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Obienyem Reacts to Soludo’s Revelation, Clarifies Obi’s Record on Cleaning Expenses

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Charles Soludo and Peter Obi

Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Media Adviser to Mr. Peter Obi, has acknowledged Governor Charles Soludo’s recent efforts to address the inflated ₦137 million monthly cleaning bill in Anambra State. He described the move as a welcome initiative in the ongoing effort to promote better management of public resources.

Obienyem noted that the step taken by Governor Soludo reflects the principles Mr. Obi upheld during his tenure from 2006 to 2014, particularly his focus on reducing the cost of governance and prioritising service delivery over government comfort. He pointed out that Mr. Obi consistently applied modesty and accountability in the management of public funds.

He explained that under Mr. Obi, the cleaning and gardening of the Government House were mostly handled by government-employed staff. In rare cases where extra hands were needed, the expenses were minimal and never approached the levels recently reported.

Obienyem further suggested that when such disclosures are made, it would be helpful to specify the time periods involved to avoid generalisations. He emphasised that Mr. Obi’s administration maintained a clear record of prudence, transparency, and responsible governance.

“We Are Delivering Solid Structural And Enduring Infrastructure” – Uzodimma

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Hope Uzodimma- Governor of Imo State

Amid encomia from Imo people over the construction of flyovers, bridges and roads across the State, courtesy of the intentional leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Governor has said that his government is not just building bridges and flyovers, but committed to the delivery of sound structural and enduring infrastructure to the people.

Governor Uzodimma was recently crowned Infrastructure Governor of the Year 2024 by Vanguard Newspapers.

Commenting on two critical projects in the State awaiting commissioning shortly – the Assumpta Cathedral Flyover and the Chukwuma Nwoha Road connecting Orji Flyover to MCC Junction – Governor Uzodimma insists that both projects are nothing but “engineering masterpiece,” and a “symbol of excellence that will redefine urban mobility in Owerri.”

Governor Uzodimma maintains that all the projects conceived by his administration will stand the test of time even as he thanked the contractors for retaining the specifications for the projects.

This is how Governor Uzodimma described the Assumpta Cathedral Flyover on his social media handle.

“The Assumpta Flyover is an engineering masterpiece, conceived with precision to address the longstanding traffic congestion at the Control Post.

“Every aspect of its design — from the piers to the abutments, the decking to the reinforcements — reflects our commitment to quality, standard, and durability.

“We are not just building a bridge; we are delivering a structurally sound and enduring infrastructure that will stand the test of time.

“With the progress recorded so far, it is clear that the contractors are working diligently, in strict compliance with the contractual terms.

“I want to assure Ndi Imo that what we are delivering is more than a flyover — it is a symbol of excellence, a flawlessly engineered solution that will redefine urban mobility in Owerri.”

Governor Uzodimma is also impressed with the quality of engineering deployed on the Chukwuma Nwoha Road by the contractor, saying he looks back with pride at the progress his administration has made in infrastructure.

His words: “The journey to transform Imo State’s road infrastructure has been both challenging and rewarding. Over the years, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to redefining urban mobility, one project at a time.

“Today, I look back with pride at the progress we’ve made, most recently marked by the successful completion of the Chukwuma Nwoha Road.

“Stretching from the Orji Flyover to MCC Junction, this newly built dual carriageway features a modern drainage system and solar-powered street lighting – an engineering feat that not only beautifies but also enhances safety and functionality.

“The road has already begun to stimulate economic activity along the corridor, easing the long-standing difficulties faced by commuters and businesses alike.

“This milestone affirms our resolve and we will continue to deliver transformative road networks that shape a prosperous future for Imo State.”

Commendations and prayers have started pouring in from residents affected by the two projects in question with one Mrs. Chiamaka Nwosu describing Governor Uzodimma’s administration as, “God sent.”

Also, Mr. Phillip Njoku who runs a transport business along the Assumpta Cathedral Flyover said that “Governor Uzodimma  has surprised everyone.”

Both Mrs. Nwosu and Mr. Njoku were full of prayers to God to grant the Governor the strength to continue with his people oriented services to Imo State.

Tinubu Must Complete Two Terms In Office For Equity, Justice – Senator Shehu Sani

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Shehu Sani and Bola Tinubu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

“Majority of Northerners support President Tinubu’s second term in office”

Social critic, and former  Senator who represented   Kaduna Central District, between 2015 and 2019,  Shehu Sani, has put the blame for the economic misfortune and backwardness of the Northern region on its past leaders.

This is just as he insisted that the North has no other option than to support President Bola Tinubu and the South West to complete their eight years in the Presidential office.

