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Court Annuls Senator Natasha’s Suspension From Senate, Convicts Her For Contempt

By
Ayodele Oni
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Senate to recall the suspended Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, described as “excessive”, the six-month suspension that was slammed on the Lawmaker by the Senate.

It faulted the provisions of Chapter 8 of the Senate’s Standing Rules as well as Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers and Privileges Act, declaring both as overreaching.

The Court stressed that the two legislations failed to specify the maximum period that a serving lawmaker could be suspended from office.

According to the Court, since Lawmakers have a total of 181 days to sit in every legislative circle, the six-month suspension handed to Akpoti-Uduaghan was akin to pushing her away from her responsibilities to her constituents for about 180 days.

It held that though the Senate has the power to punish any of its members who erred, such sanction must not be excessive to deprive the Constituents of their right to be represented.

Nevertheless, the Court held that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was not wrong to have denied the plaintiff who was not on the official seat that was allotted to her the opportunity to speak during plenary.

Justice Nyako equally dismissed Akpabio’s contention that the Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit which he said bordered on an internal affair of the Senate.

Earlier in the ruling, the Court awarded a-five million Naira fine against Akpoti-Uduaghan for acting in breach of its order that barred the parties from making public statements pertaining to the subject matter of the suit.

It further ordered her to, within seven days, publish an apology to it in two national dailies.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had gone to Court after a confrontation with Senate President Akpabio on February 20, during which she was allegedly denied the opportunity to speak and later referred to the Senate Ethics Committee.

In a February 28, 2025 television interview, she claimed that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected inappropriate attention from the Senate President.

Through an ex-parte motion, she urged the court to declare any actions taken by the Committee —including her suspension—null, void, and of no effect pending the resolution of her suit.

NFF Mourns Peter Rufai, Pays Tribute To Goalkeeping Legend

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Peter Rufai

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria football firmament turned pale on Thursday evening after it was confirmed that the country’s 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup first-choice goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, has died in Lagos.

Mourning the Rufai, popular as ‘Dodomayana’ in his active playing days, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,  expressed sadness over the news through its Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi.

“This is really, really shocking, Peter Rufai dead? What happened? I am perplexed. We did not even know that he had been ill.

“We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest, and to comfort all his loved ones as well as the entire Nigeria football family.”

It was gathered that the flamboyant goal-tender, who was in and out of the Nigeria senior team for 17 years, had been ill for some weeks, before passing at a Lagos hospital at about 6.00am on Thursday.

Former Nigeria’s international midfielder, Waidi Akanni, confirmed that the body of one of Nigeria football’s true heroes has been deposited at a Lagos hospital.

Rufai made his debut for then Green Eagles in a friendly match in December 1981, and won the Africa Cup of Nations silver in 1984 and 1988, before Nigeria swept to glory in the continental finals in Tunisia in 1994. He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships.

The charismatic and disciplined goalkeeper also kept goal for Nigeria in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals (the Super Eagles made the Round of 16 on both occasions), and dedicated his post-retirement days to discovering and mentoring young players. He also served as the coordinator of the Nigeria U23 team at a time.

Apart from his memorable outings with the Super Eagles, Rufai was an extraordinary figure at Lagos club, Stationery Stores, with whom he reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners Cup competition in 1981. He also played professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Aside Rufai who just passed on from the victorious 1994 African Cup of Nations Squad, others that have died includes; Thompson Oliha, Stephen Keshi, Wilfred Agbonvbare, Rashidi Yekini and Uche Okafor.

No doubt, yesterday, Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, remain a Black Thursday for World Football enclave, as Rufai’s death comes as a double tragedy for football lovers. It was occurred just hours after the reported death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, passed away in a car accident barely ten days after his wedding.

Fulanis In Bauchi Reject Creation Of New Emirates

By
Ayodele Oni
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Fulanis In Bauchi

By Ayodele Oni

The Fulani Community in Bauchi has told the State Government that the people will remain under the existing six Bauchi Emirates and not under any newly to created Emirate or Chiefdom.

