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Akpoti-Uduaghan To Be Arraigned In Court Tuesday

By
Akinwale Kasali
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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.”

Rivers Crisis: No Reconciliation With Fubara Yet, I Did Not Support Emergency Rule-Wike

By
James Orji
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT says he was not consulted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before he declared Emergency Rule in Rivers state. According to him, he would not have agreed with the president if he had sought his opinion on the issue.

The minister made the remark on Monday during his monthly media chat with some journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Recall that President Tinubu had on February 15, 2025, in a controversial manner, declared Emergency Rule in the oil  bearing state, sacking the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy and members of the state House of Assembly.

The president also immediately appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator for a period of six months , saying he took the action for peace and order to reign in the state.

Recall that Wike and Fubara were once political allies before they parted ways over the struggle for the soul of the state.

There are reports that the duo has reconciled , in preparation for the President to lift the Emergency Rule, which will soon expire.

Last week, suspended Fubara assured that people of the state that the Emergency Rule will soon be lifted, for him to come back to office.

The governor who praised President Tinubu for declaring the Emergency Rule, said the action was necessary to bring peace t the restive state, saying the president made the right call at the right time.

He also assured all government officials that worked under him, before the Emeregency Rule, that “the issues will soon be resolved, and you will come back to your offices” adding that he has made peace with his boss, Wike.

The governor’s remark was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Nelson Chukwudi.

Fubara: “I want to assure you that the issues will soon be resolved, and you will come back to your offices; not just at the executive arm, but also the legislative arm.

“And I also believe that the strong relationships we had before will return, and we will begin to work together again for the good and progress of the State. What is important is for us to have a forgiving spirit.

“We are already in the peace process. I want you to thank Mr President for his timely intervention to salvage the situation and stabilise the polity and the state. If not for Mr. President, the story today would have been different.

“I don’t know how he gets his information, but the truth is that he acted with wisdom at the right time. He is the one you should thank. And let me also thank him personally for his intervention, as well as the personalities across the country who moved in and appealed to him to intervene.

“We have to come down from our high horses and subject ourselves to the peace process. And that is what we are doing. What is important is for the state to move forward. It is not about you. The interest of the State is paramount.”

As part of the ongoing reconciliatory efforts, Fubara was said to have been accompanied by some well -meaning Nigerians, including Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, a former Governor Olusegun Osoba, an APC chieftain, to beg the minister to forgive Fubara.

Meanwhile, Wike said today that he has not fully reconsile with Governor Fubara, saying he has not seen him for a long time, after the governor went to Abuja to beg him.  “How can you talk about reconciliation without the state house of Assembly members,” Wike asked rhetorically.

Wike To Bode George: You’re A Jobless Old man

By
James Orji
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has lashed out at Chief Bode George, a former National Vice Chairman South of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a jobless”old man’ who should be “reading newspaper” instead of unnecessarily intervention in the party’s affair.

The minister made the remark on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital while speaking to journalists in his monthly media chat.

Wike has been fingered among the major protagonists in the protracted political crisis that has rocked the PDP for months since it lost the 2023 presidential election.

The minister has received even more criticism after he ordered the FCDA to seal the PDP National secretariat in the nation’s capital .

The PDP secretariat was among the properties in Abuja sealed  by the FCDA, on Wike’s order last week over alleged refusal by property owners to pay Ground Rent to the authority. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has however reversed the order, following the backlash that came from the members of the public, giving the property owners two weeks to regularize their payment to the FCDA.

George had while reacting to the controversy  accused the minister of going too far, saying for instance that Wike treated the party that made him badly. The PDP chieftain said the minister should have simply paid the Ground Rent owed by the party, as a loyal party man that have benefited from the party, which he said made the minister who he’s.

He said what Wike did is compared to a man trying to destroy his father’s house.

George: “We were told we had not paid ₦7 million and so, we defaulted on the ground rent. The painful part of it is that the minister is also a member of our party. They waited until the day we were to hold our NEC meeting to shut down the place.

“Talking as an African, culturally, let us look at it as his father’s house where he grew up, where he went to school and became a public personality. What do you do to pay back that family?”

