wife of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Mrs Theresa Ibas, to represent her at the RHI/SDG Empowerment Programme which she champions. It was the turn of Rivers State women, about 500 of them, to benefit from the programme.

However, the event turned awry when, on arrival, Mrs Tinubu was not present but was, instead, represented by Mrs Ibas. Disappointed, the women, most of whom have not been happy over the State of Emergency declared in the State by President Bola Tinubu since March 18, 2025, protested Mrs Ibas’ representation of First Lady Senator Tinubu.

When Mrs Ibas stood up to speak, most of them stood up in protest and insisted they have been short-changed. They said they were expecting Nigeria’s First Lady, not the wife of the Sole Administrator. In the absence of Mrs Tinubu, they said they expected Mrs Valerie Fubara. So, they staged a walk out, chanting “We want Sim. Bring back Sim. We expected Mrs Tinubu, not Mrs Ibas. Bring back Sim.”

However, Wike, Minister for the Federal Capital Territory who has been engaged in a political tug-of-war with his estranged political godson, Fubara, quickly put the blame on the suspended Governor. He alleged in a statement in which he apologised to Mrs Tinubu, that the women who protested and staged a walk-out were sponsored by Fubara. He alleged that it was Fubara who sponsored them to disrupt the programme.

In response, Fubara, in a statement said Wike’s allegations are further from the truth. He described them as patently false and wondered how he could have sabotaged a programme which he not only actively supported, but funded. “To insinuate that I would sabotage a programme I actively supported and funded is not only illogical but patently false”, the Governor fumed in a statement put out on his behalf by Mrs Tonye Briggs Oniyide, Rivers State Coordinator of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Rivers State, released on Saturday. Titled:

Re: Misleading Statements from the FCT Minister’s Media Office , it reads:

“The attention of the Rivers State Office of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has been drawn to a regrettable and misleading statement issued by the Media Office of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which unjustly attempts to drag the name of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, into an unfortunate narrative surrounding the RHI/SDG Empowerment Programme held in Port Harcourt on Friday.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored such political mischief, but it is important to set the record straight for the benefit of the public.

“Governor Siminalayi Fubara is a strong supporter of the Renewed Hope Initiative, and remains deeply committed to its vision and objectives.

“Despite being on vacation, the Governor ensured full support —logistical and otherwise — for the success of the recent empowerment programme organised under the esteemed leadership of the First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“The event was progressing successfully, with the women of Rivers State expressing overwhelming appreciation for the initiative, until a disruption occurred when Mrs Theresa Ibas, wife of the Rivers State Administrator, was making a speech. At that point, the women in attendance vocally opposed her participation, stating clearly that they did not recognise her as their First Lady and would prefer not to be addressed by her.

“To insinuate that Governor Fubara would sabotage a programme he actively supported and funded is not only illogical but patently false. Such claims by Mr Lere Olayinka are deeply misleading and appear to be a calculated attempt to politicise a well-meaning, non-partisan event.

“The Rivers State RHI Office finds it unfortunate that certain individuals, rather than appreciating the Governor’s consistent support for women-focused initiatives, would instead resort to propaganda for narrow political gain. Rivers women are known for their dignity and unity beyond political affiliations, and it is only when external political actors attempt to impose their will that tensions arise.

“The RHI/SDG Empowerment Programme in Rivers State was a resounding success. All stakeholders, including the women beneficiaries, were pleased with the organisation and outcome of the event. The only disruption occurred during the speech by the wife of the Rivers State Administrator — an issue which has nothing to do with the Governor or the RHI Office.

“We, therefore, urge the public to disregard the unsubstantiated statements made by Mr Olayinka. His comments are not only baseless but betray a lack of understanding of the values and dynamics of Rivers State.

“We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for his unwavering support and commitment to the success of this programme and to the empowerment of the women of Rivers State”.

No doubt, this renewed spat between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike is likely to worsen the already dicey situation in the State, and dusrupt the peace, no matter how fragile, being worked out between Fubara and Wike.