At an interactive session with the media in Kaduna on Monday June, 2, 2025, Senator Sani also posited that banditry and insecurity did not originate from the present Federal Government .

He berated past leaders of Nigeria of Northern extraction who had several years to uplift the region, but failed and neglected to do so.

According to him, it is ironic, and at the same hypocritical, for such past leaders who failed the North to now turn around to incite the masses against the Tinubu Government.

Senator Sani accused those he described as  later day critics of the Government from the North as insincere and noted that their criticisms are borne out of selfishness.

According to him, most of the antagonists of President Tinubu from the North are those who are bitter over their exclusion from the system.

He, however, noted that  despite the orchestrated noise from some isolated quarters, overwhelming majority of the people in the North are satisfied and happy with the progress so far made by the present administration,under President Tinubu.

He called on the people to ignore “the rantings” of few bitter loud emergency critics, and queue behind the President for his second term ambition.

“For most of us from the North, we appreciate the progress made so far by the present Federal Government of Nigeria in addressing the challenges facing the people.

“Many of the later day critics had the opportunity to better the lots of the region and its people, but failed and or  neglected to do so.

“Now because they are not part of the system, they have suddenly turned into critics. For me, they should not just keep quiet and bury their heads in shame, but also apologize to the masses of the North for deceiving and cheating them.

“For the masses themselves, my sincere advise is that they should not allow frustrated and disenchanted political actors, only driven by their personal interests to instigate them against a Government that is, from all intents and purposes,   sincere in its quest to move the country forward.

“Besides, they should not allow anybody to incite them against the President who for eight years supported one of their own.

“Although I have heard a lot of comments and remarks that are linked to tribal sentiments and all that, let us, however, put it a proper perspective.

The North West of the country has produced two Presidents since 1999. One was late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the second was Muhammadu Buhari.

“And in all these elections ,the South West part of Nigeria supported the North,and never gave any serious challenge as long as the smooth running of the Governments were concerned.

“So it is only logical that we allow the South to complete their eight years in power for peace ,unity and survival of our democracy.

“Even if there should be another Presidential  candidate from the opposition, that candidate should be from the South West because that is in line with the principles  equity, justice and fairness.

“Nigeria is not just a country, it is a country that came from horrible and terrible experiences as a nation. And we ought to learn from our past experiences in order not to repeat the same experience.

“Do l want to call on the people to caution the elements who had the opportunity to turn the North into a paradise ,but left it as a hell.

“Today, such elements are crying foul for no reason other than that they have been excluded from Government. Their grievances revolve around their personal interests and not about the people; not about the North; not about the masses; not about insecurity and good governance”, Sani stated.

Sani, also, noted that terrorism and insecurity predated the present administration.

According to him, it will amount to the height of insincerity and hypocrisy for anybody to blame the security challenges being faced by the North on President Tinubu.

“Under the last administration ,all the security apparatus of the country were in the hands of Northerners. They never stopped banditry in the Northwest; they never stopped killings in Benue and Plateau states and most parts of the North Central.

“We need to be very factual about it. Even most of the positions at NDA today are being held by Northerners.

“The region is occupying strategic Ministries as Ministers, including key Defence portfolios, yet the insecurity in the North is not over.

“Bandits are still killing people, they are still kidnapping people in Katsina, Zamfara and other states of the region.

“However, if we should compare the situation from where we were coming from, my sincere view is that things are better as at today”, he noted.

Ondo Police Command Confirms Arrest Of Mother, Student For Brutalizing Vice Principal

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Olutokunbo Afolabi - Ondo CP

By Ayodele Oni

Investigation has commenced into the brutal assault on  a School Vice Principal in Ondo State for preventing a student from cheating in the ongoing West African School Certificate Examination.

The State Police Command has arrested five persons for the alleged brutalization of the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development Centre, Awule, Akure, identified as Mr Rotifa.

His crime was seizing tye android phone of the student which he was using to cheat during the examination.

Those arrested include the Student, his mother, and three other accomplices.

Rotifa was beaten to a pulp by thugs allegedly hired by the mother of the student whose son Wisdom Elisha, was not allowed to cheat.

A statement in Akure on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olushola, reads: “Following the assault on the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development Centre, Akure, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested Mrs Dorcas Asije and four other accomplices.

“Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) led a tactical team to ensure their swift arrest.

“The case has been transferred to SCID and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

“The public is advised to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activity to the nearest police station.”

I Am Going Nowhere, I Want To Stay And Take Care Of My Six Children” – Divorced Wife Tells Court

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Sharia

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Despite having her marital union effectively  severed, a Kaduna housewife Latinate  Sanusi, has  defiantly told a Sharia Court sitting in Magajin Gari area of the city, that she  will not vacate her matrimonial  home.