“What is ₦7 million? He should have just said to them, ‘Okay, ₦7 million, I’ll pay from my pocket. Take the receipt back to the party’s secretariat. You see, you people are foolish.

“‘I’m completely committed to this house; I am completely loyal to this house. I will not decimate it. This is the receipt, give me back my money.’ That is what you call a true son of that family.

“I call him (Wike) my political son. He was, on his first political outing, elected on the platform of this party as a local government chairman. Later, he became Chief of Staff to an elected governor of this party, then (former) President (Goodluck Jonathan) appointed him as a minister of state for education in our party, then became a governor for eight years on the platform of this party,” he stated.

Recall that George was a staunch ally of the minister during the agitation by Southern Leaders to have power shift to the South before the 2023 presidential election.

The elder-statesman had backed Wike against Atiku who later secured the PDP presidential election for that historic election.

Gov Mbah Relocates Teenage-Ritual Survivor, Offers Scholarship To University Level

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Peter Mbah

By Adesina Soyooye

Teenage-girl, Ukamaka Okonkwo, who was snatched from the jaws of death, has been given a refreshing lease of life.

Recall that Ukamaka was abducted in the presence of his father by two men on a motorcycle while she and his father were going back home from their farm in their community, Ndiagu Umumba, Ezeagu Local Government of Enugu State.

The men who snatched her did that on the behest of a millionaire-“native- doctor- ritualist, High Chief Levi Obieze.

On her abduction, Ukamaka’s father raised an alarm which attracted the youths in the community. An all-night search in company of the Community’s vigilante burst the case when the search party heard screams emanating from the sprawling compound of Obieze. They stormed the compound and after some resistance, they burst in only to discover a screaming Ukamaka in a pit, bound hands and legs, preparatory for ritual purposes.

She was rescued.

But when Police were called in,  more shocks were in store. When a solidly, cemented soakaway in the compound was broken into, two human remains, one of a yet-to-be identified pregnant woman, and the other of a teenage boy identified as Chimobi Ezih were discovered.

Taking into consideration the trauma the rescued 13-year old Ukamaka has gone through, and for her continued safety, Governor Mbah, on Sunday, June I, 2025, relocated her to Enugu and granted her  scholarship upto University level..

Mrs Ngozi Enih, the Enugu State Commissioner for  Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development who disclosed this on Sunday said she and her team were directed by Mbah to move Ukamaka, given the trauma the teenage-girl has endured. She also reconfirmed the award of scholarship, upto  University level granted her by the Governor.

She said: “We traveled to Ndiagu Umumba, Ezeagu LGA, today on the Governor’s directive to meet with Ukamaka’s parents and bring her to Enugu for therapy and full rehabilitation. You can only imagine the level of trauma this young girl has been through.

“The Governor has graciously awarded her a scholarship that will see her through her University education. This is a way to reassure her and her parents that they are not alone, and to help restore hope and joy in their lives. The Government wants to ensure that she fulfills her destiny- she is indeed a destined child.”

The Commissioner disclosed that her Ministry will be responsible for Ukamaka’s counseling and therapy.

She also disclosed that she and her team, on Governor Mbah’s instruction, paid a condolence visit to the parents of the murdered Chimobi Ezih -Mr  Theophilus and Mrs Chinenye Ezih – at Agbah Umana in Ezeagu LGA over the tragic murder of their son.

The alleged ritualist who escaped from his house, was, a couple of days later, arrested at Seme boarder by the Nigerian Immigration Services on his way to fleeing the Country. His three other accomplices had, earlier been arrested.

The Enugu State Government has since demolished Obieze’s mansion.

Woman Hires Thugs To Assault Vice Principal In Ondo School For Disallowing Son From Cheating During WASCE

By
Ayodele Oni
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Thugs beat Ondo School Teacher

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has ordered the arrest of a woman who hired some suspected thugs to beat up the Vice Principal of a Private Secondary School in Akure for stopping her son from cheating during the ongoing West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE).

The assaulted teacher simply identified as Mr. Rotifa is the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development College, Aule, Akure, in Ondo State.