Bauchi State Governor,  Bala Mohammed, had approved the constitution of a High-powered Committee to review and assess all Memoranda submitted by communities seeking for the creation of new Emirates, Chiefdoms, and Districts in the State.

At present, the State has six Emirates namely, Bauchi, Katagum, Misau, Jama’are, Ningi, and Dass.

The Fulanis, under the Daddo Pulako and affiliates of all Fulani associations, made their position know at a press conference held at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Press Center, Bauchi.

They said that their allegiance remains with the six historic traditional institutions under which they have long coexisted in dignity and harmony.

A former Bauchi State House of Assembly member, Alhaji Muhammad Tukur, who spoke on behalf of the  Fulani communities from the 20 local Government areas of the state, said their demand is both a constitutional right and a cultural imperative.

He added that subjecting them to newly carved structures “without our consent undermines the principle of free association, disrupts longstanding communal relationships and could lead to avoidable tension.

“We acknowledge the constitutional right of communities to seek traditional representation.

“However, we note with concern, that the current proposal for new Chiefdoms and Emirates seems heavily driven by ethnic demarcations, rather than historical legitimacy or administrative necessity.

“As law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in the peace and development of Bauchi State, we categorically state that: The Fulani of Bauchi State do not wish to be subjected to any newly created Emirate or Chiefdom outside of the six existing Emirates.

“We reaffirm our unshakable respect and reverence for the traditional institution in Bauchi State.

“The existing six Emirates: Bauchi, Katagum, Misau, Ningi, Jama’are, and Dass, are symbols of historical continuity and cultural harmony in our state.

”They have played an instrumental role in preserving societal cohesion and serving as a stabilizing force across diverse ethnic and religious groups.

“The Fulani community has been an integral part of these institutions since their inception, contributing to their evolution through loyalty, leadership, and stewardship.

“We respectfully draw attention to unfortunate precedents in other states such as Plateau, Kaduna, and Taraba, where the politicization and ethnicization of traditional institutions have led to deep societal divisions, intercommunal clashes and lasting grievances.

“We must collectively guard against a similar trajectory in Bauchi, a state known for its relative peace and coexistence.

“The Fulani community is not a peripheral group in Bauchi State. We are farmers, herders, scholars, security providers, traders, civil servants, and traditional rulers.

“Our economic contributions, especially in livestock production, agricultural development, and inter-regional trade, are pillars of the state’s economy.

“Fulani settlements have historically served as stabilizing rural outposts, ensuring food security and promoting peaceful relations across ethnic lines.

”Our communities have always responded to calls for peacebuilding, vaccination campaigns, education enrolment drives, and democratic participation. We are not secessionist. We are contributors. All we ask is fairness and dignity in representation.”

He called for responsible governance and priority reordering, urging the government to redirect scarce resources toward urgent developmental needs such as: rural education as many Fulani and non-Fulani communities lack functional schools and qualified teachers.

“We, the Fulani (Fulbe) community of Bauchi State, under the unified banner of Daddo Pulāku and all affiliated Fulani cultural and developmental associations, hereby present our collective position regarding the recent public statement by the Government of Bauchi State on the proposed creation of additional Emirates and Chiefdoms.”

He explained that they came up with their position after broad-based consultations among Fulani elders, traditional title holders, women, youth, scholars, professionals, and community leaders across all 20 Local government areas, and was issued in the spirit of dialogue, peace, unity, and fidelity to the constitutional values of justice and inclusivity.

ADC: Rhodes-Vivor Warns Atiku, Obi Against Personal Ambitions; Don’t Repeat 2023 Mistake, He said

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

Gbadebo-Rhodes Vivor, the 2023 Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos state says opposition political candidates cannot afford to repeat the 2023 mistake when they lost the presidency to Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The former governorship candidate urged the key opposition leaders to unite for them to be able to sack Tinubu from office in 2027.