Her husband, Abdulrazak Yunusa  had applied  to the Court, seeking a confirmation of his earlier pronouncement of  Islamic divorce against his wife.

He had sought the order of the Court in compelling his estranged wife to vacate his residence, having made three pronouncements of the end of the marriage.

However, while responding to the prayers made by her husband, Sanusi insisted that she cannot leave her matrimonial home because of her  intention to personally bring up her six children who are all females.

She expressed fears of uncertainty in  leaving the upbringing of her innocent children in the hands of  some strange persons.

She emphasized the imperativeness of personally, overseeing the upbringing of  the children despite the broken status of her marriage.

“My children are all girls, and I intend to stay so that I can take care of them myself. Afterall, he ( husband) doesn’t provide most of their needs.

“It is my intention to raise them (children) myself, rather than leaving them in the care of some other persons”, Hajia Sanusi explained.

Her husband Yunusa had earlier premised  his decision to sack her wife  of many years on her alleged non-submissiveness.

In his ruling on Monday June, 2, 2025, Presiding Judge, Malam Kabir Muhammad, while upholding  Yunusa’s earlier pronouncement of divorce, urged the wife to file a fresh custody application before the court.

“What is before me is a suit on confirmation of divorce. The issue of children custody can be filed as a fresh case”, the Judge stated.

Police Arrest Three, Recover Weapons In A Crackdown

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Police Officer

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State Police Command has announced the interception of three members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate in the State.

In a statement on Monday, June 2, 2025 issued by its spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police said two operational vehicles were also recovered from the hoodlums,who were arrested in Agukwu-Nri, Aniocha Local Council by operatives from the Awkuzu Unit of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, on Friday May 30, 2025.

According to Ikenga, the suspects, were apprehended sequel to the receipt of credible intelligence on the activities of their  criminal gang.

Also recovered from the three suspects – Monday Onoja, Sanusi Muhammad, and Kenneth Nwokpu, include a pump-action gun, a white Mercedes Benz C300, 4-matic car ,an ash-coloured Toyota Lexus car, and two exotic phones.

Ikenga added that concerted efforts are underway to track down  other members of the robbery gang still at large.

” Police have expended investigations ,are working seriously to arrest other members of the group at large.

We are therefore calling on the public to provide credible information that will assist us in fighting crime ,and criminality in the state” Ikenga stated .

This is just as the Command reaffirmed its  commitment towards adequately securing lives and properties of law abiding citizens and residents.

“Amaechi Is Only Hungry For Power” – FCT Minister Wike

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Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike

By Ayodele Oni

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said that his predecessor in office as  Rivers State Governor,  Rotimi Amaechi, is hungry for power and not for food.

Amaechi had served as Speaker Rivers Assembly for two terms, Governor twice and a Minister during the eight-year administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari.

Last week while commenting on the state of Nigeria during an event organised to mark his 60th birthday anniversary Amaechi said he was hungry, and so are Nigerians.

He said: “We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am. For us, the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him from this power.

“In Nigeria, there are no capitalist ideas among the politicians; it’s about sharing.”

But speaking on Monday during a media parley, Wike carpeted Amaechi, noting that the latter was only hungry for power.

Wike: “We have time to listen to junks in Nigeria. I don’t know why a man (Amaechi) will choose his 60th birthday to tell lies to Nigerians that you’re hungry.

“He was Speaker in 1999-2007. He was a Governor too from 2007 to 2015. He also became a Minister from 2015-2023. He never spoke about hunger.

“Now they are regrouping. They are only hungry for power. It shows failure on his part. How do you trivialise issue of hunger?

“You joined Atiku and claimed you are hungry. It is just that you cannot stay out of power. Since 1999-2023, and Amaechi will stand before Nigerians and claim hunger. He was a former Governor. He couldn’t give Buhari common 25% during election. He was even DG of campaign then.

“Thank God we didn’t support PDP. He would have taken the glory. He’s in a coalition. I don’t like talking- talking. Let them form as a team, let him start from home (Rivers).

“Let’s see how he can remove the President. Is it a military coup? The term removal is synonymous to dictatorship or military coup.

“You saw what happened and what Nigerians passed through in 2015, and you’re claiming now that Nigerians are hungry.

“I’m not a liability, I’m an asset. You may not like me. I’m an asset to ensuring that President Tinubu wins second term.”

JUSUN Strike Paralyzes Activities In Courts, Despite Pull Out By Some Branches

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JUSUN Strike

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal High Court (FHC) Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), on Monday, locked out judges, lawyers, staff and litigants from accessing the court, despite last minutes back out by some branches.