A preliminary report by the State Government’s investigation of the assault  carried out by the Director of Schools, Ondo State Ministry of Education, stated that an android phone was discovered from the SS3 student during the examination.

The incident started on May 26, when an android phone was found with one SS3 student, which is contrary to the rules and regulations of the school.

When the Vice Principal  noticed this, he seized the phone from him.

The report added “On Thursday, the mother of the student came to the school to fight with the school management so much that the Proprietor of the school ordered that the phone be returned to her, which was done.

“The brother of the student, who was an old student of the school later came to the school to harass the Vice Principal and threatened to deal with him.

“After school hours, the boys were seen loitering in the street and the Proprietor was informed who told Mr Rotifa to go to the police station to lodge a complaint.

“He went and two policemen took him in their van  for the probable  arrest of the boys.

“They couldn’t get them. On their way back to the station, the boys waylaid the Police van, stopped it, brought out Mr Rotifa and beat him up. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

“According to the Principal of the school, he has been discharged from the hospital, but did not go back to his house for fear of the boys coming back for him. Further investigations and efforts to get the culprit are in progress.

“Arrangements for the safety of the staff and students of the school for the period of the remaining papers in WASSCE are ongoing.”

Ondo State Police Command Spokesman,  Olusola Ayansola who confirmed the incident stated: “On this the Commissioner of Police, CP, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has ordered immediate deployment of tactical teams and directed all those involved must be arrested.

“He further directed that the operation should be taken over by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operation to forestall further breakdown of law and order and proper coordination of the operation.

“Commissioner of Police therefore urges, all law abiding residents of Ondo State to remain law abiding and go about their lawful businesses without fear as the Police in collaboration with other security agencies is on top of the situation.”

After Nine Years Of Suspension, Lagos To Revive Monthly Environmental Exercise

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Babajide Sanwo-Olu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government is set to revive the Monthly Sanitation Exercise after Nine Years of its Suspension following a Court Order.

But the determination of the State to ensure Lagosians adhere strictly to the hygiene standards that befits Lagos megacity status, the State Government has announced plans to reintroduce the suspended monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the state.

Aside from ensuring a cleaner Lagos, the Government noted that the move would promote safer, and flood-free metropolis considering that the number of days the State will experience rainfall in 2025 has increased.

The move came  nine years after former Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode cancelled the sanitation exercise which was often held between 7am and 10am on the last Saturday of every month.

In canceling it, the Ambode administration explained that considering the status of Lagos as a megacity, it was no longer appropriate to restrict movement for three hours.

But years after the cancellation, the sanitation standards has relapsed with many Lagosians contravening the law and not participating in activities that aid hygiene within their community.

The Commissioner for  Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known on Sunday during an inspection tour of Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago in Ojo Local Government Area.

Wahab emphasised the importance of making sanitation a daily culture, stating that the return of the monthly exercise is currently under consideration at the State Executive Council level.

“Lagos is strongly considering reintroducing the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Once approved by EXCO, the Governor will officially announce the re-launch. It’s long overdue,” Wahab said.

As part of preparations for the upcoming Sallah festival, Wahab declared zero tolerance for the sale of rams and other livestock on highways, warning that violators would face sanctions under the state’s environmental laws.

“Livestock sellers must operate only within designated markets. Trading on highways is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he warned.

The Commissioner also revealed intelligence reports linking a syndicate to illegal waste dumping and cart-pushing activities around Idi-Araba.

“Cart-pushing is banned in Lagos. There is a law against it. We have intensified enforcement and will continue to crack down on these activities,” Wahab noted.

He identified an abandoned dumpsite in Idi-Araba still in use by cart pushers, describing it as a serious environmental concern that would be addressed. Similarly, illegal trading under the Daleko Bridge would be halted.

At Alaba Rago Market, Wahab warned traders occupying road medians and drainages to relocate their activities into the market or risk market closure.

“They have turned the median into a dumpsite and extended trading onto the roads. We’ve given them till Monday evening to comply. If they don’t, the market will be sealed,” he said.

He added that the market leadership has pledged to rectify the infractions, but the state government will act if compliance is not achieved.

In Orile-Iganmu, Wahab directed the immediate deployment of swamp buggies to clear the blocked Iganmu Channel, which was clogged due to indiscriminate waste disposal, hampering stormwater flow.