He spoke on the heels of the suggestions that the ADC coalition formed by top opposition leaders in the country, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Ahmad Nasir El Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola may soon run into trouble waters due to the personal ambitions of these politicians.

Recall that President Tinubu defeated both Abubakar and Obi, the PDP and Labour Party presidential candidates , respectively in the 2023 presidential election.

Not a few Nigerians insist that an Abubakar/ Obi presidential candidates would have easily defeated Tinubu, who won the presidency with over 8 million votes, compared to the over 14 combined votes of Abubakar and Obi.

According to Rhodes -Vivor, a situation where the key opposition leaders decide to pursue their presidential ambition individually will produce the same 2023 result that favoured Tinubu.

He said it will be very easy for a united opposition front to defeat the administration of Tinubu , who he accused of mismanaging the country since it came to office two years ago, throwing the country into serious insecurity and endless poverty among her citizens.

He said, “This government has failed. Nigeria is now the 10th poorest country in the world, and citizens are grappling with the highest cost of living in over 40 years.

“You cannot be spending billions on renovating the vice president’s residence when Nigerians are suffering.

“You will hear something in the next few days; we are coming together.

The magazine reported that key opposition leaders in the country had on Tuesday adopted the ADC as a platform to contest the 2027 election.

ADC- Rescuing Nigeria Is Paramount For Now

In his lengthy  acceptance speech on Tuesday, the Interim National Chairman of the ADC said what is paramount in the minds of the coalition is to rescue the country from its current state of poverty, insecurity and servitude caused by the ruling APC.

Mark, a former Persident of the Nigerian Senate called on Nigerians to join the party in to rescue the country from the administration of President Tinubu.

He said, “We address you formally, today, on the operational focus and structure of the new political coalition that brings together Nigeria’s diverse opposition groups, political parties, youth organisations, the civil society and other patriots from all corners of our vast land, committed to saving the very soul of our Republic.

‘’Let it be known to all, that this coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

‘’Today marks the beginning of what we believe would be a long, difficult and tedious journey. However, it is a journey that we are prepared to undertake, united in our collective belief that no price or sacrifice is too high in the service of our fatherland.’’

Continuing, he said” ‘’It is on record that within two years of the current administration coming to power, it has hijacked all democratic institutions, and sent our country on a creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship.

“The blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective, to enhance total state capture and leave Nigerians with no alternative or options in 2027. This coalition is to prevent our country’s descent into a one-party state.

‘’We have never seen a government so much at home with corruption, a government that disdains accountability in all ramifications. A government more concerned with the next election rather than the survival of the ordinary Nigerians. A government so totally consumed with politicking that governance is abandoned, while the majority of our people wallow in hunger and poverty.

‘’We have never seen this level of insecurity across the length and breadth of our nation. Bandits and kidnappers kill Nigerians at will and on daily basis. Yet, this ongoing tragedy has not moved the government to any action that would stop these mindless killings and stem the tide of needless bloodshed.

“Indeed, the Nigerian people deserve a government that protects them and make them feel safe in their own homes,’’ the new chairman of ADC said.

According to Mark, ‘’Equally disturbing, is the total emasculation of the legislative institution. Never in our history have we witnessed a National Assembly where legislators, the trustees of the very bastion of our democracy, saddled with the sacred duty to protect Nigerians from misuse of executive power, are reduced to cheerleaders and praise singers of the president, head of the executive arm.

‘’Without doubt, the transformation of Nigeria’s National Assembly to a mere appendage of presidential authority is a dangerous conspiracy against the Nigerian people. It is the reason why the government is able to get away with various whimsical, unconstitutional policies and actions or inactions that have reduced more Nigerians to abject poverty and widened the boundaries of insecurity and fear.

‘’It is imperative to state that our democracy has a history, which is the reason why we all affirm that the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain. Today, the labour of our heroes is under vicious attack and our Republic faces a mortal danger.

“This coalition is therefore for all Nigerians who share in our belief that all of us, the young and the old, man and woman, rich and poor, living with disabilities or not, town dwellers or villagers, we all have the patriotic duty to save our country.