This follows the indefinite strike declared by its national body.

Citing the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, workers of the Supreme Court of Nigeria pulled out of the  industrial strike.

The workers of the apex court said that they opted to decline participation in the strike as a result of cogent and verifiable assurances extracted from the CJN after a closed door meeting.

This is as workers of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and those at the Federal High Court  (FHC) have also resolved not to go ahead with the strike.

NJC had in a statement by Mr. Joel Ebiloma, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), JUSUN NJC Chapter, hinted that a two -week grace was granted the authorities concerned to enable them put their house in order to meet their demands.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) report indicated that at the FHC headquarters located along Shehu Shagari Way in Abuja, all the entrance gates into the high-rise building were under lock. Judges, staff, lawyers, litigants and members of the public were denied access as business activities in and around the court were paralysed

JUSUN national body had, on May 30 in a circular by its acting National Secretary, M.J Akwashiki, asked all its chapters’ chairmen to effective from midnight Sunday, June 1, direct all their members to stay at home.

“It said that, “This directive follows unfruitful meetings in the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment who was conciliating on our matter.

“We believe that as directed by the organs of the union, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of our great union, the action will continue until further notice.

“Our demands are for the government to pay us five months wage award, implement the 70.000 percent National Minimum Wage, as well as the 25/35 percent salary increase Solidarity for ever.”

Efforts to have a chat with some of the executive members of the union were unsuccessful as they were said to be on meeting.

Although there were reports that some chapters of the union had backed out from the industrial action, as at 9:48am, the Federal High Court gates were still under lock and keys.

“No One Can Sack Me From PDP” – Wike

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Nyesom Wike
Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister

By Akinwale Kasali

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  has slammed his critics, particularly from the political circle, who asked the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to expel him from the Party following his alleged anti-Party activities and his recent sealing of the Party Secretariat in Abuja.

The Former Rivers State Governor stated that he has not seen anyone who courageous enough to nullify his PDP membership.

Wike made the declaration on Monday in Abuja during a media parley, saying that nobody in the PDP has the power, boldness and wherewithal to expel him from the Party.

He said: “I am still in PDP. I worked hard for the party. I have not seen anybody who will have the guts to tell me, Wike, you are not a member of the party. Who is that? What is his contribution to the party that is more than me?”, he queried.

Wike has been a thorn in the flesh of the PDP since the 2023 Presidential Election and worked for the defeat of the Party’s Presidential Candidate.

He was the leader of the G5 that worked against PDP’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 election which, ultimately, led to the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President.

As a payback for his hardwork and making sure the ruling Party, he was appointed the Minister of the FCT.

Akpoti-Uduaghan To Be Arraigned In Court Tuesday

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

By Akinwale Kasali

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,  suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, will appear in Court tomorrow, Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025.

Her appearance was confirmed by her lead counsel, West Idahosa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

Idahosa, however, expressed uncertainty about whether the Federal Government planned to arraign her on Tuesday or not, stressing that whatever the plans of the Federal Government, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains a law-abiding citizen.

He said she would comply with the Court’s directives.

The Federal Government through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, filed criminal charges against her on the allegation that she made defamatory statements during a live television broadcast

against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

According to the charge filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, and marked CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making a statement during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels TV on April 3, 2025, where she alleged that Akpabio and Bello discussed plans to assassinate her.

“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night— to eliminate me… he then emphasised that I should be killed in Kogi,” the charge quotes her as saying.

The FG also accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory remarks in a telephone conversation on March 27, 2025.

In the conversation with a woman named Dr Sandra Duru, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly claimed that Akpabio was linked to organ harvesting involving the late Inibong Umoren, purportedly for the benefit of his ailing wife.

Akpabio, Bello, and four others have been listed as key witnesses in the trial.

Her Counsel, Idahosa, however, reiterated the readiness of the legal team to defend Akpoti-Uduaghan in Court.

“If the case is called tomorrow, we will respond accordingly with our client.

“The issue of protest is irrelevant to us — we are lawyers, and our focus is on defending charges we believe can be contested. Protests are the domain of civil societies and others in that terrain,” Idahosa said.

He further stated, “Our client is a law-abiding citizen. Why wouldn’t she be there? It’s a summons we have undertaken. Only disrespectful institutions that disregard court orders would fail to appear, and she is not in that category.”

When asked about the possibility of arraignment, Idahosa noted, “We don’t know. We saw a notice of amended charges. We don’t know what they are trying to do. They’ve amended the charges once and could do so again—it’s their decision.”