Nigerian Activist Arrested Over Solidarity With Burkina Faso’s Leader

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 4, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

For planning a rally in support of Captain Ibrahim Traore, the Military Leader of Burkina Faso, an Edo State based Marxist activist, Kola Edokpayi has been arrested, allegedly, by the Department of State Services, DSS. He was arrested alongside a couple of others.

It is not known why Edokpayi, acclaimed Leader of Talakawa Parliament, was arrested over the planned solidarity rally, or why the rally was even planned. But in recent weeks, Traore, the Revolutionary Leader of Burkina Faso, has attracted more than a passing interest in Nigeria, especially, among youths. The fear in not a few places is that he is suddenly becoming a poster boy of leadership in Nigeria. Anything and everything he does or says is being celebrated in Nigeria’s Social Media circles, especially.

Given his radicalism, and the manner he rose to power – through a coup d’etat which overthrew a democratically elected Government, his role in the exit of two other West African Countries – Mali and Niger – from the West Africa’s Regional body, Economic Community of West African Countries, ECOWAS, and his stark antagonism towards France, Burkina Faso’s erstwhile Colonial Masters, his popularity in Nigeria, especially, amongst youths, not a few people are uncomfortable that he is fast becoming a poster boy in Nigeria.

Edokpayi and colleagues did not say exactly why they planned to stage the proposed Pan-African solidarity rally for Traore, but he was picked up, allegedly, by the DSS on May 3, 2025, in Benin, Edo State.

His arrest, however, has triggered anger among rights groups, civil society actors, and pan-Africanists.

They have described it “as a blatant act of political repression and an assault on fundamental rights.”

According to SaharaReporters which quoted a source close to Edokpayi, he was arrested just when he decided to call off the rally after an audience with the Edo State Commissioner of Police.

Said the report:

“He ( Edokpayi) made arrangements for a solidarity rally. The Commissioner of Police called him a day before the rally and held a meeting with him to call it off. He complied and dispatched people to cancel the protest. But DSS and police operatives later stormed his office, broke in, and arrested about six people. Four were released, but they detained him and one other member.”

According to the organisers, the rally, continental in nature, was aimed at mobilising support for Captain Traore’s strong and defiant stand against “French neo colonial influence in West Africa.”

The rally was also planned to hold in other African Countries like Ghana and South Africa.

In a statement in condemnation of Edokpayi’s arrest, the Edo State chapter of the Take It Back Movement (TIB) demanded his immediate release.

The statement reads in part:

“Comrade Edokpayi was arrested for expressing solidarity with the government of Burkina Faso led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré. This blatant act of political repression is not only unlawful but a direct attack on the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens.

“He has consistently mobilised the masses under the platform of the Talakawa Parliament, a grassroots movement that champions the rights of ordinary Nigerians against elite exploitation.

“The arrest is legally indefensible and morally reprehensible. Nigerian Security Agencies are weaponising the State against dissenting voices.”

The statement signed by Hafiz Lawal, the Edo State Coordinator of TIB also reminded that:

“Freedom of thought, expression, and association are guaranteed under Sections 38, 39, and 40 of the 1999 Constitution. His show of support for Captain Ibrahim Traoré does not in any way justify his arrest.”

Another trending statement online, put out by another pan-Africanist reads: “Arresting Marxist Kola Edokpayi for a proposed solidarity walk in support of Ibrahim Traoré is totally uncalled for. Pan-Africanism shouldn’t be killed; it’s supposed to be encouraged by all African countries and leaders. I remember Gaddafi, a true Pan-Africanist, who was betrayed by fellow Africans used by Western powers. Kola has done nothing wrong for standing for Africa. He must be released.”

Neither the DSS which, allegedly, carried out the arrest, nor the Edo State Police Command, has issued any statement on Edokpayi’s arrest.

Political Figures Trying To Divide Adamawa Along Religious Lines – Govt Alleges

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 3, 2025

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Ahmadu Fintiri - Governor of Adamawa State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Adamawa State Government on Saturday May 3, 2025, strongly rejected allegations of gender and religious bias being leveled against Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

The Source reports that the opposition camp in the State had strongly condemned the Governor for his alleged reluctance to swear-in Mrs Peace Samson Audu, a Christian, and Vice Chairman of the Fufore Local Council, whose elected chairman Hon Shaibu Babas passed on April 23, 2025.