‘’To all suffering Nigerians who are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet; for whom the next meal is not guaranteed, this coalition is for you. To all those citizens who believe that Nigeria’s democracy is worth fighting for, this coalition is for you.

‘’To all youths who face an uncertain future and have questioned the value of their education and their certificates, this coalition is for you.

‘’To all our brothers and sisters in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, Kaduna, Edo, parts of the South East, South West, South-South who live under constant fear of violence and terror, who have lost a father, a mother, a child, a husband, a wife, this coalition is for you.

‘’To all our citizens, who believe that they deserve better, who have been promised much and given so little, for whom renewed hope has turned to renewed hopelessness, this is your coalition and we welcome you all to join us and be a part of this historic rescue mission.

‘’This coalition is determined to offer Nigerians a path to security, prosperity, peace and progress. Coming from various party affiliations, we are united in our resolve to present a constructive alternative to the hardship, insecurity and waste that has become the hallmark of the current APC government.

‘’As we proceed this day, we acknowledge the practical implications of imminent bye-elections and one state governorship election for some of our coalition partners in their respective legacy political parties. However, all of us remain firmly united under the ADC banner for the 2027 general election and beyond.

‘’After extensive deliberations, and discussions, which spanned several months with deserving platforms, the coalition has decided to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the vehicle for this historic journey.

“Having adopted the ADC, we commit ourselves to building and transforming it into a strong political party, not merely as another electoral vehicle but as a fortress and platform of our revived democracy.

“It will be the harbinger of democracy where members of the party will reign supreme. A party that obeys its rules and constitution in the best democratic traditions. A party of equal stakeholders, equal joiners and equal owners.

‘’It is the great house into which all patriots are invited. A party that recognises the experience of the old and the energy of the youths. To all Nigerians, we say here is the new big tent into which all patriots are invited.

“Here, the North shall hold hands with South, the youth shall find equal footing with the elder, women will be equal partners with men, the farmer and the technocrat shall labour side by side, not for the triumph of one party over another, but for the triumph of Nigeria herself,” he stated.

Mark further said, ‘’This is the bold new path we declare today; a path of unity over division, service over slogans, action over excuses, compassion over inhumanity, transparency over opacity, inclusion over nepotism, real progress over endless rhetoric, performance over empty promises, rule of law over impunity, and, justice over inequity.’

‘’Our mission transcends any electoral calendar. It is a commitment to rebuild the guardrails of our democracy, to anchor power once again in the will of the people, and to hand to our children a nation worthy of their talents and their dreams.

‘’So, stand with us. Join this house. Let history record that when our democracy faltered, we rose, not in fear, but in faith. Let it be known today, across Nigeria and beyond: The opposition is united, the platform is ADC. The time is now. The mission is clear: Rescue Nigeria. Rebuild Nigeria. Return power to the people,’’ Mark stated.

2027: South Must Produce Next President – Amaechi

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Rotimi Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi

A former governor of Rivers state has made a case for the southern Nigeria to produce the next president of the country in 2027. This, he said, must happen because “Nigeria belongs to all of us.”

The former Minister of Transportation, spoke on Channels Television programme Politics Today on Thursday saying the power rotation arrangement between the south and North must be respect.

Anaechi: “Nigeria belongs to all of us. We cannot sustain a democracy where one region dominates while others are locked out. The South has capable leaders. It’s time to restore balance and deliver real results.

“This election is no longer about party loyalty. It is Nigerians versus the political elite. If you want change, real change, then it’s time to rise. The South is ready to lead. We’re building a platform that gives every Nigerian a voice, and hope.”

According to him, a situation where a particular region dominates the other should be jettison as there are capable leaders that can steer the affairs of the country successfully from the south.

Amaechi, the magazine reports is among the presidential hopefuls under the ADC, the party that a coalition of opposition leaders in the country said will be used to oust President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC from power in the next election.

The ADC had on Tuesday held a meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital where its leaders, in defiance, told the president that his days in office are numbered.