Wahab noted that over 100 LAWMA trucks have been deployed across the state to support areas where PSP operators are underperforming.

“We’re intervening where necessary, but residents must take ownership of infrastructure and stop illegal waste disposal,” he stressed.

He urged residents to bag waste properly at home, avoid dumping on road medians or drainage channels, and patronize licensed PSP operators.

Fmr. First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Earns PhD, Thanks “Lovely Husband”

By
The Source
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Patience Jonathan

By Charles Igbo

Vivacious Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, is now a proud holder of Doctor of Philosophy.

Dame Jonathan,  wife of former Nigeria’s President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, earned, not honorary, but earned her PhD in Psychology, Guidance and Counseling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State. It was conferred on her at the Institution’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.

Speaking at the Convocation ceremony, Dr (Mrs) Jonathan thanked her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and acknowledged the  transformative power of Education and emphasised that age is no barrier to one’s academic pursuit.

She said: “I feel that no age is too late to achieve your academic dreams whether you are young or old. If I can do it, you can also do it.

“I believe that even in retirement,  you are not too old to go back to school because education provides the opportunity for one to always refresh his or her brain and learn new things. Let me use this opportunity to encourage Nigerian women and the youths to aspire to become the best of themselves through qualitative education.

Mrs Jonathan dedicated her feat to Nigerian women just as she credited it to divine grace and the support of her family.

Her words: “First of all, I am very grateful to the Almighty God who has made today a reality. He saw me  through this programme, so I am very happy today.

“I, also, thank my family sincerely, especially, my lovely husband, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for all his support and very useful suggestions. I am also very grateful to my beautiful and lovely children  for showing great understanding and love throughout the period I was engaged in this programme. I appreciate all my friends for their encouragement. I feel very happy today.”

Mrs Jonathan, popular as “Mama Peace”, was Nigeria’s First Lady from 2008 to 2015. Before then, she was Nigeria’s Second Lady when her husband was the Vice President. She was, also, the First  Lady of Bayelsa State and before then, the wife of the Deputy Governor of the State when her husband was the Deputy Governor.

Since her husband left office in 2015, Mrs Jonathan has engaged herself in   several philanthropic activities, keeping her home, pursuing her quest for peace in Nigeria and the African Continent, and, as has been made public now, her quest to improve her education. This has now been crowned with a PhD.

Access Bank’s Acquisition Of NBK Strengthens Catalyst For Economic Growth- Ogbonna

By
James Orji
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Access Bank MD Roosevelt Ogbonna

Access Bank Plc says it has completed  the acquisition of the National Bank of Kenya. The commercial bank was formerly owned by the KCB Group before it was acquired by the Nigerian-based lender.

The process for the acquisition which started last year has now been fully consummated, according to Access Bank and KCB Group in a statement they jointly signed at the weekend.

The statement said despite the complete acquisition of the NBK by the Nigerian lender, the two banks will continue to work independently as the process of full integration is worked out between the parties.

According to the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna  said the Nigerian lender has been strengthened by the acquisition and is now ready to deliver cutting edge services to “individuals, business and government institutions” like never before.

Ogbonna said with “NBK’s heritage and local expertise” and Access Bank “ pan-African network” the group can now form a catalyst for economic growth in the continent.

Ogbonna: “Finalising this acquisition marks a significant step in our drive towards unlocking the vast potential of East Africa’s financial landscape. Kenya stands at the heart of regional commerce, and with NBK now part of the Access Bank family, we are better positioned to leverage our combined strengths to deliver high-impact banking solutions to individuals, businesses, and government institutions alike.

“NBK’s heritage and local expertise, combined with our pan-African network and innovation-led approach, will enable us to serve as a stronger catalyst for economic growth.”

Abia 2027: My Fate In God’s Hands- Otti

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State

Governor Alex Otti of Abia state has left his fate in God for his re-election. The next governorship election in the south east state has been slated for 2027 by the nation’s electoral umpire, the Interdependent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Ahead the election, Governor Otti said he will first consult with God even though his people, according to him have been urging him to run.