The opposition alleged that the Governor’s failure to swear-in the Vice Chairman to officially take over the affairs of the Council stemmed from his religious and gender bias against Christians and women.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Dr Edgar Amos described the allegations as not only spurious, but utterly misleading.

He maintained that the allegations are the handiwork of unscrupulous characters who are motivated only by their selfish political ends and driven by the desire to divide Adamawa state along religious lines.

According to Dr Amos, the allegations are simply orchestrated campaigns targeted at smearing the reputation of the Governor who he insisted has strived since mounting the saddle to carry everybody along irrespective of religious persuasion ,and gender.

He emphasized that the issue of the swearing-in of Mrs Peace to take over from her late boss, a Muslim, has been blown out of proportion, noting that the constitution has already empowered her to immediately take control.

” Mrs Peace Audu is already acting as Chairman of Fufore LGA, with all the powers and responsibilities of the office.

There is no vacuum in leadership, and there is no discrimination in play. There is no constitutional time frame for a formal swearing-in ceremony”, Amos noted

Furthermore, the Chief of Staff insisted that the Governor has, since coming on board, maintained a model of inclusivity, and balance, among all the religious faith in the state.

Apart from himself a Christian as the Chief of Staff ,Dr Amos pointed out that the Deputy Governor is a woman and a Christian as well as several other Christian officials.

“Governor Fintiri has always prioritized unity, appointing people based on competence and merit, not religion. ethnicity or gender.

“He supported both Christian-Christian and Muslim-Muslim tickets during the Local Government election,where appropriate.

“The Fufore case where a Christian woman was paired with a Muslim man reflects that balance.

“Unfortunately, the same people who once accused the Governor of being too pro-Christian are now calling him a bigot.

“These contradictions expose their real intentions: mischief and political provocation”, Dr Amos stated.

While reminding the people alleging religious discrimination that Christian and female Chairpersons had once served in Fufore Council, Amos called on the people to resist desperate attempts by some “morally bankrupt elements to mislead them or divide the State along religious lines.

Military Battles ISWAP For Territorial Control In Yobe State

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 3, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigerian Army Headquarters on Saturday, May, 3, 2025, announced an ongoing fierce confrontation between troops of the Operation HADIN KAI ,and terrorist elements belonging to Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP.

A statement posted on its official site, informed that troops and ISWAP fighters are locked in a grueling firefight for the control of Buni Gari area of Yobe State, North East region of the Country.

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, are currently in a fierce battle against ISWAP attack at Buni Gari Yobe State”, the terse statement noted.

The Source reports that Borno and Yobe states have been the epicentres of insurgency, mostly undertaken by ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters in the North East zone.

The two extremist-groups were behind the invasion and occupation of a large portion of territories in the two States, between 2010 and 2019, a development that led to the declaration of a State of emergency in the two States and Adamawa in 2013 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, their activities were relatively curtailed between 2019 and 2023 leading to the return of normalcy,with many displaced persons beginning to resettle.

But the two States, especially Borno, have, of recent, come under intense attacks, with terrorists targeting military formations and the newly settlement areas.

The orgy of killings and destruction trailing the attacks forced the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, to raise concerns about the reoccupation of the States by insurgents.

Women Who Walked Out On First Lady Are Fubara’s Loyalists – Wike

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Ayodele Oni

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May 3, 2025

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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said those women that walked out on the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu in Rivers state on Friday were loyalists to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He condemned the walkout on the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, by a group of women loyal describing it as an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State.

The Minister, who apologized to the First Lady and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of the people of Rivers State, said “insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria in an event is a direct insult on the office of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and as a leader in Rivers State, I apologize.”

Some women, led by some sacked Local Government Vice Chairmen had staged a walkout during the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme organised by the office of the First Lady of Nigeria, held at the EUI Event Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt, on Friday.

The programme was meant to benefit 500 women in the state with various empowerment items.

According to a statement on Saturday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister, who is in China for official engagements, described the incident as “very disturbing and embarrassing,” cautioning supporters of the suspended governor to desist from ridiculing the State.