Apart from Amaechi, other presidential aspirants in the party include, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Ahmad Nasir El Rufai, a former Governor of Kaduna state, amongst others.

Instructively, it was learnt that the ADC is already working towards the Atiku / Obi joint ticket to sack President Tnubui from office.

Other school of thought in the country , and indeed within the party are also considering the Obi/ El rufai Presidential ticket, in line with the national aspirations for a candidate from the south to rule the country .

There are also other analysts who are weighing the possibility of toying with the Amaechi/ El rufai presidency to satisfy the same agitation  from the south that one of their own should become president, after the eight year tenure of Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner from Katsina state.

Atiku, a northerner from Adawawa state was the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He’s regarded as a serial presidential candidate having contested the office many times and lost. Making him the ADC presidential candidate may yet steer another controversy in the ADC that can tear the party apart, analyst said.

“I Have More Capacity To Govern Nigeria Than Tinubu” – Rotimi Amaechi

By
The Source
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0
Rotimi Amaechi and Bola Tinubu

By Charles Igbo

“If given the ADC Presidential ticket, and if he wins at the polls,  Amaechi, like Peter Obi, says he would be in office for only one term

A former two-term Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he is better qualified, and has more capacity than President Bola Tinubu to preside over the affairs of Nigeria.

Amaechi, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who resigned from the Party on Tuesday and joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC, said the country would not have been in the state it is now if he was the President.

The Transportation Minister under the eight years administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, also, said he would be President for only one term if he is presented with the opportunity.

Amaechi spoke on Thursday on  Channel Television’s Politics Today anchored by Seun Okinbaloye

Asked about President Tinubu’s performance in office, Amaechi dismissed it as abysmal. In the past couple of days, Amaechi has insisted that he never, from day one, believed that Tinubu has the capacity  to govern Nigeria.

He pointed at the hunger in the land and the unprecedented insecurity and  poor performance of the Naira against the Dollar. He said there was no way those could have happened under him.

On insecurity, he reminded Nigerians that when he was sworn-in as the Governor of Rivers State, he met a terrible security situation but he noted that he took care of it within six months.

Amaechi also flaunted his credentials and experiences – from political offices held, (two- term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He was a damn good Speaker he said), a two-term Governor of Rivers State, a two-term Chairman of the Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum,  eight years as Transportation Minister, to his educational qualifications (first and Masters degrees in Political Science and Law), to his robust health.

He said, jogs kilometers everyday, and, as President, he would make his health status public so Nigerians would know he would not be on medical tourism.

Like the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Amaechi said he would be a one-term President in keeping with the unwritten zoning arrangement in the country. He disclosed it was one of the reasons he fought the President Goodluck Jonathan Government in 2015.

His words: “For now, the way Nigeria is, you must keep to that unwritten agreement that says South, eight years, North eight years. I led a fight against the PDP Government because there was an agreement that the Government at that time would spend four years, but after four years, the Government reneged, and I said ‘no, that will be unfair. That will lead to instability at its peak as the North will react’. So, the best thing to do is to support a Northern candidate to continue the balance of power.”

Amaechi contest in the Presidential Primary of the APC alongside others against President Bola Tinubu. He came a distant second. An assurance, according to Senator Ali Ndume, by Tinubu did not work out as the President reneged.

Ogene Debunks N1bn Rumour, Says Blackmailers At Work

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Victor Ogene

Afam Victor Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has categorically denied rumours that he, alongside his other colleagues, embezzled N1 billion meant for their various constituencies, attributing the false claims to malicious blackmailers.

The lawmaker made this clarification following widespread rumours circulating within Ogbaru communities, particularly on social media, that the lawmaker, along with other federal lawmakers, received N1 billion each from the Federal Government for their constituencies and misappropriated it for personal gain.

Hon. Ogene vehemently debunked the rumour, stating that neither he nor any lawmaker received such funds. He attributed the false accusations to wicked blackmailers who maliciously spread unfounded claims in order to destroy reputation of others before the people.