The governor spoke at the weekend during a reception  orgasnised by two local governments in the state, the Isiala Ngwa North and South Local Government Areas, to acknowledge his support and programs executed by his administration in the two LGAs.

Otti: “Regarding the call to run in 2027, people will know my stance then. We still have a long way to go. Just as 2023 was in the hands of God, so too will 2027 be.

“So, while I appreciate this endorsement, which I see as recognition of what has been achieved so far, I also thank you for your predictions.

“I can only say that I will consult with God. As time goes on, my response will be made public. Because, as I said the other day, I know my people are waiting.”

According to watchers of the politics in the state, Otti really requires divine intervention for his second term governorship quest, considering what is going on in his party, the Labour Party, LP.

Two factions led by Nenadi Usman and Julius Abure are currently fighting for the soul of the party. The INEC has recognised the Abure-led faction against the Senator Usman faction which the governor supports, a situation that, if not reversed before the next governorship election, according to analysts,  could complicate matters for the governor in terms of securing the LP ticket for the election.

Those watching development in the state, said the governor is considering joining another party if the situation is not resolved in his favour.  Governor Otti has however denied the suggestion that he might dump the LP.

Soyinka: I Support Amaechi For Standing Up To Tinubu

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Wole Soyinka and Rotimi Amaechi

Professor Wole Soyinka says he admired the manner Rotimi Amaechi , a former Governor of Rivers state stood up to Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary.

The Nobel Laureate made this remark at the week end during Ameachi’s 60th birthday celebration in Abuja, the nation’s capital, attended by top politicians in the country.

According to Soyinka, the former governor and Minister of Transportation was the only presidential aspirants who had the courage to contest the APC presidential ticket with Tinubu, who at the time was the National Leader of the party, after other aspirants have stepped down for Tinubu.

He said the former minister displayed a rare courage even though all the odds were against him, fighting to the end until Tinubu was declared the flag-bearer of the party for the 2023 presidential election.

He noted that the former governor showed the same courage that Tinubu, while he was the governor of Lagos state , against former President Olusegun Obabsanjo who had tried to emasculate opposition parties in the country at the time, to clear the way for him to elongate his presidency , in the form of a third term.

The former president has denied that he had a third term agenda.

Speaking, Soyinka stated that Amaechi has been consistent in his avowed determination to not be cowed by the powers that be in the country, a characteristic that the literary icon said he admired in him.

“The main reason why I had to be here today — it’s first of all that I admire Rotimi Amaechi’s fighting spirit,” Soyinka said.75

So This Happened (251) reviews the murder of a pregnant woman in Rivers, other

“And it’s a very consistent one, but the most memorable for me, because I watched this event live on TV from Abu Dhabi.

“I wanted to see the drama of all the primaries going on during the election. I wasn’t here, but I said I wanted to watch this contest, and I’m glad I did.

“Because it gave me a great—most malicious pleasure, rascally if you like, pleasure-to-to — see the incumbent president being given a dose of his own medicine.

“Let me explain this. For somebody, we knew as the last man standing when he fought to a standstill, a former president who was manoeuvring himself into a position of changing the constitution and obtaining a third term.

“He keeps denying it, but he and I know for a fact, and so do others. And towards that goal, he was sort of emasculating the powers of the constituent elements of the federation.

“And by the end, this president was the last man standing and resisted that effort. All the others had sort of cowed down because their statutory allocation had been stopped, contrary to the Constitution.

“But one man — he was the last man standing. Well, he obtained a dose of his own medicine from Rotimi Amaechi during the primaries. I enjoyed that very much.

“While everybody was, you know, falling over one another conceding, there was one individual who got on the podium and he said no, I’m not conceding.

“I didn’t come all the way here to commit ‘lúlẹ̀’. And that man was Rotimi Amaechi. And I said this is what democracy is all about.”

Soyinka is an ally of both Amaechi and President Tinubu.

The magazine reported that the former minister had recently stepped up his criticism of the president, over what he described as his misgovernance of the country since he came to office two years ago.

For instance, he accused the 36 state governors of being very docile when it comes to criticising the president, saying that was not the case when he was governor and Minister.

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