The Minister counselled the suspended governor to demonstrate honesty by being bold enough to tell President Tinubu, what exactly he wanted, rather than saying something today, and doing another thing tomorrow.

He said; “It is not enough to be visiting people to plead for peace, those who genuinely want peace work and act for it.

“These are the same people pleading for peace, but at the same time doing things that are contrary to what they are pleading for.

“How can you say you want peace and at the same time, you are sponsoring people to insult everyone, including the President and his wife?

“All those shenanigans won’t bring peace, and I am sure they know that, because they are not sincere with their up and down pleadings for peace.

“As for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality that yesterday’s show of shame and we apologize to our First Lady for the embarrassing conduct of those few women who do not represent the characters and ideals of the people of Rivers State.”

Kano Govt To Prosecute Owners Of Sealed Warehouses

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Ayodele Oni

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May 3, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Kano State Government is to prosecute owners of two warehouses in the Sabon Gari area of Fage Local Government Area for an alleged violation of environmental regulations

Already, the affected warehouses, where some chemicals perceived to be injurious to human health are being stored, have been sealed.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Public Enlightenment, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change on Saturday in Kano.

According to the statement, the ministry sealed the facilities located along Airport Road by France Road, near No. 2 Court at Gyadi-Gyadi.

The warehouses, according to the statement, were reportedly being used for storing insecticides and fumigation chemicals, which emitted offensive odours, causing discomfort to residents and passersby.

The Director, Pollution Control in the ministry, Malam Ibrahim Nasir, who led the operation, said the ministry acted on complaints from members of the community.

“We received reports from residents about the strong and disturbing odour coming from the facility. Our environmental officers conducted an inspection and confirmed the allegations.

“An abatement notice was issued to the warehouse operators to stop the activity and relocate, but they failed to comply.”

He added that the ministry had no choice, but to seal the premises and initiate legal action.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Hashim, said that government was committed to enforcing environmental laws and protecting public health.

“Storing hazardous materials in residential areas is a serious violation and a threat to public safety, hence not going to condone any action that endangers the lives and wellbeing of our citizens.”

He urged residents to continue reporting environmental violations to the appropriate authorities for timely intervention.

The commissioner reiterated its commitment to safe guarding the environment, mitigating health hazards, and promoting a greener and healthier Kano.

Nigeria Records 28,876 Deaths From Tobacco Smoking Annually – Workshop

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Ayodele Oni

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May 3, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Participants at a workshop in Bauchi have suggested that a well-administered tax can lead to the desired result of reducing consumption of tobacco and its crippling health consequences.

The Senior Programme Officer of CISLAC, Mr. Solomon Adoga, stated this at training workshop for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on tobacco taxation and gender mainstreaming in Bauchi.

The workshop was organised by CISLAC with support from Tax Justice Network-Africa (TJNA.)

According to him, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, adding that more than 7 million of those deaths are as a result of direct tobacco use, while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second hand smoke.

He pointed out that smoking has been found to harm nearly every organ in the body and reduces a person’s overall health, stressing that 1.8 billion smokers live in low and middle income countries.

“Tobacco is a plant also known as Nicotiana Tobacum which naturally contains 2,500 chemicals, one of them being nicotine.

“When the tobacco plant is ripe, leaves are harvested, dried, fermented and aged. Every time you smoke, dangerous toxins are passed through your lungs then to your bloodstream in your body.

“Smoking tobacco causes exposure to a lethal mixture of more than 7,000 toxic chemicals including at least 70 known carcinogens that can damage nearly every organ system in the human body.

“More than 25,000 children (10 -14 years old) and 7,488,000 young adults (15+years old) continue to use tobacco each day.

“More than 7,086,300 men smoke each day, more than 402,600 women smoke cigarettes each day, 1,965,000 people currently use smokeless tobacco while Nigeria records 28,876 Tobacco smoking related deaths annually.

“Tobacco is a major risk factor for numerous cancers, particularly lung cancer, as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, stomach, and cervix.

“It significantly contributes to the burden of cancer in Nigeria. Beyond that, it also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and respiratory conditions such as emphysema, and bronchitis.