Ogene, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, stated this in a meeting with traditional rulers, presidents-generals of communities, delegates and other stakeholders during the second anniversary town hall meeting and presentation of scorecard on Thursday, July 3 in Atani, Anambra state. He revealed that lawmakers were only asked to recommend projects of N1 billion each for inclusion in the 2025 budget, for their individual constituencies, which were also captured in the current budget that is awaiting implementation by the executive.

He said that his service to the people would continuously be guided by objectivity, sensibility and utmost responsibility. “As I earlier pledged, I will continue to lead from the front, prioritizing the interest, peace, development and progress of Ogbaru in every decision and step I make as your representative,” he assured.

The number and total cost of projects for Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the current budget collaborate Ogene’s position. The projects include massive electricity projects, solar streetlights, water schemes in Ogbaru communities, provision of security vehicles for vigilante, provision of science equipment in schools, construction and equipping of exam halls, training and empowerment of women and youths, and construction of cottage hospital, among others.

The lawmaker also revealed in his scorecard presentation that he has sponsored 19 Bills and 12 motions in two years.

In the past six months, Hon. Ogene has also facilitated the installation of streetlights in 27 different communities and locations in Ogbaru Federal Constituency.

Over 250 constituents, including women and youths have also benefited from training and empowerment programmes in different fields including solar technology, ICT, fishery and clean cooking. Each of the beneficiaries also received financial grants and relevant empowerment materials from the lawmaker.

Dele Momodu To Wike: “No One Has A Monopoly Of Madness”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Dele Momodu and Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

“I can confirm that too much alcohol can do two things: dull the memory and get people emaciated”

Chief Dele Momodu, accomplished Journalist, entrepreneur and Politician, has sent a strong message to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. “No one has a monopoly of madness”, Momodu warned.

Momodu, a Presidential aspirant in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party, was responding to Minister Wike’s very condescending reference to him during his (Wike’s) Monthly Live Media Chat with some Media Houses in his Abuja Office.

Asked about Momodu, who actually was his media friend before politics put them asunder,  Wike referred to him as a boy, and added that he doesn’t even remember Momodu’s name. He also mocked Momodu over his (Momodu’s) not too impressive performance in the polls.

Wike: “There is this boy, they say he is a journalist. What’s his name? He is big.” When one of his interviewers reminded him “Dele Momodu”, Wike’s response was swift: “Okay. I don’t remember all these names. He was never my friend. He ran for President, but he didn’t get one vote.”

But in a sharp and strong response on Instagram, Momodu stopped short of calling the Minister an alcoholic. He also told him that in the Presidential race, both of them were losers, but added that he, Momodu, is even a  better loser  than somebody who spent billions of Naira and still lost. He dismissed  Wike as irredeemable and mocked his current looks.

Momodu: “I can confirm that too much alcohol can do two things – dull the brain and get people emaciated.

“On elections, there’s no difference between the man who wasted billions on seeking power and still lost and the one who spent nothing  and got nothing. They are both losers.

“The difference here is one is an uncouth and uncultured local champion called ‘money miss road’ while the other is a decorous and refined global citizen surviving on contentment.”

He reminded Wike that he, Momodu and others, had once tried to polish him. Momodu said: “We thought we could be of help but we failed because some souls are irredeemable.”

As a parting shot, Momodu wrote: “Lesson: NO ONE HAS A MONOPOLY OF MADNESS.”

Momodu was a Presidential aspirant in 2023 under the PDP. Before then, he was a Presidential Candidate under the National Conscience Party founded by late Gani Fawehinmi. He is also an accomplished Journalist, Columnist and Publsher of Celebrity Magazine, Ovation  International.

“Tinubu Tried, Shettima Shouldn’t Have Lasted This Long As VP”  – Datti Baba-Ahmed

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima and Datti Baba-Ahmed

By Adesina Soyooye

Vice Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Elections, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, has commended President Bola Tinubu for keeping Vice President Kashim Shettima this long  in office.