“Tobacco affects reproductive health by impairing fertility in both men and women and increasing risks during pregnancy and childbirth.”

In his remarks, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, represented by the Senior Finance Officer, Muhammed Murtala, said that the objective of the training was to strengthen advocacy efforts in reducing the smoking of Tobacco in the society.

He added that the fight against tobacco consumption requires a collaborative efforts, urging the stakeholders at the training to build their capacities in order to become change agents in the society,

Murtala stressed on the need for public health interventions, policy reforms, and increased awareness campaigns to curb the tobacco epidemic in Nigeria.

Ondo Gov’s intervention Halts Strike By Tertiary Institutions

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Ayodele Oni

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May 3, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Following the intervention by Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Joint Action Committee, (JAC) of the state owned tertiary institutions has agreed to suspend the proposed strike, scheduled to commence on Monday.

Chairman of the committee, Tayo Ogungbemi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Akure.

According to him, in view of the above development, the leadership of the JAC-ODSTI resolves to suspend the proposed 3-Day Warning Strike slated for between 5th-7th May, 2025 in order to give the State Governor the ample opportunity to implement the agreement reached with JAC-ODSTI.

“However, if the Government fails to implement these agreements by 1st June, 2025, JAC-ODSTI will have no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike without any further notice.

JAC had demanded among others, immediate implementation of the approved 2025 Budgetary Allocations to all the State Tertiary institutions, implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage to all the staff in the state owned institutions.

“Release of the January, 2017 withheld monthly subvention to all the institutions,

Payment of outstanding Arrears of over four and half years (54 months) arrears of the 2019 National Minimum Wage and 18 months arrears of 25%/35% Salary adjustment as well as 7 months salary arrears to staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.

“Dissolution of the existing Governing Councils in all the institutions, re-opening of the main gate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and Payment of accumulated pensions and gratuities of our retired members.

The Governor, during the meeting with the union leaders, reiterated his commitment to funding of the various institutions but emphasized that it was not possible to implement the budget 100 percent. He assured that the monthly subvention of the state owned tertiary institutions would be increased but not 100 percent as approved in the 2025 budget.

Other resolutions: “The Governor declared that the implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage is sacrosanct for all the workers of the state owned tertiary institutions. He promised to meet with the Management of all the state owned institutions in the next two weeks to resolve the issue permanently.

“The Governor promised to investigate if it is true that the January, 2017 monthly subventions were not released to the tertiary institutions in the state and if true, he promised to release them with a proviso that the money should be used to pay all the outstanding arrears owed the staff in the various institutions.

“The Governor reiterated his commitment to upgrade Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo to a University of Agriculture. He said that he has approved the financial request for the payment of three out of their six months outstanding salaries while the remaining three months will be paid before the end of the year.

“On the issue of Re-opening of the Maingate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, the Governor said that it was his intention to re-open the gate as promised to JAC-ODSTI last year, but Akungba Community and the Vice Chancellor of the University were not in support of re-opening.

“On the request for the dissolution of the existing Governing Councils in all the tertiary institutions in the State, the Governor pleaded with JAC-ODSTI to allow the present members of the Governing Council to finish their tenure since they have less than one year to spend in the office.

“He also directed JAC-ODSTI to forward list of prominent indigenes of Ondo State that could be appointed as members of the Governing Councils to him for necessary consideration.

“On payment of Pensions and Gratuities to retired staff, the Governor said that it is the duties of the various Management to ensure that the retirees are paid their entitlements and that they should clear the outstanding ones gradually just as it is being done in the state presently.”

According to him, gratuities of retired workers from the state had been paid up to 2015.

“The Governor claimed ignorance of not paying the last tranche of the Wage award as agreed with JAC-ODSTI in May, 2024. He said that he gave approval for payment of 6 months wage award and he didn’t know that payment was not completed for the workers of the various tertiary institutions in the state. He therefore promised to ensure that the last tranche of the wage awards be paid to complete the 6 months as expected.”

Edo Cult Wars: Police Apprehend 95 Suspects

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 3, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst an upsurge in cult related clashes and deaths, the Edo State Police authorities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, announced the arrest of no fewer than 95 suspected cultists.