For Baba-Ahmed, Tinubu ought to have since dropped Shettima as his Vice President.

Baba Ahmed made this unexpected dusclosure during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time anchored by Charles Aniagolu.

Asked about the speculation that Shettima’s position as Tinubu’s running mate is shaky, Baba-Ahmed praised Tinubu for enduring Shettima  this long. The President ought to have replaced him, Baba-Ahmed said. Tinubu Shouldn’t have allowed Shettima to stay this long, he added. Shettima is lucky to still be Vice President, he emphasized.

Weighing-in on Tinubu’s side if he eventually drops Shettima as running  mate, Baba-Ahmed said: “I don’t blame Tinubu because whoever knows what Shettima did and does will not even allow him to last this long. The airwaves cannot carry it. I’m telling you, the airwaves cannot carry it. And I know I’m speaking on TV. So, Tinubu has tried keeping him this long. So, even the consideration that he be dropped, I think Tinubu has tried for keeping him this long.”

In recent weeks, speculations have been strong that that there are plans to replace Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.

At an APC Zonal event in Gombe where Tinubu was unanimously adopted as the candidate for 2027, Shettima’s name was not mentioned. It triggered a rowdy protest, instuctively, led by the Governor of Borno State, Professor Zulum who, with microphone in hand, was almost jumping chairs, while shouting in protest. The protest went physical.At least, one person carried a chair and was headed for the Zonal National Vice Chairman who read the communique that did not contain Shettima’s name as Tinubu’s running mate.

The Party official and the immediate past National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, had to be escorted out to save their heads  by security agents.

Ihedioha Joins ADC, Hope To Fly Its Governorship Flag Grows

By
The Source
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0
Emeka Ihedioha

By Charles Igbo

The declaration, on Thursday, by the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, that he has joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC, was greeted by palpable excitement and jubilation by his loyalists.

Ihedioha made this declaration at his Owerri residence 24 hours after the very high profile Opposition Coalition adopted ADC as its launching pad in Abuja.

“My party, our party now is ADC”, Ihedioha roared as he

informed his excited teeming supporters and followers that he has moved to the ADC.

Specifically, the former Imo State Governor addressed leaders of his grasstoots – based Rebuild Imo Movement (RIM)

Brimming with confidence, he informed them: “My party, your party, our party is now ADC. That is the way to go. That is the party for all of us”.

He then proceeded to give the RIM leaders a task:

“I urge you, as leaders of our Rebuild Imo Movement (RIM), to go home to your respective chapters, wards, LGAs and zones, and take this gospel to the grasstoots, to the people. We are people oriented. Our strength is the people, the masses. We alreday have representation in all the boots in the 305 wards in the state, and our structure across the 27 LGAs and three geo-political zones are strong, viable and functional. Just go home and invigorate our RIM structure which is highly effective and superb”.

“I must thank all of you here and those who are not here, for your steadfastness, support and patience. I commend the DG (Director General) of our RIM structure for his administrative ingenuity. I appreciate all the state executive members of our structure, the zonal, LGA and ward leaders. You all have been wonderful. Equally I use the state women leader, Lady Ijeoma Domike in appteciating all our women. I also acknowledge our youths for their diligence and dedication. Together, we shall triumph”.

With this declaration, Ihedioha has not only returned to the centre stage of politics in Imo State, but expectations are high that he will fly the ADC Governorship flag in the off-circle November 2027 Election.

Ihedioha, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives was sworn in as the Governor of Imo State on May 29, 2019, after he was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. But his administration ended, abruptly, seven months into it when the Supreme Court declared Senator Hope Uzodimma the rightful winner.

His bid to stage a comeback in 2024 suffered a set-back when he resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in April 2O24.

Ihedioha’s resignation triggered an unprecedented run in the Imo Chapter of the Party, a run from which the Party is still to recover from in the State.

His entrance into the ADC has set the stage for a would-be tough “political-fight” between the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the ADC for the Imo Governorship seat in the next election. The battle, many say, will be between the two political parties.

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