A statement from the Command’s spokesperson, Moses Iyamu, indicated that multiple dangerous weapons and ammunition were also recovered during a week-long raid on some hotspots across the state.

The Source reports that most parts of Edo state, particularly, Benin, the State capital have, of late, been put on edge by sporadic cult- related clashes and deaths.

Alleged supremacy battles among cult groups in the State have left many dead and others severely injured in the past few weeks.

Many, including the State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, last week, expressed serious concern that the State may have yielded to the murderous activities of cultists.

Instructively, the Governor, apart from giving security agencies the marching order to swoop on all perceived cult- prone areas, also personally supervised the demolition of some structures believed to be used for cult- related activities.

The State Police authorities said that the arrested suspects are believed to be members of Eiye Maphites and Aye confraternities who are, alleged, to be responsible for the spate of recent cult supremacy killings in some parts of the State.

This is just as the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, cautioned youths in the state to refrain from associating with unlawful and dangerous groups.

The CP, while appealing to parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their wards, also, warned that security agents will deal decisively with those found to be disrupting peace and order.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives of both members and innocent citizens”, CP Agbonika stated.

Of the 95 arrested suspects, 64 have been arraigned, and subsequently remanded in custody while the remaining are still under investigation, according to the Police.

Anambra: Soludo Afraid Of Me, Sponsoring Ukachukwu To Destroy APC- Ozigbo

By

James Orji

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May 3, 2025

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra state Valentine Ozigbo says Chukwuma Soludo, the state governor is scared of contesting with him, saying the state helmsman is poised to destroy his party.

Ozigbo said it was based on this fear that Governor Soludo sponsored Nicholas Ukachukwu to clinch the APC governorship ticket with the intention of destabilizing the APC in the state ahead the governorship election later this year.

The APC chieftain made the remark on Channels Television programme’Politics Today’ on Friday, alleging that Governor Soludo is “funding Nicholas Ukachukwu” to weaken the APC.

The magazine reported that Ozigbor recently lost the APC ticket to Ukachukwu after the former PDP governorship candidate poled a measly 67 votes to Ukachukwu’s 1, 445 votes who clinched the APC governorship ticket. Ozigbo came a distant second during the primary election.

The former PDP governorship candidate however blamed his opponent’s emergence on the support of Governor Soludo, who he claimed is afraid to face him in the guber election.

He also claimed to have defeated Governor Soludo during the last guber election in the state, which the incumbent won, after the Electoral Umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared Soludo who contested under APGA the winner of the election.

He pointed out that the governor is afraid “of me becoming a candidate” saying opinion polls conducted in the state indicate that he’s the preferred candidate.

Ozigbo: “Soludo is funding Nicholas (Ukachukwu) to weaken APC and the only way we can prove this is invite all of us here and bring Bible to swear.

“Unfortunately, when you have certain intelligence, am I going to give you the source? Who is Nicholas Ukachukwu?

“How come he has never won anything since after he became house of rep member in Abuja here? How come every single election he shows up? How come?”

He added that he’s still consulting with the APC leadership on the Ukachukwu’s candidature adding that he would not allow the “impunity” to go unchallenged, noting that he has the better chance of winning the election for the APC, and would not allow himself to be cheated the second time after he was allegedly rigged out for Soludo to emerge governor four years ago.

“I have it on good authority about what happened (that he defeated Soludo) long after it happened. But I called Governor Soludo the same day and I said congratulations.

“I moved on. I didn’t go to tribunal, I didn’t go to court to challenge him. I moved on.

“In this case, the wrong is so severe that I’m asking myself to allow this impunity to continue? No, I am going to engage further with the party,” Ozigbo said.

It remains to be seen how much Ozigbo can do to change the current situation in his party in Anambra state, particularly as regards Ukachukwu’s candidature as the APC is currently neck-deep on how to upstage Governor Soludo and his party, APGA in the guber election slated for later this year.

Meanwhile, Christian Aburime, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Soludo has described Ozigbo’s allegation as “laughable” urging him to leave the governor out of the problems in his party.